Thursday, December 19, 2013

School note December 19th 2013

19-12-2013

Dear parents,    

                     Today, we staged two performances of the Christmas Carol Service and Nativity play in Ballybrown Church. Every child in the school was involved. We are fortunate to have so many talented and capable teachers to coordinate such a worthwhile event. Thanks to Fr Cussen for making the Church available at all times.

            A Table Quiz for pupils in 4th , 5th, and Sixth classes took place yesterday and was greatly enjoyed by all involved.. Over 100 children took part. The winning team consisted of Harry Hannan, Ben Adams, Conor O Neill and Mark Mullally Thank you to the Parents Association for providing prizes.

            Best wishes to Mrs Ivess and Ms O Connor who start Maternity Leave in January. Ms Katie Gibbons will fill in for Mrs Ivess while Ms Maeve Fehilly will fill in for Mrs O Connor.

            The Goal Mile takes place on Christmas Day at 11.30 a.m. starting at the Resource Centre. All welcome on the day to walk/ run.

        Art Classes for primary school pupils will commence in the Resource Centre in January. Contact Sharon Le Gear at (087) 9112902 or bluebirddesigns@hotmail.com if you are interested. Fliers available in the school office.

 

School will close for all pupils tomorrow Friday at 12.30 p.m. and reopen on Monday January 6th. 2014.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very peaceful Christmas.

Gach dea-ghuí,

 

_____________________ 

 

J. Lyons

Principal

 

 

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Christmas Carol Service 2013

Christmas Carol Service

Dear Parents,
                     In order to accommodate as many parents as possible, there will be two performances of our Christmas Carol Service in St Joseph's Church, Ballybrown on Thursday December 19th.
                 Performances at 10.30 a.m. and 12.30 p.m.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

School note December 12th. 2013

12-12-2013

Dear parents,

                     I wish to bring the following to your attention.

                      The children in Fifth Class yesterday completed a six week course in Swimming at Askeaton Leisure Centre. It was worthwhile and enjoyable. I would like to thank Mrs Mary Kelly who accompanied the class each week for her generosity with her time. The children in Fourth Class will start a similar programme on January 8th. 2014.

                   The children in Sixth Class last Friday completed a ten week programme in IT called Whizzkids. The feedback has been excellent and I have already booked the company for next September. The final session focussed on cyberbullying. It is vital for parents to be aware of the dangers of unsupervised access to the internet.

                    A Christmas Carol Service will take place in Ballybrown Church on Thursday December 19th. at 12.30 p.m. All classes, from Junior Infants to Sixth, will be involved. Each child needs a Santa hat, if possible. Try your nearest Euro shop! Parents are welcome but remember that space is limited. Thanks to all the teachers who are involved in preparations for this celebration of Christmas.                 

                  There will be a Table Quiz for all pupils in 4th , 5th, and Sixth classes next Wednesday afternoon. Thank you to the Parents Association for providing prizes.

                 Confessions will be heard in the school next Monday December 16th. for children from 3rd to 6th classes

                 I am keenly aware of the financial pressures that all families face at this time of year. The Parents Association has asked me to inform you that, as was the case for the last few years, they will donate a gift to the staff on behalf of all parents. Teachers do not expect a gift from children. If children would like to give something personal they could perhaps make their own card as a gift to their teacher.

               Any children who are members of the Children's Choir in Ballybrown are asked to be in Church on Sunday next  at least 15 minutes prior to 10 o clock Mass.

            Santa will be arriving at Ballybrown GAA Club on Sunday 15th December 2013 at 2pm.   Admission €5 per child (Family rates available). 

 

  Gach dea ghuí,

 

___________

J. Lyons

Principal

 

 

 

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Developing Oral Language.....tips for parents

 

Developing Oral Language with your child

Top Ten Tips for Parents/Guardians

 

Infants – 1st Class

2nd and 4th Class

5th and 6th Class

·        Listen to what your child is saying/trying to say and respond to contributions

·        Make and maintain eye contact while talking with your child

·        Explain the meaning to words

·        Talk through activities

·        Talk through everyday experiences

·        Involve your child in discussions/plans

·        Ask/Answer questions

·        Teach your child nursery rhymes/songs/poems/raps

·        Develop your child's receptive language by asking him/her to follow simple instructions

·        Assist your child to express ideas in an orderly fluent way

·        Read to your child each night

·        Set aside 10-15 minutes to discuss the day's happenings

·        Encourage your child to express and justify opinions

·        Involve your child in adult conversation when appropriate

·        Talk about the child's favourite T.V. programme

·        Play language games which focus on words i.e. Scrabble, crosswords

·        Encourage your child to talk about experiences with a wide range of people; peers, relations, other adults

·        Listen carefully and clarify meaning 'do you mean/or is this what you mean?'

·        Encourage your child to give reasons for decisions

·        Encourage your child to listen courteously to opinions of others

·        Talk about school topics and assignments

·        Encourage your child to develop a positive attitude to speaking/listening

·        Discuss your child's schoolwork successes/concerns/interests.

·        Respect your child's opinions and feelings

·        Involve your child in adult conversations, when appropriate

·        Help your child to extend his range of words in specialised subjects

·        Encourage your child to listen and respond courteously to others

·        Watch and discuss T.V. news/current affairs programmes together

·        Assist your child to locate information in local library, internet

·        Talk about school topics and assignments

·        Play commercial games that focus on word building

 

 

 

School note December 5th. 2013

5-12-2013.

Dear parents,

                    Today, we had our last School Assembly of 2013. Prizes were presented to the winners of the Numero leagues in all classes from Second to Sixth inclusive. This is part of our Numeracy strategy, making Maths enjoyable. Children in various classes have also been playing a variety of Maths games. I am grateful to all the teachers who have sourced these activities and put them into practice.

                Fourth Class hosted the December Assembly. They explained the concept of Gravity by conducting some experiments. The class also treated us to their version of the haka with accompanying chants as gaeilge.

                 As part of our ongoing Literacy review,   we have identified Oral Language as an area on which to focus. Improving your child's competence in speaking and listening is of vital importance. The child of today may not enjoy the same opportunities for speaking and conversing as children of previous generations. Playstation, DVD etc have, in many cases, replaced interaction with other children and with adults. To give guidance to parents, you will find Tips for Improving Oral Language on the school website. I am sure you will find them useful and practical.

             The school choir has been hard at work preparing for the Christmas Carol Service which will take place in Ballybrown Church on Thursday December 19th. at 12.30 p.m. All classes, from Junior Infants to Sixth, will be involved. Each child needs a Santa hat, if possible. Try your nearest Euro shop! Parents are welcome but remember that space is limited.

            Thank you to all parents who attended parent-teacher meetings last week and to the teachers who put a lot of work into preparation for these meetings. If for some reason, you were not in a position to attend, please contact the school as soon as possible.

                Mollie Locke, who is in Second Class,travelled to Neptune Stadium in Cork to compete in the All Ireland Gymnastics finals last weekend. Having qualified from her region, she and three other qualifiers formed a team to represent the Mid West Region. They battled against stiff competition and succeeded in getting third place in the national finals.

Santa will be arriving at Ballybrown GAA Club on Sunday 15th December 2013 at 2pm.   Admission €5 per child (Family rates available).  Photo with Santa & a treat.

  Gach dea ghuí,

 

 

_____________

J. Lyons

Principal