Newsletter Friday 8th November 2024

School Closure: The school is closed on Monday November 11th and again on 12th November for Teacher Training.

Lego Club: Continues this Thursday 14th November.

Flu Vaccines: Will be administered on Wednesday 13th November. Any outstanding consent forms can be returned by that date.

Parent / Teacher Meetings: Will take place on the evenings of Tuesday 19th and Thursday 21st of November. Appointments will be available for booking through the Aladdin App as follows:

  • Families with three or more children 12pm Monday
  • Families with two or more children 3pm Monday
  • All other families 9am Tuesday

Christmas Cards: Christmas Cards are available to order via Aladdin €10 for a pack of 10 – must be ordered by Tuesday 12th.

Science week: Science week takes place next week. There will be a range of science activities taking place during the week. First and Second class will travel to the Discovery Park in Castlecomer on Thursday 14th November. More details to follow.

Anti-Bullying Week: Due to a clash with Science Week and an already shortened school week, we have decided to postpone Anti-Bullying week until the week of 18th November.

During this week, we aim 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.

Pupils from 4th, 5th and 6th will take part in the FUSE Anti-Bullying and Online Safety Programme, supported by the Department of Education and referenced in the Cineáltas: Action Plan on Bullying. FUSE is a research-based Anti-Bullying and Online Safety Programme developed by DCU Anti-Bullying Centre.

All other classes will engage with specific Anti-Bullying lessons as advised by the Dept of Education.

Christmas concert: All children will participate in a Christmas concert on the evening of Tuesday 10th December in the school. Details to follow.

Infant Nativity: Nativity play involving Junior & Senior Infants will take place on Thursday 12th December. This will take place during the school day. More details to follow.

 Parking: Now that building work is complete, and with child safety in mind, we will revert to the original arrangement for parking. The overflow carpark to the side of the school will only be in use for the 3pm collection. Please do not lift the bollards for morning drop-off or the 2pm collection.

David Coleman: The Parents’ Association of Ballyfin NS (R32 N920) have been in touch to inform us that they have arranged for Dr David Coleman to give a talk in their school on Thursday November 21st at 7.30pm on the topic of ‘Helping children and teenagers build resilience and self-esteem’. Tickets cost 25 euro and are available at https://buytickets.at/ballyfinnspc/1384603.

 Survey: Inspectors in the Department of Education are carrying out a survey of parents, pupils and teachers on the work of schools in preventing and tackling bullying. This survey will be released to parents and pupils (for competition at home) on Monday 11th November. We would appreciate your input.

Newsletter Monday 21st October 2024

Cumann na mBunscol: As we draw the curtain on another Cuman na mBunscol season, it’s timely to thank the team of teachers who gave so willingly of their time and talent to allow our children to participate. While there was no silverware this year, there were many little “wins” along the way.

Lego Club: There are still some places available on the infant session of the Bricks for Kids afterschool club. Register your interest.  Queries to ktyrrell@bricks4kidz.ie

Parents Association: AGM will take place on Monday 25th November at 7pm.

Flu Vaccines: Ballylinan Pharmacy will visit the school during the week after mid term to administer the Flu (nasal) vaccine. Parent consent forms will be distributed tomorrow. If you wish your child to receive the vaccine, please complete the consent form and return to the school before the Mid Term Break.

Halloween Hike: Our annual Sponsored Halloween Hike takes place on Friday 25th October. Weather permitting, we will leave the school at 10am and walk through to village and back. Sponsorship cards can be returned to the school by Wednesday is possible. Thank you for your generous support.

Swimming: Swimming will take place for 3rd & 4th Class after mid-term break. Cost for the term is €65 payable in advance via Aladdin please.

Parent / Teacher Meetings: Will take place on the evenings of Tuesday 19th and Thursday 21st of November. Appointments will be available for booking through the Aladdin App. We will notify you once the slots become live.

Christmas Cards: Our Parents Association have arranged the printing of personalised Christmas Cards. Each child will design their own card, and will receive one complimentary card. Additional cards are available to purchase at €10 for a pack of 10. There is no obligation to purchase and any funds raised will go to the school.

Toy Appeal: This year marks the fifth anniversary of the passing of our former pupil Jaydn Kelly. Jaydn’s classmates are now in 6th class. The children are arranging a Toy Appeal in tribute to Jaydn. Their plan is to collect new toys which will be donated to Aoibheann’s Pink Tie, a charity dedicated to supporting children and families affected by childhood cancer (from birth to 18 years). Children / families who wish to support the appeal are invited to donate a new toy, gift wrapped, with the relevant age marked on the outside. These will be collected at the school in late November and presented to Aoibheann’s Pink Tie, along with Jaydn’s Family, in early December. More details to follow.

Mid Term Break: Reminder that the school is closed for the week beginning on Monday 28th October for Mid Term break.

Autism Class: Reconfiguration work on our Autism Classroom is now complete and will be in use after the Mid Term break. The outdoor play area will be completed in the coming weeks.

Lotto:  Don’t forget that anyone who has signed up to the school lotto is included in an additional nationwide draw this Thursday 24th. Prizes include, 2 x Oasis Official Platinum Tickets, €1,000 Cash Prize and €500 Smyths Toystore Voucher. See https://www.ourfundraiser.ie/org/ballylinanns  for more details.

