Dear Parents, Colleagues, Board members,

First Penance
This week our Rg 2 pupils received their First Penance on Wednesday night in Fourmilewater. Sincere thanks to Fr Michael for officiating, and to Mrs Coffey and Ms O’Keeffe for preparing the pupils so well for the sacrament.

Confirmation
On Tuesday next, our Rg 6 pupils will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in our local churches. School will continue as normal for the remainder of the classes on the day. An email was sent to parents of candidates on Tuesday evening with further details regarding the arrangements. Best wishes to Rg 6 and Mrs Byrne as they prepare for this special occasion.

ASD Unit
This week we received official confirmation from the Department of Education & Youth (DEY) that they have sanctioned the opening of a Special Class for pupils with Autism at our school from September 2026. The Board of Management has been in liaison with the NCSE over the past number of years regarding this development. We are currently updating our Admissions Policy to accommodate this addition to our mainstream provision.

Rg 4 Blitz
This week Miss Denmead and her Rg 4 pupils participated in a fun hurling/camogie blitz in Dungarvan. We competed alongside other schools including; Stradbally, St. Joseph’s and St. Mary’s. An enjoyable day was had by all. Reminder – Our coach will be with us again on Wednesday next.

World Book Day
Many thanks to the Parents’ Association for organising a book sale at the school on Thursday to coincide with World Book Day. Pupils dressed up as their favourite book characters and had the opportunity to purchase a book of their choice. A lucky €10 voucher winner was also selected from each class. A total of €383 was raised on the day towards P.A. funds. Please check our social media page for photographs from the event.

Enrolment
from next week, Application Forms (Form 2) will be distributed to families who have expressed an interest in enrolling their child in our school from September. Form 2 and requires more detailed information than Form 1. There are also several documents that will need to accompany the application, which are listed on the form itself. Reminder – Our Open Afternoon for new entrants is scheduled for Wednesday 3rd June.

Quiz Night
Our Family Quiz Night will take place on Thursday 26th March in the Centre. Family Quiz Night Expression of Interest Form

Week 10
Next week promises to be a busy one in school with Confirmation on Tuesday, GAA 7-a-side on Thursday, and Ficheall for Rg 6 on Friday. We also look forward to celebrating Mother’s Day on Sunday, leading into the St Patrick’s weekend. The school will be closed on Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th March for the St Patrick’s holiday. In preparation, we will celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge throughout next week with a focus on Irish culture, music, song and dance. Highlights will include our annual Tráth na gCeist during the week and our Céilí on Friday. Please note that the Breakfast Club and After School Service will also be closed on these two days.

Is mise,

Michael J. O’Ryan

Principal

Dear Parents, Colleagues, Board members,

Deepest Sympathies

We extend the sympathies of the entire school community to Ita O’Brien and family on the death of her sister, Mairead (Gretta) Tobin, during the week. Ita was a teacher at our school for many years and retired as principal in 2012. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.

Congrats

Congratulations to Ms Duggan (Rg 5 teacher) and her fiancé Seán on their recent engagement during mid-term. Long life, health and happiness to them both.

Ethos

Today our Rg 6 pupils participated in a preconfirmation retreat at our school along with their peers at Newcastle N.S. The event was hosted by Fr Pat Cahill and his helpers at Holy family Mission, Glencomeragh. Confirmation will take place on Tues 10^th March at both local churches.

Our Rg 2 pupils will have their First Penance Service on Wednesday evening next in FMW at 7pm.

Family Quiz

We have 18 families interested in attending our Family Quiz Night on Thursday 26^th March in the Centre. We will proceed as advertised. Here is the link for families to register. Family Quiz Night Expression of Interest Form

World Book Day.

The P.A. will run a book sale on the 5^th of March to coincide with World Book Day. They are requesting children/parents to drop pre-loved books to the school next week. Children are asked to bring in €3 to get a book on the day. Thanks to those who have already contributed. Children can dress up as their favourite ‘literary character’ on the day.

Coach.

Our coach will be with us again for these next two Wednesdays. So hurleys and helmets at the ready, please!

Message from the Principal

I wish to inform you that last night the Board of Management has kindly granted me a Career Break from my role as Principal of Ballymacarbry N.S., in line with Department regulations. I informed staff and board members of my intention prior to submitting my request in late January and, now that it has been approved, I feel it is important to inform the wider school community.

I have no doubt that the school will continue to be very well led and supported. From late August, Ms Franey will assume the role of Acting Principal during my absence, with the Board of Management overseeing the transition and ensuring continuity in the day-to-day running of the school.

