Dear Parent / Colleague / Board Member,

School Book Club

Don’t forget that our latest Scholastic Book Club is now online at  https://schools.scholastic.ie/ballymacarberry-n/digital-book-club. There are hundreds of fantastic children’s books to choose from, and every €1 you spend on this month’s Book Club will earn 20¢ for our school in Scholastic Rewards. Every €1 you spend on this month’s Book Club will earn 20¢ for our school in Scholastic Rewards. Please place your order online by March 20th, 2025.

Uniform Exchange

The PA will host a school uniform exchange event in the Community Centre on Thursday 27^th & Friday 28^th March. Families will be able to leave unwanted or take wanted items between 9am and 6pm. Thanks to the P.A. for organising worthwhile events, such as this.

Family Quiz                                                                                                                                                                             

I’m glad to report that our Family Quiz will go ahead on Friday 28^th March. Thanks to all those families who registered an interest. Questions are now being set. Our pupils love quizzes and regularly finish in top spots in local quizzes. Our family quiz would entail teams of no more than four persons, with two being of primary school age. The PA is publisising this at present. We thank them for their help. If you would still like to register, please do so here. Families who have registered will get first preference on the night. https://forms.gle/tS9Y7Gq3iNFYeuij9

Downe Syndrome Day

World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) is celebrated annually on the 21st of March and is a global awareness day that has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012. The date for WDSD is set on the 21st day of the 3rd month as a representation of the extra copy of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome that people with Down syndrome are born with. To this end we as a school are encouraging our pupils to wear bright / odd socks on Friday next to highlight awareness of this syndrome.

Seachtain na Gaeilge.

This week, we have tried to promote all that is good about Ireland; our language, culture, music, song and dance. Thanks to Miss Kelly and the Irish Committee for their efforts and indeed all staff and pupils for their engagement. Well done to all the winners and all who competed. Ni neart go cur le chéile agus mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí. I rith na deireadh seachtaine seo, bígí ag labhairt as Gaeilge chomh minic agus is féidir, le bhur dtoil,  bainigí triail as agus gan dabht, bainfidh sibh taitneamh as. Please see social media for up to dates on all our events and activities throughout the week.

Beannachtaí na féile Pádraig oraibh. We will return to school on Tuesday at 9:20 am.

Is mise

Michael J. O’Ryan – Principal

Dear Parent / Colleague / Board Member,

May O’Meara RiP                                                                                                                                                       

Deepest sympathy to our cleaner Tina and her family on the death of her mother May O’Meara, Ardfinnan. May died last weekend and was buried in Ardfinnan on Monday last. May she rest in peace.

Mini Sevens

Our boys and girls took part in the 7 a side hurling and camogie competitions in Bohadoon this week. While we didn’t progress to the finals, all players gave a great account of themselves and really enjoyed the day.

Seachtain na Gaeilge                                                                                                                                            

Beidh Céilí Mór, Tráth na gCeist agus Tóraíocht Ciste againn ar scoil an tseachtain seo chugainn agus beimid go léir ag úsáid cúpla focal i rith na seachtaine agus ag ceiliuradh Lá Fhéile Padraig ag an deireadh seactaine freisin. Bainigí taitneamh as agus bainigí triail as an teanga a úsáid sa bhaile freisin!

Pancake Tuesday                                                                                                                                                    

Thanks to Anna, Ann and Anna jnr who helped feed the masses with pancakes on Tuesday last. This was a treat before the start of lent. Children brought along their own preferred toppings.

Ash Wednesday                                                                                                                                                     

Thanks to Fr Michael for calling with ashes on Wednesday.

World Book Day

We celebrated World Book Day on Thursday, when our pupils donned the costume of a favoured book character. We commemorated the day by also having Ann from Clonmel Library speak to all classes. Tokens were distributed to each pupil and can be cashed in any participating book store.

On a related note, our new Scholastic Book Club is up and running! Go to https://schools.scholastic.ie/ballymacarberry-n/digital-book-club to browse the latest books and order online. For every €1 you spend on this month’s Book Club, our school will earn 20¢ in Scholastic Rewards. Please place your order online by March 20th, 2025.

Enrolment                                                                                                                                                            

Letters will be distributed to families who expressed an interest in sending a child to our school from late August, early next week. This pack will contain Application Form # 2 among other things. Please complete this, gathering any necessary documentation and return to us at your earliest opportunity. Open Afternoon will be weld on Wednesday 4^th June.

Family Quiz

If we can entice a few more families to express an interest in our family quiz, we will run with the proposed date of Friday 28^th March.  https://forms.gle/tS9Y7Gq3iNFYeuij9 We will call it next weekend, in order for questions to be set.

