Wednesday, May 28, 2014

School note May 28th. 2014

28-5-2014.

Dear parents,

                    I wish to bring the following to your attention.

                    Last Saturday, the boys and girls of Second Class made their First Holy Communion. The day was a great success. All the hard work by Miss Curtin and the children was in evidence. The Art Display was much admired. Thanks also to Fr. Cussen and Monsignor Lane, to all the teachers and staff who assisted on the day and to all involved in the local community who helped out. A special word of thanks to the children in the Choir who gave up their Saturday morning to make the Communion a special occasion. All the hours of practice under the direction of Ms. Day really paid off. Thanks also to the members of the Parents Association who provided tea and coffee for families afterwards.

 

Literacy and Numeracy: Literacy surveys have been e mailed to the parents who agreed to take part. Thanks to all who are taking part. The partnership between school and parents is vital. The Numeracy survey last year revealed that parents would like information on websites that would be useful to help their children. Ms Hayes has compiled a list of these. They will be posted on the school website www.ballybrownns.ie,

 

                     Today, Junior and Senior Infant pupils went on school tour to Stonehall Farm. All classes from First to Sixth go on School Tour tomorrow. Please ensure your child is at school in time.   All children are asked to stay in the schoolyard as on a normal school morning until their teacher brings them to the bus. If the weather is sunny, sunblock is advised. For Child Protection reasons, No mobile phones or cameras allowed. If there is any delay on the return journey, the school will text parents. I am sure everybody will have a great day.

             Yesterday, Ballybrown NS won the Olo Cup hurling competition for the first time since 2001, defeating Milford NS in a thrilling game at the Gaelic Grounds. It was a memorable occasion and the school enjoyed great support. All the children who attended behaved impeccably and it was a day that will be remembered for years. Thanks to Tom and Evelyn O Brien and to Colm Hayes from Hayes Shop who provided much appreciated refreshments for the players. The victory was just reward for all the hard work and dedication of the entire panel of players and their trainers Mr Lordan and Mr Hodnett.

         Best wishes to Barry O Connor and Jade Gillane who will play for Limerick in Semple Stadium in the Primary Game on Sunday.

          School will be closed all of next week.

 

Gach dea ghuí

 

____________

J. Lyons

Principal

Thursday, May 22, 2014

School note May 22nd 2014

 

 

22-5-2014

Dear parents,

                    I wish to bring the following to your attention.

                    All classes in the school will go on the annual School Tour next week. The Infant classes will go on Wednesday May 28th while the rest of the school travel on Thursday, May 29th. All details on our website www.ballybrownns.ie .

               On Saturday, May 24th.,  the children in Second Class will receive their First Holy Communion in St. Joseph's Church, Ballybrown. Preparations are well advanced for this special occasion in the lives of the boys and girls. We look forward to a lovely day. Thanks to all involved in organising this occasion.

            Ballybrown NS Under 13 hurling team has reached the final of the Olo Cup where our opponents will be Milford NS. All children from Third to Sixth Classes will travel to the Gaelic Grounds to support the team. The game will take place at 12 noon on Tuesday May 27th.

        Please remember that teachers will be covering the curriculum right up to the last day of the school year. I have noticed some children becoming lackadaisical in their approach to homework. Your child gets one opportunity in primary education and I urge parents to ensure that he/she makes the most of it.

              Please note that school will be closed from Tuesday June 3rd. to Friday June 6th inclusive.

Comhaltas: The final classes for this Comhaltas term take place next Tuesday May 27th.  Classes will begin again next September.

Gach dea ghuí,

 

______________

J. Lyons

Principal

Thursday, May 15, 2014

School Note May 15th 2014

14-5-2014

Dear parents,

                      It is a very busy time of year in school.

                       On Monday, the children in Second Class made their First Confession in St Joseph's Church. Ms Day and the school choir are preparing for First Communion on Saturday May 24th. while Ms Curtin's class put the finishing touches to preparations.

