As the 2016/2017 school year closes we would like to take this opportunity to thank pupils, parents, staff, Board of Management and Parents Association for their continued support over the 2016/2017 school year.
6th Class Leaving
With sadness we say goodbye to our current 6th class pupils. We hope that over the years they have enjoyed being pupils in Rathmore N.S. and that they have learned many things and enjoyed their education. We would like to thank them for showing the lower classes that are following through the school how hard work and dedication can win through, also for all the projects they took part in, teams they played in and their good behaviour in general. We wish them all the best in their new secondary schools and hopefully they will settle well and not forget us here in Rathmore. Sixth class had their Graduation Mass on Friday 23rd June followed by their graduation food which was kindly donated by Haynestown Meats.
Incoming Junior Infants
We wish to welcome our new incoming Junior Infants to the school. We hope that they will enjoy their time in Rathmore.
Staff
I would like to thank the staff for all their hard work and dedication to the children in their care over the previous school year. Also for all the extra work that they took on during the year with sports, projects, awards etc too many to mention. We look forward to working with you all again in the new school year. We bid farewell to Ms. Shaw who is taking a career break, and to Ms. Ryan who was with us in learning support. We would like to welcome Mr. Ó Cróinín to our teaching staff and to Ms. Louise Griffin who is joining our staff as a Special Needs Assistant (SNA job-sharing with Maura). Also Ms. Eilish Hayden who will be job-sharing with Ms. Parker in Learning Support. Thank you to Paul for ensuring that all the jerseys were washed and ready for all our matches and for all his work in taking care of the school. To Maura for dealing with all the bangs, cuts and bruises that happened with pupils/staff that happened during the year! To Martina, I would like to say a huge thank you for being the glue that holds it all together all throughout the year. It is not an easy job but she does it on a daily basis with an endearing smile!
BOM
Thank you to our Board of Management David Hickey, Breda Carroll, Conor Flynn, Niamh Brady, Nuala Wall, Siobhan Jennings & Fr. Comer for the continued support in making our school the best that it can be.
Fr. Comer
Special thanks also to Fr. Micheal for doing our New School Year Mass, Christmas Masses, Easter Mass and also our 6th Class Graduation Mass. Thanks also goes to him for the rounders matches he does with the classes on the school pitch during the year. Also for his many visits to the staffroom and classes.
Parents Association
Thank you to the Parents Association for all their help over the school year, especially for organising the refreshments for our new parents on the first day of school, for the tea/coffee after our Communion day after our Service of Light and for providing the treats for the children on sports day. Also thanks to the parents who baked cakes etc for the above events.
Golf Committee
To the members of our golf committee Ciaran O’ Connor, James Grainger and Kieran Grainger, we want to say a big thank you, without your support for our Annual Fundraising Event would not be a success. Also thanks to the parents who supported the event by sponsoring tee boxes, entering teams, donating prizes or buying raffle tickets. Your continued support of our fundraising efforts is much appreciated.
Swimming Volunteers
Thank you to all the parents who volunteered their time to go and supervise at the swimming lessons in Killashee. A special word of thanks must go to Joe Sargent who attended all the lessons, Joe you are one in a million and we look forward to you helping out again next term.
Library Volunteers
Thank you to all the ladies who helped out in the library over the year. Without your dedication it would be impossible. If you would like to help out in the library next term contact Martina to put your name on the rota.
Garden Volunteers
A huge thank you to Brigid Judge, Kathy Murphy, Padraig Larkin, Mick O’ Reilly & Olga Curtin for all their hard work with the garden. They always have it looking brilliant.
School Tour Volunteers
Thanks also to the parents who volunteer their time to go and supervise on school tours and trips over the year. Your support is very much appreciated.
Football/Camogie/Hurling Matches
Thank you to all the parents who gave lifts to and from the matches, and who stood on the sidelines supporting our teams no matter what the weather.
Special word of thanks goes to our team coaches, Mr. Shane Walsh & Mr. Matthew Collier for hurling, Mr. Eoin Feen & Mr. Matthew Collier for football, Ms. Kate Shaw and Ms. Aideen Murphy for girls football and to Ms. Collette Larkin and Ms. Gillian Meeneghan for camogie.
Choirs
Thanks to the pupils in 3rd and 4th classes who took part in the choirs for both Communion and Confirmation. Thank you also to their choir leaders Ms. Collette Larkin and Ms. Margaret Maher for all the preparation and practice that went into both days
Indoor Hurling
A special word of thanks goes to John Holmes from Naas GAA. John is in school every Tuesday doing indoor hurling matches with the children and will continue to do so in the new school year. John also organises a hurling blitz between the schools in Naas.
Bus Drivers
A special mention goes to our bus drivers, Liam, Paddy, Maire, Peter & Vincent for getting all our pupils to and from school, tours, swimming etc safely. We look forward to you doing the same next year.

As you can see, here in Rathmore N.S. we have a lot to be grateful for. As a past colleague of mine said “We ask all our pupils, present and past, to do their very best in every aspect of school life. Remember that doing your best is more important than being the best”.

On behalf of Rathmore N.S staff and BOM we wish you all a happy, safe and healthy summer and look forward to your return to Rathmore on 31st August 2017.