October 2025

A Super Six Weeks

Time flies and it's been a fantastic first term so far in Carlow Educate Together. We're delighted with how well our Junior Infants have settled in and the rest of the classes are doing great too! All of our after school clubs are now in full swing and they're so popular that some days we have hardly anyone being picked up at 2:30pm! It's been great meeting so many parents and family members over the last few weeks, whether that's been at the Parents' Association coffee mornings or at events like our annual Teddy Bear picnic.

It was lovely to attend the Wear Pink Breakfast this morning in school to raise vital money for cancer research. This Friday we will be hosting another charity event - the GOAL Jersey Day - where everyone is invited to wear their favourite sport team's jersey. I'll be fishing out my Sheffield United top again and keeping my head down!

On the last day of term, we’ll have our annual Dress-Up Day, when children are invited to come to school in their favourite costumes. Some may choose spooky or funny outfits, while others might prefer to dress as favourite characters or in creative designs of their own. Please remember that toy weapons of any kind are not allowed, and that costumes should be respectful of all cultures and beliefs. The aim of the day is for everyone to express themselves and enjoy a fun, inclusive celebration together.

Enrollments are now open for Junior Infants for next September. If you know anyone that is thinking about sending their children to our school, please let them know that they have until 24th October to express their interest. All they need to do is click on the big red enrol button on our website.

Please continue reading our newsletter as there is very important information that will keep you up to date.

Simon

Reminder: Communication

We're very happy with the huge uptake in using Aladdin to contact the school and class teachers. If you missed it the last time, we're asking families to use the Aladdin app to contact teachers rather than email. It helps keep everything in one place.

Book Fair - message from Library Team

Hi everyone. We will have a book fair, in association with Celtic Travelling Books, on Thursday 16th and Friday 17th October. We learnt a lot from the running of the last event so we will be doing some things a bit differently this time. We will send out info to you and families a bit closer the time, but if you could keep these dates in mind.

We are going to run a competition beforehand and we will have a few vouchers to give away and some small prizes. We're asking for your help in facilitating this.

This year we are giving some different options. Feel free to give the children all the options or pick one for your class.

Options:

1. Write a book review of your favourite book.

2. Write a poem or paragraph on why you like to read.

3. Create a picture of your favourite book character/s.

4. Draw yourself in a scene from your favourite book.

All entries can be left in the library.

Deadline: Monday, 13th October.

Make sure name and class is on the front of each entry.

Entries will be displayed in the hall during the book fair.

Any queries to cetnslibrary@gmail.com.

Thanks for your help.

The Library Team

Library News

We welcomed all the children back to the school library in mid-September. And it was a joy to have the children back in selecting books and telling us their news. It is always extra special to welcome Junior Infants in for their first visit and they were delighted to show us their selections.

Our library is run by a dedicated team of volunteers, and supported by the staff. We are always in need of new volunteers. If you are interested in helping out it would be much appreciated. We need help on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 9am-12.30pm. Whether you have an hour or a full morning, everything helps. Below is a quote from Emily, one of our volunteers, highlighting what she enjoys about helping out:

“Volunteering in the school library has been a great opportunity for me to get to know more parents, especially since I’m not from Carlow originally. In between classes coming in there is always time to chat or to get a coffee with another parent at break time. It’s also a great way to get to know the school staff and children.

I especially love helping the younger classes to find books and listening to the bits of news they tell us or answering their questions.”

If you or a family member is interested in helping out or you have any queries regarding the library, please contact cetnslibrary@gmail.com.

Smart Device Policy

The Smartphone Policy was ratified just before the summer holiday by our Board of Management after a huge collaboration with parents, pupils and staff. As part of that policy, families must now fill in a permission form if they need their child to have possession of a smart device on the school premises. As of today, only 13 people have filled it out. You can fill out the form here: https://forms.gle/duvoiiWoeABVPAtB8

SeeSaw and Google Classroom

If you are experiencing issues with Google Classroom or SeeSaw, please contact the school and we will try and help you.

Workshop Wednesdays

Workshop Wednesdays are going well and we're already nearing the end of the first set of sessions. So far, children are giving great feedback and we're delighted with the new skills they are picking up!

Special Education

Our SET team met today to discuss caseloads for Literacy and Numeracy. If your child received support last yearyou have any questions, please contact us and we'll be happy to help.

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