Thursday, January 25, 2018

School note January 25th

25-1-2018

 

Dear parents,

                     Approximately 40 children have absent from school each day this week. At today's Assembly, we spoke about the importance of good hygiene practices to prevent the spread of infection, with an emphasis on handwashing.

                    Mr Sheehy's class hosted the Assembly and we learned about Inventors and we also found out about the Gregorian Calendar. The class recited poems in English and as gaeilge.

                      Clan Cluana Theatre Company  staged a performance of 'Young Fionn Mac Cumhaill' for children from Third to Sixth Class on Tuesday. As ever, Michael Langton and his team  provided an  excellent show.

                    Tomorrow, Friday 26th, Ruth Marshall, storyteller, author and  heritage specialist with Heritage Ireland  will visit Third and  Fourth classes to tell stories, talk about folklore and traditions, bring songs and poetry, and include some seasonally appropriate craft - making St Bridget's Crosses. €2 per child. Please give money to Class Teacher.

 

                Ms Gibbons' class had a great day at the RDS Science Fair last Friday. Their project 'Does Physical Activity Help Memory?' attracted lots of attention. The plaque they received is on display in school.

              Catholic Schools Week begins on Sunday January 28th. Fr Cussen will visit school on Tuesday morning January 30th for a Prayer Service to start the week.

 

Ten teams will represent Ballybrown NS in the MPCC Credit Union Quiz in Mungret GAA Club tomorrow night. We had huge interest in the quiz this year but were restricted to an entry of 10 teams. Well done to all the children who have prepared so diligently.

                     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 Tusla,  the National Education Welfare Board. Parents are advised to be aware of this and to be mindful of their child's attendance record.

 

Date for your Diary: There is a Recycling Day planned for Friday March 9th. All families will receive bags in the coming weeks. Please have your bags of unwanted clothes, handbags, paired shoes etc in bags at the school by 9.15a.m. that morning.

 

 Gach dea-ghuí,


J. Lyons

Principal

 

Thursday, January 18, 2018

School note Thursday 18th

18-1-2018.

Dear parents,

                    I wish to bring the following to your attention.

 

                   Child Protection: TUSLA Mandatory reporting. The Department of Education and Skills (DES) has published updated Child Protection guidelines. The procedures came into effect on December 11th 2017.

What are the key measures?

1.     Every registered teacher, as a Mandated Person, now has a statutory obligation to report child protection concerns over a defined threshold to the Child and Family Agency (Tusla). Such reports are known as mandated reports

2.     A requirement on mandated persons to assist Tusla in the assessment of child protection risk, if so requested.

 

What are the main statutory obligations of mandated persons?

To report to Tusla any knowledge, belief or reasonable grounds to suspect that a child has been harmed, is being harmed, or is at risk of being harmed, and to report any disclosures made by a child in relation to the above.  

                                                             

                    Confirmation for the children in Fifth and Sixth classes will take place on Wednesday March 21st at 1 p.m. in Ballybrown Church.


                    First Holy Communion takes place on Saturday May 19th at 11 a.m.

                    The Limerick leg of the 2018 RDS Primary Science Fair takes place in Mary Immaculate College from Thursday 18 - Saturday 20  January 2018. Fifth class from Ballybrown NS has had a project accepted and the children in Ms Gibbon's class will attend tomorrow Friday 19th.  The full day out for primary school pupils, families and teachers, includes the RDS Primary Science Fair Limerick showcasing 4th-6th class primary school science-themed projects alongside an exciting educational entertainment programme including large scale science shows and interactive exhibits.

All tickets for today and tomorrow are sold out. If you  wish to attend on Saturday, tickets are available online at www. http://www.rds.ie/Whats-On/Event/490.

 

               All children in the school enjoyed Folk Dancing with Larry and Ita Southard on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. Larry is from North Carolina while Ita is a native of Grenagh in Cork. They were very happy with the response of the children and we look forward to a return visit in 2019.                                 

                                Clan Cluana Theatre Company will visit the school on Tuesday January 23rd to stage a performance of  ' Young Fionn MacCumhaill' for children from Third to Sixth Class inclusive. Cost €3 per child. Please give the money to your child's teacher.

 

Mr Lordan's class and Mrs Hodgins' class will begin a six-week series of hurling with coach Killian Gavin tomorrow Friday, weather permitting.

Gach dea-ghuí

 

J. Lyons

Principal

 

 

Thursday, January 11, 2018

School note January 11th 2018

 


Dear parents,

                     The boys and girls in Third class began a six week programme of swimming lessons in Askeaton Leisure Centre yesterday.

                    Ms Day has kindly offered to enter a choir in the Limerick Choral Festival this year. Choir practice will take place every Wednesday, starting on Wednesday January 17th.in the school from 3 p.m. to 3.45 p.m. Pupils from 3rd to 6th classes may join. The Choral Festival will take place on Friday March 2nd.

              Parents Association: The Parents Association will meet in the school tonight, Thursday, at 8 p.m. All welcome. Those who are nominated as Class Reps are reminded to attend.  

            Seasonal Influenza advice: The HSE has issued advice for parents on preventing the spread of influenza in schools. Please copy and paste this link in your browser:

 http://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/influenza/seasonalinfluenza/guidance/schools/  

   If your child is sick, he/she should not be at school!             

              Ms Gibbons  organised a Festive Run which took  place in the run-up to Christmas.   Participation in the Festive Run gained entry to a lottery for a visit from the Special Olympics torch in 2018. The amount raised for Special Olympics was €533.90. Well done to all who contributed.           

                  A message from Ms Day: The school is in need of costumes for future Drama productions. It would be greatly appreciated if children could bring in any costumes/ dress up items or props that they do not use anymore to the drop off point beside Rosemarie's office this Friday morning.  Thanking you all in advance.

Gach dea- ghuí,

 

J. Lyons

Principal

 

This Is Me Children's Workshop is a 10 week programme catering for two groups of age 5-8 and 9-11. It focuses on fun and creative activities to explore emotions and feelings in a fun way. Help develop coping skills to deal with stress and anxiety. Starting January 30th in 11, Thomas Street. Contact Therese 087 7531979