Reboot Education with Self Directed Learning

Hello everyone!

This May turned out to be one of those months that feels like a gentle celebration of school life. The weather has been wonderfully kind, inviting everyone outdoors and filling the days with sunshine, fresh air, and a relaxed, lively energy.

Friday BBQ sessions around the open fire became a regular highlight, with students and staff gathering to cook together, share food, and enjoy the easy, communal atmosphere.

There was plenty of volleyball, dancing, and movement of all kinds, and one student-organised water fight added a particularly joyful and playful touch to the month.

The Cultured Club contributed a shared feast featuring fermented and foraged foods, showcasing their ongoing exploration of natural, traditional, and creative ways of working with ingredients.  

Earlier this month we also said goodbye to our fantastic intern Holly from St. Angela’s (ATU), who has been with us since January and inspired many students in the realms of home economics and crafts. We will miss her gentle, kind, and caring presence at school and wish her all the best with her studies.

Alongside the outdoor energy, we also continued with more Cambridge exams, and held our Parent Check-ins, offering another chance for families to connect, reflect, and talk through how things are going. It has been a full and uplifting month, balancing the warmth of the season with the rhythm of learning, community, and preparation for the term ahead.

Visit from ZDS student

This month we were delighted to welcome a special visitor to the school: a 17-year-old student from Zena Democratic School (ZDS) in Kingston, New York, USA.

At ZDS, students go through a two-year graduation process, and in their second year they are required to take an “adventure” – a trip that is designed to take them out of their comfort zone and support their growth in meaningful ways. This student was hosted by one of our families, and she quickly felt at ease, fitting naturally into our school life and joining in the daily rhythm with ease.

It was wonderful to have her here, and she was happy to answer all sorts of questions about how things work at her school, offering interesting insights and comparisons that sparked lively conversation. We wish her all the best as she moves towards her graduation and continues on her learning journey.

Market Day

Our last Market Day of the year took on a particularly relaxed and summery feel, with the warm weather encouraging us to move everything into the shade of the trees in the back garden. The atmosphere was lovely, with dappled sunlight, gentle breezes, and an unhurried, community vibe that suited the time of year.

There were fewer stalls than usual, but the range was still wide and inviting, from chocolate-covered fruits, cookies, and cupcakes to burritos, ice cream, and fresh plants. Students also offered books, bookmarks, and handmade necklaces, among other items. It was a gentle and pleasant way to wrap up the year’s market days, with plenty of browsing, chatting, and enjoying each other’s company under the trees.

Water Fight

On one of the hottest days so far this year, students organised a water fight that brought plenty of excitement and refreshment to the day. In line with our community agreements, anyone taking part needed to have spare clothes with them, and the activity was announced ahead of time at Morning Circle with a clear time and defined area so that those who did not want to join in could avoid getting wet. The field and back garden were chosen as the main play areas, and some careful logistics were needed too, including water-refilling stations and a way to signal pauses for anyone who had had enough. The result was a great deal of laughter, movement, and team spirit, with staff joining in as well and, in the end, becoming the biggest target of all.

GAISCE Adventure Journey to Achill Island

The GAISCE Adventure Journey took place from May 25th to 27th, 2026, on Achill Island, Mayo, offering students an immersive outdoor experience. Over three days, participants embarked on extensive walking routes each day, exploring scenic landscapes like the Greenway, Sliabh Mór, and the Deserted Famine Village, with routes adapted for epic sunny weather.

We stayed at campsites in Dugort and Keel, where students set up camp, prepared meals, and enjoyed supervised free time in the evenings. The trip emphasized teamwork, resilience, and an appreciation for Ireland's natural beauty, with highlights being the views from Sliabh Mór and the three(!) stunning beaches where students and staff were able to swim, play games, and relax after their treks. This adventure not only challenged students physically and relationally, but also nurtured their confidence and camaraderie.

As we come to tne end of the last month of the school year, there is already a sense of anticipation in the air. Plans for theEnd-of-Year Party on 17 June are underway and currently being discussed at School Meeting, with lots of ideas flowing about how to mark the occasion together.

We are also looking forward to the “Café Murder” mini drama performance on 18 June, which promises to be a fun and engaging event.

We are very grateful to parent Sanna for sharing her wonderful skills and offering a relaxing 9D breathwork workshop for staff, which was deeply appreciated and welcome. Thanks, too, to all the parents who have supported the Site Meitheals throughout the year, helping to keep the school grounds in great shape and cared for for everyone. It promises to be a full and meaningful final month, with plenty of opportunities to celebrate, reflect, and come together as a community before we break for the summer.

We are delighted to share that the tender process for Phase 1 of our school development project has now progressed significantly. Tender submissions have been returned and our architects are currently reviewing them in detail, seeking clarifications, amendments and additional information where needed to ensure that all proposals can be compared on a true like for like basis.

With each step completed, we are edging ever closer to realising this exciting vision for our school and the C.E.I.D.E. Project (Centre of Excellence in Ireland for Democratic Education).

At the end of June, we will be hosting an information meeting for potential funding partners and donors. This will provide an opportunity to explore the project in greater detail, learn about the impact it will have on current and future generations of young people, and discuss the various ways individuals, organisations and businesses can become involved in helping bring this vision to life.

If you are a potential donor and would like to attend this meeting, either in person or via Zoom, please contact Gayle at: gayle@sligosudburyschool.com.

Likewise, if you know someone who may be interested in supporting the project and would appreciate an invitation, we would be grateful if you could put us in touch or encourage them to contact us directly.

We could not do what we do without the generosity of our sponsors, donors and volunteers. Your support helps us create opportunities for young people to thrive through self directed education and ensures resources are directed where they are needed most. Thank you for your encouragement, trust and continued support. We are deeply grateful.

Would you consider making a monthly commitment by direct debit? 

Could you spare €10, €50, or €100 per month?

Every little helps. Our goal is to raise 1.5 MILLION EURO to build our new sports hall over the summer months and have it ready for use next September. You can help to make that happen.

If you would like to make a meaningful gift or become a Major Benefactor, please get in touch. Your support will help turn this vision into reality. 

Click on the image to see a complete walk through 3D Render of our project.