Scoil Ursula N.S.

18/08/2026

🧠 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆?

In a thought-provoking Irish Examiner article, child and adolescent psychotherapist Dr Colman Noctor asks whether young people are really less mature than previous generations — or whether they simply have fewer opportunities to manage things for themselves.

Link: https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/parenting/arid-41890225.html

The article argues that responsibility is not learned through reminders or lectures. It develops through experience: making decisions, solving manageable problems, getting things wrong and learning how to recover.

Modern family life can make it tempting to step in:

🎒 Packing the school bag
⏰ Managing alarms and schedules
📧 Contacting teachers or employers
🍽️ Ordering for a teenager in a café
🚗 Solving every transport or logistical problem
📱 Using technology to track, remind and organise

These supports often come from care and time pressure. However, the article suggests that constantly removing difficulties may also remove valuable opportunities for young people to develop confidence and the belief that they can cope.

Dr Noctor suggests creating manageable opportunities for responsibility, such as:

✅ Organising their own belongings
✅ Managing their own alarm clock
✅ Ordering their own food
✅ Travelling independently when appropriate
✅ Taking on meaningful jobs at home
✅ Earning towards things they want
✅ Experiencing the natural consequences of occasionally forgetting something

This does not mean leaving children unsupported. It means giving them space to try, make mistakes and build independence while knowing that guidance is still available.

The article also raises an interesting question about technology and AI: when tools constantly remind, organise, explain and solve, are young people getting enough opportunities to think, persevere and work things out for themselves?

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸?

Is it becoming harder for parents to step back and allow young people to practise responsibility — even when stepping in would be quicker and easier?

Read the full article by Dr Colman Noctor in the Irish Examiner using the link provided. https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/parenting/arid-41890225.html

17/07/2026

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Looking for a calming space to relax, reset, and recharge? The Cubbie offers a unique sensory experience with vibrant visuals, soothing sounds and a fully customisable environment designed just for you.

🌿 Benefits include:
• A relaxing or energising atmosphere tailored to your needs
• Customisable video, music and lighting
• Support for focus, concentration and nervous system regulation

Whether you need a moment of calm or a boost of energy, The Cubbie is here to help you unwind and feel refreshed.

📞 Book your session today: 071 919 7818

17/07/2026

🎒 Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance 2026

Did you know?
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is now open, and for the first time, eligible children aged 2 and 3 are now included.

This year the payment is:

👟 €160 for eligible children aged 2 to 11

📚 €285 for eligible children aged 12 to 22

The scheme opened on 3 June 2026 and applications close on 30 September 2026. Many families will receive the payment automatically, but if you do not receive a notification and think you may qualify, you can apply through MyWelfare.

Find out more on gov.ie:
https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-social-protection/services/back-to-school-clothing-and-footwear-allowance/

Apply through MyWelfare:
https://services.mywelfare.ie/en/topics/parents-children-family/back-to-school-clothing-footwear-allowance/

Please share this with other parents who might not realise that younger children can now be included too.

09/07/2026

𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆: 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀

The NCSE Parents Notify process is now in place for parents and guardians seeking a new special class or special school placement for their child for September 2027.

Parents and guardians are asked to complete the online Parents Notify form by 1 September 2026.

Supporting documents, including relevant professional report(s), should be submitted by 15 September 2026, or as soon as possible after that date if they are not yet available.

𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀:

🔹 Do not delay completing the form if you are waiting for reports or documents.

🔹 To complete the form, you will need your child’s PPS Number, date of birth, home address, Eircode, relevant professional report(s), and Student Support Plan, if available.

🔹 Your local SENO will review the information and documents provided.

🔹 The SENO may contact you if more information is needed, support you if you had difficulty uploading documents, discuss eligibility criteria, provide information on local placement options, and write to you with the outcome.

🔹 Parents Notify is not a school application. Parents must still apply directly to the school or schools they wish their child to attend.

🔹 A Letter of Eligibility confirms that your child meets the Department of Education and Youth criteria to apply for a special class or special school placement.

🔹 A Letter of Eligibility is required to support your application to schools, but schools make their own admission decisions based on their admissions policies.

🔹 Letters of Eligibility apply to the relevant school year only. If a specialist place was not taken up for 2026/2027 and a placement is being sought again for 2027/2028, a new letter will be needed.

Parents and guardians should check school admissions dates and deadlines carefully and stay in contact with their local SENO if support is needed.

More information from the NCSE:
https://www.ncse.ie/parents/current-application-processes/parents-notify-special-class-special-school-placement/

09/07/2026

Our school uniform is now in stock & available for purchase in Mullaneys & Moffitts in Sligo town.

👕💙 Introducing Our New School Uniform 💙👕
We are delighted to introduce our new school uniform for Scoil Ursula – designed to be practical, comfortable and suitable for everyday school life.

📌 What you need to know:
• All incoming Junior Infants will be required to wear the new uniform from September 2026.
• Families in all other class levels are welcome to purchase the new uniform and transition to it immediately or on a phased basis over the coming year.
• Pupils choosing to wear shorts should wear the new school uniform shorts from September.

🛍️ Where to buy
The new uniform will be available from early to mid-August at Mullaney Brothers and Moffitt's, Sligo.
🇮🇪 We are also pleased to be working with Skippy, an Irish company, continuing our commitment to supporting local businesses.

04/07/2026

👕💙 Introducing Our New School Uniform 💙👕
We are delighted to introduce our new school uniform for Scoil Ursula – designed to be practical, comfortable and suitable for everyday school life.

📌 What you need to know:
• All incoming Junior Infants will be required to wear the new uniform from September 2026.
• Families in all other class levels are welcome to purchase the new uniform and transition to it immediately or on a phased basis over the coming year.
• Pupils choosing to wear shorts should wear the new school uniform shorts from September.

🛍️ Where to buy
The new uniform will be available from early to mid-August at Mullaney Brothers and Moffitt's, Sligo.
🇮🇪 We are also pleased to be working with Skippy, an Irish company, continuing our commitment to supporting local businesses.

04/07/2026

☀️ Summer Admissions Enquiries ☀️
We would like to wish all our pupils, families and the wider school community a wonderful summer holiday.
Please note that the school office is closed during the summer break.
If you would like to enquire about places in Senior Infants to Sixth Class for the 2026–2027 school year, please contact us by email:
📧 [email protected]

24/06/2026

1st class really enjoyed their drumming session yesterday, creating beats and great rhythms together. Lots of smiles, beats and so much fun!

24/06/2026

More 3rd Class fun from their school tour to Shannon Adventure Centre 😊