Category: Newsletters

School Photos: County photos will return on Tuesday March 12^th to facilitate the taking of photos of children who were absent previously. We also hope to take class photos on the day. Children must wear their school uniform.

 St. Patrick’s Day: Children will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with “Lá Glás” on Friday 15^th March. Children are not required to wear school uniform but can wear something green on the day.

Autism Class: We are delighted to inform you that our school will open a special class for children with autism in September 2024. Children must have a diagnosis of autism and a recommendation to attend an autism class in a mainstream school to qualify for a place. An updated admissions notice outlining the timeline for applications will be published soon. If you have any queries, please contact the school.

Hot School Meals: The hot school meals programme is due to begin in early April. This is a free service to all children in our school and is funded by the Department of Social Protection. Parents / guardians will be provided with an individual login through which you can order from an extensive menu with Irish School Meals, based in Athy. Meals will be delivered to your child in school, each day. Children will still require a small healthy snack for little break and a drink. More details to follow.

Ballylinan GAA Oskars:  Best wishes to Ballylinan GAA as they embark on a major fundraising drive to fund a new walking track. There are two events that may be of interest:

• Disco Party for primary school children, takes place at Ballylinan GAA Clubhouse on Friday 22^nd March, 6:30pm to 8:30pm. Entry is €5 and there is a shop available on the night.
• Easter Activity Camp takes place at Ballylinan GAA on Wednesday 3^rd, Thursday 4^th and Friday 5^th April from 10am to 1pm for children aged 4 years to 12 years. Contact 085 7186406 or 087 9793317. Family rates apply: €50 for 1^st child, €40 for 2^nd child, €30 for 3^rd child and 4^th child is free.

Book Fair: Thank you for your incredible support of our book fair.

Peace Proms: Children from fourth, fifth and sixth class took part in the Peace Proms Concert in SETU Waterford on Saturday March 9^th. What a fantastic event it proved to be. Sincere thanks and appreciation to the teachers who have worked so hard in preparing the children and thank you to all who travelled to Waterford on the day.

Confirmation: Children from 6^th class will celebrate their Confirmation on Wednesday 20^th March at 11am. School remains open as usual for all other classes.

Road safety: There have been some reports of dangerous / inappropriate behaviour as children make their way from school. Please remind your child(ren) to take care and to be mindful of other road users.

 School Closures:

Bank holiday: School is closed on Monday 18^th March (bank holiday).

Easter break: School is closed from Monday 25^th March and reopens on Monday 8^th April. The break begins with a half day on Friday 22^nd March. School closes at 12:20pm for infants and 12:30 for the rest of the school.

Congratulations: Well done to our 6^th class quiz team who came an impressive fourth place in the Cumann na mbunscol quiz recently. Well done also, to all who took part in the FAI 5 aside soccer tournament recently, and in particular to the girls team who qualified for the next round.

Junior Infants 2024: Applications to enrol will be accepted until Friday, 9th of February 2024. Please complete this form if you wish to enrol your child for the 2024/2025 school year. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the school.

Catholic Schools Week: Thank you to all who attended our Grandparents Mass and thank you to our Parents Association for providing refreshments afterwards.

School Vaccination Programme: The school immunisation team will visit on Monday 12^th February for junior infants. A parent / guardian must accompany your child at your allocated time.

Referendum: School will be closed on Friday March 8^th to facilitate the Referendum on the Thirty-Ninth and Fortieth Amendment of the Constitution.

Travelling Book Fair: The Celtic Travelling Book Fair returns to the school from Wednesday 28^th February to Wednesday 6^th March. The fair will open from 1:45 to 2:15 and from 2:45 to 3:15 every day. Please follow the link for a sample of some of the books available to purchase. The school receives up to 60% commission on books sold which is in turn used to purchase new books for our class libraries.

World Bok Day: World Book Day, takes place on Thursday 7^th March. Children are invited to dress up as a character from their favourite book on the day.

School Photos: Our Parents Association have arranged to have school photographers County Photos visit the school on Thursday 22^nd of February. Children will be photographed on the day (with siblings where applicable). Parents will be issued with a pack containing proofs and a range of package options to choose from. County Photos come highly recommended, however, there is no obligation to purchase.

