Scoil Mochua, Oulart
October Newsletter 2025
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Monday, October 20th: Pumpkin competition entries to school
Tuesday October 21st : Flu Vaccinations
Wednesday, October 22nd: Pumpkin entries home
Thursday, October 23rd: Halloween Hike (weather permitting)
Halloween Break: School closed 27th - 31st October inclusive.
Monday November 3rd: Paired Reading begins.
Monday, December 8th: School closed for inservice training for staff.
Saturday, April 24th: First Communion
SCHOOL INFORMATION:
Attendance:
As a school we are working hard to improve attendance. This has slipped since COVID and has continued to disimprove. We ask that all children are in school every day unless they are sick. If we can beat our school attendance record from last year there will be a night off homework across the school and a surprise for the children.
Parents / guardians are reminded that there is a legal obligation on the school to record every absence of every child throughout the school year, The Educational Welfare Board must be informed of all pupils who have missed 20 days or if staff are concerned, earlier than this.
If pupils are sick a phone call to the school should be made on the morning of absence or use the Aladdin App and put in a reason for your child’s absence. If you wish your child to stay in at break times, because of illness/injury, a message on Aladdin or a call to the school is required.
Pupils should be in school until closing time. If children are being taken out for appointments during the school day a note must be put on Aladdin and children must be collected from the office.
Uniform:
Our school uniform consists of navy trousers / tracksuit bottoms / skirt. A white polo shirt and our school half zip with black shoes. The uniform top may be ordered from:
https://www.balondirect.com/product-category/oulart-national-school
Bí Cineálta:
Our Bí Cineálta policy is now active. This has been sent to all parents through the Aladdin app, is available in paper form from the office and is on our school website https://sites.google.com/oulartns.com/scoilmochua/home
Health and Safety:
In keeping with our Health and Safety policy, nuts, chewing gum or lollipops are not allowed in school.
We remind you that for health and safety reasons only small stud earrings are allowed in school
- No dangling / hooped earrings.
- No necklaces or bracelets.
We ask that parents use the crossing when collecting and dropping off their children so that it becomes an ingrained habit for your child. The footpath at the garda station will soon be complete which will make it easier for everyone to cross safely.
We would like to remind parents that there is no parking in the bus bay or on double yellow lines - this is to ensure the safety of all children.
Book Rental:
The free books grant means that there is no charge for books / copies etc. However, this grant does not cover items such as art and craft supplies / photocopying / sports equipment etc. Thank you to everyone who has paid the 20 euro fee due for these items in the current year. If unpaid could you please make arrangements to pay this as soon as possible.
Garda Vetting:
For those who plan to give lifts to matches etc. / or are interested in being a regular volunteer this year and have not been vetted by the school, or think your vetting may have expired, could you contact us as soon as possible so clearance can be obtained. Vetting is valid for three years only.
Shared Reading
The Shared Reading Programme begins on Monday November 3rd and will run for 4 weeks. Any parent/guardian requiring further information or explanation regarding the scheme should contact Mr. Stuart at the school.
Extra Curricular Activities:
Music Club
Takes place every Monday from 2:40-3:30 pm. Thank you to Mr. Stuart and Ms Ryan for co-ordinating same.
Homework Club
The Homework Club began on September 22nd from 2:40pm—3:40pm and will run for five weeks, finishing on Monday / Tuesday October 20th/21st. Thank you to all the staff involved in this.
Gaelic Football:
Rackard League football has commenced. Well done to all the boys and girls who have represented our school so well.
Mini Sevens competitions begin this week. Best of luck to all involved.
Thank you to Ms. Griffin and Ms. Hogan for generously giving their time to enable this.
Pumpkin Competition:
Our annual school pumpkin competition takes place again during the week of October 20th.
We ask that all pumpkins are dropped to the school on Monday 20th October and brought home on Wednesday October 22nd. We look forward to seeing the individual and family competition entries.
Congratulations:
Huge Congratulations to Ellie Fenlon on her appearance on Morning Ireland and her stellar performances in ‘Her Father’s Voice’. We are all really proud of you Ellie.
PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION NEWS:
The Parents Association AGM was held on the 3rd of September and the committee for the 2025 / 2026 school year is as follows:
Chair - Caroline Brohan
Vice Chair - Annie Morton
Treasurer - Emma Heffernan
Vice Treasurer- Chloe Carton
Secretary- Karen Farrell
Vice Secretary- Lisa Dempsey
PRO - Chloe Carton
We welcome anyone interested in helping out, to contact any of the above members. If we don’t have helpers, we can’t raise funds for the school.
CLOTHING COLLECTION
There will be a clothing collection on Wednesday, 22nd of October at the school.Bags can be left in the school the week beforehand or up to 9am on the day.Items that can be donated are clothing, curtains, paired shoes, belts and handbags.
HALLOWEEN DISCO
The Halloween Disco is on Sunday, Oct 26th (6pm - 8pm) in the hall.
Raffle and prizes for best costume!
School Calendar for 2025/2026 (may be subject to change)
School opens for all pupils Wednesday 27th August
Halloween closure: Week beginning Oct. 27th - October 31st .
Staff Inservice: School closed Monday, December 8th.
Christmas closure: Close on Friday Dec. 19th. Reopening on Monday Jan 5th
February bank Holiday: Closed Monday 2 nd
Feb mid –Term: Close Thursday 19 th & Friday 20 st Feb.
St Patrick’s Day: Closed Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th March
Staff In service: School closed Thursday, March 19th.
Easter closure: Monday March 30th - April 10th inclusive (Reopens Monday 13 th April)
First Communion: Saturday, April 24th
May Bank Holiday: Closed Monday 4 th
June Break: Monday 1 st – Friday 5 th inclusive
Staff In service: School closed Tuesday, June 9th.
Finish Friday 26 th June 2026