Thursday, March 28, 2019

School note March 28th

28-3-2019

Dear parents,

                     Everybody in the school community is enjoying the glorious sunshine this week. It is ideal for the building work which is progressing very well. The blocklayers have been busy this week. I look forward to having the additional classroom and two Resource rooms available to us in the new school year.

                  Please ensure that your child's name is on all items of clothing. In the warm weather, many children take off jumpers and this can lead to confusion.

                   Junior Achievement: A big thank you to Rob Geary and Zimmer Biomet who delivered the Junior Achievement Programme to Ms Keyes' Senior Infants over the past 5 weeks. The children were excited to learn about how their families and communities acquire goods and services through hands-on, classroom- based activities. This week Junior Achievement concluded with the all the children working together to become entrepreneurs and start their own businesses.

                    Our Under 13 hurlers played Ghaelscoil Chaladh an Treoigh on Tuesday. They put up a great display and Mr Barry and Mr Tuohy were very encouraged despite the defeat. The school's Under 13 camogie team played the same opposition in the second game on Tuesday and recorded a great victory. Coaches Ms Hayes and Ms Keyes were delighted with the effort from all the girls. The second round of fixtures sees the boys travel to Patrickswell on Tuesday April 2nd. Throw in 1.30 p.m.

The camogie team play an Mhodh Scoil in Ballinacurra Gaels on Wednesday  April 3rd at 1 p.m.  Sport is so valuable for children as part of a healthy lifestyle, learning skills, making new friends, being part of a team and learning to accept victory and defeat as part of life.

               School will be closed on Thursday May 23rd as all teachers will attend Inservice on the Primary Language Curriculum on that day.  The school will be in use as a polling station for European Elections on Friday May 24th.

              Parents Association: The Parents Association have organised a bag packing day in Dunnes Stores in the Jetland Shopping Centre on Saturday 27th April from 10 a.m. to 4p.m. Time slots are 10 -12 p.m./12-2 p.m./2-4 p.m. We need your help to cover around 10 tills for a 2 hour slot during the day. Please phone or text Caroline Sheehan on 087-9276776 to let her know your availability. Your help would be very much appreciated. All funds raised go to school activities.

 

                    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, March 21, 2019

School note March 21st

 

 

 

 

21-3-2019

Dear parents,

                     I wish to bring the following to your attention.

                     Over 50 boys and girls from 4th to 6th classes took part in an attempt to enter the Guinness Book of Records at LIT this morning by playing in the world's biggest hurling game.

                    Next Tuesday, March 26th,  the Under 13 Cumann na mBunscol season begins. Ballybrown NS will play a double header in Clarina v Gaelscoil Chaladh an Treoigh. Hurling at 11.30 a.m. Camogie at 12.30 p.m.

                     The Limerick County Spelling Bee Final will take place next Thursday March 28th    in  JFK Memorial School, Ennis Rd, Limerick at 11a.m. Neal Buckley will represent Ballybrown NS.

                       This is the time of year for colds and flu. Some cases of Scarlet Fever have been reported to me among children in the school this week.

                         Dates for your Diary: First Holy Communion will take place on Saturday May 18th in Ballybrown Church at 11 a.m.

                           School will be closed on Thursday May 23rd as all teachers will attend Inservice on the Primary Language Curriculum on that day.  The school will be in use as a polling station for European Elections on Friday May 24th.

                           All classes will go on School tour on Thursday June 20th. Sports Day is scheduled for Friday June 21st, weather permitting.

                     A message re Daffodil Day: We are once again looking for Daffodils from your students for Daffodil Day. Fresh daffodils may be left at the school before 9.15 a.m. tomorrow. These will be sold at Hayes's Shop tomorrow Friday 22nd March.

Your support is greatly appreciated.  

                  

                 The next Parents Association meeting is on Wednesday the 27th March at 7.30 p.m. in the school hall. All are welcome to attend. 

The Parents Association have organised a bag packing day in Dunnes Stores in the Jetland Shopping Centre on Saturday 27th April from 10am to 4pm. Time slots are 10 -12pm/12-2pm/2-4pm We need your help to cover around 10 tills for a 2 hour slot during the day. Please phone or text Caroline Sheehan on 087-9276776 to let her know your availability. Your help would be very much appreciated. All funds raised go to school activities.

Gach dea- ghuí,

J. Lyons

Principal    

Thursday, March 14, 2019

School note March 14th

Dear parents,

                     I wish to bring the following to your attention.

Congratulations to Ms Gibbons and her class whose project on Teachers and Cumann na mBunscol scooped First Prize at the Cornmarket Cumann na mBunscol Awards in Sligo last Friday night. This category was sponsored by the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) to mark the link between teachers and Cumann na mBunscol. The project highlighted teachers who have made their mark as players, coaches and GAA administrators.

