November Newsletter
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November Newsletter
November Calendar of Events
4th November Gymnastics
9th November Galway Science Festival Exhibition 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
11th November Bully4U Workshops for 1st–6th Class
11th November Open Day and Steiner Talk from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
13th November Bricks4Kids Lego Technic Workshop
14th November Martinmas Lantern Walk @ 5p.m.
18th November Brigid’s Garden for the “Nature’s Powers” workshop
20th November Complete Code of Behaviour Questionnaire
21st November Óiche na hÓige / Family Quiz Friday
24th November Half In / Half Out Staff Meeting @ 12:15 p.m.
25th November The Rhythm of Love and Limit Talk with Nell Smyth 1:50 to 2:50 p.m.
5th December Advent Spiral
14th December Christmas Fair @ 12:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Gratitude & Celebration
Our parent community is nothing short of magical! Your generosity, creativity, and boundless energy bring so much to our school. Whether it’s dreaming up amazing events, donating costumes, blankets, or resources, helping with decorations, or simply joining in the fun, you make an enormous difference to every child and family in our community. It’s this incredible spirit that makes our school a place of connection.
A heartfelt thank you to all the parents for your incredibly generous donations of weighted blankets, wobble cushions, and posture cushions. Your kindness and support make such a positive difference for the children, and we are so grateful for your generosity.
A special thank you to Richard for the amazing ink painting sessions with 1st and 2nd class! The children absolutely loved exploring their creativity and seeing nature make such beautiful art.
We had the most wonderful Hallowe’en Samhain costume parade. From spooky witches and ghoulish ghosts to magical creatures and fantastical characters, the parade was a dazzling showcase of the children’s personalities and talents.
A massive, spooktacular THANK YOU to the PTA and all the brilliant organisers who made our Halloween disco an absolute hit! From the incredible DJs from Art Alive Galway, the smoke machine, and thumping sound system, to the amazing games parents created, so much delicious Hallowe’en themed food, the decorations, costume donations, and face painting fun, every detail was pure magic. Huge cheers to everyone who helped set up, clean up, and dream up this whole fang-tastic event. And, of course, a huge thank you to all the parents, children, and families who came along and made the disco truly unforgettable your energy and costumes, children and parents alike, brought it all to life! It was so much fun!
A huge thank you to Galway Circus for providing our staff with CPD workshops in October for the younger classes and November for the older classes. Their sessions have been incredibly valuable, and the amazing resources they’ve donated to our school will benefit us greatly. We really appreciate their time, expertise, and generosity! If you’re part of Galway Circus, please know that your efforts are sincerely appreciated.
Gymnastics
Starting Tuesday 4th November for 6 weeks
Gymnastics will be starting in our school with Michael from School Fitness Ireland every Tuesday for six weeks starting this week for each class. This exciting programme will give students the chance to develop their strength, balance, flexibility, and coordination through a variety of fun and challenging activities. Each session will focus on learning new skills, improving movement techniques, and building confidence in a supportive environment. We’re looking forward to it.
Galway Science Festival
Sunday 9th November 10-5p.m.
5th and 6th Class students will be exhibiting at The Galway Science Exhibition at NUIG on Sunday, November 9th. Their project, “Neuroscience – The Brain,” showcases all their hard work, creativity, and curiosity about how our minds work. The exhibition runs from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and we’d love for families and friends to come along, show support, and congratulate them for their incredible effort.
As a special recognition for their preparation and participation in the Science Festival, they will also take part in a Bricks4Kids Lego Technic Workshop at school on Thursday, November 13th.
Come along to the exhibition and see their fantastic work in action.
Bully4U Workshops for 1st-6th Class
Tuesday 11th November
On Tuesday, 11th November, our school will host engaging workshops by Bully4U for students in 1st to 6th class, as part of Anti-Bullying & Kindness Week. These interactive sessions are designed to empower students to become upstanders, not bystanders, fostering a culture of empathy and respect. Through age-appropriate activities, role plays, and discussions, children will learn to recognise different forms of bullying, understand their impact, and develop strategies to support peers and promote kindness. The workshops align with our Bí Cinealta Policy, reinforcing our commitment to creating a safe and inclusive school environment. We encourage parents to continue the conversation at home, reinforcing the importance of kindness and standing up against bullying.
Open Day
Tuesday 11th November 3:30-5:30p.m.
We’re delighted to invite parents and children to our Open Day on Tuesday, November 11th from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Come along for a tour of our school, meet our teachers, and see our beautiful learning environment in action.
Following the tour, there will be an experiential talk on Steiner Education from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. This session is open to incoming, new, and existing parents who would like to learn more about the Steiner approach.
The talk will also be available on Zoom for those who prefer to join online, please find the link below.
Passcode: aSav4a
Help us spread the word by liking and sharing our posts on Facebook and Instagram, and feel free to bring a friend along. We look forward to seeing you there!
