Scoil Mhuire na mBráithre – C.B.S. Primary Tralee
Newsletter – Nuachtlitir
January 2026/Eanáir 2026
Dear Parents
This year promises to be both busy and equally exciting and we hope that 2026 will bring you lots of good health and happiness. Our 2nd and 6th classes are beginning preparations for First Holy Communion and for Confirmation which take place on the dates below. Catholic Schools week begins on Sunday 18th January, thereby also assisting with such Sacramental preparations. We will also be hosting a Grandparent’s Day next week (Thursday 22nd January). Thanks to all school community members for their ongoing cooperation and support. It is greatly appreciated.
Brendan Smith
Principal
Enrolments for 2026 !! Páistí Nua do 2026
If you have a child coming to us in September 2026, please make sure that we have an application form for your child. Likewise, if your friends / neighbours / cousins are sending their child to this school in September 2026 please remind them to get a form from the secretary. All those who have applied for a place for this September will be contacted in the next while to confirm their child’s place.
School Hours of Opening – Am oscailte
As we enter the second half of the school year, we would just like to remind everybody of our official hours of opening. Supervision of children cannot be guaranteed until the following times:
School gates open to receive pupils from 8.30 a.m. and bell rings at 8:45 a.m.
Classes take place from 9.05 a.m. – 2.30 p.m. (1.30 p.m. for infants)
All pupils should be in their seats by 9.00 a.m.
Should you wish to contact a teacher, please do so during school hours (8:45am-2:30pm)
School Attendance
Since September, we have been promoting good attendance among the children. We have had a number of raffles for the children who attend for a full week – this has generated excitement among the children, and we will continue with this initiative over the next few months.
For obvious reasons, having children in school each day, on time and for the full day is something that we all should aim for. I am well aware that there are many, many parents whose children have a great attendance record and are always here on time and for the full day, However, at the start of a new year, this is a habit that we will encourage everyone to adopt and co-operation from parents is gratefully appreciated.
Data Protection / Parent Details and consent /pupil Information
We are updating the children’s files at present. If you have changed your address / contact details / phone number, please let the school secretary know as soon as possible.
Uniforms
Our school uniform has many benefits – it is designed to make life easier for parents/guardians in the morning and to bring a sense of belonging to all of the children in our school. As our school uniform/tracksuit and crest are proud traditions of the school, I really appreciate your assistance in ensuring that your child comes to school in either the full school uniform, or tracksuit on PE days. Also, if your child has outgrown his / her school jumper or tracksuit and you don’t need it for a younger brother or sister, we would be delighted if you could send it in to the secretary’s office.
Traffic – Tráchta
As you can imagine, safely dismissing everybody at home time is a challenge. To help us to ensure the children’s safety, I would be grateful to all our parents if you would keep the safety of our children foremost in your mind when driving and please avoid parking near the school gates. We want to especially thank our school caretaker Jerome for his assistance in getting the children across the road safely, at both the morning and after school times. Please avail of his assistance when crossing the road. Also, at morning and home-times, please use the main school gate (pedestrian gate) for entering the school grounds as the other gate is for school related vehicles only.
Healthy Eating- Healthy Bodies = Healthy Minds!
We ask for your cooperation with our school approach to Healthy Eating. We are very keen to promote a healthy lifestyle in the CBS, something that will help the children to make healthy choices as they grow up. We are all delighted with our school kitchen and the fabulous school lunches, packed with healthy food, that are provided every day. CBS Primary Tralee provides all children with healthy nutritious snacks and freshly cooked hot lunches. The Food Portal App is very easy to use and the children have been encouraged to make sure ‘Food is ordered on Fridays’ for the following week. If you have any difficulties in relation to our school lunches, please get in touch – if we cannot sort it ourselves then we will get in touch with the staff in the kitchen. Children are regularly spoken to in relation to healthy food choices – we ask you to send water in as their drink and to leave any ‘treats’ (chocolate, crisps, biscuits etc) for home.
If you are sending in lunches or additional food, please check the Healthy Eating Policy which is in your child’s diary (just after School Rules). This outlines what a healthy lunch should include and food that should not be included.
