Dear Parents/Guardians,
I hope this email finds you and your family well. As we approach the end of the school year, I would like to share a few important updates with you.
Firstly, I would like to say how immensely proud I am of how your daughters have embraced the transition from primary to secondary school this year. This past year has brought its fair share of challenges, new routines, new subjects, and a whole new environment, but this group has tackled them with positivity, determination and resilience. It has been my pleasure as a Year Head to work with these students and to watch them grow in confidence, build new friendships, and take on new responsibilities. I would like to commend this group for their excellent attitude and work ethic and their overall contribution to school spirit this year. I look forward to supporting them as their 2nd year Head next year.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to the 1st Year class tutors for their ongoing care, encouragement, and guidance throughout the year. Their dedication and positive relationships with the students have made a real difference.
Summer House Exams: The Summer House Exams for 1st Year students will commence on Monday, May 25th and finish on Thursday, May 28th. Please see the exam timetable below and students have also received a copy via Google Classroom.
-
In the event of an absence from an exam, the teacher will provide formative feedback in the student’s report regarding their progress to date, but no accredited grade will be issued nor can students sit the exam at a later date.
-
Students must wear their full school uniform at all times; PE uniforms are not permitted.
-
We kindly ask that appointments are not organised during the exam week.
2nd year Base Classes: Each of the current 1st Year Base Classes will be reorganised for 2nd Year. Please be assured that your daughter will have some familiar classmates in her new Base Class. Considerable care and attention are given to creating balanced class groups.
While we always aim to support students’ wellbeing and friendships, it is not possible for the school to anticipate or accommodate changes in friendship groups that may occur over the summer months. For this reason, if friendship dynamics change between now and August, the school will not be in a position to make changes to class placements. Making and maintaining friendships is a life skill and something we endeavour to help students to learn about.
School Book Scheme:
Lockers- all 1st years must empty their locker by Monday 25th May. We would advise students to bring home three books each night to ensure their bags are not too heavy on Friday. The lockers must be emptied completely as we need to get them ready for our incoming 1st year students during the summer exams.
All 1st year students received new textbooks last year as part of the school book scheme. They are to bring these books home with them for the summer and keep them safe as they will need them for 2nd year.
Any missing textbook must be replaced by the student. The school book scheme does not cover replacement books.
A small number of books will need to be returned next week. These will be collected during students’ exams on the following days:
-
Monday 25th: Spanish books (students dropping Spanish only)
-
Tuesday 26th: French books (students dropping French only)
-
Wednesday 27th: Home Economics books (all students) and German textbooks (students dropping German only)
-
Thursday 28th: English and Irish textbooks (all students) and Business books (students dropping Business only)
The 2026/2027 booklist will be published on our school website shortly, and any additional books or stationery required will be listed there.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Fernandez on e.fernandez@saintals.ie
Finally I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support throughout this school year and wish you and your families a restful and enjoyable summer. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at s.mcauliffe@saintals.ie.
Warm regards,
Ms. Susan McAuliffe
1st Year Head