                     Engineer Scott Ziglienski visited the school once again to conduct engineering workshops with all classes from First to Sixth last Friday.

                 "DO THIS IN MEMORY 2018-2019 Programme": Mass 5 is on this Saturday 16th March at 8 pm.  Children are asked to be in the church 10 church 10 minutes before Mass and please bring your candle.

               Healthy Eating: We are all are aware of the problems of childhood obesity and the implications in later life. We have been operating a very successful Healthy Eating policy in the school for many years now. It needs parental co-operation for success. Cereal bars, chocolate bars, even as 'treats' are not allowed. Fruit, sandwich, water are all a child needs. Nothing could be simpler, easier to prepare, healthier or cheaper. I urge all parents to put your child's health first.

                              Seachtain na Gaeilge: This is Seachtain na  Gaeilge. There are many activities taking place in the school. Parents can do your bit by  introducing simple phrases like 'Go raibh maith agat' and 'Fáilte romhat' to everyday speech.

                 Sr. Helen Culhane of the Children's Grief Centre has organised on conference on the theme of Children and Loss-  Supporting Children and Young People Affected by Loss Through Parental Separation, Divorce or Bereavement Venue: Millennium Theatre, Limerick Institute of Technology, Moylish Park, Limerick Date & Time: Friday 14th June 2019, 9.30 am - 1.30pm Registration: 8.30 am - 9.30 am. Booking on www.eventbrite.ie

for further details, email: office@childrensgriefcentre.ie Tel: 0879851733

                  Parents Association:       The Parents Association are holding a Colours Day tomorrow Friday March 15th. The school has a long association with Special Olympics and the Association will make a contribution to Special Olympics from funds collected. Each child to contribute €2 please.  

                Parents Association has organised a bag packing day in Dunnes Stores in the Jetland Shopping Centre on Saturday27th April from 10am to 4pm. Time slots are 10 -12pm/12-2pm/2-4pm We need your help to cover around 10 tills for a 2 hour slot during the day. Please phone or text Caroline Sheehan on 087-9276776 to let her know your availability. Your help would be very much appreciated. All funds raised go to school activities.

Gach dea-ghuí,

 

J. Lyons

Principal

 

 

 

Thursday, March 7, 2019

School Note March 7th

7-3-2019

 

Dear parents,

                      Today is World Book Day. A range of activities is going ahead throughout the school.

                     Mr Barry has asked me to mention that the school is still seeking Aldi stickers. We have filled one poster and are well on the way to filling another.

 Ballybrown NS achieved  Third place in the Analog Robotics competition that took place last Saturday. Over thirty schools took part. The Ballybrown NS team consisted of Rory Murphy, Tommy Lynch and David Byrnes. Well done, boys.

                  Third and Fourth classes attended a Science Fair in UL yesterday as part of Engineers Week.

                      Ballybrown NS has been shortlisted for the Cornmarket Awards Cumann na mBunscol Awards. Ms Gibbons and her class entered a project on the theme of  'Teachers and Cumann na mBunscol'. These Awards are open to schools throughout Ireland and it is a great achievement to make it to the National Final. Ballybrown NS is active in promoting Gaelic Games on and off the field. This year's Awards will be held in Sligo tomorrow night.

                     The school is currently working towards renewing our Active School Flag. As part of the process we are requested to distribute a questionnaire to parents. We would appreciate greatly if you could follow the link below and fill out the short survey online.  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/V3XVN5V

                  Parents Association: The Parents Association are holding a Colours Day on Friday March 15th. The school has a long association with Special Olympics and the Association will make a contribution to Special Olympics from funds collected. More details next week.

                    Engineer Scott Ziglinski will visit the school tomorrow Friday 8th. Scott developed the company "Elementary Engineering" and travels to schools around the country to carry out a workshop on basic engineering skills. Children from First to Sixth class will take part  in the workshop which is very relevant to the STEM subjects. Cost €3 per child.

                     MPCC Credit Union will be in school tomorrow morning.

Ballybrown GAA: The  Juvenile Club will run an Easter Camp for girls and boys from u6 to u13 from Wednesday April 24 to Friday April 26., 10.30 to 1.30 each day. There will be more details soon. 

A message from Newtown Hedge School: On Monday March 18th, Hedge School Cottage is holding a Remembrance Walk to remember all our local community and family members that have passed away. On the day, we are having a memory wall so anyone that would like to put a picture or mortuary card on this please bring on the day.This is a sponsored walk so if we could ask for your support in taking a card to fill out it would be greatly appreciated. Cards are available at the school. We would ask for cards from the children be brought back by next Wednesday to the Community Centre and most important any child that fills a card please make sure they put their name on it as they will be entered into a separate raffle. Registration takes place on the day  at 1.30pm and walk departs at 2pm.

Gach dea-ghuí,

J. Lyons

Principal