Firstly, well done to our Junior Infants who experienced their first week of long school days to 2.00 p.m. this week. They have all settled so well into our school. We are delighted to have them with us a little longer each day!

The teachers again this week had a very difficult time choosing their respective ‘Students of the Week’ as many students throughout the school really put themselves forward through their hard work and excellent attitude.

Lovely comments for this week’s group included that the students had listened so well, completing all their exercises with great care and attention, while working consistently hard in every subject. We were also delighted to hear that they had been kind and considerate to their classmates and teachers. Other students have moved to our school and settled so well with us. It’s almost as if they had always been here much longer as they have made a big impact on their classmates and teachers.

We often mention to the students that not everything will always be easy for any of us and that there will be times when topics or areas of school are difficult. We all must battle through these times and this week we were delighted that teachers mentioned students who had found things difficult in the past but have really grown in confidence and displayed a huge willingness to succeed. This, in turn, sets a great example to others throughout the school.
Well done to all the students selected and to all our students who worked very hard throughout this past week. Maith sibh go léir.

Finally, we wish all our Cross Country participants well in their East Mayo Finals in Swinford on Thursday next.

Well done also to our Junior Infant students who have completed their first full week in Primary School. We are delighted with how well they have settled into their new school.

Last week also saw the girls and boys from 3rd to 6th take to the pitch and playing areas behind the school to train for the Primary School Cross Country Championships which will take place shortly in Swinford. It really is fantastic to see the children’s progression to date and also the great attitude they displayed of never giving up even when things were difficult! Well done to all the children who worked so hard throughout their lunch breaks.

And so to our first students of the week for our new school year. At the outset the teachers were unanimous in saying how difficult the decisions had been this week with so many students in contention, however, the focus, concentration, hard work, excellent manners and willingness to succeed of this week’s students pushed them very much to the fore.

Each of this week’s students of the week has made a wonderful start to the new school year. We hope they can continue to work in this manner throughout the school year.

Well done also to all those who have worked so hard to date. We’re certain all the teachers can see how well you are doing and are sure your time will come very soon. A reminder also that in the coming weeks, we will see our Junior Infants class included in these special awards for the first time.

Our Parents Association are delighted to host a Family Fun Day on Sunday afternoon, September 24th, 2-5pm. This promises to be a fantastic afternoon for young and old, our students and family members who are all invited to attend. Plans are well advanced and we ask that you pencil this date into your diaries/calendars. Details will follow in the coming week to all families regarding arrangements.

Finally, well done to Layla, Chloe and Freddie who were winners of our Family Fun Day Poster Competition prior to the Summer Holiday! A very special word of thanks to our very hard-working Parents Association for their enthusiasm, interest and continued support of our school. This is very much appreciated.

Our preparations continued for Saturday’s All Ireland Final with a lovely morning in school earlier.

All the children and staff came dressed to support our team ensuring our classrooms, corridors and yards were a sea of green and red.

We had a ‘ Tionól Gearr amuigh sa chlós’ followed by a stirring rendition of ‘The Green and Red of Mayo’. A special word of thanks to all our parents who helped with the preparations at home and of course to Ms.Horkan who coordinated the event this morning.

A sincere thank you also to Mrs.Quinn who organised a fun Mayo Treasure Hunt and Orienteering Challenge for our Junior and Senior students to enjoy.

It was fantastic that all our younger students were with us for the first time. Ms.Duffy’s, Ms. McNicholas’s and Ms. Durkin’s classes joined us for what turned out to be a very enjoyable and fun morning.

We hope you all enjoy tomorrow’s game. We wish Charlestown’s Paul Towey and all members of the team and management the very best of good luck. We are all hoping in the not-so-distant future we will have the pleasure of welcoming Sam Maguire to our school.

Maigh Eo abú!

What a great second week we’ve just had. A second week to get organised and settled into the routines of school life.

Our teachers all reported their delight with the efforts of their students throughout this past week, many working very hard in class, displaying great focus, concentration and a willingness to succeed. We hope all can continue to work in this manner throughout the school year!

Finally, well done to the wonderful students of Sásta, Súgradh, and Junior Infants, many of whom have now completed their first full week with a normal school day in Primary School. We are all delighted with how well they each have settled into their new school and school life.

Maith sibh go léir!

Tomorrow, Saturday May 9th was planned as a very special day in the lives of the girls and boys of Mr.Rushe’s and Ms Colson’s Second Class’ as they received their First Holy Communion. Unfortunately, as a result of the current restrictions it is now not to be.

However, our wonderful Second Class pupils and their families will be very much in our thoughts and prayers. Fr Johnston will remember each of the students individually at his morning mass at 10am. This mass will be available on the St James’ Church webcam at https://www.mcnmedia.tv/camera/charlestown.

A very special word of thanks to Helen and Joseph McCafferty for the beautiful card to mark this important date. We all look forward to a time in the very near future when we can celebrate this special occasion together.

Finally, please keep in touch with our social media channels for a very special message to our students. Míle buíochas to Michael and Siobhán for their thoughtfulness with this.