Dear Parent / Guardian / Colleague / Board Member,

Advent – This weekend we light the last purple candle, representing love and on Monday next the white candle will be lit to represent to birth of our Saviour. I attach a link for the Bishop’s Christmas message to all schools – Bishop Cullinan’s Christmas Message

Carol Service – Our senior classes performed their Christmas Service last night entitled ‘Hosanna Rock’ at FMW Church. Thanks to all staff for their help in this production, all pupils for their performance and families for their attendance. Thanks to Fr Toomey for use of the Church and Brendan as sacristan. It was great for our pupils to be able to perform at both local churches this Christmas. Both services were very enjoyable and very warmly received, kudos to one and all.

Cluiche Ceannais na hÉireann – Congrats to Miss Boyce and Ballymac ladies on reaching the All-Ireland Club final last Saturday. Commiserations on being narrowly beaten by the now 3-time champions. They can take many positives from their odyssey this year including another County Final medal and a second Munster medal in quick succession. Well done to our school community who turned out in droves to support them.

Arctic Excursion – Thanks to parent Jamie Byrne, who called to school this week to detail his upcoming trip to the Arctic Circle, to witness the first sunrise of the new year all in aid of Sightsavers and the First Light for Sight campaign. Jamie plans to revisit us and regale his journey following his return. Please see his social media page for further details.

Red & White Day – Thanks to you and your child’s efforts today we collectively raised €345 for local Christmas Hampers in the West Waterford Area over this festive season.

Santa Visit – Thanks to Aoife, Kate and the PA today who organised for Santa to visit our pupils. Thanks to Santa for taking time out of his busy schedule to visit us. Each child got a selection box to start off the Christmas period. Please see a selection of photos on our social media site.

Christmas Holidays – The pupils and staff are now on holidays for Christmas. The school will reopen on Monday 8^th January 2024. All that is left for me to do is to thank you for your cooperation during 2023, extend compliments of this Christmas season to one and all and look forward to collaborating with you in the New Year – Le cúnamh Dé.

Some Christmas Trivia – St. Francis of Assisi, set up a Christmas nativity scene the woods of Greccio, in Italy on Christmas Eve in 1223. We continue this tradition 800 years later. Cribs are a central part of Christmas in Churches, schools and homes for many people. Long may this tradition continue.

Is mise, Michael J. O’Ryan – Principal

Dear Parent / Guardian / Colleague / Board Member,

Advent Update – This week we light our third candle. This candle signifies joy. The third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday. The theme of the day expresses the joy of anticipation at the approach of the Christmas celebration and the birth of Christ.

Pre-Confirmation Mass – Please note that Rang 6, as a class are not required to participate in this Sunday’s 9am mass. We await further details from Fr. Michael.

Sight & Hearing – These rearranged tests will take place at school on Monday by HSE staff for Junior Infants.

Carol Service – Thanks to pupils from Juniors to Rang 2 and their teachers who presented their carol service in the Nire last night. It was a lovely occasion in a lovely setting. Well done to one and all. Our second carol service entitled ‘Hosanna Rock’ will take place on Thursday next at 7 pm in FMW Church. This will involve all those pupils from Rang 3 – Rang 6 inclusive.

Christmas Holidays – Reminder, school will close on Friday next at 12:30 pm. The Breakfast and After School Club will remain open until 3:30pm later that evening. We will also have Christmas dress up on the day and as of now we are anticipating a special visitor. We will collect money for the Dungarvan Lions Club Christmas Hamper Appeal on the morning, through the non-uniform day. Thank you for your continued support.

Cluiche Ceannais na hÉireann – Best wishes to Miss Boyce and Ballymacarbry Ladies as they take on Kilkerrin-Clonberne of Galway in the All-Ireland Club Final at Croke Park tomorrow evening at 5 pm. Excitement has been building all week in the lead up to this day of days. Damien Tiernan of WLR visited us on Wednesday and did a short segment for his show, Deise Today, and another for upload on their social media, which we shared on ours. Today we hosted Blue & White Day to highlight this great achievement and lend the ladies our support. You can lend them yours, by travelling to Croke Park and/or going to the Community Centre at 11:15am tomorrow, complete with flags etc to see them off. All are welcome. Ballymacarbry have won this title on ten occasions, let’s hope that Miss Boyce and her colleagues can make it number 11. Beir bua!

Family Day – The following day, Ballymacarbry Community Centre will host a Christmas Family Day on Sunday between 2-5 pm. They will have bouncy castles and games in the Astro Turf, tea and refreshments for the parents, and a visit from Santa. They will also host a raffle on the day, with proceeds going directly to the Playground Development Fund. All are welcome.

Michael J. O’Ryan – Principal.

Dear Parent / Guardian / Colleague / Board Member,

Today we reach the traditional start of the festive season with the feast of the Immaculate Conception. As the song says, “it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas,” at our school; the Crann Nollag is up and the advent wreath awaiting the lighting of its second candle, signifying peace. The elves are roaming from class to class, checking the all-important list, in fact, checking it twice. Hopefully it will all be worth it on Christmas day. All Ireland fever is also building in advance of Sat 16^th Dec in Croke Park. More about this next week.

