St. Patrick's N.S., Ballylinan

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.