Christmas 2020 will be different to all others gone before it in so many ways. Our Christmas performance is no different and so we present you with a virtual, socially distanced performance. The children worked so hard practicing their lines and songs and we think you'll agree ,that the end result proves just that. The children worked like professionals outside, to record our Grand Finale, in order to keep in line with guidelines. Well done boys and girls, you have made us so proud! The pupils and staff of St. Patrick's N.S. Clara are delighted to present to you our Christmas Performance 2020. Enjoy! 

Christmas is coming everyone and excitement will soon reach peak levels in St. Patrick's N.S. Clara. The following are just come points and dates to note over the coming weeks. 

Christmas cards, designed by the children are available to purchase. Please fill in the order form attached and return to school, with correct money, no later than 1st December. 

Please ensure children have everything they need for their snack. Unfortunately we cannot  provide cutlery to the children in the current climate. Thank you. 

The school day begins at 9am, with a teacher at the gate from 8.50am. Please ensure children are present for 9am if at all possible. Thank you. 

We hope to attend mass/prayer service virtually in school for Christmas on the 8th of December. 

Christmas assessments will take place on the 14th, 15th and 16th of December. 

Monday the 21st, the children will be treated to hot chocolate and a Christmas movie in the afternoon. 

Tuesday the 22nd, is a half day. The children will go home at 12pm. On Tuesday we would ask the children dress in a Christmas theme. This year has been difficult in many different ways, for us all. Please do not buy new, keep it simple, this is meant to be a fun day for the children and we are mindful that we do not place any extra pressure on you as parents. 

This year, given the tough year that it has been, we are mindful that everyone's circumstances are different and ever changing. In light of this, we will not be running KrisKindle, across the school. However, we will be providing a box, in a safe area, to collect non perishable food items, if any family wishes to donate. This will be donated to charity to assist families in need. Please leave any food items into the school before Friday 18th,in order for us to quarantine the items, before donating them. 

Our Accelerated Reading programme has been a huge success! At this point, I would once again like to thank the Parents Association and everyone who contributed to the fundraiser! I look forward to our continued working together, in order to further enhance our school facilities and our children's learning.

Please keep an eye on the school Instagram and website for updates. 

Thank you all for your support this far, the reopening and indeed staying open, would not have been possible without your support and adherence to the guidelines.

The Christmas Countdown has begun!! 

ADear Parents, 
Firstly, I wish to extend my thanks to you all for your support in the Return to School process. It is of great comfort to us as a school, that we have a parental body, committed to supporting us, in supporting the continued on-site learning of their children. Thank you all for adhering to the safety protocols set out at the beginning of the year, it is through continued adherence to these that will we keep our school community and the wider community safe. Thank you all. 

Secondly, a huge '' Thank You'' and ''Well Done,'' must be extended to the staff of St. Patrick's N.S. Clara, Ms O'Hanlon, Mrs. McGuigan, Mrs, Farrelly, Ms. Doherty, Pauline and Denise, in their efforts of the Return to School process. Through their efforts, a safe and welcoming learning environment is provided for your children. 

Thirdly, and most importantly, to our pupils, '' Well Done.'' It is only normal that some of you may have been nervous and apprehensive about returning to school. However, the positive attitude in which you all have shown, is a credit to you all. You have all returned to school and worked so very hard.  You have all embraced SeeSaw with your homework, we are so proud of you all, Maith sibh a pháistí! Tá sibh go hiontach ar fad!!! 

Our Maths Week Ireland 2020 photos are available to view on the website. The usual password applies. 

Ms Shannon Tracey departs the Senior Room on Friday 23rd October as her Teaching Practice comes to an end. Our thanks to her for her lovely lessons and activities over the last few weeks. 

Going forward, please continue, if possible to upload homework before 9am the following morning. If not, please upload the homework from that week, no later than the Friday evening of that week. There will be no correspondence over SeeSaw after 4.15pm, all enquiries after that, will be replied to the following day. We appreciate your support in this regard. 

A reminder that there is no access to the school grounds outside of school hours or during the school holidays. 

A huge ''Thank You'' from us all here in St. Patrick's N.S. Clara to Donna Bedford, of Fran and D's, Main Street Aughnacloy,  who kindly sponsored hot food for a lunch time treat for our children on 23rd of October 2020. Such a generous donation made the children's day. Thank you Donna! 

Finally, I wish you all a safe, peaceful and happy Mid Term Break, at home with your families. Halloween 2020 will be very different to any other that we have known, but we will stay apart so that we can come together again, down the road. I look forward to seeing all of you on Monday 2nd of November and look forward to us all working together to make our children's learning, the best it can be. 

