Messages

End of Term Reminders

End of Term Reminders:

House Egg Hunt/Non-Uniform Day:

Tomorrow, Friday 27th March 2026 has been designated as a Non-Uniform Day to tie in with the House Egg Hunt Competition. We are asking that the children come to school tomorrow in Non-Uniform but with a top/coat/scarf/ or hat in their house colours (Chestnut – Red; Oak – Blue; Sycamore – Yellow).

The children will be taking part in the House Egg Hunt around the grounds of the school so please make sure that they are wearing suitable footwear (preferably changing into wellies - which they should have in school) and also come to school with a coat in the event of inclement weather.
 
Last Day of Term:
School will close for the Easter holidays on Friday 27th March 2026 , at 12.00 noon – no dinners will be served. 

Have a relaxing Easter break and the Summer Term starts on Monday 13th April 2026 @ 08:45.

Yours sincerely

T.R. McMaster MBE B.Ed
Associate Principal

P.S. Don't forget to move the clocks forward this weekend. 

Creavery P.S. ‘Stay & Play’ After-Schools Survey

Creavery P.S. ‘Stay & Play’ After-Schools Survey

Creavery P.S. Before & After-School Provision Survey – Fill out form

Dear Parent/Carer,

The school is reviewing its’ Before & After-School provision considering our “School Development Plan” for the next three years and I would welcome your views on the issue of the possibility of starting up a Breakfast Club and/or expanding our “Stay & Play After School” provision from 2.00 – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday during term-time only.

The current situation in school is that the ‘Stay & Play Club currently runs as a planned programme of activities provided for P1-P3 children after the end of their school day on Mondays and Tuesdays only.

This facility provides excellent quality play opportunities in a safe and stimulating environment for children aged 4-7 in the period between the end of their school day and until their parent/carer collects them from the end of P4-P7 school day ie. 3.00 p.m.

We have received several requests from parents to see if we could extend this facility to include it operating on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday as well as staying open from 2.00 – 4.00 p.m. to assist working parents.

We may also consider operating from 8.15 a.m. with a Breakfast Club if there is sufficient demand.

The programme of activities would vary from day to day but will consider the children’s own preferences.

If you feel there is not a need to run such a facility in the local area then there is also a chance to express that view in the survey link attached below or scan the attached Pdf of the QR code:

 Creavery P.S. Before & After-School Provision Survey – Fill out form

If there is sufficient interest, it is proposed at this early stage that there will be three ways in which to use the service (Mon-Fri) with approximate pricing as follows:

2.00 p.m. – 3.00 p.m.    Daily Cost: £5.00 (second child £4.00)
2.00 p.m. - 4.00 p.m.     Daily Cost: £10.00 (second child £8.00) – to include a snack
3.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m.    Daily Cost: £5.00 (second child £4.00)

N.B. The current after-school activities organised through MMD Coaching would form part of this extended provision if it is to proceed.

If we get a positive response to this expansion of our After-School provision, the school will be applying for registration for both Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) and the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS), to potentially enable families to access:
 

• A 20% discount through TFC
• An additional 15% through NICSS

Together, this could save parents up to 32% on eligible costs for supervised school-based activities.

Your responses to the survey will assist us with the planning for their financial viability, staffing requirements, selected activities etc.  We are asking all current and potential future parents of enrolled children to complete and return this survey on or before Friday 17th April 2026 .

N.B. Places will be limited to a maximum of 16 attending the ‘Stay & Play’ in any one session–preference would be given to pupils attending the After-school facility most frequently through booking ahead.

Thank you for taking time to complete this survey.

Creavery P.S. Before & After-School Provision Survey – Fill out form


Progress on these proposed projects depends on the number of positive responses which we receive so that demand can be properly assessed.

Please support your school in trying to continue to be the “Heartbeat” of the Creavery Community!

Yours sincerely
          
T R McMaster B.Ed. MBE
Associate Principal.


 

REMINDER - Lego Club Taster Session

REMINDER - Lego Club FREE Taster Session

N.B. As an incentive to this Club, Mo McDowell (MMD Coaching) will be running a FREE Lego Club taster session tomorrow -  Thursday (26.03.26) to allow the children the opportunity to see what is on offer if they want to join the Lego Club after the Easter holiday!!!!

The FREE TASTER SESSION will run tomorrow Thursday 26th March 2026 from 2:00 - 3:00 pm for P1 – P2, and from 3:00 - 4:00 pm for P3 - P7.

Feel free to just come along to the Dining Room tomorrow to see if the Lego Club is for you.
 

REMINDER - Easter Assembly

25th March 2026

REMINDER - Easter Assembly

The Easter Assembly will be held in our Outdoor Covered area tomorrow - Thursday 26^th March 2026 commencing at 10.00 a.m.

The children should attend school as normal and be in full school uniform but as you will see from the attached weather forecast, all pupils must have a warm coat with them tomorrow.

