Dear Parent / Colleague / Board Member,

Happy New Year!

A warm welcome back to all our staff, pupils and families. Here’s hoping for a prosperous 2026.

Sympathies.

As a school community, we offer our deepest condolences to Mrs Marguerite Walsh and the extended Ryan family on the death of her Dad, Ned Ryan Vicarstown, Modeligo last weekend. Marguerite, was a permanent member of our teaching staff in the late 1990’s / early 2000’s and Ned was bus driver on the Ballymacarbry/ Dungarvan secondary school route for many years. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Wedding Bells.

Congratulations to Miss O’Keeffe and her now husband Stephen who tied the knot in Oahu, Hawaii, USA on New Years Day. We look forward to welcoming Claudia back to school next week. Congratulations also to Miss Kellie Roche (SEN teacher) on her engagement to Johnny Hannigan, Knockavannia on Christmas Day.

Christmas Cards.

Thanks to our pupils from Rg4-6 and their teachers who wrote Christmas Cards for the residents of Sonas Melview Nursing Home, Clonmel during the holidays. Thanks to Jack, Koa and Skye who personally delivered them prior to Christmas. Skye performed a few carols / tunes on the tin whistle on the day. It was a very worthwhile project in line with our ethos and the feedback has been very complimentary. Thanks to Stephanie for instigating the venture and facilitating the delivery of the cards. (See more on our social media page.)

Christmas Newsletter.

Thanks to those who purchased a newsletter from us in the lead up to Christmas. We had a 70% uptake from families. It is a recorded history of many of the school’s activities in picture and word undertaken during the 2026 calendar year.

Drama.

We will co-host Brideview Players in their production of ‘Da’ in the Community Centre on Friday 30^th January. Tickets are on sale from the school or any member of staff. As this production contributes towards our school we would ask as many as possible to support it.

Sacramental Preparation.

Our Rg 6 pupils who are set to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in FMW on March 10^th next are asked to attend 9 am mass on Sunday morning in preparation for this. Please follow instructions from class teacher.

Dates of Note this Half Term.

Grandparents’ Day – Wednesday 21^st January.

St. Brigid’s Day – Monday 2^nd February.

*In service – Tuesday 10^th February.

(Breakfast Club / After School Service may remain open, if there is sufficient demand)

Mid-term – Thursday 19^th & Friday 20^th February.

A revised school calendar for the remainder of this academic year will issue to all families next week.

PTM Survey.

We would appreciate it if you would take the time to complete the attached 5-question survey on the staging of our most recent parent teacher meetings. PTM Survey

Is mise,

Michael J. O’Ryan – Principal

Dear Parent / Colleague / Board Member,

Thankfully our internet was restored yesterday after a ten-day interruption. Apologies for any inconvenience caused. It was beyond our control.

Carol Service.

Thanks to those who travelled to either or both churches during the week to witness our pre-Christmas Carol Service. Thanks to all involved especially the pupils and their teachers, the priests and sacristans. I hope you all enjoyed the music and song, beside the nativity crib, at two wonderful locations in our locality.

Christmas Newsletter

Each and every year in the past, we compiled an article and forwarded photographs to the Newsletter Committee for its excellent annual publication. This year, in its absence, we said we would publish a small booklet detailing our activities during 2025. Thanks to those families who purchased it. It now forms a documented record of the year’s activities and proved a worthwhile project. The leftover few, have been left into Doocey’s Shop and can be purchased on a first come – first serve basis.

Parents’ Association

Thanks to the P.A. for organising the visit of Santa and organising the individual treats for each and every child. Thanks also to Santa for taking time out of his busy schedule to join us. Also, thanks to Liz Brew, Noah and Isabelle, who donated Christmas packs to each and every pupil in school today. The pack comprises of a multitude of different items. We thank them for this lovely gesture.

Advent.

This Sunday, we light the fourth candle, purple in colour. This is the Angel’s candle, which represents love. We reflect on the good news of God’s love brought to us from the angel Gabriel. This is the last week to prepare our hearts for the joy of Christmas. On Christmas Eve / Day, we light the white candle in the centre. Christmas has come – a Child is born.

Drama.

We will co-host Brideview Players in their production of ‘Da’ in the Community Centre on Friday 30^th January. Tickets are on sale from any member of staff and may prove an ideal Christmas present.

