St. Patrick's N.S., Ballylinan

CONFIRMATION:
Our best wishes go to the children from 6th Class who will receive their Confirmation on Saturday next, April 5th in St. Anne’s Church at 11.30 am. Further details will be given to the class later in the week.
CHOIR:  Children from 4th and 5th classes will provide the choir for the ceremony and should be in their places by 11.20 am.

CEREMONY OF LIGHT:
Fr. Brian has informed us that the preparation ceremony for 6th Class will be celebrated in the church tonight (Tuesday) at 7.30 pm.

DENTAL SERVICE FOR 6TH CLASS:
The H.S.E. has indicated that 6th children may not be seen before the summer due to staff shortages. However, they have assured us that the children will be called before the end of the year. Parents requiring emergency treatment for any child can ring 057 86 92625 any morning at 9.30 am and they will be directed to the nearest clinic.

‘SUPER STARS’ EASTER CAMP (Junior Infants – 6th Class):
Monday 14th, Tuesday 15th, Wednesday 16th April – 10am – 2pm – €40 per child. For more details contact: Ms Goff, Ms. Brennan, Ms. Mulhare or Mrs. Connolly. See flyer attached to newsletter sent home with your child.

OFFICE UNATTENDED:
Please note that the admin. office is unattended from –
10.45am – 11am and 12.15 – 12.45 pm each day.

PARENT COUNCIL NEWS:
Easter Raffle – please return your tickets to the school on or before this Friday April 4th. Extra tickets can be got from the admin. office.  Draw takes place in the school on Monday 7th.
Uisce says “Don’t say no to saving H20”

EASTER RAFFLE:
Our Parents Council are organizing a raffle to raise funds for the purchase of iPads for the school (tickets attached). The tickets cost €2 each or book of 6 tickets for €10. Each family will receive 1 book and we would ask people to be as generous as they can.

TRACK SUITS:
Following the recent survey and after consultation, it has been decided to stay with our current school track suit. The problem of the legs being worn or torn was a cause for concern. The option of plain navy legs will be introduced next year in an effort to reduce the cost to parents. This will also give the option of using ‘cotton type’ legs during the winter. The school track suit will still be available from Shaws, Athy, but the replacement legs can be purchased in any shop. The new arrangement will also apply for the rest of this year.

FOOTBALL BLITZ:
Our children from 3rd and 4th class participated in a blitz yesterday in Ballylinan G.A.A. Club. Thanks to Ollie Walsh and Frank Shanahan for all their help.

RUGBY:
Children from 5th and 6th classes took part in a tag rugby blitz in Athy over the past two days. Thanks to Joey Carbery and his team for all their hard work.

COMMUNITY NOTICES:

FOOTBALL COACHING – Begins – Friday March 28th in the
G.A.A. pitch – 6.45 pm – 7.45 pm:
* Boys/Girls U6 coaching indoors – (runners and mouth guards please).
* Boys U8, U10, U12 coaching outdoors (don’t forget mouth guards).

PARENT COUNCIL – now have a Facebook page, which is a closed group and open only to parents of children in Ballylinan School. Check it out by keying in St. Patrick’s NS Ballylinan Parent’s Association in the search bar and here you can send a friend request to the chairperson, Deirdre Murphy.

Uisce says “Don’t say no to saving H20”

FRIDAY FOOTBALL: 
Tomorrow, Friday March 21st is the last day in the series of coaching sessions. It has been a great success and thanks to Ballylinan G.A.A. Club and in particular the coaches who have been so generous with their time.
* Coaching for girls has already commenced on Tuesday nights in the G.A.A. pitch.
* Boys U6, U8, U10 coaching will begin on –
Friday March 28th in the G.A.A. pitch – 6.45 pm – 7.45 pm.

FIRST PENANCE:
Congratulations to the children in 2nd Class who received the sacrament last night. Special thanks to Ms. Cotter, Ms. Brennan and Mrs. Kenna for all their work with the children. Thanks to Mrs. Browne and her choir for the beautiful singing and to Margaret Brennan for the music.

Following the ceremony refreshments were provided at the school for the first time. Thanks to the members of the Parents Council who worked so hard to provide for everyone – it was much appreciated.