Thursday, June 28, 2018

School calendar for 2018-2019

Calendar 2018-2019

 

School reopens for pupils on Thursday August 30th. 2018

Midterm break: Monday 29th October to Friday November 2nd inclusive.

Close for Christmas holidays on Friday  December 21st at 12.30 p.m.

Reopen Monday January 7th 2019

 

Midterm break: Thursday and Friday 21st  and 22nd February

 

March 17th. St Patrick's Day is a Sunday

 

Monday March 18th is a Bank Holiday. School closed

 

Close for Easter break on Friday April 12th  at 12.30 p.m.

Reopen Monday April 29th

 

Closed Monday May  6th.  Bank Holiday

 

Closed Monday  June 3rd. Bank Holiday

 

Closed Tuesday June 4th  to Friday June 7th. inclusive

 

Closed Friday June 28th. 2019 for holidays at 12.30 p.m.

 

N.B. If school has to close for 3 or more days for frost or snow, it may be necessary to return to school to make up time.

 

 


School note June 28th

28-6-2018

Dear parents,

                    We have reached the end of another school year. Yesterday, 28 Sixth class pupils graduated. Thanks to Mr Barry, Ms Day and all staff who assisted with the Graduation Ceremony.   Special thanks to Fr Mike for his help once again.

                All pupils have received  end of year reports and book lists. Classes for next school year have been allocated. No child will be in a class of more than 30 pupils.  The   calendar for school year 2018-2019 is posted on the website today.

                  I am delighted to announce that Mr Keoghan and Ms Neville will be with us again next year. Ms Day and Ms Joyce will be on maternity leave from September  and will be replaced by Mr John Tuohy and Ms Mairead Wallace, respectively.

                Active Week culminated in a Rounders game between Sixth Class and the Teachers. Teachers won, thus ensuring Mr Lordan bowed out on a winning note.

                     On Monday, we presented medals to our under 13 hurling players who won the Olo Cup and our successful camogie team. Ballybrown GAA club made a presentation to Mr Lordan to mark his contribution to Gaelic Games in the school over many years.

                         On Tuesday, we held a special assembly in honour of Mr Lordan. All classes performed. Infant classes performed a Haka Gaelach while Sixth class recited 'Scaffolding' a poem by Seamus Heaney, a favourite poet of Mr Lordan.

                       Tomorrow, all pupils will attend Mass in Ballybrown Church to celebrate Mr Lordan's immense contribution to the school over almost four decades. Parents, former pupils and the wider community are welcome to attend as we say goodbye to a devoted colleague and friend.

            The Book Rental Scheme offered by the school has met with a good response. A huge amount of work goes into collecting books returned at the end of June, re-covering and labelling them for use the following year. I am grateful to Mrs Millar for taking on the task of coordinating the Book Rental Scheme.  

           The 2018 school magazine is now available. With 68 pages in full colour it is great value at  €4 per copy or three copies for €10.

             Today, the school is reverberating to the sounds of Kids Disco. Thanks to the school's Parents' Association for organising this most enjoyable event.

         School will close tomorrow Friday at 12.30 p.m. sharp and re-open Thursday August 30th . Junior and Senior Infant classes will be collected at 12.10 p.m.  tomorrow to alleviate the traffic situation. On behalf of the staff and Board of Management of the school,  I hope you all enjoy the summer break and I look forward to seeing you  in the new school year.

Gach dea -ghuí,

 

J. Lyons

Principal

 

Breska Rovers FC are looking for expression of interest for the underage girls soccer teams. If you think your daughter would be interested in playing soccer could you please text Melissa on 0857128886 (Breska Girls Coach) with your child's Name and age.  New soccer season commencing in September.
Many Thanks Breska Rovers.


Healthy Eating:   If you are looking for something different for children this summer, check out the following link:



 


Wednesday, June 20, 2018

School note June 20th 2018

Dear parents,

                     We are approaching the end of a busy year in Ballybrown NS. This week is Active Week and there are activities every day. This involves a huge amount of organisation and I appreciate the effort that all the teachers make to ensure the day is enjoyable for all.  Special thanks to Ms Gibbons, Active Week coordinator.           Today, all children took part in 'Walk on Wednesday'. Infant classes walked to Breska Rovers pitch. First and Second classes walked to St James Well, Third and Fourth walked to the Grotto in Cooper Hill while Fifth and Sixth classes walked to The Sailor's Haggard. We were fortunate that many parents joined the walk to ensure the safety of all concerned.

                     Yesterday, we held our annual Fundraising Run which helps to meet the cost of providing buses during the school year to sporting events and other occasions. Special thanks to Niamh O Brien who arranges sponsorship cards etc. Niamh and Marian McGregor did trojan work  looking after runners and  providing drinks.

                       All classes go on School Tour tomorrow. Please ensure your child is at school in time. Tour details on www.ballybrownns.ie. All children are asked to stay in the schoolyard as on a normal school morning until their teacher brings them to the bus. No spending money needed. Sunhats and plenty of water strongly recommended.  No mobile phones, cameras, or any IT devices allowed. This decision was agreed at Board of Management level.

                    On Friday, we will have the School Fun Sports Day.  In the afternoon, there is a Rounders match involving the boys and girls of Sixth Class v  Teachers.

                    On  Wednesday next, June 27th., the Sixth Class Graduation will take place. Fr Cussen will say a special Mass at 1.30 p.m. which will be followed by the Graduation Ceremony to celebrate the end of primary education for these pupils.

                      Report Cards: If you have not submitted your envelopes yet, please ensure that each envelope has a €1 stamp.