Hurling & Camogie: We are delighted to have entered a hurling and camogie team in Laois Cumann na mBunscol this year. This is another fantastic opportunity to help our children develop a love for Gaelic Games.

Ceremony of light: The Ceremony of Light for our Confirmation children takes place on Tuesday 6^th February at 7:30pm in St. Anne’s Church, Ballylinan. This is a combined ceremony for all schools in the Parish. Children are asked to bring their Baptismal Candle on the night.

Cross Country: Students from 5^th & 6^th class participated in the Co. Carlow Schools Cross Country event last week. For many of our children it was their very first experience of an athletics event and an enjoyable day was had by all. Congratulations to Jake Kelly who came fourth in a field of over 100 runners. Our next outing will see 5^th and 6^th class take part in the Laois Cumann na mBunscol Cross Country Event, on Wednesday 28^th February in Portlaoise.

Parents Association:The next meeting of the Parents Association takes place of February 19^th, at 7:30pm in the school.

Junior Achievement: Ms. Cunningham’s and Mrs. Moriarty’s second class will participate in the Junior Achievement Programme through February and March. The programme explores the community we live in and the work we do and is presented by Karen Duffy in co-operation with her employer MSD Carlow.

Classy Kids Pre School Ballylinan: Classy Kids have been in touch to say that registration is now open for September. Contact Anne on 0892161320.

School closures this term:

February 5^th: Bank Holiday

February 15^th & 16^th: Mid Term Break

March 4^th: Teacher in service.

March 8^th: Referendum

March 18^th: Bank holiday

March 25^th to April 5^th: Easter Break

 

Thank you for your continued support of our school.

Happy New Year!

Junior Infants 2024:  Applications to enrol will be accepted until Friday, 9th of February 2024. Please complete this form if you wish to enrol your child for the 2024/2025 school year. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the school.

Anti Bullying Week: Our Wellbeing Committee had been busy assisting teachers in arranging activities as we celebrated Anti Bullying Week.

During this week, we aimed to empower children to understand their own behaviour, to recognise bullying, to develop an awareness of online safety risks and to be confident in how to report and seek support when they need it.

There was a specific focus on kindness this week, we  played co-operative games in the hall and our senior classes participated in the Fuse Antibullying Programme.

Catholic Schools Week: Catholic Schools Week will take place from Sunday 21^st to Saturday 27^th January 2024. The theme this year is Catholic Schools as Communities of Service.

Grandparents Mass: Our annual Grandparents Mass will take place on Thursday 25^th January at St. Anne’s Church Ballylinan at 12:30pm. It is a wonderful occasion to mark Catholic School’s Week and an opportunity to celebrate the gift of Grandparents. Grandparents / Parents / Guardians are welcome to attend Mass and to join us for a cuppa and a look around the school afterwards. More details to follow. 

Maths Curriculum Day: The school will close on Monday 4^th March to facilitate teachers’ attendance at a professional learning day to introduce the new Primary Maths Curriculum.

Entrance exams: We have been advised that Entrance Assessments for Carlow Town schools will take place on Friday 1st March 2024. Each school will communicate details with their own incoming students.

Christmas Food Appeal: Ber McEvoy, St. Vincent de Paul, Athy, wrote to us this week to convey her appreciation for your kindness and generosity during our recent food appeal.

 Swimming: Timetable for the remainder of the year

10th January – Ms. Hogan & Mr. Curry

28th February – Ms. Cunningham & Mrs. Moriarty

23rd April – Ms. Twomey

24th April – Mrs. Donnelly

Parents Association: The Parent’s Association will meet this evening, Monday 15^th January at 7:30pm.

Travelling Book Fair: The Celtic Travelling Book Fair returns to the school from Wednesday 28^th February to Wednesday 6^th March. More details to follow.

School closures this term:

February 5^th: Bank Holiday

February 15^th & 16^th: Mid Term Break

March 4^th: Teacher in service.

March 18^th: Bank holiday

March 25^th to April 5^th: Easter Break

 

Thank you for your continued support of our school.