Dear Parent / Guardian, Colleague & Board Member,

This week: Our final week of school was a busy, if not hectic one.

Our Rg 6 boys and girls received the Sacrament of Confirmation at both local churches on Tuesday.

On Wednesday we welcomed in our new Junior Infants and their parents during our Open Afternoon.

On Thursday, Rang 6 were brought to the Nire Lakes by Mr O’Ryan and Mrs Byrne – it was a glorious day.

Fr Michael Celebrated mass on Thursday evening at FMW and we graduated our “Class of 2022.” Pupils and parents came to the school after for refreshments and presentations, hosted by the Parents’ Association. Along with 25 pupils, we said farewell to 14 families, some, who have been on this journey with us for over 20 years. Go n-éirí go geal libh.

On Friday, the full complement of teaching staff for next year was announced and booklists were emailed to all families. These booklists will be published on our website from next week at www.ballymacns.com

Visitors to the school included, past pupils Summer Peters, Sophie Hogan and local club player Ruby Brown (daughter of past pupil, Helen Walsh) who recently won the U-14 All Ireland when defeating Tyrone by one point. Another past pupil, Fiona (Laffan) Crotty is the team manager. The girls brought in both Munster and National cups on Friday morning and presented our own Girls with their Western A Medals which they won some weeks back. Great role models for our pupils and great to acknowledge their achievements.

Well done also to our boys and girls scouts who had notable success last weekend in Cork.

Other visitors included Maureen Purcell artist and Barry Dunne coach.

Back to School Clothing and Footwear allowance (BTSCFA) This grant helps meet the cost of uniforms and footwear for children going to school. The BTSCFA scheme is open from 20 June 2022 until 30 September 2022.Here is the link for those interested. Clothing & Footwear Allowance. If I can be of any assistance to families in preparing for back to school please do not hesitate to contact me at principal@ballymacns.com

School Reports: Hopefully all families should have received their reports this week. Please contact the school if you have yet to do so.

Golden Jubilee Plan: August 30th marks our 50^th year in existence and we have a number of events planned for the upcoming academic year; the first being an Open Air Mass on Friday 2^nd September on the school grounds at evening time and a family styled Table Quiz at Halloween. More info to follow.

Uniform Exchange: The PA will hold a Uniform Exchange Event this weekend at the Community Centre between 9 am Saturday and 6 pm Sunday. People are free to drop and leave uniform items connected to Ballymacarbry N.S. People can also drop items to Chair – Aoife Fenlon’s house. Aoife lives at nearby Barrack Street if the centre is closed when passing.

Literacy Support for Parents/guardians: The National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) offers help and advice for parents/guardians who have difficulty reading, writing, spelling or doing mathematics. They have a Freephone number parents/guardians can call 1800 20 20 65 or a website www.learnwithnala.ie – parents/guardians can learn with their local ETB Adult Education Service or over the phone and online with NALA. All services are free.

NALA also has a website www.helpmykidlearn.ie that provides some suggestions for activities that parents/guardians can do with their children to develop their literacy and numeracy. It includes general information, fun activities and useful tips that can be integrated into any part of their day.

Thanks: Thanks to all who help in any way to run our school, the Management, the Staff, Teachers, SNA, Secretary, Cleaner, Supervisor, Caretaker, Visitors, Coaches, Bus Drivers, Parents and Pupils. It takes a community to raise a child and we are fortunate to live in such a wonderful community. Thanks to Miss Anna Fitzgerald who leaves us today after spending the last 6 months with us in Rg 5. Congratulations to Miss Ciara Denmead, who recently became a permanent member of staff.

Slán: All that’s left for me to do is to wish you all a nice summer and hope that we will see you all again on Wednesday 31^st August at 9:20 am including our 20 new infants, who will in time be referred to as the “Class of 2030.” Please let us know if any of your contact details change during the summer. You will all be delighted to get a break from these weekly emails in July and August.

Is mise,

Michael J. O’Ryan – Principal.