Dear Parent / Guardian / Colleague / Board Member,

Covid-19 Update.

I want to inform you that I contracted Covid-19 last weekend and haven’t been in school this week. My positive PCR arrived on Wednesday.  Thanks to management, deputising in my absence. There are many bugs circulating to the extent that our attendance rate has been 92.8% this week. Please remember not to send children to school if they exhibit any of the associated symptoms. We are lead to believe that antigen testing for schools is imminent. What this entails, we are not sure, however we will relay to you as soon as is possible.

Parent Teacher Meetings.

It is now widely accepted by all stakeholders that the traditional face to face PTM’s should not take place in schools. We had planned for in person PTM’s but now we make the decision to run them along the lines of last year i.e. online and over the phone. I will ask staff to facilitate Zoom and phone calls for parents during the week beginning Monday 29^th November next.

Shoebox Appeal.

Our shoeboxes were collected this week. Thanks to the families who took the time and effort to put together 100 boxes for this worthwhile gesture. This has been very much in line with other years and proves the immense kindness and compassion within our school community.

Photography.

Thankfully our photographer called on Tuesday last. Thanks to all families who filled up the electronic survey in advance of this. Ray Power (Rose) will be in touch in due course allowing for families to decide on purchasing options.

Phone line.

I’m informed that the school phone line has been down today, apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Sport.

Cogratulations to Ballymacarbry Ladies on their County Final success at the weekend. Well done on achieving 40 in a row. Thanks also for sending in “Goodie-Bags.” Best wishes to the Nire Seniors this weekend in their county Final against Comeragh neighbours, Rathgormack. An Uidhir Abú!

Is mise,

Michael J. O’ Ryan – Principal