Confirming our Children Mass                                                                                                                              

Rg 6 will be involved in this weekend’s 9 am mass in FMW as part of the “Confirming our Children” series. Please follow any particular advice given by class teacher, Mrs Byrne. A pre confirmation retreat is being planned along with Newcastle and Touraneena in early April.

The First Penance for all Rg 2 pupils will take place in FMW Church on Wednesday 26^th March at 7pm.

School Transport                                                                                                                                                     

Please be aware that the Bus Eireann ticket application portal is now open for the upcoming academic year. This involves those in primary and secondary schools requiring transport to and from school commencing in late Aug / Sept. The application process will close on Friday 25^th April. Families will be able to pay from June 2025, with tickets issuing in July. FYI https://schooltransport.buseireann.ie/Account/Login

School Meals

It has come to our attention that some pupils are not eating their hot school lunches. Please ensure that the desired meal is ordered. Please also check lunchboxes. Lunches can be selected via the app up until midnight each Friday, but can also be done earlier in the week. Menus will be changed in Term 3.

Reminder

The children will be encouraged to wear our national colours on Friday next in honour of our patron saint., St Patrick. The school will close on Monday 17^th March.

Is mise – Michael J. O’Ryan – Principal.

Dear Parent / Colleague / Board Member,

Little Red Kettle

Well done to the cast of Little Red Kittle, Waterford for coming to our school on Wednesday and performing the show “How to steal the world” for us and our pupils. By all accounts, it was very well received and pupils got to play their part in the thoroughly interactive and enjoyable performance.

Bí Cineálta

Thanks to those families who helped us with their thoughts on bullying to help formulate our new Bí Cineálta Policy, which is to be implemented nationwide from September 2025. The staff is currently devising it in line with national guidelines, staff views, parent views and indeed a pupil voice.

Seachtain na Gaeilge

Beimid go léir ag úsáid cúpla focal chomh minic agus is féidir an coicís seo chugainn. This will run from March 1^st to 17^th and our school will be participating. We will give the pupils the opportunity to engage more with their Irish culture; language, music, song and dance. Some notable annual events included are; the Tráth na gCeist agus an Céilí Mór, to name but two. We invite you to participate as families. Bain taitneamh as agus bain triail as Seachtain na Gaeilge freisin!

World Book Day

World Book Day in Ireland will take place on Thursday next March 6^th. Children can dress as their chosen book character, to mark the day. We will celebrate it by inviting a visitor from Clonmel Library to each class on the day to highlight the importance, enjoyment and endless possibilities of reading. Each child will receive a book token which can be redeemed at participating book stores. The school will re-establish its Book Club, where these tokens can also be used. (More about this next week.)

Upcoming Next Week

On Tuesday we will feast ourselves before the onset of Lent with the traditional pancake on Lá na bPancóga and on Wednesday, with help from Fr Michael, we will distribute ashes to mark Ceadaoin an Luathraigh. On Friday we will engage with St Mary’s, Touraneena NS to prepare for the upcoming Sacrament of Confirmation.

Family Quiz

If we can entice a few more families to express an interest in our family quiz, we will run with the proposed date of Friday 28^th March. We should have a decision in two weeks. https://forms.gle/tS9Y7Gq3iNFYeuij9

School Tours

Plans are currently being finalised for our school tour itinerary in June. Details will be forwarded before Easter. Payment links will be sent via Aladdin Connect to families who want to pay in excess of €10 electronically. Cash will continue to be accepted.

Reminder

The school (and Associated Breakfast and After School Club) will close on Monday 17^th March to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

Is mise,

Michael J. O’Ryan – Principal.

Dear Parent / Colleague / Board Member,

R.I.P.

Deepest sympathy to our Secretary Rose, on the death of her sister Marian Kelly (Nee Foley) in Dublin during the week. Marian’s funeral mass will take place in Touraneena tomorrow at 1 pm. Funeral arrangements link. https://rip.ie/death-notice/marian-kelly-waterford-ballinamult-585969 Ar dheis Dé go raibh Marian.

Proceeds from “The Weir”

I’m glad to report that we, along with other local organisations received €1,200 from the proceeds of the Weir at the Community Centre recently. Thanks to all who helped promote the night, sold tickets, sponsored prizes and indeed came along to the production. Special thanks to Pat Melody and Jim Ryan for initiating the idea and involving us. Physical resources to promote the arts are being sourced from the proceeds of the night.

Little Red Kettle

As detailed earlier in the week, we will host Little Red Kettle in their production of ‘How to Steal the World on Tuesday next in the School Hall. If you haven’t already done so, please bring along the €5 on either Monday or Tuesday.

