Scoil Mochua
Newsletter
February 2026
Cothrom na Féinne
https://sites.google.com/oulartns.com/scoilmochua/home
https://www.facebook.com/scoil.mochua.2023
Dates for your diary:
Monday, February 2nd: Bank Holiday - School Closed.
Thurs, 19th and Fri, 20th Feb: Mid-term break- School Closed.
Tuesday, February 10th: Safer Internet Day.
February 16th - 18th : Celebrating Friendship February.
Tuesday, February 18th: Pancake Tuesday .
Wednesday, February 19thth: Ash Wednesday.
Thursday, March 5th: First Penance.
March 9th - 13th: Seachtain na Gaeilge.
Mar. 16th & 17th St Patrick’s Break.
Mar. 19th Staff Training (New Primary Curriculum) - school closed.
Mar. 26th: 40th Anniversary Celebrations.
Mar. 29th: Easter Egg Hunt.
Mar 30th - Apr 10th Easter Break.
Apr. 25th First Communion.
May 4th Bank Holiday.
June 1st-5th School is closed all week.
Health and Safety:
There is no parking in the bus bay, except for the school bus.
Please do not park on double yellow lines and be aware of children entering and exiting the school.
We also remind all parents and children to use the pedestrian crossing.
Enrolments for the 2025/2026 year:
Enrolment forms for Junior Infants and any other pupils who wish to start school in September 2026 are available from the school office from 9 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. We need parents of pupils who wish to apply to start in September to complete enrolment applications immediately.
Safer Internet Day:
As we prepare for Safer Internet Day we would like to remind all parents that the school employs a number of strategies in order to maximise learning opportunities and reduce risks associated with the Internet. Children from 3rd to 6th class are currently completing the FUSE anti-bullying programme, please take time to speak with them about what they have learned.
In keeping with our policy, children are not permitted to have phones, tablets or electronic devices in class unless specifically requested by their teacher for a supervised activity.
This includes any kind of device / toy or wearable that can take pictures, make calls, connect to the internet or record in any way.
If your child needs such a device for after school activities they should leave it with Bridget on their way in in the morning and collect it at home time. Devices should be turned off.
We urge parents to look at the HSE information site on children's screen time https://www2.hse.ie/babies-children/play/screen-time/
Devices in a child’s bedroom significantly impair sleep quality and duration, often leading to reduced daytime alertness and poor school performance. The Blue light suppresses melatonin, while constant access increases risks of cyber-bullying, screen addiction, and behavioral issues. Please consider removing gaming devices, phones and screens from your child’s bedroom before their sleep time.
Pancake Tuesday:
The children in 6th class, with the assistance of Ms. Griffin will make pancakes for the whole school on Tuesday, February 18th. A donation of €1 per child will be collected and all money raised will be donated to The Storytelling House. Many thanks to our Parents’ Association for donating the ingredients for our pancakes.
First Penance:
First Penance will take place in the church at 7pm on Thursday, March 5th, with celebrations in the school afterwards. Thank you to our Parents’ Association for organising the celebrations. An advance reminder to the children in 1st class that they provide the cakes / biscuits for the evening and will be repaid next year at their First Penance.
Seachtain na Gaeilge:
Seachtain na Gaeilge will take place during the week beginning March 9th. (Further details later)
Celebrating 40 years of Scoil Mochua:
We will have a special day in the school on Thursday, March 26th to celebrate 40 years of Scoil Mochua. The day will include a mass at 12:30pm and activities in the school building immediately afterwards. Our school song will be launched on the day. We welcome all past parents and pupils to join us on the day.
Extra- Curricular Activities:
Soccer Blitz:
Boys and girls from 4th/5th & 6th class will take part in the annual soccer blitz in Curracloe on Wednesday March 25th. Ms Griffin will hold in house competitions over the coming weeks to select players to take part. More details will be issued closer to the event.
Soccer trials will happen over the coming weeks on Fridays.
Friendship February:
We will have a focus on kindness, wellbeing and inclusion over the month of February. Specific focus will be placed on inclusion and friendship from February 16th to 18th.
Camogie/Hurling:
Training for Rackard League hurling and camogie has begun on Fridays for all involved from 4th – 6th classes. Any boys and girls from 4th to 6th class interested in participating should bring their gear to school on Fridays.
Credit Union Table Quiz:
Best of luck to our two teams taking part in the Credit Union Table quiz on Sunday 8th February in Bellfield GAA Complex. We have 2 teams entering the competition. An under 11 team (Joey, Ashton, Dylan and Evie) and an under 13 team (Cillian, Matthew, Jack and Harry)
Thank you most sincerely to Ms. Ní Chonfhaola for preparing the teams and for the parents for taking them.
Music Group:
Our school music group will perform at the C.O.W.S. coffee afternoon to celebrate St. Bridget’s Day on Saturday, July 31st at 2pm. Many thanks to Mr. Stuart for all his work in organising this and thanks to all parents for their support in getting the children to the Community Centre.