Category: Newsletters

ZIM DAY – Friday 12th February:
Our Annual Fr O’Shea appeal for Zimbabwe will be held on Friday 12^th February. As in other years the day will consist of cake and jumble sales and will conclude with a monster raffle. Tickets for the raffle will go on sale for the children to buy on Monday 8^th February. They will cost 50c each. We are asking for toys, books and games that your children no longer use but that other children might like and be anxious to buy. These can be brought to the school from Monday February 8^th. We are also calling on all the bakers and bun makers in Ballylinan to bake for us. These goodies and treats are always in great demand. We know that we can depend on your support and that our cake stall will be very well stocked. The money raised from Zim Day will be donated to the Franciscan Missionary Union and will be used to help the children attending Assisi High School, Nharira, Chivhu, Zimbabwe, providing resources for their educational needs.

GREEN SCHOOLS:
Well done to our Green Schools Committee for all their hard work towards achieving our 4^th green flag (travel). Mieke from “An Taisce” visited last week to assess our progress and was very impressed, so we are hoping to get good news in the weeks ahead.

GRANDPARENTS MASS – Thursday Feb 4th 1.15 pm.
A reminder that all parents and grandparents are welcome. Children can be collected after mass (about 2pm). Otherwise children will remain in school until 3pm. Homework club is going ahead as usual.

INTERNET SAFETY:
A guest speaker will visit the school next Monday (Feb 8^th) and talk to children from 5^th and 6^th classes (1.30 – 2.30). He will speak to parents from 2.30pm – 3pm and all parents are welcome. Please let us know if you will be attending by informing the class teacher through your oldest child.

ENROLMENT 2016:
Don’t forget to give your child’s details to us as soon as possible (tel: 86 25195) if you haven’t already done so.

TIN WHISTLE:
Classes for both groups will take place this Friday after school.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK:
The theme for this year is “Challenged to Proclaim God’s Mercy” in keeping with the Jubilee Year of Mercy which began on December 8^th.  The highlight of the week will be the “Grandparents’ Mass” which will be celebrated next Thursday February 4^th at 1.15 pm.  Children will be free to leave after the mass if collected by parents or a responsible adult.

ENROLMENT FOR SEPTEMBER 2016:
Please contact the office next week (February 1^st – 5^th) if you have not already done so.  Enrolment forms will be issued to those who have registered in the coming weeks.

FIRST COMMUNION:
Mass next Monday February 1^st (St. Brigid’s Day) in Killeen at 7.30 pm.

CONFIRMATION:
Mass for those involved on Tuesday February 2^nd at 7.30 pm. in Ballylinan.

SCHOOL CALENDAR:  We are selling off the last few calendars at €4 each. They are available from the school office and Centra.

INTERNET SAFETY:
A talk for children in 5^th and 6^th class will be held on Monday February 8^th.  Parents are invited for a short presentation at 2.30 pm which will be over by 3pm.

Welcome back after the Christmas break and Happy New Year to all families.

CONFIRMATION:
A meeting for the parents of children in 6^th class due to be confirmed on February 27^th will be held at the school on Thursday 21^st at 7.30 pm.

FIRST EUCHARIST PREPARATION:
Killeen Church, Monday February 1^st. (more details to follow).

AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES:

• Tin whistle classes are back since last week.

• Homework Club is up and running from today (Monday). Spaces available.

PANTO DVD:  Last opportunity to order the DVD –

€15 – 1 night
€20 – both nights

CALENDARS:  A small number of calendars left.  When they’re gone ……

Eoin Julian:
The sincere sympathy of the whole school community goes to Áine, Seán, Emily, Jane and their extended families and friends on the tragic passing of Eoin.  He is laid to rest very close to the school and we will remember him whenever we pass by.   Our thoughts and our prayers are with the family at this difficult time.

ADVENT FRIENDS:
Last Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent.  Each child in the school has been allocated an “advent” or “special” friend in the lead up to Christmas.  Children should be particularly kind to the person without letting them know that they have been chosen.  No cards or gifts are necessary and should not be sent into school.

STAFF/GIFTS:
The staff of the school has requested that due to the financial pressure on families at this time of year, children should not bring in presents / cards for staff this year. We very much appreciate the thought but feel it is an unnecessary expense at this time.

PANTO TICKETS:
Tickets are on sale every day at 9.20 am / 1.40 pm / 2.40 pm.  The list of children performing each night is displayed inside the main door.  Volunteers:  Our Parents Association is providing refreshments at the Panto for the back stage “team”.  If you are available to help out please contact the school 059 86 25195.

SCHOOL CALENDARS:
The calendars are currently with the printers and should be with us shortly.  The price of the calendar will be €7 and will include photographs of all the class groups and football teams.

BALLYLINAN JUVENILE GAA:
Reminder  Christmas Fair takes place in the GAA Club House on Sunday 6^th December @ 2pm.  Santas Grotto – cake stalls, Christmas wreaths, raffles, buzz off, Irish dancing, money stick, carol singing, crepes. Admission free.

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS:
School closes Tuesday Dec 22^nd at 12.30 pm. and re-opens Wednesday January 6^th.

HOMEWORK CLUB Changes to next weeks schedule:
Monday 7^th – AS NORMAL.
Tuesday 8^th, Wednesday 9^th, Thursday 10^th – NO HOMEWORK CLUB.

SCHOOL  CHOIR
This is the time of year when we ask the children to give something back to the school and also to support their school and class – mates. Over the next few months we have 3 major school celebrations. Choir permission slips are being sent out to families of children in 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th Class.

 First Confession          Wednesday March 8th (7pm)
Confirmation                 Saturday February 27^th (11.30 am)
First Eucharist              Sunday May 22^nd (11.30 am.)