School newsletter May 30th

Dear parents, 

                   Reminder:  School will be  closed from Tuesday June 4th to Friday June 7th and will reopen on Monday June 10th.  

                                 The boys and girls in Sixth Class are working on the 2019 school magazine. If you wish to purchase an advertisement in this publication for a bargain price of €25, please contact the school office.

                  Sarah O Sullivan and Robert Kearney, both Sixth Class pupils in this school, travel to Páirc Ui Rinn on Saturday night to line out in Limerick colours in the Munster GAA  Primary Game football competition. Well done to both on their selection.       Robert Kearney, Tommy Lynch, Mark Doolan and James Smith were members of the Limerick City hurling selection that defeated Olo Cup winners Milford NS in the final of the Mayor's Cup today. Congratulations to all four.

                Today, Ms Áine O Riordan left the school after a lengthy spell teaching First Class. We will miss her cheerful demeanour and her commitment to the children in her care. We are delighted that Mrs Hodgins will return to school tomorrow.

Parents Association News:  A special thanks to all parents who helped with the 1^st Holy Communion Day celebrations. Your help was very welcome and appreciated. 

The next Parents Association meeting will be held on Thursday 13^th June at 7.30pm in the school hall.  All are welcome to attend. 

Volunteers required to help with Active week which begins on the 17th of June, parents are needed as stewards for school walk(s), probably on Tuesday 18^th (To be confirmed). Please email creena@seakel.ie or phone/SMS 087 2961007 if available. 

Graduation ceremony is taking place on the 26^th June at 1.30 p.m. in the school hall, would any parents from 5^th class be available to help with serving of teas/Coffee. Please email  creena@seakel.ie or phone/SMS 087 2961007 if available.

                    An end of year kids disco will take place in the school on the 27^th June for children from Juniors to 5^th class with some 6^thclass students helping on the day. Always proves to be a fun morning of music and dance. €2 contribution required on the day.

The Parents Association are looking for volunteers for academic year 2019/2020 for all three roles of Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. Each role is for a 12 month period. Please email creena@seakel.ie or phone 087 2961007 if interested.

Ballybrown/Clarina Community Games: Our annual sports evening is on Wednesday 12^th June in Ballybrown Community Field. Registration is from 6 p.m. with events starting at 6.30 pm sharp.

 

  Gach dea-ghuí,

 

 

J. Lyons

Principal

 

School note May 22nd

22-5-2019

Dear parents,

                     The sun shone brightly and everybody had a lovely day at First Holy Communion last Saturday in Ballybrown Church.   Thanks to all teachers and staff for their efforts in preparing the children and for providing such delightful music and artwork. Thanks also to Fr. Cussen, Fr Fitzgibbon and Fr Leo. Over 90 children gave up their Saturday morning to sing in the Choir. Thanks to each and every one of them.

We are also grateful to the Parents Association and to the parents of children in First Class who provided refreshments in the Resource Centre after the ceremony.

                       Mr Tuohy says 'Slán' to Second Class today after a very enjoyable spell as their teacher. We hope to see him again. Ms Day  returns from maternity leave on Monday.

                   Reminder: School will be closed tomorrow 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 and local elections on Friday May 24th.               

                        Denise Smith from Food Dudes   visited school today to present a certificate to Mr Sheehy  and to discuss plans for the continuation of the programme into the next academic year. Mr Sheehy once again coordinated the distribution of food to various classes.

                School Tours: I once again request that all monies be paid by Thursday May 30th. as the school needs to confirm numbers with the various venues

              Rachel Reidy has been in contact to say that the Colours Day last Friday raised €375 towards her trip to Uganda.

               We have recently enjoyed a spell of very fine weather.  Pupils may wear plain navy shorts to school if they wish. No denim, stripes or logos. PLEASE write your child's name on all fleeces, polo shirts etc!!!  I strongly advise parents to ensure your child has adequate protection from the sun at this time of year. 

              The Parents Association are looking for volunteers for academic year 2019/2020 for all three roles of Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. Each role is for a 12 month period. Please email creena@seakel.ie or phone 087 2961007 if interested or if you know of anyone that is interested. 

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

                  Homework Club will finish next Thursday May 30th for this school year.

Gach dea-ghuí,

 

 

J. Lyons

Principal.

  

School note May 16th

 

16-5-2019

Dear parents,

                      City Sports. Best wishes to all the children, 50 in all, who took part in the Limerick City Sports at UL today.  The boys team won the Best School in our category.  Thanks to Ms Gibbons and Ms Wallace for looking after the team, to Gillian Cuneen who acted as a steward and to all the parents who attended to lend support. As ever, the children did us,and you, proud.

                     Our Under 13 camogie team finished the season on Tuesday when they lost to Patrickswell NS in the City semi-final. Beidh lá eile againn. Thanks to Ms Hayes and Ms Keyes for coaching the team again this season.

                         Former pupil Rachel Reidy visited the school last Friday and spoke to children in 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th classes. Rachel is travelling to Uganda to work with Nurture Africa. This is an  Irish-founded, non-profit organisation. The charity provides support to the community in relation to education, healthcare and child protection. They provide the opportunity for children to reach their full potential so they can work towards building a brighter future for themselves. The school will hold a Colours Day tomorrow Friday 17th to help Rachel on her way. Green would be an ideal colour as Limerick begin their Championship hurling campaign this weekend.

