school closures
February: School will end for all pupils at 1.40pm on Wednesday 1st March to
facilitate a staff meeting with members of the Inspectorate as part of the
Department of Education’s Whole School Evaluation (more information on
this evaluation below)
March: School closed on Friday 17th March and Monday 20th March for St
Patrick’s Weekend.
School closed on Tuesday 21st March to facilitate staff inservice on the
Primary Language Curriculum.
School closes for the Easter Holidays at 12pm on Friday 31st March and
re-opens on Monday 17th April.
Our full calendar is available here.
facilitate a staff meeting with members of the Inspectorate as part of the
Department of Education’s Whole School Evaluation (more information on
this evaluation below)
March: School closed on Friday 17th March and Monday 20th March for St
Patrick’s Weekend.
School closed on Tuesday 21st March to facilitate staff inservice on the
Primary Language Curriculum.
School closes for the Easter Holidays at 12pm on Friday 31st March and
re-opens on Monday 17th April.
Our full calendar is available here.
multicultural week
We are excited to announce that Scoil Mochua is hosting its first ever Multicultural Week
from 27th February to 3rd March. This will be a celebration of the increasing cultural
diversity in our school and community.
We will kick off the week with African drumming sessions for 5th and 6th class children
facilitated by AfroEire. Junior Infants to 2nd class will attend an assembly where children will
speak about their different cultures, languages and traditions. Projects and photos
representing all the countries represented in Scoil Mochua will be displayed in the
Multipurpose Room. All classes will be invited to engage in a flag and fact hunt.
Children are invited to wear clothes that represent their culture to school on Friday the 3rd of
March.
Parents or students, if you would like to get involved or have ideas on how we can enhance
this experience for our school community, please get in touch via email
multiculturalweek@scoilmochua.com
from 27th February to 3rd March. This will be a celebration of the increasing cultural
diversity in our school and community.
We will kick off the week with African drumming sessions for 5th and 6th class children
facilitated by AfroEire. Junior Infants to 2nd class will attend an assembly where children will
speak about their different cultures, languages and traditions. Projects and photos
representing all the countries represented in Scoil Mochua will be displayed in the
Multipurpose Room. All classes will be invited to engage in a flag and fact hunt.
Children are invited to wear clothes that represent their culture to school on Friday the 3rd of
March.
Parents or students, if you would like to get involved or have ideas on how we can enhance
this experience for our school community, please get in touch via email
multiculturalweek@scoilmochua.com
as i am- autism friendly school
We are delighted that Scoil Mochua is participating in the AsIAm Autism-Friendly Schools
Pilot programme. Please read on for further information:
AsIAm, in cooperation with the Joint Managerial Body and Irish Primary Principal’s Network,
began conducting an Autism-Friendly Schools Pilot with 118 National and Secondary
Schools across Ireland. Participating schools were supported in reflecting on their practice,
identifying challenges and solutions, creating an inclusive culture and building knowledge
and understanding of autism amongst staff and students.
The project aims to support schools in the provision of inclusive educational placements for
autistic children and young people alongside specialist provision. It is designed to reaffirm
good practice and support those wishing to foster a school culture that is inclusive of autistic
students. The project will cover the following areas:
Teaching and learning
Inclusive school culture
Leadership and management
Staff professional development
We will continue to update the school community on this programme as we engage with the
training. We are determined to be an inclusive school, ensuring that every child feels valued
and achieves success in a happy school environment. We understand that inclusion requires
ongoing work and commitment, and support from the whole school community. Inclusion is
a journey, one that we are happy to travel.
Pilot programme. Please read on for further information:
AsIAm, in cooperation with the Joint Managerial Body and Irish Primary Principal’s Network,
began conducting an Autism-Friendly Schools Pilot with 118 National and Secondary
Schools across Ireland. Participating schools were supported in reflecting on their practice,
identifying challenges and solutions, creating an inclusive culture and building knowledge
and understanding of autism amongst staff and students.
