Dear Parents / Guardians, 

I hope you and your little ones are all enjoying the build up to the 2023 festive  season and upcoming holidays. As we get close to the end of 2023, we wanted to  give an update on PA activities over the past few months.  

  • In September we welcomed Junior Infants parents with tea and a biscuit and hope  their experience in KNS has been a very positive one so far. We also recommenced  our daily ‘drop and go’ service. A very special thanks to all our Drop and Go  volunteers who continue to turn up each week regardless of weather to ensure a  smooth drop off process to school. 
  • Also in September, under the guidance of Maria Galve Villa and her group of  volunteers, we held a very successful Family Fun day. Thanks to all who helped in  any way for this hugely successful fun day out in KNS 
  • In October, we held our annual parents’ information evening and welcomed new  PA members Emily Brennan, Nina Davis and Muinteoir Eilis. Olivia Parle also joined  us when she was voted to represent parents on the KNS Board of Management. 
  • Thanks to you all for your fabulous generosity during the charity collections so far  this year. Between Jersey Day (GOAL) and Trick or Treat (Temple Street Childrens  Hospital) we have raised close to €800 from KNS. Our ‘Christmas Jumper’ charity  collection in support of the Paediatric Unit at University Hospital Galway continues  throughout December. Please donate anything you can at this link
  • Book Week was held in November and lots of book sales ensured it was a very  worthwhile activity for the school. Thanks to Muinteoir Aedin for organising and  all parents and students who helped out during this week. 
  • Christmas cards were designed by your children over the past few weeks and  printing and deliveries have already taken place. Special thanks to Maria Rix (Clearbookings) and Paul Fitzgerald who ensured a smooth process this year and  cards received in plenty of time for sending.  
  • I wanted to remind all parents that on your behalf, each Christmas, we give a gift to each staff member as a ‘Thank You’ from all our parents and guardians. This  year the staff are receiving lunch from a local café. I remind you that this is in place of parents buying individual gifts for staff members. The staff are most  appreciative and warmly thank the parents and guardians for this kind gesture. A small gift will also be presented to our school cleaners and the traffic warden on  behalf of KNS.  
  • Before the holiday break up we hope Santa might send us some helpers to make a  delivery of chocolates for all the children 
  • 2024 KNS Calendars will be available to purchase at the school concerts on Dec  15th for €10(cash only). These are usually in high demand so please bring exact  cash to avoid disappointment !. We hope you enjoy seeing your children with their  classes. A massive thank you to Brian Harding who takes all the beautiful photos  and to Gary Dunne (siolpaper.com) who prints the calendars.  

Please note the PA funds these gifts and other treats/activities held during the year  via our Annual donation ( Link ) from Families and any funds from the Sale of  Christmas Cards / School Calendars  

  • Finally, we also wanted to call out a special thanks to Noreen and all the staff in  KNS for their extraordinary efforts again this term in continuing to make KNS a  wonderful school for all our children – hope you all enjoy the well-deserved rest  over the Christmas holidays.  

As we close the term, the PA Committee, wishes you all a happy and healthy  Christmas and New Year.  

Happy Holidays �� 

KNS PA Committee 

Please see some ‘useful info’ in our appendix below

APPENDIX 

  • PA Email parents@knocknacarrans.ie
  • PA page on school website – https://knocknacarrans.ie/index.php/parents association/
  • KNS Whatsapp volunteer group – This is a group we use at various  occasions throughout the year to ask for volunteers to assist at school events  .e.g. helping in the carpark on school concerts day or helping with book week.  Its usually only a request for 30 mins to 1 hour commitment and you only sign  up if suits. It would be great to increase the numbers in this group so we can  share activities a bit more. Please contact us at email address above with  your phone number and we will send a link to join 
  • PA Voluntary Donation Link for payment
  • Christmas Charity Link for Galway Sick Kids Foundation – 

https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/SingforSaoirse 

Fri, Dec 15th Christmas Concerts 

  • 9am – Junior Infants 
  • 9.30am – Senior Infants 
  • 10am – 1st class 
  • 11am – 2nd class 
  • 11.30am – 3rd class 
  • 12 noon – 4th class 
  • 12.40pm -5th class 
  • 1.30pm – 6th class 

Parents Association Committee Details 2023/2024

*joined Oct 2023