Unacceptable food may not be eaten in school and must be taken home.
Sending birthday cakes and treat bags into classes for distribution is not permitted.
Laugh and Learn Preschool
Laugh and Learn Preschool, within our Primary school, have limited spaces available for the 2026/2027 school year! If you would like to secure a fun, nurturing and engaging learning experience for your child please contact Sandra and Lorraine on 0879759432/0872428282
News from the Board!
Our Board of Management will hold its next meeting in early February. During this meeting, our Board will view and possibly ratify school polices in the areas of SPHE and Wellbeing. Reminder that all school policies are published on our school website (www.cbsprimarytralee.com)
Grandparent’s Day in CBS Primary Tralee
The children and staff of the C.B.S. would like to invite grandparents to join us in the celebration of Grandparents’ Day 2026. It will take place this coming Thursday 22nd January in our school hall. Doors will open at 11am. A short Prayer Service will be celebrated at 11: 15am. Fr. Tadhg our school Chaplin will lead the service. This will be followed by music agus craic led by our school choir! We will finish off with a cup of tea and treats. All are welcome!
Internet Safety
Tuesday, February 10th, is Internet Safety Day. Around this time, teachers will discuss online safety with their students using a variety of resources, including Webwise, a website that provides information, advice, and resources for schools, families, and young people on online safety and digital citizenship, highlighting the importance of staying safe online.
Internet Safety Talk
We are delighted to welcome Ger Brick, an experienced facilitator who delivers cyberbullying and internet safety talks to primary schools across Ireland, to our school on Friday, January 23rd. Ger will work with our sixth classes, covering important topics such as communicating respectfully online, cyberbullying and its consequences, the law, protecting personal information, staying safe on social media, and making smart choices about what to post and share online. The workshop will also focus on practical ways to keep devices and accounts secure. We plan to run a similar internet safety workshop for our fifth classes later in the school year.
CBS Primary Tralee School Garden
Great progress has been made in the school garden in the last few weeks. There are areas to walk through, areas to sit and learn and we hope it will become a wonderful outdoor space where all children will get the opportunity to work and learn. We are currently preparing the beds for seedlings, early potatoes, salad leaves and some herbs, that will hopefully grow and go home before the Summer. Thanks to our senior children for their help to help make our garden a great place to learn and grow!
Olympic Handball
6th class pupils participated in an Olympic Handball competition in Milltown on 7th January. They represented our school extremely well and it was a great day for all involved. We look forward to more school events in the future as they are great experiences for the pupils of our school.
Basketball
Pupils from 5th& 6th class pupils proudly represented our school in a basketball tournament in Mercy Mounthawk Secondary School on 13th January. Our students showcased great teamwork, sportsmanship, and school spirit, making us incredibly proud. They thoroughly enjoyed the experience, gaining valuable lessons in collaboration, resilience, and the importance of staying active. Team sports like volleyball not only promote physical well-being but also help develop essential life skills such as communication, cooperation, and perseverance.
Opportunities for all children
Local clubs in the town will start their coaching season for underage groups soon. Most of these are indoors for the first few months, to avoid cold, rainy mornings. It is a great way to get to meet other children and parents and enable your child take part in sport. Consider joining. If you are unsure, and need more information, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
Congratulations to Former pupils
Huge congratulations to former pupils of CBS Primary Tralee; Chris Neerakkal,Abigail Adetunyi and Arush Satyavolu for their success at the Stripe Young Scientist Competition in Dublin last week. We are hopeful that their success may prove as inspiration for our current pupils. Well done Chris, Abigail and Arush!
Dates to Remember – Dátaí le Meabhrú
School Primary Curriculum Framework Staff Planning Day: Tuesday 10th February-school closed
Grandparent’s Day: Thursday 22nd January (11:15 in the school hall)
Mid Term Break: Thursday 19th and Friday 20th February- School Closed
World Book Day: Thursday 5th March
Confirmation Date: Friday 13th March in St. John’s Church
First Holy Communion: Saturday 9th May at 10.30 a.m.in St. John’s Church
