Dear Parent / Guardian / Colleague / Board Member,

School Tours – Our senior side of the school has been school touring these last few days. Rg 3/4 to Zipit, Cork on Thursday and Rg 5/6 to Craggaunowen, Bunratty and the Crescent S.C.on Friday. The weather has been exceptional for this year’s tours. I get the feeling that they all enjoyed their turas scoile. Thanks to all staff, all pupils, bus drivers and you the parents / guardians, for your cooperation with the scheduling of these. Don’t forget our Junior and Senior infant tour takes place on Tuesday next (after the bank holiday.) Pupils will leave the school at 9:30 am and it is anticipated to return to the school (Not the Comm. Centre) by 3pm at latest.

Medal Presentation – On Wednesday last, we took the opportunity of presenting the Hurling Plate Winners with their medals at a school assembly in the Halla. Mrs Byrne commented on each of the players as they received their medals. Mr O’Ryan presented them. It is always nice to be able to present medals to our pupils, as part of a school team.

School Timetable – The month of June is always a very busy month at school. A timetable has already been sent to Rg 6 families as they traditionally have most to get through at this time of year. We will publish a list of all important school related events next Friday.

School Uniform from Tuesday next, pupils are permitted to wear their P.E. uniform until the summer holidays. They can also choose to wear short navy, unbranded pants in line with school policy. We would appreciate your cooperation on this matter in the interest of uniformity.  Please ensure all jumpers are initialed. The P.A. will hold another uniform exchange at the Community Centre on the first week end in July. All unclaimed items at school on 23^rd June will be given to Aoife for this collection.   

Tables – Owing to the purchase of new tables and chairs for the infant classes, we would like to give the opportunity to families to purchase a ‘pre-loved’ table and / or chair from us in the next week or two. They are white / yellow / red in colour and may suit younger child to Rg 2 standard. Please contact, class teacher, Rose or myself on a first come, first serve basis, with no compulsion to buy. Tables €5 and chairs €2.

Staffing – We will be in a position to announce our entire team for September, in next week’s email. There are some vacancies in the published list to date, but interviews have been held and offers have been made. The full complement should be known ahead of our ‘Open Afternoon’ for new entrants which takes place on Wednesday 14^th June at 1:30 pm.

Bainigí taitneamh as an deireadh seachtaine agus an Lá Saoire Poiblí amárach.

Is mise,

Michael J. O’Ryan.

Principal.

Dear Parent / Guardian / Colleague / Board Member,

GAA – Our boys were victorious in the Cumann na mBunscol School Hurling ‘A’ Plate Final against Cappoquin in Abbeyside pitch last night. It was a tight match but two goals in the second half helped in no small way to ensure victory on a scoreline of Ballymacarbry N.S. 3:3 Bunscoil Gleann Sidheáin 0:4. The game was level at the break. Brandon & Mikey received the Shield from Neil Moore after the game. It was a great evening, with a great crowd and a great achievement for our panel of 24, their manager Mrs Byrne and the club coaches who helped out along the way. Thanks to Ronan for the treats today at lunchtime.

School Tours – Currently our Rg 1&2 boys and girls are in Dublin and are running a little behind schedule after having a very enjoyable day at the Zoo. Their plan is to stop at Portlaois on the journey home and once loaded, parents will receive a text / whatsapp message with an estimated time of arrival at the Community Centre, anticipated to be between 7-8pm. Thanks to the Norris family for organising this with Dublin Zoo authorities in memory of Danny and for paying for all the children on board. Thanks too, to the teachers/ supervisors and bus driver for their assistance today.

Rg 3,4,5 & 6 School tours will take place towards the end of next week. Both these tours will depart from the Community Centre at the indicated times. Please ensure money is paid and that the permission survey is signed online. The relevant links are to be found here.

Rg 3 / Rg 4 School Tour Consent Form

Rg 5 / Rg 6 School Tour Consent Form

Testing – Our yearly standardised assessments are currently taking place, involving Rg 1-Rg 6, the results will be included on the Annual School Reports issued from mid-June.

Active Week – This year Active week will take place from Monday 12^th June. Relevant staff are putting together a programme of events in cooperation with Aoife and the PA. This will culminate on Friday 16^th with Sports Day, weather permitting.

WC & CC – Thanks to the staff at the local Council Depot for organising the cutting of the grass at the junction. The exceptional growth of late had reduced exiting sightlines considerably.

Trip to Church – Rg 6 participated in the local midweek mass on Wednesday morning and were given a tour of the church afterwards and an opportunity to “Ask Fr” questions they may have. This was earmarked as an activity for them, following the Sacrament of Confirmation received in March last. Thanks Fr Michael.

