Newsletter 27th February 2024

Cake sale: There was great excitement as 6th class hosted our Confirmation Challenge Cake sale on Friday last. Thank you to all who donated items for the cake sale and for your generosity in purchasing baked goods and raffle tickets on the day. €1379.89 was raised on the day. Well done everyone.

First Penance: Best wishes to our children in 2nd class who will receive the sacrament of First Penance this evening 27th February. Children and their families are welcome to the school for refreshments afterwards. Thank you to our Parents Association for facilitating this.

Travelling Book Fair: The Celtic Travelling Book Fair arrives tomorrow 28th February. The book fair will be open to parents from 1:45pm to 2:15 and from 2:45 to 3:15 on Thursday 29th, Friday 1st and Tuesday 5th. There is a broad range of books to choose from and a percentage of the sales made will go to the school in the form of additional books for class libraries. Payment by cash is preferable.

Confirmation Retreat: Our confirmation retreat takes place at the De la Salle Retreat Centre in Castletown, Co. Laois on Tuesday 5th March. Bus leaves the school at 9:15am sharp. This is a whole Parish event and children from Arles and Killeen will attend also. Children should wear their school tracksuit and bring a packed lunch. Payment for the bus via Aladdin please.

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

Peace Proms: Fourth, fifth and sixth class will take part in the Peace Proms Concert in SETU Waterford on Saturday March 9th. The children and their teachers have put tremendous work into preparing for this occasion and it promises to be a fantastic experience. Bus leaves the school at 9:30am and returns at 7pm. Payment for the bus and food via Aladdin please.

School Photos: County photos will return on Thursday March 14th to facilitate the taking of photos of children who may have been absent last week. We also hope to take class photos on the day.

Board of Management: A meeting of the School Board of Management took place on Monday 12th February. Please see the agreed report for some exciting developments for our school.

This is an exceptionally busy time of year. While we endeavour to give your children a vast range of rich learning experiences, we are aware that this comes at a cost. We are conscious of the challenges this may pose for you as parents / guardians, we appreciate your ongoing support and thank you for your understanding.

School Closures:

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

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

 

Newsletter 1st February 2024

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 12th February for junior infants. A parent / guardian must accompany your child at your allocated time.

Referendum: School will be closed on Friday March 8th 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 28th February to Wednesday 6th 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 7th 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 22nd 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 6th 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 5th & 6th 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 5th and 6th class take part in the Laois Cumann na mBunscol Cross Country Event, on Wednesday 28th February in Portlaoise.

Parents Association:The next meeting of the Parents Association takes place of February 19th, 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 5th: Bank Holiday

February 15th & 16th: Mid Term Break

March 4th: Teacher in service.

March 8th: Referendum

March 18th: Bank holiday

March 25th to April 5th: Easter Break

 

Thank you for your continued support of our school.