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NEWSLETTER 26/03/14

EASTER RAFFLE:
Our Parents Council are organizing a raffle to raise funds for the purchase of iPads for the school (tickets attached). The tickets cost €2 each or book of 6 tickets for €10. Each family will receive 1 book and we would ask people to be as generous as they can.

TRACK SUITS:
Following the recent survey and after consultation, it has been decided to stay with our current school track suit. The problem of the legs being worn or torn was a cause for concern. The option of plain navy legs will be introduced next year in an effort to reduce the cost to parents. This will also give the option of using ‘cotton type’ legs during the winter. The school track suit will still be available from Shaws, Athy, but the replacement legs can be purchased in any shop. The new arrangement will also apply for the rest of this year.

FOOTBALL BLITZ:
Our children from 3rd and 4th class participated in a blitz yesterday in Ballylinan G.A.A. Club. Thanks to Ollie Walsh and Frank Shanahan for all their help.

RUGBY:
Children from 5th and 6th classes took part in a tag rugby blitz in Athy over the past two days. Thanks to Joey Carbery and his team for all their hard work.

COMMUNITY NOTICES:

FOOTBALL COACHING – Begins – Friday March 28th in the
G.A.A. pitch – 6.45 pm – 7.45 pm:
* Boys/Girls U6 coaching indoors – (runners and mouth guards please).
* Boys U8, U10, U12 coaching outdoors (don’t forget mouth guards).

PARENT COUNCIL – now have a Facebook page, which is a closed group and open only to parents of children in Ballylinan School. Check it out by keying in St. Patrick’s NS Ballylinan Parent’s Association in the search bar and here you can send a friend request to the chairperson, Deirdre Murphy.

Uisce says “Don’t say no to saving H20”

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EXTRA NEWS 20/03/14

FRIDAY FOOTBALL: 
Tomorrow, Friday March 21st is the last day in the series of coaching sessions. It has been a great success and thanks to Ballylinan G.A.A. Club and in particular the coaches who have been so generous with their time.
* Coaching for girls has already commenced on Tuesday nights in the G.A.A. pitch.
* Boys U6, U8, U10 coaching will begin on –
Friday March 28th in the G.A.A. pitch – 6.45 pm – 7.45 pm.

FIRST PENANCE:
Congratulations to the children in 2nd Class who received the sacrament last night. Special thanks to Ms. Cotter, Ms. Brennan and Mrs. Kenna for all their work with the children. Thanks to Mrs. Browne and her choir for the beautiful singing and to Margaret Brennan for the music.

Following the ceremony refreshments were provided at the school for the first time. Thanks to the members of the Parents Council who worked so hard to provide for everyone – it was much appreciated.

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NEWSLETTER 11/03/14

UNIFORM SURVEY RESULTS:

1. Should our school have a uniform?      Yes – 94%

2. Should the school jumper be crested? No – 86.4%

3. Are you in favour of a school tracksuit? Yes – 95%

4. Should the school tracksuit be crested? No – 64%

FRIDAY FOOTBALL:
Well done to all concerned. It is a great success. As mouth guards are now part of football “gear” children taking part in the coaching must wear them at all times. In a very progressive move the club is providing mouth guards to all children who need them to ensure that all children get the opportunity to play.
No coaching this Friday March 14th.

NEW PRESIDENT:
Congratulations to Marie Hickey who was elected National President of Ladies G.A.A. at the weekend. This is a tremendous honour and we will welcome Marie to the school during her presidential year.

SCHOOL CLOSURES:
Friday March 14th (Holiday)
Monday March 17th (St. Patrick’s Day)

FIRST PENANCE:
Wednesday March 19th at 7 pm. in St. Anne’s Church. Refreshments for the children and their families will be provided by the Parents Council immediately after the ceremony in the sports hall in the new school.

COMMUNITY NOTICES:
Ballylinan Ladies G.F.C. – are hosting an exciting new programme called Gaelic4Girls which starts on Tuesday 18th March from 6 – 7 pm in Ballylinan GAA Clubhouse for 8 weeks. It is open to all girls aged 8 – 12 years who are not registered with a Ladies Gaelic Football team. It introduces girls to football in a fun environment and all participants will get a G4G jersey and certificate on completion. The programme costs €8.
For more information contact: Ethna Sourke on 086 0706834.

Uisce says “Don’t say no to saving H20”

Posted on

NEWSLETTER 04/03/14

GREEN SCHOOLS:
The awarding of Green Schools flags is administered by An Taisce. The area representative spent last Wednesday at the school to see the work that had been done with the theme “Water”. She was extremely impressed by all she witnessed and was particularly complimentary of the children on the Green Schools Committee. She described their knowledge, enthusiasm and their ability to speak on the topic as “wonderful !”. Congratulations to all the staff and children who worked so hard especially over the last few weeks.

Green School Committee: Ms. Cotter, Ms. Mulhare,
Ms. Twomey, Mrs. Kenna, Claire Murphy/Jonathan Day (6th), Ella Jeffares/Rhys Burke (5th), Emma Hickey/Lorcan Page (4th), Aoibheann Buckley/Jesse McEvoy (3rd), Ciara Kay/John Clarke (2nd).

SCHOOL UNIFORM:
The Minister for Education and Skills has directed that schools should consult with parents in relation to school uniforms. Please complete the attached questionnaire and return to the school by Thursday March 6th.

PEDESTRIAN CROSSING:
We have mentioned this issue before in relation to the pedestrian crossing on the Main Street at the church. Children had a narrow escape last week when a van traveling from Athy failed to stop on a red light. We have explained to children about the danger of crossing even when the “green man” is showing. We also informed Gardaí and Laois County Council of our concerns.

FRIDAY FOOTBALL COACHING:
A very successful first day last Friday. Children are asked to wear mouth guards when training and the football club will distribute mouth guards this Thursday (free of charge) to children attending who do not have one already. Parents may need to adjust them for Friday.

Uisce says “Don’t say no to saving H20”

School Uniform Questionnaire

1. Should our school have a uniform?   Yes/No

2. Should the school jumper be crested?   Yes/No

3. Are you in favour of a school track-suit?  Yes/No

4. Should the school track-suit be crested?  Yes/No