Wishing all of our students and their families a happy and safe midterm break.
Remembering some spooky celebrations from the past and present.
Coming to our school hall on 11th and 12th December 2019
Sometimes we dress up for other occasions too. Have a look at some of these pictures from the past.
For the many fun walks ……
For our sporting heroes
For special occasions
For the Lifelong Learning Festival
For gardening together
For visits to UCC
For St. Patrick’s Day
For Seachtain na Gaeilge
For Happy Talk calendar
For the many years of Cór Fhéile
For Spring Clean Up Day
For Sport
For school tours
For Credit Union Competitions
For great musicals
For World Book Day
Mary Poppins visits Togher GNS
For special visitors
For Cork City Sports Day
For Boat Designing competitions
…..only some of the many fun times we got to dress up for lots of great reasons.
Dear students, staff and parents/guardians,
It is with lots of amazing and happy memories that I say the fondest of farewells to each and every one of you as Principal of Scoil an Athar Matiiú, Togher GNS.
Words could not express how much I have enjoyed being part of this school community. I have taught many and been taught by many here for 36 wonderful years. It is all about the people and the relationships. I have met amazing staff, students, parents and guardians in this community. People I grew to respect, trust and be very much the better person for knowing. It was such a fortunate day for me when, Bn Eibhlís Uí Shuilleabháin, gave me the opportunity to become a permanent member of staff in Togher GNS back in 1985. I will be forever grateful for that gift she bestowed upon me.
There is a season ….to retire. Some have asked me why I am retiring. I think I have done the best I can here for the last 36 yrs, the last 8 years as Principal. I think it is time to know that someone else with fresh ideas, new energy for the job, new perspectives will be great for the next chapter in the history of this school. My own family is grown up now (will always be my babies) and beginning new chapters in their own lives. I suppose I want the freedom to be part of their new beginnings too. There are adventures out there that I would like to experience and the freedom to try too. I suppose there is no definite answer but I just know this is my time to retire.
I know my roots have always been here, as I am the third generation of women in my family who have been connected with Togher GNS. My grandmother and mother both attended Togher GNS and I was fortunate enough to spend my working career here. My own two daughters were the fortunate fourth generation to attend our school. I also believe the encouragement and support I got growing up in this neighbourhood has made me who I am, blessed with parents who believed the world was ours to make of it what we could, with good choices and lots of hard work.
Togher is a great community. There is a heart here and a sense of community that grows in richness yearly. In my lifetime it has grown from a very small, rather rural area of Cork to a vast suburb but always connecting those living here with a sense of belonging and community. May this sense of place and the people always be at the heart of Togher.
Togher GNS is a very special school. The education of the children, academically, socially and personally, is always to the forefront of this school. Every decision, every plan and every interaction puts the wellbeing of the girls first. ‘An Páiste Croí-lár na Scoile’ is not just a ‘wordy’ motto for us, it is a way to live in this school community.
I would just like to finish my letter to you by saying ‘thank you’ to all I have met throughout the years as amazing parents and guardians of our students. To the many wonderful members of staff I have worked with, it has been a privilege to co-work with you all. To the many students I have taught, I know there may have been times when you did not agree with me on certain things (especially discipline) but I hope your memories of school are full of great positive thoughts, friendships, aspirations, revelations about yourself and learning.It was a privilege to teach each one of you. To the present school community, even though we are challenged with all that this pandemic is sending our way, your return to school with the positivity, hope and joy of being back together. It has been inspirational and a true reflection of the resilience and commitment of each of you to the school and to each other. This is what makes this school community a very special place.
Finally, I wish my successor all the happiness I have experienced in this school community. As soon as it is known to us, we will let our community know who has been appointed as the new Principal. I will retire on 23rd October. I know I will miss you all greatly but happy knowing that you will all continue to work together and support each other, as it is the people and the relationships that make a great school. I know your new Principal will receive a warm Togher welcome and lots of support in their role.
Wishing you all happiness in the future and keep yourselves safe,
Thanks to the L’Arche Community for giving us these gifts for our school. They will really brighten our days. Looking forward to lots more fairies joining us!
This table of information may help you make decisions on whether or not your daughter should attend school when Covid-19 related issues are present in your family or she is presenting with symptoms herself.
Well done everybody, staff, students, parents and guardians. It has been a busy week but the co-operation of all members of this community has made it a great week back at school.
Moving forward we must continue to send children who are sick home as we would always do. In these present circumstances and for the safety of all attending school, if your child is sent home sick from school, she must remain absent for 48 hrs before returning to school.
The following link has great advise for parents/guardians regarding sending your child to school. Please take time to read this and be best informed of HSE expectations of you and the school regarding sick children.
Morning supervision will be available to your daughter from 8.30 a.m. each morning.
We just want to remind you that the supervision will be outdoors from 8.30 until 8.40 a.m. each morning therefore if the morning is wet it would be best if you arrive nearer to 8.40 a.m. please. At 8.40 a.m. all classes will go to class and be indoors. On a fine morning this arrival time is not as significant, just wet days. Thanking you.
As we are minimising physical contact, we would ask parents/guardians to use email at tgnsoffice@tgns.ie or send a text to the school mobile 085 1247930 if you wish to send a written note to a teacher. You may also phone us on 021 4964923 or 085 1247930. Please do not send in written notes on paper. Thanking you.
Wishing you all a great week of learning and friendships next week.