Martinmas Lantern Walk
Friday November 14th @ 5pm from Cappagh Carpark
Throughout the year, our school celebrates festivals to connect us with the cycle of nature, establish a yearly rhythm for the children, and strengthen our community. It honours, in a universal way, the story of St. Martin. When the days become shorter, the sun goes down earlier and the stars appear early in the skies, the children, according to a custom, would walk with lanterns through the streets in the early evening, singing. As the world grows darker, the inner light of us wants to shine forth. It is not incidental that the lanterns are often decorated with suns, moons and stars, motifs which also appear in the songs.
We will then walk to Cappagh Carpark where will gather to set the intention of our walk and sing our songs ‘I go with my bright little lantern…’ & ‘Glimmer lantern Glimmer…
The children will have made their own lantern at school and additional family lanterns can be made at home.
We will have a limited amount of battery candles, please try to bring your own. If you use our candles, please place back into the basket so they can be reused next year.
Each class will have two parents who will decoratively & creatively dress in light to be the light bearers & guides in the walk into the forest.
We will then gather for a story in an area of the forest, which I can tell unless there is a storyteller among us! Volunteer story tellers welcome, let me know beforehand.
We will then walk back and gather to make a wish on our light for the Winter and release to the stars to close our Lantern Walk.
Needed
v Two light bearers from each class, with lights
v Volunteers to light up a spot in the forest to gather for a story with torches/lanterns
v If a storyteller among us, someone to tell the story of Martin in a creative way otherwise I’ll dream one up
4th, 5th & 6th Class Visit Brigid’s Garden for “Nature’s Powers” Workshop
Tuesday 18th November
As part of Science Week, our 4th, 5th, and 6th Class students will visit Brigid’s Garden on Tuesday, November 18th to take part in an exciting hands-on Nature’s Powers Workshop.
During the workshop, the children will explore how the natural elements wind, water, and sunlight can be harnessed to create and power energy. Through interactive activities and outdoor learning, they will discover how science and nature work together in fascinating ways.
Club Gaeilge
Óiche na hÓige - Youth Night
Aoine 21ú Samhain - Friday 21st November
Trá na gCeist - Table Quiz 6 - 7:30pm (TBC)
Join us for Trá na gCeist don Teaghlaigh / Family Quiz Night, a fun, family-friendly quiz evening as Gaeilge! The event will feature taispeántais ó Club Óg-Ógras Chuan na Gaillimhe / showcases from Club Óg-Ógras Chuan na Gaillimhe, along with sólaistí / refreshments and duaiseanna / prizes to be won. The quiz is suitable for ages 8+ / aois 8+, and tuilleadh eolais le teacht / more details will follow.
November School Closure
Monday 24th November @ 12:15p.m.
Our school will close @ 12:15p.m. on Monday 24th November for a half in half out staff meeting to inform our School Self Evaluation process as well school planning.
Half In Half Out Staff Meetings
We will be having three Half in Half Out Staff Meetings this academic year to facilitate whole school planning & school self-evaluation process. Our school will close @ 12:15p.m. on these days:
24th November 2025
23rd February 2026
18th May 2026
“The Rhythm of Love and Limit: A Steiner Perspective on Boundaries” with Nell Smyth
Thursday November 25th 1:50-2:50p.m. Infant Classroom
We are delighted to welcome our Steiner mentor, Nell Smyth, for a talk exploring the vital role of boundaries in healthy development, relationships, and community life.
Nell will guide us through an understanding of boundaries as part of a living ecology beginning in the family, extending into the classroom, and growing outward into society.
She will share how clear, consistent boundaries provide children with both security and freedom, helping them to discover their place within the wider world.
Drawing on the developmental picture of the child offered in Steiner education, Nell will touch on how each stage of learning from the nature stories of the early years, through the Law in 3rd Class, the myths of 4th Class, and the moral harmony of 5th Class prepares children to meet the world with growing responsibility and understanding.
This talk will also support our ongoing work in reviewing the school’s Code of Behaviour, helping us reflect on how our shared agreements and expectations can truly nurture reciprocity, respect, and community wellbeing.
Join us for an hour of reflection and inspiration as we explore how loving limits and healthy structures allow our children and our community to thrive. This will be in person, online and will be recorded.
Here is the Zoom Link for the Talk:
Passcode: RU98dh
Code of Behaviour Questionnaire
Complete by Thursday 20th November
We want to hear from you! As part of the national review of the Code of Behaviour for primary schools, parents’ voices are at the heart of shaping policies that affect children every day, how they learn, play, and feel safe at school. Your experiences and opinions are invaluable in helping us create school environments that are positive, supportive, and inclusive for all children. Please take a few minutes to complete our online questionnaire by Thursday, 20th November. Every response makes a difference, and your feedback will directly help guide the development of new policies that put children’s well-being and learning at the centre.
