St Maria Goretti Nursery School

If you are in receipt of one of the following, you will need to upload a Proof of Benefit letter when applying for Free School Meals and Uniform Allowance for the 2026/27 academic year:

➡️ Income Related Employment and Support Allowance
➡️ Guarantee Element of State Pension Credit

You can request a Proof of Benefit letter online: https://t.co/vhcVyDRoi5 (It will take at least five days to be sent to you)

If you receive Universal Credit, you do not need the Proof of Benefit Letter. However, you will need to upload evidence of your Universal Credit entitlement when you apply.

More information on eligibility and supporting documentation can be found at www.eani.org.uk/fsm

🌹Good morning and God bless on this July 6th, Memorial of St Maria Goretti, Virgin and Martyr (1890 - 1902) 🌹

This deeply devout little girl lived in dire circumstances. Her widowed mother, Assunta, through poverty, was forced to lodge, with her young children, in the home of the Serenelli family.

The situation in the house was far from ideal for Assunta Goretti and her children. In particular, Maria was subjected to unwanted attentions from Alessandro Serenelli - a young man of 18.

On July 5th, 1902, Alessandro, finding Maria alone in the house taking care of her two year old sister, attempted to r**e her. When she resisted him, he stabbed her 14 times.

Hearing the cries of her two year old daughter from the fields, Assunta went back to the house and found Maria mortally wounded. She was rushed to hospital and underwent emergency surgery but died of her injuries the next day.

Before she died, having received Holy Communion, she expressed her forgiveness towards her attacker.

Many years later, Alessandro Serenelli was converted in prison and, upon his release after 30 years in jail, he sought out Maria’s mother and asked for her forgiveness which Assunta readily gave. They both attended Mass in the Parish Church the following day and received Holy Communion together.

Alessandro spent the rest of his life as a penitent and was present at the canonisation of St Maria Goretti in 1950.

The life of this young martyr illustrates the truth that the grace of God is greater than even the most heinous offence. Evil never prevails. The goodness and love of God always prevails over sin. St Maria Goretti’s short life and heroic death bears witness to this “Love stronger than Death” (Song of Songs 8:8).

“O God .... grant, we pray, [through St Maria Goretti’s intercession], that, as you gave her a crown for her steadfastness, so we, too, may be firm in obeying your commandments .... “ .

We’re recruiting 😁

Fancy working in the best wee school on the road?!

Clerical officer position available. Applications can be made via EAjobs and the link below.

Closes 13th July.

Education Authority - Job Opportunities

As school leaders in west Belfast, we feel compelled to raise our voice at this time.�The terrible stabbing incident that occurred in north Belfast earlier this week was shocking and the thoughts and prayers of everyone in our school communities are with the victim and his family and friends at this time. No one deserves to suffer such an appalling attack, and like all right minded people we expect justice to take its course through the appropriate legal processes.
Today, many of our classrooms have children missing.
Some of the children were forcibly evicted from their homes last night by angry mobs and are spending today trying to find alternative accommodation, left with horrific memories that will last a very long time.
Other children are absent because their parents and guardians are too afraid to send them across the front doors of their family homes to attend school to receive their right to education.
That is a deplorable situation which should not be faced by any families in 2026.
Many people in this community have memories of traumatic events at earlier periods in their own lives, including being put out of their family homes.�That is a memory we are grateful is alien to many children today, so it is particularly distressing that baying mobs filled with hatred and intolerance took it upon themselves to target family homes last night in acts of wanton destruction, instilling fear in the hearts of men, women and children who have committed no crimes and have simply been targeted because of the colour of their skin. That can never be right.
All of our children have a right to be educated and to live free from violence and intimidation.�There can be no equivocation nor justification for these actions.
We hope and pray that people in positions of leadership will help ensure all of our children are able to return to school as soon as possible.

Parents and carers,
Please check seesaw regarding school hours today.
Thank you

Play day
Tuesday 9th June at 1.30pm

Today marks our last session for the year with Sonal sportz.
Check out their summer programme if you want your child to continue with sport.

NURSERY/PRE-SCHOOL SETTINGS ⤵️

👩‍🏫 "I can't recommend Coach Pauls Stay & Play enough!" - Jacqueline Mallon (Principal - Bethlehem Nursery School).

A unique twist on a Stay & Play day which incorporates fun sporting activities that parents/grandparents can take part in with their children.

A great way to invite the children's loved ones in to see what they have been practicing in their weekly sessions with us.

Now taking bookings for 2026/2027 - email [email protected] for more information on what we can offer your nursery school in the new school year 📩

FUN 🤸‍♀️ FRIENDSHIP 🤝 FUTURE 🔝

West Belfast - we need your school uniforms! 👔🎒

Last year, our volunteers helped kit out more than 1,500 children by redistributing good-quality, pre-loved school uniforms back into the community - easing financial pressure on families while also supporting the environment by reducing waste. ♻️

This year, we are collecting throughout June before opening our Pre-Loved School Uniform Hub from 1 July until 13 September.

We are looking for:

✅ Good-condition nursery, primary and secondary school uniforms ( All West Belfast schools)
✅ P.E. kits
✅ Good-condition school bags
✅ New stationery items and sets

Please donate to:

📍 Foodstock Community Solidarity Hub
150 Andersonstown Road, Belfast, BT11 9BY

🕘 Monday to Saturday | 9:00am–1:30pm

Please spread the word. 🤝