Athboy Community School will be hosting a Spring Craft Fair in the school on Sunday 28th April 12pm - 4pm. We will have a range of vendors offering Jewellery, Local Produce, Sweets, American Candy, Fresh Homemade Doughnuts, Cosmetics, Cards, Toys, Books, Decorations, Candles, Artwork and so much more.  We will also have refreshments available and face painting!  It promises to be a great afternoon of crafts.  Looking forward to seeing you there!

Hi. The TY’s will be going on a trip to Sundrive Velodrone tomorrow (Wednesday 7th) to the speed cycle track.

The Performance Assessment (PA) element of the course will take place on Friday the 1st and Saturday the 2nd of March. This project is worth 30% of students' final grade in exam PE. Students must be present on these days from 08.50 am to 2 pm. If students are absent on these days, it will result in a loss of marks. Students should also be present in the lead up to the assessment so they can be prepared accordingly. Thank you. Mr. Williams

Congratulations to Jack O’Connor, who was presented with a Meath Garda Youth Award in the Ardboyne Hotel recently. Jack was one of an elite group of young people honoured with such an award based on his effort, engagement, commitment and spirit, especially in the area of Athletics.  He was nominated by the school and won!

A citation was read before Jack was invited to the stage to receive his award describing him as bright, funny, strong and determined. Jack was praised for how hard he has fought to reach his potential and establish himself in the world of Athletics, both with his local Father Murphy’s A.C for the past ten years and more recently with Team Ireland.

In 2023 Jack returned home from the European Games in the Czech Republic with four medals. He placed first winning gold medals in the Junior competition for Shot Putt, Discus and Javelin and in the senior competition, something he only entered to gain experience, he incredibly managed to win the bronze medal for the Discus.

The citation continued to praise Jack, “It is without doubt that Jack’s success is down to him and him alone,” the Garda Representative said from the stage, “training four nights a week and still keeping time to complete his academic studies in Athboy Community School. We believe that Jack’s long term goal is to compete in the Paralympics in 2028 and we have no doubt his will be achieved.”

Jack was announced as the winner of the Garda Youth Award for the Kells district. He was represented on the night by Kells Gardaí, his parents Aisling and Ronan, his grandparents and Tony Magner representing us (also author of this article!).  Photos to follow.

Protocols for Leaving Early

We are currently  looking at issues around students arriving late - 123 students last week arrived late to school.  After midterm break, students who arrive late to school twice in a week will get a lunchtime detention.  

We are also looking at the issue of students leaving school early. We had 104 students collected last week by parents/family. 

As a result we have drafted some clear guidelines around leaving school early which we will provide to you shortly.

The purpose of this policy is to safeguard students and to flag issues where students are leaving school to avoid class/due to anxiety/due to worries of some sort or in order to meet up with other pals who have left school too (all of which are real life examples of what has occurred in the past few weeks).

The main features of this policy will be as follows:

Leaving Early for an Appointment

LCA Interviews

We had a busy three days of LCA Task Interviews this week all of which have gone really, thanks to Grace Quinn, the LCA Coordinator in getting students ready for these interviews.

Athboy Community School are excited to be hosting a Spring Craft Fair on Sunday 28th April 2024.  If you would be interested in purchasing a stall to sell at the Fair please email mmcgrory@athboycs.ie or contact the school office on 046 948 7894.

Dear parents and guardians,

We surveyed parents and students about the uniform recently as you know.

Only 10% of parents and 15% students voted to retain the girls grey trousers so we are looking at a change.

We have changed the trousers for new First Years to a navy trousers for all students.  The supplier of the grey pinstriped girls' trousers will not be making this product anymore as a result.  There will only be whatever is in stock in the shops available.

For this reason it makes sense to consider the uniform for TYs/Fifth Years as a whole.

I have sourced items that will make the cost of replacing items cheaper but I realise that some students may not need any new items for September.  They will not need to buy anything new.

For those who need new trousers, the navy trousers will be much cheaper than the current trousers and can also be bought in any shop.

I do not wish to cause any additional expense for any families. 

Please complete the following survey by Friday so we can get your voice on this.

Uniform Survey for TY Parents/Guardians

Please note:

Your child can still wear their current uniform next year even if the majority vote is to change it.  

Thanks in advance,

Clare

Parents of 3rd Years and TYs are invited to attend an information evening on Leaving Certificate Applied, a revised Transition Year Programme and the traditional Leaving Certificate subject choices at 715pm on Wednesday February 7th.

This meeting will be preceded by the Berlin Information Session at 630pm.

 We strongly advise all parents of students finishing 3rd Year /TY this June to attend.

Dear Parent/Guardians,

We have changed the uniform for incoming First Years.  This has had a knock-on effect unexpectedly.

We have changed the girls' trousers for new First Years to a navy trousers and so the supplier of the grey pinstriped girls' trousers will not be making this product.  There will only be whatever is in stock in the shops available.

For this reason it makes sense to consider the uniform for TYs/Fifth Years as a whole.

I have sourced items that will make the cost of replacing items cheaper but I realise that some students may not need any new items for September so I want to see if many are in this situation.

I do not wish to cause any additional expense for any families.  Your child can still wear this year's uniform even if the vote is to change it.

Please complete the following survey by Friday so we can get your voice on this.

Uniform Survey for 3rd Year Parents

Thanks in advance,

Clare

Parents and guardians are invited to register and attend a webinar facilitated by Jigsaw on 'Friendships and Mental Health'. 

In this webinar you will:

• consider the impact friendships can have on your child's mental health.
• explore ways in which you can support your child to build positive friendships.
• learn supportive strategies to navigate conversations about friendships with your child.

This webinar will take place on February 6th at 7.30pm for one hour. 

Register your interest here... http://onegoodschool.learnupon.ie

February 1st marks St. Brigid's Day and the first day of Spring. Brigid of Kildare is one of three patron saints of Ireland, the other two being St. Patrick and St. Columba. Brigid devoted her life to helping the poor and caring for others. She is the patroness of many things including; midwives, newborn's and many more.

Brigid you were a woman of peace,
You brought harmony where there was conflict.
You brought light into the darkness.
You brought hope to the downcast.
May the mantle of your peace
Cover those who are troubled and anxious,
And may peace be firmly rooted
In our hearts and in our world.