Please click on the link to complete this 2-minute survey:
Advent Spiral
We will have our Advent Spiral Celebration on Friday 5th December in our Outdoor Shelter. Parents are welcome to attend their child’s class time. Class times will be shared in the December Newsletter. The space will be quiet and reverent.
Christmas Fair
Sunday 14th December 12p.m.-3p.m.
Mark your calendars for Sunday, 14th December, 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. and join us at school for an afternoon full of festive fun! Bring your family and friends to enjoy games, treats, and holiday cheer all while helping raise funds for our school.
Fancy hosting a stall? The more, the merrier! Come share your ideas and festive spirit. We can make this year’s fair our most magical yet!
Enrolments & Admissions
We are open for admissions & enrolments from October 14th for Junior Infants 2026 and all other classes. The application form is on our website www.cngcns.com/admissions. Please spread the word.
School Calendar 2025/2026
School Start Date Thursday 28th August
Michaelmas Monday 29th September
October Midterm Monday 27th to Friday 31st October
Kindness Week 10th-14th November
Martinmas Friday 14th November
Staff Meeting ½ In ½ Out Monday 24th November
Advent Friday 5th December
Christmas Fair Sunday 14th December
Christmas Holidays Half Day Friday 19th December to Friday 2nd January
Brigid’s Day Monday 2nd February
Candlemas Tuesday 3rd February
Curriculum Framework Monday 9th February Full Day Closure Staff Training
February Midterm Thursday 19th to Friday 20th February
Staff Meeting ½ In ½ Out Monday 23rd February
Seachtain na Gaeilge 1st -17th March
World Book Day Thursday 5th March
Engineering Week 2nd-6th March
Patrick’s Day Monday 16th & Tuesday 17th March
Easter Holidays Half Day Friday 27th March to Friday 10th April
May Fair Friday 1st May
May Bank Holiday Mon 4th, Tues 5th & Wed 6th May
Curriculum Framework Monday 11th May Full Day Closure Staff Training
Staff Meeting ½ In ½ Out Monday 18th May
June Bank Holiday Mon 1st & Tues 2nd June
John’s Festival Monday 22nd June
Summer Holidays Half Day Friday 26th June
Steiner Sharing Corner
Holding the Circle The Art of Loving Boundaries in Parenting and Teaching
Children grow best when they feel loved, safe, and supported. In the Steiner-Waldorf approach, we see children as whole beings, and parenting becomes a conscious, mindful practice. It’s about offering boundaries and guidance in a way that helps them feel secure while also showing them how to relate to others with care, respect, and empathy.
Boundaries aren’t about control or punishment. They are about helping children understand what is safe and what is expected and giving them the confidence to explore the world. Clear limits help children learn responsibility and cooperation, and they also provide the framework in which freedom can grow. Being consistent, calm, and gentle when setting limits, and addressing behaviour rather than labelling the child, helps boundaries feel loving rather than controlling.
Young children benefit from routines, rhythms, and simple guidance, while older children need to understand fairness, natural consequences, and shared responsibility. Teenagers often do best when limits are discussed and negotiated together, helping them practice independence while still feeling supported. Everyday things, like keeping a consistent daily rhythm, sharing family agreements, resolving conflicts respectfully, and using stories to explore values, all help children internalize these lessons naturally.
How we relate to children is just as important as the rules we set. Children learn about relationships from our thoughts, our expressions, our tone of voice, our gestures, and our presence. Thinking about children with curiosity, patience, and respect shows up in how we treat them. Warm, attentive eye contact, friendly smiles, and gestures that show openness and care help children feel seen and valued. Calm, steady voices make guidance feel safe, even when limits are being enforced. And our presence, the way we stay with them, respond to them, and model kindness and fairness, teaches children how to relate to others.
It is important to remember that we cannot expect children to show respect if we do not model it ourselves. Using disapproving stares, harsh tones, or treating children differently sends a message that respect is conditional or uneven. Children are always observing how we handle mistakes, disagreements, and differences, and they absorb these lessons quietly but deeply. When we approach them with patience, fairness, and consideration even when correcting behaviour, we show them what respectful interaction looks like. Respect is something we give first, and through our consistent, caring presence, children learn to reflect it back.
Parenting with loving authority is really about balance. It’s about offering structure and boundaries while also showing warmth, care, and respect. Children learn not just what the boundaries are, but how to be in healthy relationships themselves. When boundaries, modelling, and presence come together, they give children roots and wings the confidence to explore, the empathy to connect with others, and the freedom to grow safely into the world.
Extracurricular Afterschool Activities
Art Sessions for Emotional Well Being
Blathú
Online Wednesday 19th November 7-9p.m.
SWIM-Sven Saar
Sunday 16th November 9:30-12p.m.
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