Report from Board of Management Meetings by Westport Educate Together

21st September 2021

info5957 — 2021-09-22 08:49:22 UTC

The board would like to officially welcome Elisa Toner, our new school Additional Needs Assistant (ANA) and thank her for her hard work and dedication she has already shown in her new role.
The school will begin its School Self Evaluation process during the course of this school year with a focus on Nurture principles and the nurture training the staff are currently in receipt of.
The school is delighted to be awarded a Creative Schools grant and we look forward to working with local artists to inspire creativity in our school
We also look forward to working with a bodhrán teacher this term (1^st class)

23rd March 2021

info5957 — 2021-09-22 08:49:56 UTC

Interviews will be held in the coming days for Support teacher role for the final term
The architect has drawn up a report outlining the most suitable accommodation prospects for our new temporary accommodation. We are awaiting further instruction from the department based on the findings of the report
Power Hour Literacy programme ongoing in the school
A big thank you to Conor O’Grady for his hard work and dedication to the pupils and school during his placement. We wish Conor the well in his future career as a teacher

15th December 2020

info5957 — 2021-09-22 08:50:54 UTC

We are continuing to liaise with the department about our new temporary accommodation. Despite reports in the media we still have not received any official word/sanction from the department.
Enrolment window for next September is closing at the end of February. Only a few places left!
Breda Burns will be taking part in the TAP artists programme in the new year with the school.
The school has also been accepted on the Nurture Schools training programme. More on this to follow.
Despite the current situation with Covid-19, our attendance so far this year is up to 91% (89% over the same period last year).The board would like to acknowledge the great effort of the children, families and staff in order to reopen and keep the school open in as safe a way as possible.
Please see the Parental Complaints Procedure adopted by the board on the school website. We accept that grievances and complaints are a natural and normal part of the school workplace and we wish to promptly, fairly and effectively deal with the issues as they arise.
The board would like to wish everyone connected with Educate Together Westport a safe and restful holiday period.

20th October 2020

info5957 — 2021-09-22 08:52:50 UTC

Email from DES re. accommodation: “the Department is exploring potential means of providing alternative permanent accommodation for the school. This process is ongoing. We would hope to have a more specific update for you in this regard shortly. In relation to the interim accommodation position, the Department notes that the current interim accommodation is only sufficient for the current school year.”
Please see Acceptable Use of the Internet policy and Remote Learning policy in the policies section of the school website. Acceptable Use of the Internet is a very important policy, not only for children but for all staff and parents as well. In the event of school closures due to Covid 19 restrictions, we have formulated a Remote Learning Hopefully, we will not have to use this policy but it is there and ready in the event of a change in department policy.
The board of management of Westport ET, mindful of the school ethos, endeavours to educate about all traditions and religious celebrations. Educate Together schools do not overtly celebrate traditions such as Christmas, Halloween and Easter etc. However, given the current restrictions, and in light of the fact that our pupils will not be able to attend parties or go trick-or-treating over the midterm holiday period, a proposal to have a midterm party this Friday 22^nd October was passed by the board at the recent meeting. Children can dress-up, bring treats and candy/sweet hunt will be organised etc.

25th August 2020

info5957 — 2021-09-22 08:53:29 UTC

The board has adopted the school Covid-19 Response Plan, Logistics Plan and updated Health and Safety Statement/Policy. All can be found on the school website Covid-19 section.
Though not a government directive, the board has decided to track temperatures of pupils and staff in the mornings using a contactless thermometer. Rationale: anyone above 38 degrees can not stay at school. Also, it offers us the chance to track temperatures so that staff can better ascertain if a pupil/staff member has had a spike in temperature.
Hand sanitizer will be provided for all children and staff. Personal hand sanitizer is not allowed due to potential poisoning risk.
The board would also like to remind parents of the importance of physical distancing at drop-off and collection times.