​                                                                        ''Ní neart go cur le chéile''

Is mise le meas,
Emer Quinn

The children have been supported in their return to school with our Well Being programme. Each class grouping, gets 30 mins each week and we have found it has really helped our pupils transition back to school life with ease. Here are some photos of our oldest and youngest pupils. Well done everyone, remember, it is good to talk!

Maths Week 2020 was a huge success here in St. Patrick's N.S. Clara. The children took part in lots of hands on maths challenges, Stem activities and Maths Trails. We had a great week working together and problem solving. Thank you to all of the teachers who made Maths Week Ireland 2020 so engaging for our pupils! Maith thú gach duine!!! Tá sár obair déanta agaibhse! Féach ar na griangraif! Have a look at the pictures! Enjoy! 

Dear pupils, parents, staff and our whole school community, 

I wish to extend a very warm welcome back to school to our existing pupils and extend a particularly warm welcome to our new Junior Infants, Alana, Brendan, Emily and Tiarnan. We hope that your days spent in St.Patrick's N.S. Clara will be full of learning, play and happiness. Tá fáilte romhaibh uilig go Scoil Naomh Pádraig, a pháistí. 

At this point, I want to extend a further ''Welcome Back,'' to Mrs. McGuigan, who returns to us from maternity leave, and extend a huge ''Thank You,'' to Mrs Ciara Herron who covered for Mrs McGuigan when she was off. 
Also, on behalf of the whole school community, I wish to extend our heartfelt good wishes and congratulations to Mrs. H. Farrelly, on the occasion of her recent marriage. We wish you  both a lifetime of health and happiness together. 

The children have settled back into school life so well and have really adjusted to the ''new normal.'' Maith sibh a pháistí. As we continue to be guided by public health guidelines, I urge you to continue to emphasise the importance of handwashing, cough and sneeze etiquette and social distancing. Please follow the instructions for evening pick up at all times.  May I take this opportunity to thank you for all your support during these trying times.

PE will take place each Wednesday until Halloween, in the new yard, weather permitting. Please send a long sleeved, waterproof coat, to school each morning with your child. 

Maths Week 2020 takes place from the 10th-18th of October and the school will place an emphasis on Numeracy based activities for that week. Please encourage your children to tell you about all of the different activities that will have taken part in. 

We extend a huge congratulations to the Confirmation Class 2020 and the First Eucharist Class of 2020 who both received sacraments in the month of September. Our heartfelt thanks to PP Fr. Flanagan for making both days so special for our children during these very difficult times. Congratulations to you all! 

Finally, Ms Shannon Tracey, joins the Senior Room on Teaching Practice for three weeks from 5th October to 23rd October. The children have already showcased their wonderful manners and have made her feel very welcome in our school. 

Ms O'Hanlon continues to implement our new Back to School Well Being Initiative with all classes, once a week as part of the SPHE curriculum. First and Second Class will continue with the Fun Friends Programme until Halloween. They are working so well with Ms. O' Hanlon and are really enjoying the activities. 

As we move to Level 3 restrictions, we all have a part to play in keeping our families, friends and community safe. Please adhere to all public health guidelines, stay safe.

​ Ní neart go cur le chéile


Is mise le meas,
Mrs. E. Quinn

All Confirmation children of the parish will be remembered at the 10 o'clock mass on Saturday 16th May. You can access Truagh Parish Webcam through the link below.
Thank you to our pupils in 6th Class for the beautiful stain glass window designs showing their confirmation names.
https://www.mcnmedia.tv/camera/truagh-parish

Spring 2020 will be one to be remembered for years to come. Our school, like all others country wide, was closed on the 12th of March, to stop the spread of Covid-19. We are doing so well and the curve is flattening but we must not get complacent at this stage. We must not undo our good work. Please stay safe and stay at home. 

We continue to provide distance learning to our pupils. Please use the email address provided to you, for each teacher to engage with the online learning process.
For other queries, please email principalstpatricksclara@gmail.com
Both parents and pupils are doing a wonderful job. Take each day as it comes. 
​Thank you for you continued support.

Please make use of our school padlets for each room. 

Junior Room: https://padlet.com/principalstpatricksclara/3daznew2jl98

Middle Room: https://padlet.com/principalstpatricksclara/o6y87qbvq7nz

Senior Room: https://padlet.com/principalstpatricksclara/Bookmarks

Please find all government advice related to Covid-19 at:
https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/c36c85-covid-19-coronavirus/ 

Please find support and advice from the National Educational Psychological Service here:

https://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/National-Educational-Psychological-Service-NEPS-/covid-19.html

Please find guidance for parents here:

https://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Information/continuity-of-schooling/continuity-of-schooling.html#parents