Summer newsletter 2017 - Ballycanew National School

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Ballycanew National School
Summer Newsletter 2017
 
1.    New Uniform Supplier:  Leddy’s Uniforms
The new supplier of our school crested jumpers is Leddy’s in Gorey (above Sally West).  They will have the school jumpers as well as tracksuits and trousers and skirts/pinafores.  You can still buy the tracksuits and the grey trousers/skirts/pinafores from Dunnes Stores if you wish.
 
2.    First Holy Communion – Saturday 20th May
Congratulations to all the boys and girls in 2nd class who made their First Holy Communion recently.  It was a wonderful day for the school and the whole community.  Thanks to the Parents Association for teas, cakes etc.  Thanks to all the teachers & SNA’s and Fr Orr in preparing the pupils.  Special thanks to the boys and girls in the choir who made this an extra special day for all.
 
3.    Induction Day for New Pupils:  Wednesday 31st June at 2pm
All new pupils about to start in September are welcome to visit the school on this day along with their parents.
 
4.    Assessment Tests:
Micra and Sigma tests for all pupils from 1st to 6th class will be carried out in May/June.  These standardised tests give an indication of your child’s progress in English and Maths.  Scores are included in the school reports.
 
5.    School Reports
These will be posted out to parents in the second last week in June.
 
6.    Booklists (1st to 6th classes)
Booklists detailing copies and stationery needed will be sent home shortly.  Any parents not wishing to avail of the book rental scheme can obtain a full booklist detailing textbooks and workbooks from the school office in June. In the case of split classes the booklist will indicate which class your child belongs to.
 
7.    Staff Training – New Primary Language Curriculum – Friday 16th June
The school will close at 12.30pm for all pupils to facilitate staff training
 
8.    ASD Official Opening – Thursday 22nd June at 11.30am
Ballycanew Autism Unit will be officially opened by Bishop Denis Brennan.  Parents, past pupils, guests and members of the community are welcome to join us in celebrating this wonderful addition to our school.
 
9.    Fun for All Day: Friday 23rd June
Parents are welcome to come along on the day.  However, if the weather turns against us we will provide indoor games instead.  School starts at 9am as usual and sports events start at 10am.  All children go home at 12.30pm.
 
10. End of Year Mass: Tuesday 27th  June at 11.30am in St Moling’s Church
This is always a special occasion especially for the pupils of sixth class who will be presented with certificates in recognition of their time spent in St Enda’s N.S. We wish them all the best in the future. 
     
11.  Sixth Class Barbecue: Tuesday 27th   June
This is a traditional treat for the pupils of sixth class in recognition of their hard work over the years in St Enda’s. This will be their last day.
 
12. Summer Days:
      It’s wonderful to see the sun shine once again. However, the sun is particularly severe at the moment and so it’s important that you provide sun protection for your child.
      Farm Safety and Water Safety will be covered as a matter of course in all classes by teachers before the summer holidays
 
13. Homework
      As we enter June and the bright evenings, we wish to inform you that written homework will stop in Ballycanew NS.. The children will continue with the learning aspects of homework including spellings, tables and reading.  We encourage you to inspire your child to get outside and get active and also to spend quality time with family.
 
14. Athletics:
4th, 5th and 6th class have started doing athletics after school on Thursday’s. We are focusing on running, warming up and how to have a good start.  Last week 25 children went to the local round of athletics for the Community games and 8 children will go forward to the county finals in June.  We are also attending the school’s competition in June in Enniscorthy.

15. Broadband – New and Improved
The school has contracted a new broadband provider in an attempt to improve the abysmal service currently available to us.  We hope this will assist in the wider use of technology as a learning medium within the classroom.  Please canvass as much as possible to get a fibre-optic supply into the village. 
 
16. School Tours:
Junior & Senior Infants -         Thursday 1st June              Woodfield House
1st & 2nd class                              Wednesday 21st June        Greenan Maze
2nd & 3rd class                             Friday 9th June                  Hidden Valley
4th class                                        Wednesday 7th June         Clara Lara
5th & 6th class                              Monday 12th June              Hidden Valley
 
17. Classes for the school year 2017/2018
Junior Infants            -              To be appointed
Senior Infants/1st class             Ms Karen McGillycuddy-   Maternity - cover to be appointed
First/Second               -              Mrs Lorna Doyle
Second/Third              -              Ms Aileen O’Connor – Career Break - cover to be appointed
Fourth/Fifth                                Mr Pádraig O’ Connor
Fifth/Sixth                                   Mrs Mary Kirwan Doyle
SEN Teacher 1                           Mrs Claire O’ Donnell and Ms Laura Doyle   (Job-sharing)
      SEN Teacher 2                          Anne Nagle          
      SEN Teacher 3                          To be appointed
      SEN Teacher 4                          To be appointed
      ASD Unit Preschool Class      Mrs Claire O’Sullivan – Maternity – cover to be appointed
      ASD Primary Class 1               Ms Catherine Mackey
      ASD Primary Class 2               atherine MackeyMaloney
of sixth class in recognition of their hard work over the years in St Enda' Ms Karen Purcell
      Principal (Administrative)      Mr Seamus Dempsey
 
Teacher/SNA posts for 2017/2018 are in the process of being filled.  You will be notified of these appointments a.s.a.p.
 
18.    Principal
As you are aware I am retiring at the end of August 2017 and the new Principal, Mr Seamus Dempsey, will assume office on 1st September 2017.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support over the past 29 years.  I thoroughly enjoyed my time here and I will leave with many fond and cherished memories.  I believe the future bodes well for all the boys and girls in Ballycanew NS as they now have state of the art facilities, wonderful new and innovative programmes and, most importantly, a fantastic staff to implement them. With this in mind I wish my successor, Mr Seamus Dempsey, every success.      
 
19.  Swimming: Dates for 2017/2018 school year
Friday 22nd September 2017   (6 sessions)          5th/6th class
Friday 12th January 2018         (6 sessions)            2nd/3rd class  
Friday 13th April 2018              (6 sessions)            4th/5th class
 
20. Summer Holidays: Friday June 30th
The school will break up for the summer holidays on Friday June 30th at 12.30pm
 
21. School Re-opens
School re-opens for all pupils on Wednesday 30th August 2017
 
22. July Education Programme – Monday 3rd July 2017
This programme is provided only for the children in the Autism classes and finishes on Friday 28th July
 
23. Word of Thanks – Parents Association
      A special word of thanks to the members of the Parents Association and the BOM for the truly valued and valuable work they have done throughout the year. In addition, I would like to thank all parents for their support and co-operation over the past year.  It is appreciated very much by all the staff.
 
24. Mobile Phone/address:  Please inform the school of any changes to your mobile phone number or if you have changed your address.  We need this for Communication and Health and Safety reasons when your child is sick or has an accident.
 
Have a wonderful summer! 
 
       Con Brosnan
 
 
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