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St Grettas
School Newsletter · 19 October 2026
October 2026 · Our autumn edition
Small moments. Big discoveries.
Dear families,
There is a lovely rhythm to school life at this time of year. The mornings are cooler, the library books are making their way home and our classrooms are full of questions, conversations and new discoveries.
In this edition, we bring you a little of what has been happening behind the classroom doors, along with practical reminders for the weeks ahead. Thank you for the many small ways you support our school, from reading together at home to helping with a muddy afternoon in the garden. It all makes a difference.
Growing something together
Our school garden has become an outdoor classroom this month. Second and Third Class prepared the raised beds, compared different bulbs and worked out how much space each plant will need. Junior Infants joined in by watering, spotting worms and looking for signs of autumn.
The children are keeping a garden diary with drawings, measurements and predictions. Will the sunniest bed produce the first shoots? How will we know when a plant needs water? There is plenty to investigate between now and spring.
A heartfelt thank you to the family volunteers who brought tools and helped us prepare the soil. We are collecting clean plant pots for our next project; if you have a few spare, they can be left beside the garden shed at morning drop-off.
A good book goes a long way
Our new reading corners are already firm favourites. Each classroom has a changing selection of picture books, poetry, non-fiction and stories chosen by the children. Older pupils have been recommending books to one another and explaining what makes a great first chapter.
This month we began paired reading, with Sixth Class visiting the infant rooms once a week. The focus is on enjoying a story together, looking at the pictures and giving younger readers time to join in.
At home, ten relaxed minutes with a book is more valuable than rushing through a long reading task. Read aloud, take turns or simply talk about an illustration. If your child is finding a book difficult, let their teacher know so we can choose something that builds confidence.
Autumn, in every colour
First Class brought the season indoors with leaf rubbings, painted patterns and a wonderful collection of autumn colour words. They mixed their own shades, compared the shapes of leaves and discovered that a single tree can hold more colours than you might expect.
Fourth Class took the idea further by creating repeating prints and discussing the work of Irish artists inspired by the landscape. Their finished pieces are displayed along the main corridor, with a short note from each artist about the choices they made.
If you are out for a walk over the break, invite your child to choose three colours they can see. There is no need to collect anything; a sketch, a photograph of the trees or a good conversation will do.
Moving more, trying something new
Our active-school afternoons have included skipping, relay games and a walking trail around the grounds. The aim is participation rather than competition, with each class choosing a challenge they can enjoy together.
Fifth Class designed activity stations for younger pupils, carefully explaining the rules and adapting each game so everyone could take part. It was a lovely opportunity to practise leadership as well as movement.
Please send in a light raincoat each day and check that tracksuit tops are labelled. We will continue to go outside when the weather allows, even as the days become cooler.
Our school community, lending a hand
The parents' association is planning a winter book and craft morning. Families will be able to browse donated books, enjoy a cup of tea and see some of the children's work. We will share the date and details in a separate notice once arrangements are confirmed.
There are plenty of ways to help, and none requires a big time commitment. Sorting a small box of books, lending display stands or helping to tidy up afterwards are all welcome. Please leave your name with the office if you would like to be involved.
Thank you, too, to everyone who has been using the pedestrian entrance at collection time. Keeping the gate clear gives children a safer space to leave school and makes the afternoon calmer for everyone.
A few useful reminders
Please check school bags for library books, return slips and spare clothing before the midterm break. Labelled jumpers and coats are much easier to reunite with their owners; our lost-property basket is beside the office.
If your child will be absent, send a short message through the school's usual communication channel. Let us know about any change to collection arrangements before the end of the school day.
We hope the break brings a little time to rest, get outdoors and enjoy being together. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday 2 November.
Kind regards,
Ms Maeve O'Connell
Principal
St Grettas · Roll number: 00001G
12 Hazelwood Lane, Ballywillow, Co. Dublin
Tel: 01 000 0101 · office@stgrettas.example
www.stgrettas.example
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19 October 2026
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