Author: Mrs Hurley

Football News
Our Cumann na mBunscol group stages are drawing to a close. It was a challenging year for the girls this year but they played their hearts out as always and we hope for better luck next year. A huge thanks to the girls and also to mentors Mrs. Hurley, Mrs. Connolly (and Ms. Farrell) for all their help. Our boys’ journey continues – they have reached the final this year which will be played (probably) on Wed. 25^th or Thurs. 26^th October. Details to follow as soon as we know them. Well done lads!

Up Ballylinan!
Our best wishes go to Ballylinan footballers who will play Portlaoise on Sunday in their first county final in 30 years! Everyone in the school will be rooting for them. We are organising a “big cheer” in the school at 1:15 tomorrow (Friday 13^th). Pupils are welcome to wear the Ballylinan colours if they have them. If not, school tracksuit is to be worn. If you’re anywhere nearby, keep an ear out at that time!

Aistear Programme for Infants
Our Infant Classes will soon be starting the Aistear programme. Aistear is an initiative for learning through play. Many resources will be required to implement it correctly. We will want to collect a variety of toys and other resources in good condition for use within the programme. Please note that we will not be asking for new toys but items that you may have at home that are no longer required. Please do not send in anything yet but do keep an eye out for what can be donated. Further details to follow in the coming weeks.

Book Bills / Rental
Some book rental/school contribution fees are overdue. Please contact the school to make payment arrangements. Thank you.

 Voluntary Envelope Collection
The envelope collection is our main means of fundraising and allows us to provide better facilities, equipment and services for your children. The envelopes will be sent home every week with the oldest child in each family. You are reminded that your contribution is voluntary and confidential and you will be issued with a receipt at the end of the year. Your support is much appreciated.

Halloween
As in previous years we will be dressing up for Halloween on Friday October 27^th.  This is a fund-raiser for our Parents Association.  More details to follow.

Lost Property
We have amassed a collection of school jumpers, jackets, scarves, tracksuit tops etc. Please come and see if your lost property is here before we donate it.

Stay Safe Programme
This is a personal safety skills programme for primary schools. Its objective is to prevent child abuse and other forms of child victimization. It is implemented within the broader context of Social, personal and health education. SPHE fosters the development of the human being both as an individual and as a member of society. “It includes areas of education ranging from self-awareness and self-esteem to issues concerning health, nutrition, substance use and misuse, the prevention of child abuse, relationships, sexuality and citizenship”. In common with other strands of the SPHE curriculum the implementation of the Stay Safe programme is a collaborative process which involves parents, teachers, Boards of Management, and the wider community taking a co-ordinated approach to child protection and child abuse prevention through safety skills education. The annual programme will be implemented across the school in the coming weeks.

Change of Contact Details?
Please make sure we have up-to-date contact details for you. This is important, particularly if we need to contact you in an emergency.

Whole School Evaluation
Our Whole School Evaluation (WSE) is ongoing. Inspectors from the Department of Education and Skills have met with the teachers, the Parents Association and the Board of Management. They will visit all classrooms next week. Please note that if you received a questionnaire and have not yet returned it, do complete it and return it to the school immediately. Thank you. They will not be accepted after tomorrow, Friday 13^th.

School Closures
School closes on Friday October 27^th at the usual times and re-opens on Monday November 6^th. Advance notice that all teachers are required to attend inservice so school will be closed for pupils on Tuesday, 14^th November.

Thank You
For your support as always.

 

 

 

Book Bills / Rental
Book rental/school contribution fees are now overdue.  Payment by Friday would be much appreciated or contact the school to make payment arrangements.

Football News
Huge congratulations to Ballylinan footballers who had a great win over Portarlington last Sunday and have reached their first county final in 30 years! Everyone in the school is delighted and they have our continued good wishes. At school (Cumann na mBunscol) level our girls are having a challenging season this year, though our boys have done well so far. Cumann na mBunscol’s philosophy is founded on the principle of children playing GAA games for fun. If you’re interested, the groups this season are as follows:

Cailíní  (Roinn 2)                                   Buachaillí  (Roinn 3)

Ballylinan                                                  Ballylinan

Mountmellick                                         Mountmellick

Killenard                                                    Clonaghadoo

Ballyadams                                              Gaelscoil (Portlaoise)

Graiguecullen                                         The Heath

Abbeyleix                                                  Ballyfin

Voluntary Envelope Collection
The envelope collection is our main means of fundraising and allows us to provide better facilities, equipment and services for your children. The envelopes will be sent home every Tuesday with the oldest child in each family.  Your contribution is voluntary and confidential and you will be issued with a receipt at the end of the year.

Photographs
On occasion children will be photographed in relation to school activities. Most of these photographs will appear on the school website, but sometimes the photographs may be taken by newspapers covering sports events, new infants in school, panto, etc. It is now common practice that only the child’s first name is used, if any. In the last few years our parents association has produced a calendar of the different class groups which has been very popular.  Please let us know if you have any concerns about this issue. Please also find the school’s annually reviewed Child Protection Policy on this site (link above).

Whole School Evaluation
Inspectors from the Department of Education and Skills are carrying out a Whole School Evaluation (WSE). This is a routine procedure which happens from time to time in the life of all primary and secondary schools. The inspectors have already started their work and will visit us a number of times during the next few weeks. As part of the evaluation, surveys will be carried out among pupils, teachers and parents, looking for feedback on the life and work of the school. A questionnaire may be issued to you in the coming days. Whether you are a parent with us for a few weeks – or many years! – If you receive one, please complete it and return it to the school immediately. Thank you.

 

 

Book Bills / Rental
Once again thanks to all who have paid. Any refunds due to parents who qualify for the book grant will be paid in the coming weeks.

Infants
Our new infants have settled in well and are now remaining in school until 2 pm.  The children now line up at the back of the school with the other classes; another milestone reached! Please remember that the bell goes at 9.15 am and remember some extra lunch, but not too much!

Homework Club
The club is now ongoing and it is great to see the enthusiasm.

Tin Whistle
Classes have resumed for this term. If you have any queries please contact the school.

Football
Cumann na mBunscol competitions are now in full swing. The girls played well but lost to Abbeyleix last Thursday and will hope for better luck when they make the short trip to Ballyadams this week. The boys got off to a good start with a fine win in Mountmellick last week and had a one point win over Clonaghadoo this week. They will host Gaelscoil Phortlaoise next week. Congratulations to Ballylinan footballers on their championship wins so far and best of luck in the semi-final against Portarlington from all in the school!

School Calendar 2018
Our Parents Association has produced a school calendar in recent years and it has proved to be very successful not only as a fund-raiser but also as a keep-sake. We will be taking photographs of class groups in the coming weeks.

Junior Cert
Congratulations to all our past pupils who received their Junior Cert results last week.

Athy College
Children from 5^th and 6^th class will visit Athy College this Friday. The College is holding an Open Evening on Thursday 21^st September for parents and students who are interested in enrolling for Sept 2018 or if you would just like to visit.  All are welcome between 6 pm and 7:45 pm. Parents of children in 5^th Class should now be making plans for their child’s secondary education.

Class Visits
From time to time during the year children will leave the school grounds to visit locations such as St. Anne’s Hall, Ballylinan G.A.A. pitch, St. Anne’s soccer pitch, “The Park”, St. Anne’s Church, the old school, the cemetery, etc.  It may not be always possible to inform you in advance that these “trips” will be taking place as they will be weather dependent but children will always be back to school by collection times.