Dear Parent / Guardian, Colleague & Board Member,   

Aisling Murphy R.I.P. –

In unison with all other schools throughout Ireland we held a moment’s silence on Tuesday morning at 11am in memory of the late Aisling Murphy, Rang 1 Class Teacher at Durrow NS, Co. Offaly.  We listened to a recording of her playing the fiddle at Fleadh Ceoil na hEireann, while we contemplated her life and death. Go ndeana Dia trocaire uirthi. +

Covid-19 Update –

Currently there are 5 absences due to Covid at the school, comprised of 3 pupils and 2 staff. There are also pupils and staff restricting their movements due to being close contacts. If your child tests positive by way of Antigen or PCR, please inform me at the school, I will then notify the remaining families within that POD to make them aware of what they need to do.  Please do not send your child to school if symptomatic and if you are awaiting a PCR test please refrain from sending other children in the household too. I include the latest HSE Quick Isolation guide for those up to 13 years of age for your information. (Dated 18/1/2022) Latest Isolation Quick Guide U-13

The attendance rate for this week has been 87%. Chickenpox hasn’t still run its course, it must be said.

Catholic Schools Week –

Catholic Schools Week will take place next week 23^rd – 30^th January. The theme for this year is “Living Life to the Full.” To mark this, we will bring our sacramental classes (i.e. Rg 2 & Rg 6) to Fourmilewater Church for 10 am mass with Fr Toomey on Wednesday. Wednesday also marks Grandparents’ Day, where we thank God for our grandparents and celebrate their contribution to our lives.

Dream for Danny –

I again include the link for Ms Dunlea’s and Danny’s classmates’ raffle. The draw takes place at the end of this month. https://www.idonate.ie/raffle/13043_ps5-raffle-in-aid-of-dream-for-danny–ballymacarbry-ns-.html

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Information for Parents of Children in Rang 2 & Rang 6

Sacraments Update – Having spoken with both parish priests, we can now publish the Sacramental Schedule for 2022.

First Penance for both churches will take place on Wednesday 9^th March at 7pm in Fourmilewater Church.

First Holy Communion will be administered on Saturday 14^th May at 11am in FMW and in the Nire 8 days later, on Sunday 22^nd May also at 11am.

Confirmation for Rang 6 Boys and girls will take place in both churches on Tuesday 21^st June next. The ceremony in Fourmilewater will commence at 2pm and in the Nire at 4pm.

These ceremony dates are provisional. They will be held similar to last year and subject to public health advice at the time. There will also be a maximum of 5 per family. This includes the child and in the case of confirmation, the sponsor also. More information will be forwarded in due course.

Is mise – Michael J. O’ Ryan.

Principal

Dear Parent / Guardian, Colleague & Board Member,   

Covid-19 Update –

While I am aware of some pupils isolating as close contacts, I have only been notified of 3 current cases among our pupil / staff body. The advice for those testing positive or being deemed a close contact has changed again as and from today. Please do not send your child to school if they are symptomatic, have tested positive by way of antigen / PCR or have been deemed a close contact of someone who has. Latest guidance can be accessed on this website under “Parent info” The attendance rate for the past week has been 85%.

Staffing –

We have been fortunate in the fact that we have been able to call upon Student Teachers during the months of December and January. Some of these return to college soon. Miss Kelly, Miss Boyce and Miss Power are indeed past pupils of our school. We thank them for their help and wish them well in their studies. We also thank our Special Ed team for helping out when called upon.

Pre & post School Supervision –

As you know, we recently advertised for those interested in establishing a Pre & Post school service at our school to come forward by way of an Expression of Interest. This came about following letters from families within our catchment wanting to attend our school but unable to acquire local child minding services. The deadline has now passed and the Chair and I will meet with those interested and ascertain if a system can be put in place to help parents prepare for next year. The Board will deliberate on this soon. We will revert to you again in the very near future with more information.

Water Issues –

Last Tuesday there was a substantial leak on the Ballymacarbry Water Supply which affected our school. Luckily our header tanks can operate for roughly a day before becoming dry. Therefore, Wednesday was not a problem. As water came back on Thursday morning it was ok for school to continue. (At 8 am there was no water) Had the break not been repaired by Irish Water / Waterford Council staff in such a timely manner, we would have been unable to operate and unfortunately have had to close. You can appreciate the water used by 200 individuals on a daily basis between hand washing and toilet flushing. I am merely informing you of this, should a similar event happen again and last into the second day or beyond. Fingers crossed it won’t.