12th May 2020

info5957 — 2021-09-22 08:54:12 UTC

Westport Educate Together Board of Management would like to reiterate our support for families at this difficult time and the distance learning strategy of the school is in no way intended to add pressure or stress to family life. Please contact the school should you require assistance or support.
The school has set up a ‘Device Loaning’ Scheme for the duration of the emergency measures. The school has access to laptops, chromebooks, tablets etc. Should you need to borrow any of the above please contact Niall or Grace. Other device suggestions are welcome.
The school has secured Sharkey Hill Community Centre for 2020/21 school year. Educate Together and the Department of Education & Skills are investigating options for accommodation for the 2021 school year and beyond. We hope to have further news on this at our next meeting.

3rd March 2020

info5957 — 2021-09-22 08:55:30 UTC

Educate Together AGM will be held on Saturday 25^thApril - Niall to attend
Covis-19 update - children frequently reminded to wash hands correctly. Any updates received from the department, HSE or the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) will be forwarded to the school community
The school has purchased a second laptop using the ICT fund.
Educate Together are in talks with the department for long term building solution/strategy - essentially this means exhausting all possible buildings in the Westport area that could be suitable for our school (before this, the search was narrowed to include only buildings owned by the government and that were not in use). If you have any suggestions please let us know by return of email and we will forward any suggestions to Educate Together and the Department.
Swimming will begin after Easter for 8 weeks approx. Days and exact times are TBC. It will probably be an afternoon session starting at 12.15 approx to finish at 1.00pm. Parents/Guardians can collect at Westport Leisure Centre and also help to get your child dressed. **As this is a school event, any parent/guardian that enters the changing room MUST be Garda vetted.There will be further information about this issue to follow.
Inishturk National School may be joining us during our swimming sessions, as both schools have small numbers. TBC.

22nd June 2021

info5957 — 2021-09-22 12:27:56 UTC

Thank you to the staff for their hard work and dedication in difficult circumstances this year.
A special thank you Genevieve McGing for her hard work and dedication to the school over the past 2 years. We wish her well in her new position in Newport NS.
The board would like to acknowledge the amazing effort the children have made to ensuring our school is a safe place to be. Well done everybody!
Thank you to our parent body for their patience and understanding in regard to our temporary premises.

Have a happy and enjoyable summer!

30th November 2021

info5957 — 2021-11-30 19:15:58 UTC

In a meeting of the BOM of Westport Educate Together on 30^th November 2021, a review of our Child Safeguarding Statement and Anti-Bullying Policy took place. Please see the updated statement and policies on our school website. All policies are available on request from the school office.
Niall attended online training for Creative Schools Project on 23rd November. Very positive and enriching experience. The school will be assigned a Creative Schools Associate in January. Parent/Pupil questionnaires will go out this week and Creative Schools ‘space’ created to showcase any projects completed. Each month, we will endeavour to have a whole school ‘creative’ project. Each project will be displayed in our ‘Creative Schools Space’ on completion and where appropriate. For example, December we will create a large Rangoli pattern using crepe paper.
After mid-term Kirsten piloted the new Learn Together Ethical Education Curriculum, this took place over two weeks in November. The curriculum is spiral in nature and similar themes are explored from Junior to Sixth. There are four new proposed strands in the new curriculum outlined below: Values and Ethical Perspectives, An Ethical Approach to the Environment, Equality and Justice, Belief Systems. A thematic approach is planned from junior infants to second class and learning outcomes are subject- based from third to sixth classes. Our theme during November was ‘Remembering’ which incorporated both belief systems, and values and ethical perspectives. We had great fun exploring this theme and the belief system we focused on was Humanism. We followed the conceptual enquiry approach which is advocated by Educate Together. The new approach was a fun way to explore our own lives and the things that are important to us and how we remember those moments. The conceptual enquiry approach helped us to identify with other belief systems by exploring important moments within Humanism and how they might be celebrated and remembered. Educate Together are continuing to develop the new curriculum and it will be an interesting approach going forward.
The BOM would like to wish all pupils, families and staff a safe and peaceful winter holidays.

