Dear Parents/Gaurdians and staff of St Francis NS, It’s just over three weeks since Thursday 12 March, when word arrived that we were to close all schools from that evening. It left schools with less than two hours to prepare for what has since become the most unprecedented and unparalleled event in living memory. We have learned a few things along the way: We cannot expect a day at home.

We know that these are very unsettling and anxious times for parents and children alike. The Genesis Programme, through the Area Based Childhood (ABC) Programme and The Changing Lives Initiative, is committed to delivering better outcomes for children and families living within the areas we serve. In these challenging times, we will continue to support parents and children as best we can and will endeavour to reach out via our.

  Family life has become a little more complicated now that we have to respond to Covid-19. I am contacting you to let you know Barnardos is here to support parents throughout this challenging time. We have just launched a dedicated telephone and email support service to provide advice to parents on a wide range of issues that may have come up during this time. If you or someone you.

Dear Parents and Guardians, These are very unusual times we find ourselves in and I hope that you and your families are staying safe and well. We have all by now heard the news that schools will not reopen until after Easter at the earliest. Home schooling has become an overnight necessity. You might be loving every minute, or feeling under pressure to get it all done, or even overwhelmed.

An announcement was made this morning by the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD of the closure from Friday 13 March, of schools, pre-schools and further and higher education settings, for a period until 29 March 2020, to support efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19. This is in line with the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team. All pupils and students, from pre-school to third level are urged to.

We are very proud of our close association with our local GAA club,  Geraldines GFC. Their highly successful Schools Training Programme, which is now in it’s second year, give 1st & 2nd class pupils a fun introduction to Gaelic Football, teaching them movement, balance and agility. It involves a block of six 45 minute weekly sessions, twice a year, for all pupils in 1st & 2nd classes, led by a.

Next week in school we shall have our annual SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR in school all week. Parent volunteers will be in all week to run the Book Fair. For those who are unfamiliar with it, a mobile “shop” of books and stationery will be in school for pupils and parents to browse and make purchases. Each class is brought to the Book Fair on Monday and Tuesday and any children.

We regret to inform you that due to a confirmed case of Covid-19 (the current Coronavirus) in Belfast, the Board of management of St. Francis NS has advised that the choir will not be travelling to Belfast to participate in Peace Proms on Sunday, March 1st. While the risk of infection is admittedly small, it is felt that it would be wiser to be cautious than cavalier about the matter..

If you have just moved to the area and are currently seeking a place at St Francis NS for immediate entry, please be aware that we have very limited availability for places. Spaces available, subject to Board of Management approval, are as follows: Junior Infants – 6 places Senior Infants – 6 places 1st Class – FULL 2nd Class – 1 place 3rd Class – FULL 4th Class – FULL.

The most up to date information on novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) for people who have come to Ireland from China, including visitors, students and workers. Click on the link to download the PDF file:  advice-for-preschool-settings-and-parents

What a fabulous day we have had in school today celebrating Intercultural Day. We have over 30 countries represented in our school community! The high point of the day was the food fair in the school hall where every pupil got to sample food prepared by parents, representative of the countries within our school. Many thanks to all the parents who prepared food for today. The spread was amazing! Also,.