Aladdin Connect

Please note that when you log into the app for your child / children you will only see your own details as parent. You will not see any other parent details if applicable and vice versa. Rest assured we have all details for all parents / given to us upon enrolment. There is no need to insert other parent as emergency contact as some families have been doing under the impression that the details are not there. Otherwise, please feel free to change details as necessary. In an emergency, it is school policy to always try to contact parents first and failing that, then emergency contacts. Aladdin Connect Sign Up

Future correspondence such as School Reports and Parent Teacher Meeting Appointments will be carried out through Aladdin Connect, so please download the app and register. We have over 90% of families registered.

Bí Cineálta Survey.

As part of the new Anti-Bullying Policy to be rolled out nationally for September, all schools are collating the thoughts of pupils, staff, parents and others to formulate their new Bí Cineálta Policy. We would appreciate your help in this regard by completing this Parental Survey. https://forms.gle/yXqXayu5HuJVxzrv6 Míle buíochas in advance.

Beat FM

Well done to Ella Mai O’Shea on winning a competition to get a spin to school in the BEAT FM car on Wednesday morning. Ella Mai took the opportunity to invite her neighbours / friends, the Whites along for the journey. They were greeted at the school gate by the pupils and staff and called to Miss O’Keeffe’s class for a few pics with Ella Mai, her class mates and teacher. Thanks to Ella Mai, her mum, teacher and all at Beat FM for facilitating the special morning. Please see photos on social media.

Family Quiz.

I will just leave this here for those who are interested in participating on the night. https://forms.gle/tS9Y7Gq3iNFYeuij9 We will have a call on it in a few weeks’ time.

Mid-Term Break

The school will reopen on Monday next, following MTB.

Is mise, Michael J. O’Ryan – Principal.

Dear Parent / Colleague / Board Member,

Aladdin Connect Update.

We have all but 17 families registered for Aladdin connect. Please do so if you haven’t already done so. A further link will be sent this evening at 6pm to those families. Aladdin Connect Sign Up For those who have, please check our contact and emergency details for you, to ensure the school is up to date.

Family Quiz.

8 family have pre-registered for our family quiz provisionally scheduled for Friday 28^th March. If we can attract 20 tables, we plan to proceed. https://forms.gle/tS9Y7Gq3iNFYeuij9  Pupils love quizzes, and this fact is borne out in the successes we have each year. Kudos to our Rg 6 team who came 3^rd in the Clonmel Credit Union Quiz last weekend.

Safer Internet Day.

On Tuesday we did some work with pupils around Safer Internet Day. Later this year we hope to do some more formal lessons, especially with the senior end of the school.

Traffic Issues (R671)

Following several discussions with staff of WC&CC these last few years, we have been informed that a submission has been made by council to help alleviate road traffic problems at our junction. In December the Parking & Traffic Committee had its latest meeting with council officials in school, where comprehensive plans were outlined by council. This was a welcome development, following many representations from us and meetings with them over time.

Prior to Christmas we held a meeting with newly elected TD Conor McGuinness who is Dungarvan based and has close ties to the school. He said that he would work with his colleagues across the constituency to push the application. While there is no guarantee that this funding is assured; discussions have taken place, plans have been drawn, a submission has been made and the monies have been sought. What it proves is, that the council is in agreement with us and is willing to act.

For both meetings, we invited members of the newly formed Ballymacarbry Road Action Group (BRAG) along following a commitment given to them upon formation to work together on common areas. I’m lead to believe that the item has been brought up on the floor of the Dáil this week. Thanks to my colleagues on the sub-committee, namely Ned Moore and Brendan O’Brien and indeed, current and previous Boards of management members involved in the process. This is separate to our parking issue, which we still await further guidance on from council.

Green Schools.

Work is stepping up in the school in earnest in anticipation of another Green Flag. Our current Flags are on display on the gable end and signs depicting trees and birds have been erected on both sides of the main entrance, they are a nice addition to the school and have been acquired through the STEM grant successfully applied for last year. Have a look out for them upon entry.

Bí Cineálta Survey.

As part of the new Anti-Bullying Policy to be rolled out nationally for September, all schools are collating the thoughts of pupils, staff, parents and others to formulate their new Bí Cineálta Policy. During February we plan to issue these surveys to stakeholders, to guide our new policy in conjunction with national guidelines. We would appreciate your help in this regard by activating the link when it is sent to you and by completing the survey. Míle buíochas in advance.

Mid-term Break.

Then school and associated Breakfast / Homework Club will close on Thursday and Friday next for mid-term. The school will reopen Monday 24^th February.

St Valentine’s Day.

For the day that’s in it, Happy St. Valentine’s Day. Our uniform was red today in honour of the saint with Irish connections.

Is mise,

Michael J. O’Ryan – Principal.