Year: 2021

Virus Update
Thank you for your continuing cooperation with public health measures. We are almost at the end of a very difficult school year for everybody. We expect that some measures will remain in place in September, but we may not know what they will be until nearer the time.

Tracksuit Orders
School tracksuit orders are now being taken online. Orders must be placed by Friday June 18th. There is no payment required at this point.  Place your order.

School Reports
Reports will be made available as we approach the end of the school year. The Department of Education required that standardised tests be carried out as normal and this has been done recently. Given the extraordinary disruption during this and last year, it will not be too surprising if the children’s test scores have fallen a little. Your child’s teacher may be in contact with you if they think there is a particular concern, but if schools can have a more normal year in the coming year, we expect that any ground lost can be recovered over time.

2021 Home Based Summer Programme
This programme is aimed at all students in special schools and special classes as well as students in mainstream classes in primary schools who are accessing the highest level of the continuum of support (Student Support Plus/for a few). This includes students with Autism, Down syndrome, sensory impairments, and other disabilities who were identified for the supplementary programme earlier this year.

Please contact the school if you think your child may be eligible and we can provide the necessary documentation and endeavour to put you in touch with a teacher who is available to carry out the programme.

More information.

6th Class Graduation
This will take place on the evening of 23rd June with Covid restrictions applying. Details will be issued to parents of 6th Classes next week.

Cúl Camp
Please note this will take place in Ballylinan GAA Club from 19th – 23rd July. Register here.

Condolences
Our condolences to Mrs. Donnelly on the recent death of her father, Jimmy Farrell. May he rest in peace.

Covid Update
Vaccinations are progressing well which is great news. Unfortunately the pandemic is not over and the risk of transmission and disruption in the school community remains. There are currently three primary schools in the Carlow area with classrooms closed because of the virus. Please continue to follow public health guidelines at all times. Thank you all.

Sacraments
Bishop Denis Nulty has requested that in line with public health advice, there be no Communion or Confirmation ceremonies held this school year. While not unexpected, it still disappointing news. Arles Parish will monitor the situation with a view to organising these ceremonies as soon as is practicable, perhaps holding Confirmation in late summer and Communion before Halloween. This is a tentative plan and of course it is subject to change.

Reducing Anxiety in Children aged 4-14 Years
Free Zoom Webinar for Parents
Laois Education Centre in partnership with the Triple P Parenting Programme are delivering a Fear-Less webinar which will offer Parents of children 4 – 14 years of age tips and strategies to help their children manage their anxiety and provide practical evidence-based tips for parents and carers in these uncertain times.

Parenting during the COVID-19 pandemic is a unique challenge for all parents, caregivers and families. Children and parents are anxious, and families are under pressure like never before. Being a parent to a child/teenager who is experiencing anxiety can be tough.

Tuesday 29th June 2021
7-9pm
Facilitator: Deirdre Dowling, Triple P Practitioner
Click to Register

Supporting Transitions from Primary School to Post-Primary School
This information webinar in collaboration with the National Parents Council will explore some of the key elements in preparing your child for post-primary school. For first time parents, the session will give you an understanding of what secondary school is like. We’ll look at ways in which parents can support their child through this time bearing in mind that going to First Year also coincides with adolescence for a young person.

The session will also give a brief overview of the Junior Cert and provide some website links where parents can keep on top of developments as their child moves forward. Furthermore, we will briefly look at the structure of parent/teacher meetings, home school communication and people your child might meet in post primary school.

Wednesday 2nd June 2021
7.30 – 9pm
Facilitator: Helen Mortimer, National Parents Council
Click to Register

Retirement
As some of you already know, Ms. Claire Cotter (Deputy Principal) will be retiring at the end of June after 42 years in Ballylinan. Her huge contribution to the life of the school will be recognised in the coming weeks. The Board of Management has appointed Mrs. Aileen Hurley to take up the position of Deputy Principal when Ms. Cotter retires.

Traffic
Please remind your child to take care if they are walking on the footpath from the school to the church. This can be very busy and it is all too easy for a child to step onto the road into the path of a car. Please take care. Thank you for your support as always.

Covid Update
Please continue to adhere to public health guidelines and thank you for your cooperation. A Department of Education inspection last week found that we are doing everything we can to reduce the risk of transmission within the school. There is steady progress being made on the vaccine front and our grandparents and older fmaily members are being protected. Think for a moment however about all the pupils, their parents and the school staff (roughly 500 people). Almost none has been vaccinated yet. While the risks of serious health consequences are lower in younger age groups, the risk of disruption to the school (through enforced absences) remains. We have come so far this year with minimal disruption; let’s see it through to the end of the school year. Thanks again.

Coaching
It feels like the school has been running in black and white this year. So much of our time and energy continues to be focused on just keeping things running safely. A little colour is returning with rugby and football coaching resuming for some classes. We are hoping to resume swimming and many other activities in the autumn if we continue to suppress the virus.

Sacraments
Unfortunately it looks like First Communion will not take place until the autumn. There is an outside chance of Confirmation taking place in June, but it is unlikely. If there is any update we will let you know immediately.

Gaeilge
Táimid fós ag déanamh iarracht níos mó Gaeilge a úsáid i rith an lae. We’re trying to use a little more Irish during the day. Listen to some of our efforts. Bainigí triail as!

Enrolments
Enrolments are completed for next year. If you know of anyone who hasn’t contacted us or may be moving to the area, please let us know immediately, thank you.

Smart Devices
A reminder that phones, tablets etc. are not necessary for children during the day. In exceptional circumstances if they need to be brought, they must be turned off and handed to the class teacher in the morning.

Tracksuits
Orders will soon be taken for September, we aim to organise it online. Details to follow.