From the Principal’s Desk….

And just like that it is May, and we are getting ourselves ready for the busyness/madness of the last two months of the year.  The sun has been shining and almost everything is easier on a sunny day.

Today we had one of my favourite community events. Junior Infants invited their grandparents to the school and as with all of our community events families get fully behind it.  One set of grandparents are missing the opening of their child’s West End production to be at RMDS Grandparents Day.  It is lovely watching our infants proudly performing their poems and songs for all the grandparents and also seeing the joy and pleasure the grandparents get from the day.  To all of you who were able to attend, thank you so much and if you weren’t able to please be kind to yourself, we can’t do everything all the time.

With the reducing amount of regular weeks with no interruptions of tours or visits and creative activities, all the classes had their heads down consolidating all the learning that has gone on during the year this week.  However even in heads down mode there is room for inventiveness.  I love hearing the chats from the children as they move through the school and what has animated them.  A group of children in Rang a 4 were passionately discussing the debate they had been having in class about whose story was more believable: the Wolf or the Three Little Pigs.  In the world we live in today, the ability to critically analyse, debate and look at things from a different perspective will be invaluable to our children and it is lovely to see the children so engaged in this process.

Thanks again to all the parents who have signed up to the Run Kids Run Event, I look forward to seeing you at Clanna Gael’s Gaa pitch tomorrow and hopefully we’ll have just the right amount of sun and shade.  Some of the children asked if they could run with their buddies and I got a I think that should be fine response.  There are staggered start times but I think the warm up sounds like it will be fun so they are encouraging everyone to be there for that.   It’s the first  event in Dublin so there may be some teething problems, let's be patient and empathetic to the organisers.  Thank you to the parents who have volunteered to act as organisers.  There are more details in the PA section so please have a read of those.

A reminder that next Friday is the Junior Infant Reception Day so there will be no school for our current junior infants on that day.

Santry Sports event for the under 12s and 14s is going to be held on Tuesday the 20th May in Morton Stadium.  In preparation for this our athletics team will be going to UCD running track on Monday the 12th and 19th May.  The children have been practicing and the teams are starting to really come together, helping each other out and giving each other directions and support.  I’m looking forward to seeing this continuing to develop.

Yesterday we had a visit from Nourish and Green, a different hot lunch provider who are more local to us to see if we can reduce some of our carbon footprint even with delivery emissions.  They also provide a waste food collection service where they will compost all the food waste in their commercial digestor and give us back the compost if we need it.  No decisions have been made but I will be having a chat with everyone who had the opportunity to taste the food to see if a switch of provider would be worthwhile.  If you have any opinions on the matter please let me know.  The provision of apples and mandarins from our current provider is certainly proving popular and might not be an option with the new company.

Food for thought,

Have a lovely weekend, 

Paul

From the PA….

 

Kids who Run, Run the World

RUN DUBLIN RUN!

Saturday 10th May 2025

 

Assembly point: Registration Area 

Timings: 

To reduce over-crowding, the race starts are staggered.

Event Registration Opens: 1.30pm

Welcome Announcement: 2.15pm

General warm-up: 2.25pm

Start Race 1 (Junior & Senior Infants): 2.30pm  

Start Race 2 (1st & 2nd classes): 2.45pm

Start Race 3 (3rd & 4th classes): 3pm

Start Race 4 (5th & 6th classes): 3.15pm

Races finished 4pm

Event Closes: 4.30pm

Please note, timings may change or slip slightly depending on number of runners.

 

Getting there: 

 

 

• Avoid driving to ease congestion and note that the Clanna Gael carpark will not be open as this is being used as the main warm up area with the stage positioned there. Walk, cycle, or use public transport. DCC have requested not to arrive on ebikes or escooters as they are a fire risk.

• Give yourself enough time and arrive 30mins before your race starts to ensure you register and warm-up before the run.
• Entrances to the grounds are via the main gates of Clanna Gael GAA Club.

 

On arrival:

 

• Each school will have a registration desk. These will be set up against the fence on the right and Clanna Gael building on the left. Report to your school desk to confirm your attendance.
• Collect your running bib number and your child’s wristband.
• Write your name and phone number on the wristband (in case your child gets lost).  
• Then proceed through to the car park/stage area for the opening of the event, the safety briefing and the collective warm-up led by Movement Fitness.

