March Newsletter 2026
Dear Parents / Guardians,
Please read the following information regarding school activities / news.
Seachtain na Gaeilge
This week we celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge (Irish Week) in the school, so there are lots of activities going on in each classroom throughout the week!
All pupils are encouraged to wear green on Friday.
We welcome any Parents/Guardians, Grandparents etc who are available, to come to Moneenroe Hall on Friday 13th from 9.30am where each class will be performing some songs, etc.
9.30 am Mícheál Ó Máirtín Presentation of certificates (Gaeilgeoirí na Seachtaine)
10.00 am Taispéanteas sa Halla
10.45 am Cupán Tae sa Halla. There will be a cup of tea / coffee in the hall for any parents, grandparents, etc
while the pupils return to the school for break time.
11.15 am Castlecomer Community School Trad Session
12.00 noon Diosco sa Halla - Páistí Beaga 12:00-12:45
1.30 pm Diosco sa Halla - Páistí Móra 1:30-2:45
School will be closed on Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th for St Patrick’s Day.
School Photographs
Reminder that there is free delivery to the school for any photographs ordered by this Friday. All children have been given proofs of their photographs to bring home.
Funky Kids
The Funky Kids programme will finish with a show for families on 23rd March at 7pm in Moneenroe Hall. There will be a full dress rehearsal on Monday 23rd during school hours, and all children will be given their costumes to bring home. They should then return to the hall for the show wearing their costumes. There is no cost for attending the show, as all families have already been asked to make a donation towards the programme. Please see letter below from Funky Kids with details of what your child should wear to the show.
Music
Ukulele lessons with Paul Hickey for pupils in 5th and 6th class will finish on Monday 23rd March.
Hurling timetable with Games Development Officer
Kevin McGrath will take interested hurling and camogie pupils in 3rd – 6th class for training on school pitch each Wednesday from now until May Bank holiday. Non interested pupils will remain in class with work prescribed. (Remember to bring your hurl and helmet to school!)
Savings Club
Savings Club continues on Wednesdays up to 13th May 2026.
Choir
Extra curricular choir continues on Wednesdays with Gretta for interested pupils.
TY Musical
6th class will be brought to see “Footloose” the musical performed by Castlecomer Transition Year Students on Wednesday 25th March. (We still need another couple of 6th class parents to help with the transport please.)
Easter Bake Sale
The Parents Association is organising a bake sale to be held on Friday 27th March 2026. This will take place in Mr McKeogh’s classroom in the school.
Easter Camp
Easter Camp will run in the school from 30th March – 3rd April 2026 (9.00am – 1.30pm).
Artist Visit
Artist Mairéad Holohan will give some art lessons in the school on 13th and 16th April for the Junior classes, and on 20th and 23rd April for the senior classes.
Lisa Coogan Gymnastics
Lisa will return for 6 weeks of Gymnastic lessons for pupils in Junior Infants to 2nd Class, from Tuesday 14th April – Tuesday 19th May.
Mobile Library
Next visit to the school will be Friday 24th April from 11am. Please remember to bring back your borrowed books.
Paramedic Visit
We will have a visit from a paramedic team on 24th April and all classes will get an opportunity to see inside the ambulance.
Cian Mooney Memorial Tournament
This year we hope to hold the annual tournament in memory of past pupil Cian Mooney on Friday 1st May at 1pm in the Railyard.
Agri Aware Farm Visit
We will have a mobile farm at the school on Thursday 14th May. All pupils will have an opportunity to meet the animals during the day.
First Holy Communion
The First Communion will be on Saturday 16th May at 11am in Moneenroe Church.
School Closures
The Department of Education has advised the following teacher training days, and therefore the school will remain closed to pupils on 18th May 2026.
Book Fair
Khan will return with her Book Fair on Wednesday 20th May.
The Big Dig
The Irish School of Archaeology will return again this year on Thursday 21st May.
Incoming Infants Introduction Day / Grandparents Day
Thursday 28th May. All current Junior Infants will go home at 12.30 to facilitate the incoming infants introduction afternoon. More details to follow.