Nollaig Shona!

All that remains for me to do is wish you all a merry Christmas and a prosperous new year. School will reopen on Monday 5^th January at 9:20 am. Nollaig Shona Daoibh go Léir.

Is mise, 

Michael J. O’Ryan – Principal

Dear Parent / Colleague / Board Member,

Noreen Sheehan R.I.P.

Yesterday in her home parish of the Nire, the Sheehan family laid Noreen to rest following her untimely death last Saturday. Noreen was well liked and her funeral and send off was testament to the fact. She will be remembered fondly by all who knew her, young and hold. Our 6^th class formed a guard of honour along with pupils from the High School, Clonmel as they carried Noreen’s remains from the church to the burial plot. We posted a short tribute to Noreen on our social media page earlier in the week. We commiserate again with Jim, all their children, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends on their great loss, as we pray for the repose of Noreen’s soul.

Carol Service.

In consultation with Jim and the Sheehan family, we have decided to proceed with both Carol Services this coming week. The details are as follows. The Junior Service; (Juniors – Rg 3 inclusive) will take place in FMW Church on Tuesday 16^th December at 7 pm. The Senior Service; (Rg 4 – Rg 6 inclusive) will take place in the Nire Church the following night, Wednesday 17^th December, again at 7pm. Teachers have asked that pupils participating, wear their Christmas jumpers on both nights.

Rehearsals.

On Monday morning we will have a practice in Fourmilewater Church from 9:30 am for those up to and including Rg 3. On Tuesday morning the remaining three classes, Rg 4-6 will rehearse in the Nire Church from 9:30 am.

‘Confirming our Children’ Programme.

This Sunday in FMW we welcome those in Rg 6 who are due to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation next spring. Please follow instructions as given by Mrs Byrne, Class Teacher.

Advent.

This Sunday (Gaudete Sunday) marks the third week of Advent and we light the rose candle on our wreath to represent joy. ‘Gaudete’ is the Latin word for rejoice. The change in colour from purple to rose marks the heralding of a time of gladness, reminding believers that the wait for the Messiah is nearing its end.

P.A.

Thanks to Niamh, Noreen and the P.A. committee for organising Brenda to call to the school today to do some Yoga / relaxation techniques. This was financed by some of their recent fundraising initiatives.

Communications Glitch.

As a school, we are experiencing communication difficulties throughout the week. Our school administration system – Aladdin is inaccessible. E-mail is also down, we have had to revert to hand written notes in certain instances. Coupled with this our phone signal is also compromised at times. Apologies for any inconvenience caused. Hopefully it will be rectified soon. This email has been sent via alternative methods.

Holiday Reminder.

School will break on Friday next 19^th December at 12:30 pm for Christmas holidays. Please notify those who collect your children. Children are encouraged to wear Christmas attire / jumpers on the morning. The After School Service will run until 6:00 pm on the day.

Beir Bua!

Best wishes to our past pupils and management involved with FMW U-20’s as they play their rescheduled County ‘A’ Hurling Final this Sunday against Ballygunner in Walsh Park, Waterford City at 1pm.

Is mise, Michael J. O’Ryan – Principal

Dear Parent / Colleague / Board Member,

Department of Education Survey.

Reminder. We would appreciate if you would activate the accompanying link to participate in the Dept of Education survey if you haven’t already done so. Please don’t leave it to others to do so. You can access it here. Primary School Survey

Upcoming Carol Services.

As publicised earlier this year, we will have two Carol Services in the lead up to Christmas. The Junior Service; comprising of all those in Junior – Rg 3 inclusive will take place in FMW Church on Tues 16^th Dec at 7 pm and in the Nire Church, the following night the Senior Service, for those in Rg 4 – Rg 6 inclusive, again at 7pm.

Matilda the Musical

Pupils from first, second and third class visited Loreto Secondary School yesterday to enjoy this fantastic performance. The children were captivated from start to finish and loved laughing and singing along with the cast. It was especially lovely to spot some of our past pupils performing on stage. Their wonderful talent may have provided some of our own pupils with a bit of inspiration to take to the stage in the future. Thanks to the P.A. for subsidising the bus cost.

