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NEWSLETTER 25th May 2017

FIRST COMMUNION:
Congratulations to the children in 2nd Class who received the  sacrament last Saturday.  We were very proud of them all and it was a very special occasion.  Thanks to Ms Kiernan and Mrs Hurley for their hard work and their attention to detail made everything run smoothly on the day.  Thanks to Mrs. Browne and her choir (who turned out in great numbers and sang so well), Ms. Brennan and her “whistlers” and Margaret Brennan for providing the music.

PARENTS ASSOCIATION SPONSORED WALK:
Please return any sponsorship cards to the school and thanks to the people who have done so already.  Our walk will go ahead on Tuesday next (31st) and we are hoping for a “colourful” occasion, so children can wear their favourite jersey/t-shirt.  Our target is to walk from Malin Head to Mizen Head, a distance of 466 km.  One lap by the school fence is 0.5 of a km. so we will see how many laps we can complete!!

REMINDER – JUNIOR INFANTS –  SEPTEMBER 2017:
The children will come together to meet teachers on Wednesday May 31st from 1.30 – 2.15 pm.  A speaker from Positive Parenting Partnership will provide a workshop for parents during this time.

TRACKSUIT:
Orders are now being taken for September with a deadline of Friday, June 16th.

SCHOOL SCREENING SERVICE:
Vision, hearing and growth will be screened on June 8th for children in Senior Infants, any pupils new to the school and any child for whom there are parental or professional concerns.

HOMEWORK CLUB: Finishes next Thursday June 1st.

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NEWSLETTER 16th May 2017

FIRST COMMUNION: 

Our best wishes go to the children in 2nd class and their teachers for Saturday.  The weather forecast looks hopeful!

CHOIR: 

The choir should be in the church at 11.15 please and the ceremony should be over by 12.30.

HOMEWORK CLUB:

Homework Club will end on June 1st for this year.

SENIOR INFANTS-EYE/EAR TESTING:

The H.S.E. will visit the school to carry out testing on Thursday, June 8th.  It is not necessary for parents to be present.

TEEN PARENTING COURSE:

Continues tomorrow night (Wednesday 17th).   There will then be a  two week break and it will recommence on June 7th.

REMINDER – JUNIOR INFANTS –  SEPTEMBER 2017:

A meeting for parents of children starting school in September will be held on Tuesday May 23rd at 2.15 pm. at the school.

The children will come together to meet teachers on Wednesday May 31st from 1.30 – 2.30 pm.  A speaker from Positive Parenting Partnership will provide a workshop for parents during this time.

PARENTS ASSOCIATION NEWS

Sponsorship cards for the walk on May 30th are being sent home today.  We ask people to be as generous as possible.

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NEWSLETTER 10th May 2017

NEW PRINCIPAL ANNOUNCED:
Mr. John Threadgold has been appointed to the post of Principal and will take over after the summer holidays.  Mr. Threadgold was principal of Newtown N.S. before taking up his current position in Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow.

FIRST COMMUNION:
The ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 20th at 11.30 am. in St. Anne’s Church.

CHOIR:
The children who volunteered for the choir this year have been very loyal and we are asking for a full attendance on Saturday week.

JUNIOR ENTREPRENEUR:
We had a wonderful “showcase event” last Thursday hosted by 5th Class.  Children prepared food from their book “A Taste of Ballyllinan” and sampled a variety of goodies such as “Sheila Walsh’s Brown Bread”, “Hovenden’s Heavenley Pavlova”, “Tom’s Eton Mess”, “Craven’s Cupcakes” and many more.

Special guests were Ms. Cotter and Marian Heaney who acted as “dragons” as part of the process.  At the end of the tasting the Junior Entrepreneur flag was raised (photos on website)

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY:
Get together for Fran Moloney – Friday 23rd June.  More details to follow.

