St. Cronan's Boys' National School, Bray, Co. Wicklow, Ireland

28th June 2010

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Now that the end of the school year is near, it is opportune to look back on what has been another eventful year in the life of our school. Like all schools, we recognise that we have strengths and weaknesses so our hope is that the former have become even more prominent and the weaknesses have diminished. In the past year we have seen the effect of the economic downturn on families and we will be conscious of this during the coming year. The PAC has been to the fore on your behalf in proactively seeking ways to minimise expenses for parents.

It is mainly through their foresight and determination that we are well set up to develop pupil IT skills into the future. Our staff, for its part, has also fully embraced IT as an essential means of improving pupil learning. It would not be possible for me to list the many volunteers who have shared their time and talents on behalf of the pupils over the past twelve months, such are the numbers. For some it is the end of their link with the school as their sons graduate tomorrow. All I can say is that you have been an essential partner in making this school what it is and we are most grateful for your friendship and your assistance.
Partnership involves more than one party. I must express therefore my appreciation to all our staff for always being willing to go the extra mile on behalf of the pupils. We are fortunate to have such a capable, enthusiastic and professional team.

Tomorrow sees the end of Primary school for our 6th class pupils. They have grown with us over the past six years and we hope their memories of our school and the values they have aspired to as pupils here will ease their entry into their new post-primary experience. We wish them well and the remainder of the pupils will miss them.

You are probably aware that one of our parents, Mr. Peadar O'Briain has taken time to photograph each class and we would like to offer this to every pupil to coincide with our Non-Uniform Day tomorrow. The pocket money (€2) brought in by pupils will defray the cost of materials for this and the remainder will go to our PAC funds and a small portion to assist the Wicklow Hospice.

It is our hope that all our pupils have an enjoyable and safe holiday and come August 30th, they return to us full of stories and new confidence to meet their new teacher and new class friends.

Yours sincerely,

Vaughan Dodd
Principal