Aisling Murphy R.I.P. –

The entire country is shocked at the tragic death of 23 year old school teacher Aisling Murphy, while out for a walk on the banks of the Grand Canal on Wednesday evening. Aisling taught Rg 1 at Durrow National School, a similar sized school to ours. We have extended our sympathies to her colleagues and pupils at school. We also think of her distraught family at this very sad time. The Community Centre Committee will hold a vigil at 6pm this evening on its grounds in remembrance of Aisling. All are welcome to pay their respects. Ar dheis Dé go raibh sí.

Dream for Danny –

I include the link for Ms Dunlea’s and Danny’s classmates raffle.

https://www.idonate.ie/raffle/13043_ps5-raffle-in-aid-of-dream-for-danny–ballymacarbry-ns-.html

Is mise,

Michael J. O’ Ryan.

Principal

Dear Parent / Guardian, Colleague & Board Member,   

Covid-19 Update –

We are delighted to be back at school after the Christmas holidays. While I am aware of some pupils / families who are isolating as close contacts, I have only been informed of one Covid cases among our pupil body since returning.

The attendance for these last two days has been 84%. Please familiarise yourself with a new “Quick Guide” published last evening. This supersedes the one emailed to you on Wednesday. There are some changes to note on pupils returning to school.

https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/algorithms/Isolation%20quick%20guide%20under%2013s.pdf

Academic Calendar –

I asked Rose to distribute an updated Calendar for the remainder of the Academic Year. A hard copy is the best option for families to display it in a prominent position. Please discard the older one as it doesn’t include a Department sanctioned in-service day on Wednesday 16^th March. (Provisional due to Covid restrictions) Other than that, everything remains the same as of now. This is also updated on our website under “Parent info”

https://www.ballymacns.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Revised-Prov-Academic-Calendar.pdf

Staff Contact –

For a full list of current staff and their respective classes, please see our website under the contact tab. Miss O’Keeffe will take over from Mr Earley on Monday, Ms Fitzgerald has taken over from Mrs Mcgrath and Mrs Byrne will continue in place of Mrs Coffey for the time being.

https://www.ballymacns.com/contact/

Dream for Danny –

Our Christmas Jumper Day in aid of “Dream for Danny” raised €431 and a further €645 from a staffroom collection. Thanks to all who contributed. I again include the link to the current raffle being run by Danny’s Teacher and classmates. So for to be in with a chance of winning a PS 5 Play Station and a Samsung Galaxy Tablet please log onto the following;

https://www.idonate.ie/raffle/13043_ps5-raffle-in-aid-of-dream-for-danny–ballymacarbry-ns-.html

Parents’ Assoc. –

Thanks to Aoife, Therese from the PA and Santa himself for visiting us on the day of the holidays. Thanks to them also for organising a treat for each pupil on the day. We will upload some of the photos onto our official Facebook page.

Here’s hoping we can look forward to a better 2022.

Is mise,

Michael J. O’ Ryan.

Principal

Dear Parent / Guardian, Colleague & Board Member,   

Deirdre Byrne Rip – Condolences to the family of Deirdre (Fenton) Byrne, late of Abbeyside and Silaheen, Ballymacarbry on her death at the weekend. Deirdre was a past pupil of our school. May she rest in peace.

Covid-19 Update – This week we have been notified of 1 case to-date. In total, this term, we have been notified of 52 positive PCR results. 45 of these have returned to school. Therefore, as of this evening, we are down to 7 who have not returned to school yet, split as follows;

Mrs Kelly’s Classroom = 0

Ms Dunlea’s Classroom = 1

Mr Earley’s Classroom = 1

Mrs Coffey’s Classroom = 1

Miss Denmead’s Classroom = 1

Mrs McGrath’s Classroom = 2

Mr Brunnock’s Classroom = 0

Staff = 1

The attendance rate for the week has averaged 84%.

PTM’s – As of later this evening, 78 % of PTM’s will be completed. Mrs Coffey’s will take place early in the New Year.

