Dear Parents,

It is a very strange feeling to be sending this message from home- Storm Eowyn was something that we didn’t envisage when we were making our January plans. I hate having to close school as I know the disarray that it throws families into, knowing that several parents have to continue with their work commitments. The directive provided this time left no option and I know that many of you, although not all, will also have been instructed to stay at home. Hopefully that will have made it easier for some of you, but to those of you who have to continue whilst juggling childcare- I know that this must be very difficult. I hope that you all keep safe and that you experience no damage to your homes.

Mr Byrne our Nurture teacher has sent home some work via Seesaw in relation to our ‘5 steps to wellbeing’ home school programme. He has outlined work that you can do from home today if that is an option for your family and if so we will enjoy seeing your photographs which you can email  to the school website stclaresabbey@gmail.com.

We have received notification that the online portal for admission to September 2025 P1 and Nursery classes will have its closing date extended to 4pm on Monday 27th January. Please alert family and friends and urge them to make prompt applications.

I ask parents/carers once more to refer to the Seesaw post from last Friday asking you to complete the attached questionnaire in preparation for our upcoming school inspection. Thank you to all who have already done so.

And to finish…..

I have a ‘thought for the day’ book that I read each morning- today’s was very appropriate given the unexpected ‘shut down’ in which many of us find ourselves . I thought I would share it. We are all constantly so busy, maybe we need to take a minute today to slow down and breathe………

‘When a man looks at the stars

he grows calm and forgets small things.

They answer his questions and show him

that his earth is only one of the million worlds.

Hold your soul still and look upward often………’

—France Hodgson Burnett 

(author of the beautiful book The Secret Garden)

Yours in partnership

Mrs Monaghan  

Confirmation Friday 9th May 2025 @ 6.00pm The Cathedral.

First Holy Communion Saturday 17th May @ 11.30am The Cathedral.

I really need your help parents and remind you:

That we operate a 'drop off zone' and a one way system. We have had a few 'near misses as parents have not followed the one way system and have 'cut off' across the flow of traffic, to park in the area beside the canteen. I am very fearful that we will have an accident.

1. That you need to be so careful when dropping off children. Pupils should disembark onto the pavement- not onto the road/ car park side, where cars are busily trying to depart.
2. When driving off from your'drop off position' that you need to be mindful of other cars coming up from behind. We have had a few 'near collisions' re this.
3. That buses are being held up when some of you stay too long in your 'drop off' position. I have frequently seen the bus unable to take the bend to get to its drop off position because some of you have left your car unattended or are delaying your departure to make phone calls etc, unaware that your vehicle is blocking the way.

I know that with your support we can make the process safer for our school community.

Mrs Monaghan 

At the time of amalgamation it was agreed that funerals of staff of the former schools would not be attended by pupils from the newly amalgamated school. This was to avoid anyone being overlooked due to current staff being unaware of former connections with the schools.

That seemed like an appropriate arrangement at the time. However, having personally attended recent funerals of deceased former staff, I have become uneasy with this arrangement. Therefore, it will be modified as indicated below.

The family of a deceased member of staff of Abbey PS or St Clare’s PS, who retired from either school may request a school representation at their loved one’s requiem mass. If the mass is taking place during school hours and in a local church, we will try our very best to facilitate the request.  Requests may be made via telephone 02830262175.

We cherish the contribution that former staff made to both schools, from which we grew.

Mrs Monaghan