                     Please note that school will close for the summer holidays on Friday June 29th. at 12.30 p.m. It would be appreciated if all children were collected promptly. In order to alleviate traffic problems, children in Infant classes may be collected at 12.10 p.m.


Gach dea-ghuí,

 

J. Lyons

Principal

 

Little Steps pre-school are running summer camps as follows:Week 1: 3-6 years 2nd-6th July. week 2: 5-7years 9th-13th July.      Week 2: 3-6years 9th-12th July.  Time 9am-1pm

                

 


Thursday, June 14, 2018

Active Week 2018

Dear Parents, 

We are delighted to announce that Ballybrown NS will celebrate Active Week from June 18th-22nd. Children will participate in a variety of activities throughout the week including tennis, obstacle courses, circuits and lots more!

 

On Monday 18th June, Martin Sheehan from School Fitness Ireland will visit each class in the school for a 30 minute fitness session. This comes at a cost of 1 euro per child, please pay this directly to the class teacher as soon as possible.

 

On Tuesday 19th June, we will have our first ever walking school bus. This will commence from the community GAA field at 9am. We would request that the parents of the children in the infant classes be accompanied by an adult. All welcome, and remember your high visibility jackets!If you have these jackets at home please bring them to school as we only have a limited supply.

 

Tuesday will also be "Sports Star Day", children can choose to dress as their favourite sports star for the day in school.

 

Niamh O Brien has very generously organised a sposonred run to raise funds for the school. This will also take place on Tuesday. Any sponsorship cards should be returned to school as soon as possible.

 

On Wednesday 17th, all students from Junior Infants to sixth class will partake in a walk from the school to the surrounding locality. We would appreciate any parent volunteers to help on this date to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable trip. Juniors and seniors will leave the school at 9.45, 1st/2nd will leave at 9.30, 3rd/4th leave at 10.00 and 5th/6th leave at 10.15.  If you are available at this time please let Rosemarie know as soon as possible. Children will need high visibility jackets for the walk.

 

On Wednesday afternoon Bryan Stewart will visit the children from 1st-6th class to teach them some skills in tennis.

 

On Thursday 21st all classes will be on school tour.

 

On Friday 22nd, the school will hold its Non-Competitive Sport's Day. In the afternoon children will partake in a Zumba class.

 

Each night children will receive Active Homework which they can complete at home on their own or with family and friends. Don't worry if the weather is bad, the children can get active by hoovering, sweeping or doing other household chores! Please encourage as much physical activity as possible during this week.

 

It is essential to wear school tracksuit / shorts and runners for the week. Bring a raincoat and suncream each day, prepare for all eventualities! 

Thank you in advance for your support.

 

 Katie Gibbons

Active Week Coordinator

      


School note June 14th

14-6-2018

Dear parents,

                   Monday June 11th. will long be remembered by the school community as we welcomed the Special Olympic Torch to Ballybrown NS. We were delighted that so many local Special Olympic athletes  attended as did athletes from West Limerick and Lisnagry. The City of Limerick Pipe Band led the procession from the Church to the school as the children from Little Steps waved their flags and torches. I am grateful to sports stars Declan Hannon, Paudie O Connor and Ciara Griffin who all gave so generously of their time to attend. The entire staff of the school worked tirelessly to ensure the day was a success as did the children whose behaviour was impeccable. We are indebted to the members of the Community Council and an Garda Síochána who  helped to ensure that everything ran smoothly.

                    The school's under 13 hurling team represented Limerick City in  the Limerick Leader Cup yesterday.  Victory over West champions Mahoonagh NS in the semi final saw Ballybrown NS meet holders Doon CBS in the final. Doon  retained their title by 2-6 to 1-3. 2018 was a great year for our hurling team, winning the Olo Cup for a 7th time. The team play in the Mayor's Cup today in the Gaelic Grounds.

                    Yesterday was a day tinged with sadness as Mr Lordan took charge of a school team for the penultimate time. Barry has decided to retire from his teaching post after almost 37 years in this school. His retirement leaves a void, not just in the sporting arena but in so many aspects of school life.  Ballybrown NS is losing a devoted and dedicated teacher who has always put the welfare of his pupils first.                      

                     Yesterday, 30  students of Ballybrown N.S. visited the  'Ardnacrusha Experience' at the newly refurbished visitors' centre. The Ardnacrusha Experience  tells the story of the power of electricity and its transformative impact on Irish life.

                     The boys and girls in Sixth Class are working on the 2018 school magazine. If you wish to purchase an advertisement in this publication for a bargain price of €25, please contact the school office.

               End of year School Reports will issue to all families before the end of term.  Please supply the school with a stamped addressed envelope, minimum DL size (22cm x 11 cm) as soon as possible. Separate envelopes required for each pupil.

                 Next week is Active Week and Ms Gibbons has planned a full programme of events.  Please see overleaf for the schedule of events.

                 Fógra: Homework Club finishes today  and will resume in September.

               

Community News: Community Celebration. Saturday June 16th, in  Ballybrown/Clarina Resource Centre 2 to 5 pm. Meet the neighbours. Barbeque, music, games.

 

BALLYBROWN/CLARINA COMMUNITY GAMES :Training for all children that qualified from our recent sports evening to represent Ballybrown/Clarina in the Limerick finals will be held in Ballybrown NS next Tuesday 19th June from 3-4pm. We would like if all children could attend.

Limerick finals are on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th of June in Mungret GAA Pitch, we would hope to have the timetable of events next week. Please check out our Facebook page for further details.

https://www.facebook.com/ballybrownclarinacommunitygames/

 

Le dea-ghuí,

 

J. Lyons

Principal