24th September: We began our Kindness Week.

Each day
began with a thought for the day and a task. The girls were
St. Philomena’s N.S. encouraged to be kinder and more considerate towards one
Convent Road, Tullamore. another. There were many kind acts taking place
September Newsletter, 2018. throughout the week in school and at home which the girls
recorded on notes. These notes were all collected and put together to make a
Dear Parents/Guardians,
lovely display board for our Mass. Keep up the great work girls!

We are all well settled in to school at this stage. This month has flown by. All
17th September: We welcomed back Mr. Walter Sammon to St. Philomena’s.
of the new members of our school community have really settled in and are
Mr. Sammon is our new Project Worker under the School Completion
adding to the atmosphere in a positive way. We look forward to a great year
Programme. He will be working in class or with small groups of girls on a
ahead full of hard work and excitement.
variety of activities.
th
13 September: The girls started soccer coaching with Gary Seery in St.
28thSeptember: We celebrated Mass to mark the beginning of the school year
Mary’s Youth Centre.
based on the theme of ‘Kindness’. Thanks to all the
teachers for preparing their classes so well and to Ms.
The Cumann na mBunscol Football matches are well under way at this stage.
Corrigan, who co-ordinated the Mass. Thanks to Fr. Joe
Thanks to Ms. O’ Connor and Ms. Marron for training
for celebrating the Mass. The girls read, dramatised,
the girls.
served, presented gifts and sang so well accompanied by
14th September: Garda Fergus Collns visited the girls in 5th and 6th classes to Gavin Ghee. Thank you, we are so proud of each one of you.
talk about the importance of keeping safe online.
Afterwards, we went to the Parish Centre where we said goodbye to Ms.
17 th
September: Margaret Buckley our Home School Liaison Corrigan after 34 years of dedicated service to St. Philomena’s as teacher and
teacher organised a coffee morning for our new parents in the Deputy Principal. We wished her the very best of luck as she commences a new
Parents’ Room. chapter in her life and hope that she has many fond memories of her time in
St. Philomena’s.
20th September: Orla Fox our SNA organised a coffee morning for the staff
with all proceeds going to Offaly Hospice. €110 was raised for this very We said goodbye to Ms. Meacle on Friday as she has taken up a permanent
worthy cause. position in a new school.

We will also be saying goodbye to Ms. O’ Connor on Thursday, October 4 th. She
is taking up a permanent position in a school closer to her home. We would like
to thank her for the wonderful contribution she has made to St. Philomena’s
during her twelve years here. We will really miss you and we wish you the very
best of luck in your new school.
The Parents’ Association will hold their AGM on Wednesday, October 10th at
8.00 p.m. in the Parents’ Room. Please come along and lend your support to this
very important group.
Members of our Board of Management:
Children must wear the complete school uniform every day.
 P.E. days: navy tracksuit bottoms, school navy jumper with crest, polo
shirt with school name.
 All other days: plaid skirt/navy school trousers, white shirt, blue tie, navy
jumper with crest, navy socks/tights
 Black or dark school shoes must be worn. (high-heels, wedge soles etc. are
not suitable for safety reasons). Remember St. Philomena’s has two flights
of stairs.
 Runners are allowed only on P.E. days.

 Pupils are not allowed to wear jewellery during P.E. All other times, a
Marie White, Chairperson
watch and/or one pair of stud earrings in earlobes only, are acceptable.
Bernadette Kerry, Treasurer
 Make up, hair dye and nail varnish are not permitted.
Bridget Clear, Secretary
If you wish to speak to your child’s teacher, please contact the office to make
Geraldine Gaffey, Teachers’ Nominee
Brenda Colgan, Community Nominee an appointment.
Willie Cronly, Community Nominee
Joe Moran, Parents’ Nominee Thank you to everyone that has paid their Book Rental money. Please note that
Amanda Rattigan, Parents’ Nominee this money may be paid in instalments.

Data Protection
Personal data such as names, addresses, dates of birth, PPS numbers, phone
numbers etc. has been obtained by the school from enrolment forms. This
information is stored on our Aladdin database and is held for administration
purposes. It is not shared with third parties. Permission will be sought before
sharing any information with other parties.
Here are a few reminders:
Please label your daughter’s belongings, especially jumpers. It can be very
difficult to return a jumper to its owner, if there is no name on it. All items
are placed in lost property and any unclaimed items will be donated to charity.
Please continue to check and treat your daughter’s hair for head lice. This
must be carried out regularly. Please ensure that your daughter’s hair is
tied back each day.
Final date for Pupil Insurance is Wednesday October 4th.
If your daughter is absent, or will be leaving early, please write a note in her
homework journal.
The homework journal is an effective means of communication between home
and school. If you need to let your daughter’s teacher know something, please
write it in the journal.
School Closure
There will be no school on Friday, October 26th as the school will be used as a
polling station for the upcoming presidential elections.
Kind regards, Bridget Clear, Principal.