I would like to sincerely thank successive Chairs, Boards of Management and officers; successive Parents’ Association Chairs and officers; and indeed, those staff and parents who have supported me throughout my tenure — especially over these past few years. I look forward to the same cooperation upon my return. We are very fortunate to have such wonderful pupils, and long may that continue.

In a school where I was a pupil, a teacher and now principal, it is a privilege to hold this responsible position and, although I will be stepping aside temporarily, I remain very proud of the many achievements and improvements initiated during my time. There is much to do between now and August and, with your continued support, I hope to continue in the vein to which we have become accustomed over the past 14 years. Míle buíochas agus bí cineálta.

Is mise

Michael J. O’Ryan

Principal.

Dear Parent / Colleague / Board Member,

Road Safety.

Last year we supported Waterford City & County Council in submitting a specific improvement grant to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) specific for road safety upgrades on the regional / local road (R671) junction adjacent to our school. While we were unsuccessful last year, we are being considered again this year. We have written to our local ministers and Teachtaí Dála as a decision is imminent. We are also cooperating with Ballymacarbry Road Action group on the issue. The plan was first unveiled at our school in late December 2024 early 2025.

‘Da’ Proceeds.

The school is grateful to be one of the net beneficiaries of the recent staging of ‘Da.’ In total €1,100 came back to the school, €233 of which derived from ticket sales. Thanks to the PA for organising the raffle and anyone else who contributed to the success of the night.

Carambola Survey.

The P.A. has suggested I send out a survey to families to get feedback on school meals. There are ten questions, eight of which are one-click answers. Two answers can be expanded upon. I will publish this today and next week to give families a chance to reply.

Phone lines.

Our phone line has been playing up this last week. We have a technician calling next week. Hopefully the line will be fixed. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Quiz Season.

Best wishes to our pupils as we enter quiz season. We have teams competing tonight in Rathgormack NS and Ballyduff Upper. Last year proved very enjoyable and successful. Let’s hope for more of the same. Please see our social media for further information. Please note that our own Family Quiz Night is scheduled for Thurs 26^th March at 7:30 pm. After mid-term, we will send out a quick survey to see if there is enough demand from families to proceed.

World Book Day.

The P.A. will run a book sale on the 5^th of March to coincide with World Book Day. They are requesting children/parents to drop pre-loved books to the school for these next few weeks. The P.A. will arrange them by age in the hall for the sale. Children are asked to bring in €3 to get a book on the day.

Upcoming.

Next week will see us engage with Máirt na hInide or Pancake Tuesday and on Wednesday Fr Michael will call with ashes to mark the start of Lent, Ash Wednesday (Céadaoin an Luaithrigh) The school will close on Thursday and Friday next for mid-term break and reopen on Monday 23^rd

Secondary School Survey.

As a feeder school for the Presentation Secondary School, Clonmel, we have been asked to share this questionnaire with our parent body Re: the proposal to move Presentation School, to a co-educational model. The results of this will inform the consultation document to the Department. If you have an opinion on this, please press the link and complete. Presentation Secondary School Survey

Happy St. Valentine’s weekend to one and all.

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

Dear Parent / Colleague / Board Member,

Good News
Congratulations to staff member Ms Dunlea and her husband Kevin on the birth of their baby daughter, Alissa Mai, during the week. A baby sister for big sister Ellie Jean.

Brideview Players
Thanks to all who attended ‘Da’ in the centre on Friday last — it was a sell-out and a very enjoyable night. Thanks also to those who sold tickets, helped with refreshments, cleaned up, and helped with parking on the night. A special mention to the raffle prize sponsors and organising committee including our own Parents’ Association. We wish Brideview Drama the very best as they head off on circuit which will hopefully lead to Athlone in early May. – You saw it here first!

Reminder
School will close on Tuesday 10th February for curriculum in-service. The Breakfast Club and After School Service will run from 8.00am – 2.00pm on the day. All enquiries to 083 2828749. Please also note that Mid-Term for primary schools will be Thursday 19th and Friday 20th February.

Start Date – August 2026
Following a recent staff meeting, it was decided that the 2026/27 school year will commence for children on Wednesday 26th August. We are publishing this information early to allow families to plan their summer accordingly.

Secondary School Survey
As a feeder school for Presentation Secondary School, Clonmel, we have been asked to share the following questionnaire with our parent body regarding the proposal to move Presentation Secondary School to a co-educational model. The results will inform the school’s consultation document to the Department. If you wish to share your opinion, please follow the link below and complete the survey: Presentation Secondary School Survey

Is mise,
Michael J. O’Ryan
Principal