St Maria Goretti Nursery School

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. 🤝

EA has launched a public consultation on our Refreshed Draft Framework for Specialist Provision in Schools.

Since our original Framework in 2021, we've created over 6,000 new SEN places, specialist provision classes have grown from 214 to 720 classes across Northern Ireland. Our refreshed Framework sets out how we plan to expand provision for children and young people with SEN. Have your say by 30 July 2026

Read more and access the consultation documents here: https://ow.ly/Z6GG50Z7GLr

URGENT