                  Pokemon cards:  Pokemon cards are very popular but they have proved to be the cause of arguments and misunderstandings. Please do not allow your child to bring Pokemon cards to school. Cards will be confiscated and returned at the end of term.        

                  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 and local elections on Friday May 24th.

                   School tours take place on Thursday June 20th. Many parents have chosen to use the e payment option. All monies to be paid by the end of May as the school needs to confirm numbers with the various venues.

                    First Holy Communion is on Saturday May 18th at 11 a.m. All members of the Choir are requested to be in the Church by 10.45 a.m. If any member of the choir cannot attend on the day, please inform Mr Tuohy, Mr Sheehy or myself tomorrow.

                     The Parents Association are looking for volunteers for academic year 2019/2020 for all three roles of Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. Each role is for a 12 month period. Please email creena@seakel.ie or phone 087 2961007 if interested or if you know of anyone that is interested. 

 

We have recently enjoyed a spell of very fine weather.  Pupils may wear plain navy shorts to school if they wish. No denim, stripes or logos. PLEASE write your child's name on all fleeces, polo shirts etc!!!

 

Gach dea-ghuí,

 

J. Lyons

Principal.

 

School note May 9th.

9-5-2019

Dear  parents,

                      I wish to remind you that  children are supervised from 9 a.m. each morning.  The school cannot be responsible for pupils arriving at school before 9 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 and local elections on Friday May 24th.

                  Standardised tests: All children from First to Sixth classes sat the revised Drumcondra English test yesterday. Children who were absent will be accommodated at the earliest possible opportunity.

                 School tours take place on Thursday June 20th. Many parents have chosen to use the e payment option. All monies to be paid by the end of May as the school needs to confirm numbers with the various venues.

                    First Holy Communion is on Saturday May 18th at 11 a.m. Preparations are at an advanced stage for this special day in the lives of the children.

                  Ms Quane and three children from her class will travel to the Helix in Dublin next Wednesday May 15th to take part in the National Final of the  Trócaire Game Changers competition. This is a great honour and a wonderful achievement for the entire class.

                  Best wishes to Eva Toomey and Caoimhe Hennessy who are members of the Limerick City camogie panel for the Neville Cup today.  

                      MPCC Credit Union will visit the school tomorrow.

                    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.

 

Parents Association News:

• "Supporting Parents to support their children's mental health and wellbeing" will be held on the 9^th May at 7.30 p.m.  in the school.
• 1^st Holy Communion – 18^th May – Volunteers required from 1^st class parents to help on the morning of the Communion with serving teas/coffees in the Resource centre. If interested in helping please email Simon,mrsimongoble@icloud.com  or phone 089 6154788
• The Parents Association are looking for volunteers for academic year 2019/2020 for all three roles of Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. Each role is for a 12 month period. Please email creena@seakel.ie if interested or if you know of anyone that is interested. 

Gach dea-ghuí,

 J. Lyons

Principal

 

School Note May 2nd.

Dear parents,

                       Excitement is at fever pitch in Ms Quane's room following the news that a game created by the children as part of Trócaire Game Changers competition is one of ten games shortlisted in the primary category.   Judging took place over the Easter holidays, by a panel of gaming and development education experts. They assessed each game under the criteria: understanding, empathy, innovation and effort. The Ballybrown NS entry 'One World' scored 29/30. Ms Quane has been invited to showcase the game at the competition final in The Helix in DCU.

                  Standardised tests: Parents of children from First to Sixth classes received an information note today about the revised Drumcondra English test. Please check your child's bag.

                     School tours take place on Thursday June 20th. Many parents have chosen to use the e payment option. All monies by the end of May, please.

                    Head Lice: Anyone can get head lice but it is particularly easy for young people to catch them as they spread by direct head -to -head contact.       On a practical note, children with long hair should keep their hair in plaits or tied up rather than hanging loosely. For information on dealing with this problem, see

http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/flu/A-Z/H/Head-lice/Treating-head-lice.html

             Ballybrown NS Under 13 hurling team bowed out of this year's Olo Cup following our game with An Mhodh Scoil on Tuesday. Thanks to Mr Barry and Mr Tuohy for all their work.

                  Today is Poetry Day. Further details available on www.poetryireland.ie.

                  DO THIS IN MEMORY 2018-2019 PROGRAMME. Mass Seven - Sunday 5th May, 2019.  Children are asked be in the church 10 minutes before Mass. Please bring your candle.               

Parents Association News:

• The school bag packing day which took place last Saturday 27^th April was a massive success raising over €1000 euros. A special thanks to Caroline Sheehan for all the work she put into organising the event and also the parents that helped on the day. 
• "Supporting Parents to support their children's mental health and wellbeing" will be held on the 9^th May at 7.30 p.m.  in the school.
• 1^st Holy Communion – 18^th May – Volunteers required from 1^st class parents to help on the morning of the Communion with serving teas/coffees in the Resource centre. If interested in helping please email Simon,mrsimongoble@icloud.com  or phone 089 6154788
• The Parents Association are looking for volunteers for academic year 2019/2020 for all three roles of Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. Each role is for a 12 month period. Please email creena@seakel.ie if interested or if you know of anyone that is interested. 

Gach dea-ghuí,

J. Lyons

Principal