29th March 2022

info5957 — 2022-06-22 09:14:06 UTC

· In a meeting of the BOM of Westport Educate Together on 29^th March 2022, a review and update of the following policies was undertaken in anticipation of our imminent school move; Health & Safety Policy, Covid19 Logistics and RA, Enrolment Policy and Annual Admissions Statement, Child Safeguarding Statement. All policies are available on request from the school office.

· BoM is looking forward to the move to the new premises. We are cognisant of that the move might cause anxiety for both pupils and parents and we will do our best to make the transition as easy as possible for all involved.

· We will host an Open evening/afternoon for parents and pupils prior to the move.

· We are delighted to welcome Breda Burns as our Creative Associate for our Creative Schools programme. We have worked with Breda in the past and very much look forward to working with her in the future.

· The BoM would like to thank Rita and the board of Sharkey Hill Community centre for accommodating us in their wonderful facility for the past 2 years and 7 months. Sharkey Hill will always have a special place in our hearts.

21st June 2022

info5957 — 2022-06-22 09:15:46 UTC

· We will be setting up a GoFundMe page for donations that help with the running costs of the school (Parent suggestion in feedback forms)

· RSE and Stay Safe Policies adopted by the BOM

· We are delighted to welcome Kirsten O’Dwyer as a permanent member of staff.

· Kirsten will also be going on maternity leave from the start of August. We wish Kirsten well. Maternity leave post to be filled after interviews are held in late August.

· We welcome Marian Grady (Glenhest NS) as a clustered support teacher for the
2022/23 school year.

· We would like to thank Lorraine Morrin for her hard work and dedication to the pupils of Westport Educate Together in her time as Support Teacher. Thank you Lorraine and the very best of luck with your career in the future!

· The board would like to formally thank all staff – Grace, Elisa, Lorraine, Kirsten and Niall for their hard work in what was a very difficult year. Covid restrictions/ guidelines and our accommodation issues made working in a school very difficult in recent times and we thank all the staff for taking such great care of our pupils.

· Accommodation update: We are sorry to report that the delay with the signing of the lease is caused by the Department (with our patron ET acting on their behalf) and our landlord disputing a previously agreed rental figure. Unfortunately, the BOM has no say in such matters and all we can do is see how the matter plays out over the coming days, weeks and months. We will keep you updated.

30th September 2022

info5957 — 2022-09-30 12:19:29 UTC

· A very warm welcome to our new school premises and thank you to Niall, Grace, Elisa, Anna, Marian and Frank for all their hard work preparing the new premises in a very short space of time

· A massive thank you to John Reilly for his Dip-a-Day fundraiser for the month of October. We will purchase much needed playground equipment with the funds raised.

· Date for Diary: Saturday December 3^rd we will host a Winter Fair to raise funds for the school. We see the fair as a mix of child led and community/family led stalls e.g. sale of work (children), coffee dock (grown-up), Arts ‘n Crafts stall (child + grown up). We will need prizes for a raffle. Suggestions and help from parents/guardians welcome!

· We have already begun the process of securing the school premise for the 2023/24 school year

- Enrolment Window opens for 2023/24 school year on October 1^st 2022.
· We will be seeking engagement from Parents/Guardians over the coming weeks as we finalise our Vision and Mission Statements

9th December 2022

info5957 — 2022-12-09 15:34:12 UTC

· A big thanks to Sarah Sheridan for her hard work and dedication as our EAL teacher for November and December. We wish Sarah well in her move ‘down the country’ in the new year.

· A massive thank you to John Reilly for his Dip-a-Day fundraiser for the month of October. John raised over €2000 for the school. We are currently awaiting delivery of some playground equipment.

· Winter Fair raised €3,200 approx. It was a fantastic day and we hope that will become a regular fixture in our school calendar. The board would like to thank all our generous local business donors, our organising committee, parents, staff and of course children that made it such a special day

Have a wonderful Winter Break everyone and wishing you all the best in 2023

24th February 2023

info5957 — 2023-02-24 13:27:00 UTC

· A big thanks to Grace for all her hard work and dedication over the past 4 years. Our school would not be the thriving school it is today but for Grace’s dedication, work ethic and professionalism. Grace always but the pupils of Westport Educate Together first and we thank her sincerely. We wish Grace, Tom and her family all the best in her new role in Educate Together head office.