Exp of Interest – The Board of Management (BOM) of Ballymacarbry N.S., subject to the approval of our Patron, Most Rev. Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan DD – Bishop of Waterford & Lismore invites Expressions of Interest, for the provision of pre and post school supervision, for our school going pupils, at our premises on the outskirts of Ballymacarbry. (E91 E426) Interested parties are asked to please apply in writing and in confidence to; Chairperson Ballymacarbry N.S. BOM, Ballymacarbry, Via Clonmel, Co. Waterford., by Thurs. 6^th Jan. 2022. Please inform those that you think may be interested in providing such a service.

School Raffle – ‘Dream for Danny’– Thank you all for your support! Tickets can be bought through the school right up to 30th January (day before raffle) or alternatively online from 2nd January!(1 for €7.50 or 3 for €15!) We will share the online link on our school facebook page once the raffle goes live!

Christmas Jumper – This year we will wear red next Wednesday for Dream for Danny. Children can opt to wear Christmas themed outfits and bring a donation to the above fund.

Christmas Carols – Mrs Kelly & our Banna Ceoil, with your generosity raised €1,877 for Dream for Danny at local churches last weekend.

Winter Fire Dance – From 7pm Tues 21^st Dec. – https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/ballymacarbry-winter-firedance

Nire Valley Newsletter Comm. – Congratulations to the committee on another excellent publication, its 32^nd in total. Sad to hear it may be the last, but kudos to Mary Wall & Thomas Crotty for their sterling work down through the years.

Christmas Holidays – School will close for Christmas on Wednesday 22^nd December at 12:30pm.

We will take the opportunity of sending home books on Tuesday and Wednesday in the interest of prudence.

Is mise,

Michael J. O’ Ryan

Principal

Dear Parent / Guardian, Colleague & Board Member,                                                                             

Covid-19 Update – I include the latest advice for U-13’s here – HSE Isolation Quick Guide U-13’s

This week we have been notified of 3 cases to-date. This is down from 21 a fortnight ago and 12 last week. In total, during Nov & Dec, we have been notified of 47 positive PCR results. 35 of these have returned to school. Therefore as of this evening, we are down to 12 active cases or 6% of the school going population, split as follows;

Mrs Kelly’s Classroom = 1

Ms Dunlea’s Classroom = 3

Mr Earley’s Classroom = 3

Mrs Coffey’s Classroom = 2

Miss Denmead’s Classroom = 0

Mrs McGrath’s Classroom = 2

Mr Brunnock’s Classroom = 0

Staff = 1

The attendance rate for the week has gone from 70% on Monday to 75% on Friday.

Thanks to staff & parents for their support here. Best wishes to all who are recovering or isolating at this time.

Chickenpox – Today we have a confirmed case of chickenpox in Mr Earley’s Rg 1 / Rg 2 combination. An email will issue to those concerned immediately following this.

School Closure – Storm Barra ensured that our school was closed on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week on instruction from the Dept of Education & Skills. Thankfully all was in order on Thursday morning.

PTM’s – 60% of meetings have taken place at this stage. Teachers have been trying to contact some parents so please watch out for private numbers. You may email the teacher concerned to settle on a mutually convenient time, outside of the school day. Rg 6 meetings are expected to start next week.

Dream for Danny – Ms Dunlea, Mrs Behan and Danny’s classmates have organised a raffle with great prizes in a fundraising drive for our pupil, Danny Norris. Tickets are on sale at the school. There is more information on our Facebook page. Please contact the school if you want to be in with a chance of winning a PS5 and Samsung Galaxy tab.

Christmas Carols – Mrs Kelly & our Banna Ceoil will play Carols this weekend at all local churches; following Newcastle mass, Saturday at 5pm, following Fourmilewater mass, Sunday at 9am and following Nire mass at 11am on the same morning. All proceeds again going to “Dream for Danny.”

Photos – Glad to report that our photos have been practically all delivered to families. It was great to see this return again for the first time since 2018. Thanks to Ray & Caroline Power for their expertise and Rose for organising it in-house. This will hopefully occur again in winter 2023.

Ballymacarbry Winter Fire Dance– Our friends at the Ballymacarbry Community Centre have informed us that they are hosting a “Free Open Air” event on the night of Tues 21^st Dec. (Winter Solstice) this is an event for all the family from 7pm featuring live entertainment and a fireworks display at 9pm. Although free of charge, a ticket will have to be attained through Eventbrite before hand. The first tranche of tickets sold out but a second round will be released early next week. https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/ballymacarbry-winter-firedance This is funded by the Department of Tourism and produced by Waterford City & County Council Arts Service.

Is mise,

Michael J. O’ Ryan

Principal