Latest news from our school

• Sacrament Dates

  Fri 24 Nov 2023

  The dates for the Sacraments are as follows:

  Penance- 5th March 2024 11am
  Confirmation- 13th March 2024 11am
  First Communion - 31st May 2024 11am

  All sacraments will be held in St. Mary’s Greencastle. 
   

• Open Day Thursday 7th December

  Wed 22 Nov 2023
  

• Parent’s Meetings 23rd November

  Wed 22 Nov 2023
  

• Strike Action

  Mon 20 Nov 2023

  November 20th 2023

  Dear Parents,

  I received notification today from our local teaching Unions concerning their intention to

  strike.

  I want to inform you that the first proposed day of strike action is a half day on the 29th of November 2023.

  This action is to be taken by the entire teaching profession in Northern Ireland, represented by the five trade unions of the NITC, which are INTO, NAHT, NASUWT, NEU and UTU.

  At the moment I have limited information but I will send further clarification when it

  becomes available.

  Gerard Barrett

  Principal.

• Pyjama Party

  Mon 20 Nov 2023
  

• Odd Socks Day for Anti- Bullying Week

  Wed 15 Nov 2023
  

• World Kindness Day

  Mon 13 Nov 2023

  The children became Kindness Ambassadors and took part in the Kindness Counts campaign with NI Hospice! We completed beautiful artwork and donated money to show kindness to NI Hospice 💕🌎🥰

  

• November and December events

  Fri 10 Nov 2023

  Dear Parents and Guardians,
   I want to give you some dates of events happening in November- December which is a very busy time for us:
  Monday November 13th Odd Socks Day to raise money for Children’s Cancer NI and to raise awareness for Anti Bullying Week. (Monday 13th -Friday 17th November).

  
  Wednesday November 15th Tempest Photography in P1-7

  
  Thursday November 16th Strike Day for Non-Teaching Unions, no School Meals will
  be served and school will close at 12 noon.

  
  Tuesday November 21st Pyjama Party for P2-3. 6pm-7pm.

  
  Thursday November 23rd Parents’ Meetings P1-7 school closed to children.

   

  Saturday November 25th Do this in Memory Mass (3) for Year 3 and 4 children.

   

  Wednesday November 29th NO PENS WEDNESDAY.

  
  Thursday November 30th Lyric Theatre Hansel and Gretel 11am

  
  Thursday December 7th OPEN DAY 10am-12noon.

   

   Monday December 11th Chalkathon for St Mary’s Play group.

  
  Wednesday December 13th Christmas Pageant Year 3- Year 7 6pm St Mary’s Church
  Greencastle.

  
  Tuesday December 19th Nativity for Year 1 and Year 2. 1pm in school.

  
  Thursday December 21st 1⁄2 day finish.

  
  Monday January 8th 2024 Return to school Full Day.

  
  We intend to send home individual information letters for each of the above diary dates.
  Best wishes and thank you for all your support, Gerard Barrett
  Principal

• World Kindness Day and Odd Socks Day November 13th 2023

  Thu 09 Nov 2023
  

• Industrial Action 16th November 2023

  Thu 09 Nov 2023

  November 9th 2023

  Dear Parents/ Guardians,

  The Education Authority (EA) has warned of expected disruption to some school services as a result of industrial action notified by various non-teaching unions.

  This will consist of action short of strike as well as a full day of strike action on Thursday 16th

  November 2023.

  I am writing to outline the expected impact on our school and how strike action will affect St

  Mary's Star of the Sea Ps.

  When a strike takes place, those taking strike action stop work and withdraw their labour. A detailed risk assessment to determine whether it is possible to operate the school safely during the strike has been conducted that considers the impact that the action will have on the health and safety of pupils, staff and visitors, and whether the school can run a full or amended curriculum.

  As the Principal, I [and the Board of Governors] have determined the following:

  School will close at 12 noon on Thursday November 16th.

  We will not, therefore be able to provide dinner for any pupils as the canteen will be closed.

  There will be no After School Activities or Clubs.

  Clearly, this is a difficult situation, which will cause disruption. I ask you, however, to be understanding.

  Strike action is very unusual and taking the step of strike action is not something that any member of the school staff undertakes lightly.

  Those on strike will have thought long and hard about their decision and will also lose pay for the period that they are on strike.

  Best wishes.

  Gerard Barrett

  Principal