Category: Newsletters

Confirmation Meeting
A reminder that Arles Parish will hold a meeting for parents of candidates for Confirmation 2020 in the school tonightTuesday, 3^rd December at 7:30 p.m.

Christmas Carol Service
Pupils from 1^st – 6^th Classes will be taking part in a Carol Service in Ballylinan Church next Tuesday night, 10^thDecember. Due to the large numbers involved, we have divided the children into two groups on the night. You should be aware of these by now. You are most welcome to come and join us for just a few prayerful moments to focus on what’s most important at Christmas. Please note:
The first service will begin at 7 p.m. and finish a little after 7:30.
The second service will begin at 8:15 p.m. and finish a little after 8:45.
Pupils are to wear proper school uniform on the night. To make sure that uniforms are clean and ready, pupils may wear tracksuits next Monday and Tuesday.
Each family will be issued with 3 tickets @ €3 per ticket. These will be available from class teachers from tomorrow (Wednesday). Please do not request tickets from the office.
While there should be room for all, seating on the night will be first come, first served.
As children enter the church with you, please remove and hold on to their coats (if worn). This will make it easier for them to move to and from the altar.

Nativity Story
Junior and Senior Infants will be taking part in ‘Shine Star Shine’ on Thursday week (12^th) at 12 noon in the Dunne Sourke hall.

Advent Friends
Last Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent. As in previous years, each child in the school has been allocated an “advent” or “special” friend in the lead up to Christmas.  We are asking that children should be particularly kind to the person without letting them know that they have been chosen. No cards or gifts are required; the pupils will make cards in school.

Football DVD
A DVD of the boys’ recent football final victory is available! It is produced by Brian O’Sullivan and costs €12.50 if ordered as a group. If you wish to order a copy please ring the school at 059 – 862 5195. Final orders by this Thursday 5^th December please.

Gaeilgeoirí Óga!
Éist le daltaí ag labhairt Gaeilge; téigh go dtí www.ballylinannationalschool.com

Food Appeal
Our food appeal is taking place this Wednesday and Thursday (4^th and 5^th December). Thank you very much for your generous donations and to Ms. Goff for her work in organising. All contributions gratefully received. Thank you for your support as always.

Parents Association AGM
Please note that this meeting has had to be postponed at short notice. Apologies for any inconvenience.

Board of Management
The Board of Management is now in place for the years 2019-2023:
Patron’s Nominees:  Michael Sourke, James Eustace
Teachers:  Paula Connolly (teacher nominee), John Threadgold
Parent Nominees:  Lorraine Hickey, Frank Shanahan
Community Nominees:  Deirdre Murphy, Beverley Kaye

Christmas Carol Service
Will take place on the night of Tuesday, 10th December at 7 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Further details in due course.

Internet Safety
We have recently organised Internet Safety & Anti Cyberbullying Workshops for 5^th & 6^th Class pupils to take place on Tuesday, 7^th January. There will also be a Parent Information Evening that same night. Please note in your diary. More details to follow.

Big Switch
Arrival of Santa and switching on of Christmas lights Sunday, 1st December at 6 p.m. Emily Square, Athy. See notice on school notice board.

Homework Club
Homework Club will finish on this Thursday, 28^th November until further notice. Wishing you all a happy Christmas and a healthy new year!

Football DVD
A DVD of the boys’ recent football final victory is available! It is produced by Brian O’Sullivan and costs €12.50 if ordered as a group. If you wish to order a copy please ring the school at 059 – 862 5195.

Confirmation Meeting
Please note that Arles Parish will hold a meeting for parents of candidates for Confirmation 2020 in Ballylinan school next Tuesday, 3^rd December at 7:30 p.m.

Food Appeal
Our food appeal will take place again this year. Please see attached.

Traffic Management
Please remember that the drop-off zone in the mornings is only designed for you to drop and go. If you need to get out of your car at all or if you need to wait for any reason, please use the designated parking spaces. Thank you very much for your cooperation.

Now that winter has arrived there can be more cars at the school in the mornings and evenings. We remind you of the need to be patient and considerate to ensure safe and convenient parking for all. If you are using the ‘overflow’ car park to the rear of the school in the evenings, please drive slowly and be vigilant. Thank you.

Football News
The Cumann na mBunscol competitions have finished for another year. A big thank you to Mrs. Connolly and Mrs. Sukprasert for their help with the girls team. They played well and had some success but ultimately didn’t make the latter stages this time. Fortunately our boys had a great year and deserved their victory in a fast and high-scoring final against Clonaghadoo. A big thank you to Pat Hickey and Paul Julian for their help this year; a great team effort and while not the most important thing, it’s very satisfying to win from time to time! Maith sibh a bhuachaillí – Baile Uí Laigheanáin abú!

Halloween Hike
Thank you very much for your support for the recent hike. Unfortunately there was heavy rain on the day but the children got to parade around the school and a great time was had by all. There were some wonderful homemade costumes! A total of €2,684.53 was raised. Thank you very much for your support.

Staff News
A ceremony was held in the school recently to mark the retirements of Ms. Geraldine Curran and Mrs. Catherine Browne. Pupils, staff, representatives of the Parents Association and the Board of Management attended. Both teachers had worked in the school for eighteen years and we will miss them greatly. We thank them for their dedication to the pupils in their care and wish them an enjoyable and healthy retirement. They have been replaced by Mrs. Stephanie Moriarty (who would have otherwise been redeployed and is currently on maternity leave) and Ms. Eleanor Lacey. Congratulations also go to Mrs. Julian on the recent birth of her daughter!

Attendance & Punctuality
It is important to use the ‘Record of Absence’ notes towards the back of the Student Journal if your child has been absent or is going to be absent from school. This is the best way to inform your child’s teacher who needs to know the reason for any absence. Please ensure that your child is on time for school in the mornings and if s/he needs to leave early do let us know in advance . Thank you for your cooperation.

Cycling to and From School
If your child cycles to school, please remind him/her to cycle on the left, wear a helmet and to be safe and considerate of other users on the road. Thank you.

Reminder: Important Dates
First Penance                Thurs.   13^th February      7:00 p.m.
Confirmation                Sat.       21^st March        11:00 a.m.
First Communion          Sat.      23^rd May           11:30 a.m.

Football News
Our boys will play in this year’s Cumann na mBunscol Roinn 2 final against Clonaghadoo. The match will be this Thursday 24^th in O’Moore Park with throw-in at 2:30. The football panel will travel to the match by bus. Because we’ll be treating them to refreshments afterwards, they won’t return to the school until approximately 5 – 5:30 p.m. If you wish to travel separately or collect children early on the day from the school you’re welcome to come and support us. It would be convenient if you could collect children at 1:15. There is usually an admission charge for adults on the day. If you wish to bring a child from school, please let the teacher know in advance. The boys have played really well this year whatever the result, though naturally we’d like to finish with a win. Go n-éirí libh a bhuachaillí!

Drop Off Zone
Please remember that this area in the mornings is only designed for you to drop and go. If you need to get out of your car at all or if you need to wait for any reason, please use the designated parking spaces. Thank you very much for your cooperation.

Halloween Hike
As in previous years we will be dressing up for Halloween, this year on the morning of Friday October 25^th.  This year we will be ‘hiking’ from the school down to the old school and back. If the weather is bad we will do it indoors as in previous years. You should have received a sponsorship card and we would be very grateful for your support as always.

Reminder
School will be closed on Wednesday this week for teacher inservice in Portlaoise and school will close at the usual times on Friday for the Halloween break.