· Also a massive thank you to Anna for her hard work and dedication since joining our team in September. Anna’s expertise and professionalism has been a huge asset to 1^st and 2^nd class. We wish Anna and her family all the best for the coming months and years and we look forward to welcoming her new arrival in May

· We also extend a warm welcome to Patrick English as our part time English as an Additional Language Teacher (EAL)

· We are very happy to announce that the Department and Westport Woods Hotel have agreed terms to extend our lease until August 2025.

The board would like to thank the school community for the extensive fundraising efforts throughout the year. We have exceeded our target and with that in mind we intend to host the Family Table Quiz on 1^st March to raise money for the victims of the Turkey/Suria earthquake.

25th April 2023

info5957 — 2023-04-26 15:41:04 UTC

Welcome Laura O and Laura G to the school. They have helped make a great start to Term 3.

Swimming lessons have started in Westport Woods hotel. We thank our parents for prompt return of consent forms.

Memo from Department: "A half-day school closure is being provided to facilitate whole-school review of the Framework. This closure should be taken before the end of the 2022/2023 school year. Schools can decide on a half-day that suits their school calendar" - we will update parents as soon as possible.

Parent planning/information meeting for ‘Blooming Day’ (date TBC) in the coming weeks.

€400 raised at the school Quiz night for the victims of the Turkey/Syria earthquake. We thank our school community for their generous contributions. School Bingo night on May 17th – we look forward to seeing you all there. DONATIONS OF PRIZES WELCOME!!!

27th June 2023

info5957 — 2023-06-27 18:34:53 UTC

· English Curriculam Plan adopted by the BOM – all other plans are currently draft docs and will be available on the school website soon. · As per our lease, the school must vacate 2 rooms of the building for July and August for use by the landlord. School will reopen on 1^st September 2023. · Summer School will be held in Sharkey Hill Community Centre for the first 2 weeks in July.
· The board would like to congratulate all the children from 2^nd class on their wonderful Blooming Day event celebrated and enjoyed by the whole school community. We would also like to thank the staff for their help in preparing the children and the school on the day.
· Thanks to Anthony and Christine for their respective Drumming and Forest bath workshops as part of the Creative Schools process.
· In the 2023/24 school year the cost of textbooks will be covered by the government through a grant. All children and families qualify so the burden of purchasing schoolbooks is no longer felt by the families. However we will have annual arts and crafts and insurance costs (€20 approx.) that will be due by the end of September.
· Class allocations: Niall will teach the Infant class and Kirsten will teach the Senior class with the possibility of a 3^rd mainstream class teacher if we have enough new enrolments. We still have spaces left in nearly all our classes so tell your friends and spread the word! Enrolment applications accepted through the portal on our website.
· The current Board of Management (BOM) will finish its term towards the end of 2023. A new 8 person will be constituted for the next 4 years (2023-2027). A female and male parent member is needed for each 8-person board. We will be seeking nominations for both positions in the Autumn. If interested or require any further information please contact the office through the usual channels.
· €400 raised at the school Bingo night! Thank you and well done to all involved. We look forward to hosting another Bingo night again soon.

27th February 2024

info5957 — 2024-03-11 10:54:08 UTC

As part of our Self Evaluation Process with Wellbeing as our focus – we will be surveying our school community in the coming weeks. We value your input and feedback.

· Stay and Play – we are beginning the process of onboarding our afterschool programme to the National Childcare Scheme. This will be very beneficial to our Parents/Guardians. September is the current timeline.

· Good luck to our 3^rd/4^th class pupils as they take part in a Connaught Educate Together Chess tournament next week.

· As part of our Creative Schools Initiative we will have a dance teacher conduct a 4 week workshop beginning this week.