Rg 6 Timetable – The month of June is always a very busy month at school. It is especially busy for Rg 6 and their families and their teacher, considering it is their last month with us. A timetable of events particular to Rg 6 will be forwarded early next week, highlighting important dates to come in June. Please make sure who have returned your RSE Pack to your teacher and that you have also completed the Rg 6 Passport for Secondary school.

Is mise,

Michael J. O’ Ryan

Principal.

Dear Parent / Guardian / Colleague / Board Member,

Holy Communion – Well done to our Rang 2 boys and girls who made their First Holy Communion last Sunday in the Nire. Well done to their teachers; Mrs Coffey & Miss O’Keeffe who prepared them so well. Thanks to celebrant and school chaplain, Fr Toomey, who as always, made it such an uplifting ceremony. Thanks to Niamh Meehan and some pupils for providing the accompanying music along with the church choir in the Nire. Thanks to Nora, the sacristan, Enya the server and the Parish Hall Committee for providing refreshments afterwards. I hope the pupils and their families enjoyed the day / weekend.

Food Dudes – The children enjoyed fruit and vegetables this week as part of the Food Dudes programme. They got to sample carrots, cucumbers, courgettes, tomatoes, apples, bananas, blueberries and satsumas. These items are all part of a healthy lunchbox and are encouraged at our school. As junior infants were newcomers to our school, they received a Food Dudes lunchbox. Thanks to Mrs McGrath and all staff for assisting.

RSE – Our RSE Day for Rg 6 will take place on Friday 9^th June. Thanks to those parents who have completed and returned the relevant documentation. If you haven’t already done so, please do.

School Tours – Our 1^st & 2^nd Class School Tour takes place today week. The class teachers sent an explanatory email to relevant families on Wednesday last. The 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th & 6^th Class tours will take place the following week. Notices will be sent out next week in relation to these. Money is currently being collected. Please put it in an envelope with child’s name and family number.

Testing – Our yearly standardised assessments will take place from late May involving Rg 1-Rg 6, the results will be included on the Annual School Reports issued from mid-June.

Staffing – We will welcome Melissa Walsh, Ballydonagh to our staff from September. Melissa is a teacher with many years of experience and comes from a family steeped in education. Melissa lives locally and will have two children attend our school on her commencement. We hope to have our full complement of teaching staff for publication, by early June.

GAA – Our boys will contest the Cumann na mBunscol School Hurling ‘A’ Plate Final against Cappoquin in Abbeyside Pitch @ 5.45pm on Thursday 25^th May. Panel members are asked to be in the dressing room at 5:15pm and togged out. There is a €5 entry fee for spectators. Thanks to Mrs Byrne and our local coaches for their help. Congratulations to Aaron Wyse, Rg 6 who represented our school on the Waterford Primary Game team in Thurles on Saturday night last.

Aisling Kennedy Memorial Tournament – Our 5^th girls competed in the Aisling Kennedy Memorial Blitz yesterday. The girls had victories over Presentation, St.Oliver’s, Srs. of Charity of Clonmel and Newcastle. We topped our group and beat Srs. of Charity in the Semi. Unfortunately, we lost the final to Ardfinnan by one goal! All of the girls played absolutely fantastic and they really enjoyed their day out, remembering our past pupil Aisling Kennedy. Thanks to Mrs McGrath & Miss Kelly for their help.

New Goalposts – Thanks to past pupil, Richard Guiry who donated a set of goal posts to the school recently. They will be painted and secured in the near future. We appreciate this gesture from Dick and the Guiry family, Knockatrelaune.

Battle Group Centre – Today we had a display from Brendan O’Brien and his colleagues, on the Irish War of Independence, the First World War and the Second World War. This is very appropriate at this time as we come to the end of the Decade of Centenary Celebrations 2013-2023. Many items of memorabilia and artefacts of war including artillery, uniforms and even motor vehicles were on display. BGC returned to us after a gap of 7 years and for those of you interested, you can catch up with them tomorrow at Ballymacarbry Community Centre between 12 noon and 4pm where all their items will be on display for the general public.

Is mise,

Michael J. O’ Ryan.

Principal.

Dear Parent / Guardian / Colleague / Board Member,

Holy Communion – Best wishes to our Rang 2 candidates, receiving the Sacrament of the Eucharist in the Nire on Sunday morning. Thanks to their teachers, Mrs Coffey and Ms. O’Keeffe along with Fr Michael for their preparatory work. Families are asked to be at the church for 10:40 am. Congratulations to their Fourmilewater classmates who were excellent on Saturday last.

