Wishing all our pupils, teachers, extended staff and parents a very Happy Easter.    School Website: www.stmarysttown.com
Facebook Page for Parents Assoc: www.facebook.com/stmarysparentsassociationthomastown

Hurling: The hurling season has begun and the boys played St. Canices in their first match.  
Badminton: Congratulations to (boy’s team) Peter McDonald, Darragh Skehan, Luke Connellan and Lukas Frommann on winning The All-Ireland Primary Badminton Schools Final in Baldoyle.  The boys saw off seven schools to lift the cup and beat Runnamoat National School, Roscommon in the final.  Congratulations to the girls who had to battle hard against four schools to claim their victoy beating St. Colmcilles Senior National School, Dublin in their final. The girl’s team: Úna Donnelly, Laurie Moylan, Katie Tylicka and Sarah Barcoe.  Both teams did the school proud both on and off the court.
Basketball:Thank  You to The  Parents Association who  have paid for new basketball hoops and posts in the school hall and the 6th class girls are already enjoying the benefits….
Swimming:
 As part of the Primary School Curriculum swimming lessons in The Watershed Kilkeny will begin for fourth class on Wednesday 15th April  and for fifth class on Thursday 16th April. A bus will be provided to take the children to and from the pool.  Information notes have been sent to the parents.
Handball: Congratulations to Kyle Jordon and Connor Holden on winning the County, Leinster and All-Ireland in boys’ doubles.  Aoibhe Ryan, Kyle Jordan, Sean O’Keeffe and Peter McDonald competed at county level, they played very well but infortunately didn’t make it to Leinster. 

Active Travel Challenge:
In conjunction with the Kilkenny Recreation and Sports Partnership, third and fourth class took part in the ‘Primary Schools Active Travel Challenge’. Each class received a pack consisting of a chart and stickers to monitor the effort  made by the children in their mode of transport to school.

Easter Bunny Visit:
The Easter Bunny will pay the annual visit to the school on Thursday next  and all the children in the school will receive an Easter treat. 

EASTER CAMPS
 Fitness by Design:
This Easter camp will be held  in the school from Monday, 30th March –Thursday, 2nd April.
  . (9.30am—2pm)
There are some booking forms available from the school office, they can be downloaded from the website:www.fitnessbydesign.ie or by contacting Paul Quinn (camp Co-ordinator) @ 086-1049921.
FAI Soccer Sisters; 7 to 12 yrs.
Venue: Thomastown United Pk
Date: Wed. 8th   & Thurs 9th April.    (2-6pm) Cost: €20
Contact: Darren Murray 
                087-6378742  

Remote Access from Home to Encyclopaedia Britannica…The school is now using Britannica School, an online resource that provides a safe, age appropriate learning environment.  All information is written by experts in their field and editorially checked, allowing your children to explore and learn within a  safe online environment.  This fantastic resource is now available to ACCESS FROM HOME!
In order to start using this fantastic resource, simply visit the Scoilnet website www.scoilnet.ie and click the Britannica  link. 

			

			

Food Dudes:
In February we started our Healthy Eating Programme, ‘Food Dudes’.  We ate lots of new fruits and vegetables.  We got lots of prizes and rewards.  It was great fun.
Now we are bringing in our own fruit and vegetables.  A great variety of different fruits and vegetables can be seen in the lunchboxes  throughout the school.
We will also receive Food Dudes Certificates for our healthy eating efforts                                           .          

CYCLING SAFETY TRAINING FROGRAMME.. A five week programme will be available in St. Mary’s after Easter for children from 3rd
 to 6th class. The programme will start on Monday 13th April and  every Monday directly after school in the school yard.
Bicycles and helmets are provided and each child will receive a certificate on completion of the course.  The cost is €15 for  the five weeks. 
If you wish to book a place for your child please complete the form given to your child. (more forms available from the school office) 

GYMNASTICS:
Reminder to parents that some amounts due  for  Gymnastics remain unpaid – payment would be much appreciated.

School Calendar:
March: School will close on Friday 27th at 12.30pm for Easter Holidays.
April: School will reopen on Monday, 13th.
May: School will be closed on Monday, 4th and Tuesday 5th (bank holiday & holiday)
Confirmation Sunday, 10th
Communion, Saturday, 16th.
June: School will be closed on Monday 1st and Tuesday 2nd (bank holiday & holiday)
School will close on Tuesday 30th at 12.30pm for Summer Holidays.

Board of Management Note
School begins at 9.30am every morning and ends at 3.10 pm every afternoon.  The school will not be responsible for children outside school hours.  Parents are asked to have their children on time for  school  every morning.

St. Mary’s National School
 NEWSLETTER
April 2015