Normal lunch-time arrangements will be in operation and normal home times will also operate on the day.

The attached Met Office weather forecast, is in no way similar to last Thursday when we had almost summer like conditions! The forecast for tomorrow is predicting a temperature of 6 degrees celsius with 40% chance of rain and light winds. N.B. Please remember the British explorer, Sir Ranulph Fienne's famous quote, ...."There's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing." 

All parents and friends are most welcome to attend the Easter Assembly and the P.T.A. will be providing tea/coffee after the event.

We will have a limited number of seats available, but fell free to bring your own seat if you so wish.

Trusting that you will support this important event in the school’s calendar.

Yours sincerely

T.R. McMaster MBE B.Ed
Associate Principal

P1/2 Shared Education Trip

P1/2 are going to Creggan tomorrow (25/03/26) for a Shared Education Trip.
Please ensure your child is in full school uniform and has an outdoor coat with them.
It would be helpful to send a small mid morning break in a plastic bag with your child's name on it so we can take this with us.
We will be returning to school for lunch.
Thank you, Mrs Brown

P6 SEAG After-Schools Club

Dear Parent

P6 SEAG After-Schools Club

Miss Welsh will again be running the SEAG After-Schools Club on Monday and Thursday afternoons from 3.00-4.00 p.m. with the first sessions commencing on - Monday 13^th April 2026 and Thursday 16^th April 2026. These sessions will continue weekly up until the end of the Summer Term.

The SEAG After-Schools Club is not compulsory, but those P6 children who are intending to sit the SEAG entrance exams are very welcome and are encouraged to attend.

N.B. This provision is strictly only for those pupils who intend to register for the 2026/2027 SEAG Entrance Assessments.

The SEAG Club will be held in Miss Welsh’s classroom from 3.00-4.00 p.m., and I would ask that your child is collected promptly at the end of the sessions.

The SEAG website https://seagni.co.uk provides further information re. the Implementation Process, such as key dates and details about registration which opens on Monday 18^th May 2026 and closes on Friday 18^th September 2026.

Please also use the Frequently Asked Questions in the "Guidance for Parents" Section of the website to help you if you have any queries when the time comes to complete your child’s application.

I have also attached a copy of "A Guide for Parents and Teachers of P6 Pupils" which contains other useful information which has previously been issued to P6 parents.

REGISTRATION OF PUPILS FOR THE 2026 ENTRANCE ASSESSMENT OPENS ON MONDAY 18^TH MAY 2026 AND WILL CLOSE ON FRIDAY 18th SEPTEMBER 2026 at 11.59pm.

N.B. Only pupils who are registered can sit the Entrance Assessment.

Please complete the reply slip being sent home today and return by Friday (27.03.26) to indicate that you intend to register your child for the SEAG Tests and whether you wish your child to attend the SEAG Club in preparation for the tests in November 2026.

Yours sincerely
T.R. McMaster MBE B.Ed
Associate Principal

MMD Coaching SUMMER TERM AFTER-SCHOOLS CLUBS UPDATE

MMD Coaching 

SUMMER TERM AFTER-SCHOOLS CLUBS UPDATE

Summer Sports – Thursdays
MMD Coaching will again be offering an 8-week active Summer Sports Club next term, focusing on fostering child development through sports and fun games. The summer programme will typically feature diverse activities including soccer tournaments (such as 3v3), tag rugby, Nerf wars, and various multisport, fun games designed for school-aged children.

The club will run from 2:00 - 3:00 pm for P1 – P2, and from 3:00 - 4:00 pm for P3 - P7.

More details and booking information will issue in due course with the first sessions planned for week commencing Monday 20^th April 2026.

Lego Club - Tuesdays
During the summer term, MMD Coaching will also be running an after-school Lego Club on Tuesday afternoons for 8 weeks. The club will run from 2:00 - 3:00 pm for P1 – P2, and from 3:00 - 4:00 pm for P3 - P7.

This engaging after-school Lego Club for children will focus on creativity, building skills, and fun activities.

More details and booking information will issue in due course with the first sessions planned for week commencing Monday 20^th April 2026.

N.B. As an incentive to join this Club, Mo McDowell (MMD Coaching) will be running a FREE Lego Club taster session this Thursday (26.03.26) to allow the children the opportunity to see what is on offer!!!!

The FREE TASTER SESSION will run this Thursday from 2:00 - 3:00 pm for P1 – P2, and from 3:00 - 4:00 pm for P3 - P7. Feel free to just come along to the Dining Room on Thursday to see if the Lego Club is for you.
 

Easter Lunch

Dear Parent,

It has been brought to our attention that the old school meal price of £2.60 was inserted into the Easter Lunch poster in error - see attached updated poster.

The cost of a school meal was increased to £3.10 from 1st January 2026 (see attached information) and the cost therefore of the Easter Lunch Party Box on Thursday will be the new price.

