Thursday, February 16, 2017

School note February 16th

16-2-2017

Dear parents,

                     I wish to bring the following to your attention.

                    Ms Keyes' class has just finished a four week module of 'Literacy Lift Off'. This is a very successful project and several of the teachers have undertaken training in their own time to ensure the best outcomes. Ms Dwane's class are next to take part and then it will be the turn of Mrs Ivess's class. The class teachers and four Special Education teachers work with the class each morning.

                  Yesterday, the children in Third Class completed a six- week swimming programme in Askeaton Leisure Centre. It is heartening to see the progress that they have made in a short spell of time.

              On Tuesday, the school took part in an Indoor Hurling Blitz in Old Christians GAA Club in Rathbane. Today, it is the turn of the girls. The school  played in the City Cumann na mBunscol Indoor Camogie blitz today.

           I would ask any parents who are willing to drive children to school matches to contact the school for information on Garda Vetting etc. Unless a sufficient number of parents are available to drive to games, the school will have to use buses for all sporting fixtures. The school cannot continue to subsidise travel to matches indefinitely.

                Each Monday for the past two weeks, a group of Sports Science students from LIT has been organising coaching in soccer skills for the boys and girls in Fifth and Sixth classes. The winning team in this week's tournament will represent the school at a blitz in LIT in March.

                Last Friday, Ms Gibbons and Mrs Barry organised a Fashion Show as gaeilge in the Halla. It was a great success. On the same day, the children in Fifth and 6th classes were presented with their certificates for Whizzkids, a ten week ICT programme which ran in the first term.

                  Also  on Friday, every child in the school took part in 10@10, to promote physical activity among primary school pupils.

               I wish to remind parents that school will close for mid term break on Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th of February. The school will also be closed on Wednesday March 15th as the teachers  will be attending Inservice.

 

Please check the school website www.ballybrownns.ie or follow us on Twitter @BallybrownNS to keep yourself informed on school news.  

           

Gach dea- ghuí,


J. Lyons

Principal

 

 

Thursday, February 9, 2017

School note February 9th

9-2-2017

Dear parents,

                      I wish to bring the following to your attention.

                      Last Friday, the school hosted a lovely event for grandparents of children in 5th and 6th classes. It was a special occasion as grandparents travelled from near and far. The children had completed 'Granny Projects' during the last term and these were on display. Singing, poetry and memories all added up to make the day memorable. Fr.Cussen conducted a Prayer Service for Grandparents' Day while the children brought in cakes and goodies from home. Special thanks to Mrs Barry and Ms Gibbons who organised the entire event and to all the staff who helped out on the day.

            Next week, the Cumann na mBunscol season starts afresh. Indoor hurling and Indoor camogie are first on the list. It will probably be necessary to use buses for most school matches now due to regulations on Garda Vetting etc. I am grateful to those parents who have agreed to be Garda Vetted as drivers and urge any who may be available to contact the school.

               Today, Ms O Shaughnessy's class hosted the School Assembly and entertained us with songs and samples of work they are doing in class. As the children are engaged in project work on China, they even taught us some words of Chinese!

 

Dates for your Diary:    Parents are reminded that school will close on Thursday and Friday February 23rd and 24th for midterm break. School will also be closed on Wednesday March 15th as teachers are required to attend Inservice Training on the New Primary Language Curriculum on that day.

 

                Parents of children in First Communion classes are reminded of the 'Do This in Memory ' Mass on Saturday February 11th at 8 p.m. in Ballybrown Church.

 

Gach dea-ghuí,

J. Lyons

Principal

 

Under 13 boys and girls Rounders training will recommence this Monday after school in the community pitch.  Children between 10 and 12 before the31st of July are eligible to play.  For any enquiries please contact Diane (0858229492) or Deirdre (0863900179).  Like "ballybrown rounders" on Facebook for updates.  

Thursday, February 2, 2017

School note February 2nd

Dear parents,

                    It has been a busy week in school.

                    On Tuesday, Clan Cluana Theatre Company staged a performance of 'The Story of Diarmuid and Gráinne' for children from Third to Sixth classes.

                       On Wednesday, the children from Junior Infants to Second class enjoyed an African Drumming Workshop with Niall Delahan of Wassa Wassa. This was a great experience and thoroughly enjoyed by all the children.

                   This week is Catholic Schools Week.  On Monday, Fr Cussen conducted a Prayer Service to commence the week. Today, the senior half of the school went to Mass in Ballybrown Church. Several classes have made St Bridget's Crosses and learned the story of St Bridget's Cloak. To round off the week, Fifth and Sixth Classes will host a Grandparents' Day tomorrow. The children in those classes have invited their grandparents to visit the school  and view some projects they have completed.

               On the sporting front, Ballybrown NS has been shortlisted in the Best School category for the Cornmarket Cumann na mBunscol Awards. This is an award to recognise excellence in the promotion of Gaelic Games and culture with an emphasis on participation. Schools from the 32 counties are eligible to enter. The other shortlisted schools are Drimnagh Castle CBS, Walkinstown, Dublin and Kilcoole NS, Co Wicklow, the 2016 winners.   We are fortunate to have so many teachers who give their time to promoting sport. The Awards will be presented in Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh on March 10th.

                 Please check the school website www.ballybrownns.ie or follow us on Twitter @BallybrownNS to keep yourself informed on school news.       

       

                  Finally, I urge parents to ensure that your child's name is on all books, coats, fleeces etc.

            

Gach dea- ghuí,

 

J. Lyons

Principal