· It is mandatory that each school has an Attendance strategy. The board has adopted our current Attendance Strategy and will be available on the school website. We welcome feedback for our next review (Term 3). Our February Attendance is up on both previous years so well done everyone!

· Upcoming Fundraising Events , Quiz night (March 13th) and Bingo night (May 22^nd) – funds raised will go directly to the cost of heating which has been substantial this winter.

· It is not viable for our school to take part in the Hot Meals Scheme at this time. Hopefully, some time in the near future we will find a suitable working arrangement for the school.

30th April 2024

info5957 — 2024-05-01 09:08:18 UTC

Thank you to parents and staff for completing the Wellbeing surveys. Children will be surveyed over the coming weeks
Congratulations to Kirsten on the birth of her baby girl Sienna
All schools have received an IT Grant. School has sourced and will purchase laptops.
Stay and Play onboarding to the NCS ongoing.
School is entering the Different Families, Same Love competition this month. More to follow.
Languages Connect – Spanish. Thank you to Victor for volunteering to teach a Spanish language class with pupils from 1^st- 4^th on Tuesday afternoons.
See WSP - Curriculum Gaeilge plan on our school website.
Active School Month coming up in June. Calling Parents to get involved – if you have any suggestions/ expertise, please contact the office
Calling all gardeners! – we need help preparing the ground for our Food Forest. Contact the office if you are good with a shovel.
Attendance is currently 88%. We thank you for your continued effort in improving our attendance.
Enrolment still open for September. We need 49 pupils to guarantee a 3^rd classroom teacher for the next school year. So please continue to tell your friends that we are still enrolling!
We raised over €400 at the Quiz night. Thank you for your supportWe look forward to welcoming you all for Bingo night on May 22^ndWe are looking for donations for our raffle prizes on the night.

18th June 2024

info5957 — 2024-06-19 10:45:25 UTC

Attendance strategy review (attached or link to website) based on focus groups undertaken with the pupils and Attendance data. In general, the feedback was positive from the pupils, recognising the importance of good attendance. Pupils’ suggestions were taken on board and our updated Attendance strategy reflects the pupils' valuable voice and input. Thank you to the whole school community for your help with this strategy. It is vital that we continue to build a culture of Attendance in our school.

· Well done to our 2^nd class Bloomers for a wonderful Blooming Day celebration. Thanks to 1^st class parents for providing the Blooming Day treats and snacks. Thank you also to the staff and management of the Westport Woods Hotel for accommodating us on the day.

· We are delighted with the Purchase of school laptops using our recent ICT grant.

· Thank you to our very hard working staff – Kirsten, Marian, Laura, Gráinne, Elisa, Stephanie, Karen, Mags, Frank and Niall for their hard work and dedication throughout the year. We hope you enjoy a well earned break this summer.

Wishing parents and children a fun filled summer holidays. See you all in September.

24th September 2024

info5957 — 2024-09-25 08:33:57 UTC

· Birthday Invitations – The board has taken the decision to ban birthday invitations being given out in school – As our school numbers grow, facilitating this takes up too much teaching and learning time and there is a danger of accidental exclusion. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and support.

· The BOM is exploring the possibility of providing our pupils with hot school lunches. It is imperative that we find a solution that provides our children with nutritional meals, ideally from local produce and kitchens, does not impact teaching and learning time, and does not generate a lot of food or packaging waste (in line with our ethos)

· Power Hour- Literacy programme has begun in 1^st/2^nd class. The Power Hour is an evidence-based programme that uses Reading Recovery strategies to improve the reading, writing and comprehension skills of the pupils that take part. Power ½ Hour is taking place in the Senior Room.

· We are seeking Parent Volunteers to help with the running of the Power Hour and Maths for Fun initiatives that will be running in the school over the coming months. If you would like to volunteer please email the office with VOLUNTEER in the subject line.

· We are currently applying for funding for a Bike Shelter – granted permission by the hotel management for same.

· Forest Bathing with Christine will continue throughout this school year

· Coffee Afternoon raised more than €600 for the Mayo/Roscommon Hospice. Thank you to the pupils of 2^nd class for their tireless work on the day and thank you to our Parents, Guardians and Grandparents for their generosity on the day!

11 Feb 2025

info5957 — 2025-02-14 10:15:14 UTC

● Approval of climbing wall by board

● PGA to put out request for parents to help move shed back

● March 26th Family Quiz

● Thank you Urban Gruel for your delicious Hot Meals

● Thanks to O'Malley's for sponsoring the Jerseys

The board would like to remind all parents/guardians about supervision on the school grounds: School opens to receive pupils at 8.20a.m. No responsibility is accepted for pupils arriving before that time. Classes will commence each day at 8.30a.m. Classes will end each day at 2.10p.m. Parents/Guardians who wish to have their children escorted home should make their own arrangements to have them met at the School gate and the person to escort them should be at the School not later than 2.10p.m. as the School cannot accept responsibility for looking after the children after that time. As we are on the grounds of a hotel, parents/guardians are reminded that they should leave the hotel premises as quickly as possible.

13 May 2025

info5957 — 2025-05-16 12:38:25 UTC

Please see agreed report from Tuesday's meeting. Can you circulate to parents via email and add to the BOM reports padlet please.

· We look forward to inviting the parents/guardians and extended families to our Blooming Day/Graduation Day (2^nd + 6^th ) on Friday 13^th June in the Woods Hotel. Time TBC

· The Coast Guard will come to the school on Monday May 26^th to talk about Water Safety with the pupils. Not to be missed!

· Irish Sign Language (ISL) as part of the Say Yes to Languages programme to be delivered over the next 5 weeks to Infants and Senior rooms.

· PGA will run Bingo Night on May 21^st starting @ 17.15. Great fun to be had and prizes to be won!

· The School Calendar for 2025/26 is now on the website. We will send a paper copy home with each family as well as some key information that our PGA wants to share with all our parents.

· Please see our new Mobile phone/Smart Device policy in the policies section on our school website. Thank you to the members of our PGA for drafting the document.

See also our Wellbeing strategy in the policies section of our website.

Niall

Principal

June 25th 2025

info5957 — 2025-06-25 10:05:45 UTC

Please see below the report from yesterday BOM meeting:

· Congratulations to Laura and Gráinne on permanent positions.

· Goodbye and thanks to Éabha for all her hard work this year.

· Best of luck to Elisa.

· Congratulations to the senior room on receiving runner-up prize in Abbvie STEM competition.

· Thanks to PGA for their contribution this year.

· Thanks to Cuileann Bourke for delivering ISL programme.

· Bí Cinealtas policy discussed and will be implemented in the new school year.

· Thanks to all staff for their hard work this year.

26th November 2025

info5957 — 2025-11-28 13:33:34 UTC

· Bí Cinealtas section of website to go live this week.

· Looking forward to the Winter Fair and the Winter Show. Thank you to all the parents that have helped source prizes and prepare stalls for the fair.

· ADHD friendly school staff have agreed to undertake the Champions training in the new year.

· Classrooms painted on recommendation of Anita Walsh OT.

· A design team meeting on the new school build will take place on December 15^th,hopefully things will progress to stage 2 in the new year.

Please check the school website for up to date policies and school calendar

23rd September 2025

info5957 — 2025-11-28 13:34:34 UTC

· Thanks to PGA and whole school community for their contributions and help with the Bucket Collection and the Hospice Coffee Afternoon.

· Westport ETNS staff have started training to become an ADHD friendly school.

· Congratulations to Elisa on her baby boy Charlie.

· Anita Walsh the Occupational Therapist (OT) will be collaborating with staff and will make suggestions on a Universal Design for Learning approach.

· New policies including AEN, Bí Cineálta, and Annual Admissions Notice will be available on school website.

Note that enrolment for 2026 school year opens on 1^st October and closes on Friday 27^th February.

29th April 2026

info5957 — 2026-04-30 14:59:48 UTC

· School will reopen on Tuesday 1^st September 2026 – finalised 2026/27 calendar to issue shortly.

