April Newsletter 2026
Welcome back to the final term of this academic year – with ten weeks to go until the summer holidays, it will be a busy term. Hopefully the weather will improve and allow for plenty of outdoor learning.
Student Council
Many thanks to our student council for organising a Beetle Drive on the last day of term.
There was great excitement in the hall with lots of beetles being created. Mark was the winner of the Guess The Number of Sweets in the jar competition also organised by the student council – he won for himself the jar and 177 sweets! Following the Beetle Drive everyone had lots of fun searching for their Easter eggs at the Easter Egg Hunt!
Draughts
We held our first draughts tournament in school just before the Easter break. We were delighted that 38 students signed up for the tournament. We had been building up to this event for a while, with an after-school activity devoted to learning and playing draughts. Ms. McCarney had also previously taught the game to the middle classes, so there were many competent players entering the tournament who made some very strategic and challenging moves. Everyone was highly engaged throughout. Harper Mullen (1st Class) and Albina Puz (6th Class) were the runners-up, while Erin Bann (5th Class) and Jessica Murphy Ly (6th Class) made it to the final. It was a tough match that even had to be continued the following day!
Well done to Jessica, who was crowned overall champion. Who will be the next Ballybay Central Draughts Champion?
Swimming
Swimming lessons begin this Friday 17th April. The cost per lesson has risen to €5.50 per pupil and bus costs €7.00 per pupil per day which is a total of €12.50 per pupil per lesson. For 6 weeks this would cost €75. Thanks to the fundraising initiatives of the Parents’ Association we have kept the price per pupil at €50 – the Parents’ Association will contribute the balance of €1600 to cover the cost. Without our Parents’ Association there would be no money to help support activities outside the school. This is why it is so important that parents get involved in the Parents’ Association either on the committee or by helping and supporting their fundraising.
Table Quiz
A very enjoyable night was had by all who attended the Table Quiz in 2nd Ballybay Presbyterian Hall on Friday 26th March. Many thanks to the Parents’ Association committee for organising the event, getting sponsorship for rounds, collection spot prizes, organising and serving the supper, setting up the hall and clearing up afterwards. Thank you to those who donated items for the supper gave monetary donations and attended on the night. A huge thank you to Rory McAtavie for a brilliant job as quiz master on the night.
Many thanks to the following businesses/companies who supported the Table Quiz by sponsoring a round each!
Breakthrough Performance Bluebells
Ideal Stone & Glass G. McBride Haulage
Robin’s Corner Shop Conly Funeral Directors
JT Construction Dixon’s Garage
Colemans Tractors Ross Richards
Please support these local businesses if you can.
A total of € was raised. This money will go towards swimming costs.
Buddy Reading/Buddy Maths Games
During the last term all children participated in 5 weeks of weekly Buddy reading. During this time children were paired with older/younger children and the older child read a story to the younger child. Buddy reading has many advantages, notably it develops confidence for the reader who models good reading, while the listener enjoys being read to and associates reading with enjoyment not pressure. The Buddy reading sessions created positive reading experiences. Thank you to Mrs Boyle for organising the sessions.
This term we will be commencing 5 weeks of Buddy Maths Games and we look forward to this. If you have any Maths board games or games that involve numbers at home and you don’t mind us borrowing them, we would love to try them out.
Tour Surveys
We are currently reviewing our school tour policy. All parents received a questionnaire this week. Thank you very much to those who have returned them – your opinions and suggestions are valued and have been noted. If you have yet to return your questionnaire, please do so before Friday.
P.E. This Term
Pupils will take part in football and games with our GAA coach, Gary every Tuesday this term. Each classroom will get 30 minutes approx each. Fridays are swimming days until Friday 29th May. Please ensure children wear tracksuits and runners on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Attendance - Every School Day Counts
A recent report from the ESRI has shown that the average number of days missed by pupils has increased. Figures indicate that 1 in 5 students nationally miss a month or more of school each year – 20 days absent equates to one month of school. Being in school every day is important for more than just learning a curriculum. Children build friendships, develop confidence and take part in shared experiences that help them feel part of a classroom community. Good attendance in Primary School is the foundation for good attendance not only in Secondary School but also in Third Level and in employment later in life.
From September 2026, children who are absent from school (including due to holidays) will not be given work to complete for days missed. Learning takes place in school and if children are not present it is unfair to expect them to complete work that has not been taught.
As per the Education Welfare Act 2000, any student who has reached a cumulative total of 20 or more days absent from school is reported to TESS (Tusla Education Support Service). Any child whose continued poor attendance gives cause for concern are reported to the Education Welfare Officer.
School Closures
School will be closed on Friday 8th May as staff are required to attend inservice training for the new Primary Curriculum Framework. School will also be closed on Monday 4th May and Monday 1st June as both are bank holidays. School will close at 12.00 on Tuesday 23rd June for the summer holidays.
Ballybay Central National School
School Calendar 2026-2027
| School Re-opens
|
Thursday 27th August 2026 |
| Mid-Term Break | Monday 26th October – Friday 30th October inclusive |
| Christmas Closing | Tuesday 22nd December at 12.00 (last day of school) |
| Re-opening
|
Monday 6th January 2027 |
| St Brigid’s Day
|
Monday 1st February |
| Mid-Term Break | Thursday 18th February & Friday 19th February |
| St. Patrick’s Day Weekend
|
Wednesday 17th March |
| Easter Closing | Friday 19th March at 12.00 (last day of school) |
| Re-opening
|
Monday 5th April |
| Bank Holiday Weekend
|
Friday 30th April & Monday 3rd May |
| Bank Holiday
|
Monday 7th June |
| Summer Holidays Closing
|
Tuesday 22nd June at 12.00 |