Trip to Boston

Our school choir enjoyed a trip to Boston Scientific on Wednesday to sing as part of their Christmas Market. The 5th and 6th class girls sang beautifully and did the school proud. The songs went down an absolute treat and the girls received high praise for their performance. A special thanks to past pupil, Francise Fenton for organising the trip. A fantastic start to the Christmas Season!

Brideview Drama – ‘Da’

We are pleased to announce that the school will join forces again with the Community Centre and local Tidy Towns Committee to promote another dramatic performance in late January. This will be our fourth collaboration and profits will be shared among the groups, including our school. Tickets have gone on sale this week and are priced at €15. Please contact any member of staff or member of the Board of Management for further information. Failing that, they can be ordered through Rose our secretary at 052-6136349. Posters on display this weekend.

Holiday Reminder

School will break on Fri 19^th Dec at 12:30 pm for Christmas break. The After School Service will run until 6: 00 pm on the day.

This weekend

Late, Late Christmas Toy Show.

I’m sure I don’t need to remind our pupils and their families of a certain TV show tonight, but now that I have, bainigi taitneamh as! Thanks again to our P.A. who organised a prize to be given to each class, for one family to enjoy tonight – the lucky families were; Power – Ballybrien, Madigan – Knockatrelaune, Walsh – Knockaun, Sheehan – Nire Road, Wall and Morrison – Castlereagh, and McGrath – Baunfaun.

U-20 A Hurling County Final

Best wishes to all our past pupils and management from the FMW Club as they take on Ballygunner in the U-20 County final in Walsh Park, Waterford City on Sunday at 1 pm.

Nire Valley Christmas Fair

If you are not attending the match, perhaps you could attend the Fair in the Nire Hall on Sunday between the hours of 2-5 pm.

Advent.

This Sunday marks the second week of Advent and we light the second purple candle on the advent wreath to represent Love. This reminds us of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem and the love of God for humanity.

Is mise,

Michael J. O’Ryan – Principal

Dear Parent / Colleague / Board Member,

P.T.M.

The PTM’s are over for another year. While there will be always teething problems with a new system, it appears to have run off relatively smoothly from an organisational point of view. We will let the dust settle for this week and get the opinions of parents and staff, next week. In due course, please let us know what you think.

Department of Education Survey.

Reminder. We would appreciate if you would activate the accompanying link to participate in the Department of Education survey, if you haven’t already done so. It is very short in nature and only takes a minute. This will run until 16^th December. An explanatory email was sent to all concerned on Tuesday last. You can access the survey here. Primary School Survey

Sacramental Preparation.

This weekend it is the turn of Rang 2 to continue preparing for their sacraments. Those participating are asked to be in Fourmilewater Church for the 9 am mass this Sunday. Please follow any instructions given by Miss O’Keeffe / Mrs Coffey.

Christmas Cards.

All Christmas cards ordered through the PA were distributed on Wednesday last. It is lovely to see the finished product in print. If your child was absent, please ask his /her teacher. Thanks to Noreen and the PA for their efforts in organising this and earning some funds for the association / school in the process.

Upcoming Carol Services.

As publicised earlier this year. We will have two Carol Services in the lead up to Christmas. The Junior Service; comprising of all those in Junior – Rg 3 inclusive will take place in FMW Church on Tuesday 16^th December at 7 pm and in the Nire Church, the following night, for those in Rg 4-Rg 6 inclusive, again at 7pm.

Boundary Fence.

This week a fence was installed on our boundary wall to help keep our pupils safer. This matches the previously installed fence positioned below the school gate.

Matilda.

Our boys and girls from first, second and third classes will travel to Clonmel on Thursday next, 4^th December for a matinee production of ‘Matilda the Musical’. There is a door cover charge of €5 per pupil and the P.A. has kindly agreed to cover the costs of the bus transport for each pupil. We will leave at 11:15 am and expect to be back circa 2 pm. Can children please bring in the €5 from Monday.

Advent.

This Sunday marks the first week of Advent and we light a purple candle on the advent wreath to represent hope. Over these next three Sundays, we will light a further three candles representing peace, joy, and love. On Christmas Eve / Christmas Day, a white candle is lit in the centre, representing the birth of Christ.

Is mise,

Michael J. O’Ryan – Principal