· Well done to all the girls and boys for their wonderful first episode of the Westport Educate Together School Podcast made during our Tuesday afternoon Curriculum Enrichment programme (available to all pupils 3^rd – 6^th)

· The Fís Film Project will be the focus of this terms learning.

· Blast Arts Programme continues with Middle and Senior room. Big thank you to Jenny for her wonderful artistic inputs

· Well done to our school Rounders team that performed so well at the competition last week. Thank you to Gráinne and Kirsten for preparing the team so well with such short notice. We hope to play more Rounders matches with other local schools in the coming weeks and months!

· Looking forward to our Blooming Day celebration on Friday June 12th (11.45am in the hotel function room) that marks the midpoint (for 2^nd class pupils) and graduation (for 6^th class pupils) in our primary school. Linda, our chairperson and resident photographer will be on hand on the day to take a combination of class, individual and natural photos of all pupils (not just Bloomers) that parents can purchase. Money raised will go directly to Westport Educate Together PGA.

· June is our Active School Month – Sportsday is provisionally booked for Thursday June 18^th (As always TBC and weather depending) and our School Tour to Willowbrook is Tuesday June 23^rd(payment details and consent forms to follow)

· Our Junior Infant Induction Day will be held on 17^th June. We look forward to welcoming our new faces ahead of the new school year. We are still enrolling so tell your friends!

· Thanks to Transition Year pupils from Sacred Heart Secondary school for hosting Volleyball sessions in their school hall with our Senior pupils.

And finally, the BOM would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Elisa for all her hard work and dedication during her time at Westport Educate Together. We wish Elisa and her new family all the very best for the future.

11th Feb 2026

info5957 — 2026-04-30 15:03:18 UTC

· Thank you all for your engagement with our January Attendance drive as part of our Attendance strategy. There was no improvement in our Attendance for January 2026 compared to January 2025 – but our overall attendance rate of 93% is still very good, so well done to everyone for their efforts at a difficult time of year for illnesses and absences.

· An Afterschool Enrichment Programme has begun for the pupils from 3^rd class to 6^th for one hour on Tuesday afternoons. The focus of the last 6 weeks has Quizzing and Drama. The next 6 weeks will have a “Podcasting” focus.

· In collaboration with Anita Walsh (OT) we hope to develop a sensory walk/trail around the immediate perimeter of the school that pupils can use at breaktimes and for movement breaks throughout the day.

· Fun with Friends programme to conclude in the Middle room over the coming weeks and then Friends for Life programme will start in the Senior Room. These research based programmes are proven to develop resilience in young people.

· We look forward to seeing you for the Hooley in the Schooley around St. Patrick’s day. Date and time to be confirmed as we hope to liaise with local musicians and secondary schools to enhance the musicality of the event.

Stay Safe programme ongoing at all class levels.

24th June 2026

info5957 — 2026-06-25 08:28:41 UTC

· Please see our SSE Wellbeing Report published on website.

· Thanks to Linda for her hard work not only taking the school photos but for organising the share folders. We really appreciate your effort with this project.

· Thank you to Frank for all his years of service. He officially finished up with us on 24^th June but we may seem him in the future in a consultancy capacity on specific projects.

· Congratulations and best wishes to all the Bloomers and our Graduate.

· Big thank you to Susan Walsh for the morning Yoga sessions.

· Well done to all the pupils for a fantastic Active School Months. From World Cup matches to mile-with-a-smile to Sportsday activities the pupils displayed wonderful sporting behaviour and teamwork throughout. Well done everyone!

· Thanks to so many members of our PGA (too many to mention) for all their hard work and engagement in school events throughout the year. It really has been a bumper year for Westport Educate Together.

Wishing you all a long and restful Summer Holidays filled with fun and joy. See you on September 1^st for the new school year!

School Self Evaluation Wellbeing Report

info5957 — 2026-06-25 11:59:43 UTC

Primary School Survey Results

info5957 — 2026-06-25 12:00:10 UTC