The project aims to support schools in the provision of inclusive educational placements for
autistic children and young people alongside specialist provision. It is designed to reaffirm
good practice and support those wishing to foster a school culture that is inclusive of autistic
students. The project will cover the following areas:
Teaching and learning
Inclusive school culture
Leadership and management
Staff professional development
We will continue to update the school community on this programme as we engage with the
training. We are determined to be an inclusive school, ensuring that every child feels valued
and achieves success in a happy school environment. We understand that inclusion requires
ongoing work and commitment, and support from the whole school community. Inclusion is
a journey, one that we are happy to travel.
punctuality
Reminder: Children can arrive to school any time from 8.50am – 9.10am. Teaching will
start in all classes at 9.10 sharp so we encourage all children to be in their
classrooms at this time.
start in all classes at 9.10 sharp so we encourage all children to be in their
classrooms at this time.
readathon
We are in the middle of our much-loved Readathon – it ends on Friday 3rd March. It was
great to see such enthusiasm for reading around the school before the mid-term. Please
encourage the children to read as much as they can at home. We cannot emphasise
enough the importance, and the benefits, of reading. It develops the imagination, improves
fluency and creative writing skills, and opens whole new worlds to the children. Thanks for
your support.
Thursday 2nd March is World Book Day and the children (and teachers) are invited to come
to school dressed up as their favourite character from a book.
The Parents Association are organising a Book Swap next week – Tuesday 28th Feb and
Thurs 2nd March from 1.40pm – 3pm. This will take place in our lovely new reading room, or
Literacy Chill Out Zone, located above the big PE Hall. Signs will direct you on both days.
Entry fee is 50c – and you can take away as many books as you like for that price. You are
welcome to donate books that are in good condition in advance of the swap shop (send
them in to the class teachers), or bring them along on the day. Please see the homepage of
our website, and the PA social media platforms on Facebook and Instagram for more
information. A huge thanks to the PA for organising this event – we have no doubt it will
create more excitement for reading, as well as recycling lots of books. All proceeds will go
to the Readathon fund, which will support the chosen charities and replenish class libraries.
great to see such enthusiasm for reading around the school before the mid-term. Please
encourage the children to read as much as they can at home. We cannot emphasise
enough the importance, and the benefits, of reading. It develops the imagination, improves
fluency and creative writing skills, and opens whole new worlds to the children. Thanks for
your support.
Thursday 2nd March is World Book Day and the children (and teachers) are invited to come
to school dressed up as their favourite character from a book.
The Parents Association are organising a Book Swap next week – Tuesday 28th Feb and
Thurs 2nd March from 1.40pm – 3pm. This will take place in our lovely new reading room, or
Literacy Chill Out Zone, located above the big PE Hall. Signs will direct you on both days.
Entry fee is 50c – and you can take away as many books as you like for that price. You are
welcome to donate books that are in good condition in advance of the swap shop (send
them in to the class teachers), or bring them along on the day. Please see the homepage of
our website, and the PA social media platforms on Facebook and Instagram for more
information. A huge thanks to the PA for organising this event – we have no doubt it will
create more excitement for reading, as well as recycling lots of books. All proceeds will go
to the Readathon fund, which will support the chosen charities and replenish class libraries.
whole-school evaulation (wse)
The Inspectorate of the Department of Education carried out an evaluation in Scoil
Mochua on the week of 20th February. The purpose of the evaluation was:
To evaluate key aspects of the school's work
To monitor the quality of learning and teaching and the learners’ overall experience in
the school
To identify and affirm good practice in the school
To provide advice about the quality of education
The inspector(s) will observe teaching and learning and will meet pupils in classrooms.
Meetings will also be held with teachers, the school principal, the Board of Management,
pupils and some parents. Further information on inspection for children, young people and
for parents and guardians is available at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/d3832-guide-to-
inspection/
Mochua on the week of 20th February. The purpose of the evaluation was:
To evaluate key aspects of the school's work
To monitor the quality of learning and teaching and the learners’ overall experience in
the school
To identify and affirm good practice in the school
To provide advice about the quality of education
The inspector(s) will observe teaching and learning and will meet pupils in classrooms.
Meetings will also be held with teachers, the school principal, the Board of Management,
pupils and some parents. Further information on inspection for children, young people and
for parents and guardians is available at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/d3832-guide-to-
inspection/
history artefact exhibition
Thanks to local historian and former Principal of Scoil Mochua, Tony Doohan, we have a
wonderful History Artefact Museum in the school. Tony started the museum, and it
continues to grow to this day. Many of you will have seen the cabinets filled with treasures
around the school. Mr Richie Hannan looks after the artefacts, and he ensures that they are
used to enhance the teaching and learning of history in the classrooms throughout the
school. Pre-Covid the local Silver-Thread Club were invited to the school, and they
interacted with the arefacts, telling the children about their childhood memories using the
items in real life.
