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NEWSLETTER 12/11/2014

PARENT/TEACHER MEETINGS:
The meetings will be held on Tuesday November 25th and Thursday November 27th commencing each day at 3.15 pm. As in recent years parents will be allocated times in alphabetical order using surnames in order to reduce delays. Full details in next week’s newsletter.

CONFIRMATION:
As announced in the parish newsletter at the weekend the Confirmation ceremony will be celebrated by Bishop Denis Nulty in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Arles on Wednesday May 20th at 11 am. Meeting for parents and children on Tuesday November 25th at 7 pm. in the A.B.K. centre.

FIRST EUCHARIST MASS:
Sunday Nov. 16th @ 11.30 am.

5TH CLASS MASS:
Well done to the children form 5th class who participated in the Mass last Sunday.

CUMANN NA MBUNSCOL:
The finals were held recently in Portlaoise and the winners in our divisions were Emo (girls) and Clonaslee (boys). Thanks to Mrs. Connolly and Ms. Mulhare for all their work with the girls since September.

SCHOOL CALENDAR:
We have started taking photographs of the classes for our school calendar. The calendar will be the same format as last year and is a very economical way to get a class photograph! The calendars will be available in December.

“Don’t Say No to Saving H2O”

Posted on

NEWSLETTER 22/10/14

HALLOWEEN / MID-TERM:
A reminder that we are “dressing up” on Friday 24th. Contribution of €2 per child or €3 per family which will go to charity. No masks across the school and no one piece costumes for infants please!

School finishes at the usual times on Friday and re-opens on Monday, Nov. 3rd.

CONFIRMATION:
Enrolment Ceremony – Saturday (Mass) October 25th @ 7 pm.

SWIMMING:
Lessons for 2nd, 3rd and 4th classes will commence after mid-term as follows:

Wed Nov. 5th               2nd Class (Athy)
Thurs Nov. 6th            3rd Class (Mrs. Hurley & Ms. Cunningham)
Friday Nov. 7th           4th Class (Ms. Mulhare & Ms. Cunningham) (Portlaoise)

DUBLIN CITY MARATHON:
Our very best wishes go to Eamon Baldwin who will run the marathon for the school on Monday October 27th. Not only has Eamon been training hard but he has also raised considerable funds through sponsorship. Any outstanding cards can be returned to the school
office as soon as possible please. Thanks to everyone for their generosity.

GIRLS FOOTBALL:
Congratulations to our past pupils who were members of the U16 girls football team which won the county final recently.

YOUR CHILD AND SECONDARY SCHOOL:
Choosing a secondary school for your child is a very important decision for parents. There have been major changes in recent years and the decision has to be made much earlier, normally in 5th class. We have contacted the local schools to provide you with the details you require to make an “informed” decision.

Ardscoil na Tríonóide:
September 2015 (current 6th class):            Waiting List in Place

September 2016 (current 5th class):           Open Night: Mon Nov. 10th @7pm.

Closing date for applications:                       Mon Nov. 24th @ 5 pm.

Athy College:
September 2015 (current 6th class):          Closing date for applications –
Friday October 24th @ 5pm.

September 2016 (current 5th class):           Now open for applications.

Knockbeg College:
Open Day: Friday November 7th – 4pm – 7pm

COMMUNITY NEWS

BALLYLINAN LADIES:
Prize-giving and disco for girls U8 – U14 football teams on Friday 24th October 7pm – 10 pm in the clubhouse.
“Don’t Say No to Saving H2O”

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NEWSLETTER 15/10/14

FIRST EUCHARIST/CONFIRMATION:

Enrolment Ceremonies:

First Eucharist: Sunday October 19th @ 11.30 Mass

Confirmation: Saturday October 25th @7 pm Mass.

DUBLIN CITY MARATHON:
Please return any sponsorship cards to the school office on or before this Friday 17th October. Eamon is training hard and will be “ready to go” on the 27th.

 HALLOWEEN:
We are “dressing up” again for Halloween this year on Friday October 24th. As last year we are asking for a contribution of €2 per child or €3 per family. Any funds raised will go to charity. No masks please and no “one piece” costumes for infants!!

SCHOOL WEBSITE:
As mentioned before, considerable work has been done over the last 2 years in relation to improving literacy/numeracy standards in our school and in the whole area of school self-evaluation. From time to time we will post updates on the school website: www.ballylinannationalschool.com

 “Don’t Say No to Saving H2O”

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NEWSLETTER 10/10/14

FIRST EUCHARIST/CONFIRMATION:
Sunday May 24th has been fixed for First Eucharist in Ballylinan. Fr. Brian is away on pilgrimage at the moment so no further news about Confirmation until he returns.

MASS SERVERS:
The new teams are now in place and each child has his/her rota for the year ahead.

LATE ARRIVAL / EARLY DEPARTURE:
We would ask that children are only taken out early from school in exceptional circumstances. It is unfair on children and teachers to have pupils arriving late or leaving early from school.

CONGRATULATIONS –
To Ava Jeffares and Eva Mulhall from 6th Class who were 1st in the doubles event at the All Ireland Hip Hop Championships held recently. The girls also scored very highly in other events.

PARENT COUNCIL:
Reminder: Please return marathon sponsorhip cards along with payment to school office on or before next Friday 17th October. All funds raised are going towards the development of the school sports pitch development fund.

School Calendar: At the recent a.g.m. of the Parents’ Council it was decided to produce the school calendar again this year. If you wish to place an advertisement for your business into the calendar or know of any other business who may be interested, please contact the Parent Council secretary, Isobel Brady on 087 6219043. Cost: Half strip (bottom of page) = €25; full strip €40.

“Don’t Say No to Saving H2O”

Posted on

NEWSLETTER 26/09/14

CHILD PROTECTION:

The Board of Management wishes to inform the school community that the annual review of the school’s Child Protection Policy was completed at a meeting held last night (Sept. 25th). The review was conducted in accordance with the check list set out in Appendix 2 of the Department’s “Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools”.

ROAD SAFETY:
We have received a number of reports from parents about children using bicycles and flickers in a careless and dangerous manner, especially after school as they go down the hill. Please remind children travelling to school unsupervised, of the need to keep the rules of the road and other safety rules such as wearing a cycling helmet, etc.

PARKING/SET DOWN:
A reminder to motorists that if you are leaving your car to accompany your child into school in the morning please DO NOT park in the “drop off zone” area around the front of the school. This is causing a dangerous situation as children try to make their way through parked cars. The chains are in place to protect pedestrians as they cross. Please do not park in front of the chains at any time.
COMMUNITY NOTICES:

G.A.A. – U16 BOYS COUNTY FINAL:
The very best of luck to Ballylinan under 16 boys who are in the County B Final tomorrow in O’Moore Park, Portlaoise at 1.30 pm. Your support would be very much appreciated!!