Dear Parent / Colleague / Board Member

Condolences

To our club coaches, Ronan & Aidan Ryan and their families on the death of their aunt Patricia D’Arcy Clonmel, formerly of Dranganmore, Cahir who died during the week. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.

Holy Communion.

After last week’s sacrament in FMW, attention turns to the Nire on Sunday when the remainder of Rg 2 will receive their First Holy Communion. Ceremony again starts at 11 am and families are asked to be in the church at 10:45 am latest. Refreshments will be served in the Nire Hall immediately afterwards.

Cumann na mBunscol.

Our hurling and camogie teams participated in the Roinn ‘A’ Semifinals during the week and both will now contest the Plate A Finals next Wednesday, 21st May in Dungarvan Club GAA Grounds. The girls will play Abbeyside at 7.35 pm and the boys will play Cappoquin at 8.10pm. Both games will be on Pitch 1.

Gaelbhratach

Comhghairdeas do Ms. Kelly agus a choiste Gaelbhratach a fuair teastas inné ar son an obair iontach a rinne siad i mbliana ag cothú an Ghaeilge ar scoil. Bhí céiliúradh álainn againn. Bhí Aine ó Gael linn an-sásta.  Tháinig múinteoirí, tuismitheoirí agu seanthuismitheoirí isteach chun a bheith linn. Beidh an bhratach ag eitilt ag an ngeata roimh an samhradh.

School Tours 2025.

School tour monies are being collected in cash and online through Aladdin Connect. The link will remain open for the month of May. If paying by cash, please put family name, number and amount in an envelope and present to Teacher / Secretary.

School Development Plan.

The deadline for participation is today. Thanks to those who have contributed. Please activate the following link to participate. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Ballymacns

Religious Education Advisor

Sr Antoinette from our diocese called to us recently, visiting each teacher and their class. All verbal indications are positive in that she enjoyed her time with us and saw at first hand the learning in each class and the interaction of the pupils with her and with the subject in general. Maith sibh one and all.

Slán & Beannacht.

Today we say slán to Miss Kelly who is our Rg 5 teacher. Clodagh has been with us since her time at Mary Immaculate College when trainee teachers were utilised in schools during covid. Miss Kelly’s grá for Gaeilge and Ceoil among other areas is there for all to see and the boys and girls benefitted greatly from it and her teaching. We thank her for her hard work and dedication and wish her well in pastures new. Bon voyage! Small presentations on behalf of the staff, the parents and the Board were presented to Clodagh today. Mr Coffey who has been accompanying Miss Kelly in class will teach Rg 5 for the remainder of term.

Aladdin Connect. (A-C)

We are increasingly using A-C in school management. From our statistics we see that some families haven’t finished the set up process. For parents to be fully operational on the system they have to perform three actions; register for connect, download the app and validate their number to receive app messages.

If you received emails from me around midday Tuesday – You have not completed the process. There is an attachment with the email outlining the process.

It is worth reminding that: All school reports will be only visible on this forum in June. Monies are currently being taken for school tours during the month of May. (Cash is also accepted.) Parent Teacher meetings in November can only be booked via this method.

We are also asking families to use the absence note function on A-C to inform the relevant teacher(s) of child/ren absences in lieu of a phone call or email.

Best wishes

To our past pupils Jamie, Tom & Sean in Thurles on Sunday.

Le gach dea ghuí.

Michael J. O’Ryan – Principal

Dear Parent / Colleague / Board Member

Holy Communion.

Best wishes to our Rg 2 boys and girls who are due to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist in the morning at Fourmilewater Church. The ceremony starts at 11 am. Thanks to Miss O’Keeffe and Mrs Coffey who have been preparing them all year for this momentous occasion. Families are asked to be in church for 10:45 am.

Cumann na mBunscol.

Our hurling and camogie teams participated in the Roinn ‘A’ Far West Division yesterday. Both teams showed fantastic teamwork, participation and skill. Both are through to a Shield Semi-Final next week. Thanks to our teachers and coaches who help with their skills development.

Updates on School Flag Applications

1. (Irish Flag)

Comhghairdeas leis an gcoiste Gaelbhratach a fuair teastas don obair ar fad a rinne siad i mbliana. Beidh Áine ón Gaelbhratach ag teach isteach dé Déardaoin seo chugainn chun an teastas a bhronnadh ag a haon a chlog. Beidh céiliúradh beag again. Má tá aon tuismitheoirí nó seanthuismitheoirí timpeall, tar isteach agus bigí linn. Congratulations to the Irish committee who were awarded a certificate for all their hard work this year. Áine from Gaelbhratach (Irish Flag) will be coming in to the school to present the certificate next Thursday at 1pm. We would be delighted if any parents or grandparents were free to come in and join our celebrations.