                     Yesterday, almost 50 children took part in Limerick City Primary School sports at the University of Limerick. It was a most enjoyable day. Thanks to Ms Gibbons and Mrs Hanly who accompanied the children.

                   Our Under 13 hurling and camogie teams have reached the semi final stage of the City Cumann an mBunscol competitions. St Paul's NS from Dooradoyle are our opponents in both games.

                  Yesterday, Limerick City hurling team won the Inter Divisional competition, the Mackey Cup, at the University of Limerick All-weather facility. Barry O Connor was captain of the winning team while Conor O Neill, Shane Hannon and Dara Punch also starred   for the City team.

                On Tuesday, Dave Dooley from Ballybrown GAA club started a module of hurling coaching with Mr Sheehy's class. A special word of thanks to Ed Shanahan who supplied the school with a set of twenty 20" hurleys at short notice. It is  most enjoyable.

                  To mark the launch of the Munster GAA championship season, there will be a Jersey day / Colours Day tomorrow Friday May 16th. There is no money involved.

                   Well done to all the children (and parents) who took part in the Great Limerick Run last weekend.

                  The Parents Association are looking for help serving teas and coffees at the First Holy Communion.  This is on Saturday 24th May from 11.45 am in the community centre.  Please contact Claire Shields (085 7846 255) if you are able to volunteer.

 

Ballybrown/Clarina community games: Skittles will start in O'Brien's yard on Saturday 12 noon for u12 and Sunday at 6 for u14.

Dates for your diary:

School closed for local elections Friday May 23rd.

School tours: Wednesday May 28th and Thursday May 29th.

School  closure: June 3rd to 7th.

School sports Thursday June 19th, weather permitting. 

Sixth Class Graduation Wednesday June 25th.

N.B. If any families are not returning in the next school year, please let me know immediately as there is great demand for places in many classes.

            

Gach dea ghuí,

 

_____________

 

J. Lyons

 

 

Saturday, May 10, 2014

School GAA News

Ballybrown NS camogie team play St Bridget's in the City quarter final on Tuesday May 13th in the field at rear of school. Throw in 1.15 p.m.

Ballybrown NS hurling team play St Paul's NS, Dooradoyle in the Olo Cup semi final in Old Christians on Thursday May 15th at 11.15 a.m. 


Thursday, May 8, 2014

School note May 8th 2014

Dear parents,      

                    Parents are welcome to view  the eyecatching Maths displays in the school corridors. This is part of the school's Numeracy strategy. Last Friday, the final of Table Toppers took place in the Halla. Mr. Lordan coordinated this event with Mr Hodnett as question master and Ms Hayes as timekeeper. Children from all classes from First to Sixth took to the stage. In a thrilling finale, Conor O Neill emerged as champion with Maeve Curtin (Fourth Class) in second place and Fintan O Sullivan (Sixth Class) in third place. . Well done to all the teachers and children who have worked so hard on this initiative. Already, thoughts are turning to next year's event.

           Staying on the theme of Maths,I would like to congratulate Caoilinn Waldron in Mrs. Mulroe's sixth class who has been chosen to represent Limerick in the provincial finals of Mathletics this coming Saturday in the Tyndall Institute, Cork. This is an amazing  achievement as Caoilinn ranked in the top 500 out of thousands of pupils across Ireland.
Sixth class pupils have been participating in an online maths program Khan Academy to enhance their maths skills and aid with their learning. As part of this program Mrs. Mulroe's sixth class are involved in a competition called Mathletics. We wish Caoilinn all the best on Saturday. 

School closure: School will be closed on Friday May 23rd as the school is required as a polling station.

Parents Association: There is a Recycling Day planned for tomorrow Friday 9th May.  Please have your bags of unwanted clothes, handbags, paired shoes etc in bags at the school by 9.15a.m.. If anyone is available to help collect and load bags into the van, that would be great.    Many Thanks in advance for your help.

The next  meeting of the Parents Association is on Monday night May 12th. at 8.30 p.m. in the school. All are welcome.