 

Race Start:

 

• The astro cage will be kept clear to use for games and warm-ups for the different age groups prior to their run.
• Following the warm-up, the youngest runners from Junior and Senior Infants will be directed to the start line for a start at 2.30pm. 
• Note: this group will run 1k only - i.e. 1 lap of the course. 
• All children in Junior & Senior Infants must run with an adult. 
• The remaining children will be separated into groups for their warm-ups: 
  • 1st & 2nd Classes - Red group
  • 3rd & 4th Classes - Green group
  • 5th & 6th Classes - Blue group 
• 1st & 2nd Classes will be taken to the astro cage while the remaining year groups will stay in the car park – this can flex depending on the size of each group but leading children from the astro cage to the start line should help with crowd control.
• Group leaders will direct runners to the start line 5 mins before their race start. Please listen to their instructions. 

 

The course:

 

The 2km course is equivalent to 2 laps of the course.

The starting line will be on the grass between the tarmac path and the pitches running anti-clockwise and the finish on the tree lined tarmac path, all groups other than Junior and Senior Infants will run up the tarmac path and onto the grass (small chicane) to start the second lap. At the end of the second lap they should keep running up the tarmac tree lined path to the finish.

Yesterday we had a visit from Nourish and Green, a different hot lunch provider who are more local to us to see if we can reduce some of our carbon footprint even with delivery emissions.  They also provide a waste food collection service where they will compost all the food waste in their commercial digestor and give us back the compost if we need it.  No decisions have been made but I will be having a chat with everyone who had the opportunity to taste the food to see if a switch of provider would be worthwhile.  If you have any opinions on the matter please let me know.  

From the PA….

 

Kids who Run, Run the World

RUN DUBLIN RUN!

Saturday 10th May 2025

 

Assembly point: Registration Area 

 

Timings: 

To reduce over-crowding, the race starts are staggered.

 

Event Registration Opens: 1.30pm

Welcome Announcement: 2.15pm

General warm-up: 2.25pm

Start Race 1 (Junior & Senior Infants): 2.30pm  

Start Race 2 (1st & 2nd classes): 2.45pm

Start Race 3 (3rd & 4th classes): 3pm

Start Race 4 (5th & 6th classes): 3.15pm

Races finished 4pm

Event Closes: 4.30pm

 

Please note, timings may change or slip slightly depending on number of runners. 

 

Getting there: 

 

• Avoid driving to ease congestion and note that the Clanna Gael carpark will not be open as this is being used as the main warm up area with the stage positioned there. Walk, cycle, or use public transport. DCC have requested not to arrive on ebikes or escooters as they are a fire risk.
• Give yourself enough time and arrive 30mins before your race starts to ensure you register and warm-up before the run.
• Entrances to the grounds are via the main gates of Clanna Gael GAA Club.

 

On arrival:

 

• Each school will have a registration desk. These will be set up against the fence on the right and Clanna Gael building on the left. Report to your school desk to confirm your attendance.
• Collect your running bib number and your child’s wristband.
• Write your name and phone number on the wristband (in case your child gets lost).  
• Then proceed through to the car park/stage area for the opening of the event, the safety briefing and the collective warm-up led by Movement Fitness.

 

Race Start:

 

• The astro cage will be kept clear to use for games and warm-ups for the different age groups prior to their run.
• Following the warm-up, the youngest runners from Junior and Senior Infants will be directed to the start line for a start at 2.30pm. 
• Note: this group will run 1k only - i.e. 1 lap of the course. 
• All children in Junior & Senior Infants must run with an adult. 
• The remaining children will be separated into groups for their warm-ups: 
  • 1st & 2nd Classes - Red group
  • 3rd & 4th Classes - Green group
  • 5th & 6th Classes - Blue group 
• 1st & 2nd Classes will be taken to the astro cage while the remaining year groups will stay in the car park – this can flex depending on the size of each group but leading children from the astro cage to the start line should help with crowd control.
• Group leaders will direct runners to the start line 5 mins before their race start. Please listen to their instructions. 

 

The course:

 

The 2km course is equivalent to 2 laps of the course.

The starting line will be on the grass between the tarmac path and the pitches running anti-clockwise and the finish on the tree lined tarmac path, all groups other than Junior and Senior Infants will run up the tarmac path and onto the grass (small chicane) to start the second lap. At the end of the second lap they should keep running up the tarmac tree lined path to the finish.

