Thursday, April 30, 2015

School note April 30th.

30-4-2015

Dear parents,

                      It is a very busy time of year in school. This week, the school received confirmation that we have been awarded our third Green Flag, this time for water conservation. I want to thank all the children on the Green School Committee, Electric Detectives, everybody in the school community who participated in our efforts and especially Mrs. Hodgins who was the driving force behind it. Well done to everybody. We will celebrate this achievement before the end of term.

                     Yesterday, April 29th. was Low Energy Day. Lights, computers and whiteboards were switched off unless absolutely necessary. Consumption of electricity dropped by approximately 30% compared to the previous Wednesday.

                     Niall Delahan from Wassa Wassa African Drumming conducted workshops for two days this week in the school. Every class in the school participated in the workshops over the course of the two days. They were a great success.

               Ms Day's class and the school choir are preparing for First Communion on Saturday May 16th.  The Parents Association are looking for help serving teas and coffees after the First Holy Communion ceremony.  This will be from 11.45 a.m. in the Community Centre for about an hour.  Please contact the school if you wish to volunteer.

           Sport: Our Under 13 hurling team defeated Patrickswell NS on Tuesday while the camogie team travelled to Monaleen NS and emerged victorious. Ciara Griffin, Munster Ladies Rugby Player of the Year, continues to provide Tag Rugby with Fourth Class. Hurling coach Kevin O Connell will be working with 5th class tomorrow.

           Last Friday, Evelyn Adams and Captain Hugh Conlon from Foynes Harbour visited Fourth class to speak to  the children about the business of  the harbour and the Shannon Estuary. They were accompanied by two former students Dean Cusack and Robert Corby, who have made a DVD on  Shannon Foynes Port. Dean and Robert are now students in Pallaskenry and made an excellent presentation. Thanks to Evelyn for making this possible.           

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

        School is closed on Monday May 4th.

         Don't forget that all information on upcoming events, school tours, school calendar etc may be viewed on www.ballybrownns.ie

 

Gach dea-ghuí,

 

____________

Joe Lyons

Principal

 

 

 

           

               

                   

                   

 

 

Thursday, April 23, 2015

School note April 23rd

Dear parents,

                    I wish to bring the following to your attention.

                 Today, Second Class made their First Confession in St Joseph's Church. First Holy Communion takes place on Saturday May 16th at 11 a.m. Thanks to Ms Day, Fr. Cussen and the parents involved for all the work that has gone into this special year.

                On the sporting field, Ballybrown NS camogie team had a great victory over St Nessan's NS in Mungret yesterday. Our school finished runners-up in the county final of the INTO Mini Sevens in hurling yesterday. Tomorrow, our under 11 hurlers meet Patrickswell NS in the non-competitive league while our under 13 hurlers play Monaleen NS in the Olo Cup.

             Maeve Curtin, a pupil in Fifth class, achieved First Place at the Mathletes Munster Championships at CIT last Saturday. The challenges included written problems and online activities. Maeve has now qualified for the All Ireland Finals to be held in DCU on May 2nd.  A wonderful achievement. We are all proud of Maeve.

               Lauren Fitzpatrick, Sixth Class, won the Freestyle Dance title at the Eurodance Championships in England last weekend. Well done, Lauren.

             All classes take part in Wassa Wassa African Drumming Workshops on Monday and Tuesday next. This is a very popular and enjoyable opportunity for the children. €2 per child. Please give the money to your class teacher.

          Food Dudes started on Tuesday and is proving very popular. Today the children received sugarsnap peas and apples. Thanks to Mr Sheehy for organising the distribution of all the fruit and vegetables (and rewards!) over the three weeks.

        This week, Fifth Class visited Woodlands House, Hotel, Adare for the Showcase day as part of Junior Entrepreneur. They had a most enjoyable day and had a chance to look at the entries from other schools!

       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.

Please note that the school  is being used as a polling station on Friday May 22nd.

                 Parents Association: A meeting of the Parents' Association will take place in the school next Monday April 27th at 8.30 p.m. All welcome.

 

Gach dea-ghuí,

 

___________

J. Lyons

Principal

Thursday, April 16, 2015

School note April 16th. 2015

Dear parents,

                    I am delighted to welcome everybody back to school for the last term of the school year. We have ten weeks to go until the end of another school year and this term is exceptionally busy. Please ensure that homework does not become a casualty. Please check your child's homework nightly and sign the homework journal. If you have a problem, contact the school and make an appointment to meet your child's teacher.       

                   I would like to bring to your attention that the school's Code of Behaviour states in relation to hairstyle that 'extremes of fashion fads are to be avoided'. Dyed or bleached hair, 'train tracks', 'stars' etc are not allowed.  Earrings are not allowed on health and safety grounds.

                   School tours go ahead for all classes on Thursday  June 11th. In order to help children and parents budget for this,  details are on the school website and on the reverse side of this note.

                     Food Dudes: As part of our aim to promote good eating habits, this school will once again take part in the Food Dudes project. Children from Juniors to Second class inclusive will receive fruit every day for 16 days beginning next Tuesday April 21st. Children from Third to Sixth classes will receive sample fruit and vegetable on four days during this period. All children have today received a note about this. It is important to circle YES or NO on the Consent form. Thanks to Mr Sheehy and the other teachers for coordinating distribution of fruit and vegetables to almost 270 children.

               Health Promoting Schools: The first meeting of the Health Promoting Schools committee takes place in school at 2 p.m. today.

                 Parents Association: A meeting of the Parents' Association will take place in the school on Monday April 27th at 8.30 p.m. All welcome.

                                     Our school is committed to encouraging a healthy, active lifestyle among all our pupils. Parents interested in the Great Limerick Run for children aged 4-12 are advised that this will take place at 2 p.m.on Saturday May 2nd. in UL. More information on www.greatlimerickrun.com

         Parking: Please use the Resource Centre Car park or the Church grounds. Please do not park near the school gate. Children will have to walk in front of traffic if you do this. Safety is the top priority.

 

Gach dea- ghuí,

 

____________

J. Lyons

Principal

 

Ballybrown Community Council:  FAMILY FUN QUIZ tomorrow FRIDAY 17th  APRIL starting at 7.30pm sharp in Ballybrown Community Resource Centre. 20 euro per table(ma​x. 5 per team)​. Complimentary refreshments will be served at interval. FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY !!