Thursday, November 29, 2018

School Note November 29th

29-11-2018

Dear parents,

                     Rory Collins Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST)  visited the school on Monday. He met with all class teachers and conducted workshops throughout the day with teachers from different class levels. Rory met the entire staff after school to discuss progress in the Primary Language Curriculum.

                    Next Thursday, December 6th, West Midlands Theatre Company from Wolverhampton pay their annual visit to the school to stage a performance of Old King Cole for children from First to Fourth classes. 

                   MPCC Credit Union will be back in school on Friday December 7th.

                   Tenders are currently being sought for our school extension. Work on the project will start early in the New Year.

                   The  school Christmas Carol Service takes place in Ballybrown Church on Thursday 20th December at 10 a.m. for parents of children from Junior infants to Second Class  and 11.15 a.m. for parents of children from Third to Sixth classes.                  

                     Ballybrown GAA: On Sunday 16th December Santa will arrive at Ballybrown GAA Clubhouse at 2.30. There will be a DJ in the hall, entertainments for the children, Christmas Raffle and of course we get to meet Santa.

                   Parents Association  News: We are going to have a green themed Colours Day tomorrow Friday 30thNovember. Each child to contribute €2 please.                      

                    Website: All information relating to the school, school calendar, booklists, etc  is on the website www.ballybrownns.ie . Check in on  Twitter @BallybrownNS to keep yourself informed on school news.

Gach dea-ghuí,

 

J. Lyons

Principal

 

Thursday, November 22, 2018

School note November 22nd

22-11-2018

Dear parents,

                    I wish to bring the following to your attention.

                    Pat Hanrahan, former Director of Clare Education Centre, visited this school on Tuesday morning to demonstrate the Izak 9 Maths resource to pupils in 5th and 6th classes. It was a very interesting session with lots of collaborative work, discussion and hands-on group work.

                  Today, Rebecca Delee who is a member of the Limerick Ladies Football team that won the 2018 Junior All-Ireland title, came to Ballybrown NS to present medals to our girls football team who won the City Cumann na mBunscol competition. We were delighted to have Rebecca in attendance. She also presented medals to the children who won medals at the Limerick Cross Country Championships. Rebecca is currently undertaking a Masters in Maths in UL and she presented medals to children who achieved very high scores in the online Maths programme Manga High.

                 As part of our Active School activities, all classes are taking part in Run Around Europe.

                 Clarina Construction are working on a path from the Resource Centre to the school this week. The school is grateful to our neighbour Richard O Connell who has been most accommodating. The path will be of benefit from a safety point of view and ensuring children do not have to walk through puddles on their way to school.

             Book Fair: The Book Fair was very successful with sales totalling €2,700. The school is permitted to buy books to 60% of the total sales figure i.e. €1,620. Thanks to the parents who helped with the Book Fair last Thursday and Friday.

          Parents Association news: To celebrate Ireland's fantastic win over the All Blacks we are going to have a green themed colours day on Friday 30thNovember. Each child to contribute €2 please.   All proceeds to the Parents Association.

 

              Do This in Memory 2018-2019: Mass this Saturday November 24th at 8 p.m. for children making First Holy Communion in 2019.

             Parking: I appeal to parents, minders and grandparents to use the Church Car Park and Resource Centre for parking. Please do not park in the Bus Area or  in the yellow rectangle in front of the school gate. It is very dangerous for children to walk through the staff car park, especially in winter when visibility is poor.  I ask for your cooperation in this matter.

Gach dea-ghuí,

 

J. Lyons

Principal

Thursday, November 15, 2018

School note November 14th

Dear parents,

                      Yesterday, Sr Rose Miriam and Ms Veronica Behan from Limerick Diocesan Service came to  the school and visited all classes. They were very happy with the work going on at all  class levels.

                       On Tuesday Rachel from the Road Safety Authority conducted workshops with Third and Fourth classes. These were very worthwhile sessions as she dealt with Road Safety for pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and passengers.

                      On Monday, John Clancy from Cycle Right presented certificates to the boys and girls in Fifth Class who have completed a six-week programme on Cycling Safety. This programme included on-road lessons with John and his fellow instructor Kieran. It is subsidised by Limerick County Council.

                          Last Friday, Mr Barry's class went to the Hunt Museum to learn about the ILEN Project.  The Ilen is a 56-foot long wooden ketch designed in 1926 by one of the country's greatest sailors, Edward Conor O'Brien from Ardagh. The historic Ilen sailing boat, which first sailed along the Shannon Estuary over 92 years ago, has come home to Limerick docks after a restoration which has gone on for two decades.This project has a strong Ballybrown flavour as  Tommy Roberts, from Newtown,  worked with the crew on the boat sailing her back to Limerick.  

                       Come to our Book Fair and earn FREE books for our School

In the School Halla on: Thursday 15th November from 2p.m. to 4p.m. & 7.30 p.m. to 9 p.m.  

   Friday 16th November:08.50am to 09.15a.m. & 2 p.m. to 4p.m. Thanks to the members of the Parents Association who are giving of their time on both days.

Gach dea-ghuí,

J. Lyons

Principal

                       

 

Thursday, November 8, 2018

School Note November 8th 2018

8-11-2018

Dear parents,

                       There are now more children attending this school than ever before. In total, almost 300 children pass through the gate every morning. There is plentiful parking in the Church grounds as well as in the Resource Centre Car Park provided that parents do not delay unduly when bringing their children to school. Parents who linger in the school grounds are taking up valuable parking spaces. In the case of younger children, there is no need for parents to linger in the playground. Both play areas are supervised every morning from 9.a.m.  Children need to learn to play independently.  Please respect the need for Bus, Disabled and Staff parking.

                      Fourth class enjoyed the first of six swimming lessons in Askeaton Leisure Centre yesterday. The children in Third class will take swimming lessons when we return from Christmas holidays.

                 All families received Code of Conduct notes this week. Please read these with your children and sign the last page before returning the signed page to the school. Our motto in regard to good behaviour is summed up in four words: Be Nice To Everyone.

              The Parents Association met on Tuesday night in the school. Creena O' Connor, Secretary, has sent me an update on their activities which is printed below this note.

           Book Fair - The Book Fair will take place on Thursday November 15th and Friday November 16th this year. Books will be available for viewing by all classes on Thursday November 15th.

            Parent-teacher meetings: If there are any parents who were unable to attend parent-teacher meetings in October, please contact the school to arrange an appointment.

           MPCC Credit Union will visit the school tomorrow morning and the first Friday of each month.

 

Gach dea-ghuí, 

J. Lyons 

Principal


Parents Association News

 

The Parents Association met on Tuesday in the school.  

 

1              The annual Book Fair is taking place on the 15th and 16th November in the School Hall. The times are as detailed below. We are looking for volunteers to help with each time slot if you are available please emailcreena@seakel.ie or text 0872961007, your help would be appreciated.

 

Times:

Thursday 15th November

2pm to 4pm

7.30pm to 9pm

 

Friday 16th November

8.50am to 9.15am

2pm to 4pm

 

2              Please note contact details for your class representative, your class rep facilitates the social interaction among families in the school community:

 

Junior Infants

Daniel Hogan

danielhogan85@gmail.com

Seniors Infants

Caroline Sheehan

sheehancaroline9@gmail.com

1st Class

Simon Goble

mrsimongoble@icloud.com

2nd Class

Patricia Coughlan

patricia@oneperysquare.com

3rd Class

Christine Hennessy

chennessy79@gmail.com

4th Class

Deirdre Cantillon Mann

deirdre.cantillon@hotmail.com

5th Class

Ann O'Brien

anne.cronin97@gmail.com

6th Class

Carmel Kearney

ckearney114@gmail.com

 

3              A WhatsApp group is being set up for Junior Infants to help the parents to get to know each other and also to help with organising social events amongst the parents and children. If you are interested in joining please contact your class rep Daniel Hogan on 087-2643081

 

 

Regards and thanks

Creena O'Connor

Secretary Parents Association