Spectators: 

All parents watching the children’s start must stand behind the barriers/ropes to avoid collisions. Please do not obstruct any other areas of the course, follow the guidance from the Race Marshals and be respectful of the public. 

 

What to bring:

• Ensure you are wearing appropriate running footwear. 
• A water bottle. There is a water fountain just inside the door of the Clanna Gael clubhouse which can be used for refills.
• In case of rain, please bring a waterproof and a layer to wear after the run.
• If it is a hot sunny day, bring a cap and don’t forget to apply sunscreen.

 

During the race:

• Junior and Senior Infants will run 1 lap only. 
• All other year groups will run 2 laps. 

• Stay on the course and be respectful of the public and other runners around you.
• Follow any guidance from the race marshals who will be stationed at regular intervals
• Try your best to complete the full course. If you are too tired, you can walk instead.
• Most importantly: Enjoy the run!

 

Accidents/Injuries:

• There will be 3x First Aid points around the course manned by trained first aiders: 
  • by the astro cage
  • at the playground end of the course
  • at the south end of the course
• If you or someone around you gets injured, step away from the course and raise your hand and call for a race marshal to come assist you.

 

Safeguarding:

• 30x marshals and volunteers will be supervising the course throughout the event. They will be easily recognisable with Run Kids Run high visibility jackets and ID lanyards.
• All children must wear a running bib with their school logo. 
• All children to be provided with a wristband that will have their parent/carer contact telephone number.

 

Lost child:

• If a child gets lost or disorientated, they will be instructed to go to a marshal or volunteer. 

• The marshal/volunteer will alert the race coordinator and take the child to the Lost Child Information Point at the stage and the parents will be contacted.
• 2x marshals/volunteers will stay with the child until the parents have been found. 

 

Missing child:

• If you lose your child, alert a race marshal/volunteer immediately. They will inform the race coordinator who will issue a message to all other marshals on the course with the child’s last seen location and a brief description. They will immediately carry out a search of the area.

 

Additional information:

• There are public toilets and a café situated through the doors on the cage side of the Clanna Gael building.

You might be interested….

Spectators: 

All parents watching the children’s start must stand behind the barriers/ropes to avoid collisions. Please do not obstruct any other areas of the course, follow the guidance from the Race Marshals and be respectful of the public. 

 

What to bring:

• Ensure you are wearing appropriate running footwear. 
• A water bottle. There is a water fountain just inside the door of the Clanna Gael clubhouse which can be used for refills.
• In case of rain, please bring a waterproof and a layer to wear after the run.
• If it is a hot sunny day, bring a cap and don’t forget to apply sunscreen.

 

During the race:

• Junior and Senior Infants will run 1 lap only. 
• All other year groups will run 2 laps. 

• Stay on the course and be respectful of the public and other runners around you.
• Follow any guidance from the race marshals who will be stationed at regular intervals
• Try your best to complete the full course. If you are too tired, you can walk instead.
• Most importantly: Enjoy the run!

 

Accidents/Injuries:

• There will be 3x First Aid points around the course manned by trained first aiders: 
  • by the astro cage
  • at the playground end of the course
  • at the south end of the course
• If you or someone around you gets injured, step away from the course and raise your hand and call for a race marshal to come assist you.

 

Safeguarding:

• 30x marshals and volunteers will be supervising the course throughout the event. They will be easily recognisable with Run Kids Run high visibility jackets and ID lanyards.
• All children must wear a running bib with their school logo. 
• All children to be provided with a wristband that will have their parent/carer contact telephone number.

 

Lost child:

• If a child gets lost or disorientated, they will be instructed to go to a marshal or volunteer. 

• The marshal/volunteer will alert the race coordinator and take the child to the Lost Child Information Point at the stage and the parents will be contacted.
• 2x marshals/volunteers will stay with the child until the parents have been found. 

 

Missing child:

• If you lose your child, alert a race marshal/volunteer immediately. They will inform the race coordinator who will issue a message to all other marshals on the course with the child’s last seen location and a brief description. They will immediately carry out a search of the area.

 

Additional information:

• There are public toilets and a café situated through the doors on the cage side of the Clanna Gael building.