BALLYBROWN/CLARINA COMMUNITY GAMES: Community Games Sports Evening – Friday 9th May in Breska Rovers Soccer Field. Registration will take place from 6.30pm with events starting at 7pm. There will be events for everyone from the youngest to the oldest in the parish. We would love to see you all turn up on the evening.

Gach dea ghuí,

___________

J. Lyons

Principal

 

 

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Community Games news

BALLYBROWN/CLARINA COMMUNITY GAMES

Community Games Sports Evening – we plan on holding our sports evening on Friday 9th May in Breska Rovers soccer field, registration will take place from 6.30pm with events starting at 7pm. There will be events for everyone from the youngest to the oldest in the parish. Winners of events will go forward to represent Ballybrown in the county Athletics Final in Mungret on June 21st& 22nd. We would love to see you all turn up on the night.

Rounders & Throwball

It's great to see so many children turn out to take part in Rounders & Throwball. If you are interested please come along on Mondays after school to Breska soccer field or Saturday evenings at 5.30pm in the school field. If you have any queries please contact either Diane Curran or Damien O'Brien.

Football

Training is in full swing Tuesday evenings in school field at 6pm.

Cross Country

This is planned for the evening of Wednesday 14th May, if you are interested in taking part please contact either Aine O'Sullivan or Pauline Lowe for further details.

Well done to all that took part in the swimming competition last weekend in Askeaton, a great day was had by all and silver medals came home also.

School Tours 2014

School Tours 29th May 2014

 

Sixth Class

Croke Park, Zoo

Cost €35.00

 

Fifth Class

Aillwee Caves, Birds of Prey, Moher Farm

Cost €30.00

 

Third Class and Fourth Class

Adventure World, UL

Cost €36.00

 

Second Class

Bunratty Folk Park

Cost €15.00

 

First Class

Killarney National Park

Cost €30.00

 

Seniors Infants and Junior Infants Tour Day is Wednesday 28th May

Stonehall Farm

Cost €16.00

 

 

 

 

 

School note May 1st. 2014

Dear parents,

                     It is the last term of the school year already and promises to be an extremely busy time. Visitors to the school have remarked on the eyecatching Maths displays in the corridors. This is part of the school's Numeracy strategy. Tomorrow, Friday, the final of Table Toppers will take place in the Halla. Mr. Lordan has coordinated this event. Excitement is mounting in all classes. Well done to all the teachers and children who have worked so hard on this initiative.

                             School Tours: All classes will go on school tour, on either May 28th or May 29th., four weeks from today. I realise that this is an expensive time, especially for families with a number of children going on tour. Please see overleaf for information on cost, destination etc.                    

                    Attendance: In the event of any pupil reaching a total of 20 days absence from school in a school year, the school is required by law to make a report to the National Education Welfare Board. Parents are advised to be aware of this and to be mindful of their child's attendance record. I have already submitted a number of such reports during this school year.

                    Already, Lost Property contains a number of school uniform fleeces. Please ensure your child's name is on every item of clothing.

             Tim Toomey and Mike Gavin have commenced work with Mr. Hodnett's Sixth Class on the raised beds in the school garden. So far, they have planted onions, shallots and garlic. We are grateful for all the time and expertise provided.

            School GAA: The Under 13 hurling team defeated St Nessan's, Mungret in the Olo Cup on Tuesday. The Under 13 camogie team also defeated St Nessan's. Both teams topped their group and advance to the next round.

Parents Association: There is a Recycling day planned for Friday 9th May 2014.  Please have your bags of unwanted clothes, handbags, paired shoes etc in bags at the school by 9.15am that morning.  Many Thanks in advance for your help.

Community Games: Please check the school website for Community Games news.

Irish Dancing: Congratulations to Blaithin & Roisin Musgrave, Ellie Smith and Cliodhna Hall who recently competed in the World Irish Dancing Championships in London. They successfully returned home with World Medals finishing 9th, 10th and 13th in their respective 8 - hand competitions. Best of luck as they represent Ballybrown N.S. in Scor na bPáisti in L.I.T. tonight.


Gach dea-ghuí,

 

____________

J. Lyons

Principal