Dear Parent / Guardian, Colleague & Board Member,   

Deirdre Byrne Rip – Condolences to the family of Deirdre (Fenton) Byrne, late of Abbeyside and Silaheen, Ballymacarbry on her death at the weekend. Deirdre was a past pupil of our school. May she rest in peace.

Covid-19 Update – This week we have been notified of 1 case to-date. In total, this term, we have been notified of 52 positive PCR results. 45 of these have returned to school. Therefore, as of this evening, we are down to 7 who have not returned to school yet, split as follows;

Mrs Kelly’s Classroom = 0

Ms Dunlea’s Classroom = 1

Mr Earley’s Classroom = 1

Mrs Coffey’s Classroom = 1

Miss Denmead’s Classroom = 1

Mrs McGrath’s Classroom = 2

Mr Brunnock’s Classroom = 0

Staff = 1

The attendance rate for the week has averaged 84%.

PTM’s – As of later this evening, 78 % of PTM’s will be completed. Mrs Coffey’s will take place early in the New Year.

Exp of Interest – The Board of Management (BOM) of Ballymacarbry N.S., subject to the approval of our Patron, Most Rev. Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan DD – Bishop of Waterford & Lismore invites Expressions of Interest, for the provision of pre and post school supervision, for our school going pupils, at our premises on the outskirts of Ballymacarbry. (E91 E426) Interested parties are asked to please apply in writing and in confidence to; Chairperson Ballymacarbry N.S. BOM, Ballymacarbry, Via Clonmel, Co. Waterford., by Thurs. 6^th Jan. 2022. Please inform those that you think may be interested in providing such a service.

School Raffle – ‘Dream for Danny’– Thank you all for your support! Tickets can be bought through the school right up to 30th January (day before raffle) or alternatively online from 2nd January!(1 for €7.50 or 3 for €15!) We will share the online link on our school facebook page once the raffle goes live!

Christmas Jumper – This year we will wear red next Wednesday for Dream for Danny. Children can opt to wear Christmas themed outfits and bring a donation to the above fund.

Christmas Carols – Mrs Kelly & our Banna Ceoil, with your generosity raised €1,877 for Dream for Danny at local churches last weekend.

Winter Fire Dance – From 7pm Tues 21^st Dec. – https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/ballymacarbry-winter-firedance

Nire Valley Newsletter Comm. – Congratulations to the committee on another excellent publication, its 32^nd in total. Sad to hear it may be the last, but kudos to Mary Wall & Thomas Crotty for their sterling work down through the years.

Christmas Holidays – School will close for Christmas on Wednesday 22^nd December at 12:30pm.

We will take the opportunity of sending home books on Tuesday and Wednesday in the interest of prudence.

Is mise,

Michael J. O’ Ryan

Principal