On Wednesday, the 22nd of February, Mr Hannan’s 3rd class invited the 3rd and 4th classes to the Small Hall, where the children themselves exhibited a range of the artefacts, explaining to the classes what
the items were used for, and how they were used. If your child comes home with stories of
delph hot water bottles, old-style telephones, etc., please ask lots of questions!
We continue to welcome items of interest to add to our museum. Please contact the office,
info@scoilmochua.com if you have an item you wish to donate to the teaching and learning
of future generations in Scoil Mochua!
wonderful History Artefact Museum in the school. Tony started the museum, and it
continues to grow to this day. Many of you will have seen the cabinets filled with treasures
around the school. Mr Richie Hannan looks after the artefacts, and he ensures that they are
used to enhance the teaching and learning of history in the classrooms throughout the
school. Pre-Covid the local Silver-Thread Club were invited to the school, and they
interacted with the arefacts, telling the children about their childhood memories using the
items in real life.
On Wednesday, the 22nd of February, Mr Hannan’s 3rd class invited the 3rd and 4th classes to the Small Hall, where the children themselves exhibited a range of the artefacts, explaining to the classes what
the items were used for, and how they were used. If your child comes home with stories of
delph hot water bottles, old-style telephones, etc., please ask lots of questions!
We continue to welcome items of interest to add to our museum. Please contact the office,
info@scoilmochua.com if you have an item you wish to donate to the teaching and learning
of future generations in Scoil Mochua!
school musical-aladdin
Every 3 years a group of 4th, 5th and 6th class children take part in the school musical. This
year is one of those years! We are currently in rehearsals for a performance of Aladdin Jr
that will take place from 23rd-25th May. The musical is a whole-school effort with
collaboration between staff, parents and the wider community. Local businesses provide
sponsorship and spot prizes. Parents sell tickets, make props and costumes and help to
promote the show. Most staff members are involved in some way or another. The result is an
event like no other! Watch this space – you are in for a treat! Many thanks to the team of
talented teachers involved in this production: Leanne Smith, Gavin O’Grady, Amy Douglas,
Lorna Bradley, Jenny Corr – this list will grow as we approach show time!
Help needed with Sound System: We are hoping to upgrade our sound system in advance
of the musical. We need advice and guidance on this. If there are any parents out there
who have knowledge or expertise in this area, or who can point us in the right direction,
please contact Leanne Smith, one of our teachers who has been doing some research into
sound systems – lsmith@scoilmochua.com.
year is one of those years! We are currently in rehearsals for a performance of Aladdin Jr
that will take place from 23rd-25th May. The musical is a whole-school effort with
collaboration between staff, parents and the wider community. Local businesses provide
sponsorship and spot prizes. Parents sell tickets, make props and costumes and help to
promote the show. Most staff members are involved in some way or another. The result is an
event like no other! Watch this space – you are in for a treat! Many thanks to the team of
talented teachers involved in this production: Leanne Smith, Gavin O’Grady, Amy Douglas,
Lorna Bradley, Jenny Corr – this list will grow as we approach show time!
Help needed with Sound System: We are hoping to upgrade our sound system in advance
of the musical. We need advice and guidance on this. If there are any parents out there
who have knowledge or expertise in this area, or who can point us in the right direction,
please contact Leanne Smith, one of our teachers who has been doing some research into
sound systems – lsmith@scoilmochua.com.
school garden
Work is nearing completion on the extension to our School Garden, and we are hoping that
Tom, the School Gardener, will be able to begin working with classes in the garden soon.
We will update you when the work is complete.
Tom, the School Gardener, will be able to begin working with classes in the garden soon.
We will update you when the work is complete.
eco committee
We are very proud of our Eco-Committee, which is made up of a group of children with a
keen interest and passion in sustainability and environmental awareness. Under the
guidance of Ms Aislinn Finegan and Ms Leanne Smith, the children attend regular meetings
where they share observations, concerns and ideas. Minutes of all meetings are published
on a dedicated Green Schools page on the school website for all children to see. The committee members spread their
message of environmental awareness and individual responsibility by sharing minutes of
their meetings with their classmates, and visiting younger classes. They ensure good
practice in the school by running Eco Patrols, co-ordinating the recycling and making weekly
announcements over the intercom. They run various events throughout the year such as a
Clothing Drive, Battery Drive, Bake Sale and Spring Clean. They are currently undertaking
an audit on water usage as they intend to apply for the school's third green flag next year.
