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Newsletter 15th September 2023

Newsletter 15th September 2023

Ploughing Championships: The National Ploughing Championships will take place in Ratheniska next week. Garda Traffic Management advises us that there will be a noticeable increase in traffic through Ballylinan. The school will open and close at the usual times. However please note that there are likely to be delays on the mornings of Tuesday 19th, Wednesday 20th and Thursday 21st. We will be understanding and ask that you be patient; there is no need to rush to avoid being late.

Halloween Hike:  We plan to dress up for Halloween again this this year on the morning of Friday October 27th. Like last year, we plan to ‘hike’ from the school down to the village and will be issuing sponsorship cards soon. Details to follow.

Athy College: Parents and prospective students are invited to an open evening on Thursday 28th September between 6pm and 8pm. Sixth class will also visit the school for their open day on the morning of Friday 29th September.

St. Mary’s Knockbeg College: Open evening takes place on Friday September 29th from 3:30 to 6:30. All interested students in 5th or 6th class are welcome to visit with their parents/guardians.

Parking:  Please remember that the drop-off area is only for that purpose in the mornings; if you wish to walk your child to their line, please park in a designated spot. Thank you for your cooperation.

Calendar: The 2023 / 2024 school calendar is available to view on the school website.

Work experience: We are thrilled to see that so many of our past pupils are interested in pursuing a career in education / childcare. We have had an unprecedented number of requests for transition year work experience. Unfortunately, we have not been able to accommodate all requests this year. Please bear in mind that students must be 16 years old and have Garda vetting to complete work experience in a primary school.

HSE: The HSE will visit the school on Monday and Tuesday 18th & 19th September to conduct eye sight and hearing tests for Junior and Senior infants. Please ensure that you have retuned your consent form. If you have any concerns about your child’s eyesight or hearing (and you child is not in junior or senior infants) please contact the school immediately and we can arrange to have your child included.

Cumann na mBunscol: Our teams began their 2023 Cumann na mBunscol journey in Abbeyleix on Tuesday. Both teams played with great spirit and represented themselves and our school very well. Winning was a bonus! Due to the heavy rainfall over night and a forecast for further rain, today’s matches have been postponed.

School Tracksuits: Tracksuits ordered during the summer are now available. Tracksuits will be given directly to your child as payments are received through Aladdin.

Mobile Phones: Mobile phones are not necessary for children during the day. In exceptional circumstances if they need to be brought for use after school, they must be turned off and handed to the class teacher in the morning.

Swimming:  Swimming begins next week. The schedule for the year is as follows. More details from class teachers in due course.

September / October: Ms Goff’s classes

November / December: Ms Lacey’s & Mr Sweeney’s classes

January / February: Ms Rainsford’s & Mr Curry’s classes

February / March: Ms Cunningham’s & Ms Maher’s classes

April / May: Ms Twomey’s & Mrs Donnelly’s classes

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Newsletter 31st August

Welcome back:
Welcome back to all school community and especially to our new junior infant class and our new students who have joined us throughout the school.

Opening Times:
School starts each morning at 9:15pm (different arrangements are in place for junior infants). Please note that the Board of Management provides supervision for pupils as they wait in line (at the rear of the school) from 9:05am, but not before then.

Contact details:
Please notify the office if there has been any change to your details or those of your nominated emergency contact.

Aladdin:
Please ensure that you have the most recent version of Aladdin installed so that you are in receipt of notifications from the school.

Allergies / EpiPens / Asthma:
Please ensure that we have the most up to date information on your child’s medical needs and that we have access to epi pens and inhalers where required.

School Tracksuits:
Tracksuits ordered during the summer are now available. Tracksuits will be given directly to your child as payments are received through Aladdin. If you have any queries, please contact Mary at the front office. PE days will be notified by the class teachers in due course.

Lunches:
We encourage the eating of healthy lunches.
Several children in the school have an allergy to nuts. Since this condition can be life threatening, please help in minimising the risk to these children:
1. Do not include nuts in school lunches.
2. Avoid giving peanut butter, Nutella etc.
3. Remind your child that they should not share their lunch.

Invitations:
We appreciate that birthdays are huge milestones in your children’s lives. However, we kindly ask that party invitations are not distributed in school (by teachers or children) as it can cause upset for children and may place undue pressure on families. Thank you for your understanding.

A word of thanks:
Thank you for the good wishes and words of support on my recent appointment as principal. I look forward to working with you and your children in the years ahead.
May I take this opportunity to offer our sincere thanks to Mr Threadgold for his service to our school and to wish him good health and happiness in retirement.

Aileen Hurley

Principal

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Booklists 2023/24

Tap on the class links below to view booklists (PDF format):

(Tap to read note re. Information for Parents.)

Junior Infants (Ms. Twomey)

Senior Infants (Mrs. Donnelly)

1st Class   (Ms. Goff)

2nd Class  (Ms. Cunningham)
2nd Class  (Mrs. Moriarty)

3rd Class  (Mrs. Moriarty)
3rd Class  (Mr. Curry)

4th Class (Mr. Curry)
4th Class   (Ms. Hogan)

5th Class  (Mr. Sweeney)
5th Class  (Ms. Lacey)

6th Class  (Mr. Sweeney)
6th Class  (Ms. Lacey)

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Newsletter 19th June

Reports & Booklists
School reports for this year and booklists for next year will issue in the coming days. Please note that while there is still a charge for various items such as the use of Aladdin, pupils personal accident insurance etc. (detailed in booklists), the cost of books and copies will be covered by the publicly funded ‘free books’ scheme so the total amount will be less than in previous years.

Superstars Summer Camp
Takes place from Thursday 29th June to Wednesday 5th July. Please return forms immediately as places are limited. Thank you.

Donations
A big thank you to members of the school community who have volunteered assistance of various forms during the year but wish to remain anonymous. If any of you have any uniforms in decent condition that will not be needed in future, we can make good use of them if you wish to donate. Thank you.

Amber Flag
The Pieta Amber Flag Initiative recognises the individual efforts of schools and other groups to create healthy, inclusive environments that support mental well-being. We raised ours recently!

Cúl Camps
GAA summer camp being held in Ballylinan again this year.
Details and booking.

Thank You
As my time in Ballylinan draws to a close, there are many people that I would like to thank. Firstly, all the pupils I have worked with here who have provided me with so many fun and educational moments. The pupils here are the best behaved and most kind and considerate of all the pupils I have taught – take a bow! Thanks to the members of the Board of Management who volunteer their services for the good of the school; to you parents who support the school and who have been so good to work with; to those who give their time to the Parents Association; to those of you who have had kind words for me recently; to the ancillary staff of the school for all their work that’s done so well; to members of various local sports clubs and community groups for their help and encouragement; to Fr. Shelley and the dedicated people of Arles Parish.

I especially want to thank all the staff of the school (past as well as present) for their superb work and for all the dedication and exceptional care and attention that they give to your children. The positive, supportive and fun atmosphere in this school is simply a joy to behold. It has been an honour to serve as principal in Ballylinan and I will take with me so many of my happiest memories. I would like to warmly congratulate Mrs. Hurley on her appointment and wish her every success. The school will be in very good hands and I know that you will continue your very valued support in the coming years.

Thank you and God bless you all.

Summer Arrangements
Remember that school closes on Wednesday, 28th June for the summer holidays (12:15 for Infants and 12:30 for all others). We reopen for all pupils on Wednesday, 30th August. See our 2023/24 Calendar.

Thank you for your support as always,

John Threadgold
Principal