Apologies for any confusion caused.

N.B. Due to Mrs Saunderson's current absence from work, we are a little behind in issuing any change required for money sent into school. Please bear with us and we hope to have any refunds made before we break up for the Easter holiday.

T.R. McMaster MBE B.Ed
Associate Principal
 

Weekly Newsletter for Week commencing – Monday 23rd March 2026

Weekly Newsletter for Week commencing – Monday 23rd March 2026

Dear Parent,

School Office
Unfortunately, the school Secretary, Mrs D Saunderson is currently off work and not due back until Friday 27th March 2026. In the short term, I would ask for your patience and understanding when trying to contact the school but if you are needing to contact the office urgently and the telephone is not being answered, please.....

email: info@creaveryps.antrim.ni.sch.uk with your query and someone will endeavour to get in touch with you asap.


Thanking you in anticipation of your understanding and co-operation with this situation.

School Dinners 
Please see attached the Vegetarian Dinner Menu operating for the remainder of March 2026 and the new look Main Dinner Menu which will operate on a four-weekly cycle covering the period from March to June 2026.

School dinners MUST be ordered and paid for first thing on a Monday morning.  The cost has now increased to £3.10 (£15.50) p.w.) with the menu posted weekly on the School App and Website. Only 4 days dinner money (£12.40) will be required this week (£3.10 per day) with school closing at noon on Friday for Easter.

Easter Lunch will be served on Thursday 26th March 2026 - see attached.

I would also like to remind you that if you entitled and have not already applied for Free School Meals, here is the link below:
https://www.eani.org.uk/financial-help/free-school-meals-uniform-grants/apply-for-free-school-meals-uniform-grants

Milk Orders
The cost of school milk for next term Monday 13^th April 2026 –Friday 26^th June 2026 is £11.13 (53 days @ 21p) and orders had to be placed by Friday 13^th March 2026 and paid for no later than this Friday 27^th March 2026. 

If you are using the school produced ‘blue money pouches’ please enclose the correct money and fill in your details on the front cover with the correct amount inserted under the 'Milk' tab. If you are using your own envelopes for sending money into school, then please remember to enclose the correct money and to indicate on the envelope exactly what it is for and who it is for.

For reasons of accountability, I have asked the staff not to accept cash/cheques being handed to them for any purpose unless it is in a sealed envelope (money pouch envelope or personal envelope) and the details should be clearly marked on the front as specified above.

Easter Assembly

The Easter Assembly will be held in our Outdoor Covered area on the morning of Thursday 26^th March 2026 commencing at 10.00 a.m. The children should attend school as normal and be in full school uniform. Normal lunch-time arrangements will be in operation and normal home times will also operate on the day. If by chance in advance you know that your child(ren) will not be attending school on that day for any reason, it would be greatly appreciated if you could let the teachers know by sending in a note or ringing the school office. The teachers work very hard in preparing the children for such events and non-attendance can upset the performance greatly on the day. All parents are most welcome to attend the Easter Assembly and the P.T.A. will be providing tea/coffee after the event.
Trusting that you will support this important event in the school’s calendar.

P6/7 Swimming Programme
Swimming continues tomorrow (Monday).

PTA News
200 Year Anniversary Event - 2027 – we would be delighted if you would join us in planning for this historic event and if you could pass these details onto anyone you know who would like to be included, any past pupils.  Our first meeting is tomorrow night – Monday 23^rd March 2026 @ 7.15 p.m.

New PTA members – anyone who would like to come along and help the PTA are most welcome. The next meeting is arranged for Monday 13^th April 2026 @ 7.00 p.m.

Monday 23rd March 2026

• Dinner choices - see attached menus for Option A & Option B
• P6/7 Swimming
• Announce & Pupil of The Week Assembly - Mrs Brown. See the News Section on the school app on Mondays for the most recent Pupil of the Week news
• Strings tuition - Mr Heron
• Brass tuition - Mr Tohill
• Stay & Play - P1-P2 from 2.00-3.00 p.m. - £2.50
• PTA Meeting – 200 Year Anniversary Committee @ 7.15 p.m.

Tuesday 24^th March 2026

• Dinner choices - see attached menus for Option A & Option B
• Piano tuition – Miss McCloskey
• Stay & Play - P1-P2 from 2.00-3.00 p.m. - £2.50

Wednesday 18^th March 2026

• Dinner choices - see attached menus for Option A & Option B

Thursday 19^th March 2026

• Dinner choices - see attached menus for Option A & Option B
• Easter Assembly – 10.00 a.m.

Friday 20^th March 2026

• School ends at 12 noon for Easter – no school dinners will be served

 

P6/7 Trip to Randalstown Nature Fest

P6 and 7 will be attending Tidy Randalstown Nature Fest this morning where we will look at local historic and nature topics of interest. A break will be provided and we will return for lunch.