Newsletter 22nd March 2024

Newsletter 22nd March 2024

Confirmation: Congratulations to the children from 6th class who celebrated their Confirmation yesterday. It was a wonderful occasion and a great honour to have Bishop Denis Nulty confirm our children. Thank you to all who played a part in preparing for our special day.

Hot School Meals: Each child should have received their login details and additional information ahead of the launch of our hot school meals programme when we return to school on April 8th. We are appealing to you to select your child’s preferred options for the week, through the website, as soon as possible and ideally by Friday 29th March. If you encounter any difficulties with ordering please contact Bradbury’s directly.

We don’t want any child to be without a lunch on our first day so please don’t forget to place your order. Children will still require a small healthy snack for little break and a drink.

This is a very positive development for our school community. We really appreciate your support in encouraging your children to try the various options available and to recognise the value of eating a healthy balanced diet.

SETU Carlow: Our children had very interesting visit from Andrew Keppel from South Eastern Technological University Carlow on Wednesday.  Andrew brought along a 3D printer and some very interesting and useful components that were designed and produced by the engineering team at SETU Carlow. Thank you, Andrew.

Congratulations: Huge congratulations to Ms. Kiernan, who won a bronze medal at the European Masters Indoor Championship in Torun, Poland this week. Ms Kiernan ran a personal best on the day and is an inspiration to all of us.

Parents Association: The next meeting of our Parents Association takes place on Monday April 8th at 7:30pm.

Easter break: School is closed from Monday 25th March and reopens on Monday 8th April.

Newsletter 11th March 2024

School Photos: County photos will return on Tuesday March 12th to facilitate the taking of photos of children who were absent previously. We also hope to take class photos on the day. Children must wear their school uniform.

 St. Patrick’s Day: Children will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with “Lá Glás” on Friday 15th March. Children are not required to wear school uniform but can wear something green on the day.

Autism Class: We are delighted to inform you that our school will open a special class for children with autism in September 2024. Children must have a diagnosis of autism and a recommendation to attend an autism class in a mainstream school to qualify for a place. An updated admissions notice outlining the timeline for applications will be published soon. If you have any queries, please contact the school.

Hot School Meals: The hot school meals programme is due to begin in early April. This is a free service to all children in our school and is funded by the Department of Social Protection. Parents / guardians will be provided with an individual login through which you can order from an extensive menu with Irish School Meals, based in Athy. Meals will be delivered to your child in school, each day. Children will still require a small healthy snack for little break and a drink. More details to follow.

Ballylinan GAA Oskars:  Best wishes to Ballylinan GAA as they embark on a major fundraising drive to fund a new walking track. There are two events that may be of interest:

  • Disco Party for primary school children, takes place at Ballylinan GAA Clubhouse on Friday 22nd March, 6:30pm to 8:30pm. Entry is €5 and there is a shop available on the night.
  • Easter Activity Camp takes place at Ballylinan GAA on Wednesday 3rd, Thursday 4th and Friday 5th April from 10am to 1pm for children aged 4 years to 12 years. Contact 085 7186406 or 087 9793317. Family rates apply: €50 for 1st child, €40 for 2nd child, €30 for 3rd child and 4th child is free.

Book Fair: Thank you for your incredible support of our book fair.

Peace Proms: Children from fourth, fifth and sixth class took part in the Peace Proms Concert in SETU Waterford on Saturday March 9th. What a fantastic event it proved to be. Sincere thanks and appreciation to the teachers who have worked so hard in preparing the children and thank you to all who travelled to Waterford on the day.

Confirmation: Children from 6th class will celebrate their Confirmation on Wednesday 20th March at 11am. School remains open as usual for all other classes.

Road safety: There have been some reports of dangerous / inappropriate behaviour as children make their way from school. Please remind your child(ren) to take care and to be mindful of other road users.

 School Closures:

Bank holiday: School is closed on Monday 18th March (bank holiday).

Easter break: School is closed from Monday 25th March and reopens on Monday 8th April. The break begins with a half day on Friday 22nd March. School closes at 12:20pm for infants and 12:30 for the rest of the school.