2. Green Flag.

We recently received notification that we were successful in our latest Green Flag Application / Mrs Connolly, Patsy and two members of the Green School Committee will be travelling to Kilkenny on Wednesday next to collect our Biodiversity flag. It will hang proudly on our school gable alongside the previous four flags.

3. Amber Flag.

This week we received notification that we were successful in our ‘Pieta Amber Flag’ Application.

The adjudicators commented “Your Amber Flag Committee has shown great commitment in promoting positive mental health by encouraging teamwork and contributions from peers. Our team has thoroughly enjoyed seeing the results of your efforts, through the wonderful initiatives you organised.” We hope that by taking part in this initiative, that we will continue to raise awareness of stigmas which exist and the stressors on our collective mental and emotional wellbeing.

Thanks to all our staff coordinators and their respective committees for their collective work on these flags.

School Tours 2025.

School tour monies are being collected in cash and online through Aladdin Connect. The link will remain open for the month of May. If paying by cash, please put family name, number and amount in an envelope and present to Teacher / Secretary. The actual tour details were circulated last Friday.

School Development Plan.

The survey which issued to families last week has been extended by one week to Friday 16^th May next. Thanks to those who have already engaged. Please activate the following link to participate. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Ballymacns

Is mise

Michael J. O’ Ryan – Principal.

Dear Parent / Colleague / Board Member

Confirmation.

Congratulations to our boys and girls from Rg 6 who received the Sacrament of Confirmation from Bishop Phonsie at ceremonies in both Touraneena and Fourmilewater churches earlier this week. Well done to all involved and those who prepared them; from Mrs Byrne to Miss Kelly, members of the Banna Ceoil, Fr Toomey and Brendan the sacristan. They really had a summer’s day in April. If there are any Diocesan Youth Ministry Contributions envelopes to be returned, please do so next week.

Reminder: Holy Communion will take place on Saturday next May 10^th in FMW at 11 am.

Fyffes’ Fittest School Munster Final.

Two students from each class proudly represented our school in the Fyffes’ Fittest School Munster final, held in Charleville on Wednesday. The team showed fantastic effort and determination throughout the competition, displaying great competitiveness and school spirit. While a place in the All-Ireland wasn’t to be this time, we’re incredibly proud of their performance. With a bit of luck and continued hard work, we might get another shot at the title in the coming years! Well done to our pupils and thanks to coordinator Miss O’Keeffe and class teachers. Thanks to the PA for subsidising the transport costs.

School Tour Programme – June 2025.

Juniors & Seniors – Fri 6^th June, Ardmore Open Farm, €26

Rg 1/2 – Wed 4^th June, Airtastic, Cork, €40

Rg 3/4 – Tues 17^th June, Airtastic, Cork, 40

Rg 5/6 – Mon 16^th June, Spike Island Cork and Mahon Pt., €40

Monies will be collected from next week. Families will still be able to pay cash and if doing so, please put monies in an envelope with; family name, amount and family number. Families will also have an online payment option this year through Aladdin Connect. Either way, please ensure that €10 is the minimum payment as there are costs for each individual transaction.

Carambola.

Liz informs me that some families have yet to change their lunch preferences in line with the new summer menu. Furthermore, please keep an eye on whether they are liking or disliking these new options. If a child does not like their option it can be changed before Friday. These are teething problems from changing menus.  https://order.carambola.ie/ On a related note, please ensure that your child has adequate drinks each day, now that the temperature has increased.

School Crest

A lot of work has gone into designing a new school crest which will be unveiled shortly, it incorporates designs from school and community life, drafted by some of our talented pupils. We are currently seeking sponsors for a new set of school jerseys which would incorporate this new crest.

May Bank Holiday.

Enjoy the long weekend and best wishes to all involved in sporting endeavours. School will reopen on Tuesday next.

Is mise,

Michael J. O’Ryan – Principal.

Dear Parent / Colleague / Board Member

Ireland’s fittest family.

We are delighted to announce that our school has finished in the Top 4 in Munster in Fyffes Fittest School 2025! A huge congratulations to Miss O’Keeffe, the teachers and especially the pupils for all the hard work, energy, and enthusiasm they put in over the last 10 weeks. We are incredibly proud of this achievement! The provincial final will take place in Charleville Sport Complex, Co Cork on Wed 30th April. Representatives from each class have been chosen to attend and their families will be notified in due course.

Crazy Hat & Hair Day.

Today we held a Crazy Hat & Hair Day in aid of the Parents’ Association. We thank them for their help in many activities and events throughout the year. The proceeds of €109 will help them further aid the school during Term 3.

Hoodies.

Our Rg 6 pupils received their hoodies today. They are 50% subsidised by the P.A. and we thank them for this. They are very nice and a very good quality. They are a uniform in themselves and match the school colours. Rg 6 are permitted to wear these during Term 3. Please see our social media for accompanying photograph.