Ms. Lacey:  Best wishes to Ms Lacey and “husband to be” Tom who are due to be married over the mid-term break. We hope you have a wonderful day and a long and happy life together.

 

Newsletter Friday 4th October 2024

Cumann na mBunscol: As we near the end of the season, our boys play away to Stradbally on Tuesday 8th October at 12pm. As usual the bus costs €7 payable via Aladdin please.

We have one further game for boys and girls – more details to follow.

Training continues on Monday after school.

Lego Club: After the success of the after-school programme last year, Bricks 4 Kidz are taking an expression of interest from parents for workshops for Infants and for 1st- 6th Class. The details of this programme can be seen in the attached poster. The programme runs each Thursday, November 7th, 21st, 28th & December 5th, 12th & 19th (There is no workshop on November 14th). Please click on the following link to the website to register your interest.

N.B. If booking on a mobile device, turn the phone sideways to proceed past the cookies box.

School Calendar: The school calendar is published on our website www.balllyinannationalschool.com

Teacher Professional Learning: The school is closed on November 11th for Teacher Professional Learning offered to all schools on the opening of their first Autism Class and again on 12th November for Teacher Training on the new Primary Maths Curriculum.

Parents Association: Committee will meet on Monday 7th at 7pm. The AGM will take place later this term.

Swimming: Swimming will take place for 3rd & 4th class after the mid term break. More details to follow.

SNA Appreciation Day: On Tuesday last we celebrated SNA appreciation day. Thank you to our wonderful team of SNA’s who take such good care of our children.

World Teacher’s Day: Takes place tomorrow Saturday. It’s a timely reminder of how fortunate we are to have such fantastic role models for our children. Thank you for all that you do.

Finally, to our Parents & Guardians, thank you so much for your support. Have a lovely weekend.

Newsletter Friday 20th September 2024

Newsletter Friday 20th September 2024

Aladdin: Please review and update your child’s medical information and family doctor on the Aladdin App over the course of the next week, by visiting “Student Details” on your child’s profile. We would really appreciate if you could include any information on medical conditions and allergies that may impact your child during the school day. This includes asthma, food allergies / intolerances etc. If your child does not have a medical condition or allergy, you do not need to take any action.

Lunches: Please remember to update your child’s choice of hot lunch at  https://irishschoolmeals.ie/

Autism Class: Building works are progressing well. We hope to have our new classroom open in the coming weeks.

Payments: Thank you to all who have paid the back-to-school expenses already. Payments can be made through Aladdin, by instalment if required.

School Lotto: Congratulations to Karen McLoughlin, winner of our recent Lotto Jackpot.  If you haven’t already joined our school lotto, your support would be greatly appreciated.

Recycling: Our Green School Committee continue to collect your cans and bottles. Our collection bin is located at the front door. Thank you so much for your generous support of this initiative.

Cumann na mBunscol: A busy week ahead for our boys’ team. They play away to Durrow at 12:30 on Tuesday and at home to Ballyroan at 12 noon on Thursday. There is a charge of €7 for the bus to Durrow, payable through Aladdin please. Training continues for boys and girls on Monday.

Athletics: A group of children from 5th and 6th class will take part in the Primary Schools Cross Country event on Wednesday 25th September, in Carlow Hurling Club. More details to follow, early next week.

Football Final: Best wishes to Ballylinan GAA Under 13 team, who take part in the Shield Final against Na Fianna Og, tomorrow Saturday, at The Centre of Excellence, Portlaoise.

Halloween: As is tradition, we will dress up for our Halloween Hike again this year (Friday 25th October). This is a very enjoyable occasion but we ask that children do not wear inflatable costumes or masks this year.

Thank you so much for your continued support of our school. Have a lovely weekend.

Newsletter 10th September 2024

Newsletter 10th September 2024

Cumann na mBunscol: The football season begins with away matches against Ratheniska for both boy’s and girl’s teams tomorrow. There is a charge of €7 for the bus, payable via Aladdin please. A separate communication will issue to parents / guardians of players, later today.

Music Generation: We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Music Generation Laois this year. Juniors, Seniors and First class will take part in the Early Years Music Programme, with music specialist Kim Melia. This will involve weekly session beginning on Thursday of this week. Plans are in the pipeline to include some of our senior classes, later in the term. There is a small charge per pupil, which we hope to spread over two payments, details to follow.

Ploughing Traffic: As you know, the National Ploughing Championships will take place in Ratheniska next week. Garda Traffic Management advises us that there will be a noticeable increase in traffic through Ballylinan on the mornings of Tuesday 17th, Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th September. The school will open and close at the usual times. We will be understanding and ask that you be patient; there is no need to rush to avoid being late.

Parental feedback: Your feedback helps to shape future planning for our school. If you did not get the opportunity to complete our Parental Feedback Survey at the beginning of the Summer, you might like to do so now.

Flu Vaccination:  We are very fortunate to have Ballylinan Pharmacy come onboard to offer the Nasal Flu Vaccine to our pupils this winter. The vaccine is offered free of charge to all children who wish to avail of it. More details, including parental consent forms, will follow in due course.