The Admission Policy for all schools is currently under review as part of the Education Act. As part of the consultation process as directed by the Department of Education and Skills the Board of Management invite all parents and staff to view our draft Admission policy.

The following was received today:
From: BE Schools Online <BESchoolsOnline@buseireann.ie>
Date: Thu, Mar 26, 2020 at 10:08 AM
Subject: School Transport applications for 20/21 School Year Now Open
To:
Dear School Principal,
 Applications for School Transport for the new school year are currently open and can be accessed online at www.buseireann.ie/schooltransport.
We would be grateful for your assistance in distributing the attached image via Whatsapp groups or Email to families, in particular of 6th class pupils.
Details of the scheme are also available on our website, Facebook page and https://www.education.ie/en/Parents/Services/School-Transport/
 The closing date for applications is Friday 24th April 2020.
 Thank you.
 Bus Eireann School Transport
 

West Cork Education Centre has some Creative Writing Packs:
​https://www.westcorkeducationcentre.ie/wcec-education-centre-news.html

A few ideas for activities to do with our younger pupils

The INTO have tips and tricks for home learning:
​https://www.into.ie/2020/03/18/tips-and-tricks-home-learning/

The NCSE has shared resources for children with Special Educational Needs:
​https://ncse.ie/online-resources-for-parents

Follow this link for a free downloadable 30 day Lego challenge
​https://www.freehomeschooldeals.com/free-printable-30-day-lego-challenge-instant-download/

You can encourage your child to wash their hands by putting the lyrics of a favourite song to pictures of the hand washing routine.
​https://washyourlyrics.com/

Coronavirus
At our Lady of Mercy we are following HSE and Department guidelines regarding COVID19.
Practical Measures
All staff model and practise proper hand washing with the children throughout the day, every day.
Children are constantly reminded to properly wash and dry their hands when they visit the bathroom.
All bathrooms are checked at regular intervals every day to make sure that there is adequate soap and tissue in them.
All classroom bins are emptied by the caretaker each evening.
All classrooms have their own antibacterial soap and tissues.
We will follow developments on a daily basis

Pupils from Room 12 having fun coding with the Beebots.

Some of the children from Room 12 enjoying their pancakes on Pancake Tuesday 25th February.

Sorry this is a bit late, website issues. I'm a celeb went down a storm with a worthy King Paddy and Queen Teresa crowned on the night. Well done to all involved especially the Parent's Association who raised €24,000! Great work

As part of Catholic Schools Week we celebrated Grandparents Day on Wednesday 29th January. Family members were invited in for a short service and the served coffee and scones baked by Mrs. White's 5th class. They were then invited to tour the school.

The debating team travelled to the West Cork Education Centre to oppose the motion 'We are not doing enough to end food waste' against Ballymoney, N.S., Ballineen. It was the first time that the school had got as far as the semi-finals and in a hard fought competition the team narrowly lost 2-1. Overall they have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and learned a huge amount including presentation skills, confidence in public speaking, increased vocabulary and awareness of current issues, oh and that the WCEC provides some of the nicest buns! Thank you WCEC.

Pupils from Room 12 had great fun at Christmas including a lovely gingerbread house.

Trainers Anne O'Grady and Phil Spillane came to school, along with players many of whom were past pupils. They came proudly displaying the Minor County Cup which had been won for the first time ever by Bantry Ladies, the U15 West Cork Cup AND the U16 West Cork Cup. Congratulations to all involved, fantastic result.