BOM – Our newly formed Board of Management took up office on December 1^st. We welcome four new members on board. Eileen Condon completed her term as chair and Michael Lavery has been appointed as the new chair, Nuala Power will continue as the Patron’s Representative. Mrs Byrne and the principal are included from the school, Brendan O’Brien and Ellenora Lynch from the parents and Ned Moore and Eileen Walsh from the community. We wish the octet the very best as a collective during these next four years. We again thank Eileen, Melissa, Emma and Jason for their time, effort and dedication to the school between 2019-2023.

In Service – Thanks for your understanding and cooperation in our school in-service closure yesterday.

Photography – Hopefully all families got their photography packs earlier this week. Please contract us if there is a problem with your delivery and we will revert to Ray Power for you.

Sight & Hearing – These envelopes were distributed to junior infants on Tuesday, please complete and return by Wednesday 13^th Dec. HSE staff will be onsite on Monday 18^th Dec to facilitate testing.

Carol Service – Our first Carol Service will take place on Thursday next at 7 pm in the Nire Church. This will involve all those pupils from Junior Infants to Rang 2 inclusive.

Nire & Ballymacarbry Newsletter – This local production is published this weekend and will feature an article on our school and include many photos of activities during 2023. Always an enjoyable read. Fair play to Claire Bridle and company on their second publication.

1^st Anniversary – This weekend we remember our dear departed pupil / classmate Danny, who left us exactly a year ago. Today, Danny’s classmates unveiled a plaque in his honour. In recognition of his love for Christmas, a tree was sourced and planted and its lights were officially switched on. Silent Night echoed around the school yard, and the fitting poem ‘God Saw You’ was recited. Thanks to all who did the groundwork for this event; staff, pupils and community members alike. “Sleep in heavenly peace, Danny” Reminder – Danny’s first anniversary mass will take place in Fourmilewater Church on Sunday at 9 am.

Is mise,

Michael J.O’Ryan – Principal

Dear Parent / Guardian / Colleague / Board Member,

Advent – This weekend marks the first Sunday of advent. We light our first candle on the advent wreath on Monday. Advent is a time of preparation and as a school we will be preparing for the coming of Christ at Christmas, along with other visitors too.

BOM – Thanks for engaging in the Board of Management election process. An email was sent to all families on Tuesday last with an update on the Parent Representative element. New Boards officially take up office today. We will update the school community on progress by way of our weekly e-mail, next Friday.

PTM’s – Thanks to all those who participated in the Parent Teacher Meetings during the week; parents for their attendance and teachers for their preparation and participation.

Reminder – School will be closed on Thursday 7^th December to facilitate staff in-service in maths. The attached Breakfast Club & After School Service will remain open between the hours of 8am – 2pm. (Phone Helen on 083 2028749 for further information.)

MMR – Reminder that HSE staff will be onsite this coming Monday to administer Junior Infant MMR.

P.A. – Last chance to call to the Community Centre this evening to see if any Christmas jumpers remain. Event ends at 5pm.

Carol Service – Rehearsals are in full swing for both performances in the coming weeks. Just to recap.

Juniors / Rang 2 – Nire Church, Thurs 14^th Dec. at 7pm.

Rang 3 / Rang 6 – FMW Church, Thurs 21^st Dec. at 7 pm.

Christmas Day Mass Nire – Please note that carol practice will take place this Sunday after Nire 11am mass in preparation for Christmas Day Carol Service. Banna Ceoil members and children welcome.

Christmas Fair – A special visitor will call to the Nire Hall, I’m told, this Sunday afternoon for the Annual Parish Christmas Fair, between 2-5pm.

Ballymacarbry Ladies – Best wishes to Miss Boyce and her Ballymacarbry Lady colleagues as they take on the Ulster Champions, Clann Éireann this Sunday in their home grounds in Co. Armagh at 1:30pm. Beir bua!

Is mise,

Michael J. O’Ryan – Principal

Dear Parent / Guardian / Colleague / Board Member,

BOM – Hopefully by now all ballots have been returned for the BOM election. Votes will be counted on Monday. Please have outstanding ballots in the school post box by Monday morning.

PTM’s – These will take place on Wednesday and Thursday of next week. The format is as follows; Wednesday 29^th Nov (Ahearne – Mulcahy inclusive) & Thursday 30^th Nov (Norris – White) Most teachers will be situated either in the Halla or the classrooms near the main entrance.

Green Schools – A huge thank you to Albert Nolan from the National Heritage Council who visited our school on Tuesday and Wednesday. Albert took all classes out in turn to help them to become more aware of biodiversity within our school grounds. He taught the children about our school plants; he showed them a bat and also how to create their own biodiversity trail. It was very beneficial towards attaining our next Green Flag on biodiversity.

Grow in Love Mass – Miss O’Keeffe’s Rang 2 will participate in a pre-communion mass this weekend at Fourmilewater Church. Families are kindly asked to be in church by 8:50 am please. Please follow instructions from Miss O’Keeffe.

Reminder – School will be closed on Thursday 7^th December to facilitate staff in-service.

Photography – Ray Power has collected all the family photograph envelopes and will be in touch with us once finalised. Thanks for your help in this regard.

Toy Show – Bainígí taitneamh as an ‘Toy Show’ ar an teilifís níos déanaí.

Is mise,

Michael J. O’Ryan – Principal.