Dear parents/guardians, 

We are very excited to share with you that Harold's Cross ETSS first ever talent show, 'For One Night Only' will take place on Wednesday, 14th December. The show will take place in the Assumption Junior National School, Walkinstown, who have kindly provided us with a stage for the event. Doors open at 7pm, following by our first performance at 7:30pm. 

Tickets will be on sale in Room 13 from 12:30pm-12:45pm until Friday, 9th December. Tickets will cost €7 for student of HCETSS and €12 for any other attendees. There are a limited number of tickets available so these will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis. Please mind your ticket as these will be requested upon entry.

 There will be a raffle and spot prizes throughout the night. All funds received from this event will go towards putting on future productions, such as a first- and second-year musical and/or a TY play, so your contribution is greatly appreciated. 

 We look forward to seeing you all and hope you will join in celebrating the wonderful talent, that is: 

 Amy Hoxha 

Caoilte O'Brien Gleeson 

Caoimhe Jordan Lindsay

Chloé Pepin 

Concrete Handbag (Alfie O'Clery, Ollie Nankivell, Conn McKenna, and Louise McCarthy) 

Daisy Woods

Eimear Dowling

Eoghan O'Mahony 

Eva Musiol 

Florence Howe

Jake Denham 

Kerry Fitzpatrick 

Laoise Dennehy 

Miguel Menegas Batista

Ofri Caspi

Sophia Carroll 

Hosted by: Alex Keating McMahon and Riley Denham

See you there!

Kindest regards, 

Leonna, Amy & Holly

Dear parents/guardians,

The Winter Assesment reports for 2nd year will be published on Wednesday 07/12 after 2pm.

Reports for 1st and 3rd year will be published on Friday 09/12 after 2pm.

Kind regards, School Office

Dear parents/guardians,

Girl's basketball is cancelled this Thursday 8/12 and next  week on 15/12. Boys' basketball will go ahead this afternoon and both will resume in the New Year.

Kind regards, Deirdre

Reminder - Lessons end at 2.30pm tomorrow, Wednesday 7/12 due to staff meeting. All after school clubs will be cancelled.

Kind regards, School Office

Dear Parents/Guardians, 

The after school Art club will be cancelled on 8th and 15th December due to Parent teacher meetings and Art trip.

Kind regards, Grainne

There has been a large increase in general viral infections among children and young people this winter.

There have also been recent concerns about a rare bacterial infection. This infection is iGAS (an invasive Group A Streptococcal infection). It is and also known as Group A Strep.

Significant increase in viral infections

We have seen a significant increase in the usual winter viral infections. This includes an increase in flu. This is because children are mixing together more. In previous years social contact was much reduced. This in turn reduced the rates of routine infection.

Typical symptoms of viral infections

Symptoms of viral infections typically include:

• runny or blocked nose

• mild fever

• cough

• lethargy (tiredness)

Many children with viral infections also have a generalised rash.

Most children with viral infections can safely be cared for at home.

More information can be found at www2.hse.ie/conditions/colds-coughs-children/

Group A Strep and related bacterial infections

There have been cases of serious bacterial infections, specifically Group A Strep.

Severe infection is rare. Group A Strep more commonly causes infections such as:

• tonsillitis

• scarlet fever

• skin infections

Ireland has seen cases of more serious infections recently. But so far there has been no increase compared to what we saw before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Information about managing illnesses of concern will continue to be updated on hse.ie over coming days and weeks.

Important messages for families and children regarding any infections:

1) The most important measure is to stay home if you are unwell.

Many children might have a runny nose or a slight cough in winter season. However, if a child is feeling unwell they should be at home. For example, they may have:

• fever

• cough, and

• sore throat

They should stay at home until those symptoms have finished.

See www2.hse.ie/conditions/colds-coughs-children/

Children with symptoms are more likely to spread infections. For example, they may spread flu or bacterial infections. Staying home when unwell will help prevent spread to other children, families and staff.

2) Infection, prevention and control measures

- Cover coughs and sneezes

- Keep hands clean

These measures that we all got used to with Covid-19 are still important. They should be encouraged for everyone. These measures help stop the spread of infection.

3) Vaccination

Making sure your child is up to date on all recommended vaccinations will help:

- stop your child getting an infection and

- make them less likely to be unwell if they do get an infection

Routine childhood vaccinations protect against many significant viral and bacterial infections.

There is no vaccine against many viral illnesses or Strep A.

More information is available at www2.hse.ie/babies-children/vaccines-your-child/

Flu vaccine

The nasal spray flu vaccine is available for children aged 2 to 17 years. It helps protect against severe infection with flu and onward spread.

See www2.hse.ie/conditions/flu/childrens-flu-vaccine/

Many adults are also recommended to have the flu vaccine.

More information is available at www2.hse.ie/conditions/flu/getting-the-vaccine/

Vaccination for Covid-19 is still available. Visit www2.hse.ie/screening-and-vaccinations/covid-19-vaccine/get-the-vaccine/children/ 

The most important ways to prevent the spread of all infections are:

• making sure anyone unwell stays at home

• children and adults are up to date with their recommended vaccines, including flu

4. If you are concerned about your child

If you are concerned your child may be unwell, please check hse.ie. There is information on coughs, colds, fever, rashes and symptoms of concern. There is advice on when to contact your GP or go to a hospital emergency department. www2.hse.ie/conditions/colds-coughs-children/

Please log back into PTMO Parent/Guardian Login (ptmorg.com) to view your schedule for tomorrow's parent teacher meetings. As with the first time, you will need the school roll number (68365A) and your child's Vsware id to log in. 

We advise you to arrive to the school a few minutes early so you can locate the rooms which your appointments are in. Teacher names will be dislpayed on the room doors and the student council will be on hand to assist. 

We look forward to seeing you. 

Dear parents/guardians, 

Winter reports have been published and can be vieved on Vsware.

Kind regards, School Office

Dear Parents/Guardians, 

the Book Club with Dan will be cancelled this Friday, 09/12.

Kind regards, School Office

Dear parents/guardians,

 As you know, we are currently planning for the introduction of the Transition Year programme into our school.

We would really like to hear from you around what your expectations and hopes are for TY and learn whether there are areas where you could support the delivery of our programme.

Please see link to below survey:

forms.office.com/r/caUP4bMqhy

This will only take around 5 minutes but your feedback will be crucial in ensuring that we design a programme which meets our students needs, matches with our parental expectations and is in line with our school ethos and values.

Thank you as always. Kind regards,

TY Team.