Thursday, June 27, 2019

School note June 27th

27-6-2019

Dear parents,

                    We have reached the end of another school year. Yesterday, 23 Sixth class pupils graduated. Thanks to Mr Barry, Ms Gibbons, Ms Day and all staff who assisted with the Graduation Ceremony.   Special thanks to Fr Mike for his help. Thanks also to the members of the Parents Association who provided refreshments for all the guests.

                All pupils have received  end of year reports and book lists. Classes for next school year have been allocated. Please turn overleaf for calendar for school year 2019-2020.

                  Active Week which ran all through last week was organised by Ms Gibbons and was a huge success once again.

                     Mr Barry's class left the school at 7.30 a.m. this morning to visit Croke Park at the invitation of GAA President John Horan.

          Bus Transport: Bus Éireann have asked me to remind parents of children availing of Bus Transport that payment for next school year is due by July 26th.               

                         On Tuesday, we held a special assembly in honour of Mrs Hodgins. All classes performed. Tomorrow, Mrs Hodgins will  leave the school, having taught generations of Ballybrown families. We will all miss her.

                   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 2019 school magazine is now available. With 72 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. A lovely way to end the year and enjoyed thoroughly by all the children.

            Best wishes to Ms Quane and Ms Gibbons who are both getting married in the weeks ahead.

         School will close tomorrow Friday at 12.30 p.m. sharp and re-open Wednesday August 28th. 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

 

Friday, June 21, 2019

School note June 21st

21-6-2019

Dear parents,

                    When we return to school after the summer, a familiar face will be absent. Mrs Hodgins has decided to retire at the end of this school year. Margaret has seen many changes in the school over the past 38 years. Everybody in the school wishes her health and happiness in the next phase of her life.

                   Today is Sports Day. There is a wide range of sporting pursuits, culminating in a  widely- anticipated Rounders game between Staff and Sixth Class.   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.   

                     On Wednesday, 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 Freddie did trojan work  looking after runners and  providing drinks.

                     On  Wednesday next, June 26th., 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.

                        Ballybrown NS yearbook: The 2019 yearbook is currently on sale. With 72 full-colour pages, it is an ideal souvenir of a busy year. €4 per copy or 3 for €10

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

                     Lost Property: Our Lost Property bin is overflowing with jackets, hats etc. Parents are welcome to check for missing items.

                     Please note that school will close for the summer holidays on Friday June 28th. 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.                   

                   "Do This in Memory 2018 - 2019 programme": Mass 8 - Sunday 23rd June 2019 at 10a.m. Children are asked to be in the church 10 minutes before Mass. Please bring your candle.

                  Parents Association News: Graduation ceremony is taking place on the 26th June at 1.30 p.m. in the school hall, would any parents from 5th class be available to help with serving of Teas/Coffee. Please email  creena@seakel.ie or phone/SMS 0872961007 if available.

             An end of year kids disco will take place in the school on the 27th June for children from Juniors to 5th class with some 6th class 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.

Gach dea-ghuí,

J. Lyons

Principal

 

 

 

Thursday, June 13, 2019

Active Week 2019

Dear Parents,

                       Ballybrown NS will celebrate Active Week from June 17th-21st 2019. Children will participate in a variety of activities throughout the week including golf, martial arts, circuits and lots more!

 

On Monday 17th June,  Our new Active Schools Walkway will be launched in the school field. Children from 2nd to 4th class will have an opportunity to take part in a golfing session in the afternoon and the younger classes will partake in some fun and exciting relay races.

 

On Tuesday 18th June, all students from Junior Infants to sixth class will take part 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 9.30, 1st/2nd will leave at 9.45, 3rd-6th leave at 10.00.  If you are available at this time to walk with your child's class please let Rosemarie know as soon as possible. Children will need high visibility jackets for the walk.

 

On Tuesday afternoon the children in 5th and 6th class will be putting their Martial Arts skills to the test with a taster session led by Pat Forde.

 

On Wednesday 19th,  we will have our 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!

 

Niamh O Brien has very generously organised a sponsored 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 we will have a 'Sports Star' fancy dress. Children can dress up as their favourite sports people. 
Also on Wednesday, 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 €2  per child. Please pay this directly to the class teacher as soon as possible.

 

On Thursday 20th all classes will be on school tour.

 

On Friday 21st, the school will hold its Annual Sport's Day. In the afternoon children from 6th class will take on the staff in a rounders match!

 

Each night children will receive Active Homework which they can complete at home on their own or with family and friends. 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.

 

 

 

School note Thursday June 13th

13-6-2019.

Dear parents,

                      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.

                    Yesterday saw the culmination of a year's work, and enjoyment, as the 60 children in Fifth and Sixth classes took part in the Music Generation Summit in Thomond Park. Patrick was an excellent tutor and his visits every Monday sparked great interest in music in so many children.

                     Today, Mr Barry's class enjoyed a guided tour of Adare Manor followed by some delicious refreshments. We are very grateful to  Deirdre Shanahan and the Management  of Adare Manor for this wonderful opportunity. We enjoyed a tour of the grounds and visited the cinema, Tack Room, and Ballroom. In the afternoon, the class continued with a visit to the Ballygowan plant in Newcastle West.

               Active Week: Next week is Active Week. All details on the school website.

               School tours: Details of all school tours are on the website.

                    The 2019 school magazine is almost ready to go to print. If you wish to purchase an advertisement in this publication for a bargain price of €25, please contact the school office as soon as possible.

                  Community Games News: Training will take place in the school field on Tuesday & Thursday next week from 3-4pm. for all those who qualified for the Limerick county finals in Mungret on Saturday and Sunday 22nd & 23rd of June.

                   

            Parents Association News:  The next Parents Association meeting will be held tonight Thursday 13th June at 7.30 p.m. 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 18th (To be confirmed). Please email creena@seakel.ie or phone/SMS 087 2961007 if available. 

Graduation ceremony is taking place on the 26th June at 1.30 p.m. in the school hall, Would any parents from 5th 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 Thursday 27th June for children from Juniors to 5th class with some 6thclass 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.

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

Gach dea-ghuí, 

J. Lyons

Principal

 

 

 

School Tours June 20th

Tours

Thursday 20th June, 2019.

 

Junior and Senior Infants

Stonehall Farm

Leaving school at 9:15 a.m.

Back at the school at 1:30 p.m.

 

1st  Class

Adventure World, UL

Leaving school at 9:10 a.m

Back at the school at 4:15  p.m.

 

2nd Class

Killarney National Park

Leaving school at 8:20 a.m.

Back at the school at 4:30 p.m.

 

3rd Class and 4th Class

Tralee Bay Wetlands

Leaving school at 8:20 a.m.

Back at the school at 4:15 p.m.

 

5th Class and 6th Class

Nevsail Watersports, Kilkee

Leaving school at 8:05 a.m.

Back at the school at 4:45  p.m.