Thursday, January 31, 2013

School Note January 31st.2013

31-1-2013

Dear parents,

                     I wish to bring the following to your attention.

Last Sunday almost 50 boys and girls from the school took part in the Peace Proms in UL. It was a great experience for all concerned to have the opportunity to perform with a full symphony orchestra and professional conductor as well as guest performers. It was a long day, departing school at 11 a.m. and returning at 5.30 p.m. As usual, the children were a credit to the school and their families. Great credit is due to Mrs Dillon and Anna Henn who made the experience possible.

                   Yesterday, children from Second to Sixth Classes enjoyed a performance of 'Young Fionn Mac Cumhail and the Salmon of Knowledge' when Clan Cluana Theatre Company visited the school. The stage donated by the Parents Association added to the performance. Thanks to Mr Curtin, Mr Sheehy and Mr Hennessy who assembled and dismantled it before and after school yesterday.

Tomorrow night, 5 teams from the school will take part in the MPCC Credit Union Quiz in Mungret GAA Club. We wish them well.

                   Fr. O Connor visited the school for a Prayer Service on Monday as part of Catholic Schools Week. We also were delighted to welcome Mrs Murtagh to Second Class for Grandparents Day. Tomorrow is Lá le Bríde, the feast of St Bridget.

                   A note from Ballybrown/Clarina Community Games: The annual talent competition will take place Sunday 3rd February at starting at 5pm. Admission is adults €2 and competitors (who are not registered with us already this year)  €5 to cover entry to all competitions throughout the year. Anybody who has not put their name down - you can still come along on the night and participate.

 

Gach dea-ghuí,

 

_______________

J. Lyons

Principal

 

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

School note January 24th. 2013

24-1-2013.

Dear parents,

                    I wish to bring the following to your attention.

                    Almost 50 children from this school will take part in Peace Proms, a cross-border choral initiative, in the University of Limerick on Sunday next. They have been practising since September. I am grateful to Mrs Dillon for taking on this project.

                Next week is Catholic Schools Week and the school will mark this in a variety of ways. Fr O Connor will conduct a prayer service on Monday in the school.

                Parents are reminded that tomorrow Friday January 25th. is the closing date for applications to be enrolled in Junior Infants in 2013-2014

             The Department of Lifelong Learning & Outreach at University of Limerick is hosting a talk on Internet Safety on  Saturday, 9th February, from 10am to 12 noon. Fee: €10. Venue: University of Limerick. Tel: 061 202530 / 202047. E-mail: lifelonglearning@ul.ie . Please book in advance. Topics covered include issues such as social networking, searching online, online gaming, YouTube, cyber-bullying and mobile phone safety.                      

                  Ballybrown Camogie Registration night: Fri 8th February 8pm-9.30pm. €20 per child, max €30 per underage family. New players welcome-  bring a copy of birth cert. Any queries please contact Club Secretary Sarah Byrnes 086-0336590.

 

           Finally, I urge parents to speak to your children about safety in the vicinity of the school. 260 children enter and exit the school in a short space of time every day. Children should never be allowed to walk through the staff parking area, especially when visibility is poor at this time of year. All parents should use the Community car park or the Church car park. It would be appreciated if the yellow box in front of the school could be kept clear as well as the disabled parking areas and bus spaces. Safety of pupils is our priority at all times.

Gach dea-ghui,

 

____________

J. Lyons

Principal

 

 

Thursday, January 17, 2013

School Note January 17th 2013

17-1-2013.

Dear parents,

                    All pupils from First to Fourth Class attended “Music in the Classroom” in the University Concert Hall yesterday. Their teachers had familiarised them with all the songs and dances so all pupils could get maximum benefit from the day. The event was a great success.

                    I would like to remind parents that the school has a statutory duty to report any absences of 20 days or more in one school year to the National Education Welfare Board. The next deadline for reporting is tomorrow, January 18th. I will be submitting the names of all children who have accumulated 20 days absence since August 30th. 2012.  I am also required to state the reason for these absences. Consequently, if your child is absent from school, it is important that you notify the school, stating the reason for absence.

                      Parents are reminded that Friday January 25th. is the closing date for applications to be enrolled in Junior Infants in 2013-2014.

       I would like to thank all parents who returned the Maths survey which you received last week. If you have not yet returned the survey, please do so at your earliest convenience.

                Claire Shields writes: The Parents Association would like to thank all the parents and teachers who assisted with the bag pack before Christmas. We are delighted that a total of 1660 euro was raised. We are very grateful that people would give their time towards organising and on the day itself particularly as it was so close to Christmas. So a BIG THANK YOU!!!

          Ballybrown/Clarina Community Games: Talent competition will be held on Sunday 3rd February at 5pm. Please write your name on the sheet in the school under the competition(s) you want to compete in on the night.
Tag rugby will start on Sundays at 3pm starting this Sunday at the school field. Rounders will start Sundays at 3pm at the school field. Cross country training at 4pm on Sunday at the school field. Rugby and Draughts will continue as usual.

 

Gach dea-ghuí

 

_____________

Joe Lyons

Principal

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

School note January 10th. 2013

10-1-2013.
Dear parents,
                     I would like to welcome all pupils, staff and parents back to school after the Christmas break.
                     As part of the school's self-evaluation in the area of Maths, we wish to conduct a parental survey. This short, anonymous survey is attached overleaf. Please complete and return to the school as soon as possible.
                 Music in the Classroom takes place on Wednesday January 16th.  in the University Concert Hall. All pupils from First to Fourth Classes will attend this excellent event. Please put the money in an envelope with your child's name on it for the attention of the class teacher. The cost including bus, concert etc is €13 per child, the same as last year.
Fifth Class pupils have just started a six-week programme of swimming lessons in Askeaton Leisure Centre. This is a great opportunity for all pupils to learn a lifelong skill.
                      I would like to thank Analog Devices who have donated €300 for school funds. Thanks to Ms Shirley Byrnes who made representations on our behalf.
                      The closing date to have your child's name on the Enrolment List for Junior Infants in September 2013 is Friday January 25tth. at 3 p.m. Please contact the school if you have not already done so. Letters to parents of prospective Junior Infants were posted on Tuesday.
                     From next Thursday, the weekly note will be sent by e mail to all parents who have provided the school with an e mail address.
Gach dea-ghuí,

_________________
J. Lyons
Principal