Dear Parent / Guardian / Colleague / Board Member,

Covid Update.

The HSE has provided information for parents about the changes to contact tracing and testing for children aged between 3 months and 13 years in primary school settings. (https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/13610-information-for-parents-about-the-changes-to-contact-tracing-and-testing-for-children-aged-between-3-months-and-13-years-in-early-learning-and-care-elc-and-school-age-childcare-sac-education-primary-school-sports-and-social-settings/)

Electronic Self Declaration.(ESD)

Please register any absences of your children at this link. https://forms.gle/nVFuRtkXUUoV56EX8.

This can also be found on our website under Parent Info and Absence Notes. https://www.ballymacns.com

Sacraments.

Thankfully all those from last year’s Rg 2 & Rg 6 have received their Sacraments at this stage. Our two eucharistic ceremonies took place last weekend at both Nire and FMW churches. Thanks to Fr Michael Toomey and Fr Garrett Desmond, along with Mr Brunnock and Mrs Coffey and indeed all who helped in any way including sacristans Brendan and Nora. We await plans for next spring’s ceremonies and will relay details as soon as they are available.

Start of Year Mass.

Fr Toomey celebrated a Start of Year Mass with pupils from Rg 4-Rg 6 on Wednesday 29^th September in Fourmilewater Church. It was a lovely ceremony led by Mr Brunnock and his Rg 6. Thanks to Fr Toomey and staff.

Sympathy.

Yesterday, we laid to rest Deirdre O’Ryan McCarthy, former past pupil and former staff member at our school for a short while. Deirdre was known by many and loved by all. She had time for everyone and everyone had time for Deirdre. Being an SNA was her vocation, only surpassed by her love for her family. Many local organisations will be mourning Deirdre as she had a part to play in all that was good about the greater Ballymacarbry area. The loss will be greatest felt by her husband Maurice, her children Sinead, Shane and Ailis, her mam Bridget, her brothers Joe, Michael and Dermot, her sisters Mari and Siobhan and their families.  Deirdre’s siblings and children are all past pupils of our school. She was a strong supporter during her their time with us.  Also a word to our sister school in the parish, Newcastle N.S. on losing a true friend and colleague. Níl sí imithe uainn, ach imithe romhainn. R.I.P. Deirdre.

Enrolment

Enrolment for 2022/23 academic year is open as and from today. If you have or know anyone interested in enrolling a child at our school please contact Rose on 052-6136349. A returned Registration Form will suffice for now. This is available on our website https://www.ballymacns.com under the Enrolment tab.

Secondary School Visits

Pupils in Rg 6 will be receiving visits from personnel in secondary schools during October in an effort to finalise their numbers for next year. Please keep up to date with any information from preferred school(s).

Coaching.

Barry Dunne will call to our school again for the next two Wednesdays for football training.

Is mise,

 Michael J. O’Ryan – Principal