Congratulations: Well done to our 6th class quiz team who came an impressive fourth place in the Cumann na mbunscol quiz recently. Well done also, to all who took part in the FAI 5 aside soccer tournament recently, and in particular to the girls team who qualified for the next round.

Newsletter 27th February 2024

Cake sale: There was great excitement as 6th class hosted our Confirmation Challenge Cake sale on Friday last. Thank you to all who donated items for the cake sale and for your generosity in purchasing baked goods and raffle tickets on the day. €1379.89 was raised on the day. Well done everyone.

First Penance: Best wishes to our children in 2nd class who will receive the sacrament of First Penance this evening 27th February. Children and their families are welcome to the school for refreshments afterwards. Thank you to our Parents Association for facilitating this.

Travelling Book Fair: The Celtic Travelling Book Fair arrives tomorrow 28th February. The book fair will be open to parents from 1:45pm to 2:15 and from 2:45 to 3:15 on Thursday 29th, Friday 1st and Tuesday 5th. There is a broad range of books to choose from and a percentage of the sales made will go to the school in the form of additional books for class libraries. Payment by cash is preferable.

Confirmation Retreat: Our confirmation retreat takes place at the De la Salle Retreat Centre in Castletown, Co. Laois on Tuesday 5th March. Bus leaves the school at 9:15am sharp. This is a whole Parish event and children from Arles and Killeen will attend also. Children should wear their school tracksuit and bring a packed lunch. Payment for the bus via Aladdin please.

World Book Day: World Book Day, takes place on Thursday 7th March. Children are invited to dress up as a character from their favourite book on the day.

Peace Proms: Fourth, fifth and sixth class will take part in the Peace Proms Concert in SETU Waterford on Saturday March 9th. The children and their teachers have put tremendous work into preparing for this occasion and it promises to be a fantastic experience. Bus leaves the school at 9:30am and returns at 7pm. Payment for the bus and food via Aladdin please.

School Photos: County photos will return on Thursday March 14th to facilitate the taking of photos of children who may have been absent last week. We also hope to take class photos on the day.

Board of Management: A meeting of the School Board of Management took place on Monday 12th February. Please see the agreed report for some exciting developments for our school.

This is an exceptionally busy time of year. While we endeavour to give your children a vast range of rich learning experiences, we are aware that this comes at a cost. We are conscious of the challenges this may pose for you as parents / guardians, we appreciate your ongoing support and thank you for your understanding.

School Closures:

Maths Curriculum Day: The school will close on Monday 4th March to facilitate teachers’ attendance at a professional learning day to introduce the new Primary Maths Curriculum.

ReferendumSchool will be closed on Friday March 8th to facilitate the Referendum on the Thirty-Ninth and Fortieth Amendment of the Constitution.

 

Newsletter 1st February 2024

Junior Infants 2024: Applications to enrol will be accepted until Friday, 9th of February 2024. Please complete this form if you wish to enrol your child for the 2024/2025 school year. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the school.

Catholic Schools Week: Thank you to all who attended our Grandparents Mass and thank you to our Parents Association for providing refreshments afterwards.

School Vaccination Programme: The school immunisation team will visit on Monday 12th February for junior infants. A parent / guardian must accompany your child at your allocated time.

Referendum: School will be closed on Friday March 8th to facilitate the Referendum on the Thirty-Ninth and Fortieth Amendment of the Constitution.

Travelling Book Fair: The Celtic Travelling Book Fair returns to the school from Wednesday 28th February to Wednesday 6th March. The fair will open from 1:45 to 2:15 and from 2:45 to 3:15 every day. Please follow the link for a sample of some of the books available to purchase. The school receives up to 60% commission on books sold which is in turn used to purchase new books for our class libraries.

World Bok Day: World Book Day, takes place on Thursday 7th March. Children are invited to dress up as a character from their favourite book on the day.

School Photos: Our Parents Association have arranged to have school photographers County Photos visit the school on Thursday 22nd of February. Children will be photographed on the day (with siblings where applicable). Parents will be issued with a pack containing proofs and a range of package options to choose from. County Photos come highly recommended, however, there is no obligation to purchase.