Discovery Park Trip
6th class will have a trip to the Discovery Park on Monday 15th June. More details to follow.
Graduation
6th class graduation will be on Monday 15th June at 7.00pm.
Healthy Eating Policy
Pupils are allowed to bring a small treat on Fridays only. Please remember that we have some pupils with nut allergies, so please ensure that there are no nuts in any food that your child brings to school. Any queries regarding the hot meals supplied can be made directly to Fresh Today on 053-9235994 or by email to kilkenny@freshtoday.ie.
Entering and Leaving School
Please ensure all pupils arrive via the front door pedestrian crossing from 9:05am. No pupils are permitted on the grounds before this time.
If collecting your child/children early for an appointment, please collect via the fire exit door of their classroom and sign the ‘sign out book’ provided by the class teacher. This book must be signed at all collection / drop off times outside of school hours.
If there is a change to your child’s normal collection routine, please email the school office or send a note to class teacher. The teacher may not see Aladdin messages sent during the school day, so if you have a last minute change, please contact the school office. Please note the school office is closed on Wednesdays so emails and phone messages will not be checked until after 3pm.
Meeting with Staff
Please email the school office if you wish to make an in-person appointment with a staff member, all appointments must be made via the school email only please. Staff are more than happy to meet with parents at a mutually convenient time from 8:45 - 9:05am or 3:00 - 3:15pm.
Le meas,
Barbara Luttrell
Principal
Moneenroe N.S. Celebrate Continued Success at
Credit Union Quiz
Moneenroe National School enjoyed another hugely successful evening at the local Credit Union Schools Quiz, held in Castlecomer Community School on Friday, 6th February 2026.
Our Under-11 teams delivered outstanding performances, with Moneenroe N.S. claiming 1st place for the third year in a row, a remarkable achievement that reflects the pupils’ dedication, teamwork, and general knowledge. To cap off a fantastic night for the school, a second Moneenroe N.S. Under-11 team also secured 2nd place, highlighting the depth of talent within the group.
The Under-13 teams also performed exceptionally well, finishing in 2nd and 3rd place overall. The competition at this level was extremely strong, with our leading team narrowly missing out on top spot after a closely fought tie-breaker with Coon N.S. The pupils showed great composure, resilience, and sportsmanship throughout the contest.
As a result of their victory, the Under-11 winning team will now go on to represent Moneenroe N.S. at the County Final in early March. This is a fantastic opportunity and a proud moment for the entire school community.
Well done to all pupils involved for representing the school with such enthusiasm and excellence. Thanks also to the staff, parents, and organisers for their continued support of this valuable and enjoyable event.
Important Changes to December Calendar
Hi All
Reminder of Mass tomorrow (Friday 5th) followed by whole school assembly at 10.15 with a performance by 2nd Class.
We have a few changes to the December calendar as follows.
On Wednesday 17th December we will have our carol service in Moneenroe Church. After this school will remain closed for the rest of the day, so please ensure that you have somebody at the church to collect your child(ren). There will be some refreshments in Moneenroe Hall after the carol service, and the Parents Association will hold the Christmas raffle. We hope everyone will drop in for a cuppa and a chat. There is no need for your child to bring their school bag on this day, and a cold packed lunch will be provided to all children from Fresh Today (there will be no hot meals).
For the whole week Monday 15th - Friday 19th December, children are invited to wear their Christmas jumpers to school with their tracksuit bottoms. There will be no homework the final week, but homework club will operate as normal (except for Wednesday 17th as the school will be closed early) and the children can participate in games / art.
Welcome Back - 3rd Nov 25
Hi all,
We hope you all had a great Halloween break.
Please note there is First Friday Mass this Friday, November 7th at 9:30am in Moneenroe Church. Our second assembly of the year will take place after mass in the church.
Senior Infants and 1st class will be showcasing some of their work for assembly this week.
Pupils in the Junior Classes will be completing homework in school today for the first day back.
Arrival time is from 9:05am onwards and collection time is 2pm for the Junior and Senior Infants and 3pm for the rest of the school.
We hope you all have a great half term to Christmas.
Le meas,
Barbara Luttrell