Carambola.

As you know Carambola will be changing to their summer menu on our return to school in late April. We are asking parents to discuss the new options with their children and update their selection on the system. Continuing with the same choices will not equate to the same food, as codes will change. Please make any alterations before Good Friday next. https://www.carambola.ie/our-menus/hot-lunches

School Books.

The Dept of Education has announced details of the next round of school book funding for the 2025/26 academic year. I enclose a link on information for parents. We will commence work in this in Term 3. EV Primary Schoolbooks Guide for Parents _ Apr 2025

School Transport.                                                                                                                                                     

The Bus Eireann Ticket Application portal is now open for the upcoming academic year. It will close on Fri 25^th April. Families will be able to pay from June 2025, with tickets issuing in July. https://schooltransport.buseireann.ie/Account/Login

BRAG & Tidy Towns.

Alice Coffey, School Liaison Officer from Ballymacarbry Road Action Group and Mike Carey Ballymacarbry Tidy Towns called to our school today to present prizes for their recent art competition. Rg 5/6 competed and the winner was Enya Sheehan, with the runners up being Emilia Bagacz, James Walsh, Jamie Walsh, Mia Valuntaite, Gavin Flynn and Lucy Long. These children were presented with their prizes and thanked for their participation. Mike also presented high visibility vests and reflective arm bands to our group on behalf of BTT. We appreciate the great gesture. Again, please see our social media for photos of the event.

School Crest.

The children have been creating a crest for our school these last few weeks. We have incorporated their collective ideas into a new crest for our school. We will unveil it in Term 3. Those whose designs made the finished product were; Clodagh O’Flynn, Lucy Long, Áine Horgan, Annabel O’ Gorman and Roisín Morkan, we congratulate them on their designs and indeed thank all those who participated, including Mrs McGrath and the student council, who initiated and finalised the idea.

Confirmation.

Confirmation will take place on Tuesday 29^th April which is the second day back after Easter. Nire candidates are asked to be in Touraneena Church at 9:30 am while Fourmilewater pupils are asked to be in their seats by 11:45 pm at latest. School will continue for all remaining classes on the day.

Buíochas.

Thanks to all of you who have helped us either in a paid or unpaid capacity during Term 2, much appreciated. All that is left for me to do is to wish you all a happy and holy Easter 2025. I remind you that school will reopen again on Mon 28^th April.

Is mise,

Michael J. O’Ryan – Principal

Dear Parent / Colleague / Board Member,

Sympathies.

Sympathies to Mrs Coffey, her husband Mike and family on the death of Mike’s father, Michael Coffey, Kilbrien. Michael will be buried in Kilbrien tomorrow morning. May he rest in peace.

Carambola.

Our hot school meals supplier has notified us that they will be changing to their summer menu on our return to school in late April. We are asking parents to discuss the new options with their children next week and log into the system to update the selection. Continuing with the same choices will not equate to the same food. Liz will put stickers on the lunch boxes to remind families. She is also available to take queries from families and assist them with the changeover and we thank her for this. https://www.carambola.ie/our-menus/hot-lunches

Family Quiz.

Well done to all our families who participated in the Family Quiz on Friday night last. An enjoyable night was had. Thanks to The PA who helped organise the night, offer refreshments at the break and put together a hamper for the raffle. Thanks also to the Niamh Brown and family who donated spot prizes; of a signed Waterford hurley and a signed Waterford Ladies football. Congratulations to our neighbours, the Corbetts on winning the event, the Ryans of Ballybrien on finishing second and the Horgans of Glasha on being placed third. We had spot prize winners too. Thanks to all who helped with the running of the event, including staff members and the Community Centre Committee for use of their premises.

Retreat.

Today we were joined by Fr Pat, Fr Thadeus and students of the Holy Family Mission Glencomeragh, along with the Rg 6 pupils and relevant staff of Touraneena and Newcastle National Schools for our pre-confirmation retreat. All our confirmands are well on their way towards receiving the sacrament at month’s end. Thanks to all who made this possible.

Blitz.

Our 4th class were invited to take part in a hurling and camogie blitz in Modeligo on Wednesday, and what a day it was! A great effort was made by everyone, with fantastic teamwork and skill on display throughout. Well done to Miss Denmead and all involved.

Primary Game Football.

Best wishes to Ciarán Horgan who represents our school in the Primary Game at Semple Stadium on Saturday evening, during the half time interval of the Waterford V Tipperary football match.

Easter Holidays

Reminder. The school will close on Friday 11^th April at 12:30 pm for Easter holidays. We will reopen again on Monday 28^th April. The After-school Club will close at 6pm next Friday.

Is mise,

Michael J. O’Ryan