Hurling & Camogie: We are delighted to have entered a hurling and camogie team in Laois Cumann na mBunscol this year. This is another fantastic opportunity to help our children develop a love for Gaelic Games.

Ceremony of light: The Ceremony of Light for our Confirmation children takes place on Tuesday 6th February at 7:30pm in St. Anne’s Church, Ballylinan. This is a combined ceremony for all schools in the Parish. Children are asked to bring their Baptismal Candle on the night.

Cross Country: Students from 5th & 6th class participated in the Co. Carlow Schools Cross Country event last week. For many of our children it was their very first experience of an athletics event and an enjoyable day was had by all. Congratulations to Jake Kelly who came fourth in a field of over 100 runners. Our next outing will see 5th and 6th class take part in the Laois Cumann na mBunscol Cross Country Event, on Wednesday 28th February in Portlaoise.

Parents Association:The next meeting of the Parents Association takes place of February 19th, at 7:30pm in the school.

Junior Achievement: Ms. Cunningham’s and Mrs. Moriarty’s second class will participate in the Junior Achievement Programme through February and March. The programme explores the community we live in and the work we do and is presented by Karen Duffy in co-operation with her employer MSD Carlow.

Classy Kids Pre School Ballylinan: Classy Kids have been in touch to say that registration is now open for September. Contact Anne on 0892161320.

School closures this term:

February 5th: Bank Holiday

February 15th & 16th: Mid Term Break

March 4th: Teacher in service.

March 8th: Referendum

March 18th: Bank holiday

March 25th to April 5th: Easter Break

 

Thank you for your continued support of our school.

Newsletter 15th January 2024

Happy New Year!

Junior Infants 2024:  Applications to enrol will be accepted until Friday, 9th of February 2024. Please complete this form if you wish to enrol your child for the 2024/2025 school year. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the school.

Anti Bullying Week: Our Wellbeing Committee had been busy assisting teachers in arranging activities as we celebrated Anti Bullying Week.

During this week, we aimed to empower children to understand their own behaviour, to recognise bullying, to develop an awareness of online safety risks and to be confident in how to report and seek support when they need it.

There was a specific focus on kindness this week, we  played co-operative games in the hall and our senior classes participated in the Fuse Antibullying Programme.

Catholic Schools Week: Catholic Schools Week will take place from Sunday 21st to Saturday 27th January 2024. The theme this year is Catholic Schools as Communities of Service.

Grandparents Mass: Our annual Grandparents Mass will take place on Thursday 25th January at St. Anne’s Church Ballylinan at 12:30pm. It is a wonderful occasion to mark Catholic School’s Week and an opportunity to celebrate the gift of Grandparents. Grandparents / Parents / Guardians are welcome to attend Mass and to join us for a cuppa and a look around the school afterwards. More details to follow. 

Maths Curriculum Day: The school will close on Monday 4th March to facilitate teachers’ attendance at a professional learning day to introduce the new Primary Maths Curriculum.

Entrance exams: We have been advised that Entrance Assessments for Carlow Town schools will take place on Friday 1st March 2024. Each school will communicate details with their own incoming students.

Christmas Food Appeal: Ber McEvoy, St. Vincent de Paul, Athy, wrote to us this week to convey her appreciation for your kindness and generosity during our recent food appeal.

 Swimming: Timetable for the remainder of the year

10th January – Ms. Hogan & Mr. Curry

28th February – Ms. Cunningham & Mrs. Moriarty

23rd April – Ms. Twomey

24th April – Mrs. Donnelly

Parents Association: The Parent’s Association will meet this evening, Monday 15th January at 7:30pm.

Travelling Book Fair: The Celtic Travelling Book Fair returns to the school from Wednesday 28th February to Wednesday 6th March. More details to follow.

School closures this term:

February 5th: Bank Holiday

February 15th & 16th: Mid Term Break

March 4th: Teacher in service.

March 18th: Bank holiday

March 25th to April 5th: Easter Break

 

Thank you for your continued support of our school.