Collection of schoolbooks
The school invites parents of all classes to collect their children’s schoolbooks next Monday 11th January to assist with remote learning in the coming weeks.
Parents who are interested in collecting their children’s books are asked to adhere to the following guidelines and times to ensure the collection takes place as safely and quickly as possible.

• Social distancing guidelines apply at all times.
• Please follow staff instructions on the day.
• Books will be distributed from the school hall.
• Parents should park outside the school and use the small pedestrian gate to access the school opposite the hall door.
• Entrance is via the school hall doors only
• One family at a time please
• On entering please sanitise your hands and wear a face mask.
• When admitted please collect your child’s books and exit without delay.
• If parents have more than one child they should collect all books at the one time.
• The books will be in labelled packs/bags by class in the school hall in alphabetical order.

Please note collection times are according to family surname:
 

• A & B                    10.00 to 10.30
• C & D                   10.30 to 11.00
• E, F & G                11.00 to 11.30
• H, I & J                 11.30 to 12.00
• K                           12.00 to 12.30
• L & M                   12.30 to 13.00
• N & O                  13.00 to 13.30
• P & R                     13.30 to 14.00
• S to Z                    14.00 to 14.30

 
Please collect at your appointed time to avoid queues. If you miss your time call in between 14.30 – 15.00.
The collection will end at 15.00.
 

                                                            Scoil an Fhraoich Mhóir
                                                           Annual Admission Notice
                                                                    in respect of admissions to the 2021/’22 school year

                                                                         Admission Policy and Application Form
A copy of the school’s Admission Policy and the Application Form for Admission for the 2021/’22 school year is available as follows: –

• To download at: www.heathns.ie
• On request: By emailing office@theheathns.com or writing to the school secretary at Scoil an Fhraoich Mhóir, The Heath, Portlaoise R32XW40.

 
                                                                 Part 1 - Admissions to the 2021/’22 school year

                                                                 Application and Decision Dates for admission to 2021/’22
                                                         The following are the dates applicable for admission to Junior Infants

• The school will commence accepting applications for admission on 14th January ‘21
• The school shall cease accepting applications for admission on 29th January ‘21
• The date by which applicants will be notified of the decision on their application is 12th February ‘21
• The period within which applicants must confirm acceptance of an offer of admission is 26th February ‘21

Note: the school will consider and issue decisions on late applications in accordance with the school’s Admission Policy.
 
                          *Failure to accept an offer within the prescribed period above may result in the offer being withdrawn
 
                                                        Number of Places being made Available in 2020/’21 school year

• The number of places being made available in junior infants 26

 
                                                 

The school closes on Tuesday 22nd December at 12.00 for the Christmas holidays and will re-open on Wednesday 6th January. The staff of the school would like to wish all our pupils, parents and families a happy and peaceful Christmas and look forward to working with you all again in 2021.

Many of our pupils enjoyed wearing in a Christmas Jumper on Friday 27th November to celebrate the start of Advent and of course the Toy Show. The good news is that pupils are welcome to wear in Festive Clothes on Tuesday 22nd December to celebrate everyone's co-operation in the smooth operation of the school this term.

The Parents Council have organised a Christmas Hamper Raffle. Tickets are €5 and we ask each family to support this fundraising event. Tickets can be bought online. Last day to purchase tickets is Thursday 17th December. The winners will be announced on Friday 18th December

Our lunch time chess will commence after Christmas. Children from 3rd to 6th are welcome to learn to play the game and play in a class league and championship

January is Science month and we will be running a series of events in the school for the children to promote interest and learning in this area

6th class have been busy debating since midterm both within class and through zoom against other schools. It is a great skill to develop and well done to the children involved.

The school quiz will take place in January and February with a round of questions for each class this year. The quizzes will be divided between infants, 1st/2nd, 3rd/4th and 5th/6th. The quizzes are school, general knowledge and current news based with the aim of making children more aware of what is occurring around them and in wider society.