COMMUNITY NOTICE:
ABBK CFR is a Community First Responders Group representing the areas of Arles, Ballylinan, Barrowhouse and Killeen.  How does the CFR work?  If a call is placed for a cardiac ambulance in the area, the CFR will be notified.  The person on duty will attend and assist until the ambulance arrives.  Full training will be provided.  If you are interested in becoming a CFR or assisting with fundraising, please come to our next meeting on Thursday 25th May in Ballylinan G.A.A. clubhouse at 8.30 pm or contact Deirdre Murphy – 087 2545821.

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NEWSLETTER 4th May 2017

JUNIOR ENTREPRENEUR:
5th Class will showcase their work tomorrow (Friday) to mark the end of the Junior Entrepreneur Programme for this year.  It has been a wonderful experience for all involved and thanks to Ms. Hayden for all her work over the past few months.  As part of the occasion we will raise the J.E.P.  flag which was presented to the group.  Kilkenny people will be very happy with the colours!

SOCCER SUCCESS:
Congratulations to the St. Anne’s U.12 team and their mentors who completed the cup and league double by winning a very dramatic cup final after a penalty shoot-out against Crettyard on Monday.

BALLYLINAN PARENTS ASSOCIATION SPONSORED WALK:
To help fund the various events organised by the association throughout the year a sponsored walk will be held at the school on Tuesday, May 30th.  The walk is for children and will be held on school grounds during school time.  Each family will receive a sponsorship card and we ask people to be as generous as possible.

JUNIOR INFANTS SEPTEMBER 2017:
A meeting for parents of children starting school in September will be held on Tuesday May 23rd at 2.15 pm. at the school.

The children will come together to meet teachers on Wednesday May 31st from 1.30 – 2.30 pm.  A speaker from Positive Parenting Partnership will provide a workshop for parents during this time.

SCHOOL TOURS:
Some dates have yet to be confirmed but tours will go ahead towards the end of June.

GYMNASTICS:
All classes will participate in a gymnastics programme in June.

TRAVEL SURVEY:
On Monday each child from 1st – 6th class will bring home a travel questionnaire.  We ask that parents fill it in (one per child – sorry for the duplication) and return it to the school by Friday 13th.  It will take only a few minutes of your time to complete.  Thank you for your co-operation.

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NEWSLETTER 25th April 2017

YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR PROGRAMME: 

Congratulations to Ms. Hayden and the children from 5th class on the fantastic work they have done as part of the Young Entrepreneur Programme.  They have produced a beautiful publication which began as an idea and progressed through all the business stages to where they are today.  Please read on…

5th class presents…. ‘A Taste pf Ballylinan’ – over the last 12 weeks, 5th class have  been taking part in the Junior Entrepreneur Programme.  This has resulted in the first ever Ballylinan recipe book!  We have produced a receipe book that includes all our favourite recipes.  This book is conveniently divided into 3 distinct sections – main courses, desserts and healthy options.  The book will be on sale outside the office at 2pm and 3pm everyday from today, Tuesday 25th April.

SWIMMING: 

Lessons begin for Ms. Goff’s Class from tomorrow (Wednesday) in Athy.

FOR YOUR DIARY:

Graduation ceremony for 6th class will be held on Wednesday June 28th at 7.30 pm.

BANK  HOLIDAY ARRANGEMENTS: 

Monday May 1st:            Bank Holiday

Tuesday May 2nd:          Holiday

School re-opens on Wednesday May 3rd.

1ST CLASS:  Ireland Eye Study – Envelope attached.  Please return signed document to the school as soon as possible.

GAMES ON THE GREEN:

See flyer attached.

BORN TO MOVE: 

Thanks to Samantha Kirwan who introduced the programme to all classes in recent weeks.  It was great success and hopefully will be back in the future.  In the meantime it is available at Portlaoise Leisure Centre.

POSITIVE PARENTING FOR TEENS: 

Course begins tomorrow night Wednesday 26th from 7 pm – 9 pm in the school. All welcome!