Thanks to the children on the Eco-Committee, and their teachers, for all their hard work and
dedication. Our future looks bright!
keen interest and passion in sustainability and environmental awareness. Under the
guidance of Ms Aislinn Finegan and Ms Leanne Smith, the children attend regular meetings
where they share observations, concerns and ideas. Minutes of all meetings are published
on a dedicated Green Schools page on the school website for all children to see. The committee members spread their
message of environmental awareness and individual responsibility by sharing minutes of
their meetings with their classmates, and visiting younger classes. They ensure good
practice in the school by running Eco Patrols, co-ordinating the recycling and making weekly
announcements over the intercom. They run various events throughout the year such as a
Clothing Drive, Battery Drive, Bake Sale and Spring Clean. They are currently undertaking
an audit on water usage as they intend to apply for the school's third green flag next year.
Thanks to the children on the Eco-Committee, and their teachers, for all their hard work and
dedication. Our future looks bright!
seachtain na gaeilge
We have lots of fun activities lined up for Seachtain na Gaeilge, 13th–16th March,
culminating in our fabulous parade around the Willowbrook Green on the Thursday morning.
Further details to follow nearer the time. Please note, the PA will host a Coffee Morning on
Thursday 16th March before the parade, so why not drop the children to school, pop in for a
cuppa and a chat, and then head out to cheer us on and add to the noise of the parade!
culminating in our fabulous parade around the Willowbrook Green on the Thursday morning.
Further details to follow nearer the time. Please note, the PA will host a Coffee Morning on
Thursday 16th March before the parade, so why not drop the children to school, pop in for a
cuppa and a chat, and then head out to cheer us on and add to the noise of the parade!
note from our pa
A big thank you to all those who have made contributions to the PA. To date monies
received have funded Christmas Fun & Santa’s visit, foyer displays, cycling safety
programme, support for activity weeks, parent Coffee Mornings and in the coming term will
go towards Easter fun, Communion and Confirmation celebrations, more coffee mornings,
road safety and Multi-Cultural week to mention a few!
The PA welcomes new members throughout the school year. Some people come on board
and become committee members, others are available from time-to-time to help out during
school time, or in the evening time. Members are only ever asked to help when they can. It
is a great opportunity to get to know other parents and staff members, and visit the school at
special times of the year such as Christmas and Halloween.
We understand time and energy is precious so ideally, the PA would like to have a rep from
every class in the school, as this would lead to fast and efficient communication, and it would
mean that all classes have an official voice at the table. As a point of contact we then have a
way to share upcoming events, engage particular groups when appropriate etc. Whether you
want to be that voice, or you would like to meet more people from the school community,
whether you have lots of time to spare, or hardly any (!!), contact pa@scoilmochua.com to
express an interest. Or indeed any ideas on how to communicate with you all is
welcome...follow us on social media to stay in the loop!
Looking forward to seeing new and old faces at our next PA Meeting on the 7th
March @8.30pm, our upcoming "BIG book swap" and at our Green Coffee Morning on 16th
March at 9am.
Thanks,
Aisling Whelan, PA Chairperson
received have funded Christmas Fun & Santa’s visit, foyer displays, cycling safety
programme, support for activity weeks, parent Coffee Mornings and in the coming term will
go towards Easter fun, Communion and Confirmation celebrations, more coffee mornings,
road safety and Multi-Cultural week to mention a few!
The PA welcomes new members throughout the school year. Some people come on board
and become committee members, others are available from time-to-time to help out during
school time, or in the evening time. Members are only ever asked to help when they can. It
is a great opportunity to get to know other parents and staff members, and visit the school at
special times of the year such as Christmas and Halloween.
We understand time and energy is precious so ideally, the PA would like to have a rep from
every class in the school, as this would lead to fast and efficient communication, and it would
mean that all classes have an official voice at the table. As a point of contact we then have a
way to share upcoming events, engage particular groups when appropriate etc. Whether you
want to be that voice, or you would like to meet more people from the school community,
whether you have lots of time to spare, or hardly any (!!), contact pa@scoilmochua.com to
express an interest. Or indeed any ideas on how to communicate with you all is
welcome...follow us on social media to stay in the loop!
Looking forward to seeing new and old faces at our next PA Meeting on the 7th
March @8.30pm, our upcoming "BIG book swap" and at our Green Coffee Morning on 16th
March at 9am.
Thanks,
Aisling Whelan, PA Chairperson