MORNING HUG & GO IN SCHOOL YARD: From Monday 22nd September we invite parents/ guardians to drop off their children on the school yard from 08:25. This is an opportunity for all parents to meet parents of children in their class and parents from other classes. We do ask that when the bell goes that children still go to their line, get ready for class and parents leave the school grounds. At 08:35 the class teacher's priority is to get all the children into the class safely and smoothly and for teaching & learning to begin. We kindly request that if you want a meeting with your child's class teacher that such is organised via email for before or after school hours. Please do not hesitate to email your child's teacher directly if you have a handle with care issue, an issue with homework or any or concern. The afternoon collection arrangements remain the same.
WELLBEING/ HANDLE WITH CARE: We are continuing our "HANDLE WITH CARE" initiative. If your family is experiencing difficulties at home, we would like to provide additional support for you at school. We understand that you may not always be able to or even want to share details about what is going on and that is completely understandable. If your child is coming to school after a trying night, morning or weekend due to difficult circumstances, please email your son’s teacher in the morning before 8:15 a.m. with the message ‘Handle with Care’. Nothing else needs to be said but this will let your son’s teacher know that he may need extra help, patience, time and care during the day. We hope that this will be of comfort to those who need it.
NEW PRIMARY CURRICULUM LEAFLET & LINK FOR PARENTS: Please see link below to the Redeveloped Primary Curriculum for primary and special schools.This leaflet provides information relating to the redeveloped curriculum and the professional learning supports which will be available for teachers and school leaders. It is essential that parents/guardians are aware of the changes to the curriculum that have taken place to date and what will be happening over the years to come. In this regard, the department has developed this leaflet which is designed to communicate these changes to parents. In recognition of the diversity in our schools the leaflet is available in several languages:All versions of the leaflet can be found at New Primary Curriculum.The department will continue to engage with all education stakeholders over the coming months to communicate about the redeveloped curriculum.
CENTRE FOR TALENTED YOUTH: The Centre for Talented Youth, Ireland at Dublin City University provides specialised courses for young people with exceptional academic ability in verbal, numerical or abstract reasoning. As the start of the new academic year is upon us, they wish to identify students aged between 6 and 12 years who may fall into this category. If your child is performing in the 90th percentile or above in the standardised school tests, they are likely to make good candidates for their assessment. The CTYI assessments are better able to pick up on exceptional academic ability, giving a clearer distinction between a bright child and a high ability child. Students who qualify for CTYI may participate in the courses run by the Centre in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Online. These courses are in subject areas that fall outside of those offered on the primary school curriculum, and typically include topics such as Forensic Science, Novel Writing, Engineering, Computers and Animation, Marine Biology and The World of Harry Potter etc. If you feel that your child who may fit the profile described above, please look at the link. CTYI.ie An email has been sent out to all with the online assessment brochure.
LÉIGH LIOM IRISH GRADED READING SCHEME: 2nd to 6th classes will start a new Irish Graded Reading Series called Léigh Liom by Folens over the coming weeks. Children who do Irish will get one book a week(minimum) to bring home and read with their parents. There is a QR code on the inside cover of each book, that when scanned brings you to all the booklets. You select the colour coded booklet your child is reading and click on audio to hear the text. There is also advice on the inside back cover of each booklet for parents. Support for Parents is also at the following link: Support for Parents: Léigh Liom Irish Graded Reader. As the reading scheme was quite expensive and will be used by many different students, we ask you to help us ensure that the books are looked after and returned to the class teachers each week in good condition.
FRÁSAÍ NA MÍOSA/ GAEILGE/ CONTENT LANGUAGE INTEGRATED LEARNING: Más féidir libh cabhrú le bhúr bpáiste frásaí na míosa a chleachtadh sa bhaile. / If you can please help your child practise these 4 Irish phrases of the month? 1. Fáilte go dtí Scoil Naomh Mhuire./ Welcome to Saint Mary's .2. Lá nua, rang nua, bliain nua/ A new day, a new class, a new year. 3. Tá áthas ar na páisti/ The children are happy. 4. Bígí cineálta le chéile/ Be kind together.
AFTERSCHOOL CLUBS: Great news. Nearly all our afterschool activities are up and running. Please note that these afterschool activities are not run by the school, but by independent organisers who are responsible for your child during these lessons. Please liaise with the afterschool organiser directly if you have any concerns regarding times, dates, costs, health & safety, child safeguarding, lesson cancellations etc.
- Science Club: 13:15-14:10- Junior & Senior Infants. 14:15-15:10. There is a new booking system in place on the We Love Science website: If you have any queries at all, please contact
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or go to website welovescience.ie - Homework Club: Starting 8th September Monday to Thursday 2:15pm to 3:15pm - (3rd to 6th Class only) Contact Sam Briggs on
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - After School Sports: Starting Monday September 1st 2:15pm to 3:15pm (1st -6th class only) Aoife Cartwright. CONTACT
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Spanish: Afterschool lessons from 1st to 6th class starting Thursday the 11th of September to Thursday 11th of December (13 weeks) from 2:15 to 3:10. Please contact
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further details. - Johnny's After School Club: Johnny’s After School Sports for Junior and Senior Infants will start on Monday 9th September and will run for 7 weeks. You can click on the link below to sign up. Junior and Senior Infants https://signup.com/go/otqbDQv. After School Sports for 1st - 6th class will start on Thursday 4 September and will run for 8 weeks. You can click on the link below to sign up .1st - 6th class. https://signup.com/go/qfaMxde
- Alto School of Music: Starting 8th September Monday & Fridays. Piano and Guitar. Contact Anna on
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Art: Tuesdays starting 23rd September to 16th December inclusive with Evelyn Healy. Junior & Senior Infants 1:15pm – 2:15pm 1st to 6th Class 2:15pm to 3:15pm. CONTACT:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - There will be more clubs to start over the coming weeks. We will inform you once they are sanctioned and the days and times agreed. All queries should be directly with the after school activity organiser as outline above.
SCHOOL CLOSURE FOR STAFF TRAINING: Saint Mary's BNS will be closed for students on Thursday January 29th 2026 and Thursday April 30th 2026 for staff training for the New Primary Curriculum Framework.
Kind regards,
Noel Scully. Principal.