NEWSLETTER 03/03/2025 - Canal Way Educate Together National School, Dublin 8

MESSAGE FROM DERMOT

Thank you to everyone who attended our recent student conferencing. We had fantastic attendance, and it was great to see so much engagement.

Our school is also busy at the moment hosting student teachers from DCU. Your child’s class may have a student teacher working alongside their teacher, and we’re delighted to have this great bond and partnership with DCU.

This month, our School Core Value is Citizenship. As we move into March, we will be exploring this important month for Ireland. We’re looking forward to celebrating our rich culture with St. Patrick’s Day. We’ll be enjoying Irish language, dance, music, and of course, plenty of craic!

School Closures & Half Day

Friday March 14th – Half Day – 12 noon finish, Staff Training.

Monday March 17th – St Patrick’s Day – School Closed

April 14th – 25th inclusive – School Closed – Spring Break.

SAVE THE SCHOOL PHONE NUMBER

01 4021418

Please save the school’s phone number in your contacts so you’ll know it’s us calling. We’ve noticed that some families are not answering as it comes up as an unknown number. Saving our number will help us reach you quickly for any important updates or urgent matters. Thanks.

SCHOOL PHOTOS MARCH 5th

On Wednesday, 5th March, County Photos will be here to take school photos. Be sure to pop the ‘eadaí deas’ on your little ones. Please note, Siobhan’s 6th class will have their photos taken at a later date.

World Book Day – Thursday, 6th March

World Book Day is coming up on Thursday, 6th March! Your child will receive a token today, which can be used for discounts on books. Be sure to check with your child’s class for their voucher!

Action Group to Report Litter & Dumping

Litter and illegal dumping on our street is a growing issue, affecting the appearance and well-being of our community. I have recently discovered that when I report incidents through the Dublin City Council website, action is taken within hours. It is impressive. However, reporting requires time – taking photos, submitting details, and following steps online. As a busy school staff, we need extra hands to help tackle this issue consistently. I have spoken to our neighbouring schools, and we want to form a Litter / Dumping Action Group – a network of volunteers committed to reporting litter and dumping on the street whenever we see it.

If you’re interested in joining, please email [email protected]. We will form a Whatsapp group, or equivalent, and share incidents of litter & dumping as we see it, and get it reported together.

Thanks – Dermot

Handwriting in CWETNS

As part of our School Improvement Plan, we are continuing to focus on handwriting and celebrating the successes of our students. Take a look at the photo of our wonderful writers!

Sid on Oliver Callan’s Radio 1 Show

Sid, Senior Infant student, was featured on Oliver Callan’s show on Radio 1, where he talked about his passion for drawing his own comics. He shared how he’s been inspired by the author of Captain Underpants. In a lovely moment, Sid mentioned teacher Amy, which was a wonderful surprise. Be sure to check out the show if you get a chance! Click on image to listen to the clip.

Luke’s Class Visits Collins Barracks

Luke’s class recently took an exciting trip to Collins Barracks, where they had the opportunity to explore Irish history in a hands-on and engaging way. The students toured the museum, discovering fascinating exhibits on Irish military history, culture, and craftsmanship.

5th Class Visits St. Patrick’s Cathedral for a Medieval Workshop

On a recent outing, 5th Class took a trip to St. Patrick’s Cathedral to participate in a hands-on Medieval Workshop. During the visit, students learned about the history and stunning architecture of the Cathedral, hearing stories behind its construction etc. As part of the experience, the class also had the opportunity to try their hand at the ancient art of calligraphy.

6th Class Trail in Local Area

For a change, with a sunny day, 6th class took full advantage with a trail around Dublin 8. The students had an amazing time exploring the area, discovering hidden art, learning about prime numbers in the streets, and even uncovering the story of the uncrowned king of Ireland.

Book fair

Our annual Scholastic Book fair will take place from Tuesday March 25th – Thursday March 27th. More details will be sent out closer about how and when to buy your books.

The children will have a chance to come to the hall and look at the books before they go on sale.

Last year we raised over €3500 in book credit for the school libraries as we receive a percentage of total sales back in credit for the school.

School Lunches / Healthy eating / Nut policy

Reminder to check in with your child and review their weekly order. If there is a particular meal they don’t like please swap it out for something else to avoid food waste.

Children also need to bring a snack for their small break to school with them each day. Please do not send in chocolate based snacks, crisps or soft drinks – we are a healthy school.

NOTE: We are a nut free school.

Important Dates: Assessment Weeks

Reminder to all families about upcoming assessment weeks for all classes:

1st to 6th Class: Assessments will take place over two weeks:
- Monday, 5th May to Friday, 9th May 2025
- Monday, 12th May to Friday, 16th May 2025
Junior and Senior Infants: Your assessment week will be:
- Monday, 19th May to Friday, 23rd May 2025

NOTE: In-school assessments are conducted to help us identify students who may need additional support. The results are also used by the Department of Education to allocate teachers and resources effectively.

Attendance and Punctuality – A Gentle Reminder

We appreciate continued efforts of all our families in ensuring children attend school regularly. We also need to address an ongoing issue—punctuality.

Morning queues at the door after 8:45 AM have become a daily sight. This not only disrupts their own learning but also affects the entire class. A punctual start means they don’t miss out on key instructions, social opportunities and it helps them be prepared for the day.

Absence Reminder:
Even if you have already informed the school, all absences must be recorded through Aladdin. This ensures our records are accurate and up to date.

Thanks.

24/7 Accident Insurance Cover for your Child.

A reminder that the school has arranged 24/7 accident insurance for your child. While we hope you won’t need it, if any accident-related costs arise, you’re covered. There are all the necessary forms and info docs on our Publications Page on our website. Please contact Dermot for any support you may need.

Though claims are few, this coverage is invaluable when needed. Please keep this in mind.

School Books and Active Learning.

With the roll out of the new Language and Maths curricula, which move away from a book-heavy approach, we continue to embrace interactive learning, focusing on practical skills and critical thinking. Our goal is not to fill every page of the children’s workbooks – while books are an important part of our learning, they are just one of the many tools we use in the classroom.