Food Dudes – We will begin our latest Food Dudes programme on Monday next. It will last for the entire week. All the children will get the opportunity to taste a variety of fruit and vegetables for their breaks. Please find attached an explanatory note for parents / guardians in relation to this fun and worthwhile exercise.

Community Centre Logo – Well done to our pupils, Kate, Callum, Rhys and Cara whose artwork was incorporated into the newly designed logo for our local Community Centre. Maith sibh!

RSE – An information pack will issue to the families of Rang 6 pupils next week with information in relation to our upcoming Relationship & Sexuality Education Day on Friday, June 9^th. Please read carefully and return relevant questionnaire to us in same envelope.

Transition to Secondary Programme – This is ongoing with Rang 6 during the month of May.

School Tours – Miss O’ Keeffe and Mrs Coffey will be in touch with families next week in relation to their upcoming school tour to Dublin on Friday 26^th May. Money is being collected for all other tours currently and class teachers will be in touch by way of email in due course.

School Books – Now that we have an idea of classes and teachers, we have made great strides in formulating respective booklists for the year ahead. We hope to go to tender next week and in so doing, avoid a later nationwide rush on books.  In June, at the time of the school reports, we will identify the few items needed to be purchased by families for September. Thanks to Ms Franey and staff on getting us to this stage and you the parents on your understanding and cooperation in the allocation of classes for the year ahead.

Basketball –. A huge congratulations to C.T.I. Clonmel, Basketball team on winning the All-Ireland Schools League Championship at the National Basketball Arena last week. Well done to all involved, including our own past pupils Thomas, Gavin & Rocco and Troy. We were delighted to welcome them into school today to congratulate them on their national success.

Is mise,

Michael J. O’ Ryan – Principal.

Dear Parent / Guardian / Colleague / Board Member,

Covid Measures Relaxed – At a recent BoM meeting, it was decided to return to one Lunch Break instead of the interim split breaks introduced since the onset of Covid in 2020. Therefore, all pupils / staff will now take their Lunch Break from 1:25-1:55 pm from Monday next, 8^th May. Small Break remains as is. Instruction also now finishes at 2:55 pm, when an extra bell will sound. Bus Pupils will first depart from the school at 3pm on the sound of the second bell.

Class & Teacher Allocation – An email will issue to all families later this evening, outlining classes and teachers for the upcoming academic year. This is a month earlier than usual this year with seven weeks of school remaining. This is a necessity, this year, as teachers have to be allocated to classes, for them to formulate booklists in line with the new Free Book Scheme. When the scheme is up and running, this will revert to a more traditional time.

Free Book Scheme – Staff is currently busy compiling booklists for September. The onus will be on the schools to supply; books, workbooks and copybooks for all of its pupils. Once this process is complete, families will receive a note from myself, indicating how the system will be run and list the remaining items which will be the responsibility of the family. It is envisaged that our successful Book Rental Scheme will end this June and that booklists will not be sent home with school reports, but published on our website instead.

Fire Safety – Members of Dungarvan Fire Service called to Rg 3 recently to educate them on Fire Safety in the home. Hopefully they brought home some tips on fire prevention.

GAA – Well done to our hurlers who were successful against St Joseph’s, Dungarvan in the Boys Shield this week. The final we are told, will be played at Dungarvan GAA grounds on a midweek evening in late May.

Basketball –. A huge congratulations to C.T.I. Clonmel, Basketball team on winning the All-Ireland Schools League championship during the week. Well done to all involved, including our own past pupils Thomas, Gavin & Rocco.

Rg 6 Hoodies – Thanks to Aoife and the P.A. for organising these lovely garments and furthermore, for subsidising 50% of the cost. They are very similar to the school uniform, by way of colour so children are permitted to wear them in school for Term 3 and also on Graduation night, provisionally pencilled in for the longest day, Wed 21^st June.

Transition to Secondary Programme – Sheila Comerford, S.C.P., has commenced the ‘Transition to Secondary’ programme with Rg 6 on Thursdays. This continues for 3 afternoons. Ms Comerford works in a post primary setting and can answer queries our boys and girls may have. Mrs Byrne has handed out Education Passports to be completed by pupils and parents alike for us to forward to destination secondary schools by month’s end.

Holy Communion – Best wishes to our Rang 2 candidates, receiving the Sacrament of the Eucharist at FMW in the morning. Thanks to their teachers, Mrs Coffey and Miss O’Keeffe along with Fr Michael for their preparatory work. Families are asked to be at the church for 10:40 am.

Best wishes to all who plan to participate in the ‘Darkness into Light’ Walk early tomorrow. I hope you get to ‘watch the sunrise’ over the valley, but most of all, that the weather is favourable for all.

Is mise,

Michael J. O’ Ryan – Principal.