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