March Newsletter 2026
There is an old weather saying, “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb” which means if the weather at the start of March is bad (wet, windy, cold etc.), which it was, the month should end with good weather – here’s hoping this saying is true.
World Book Day
This Thursday, 5th March is World Book Day. We look forward to this day every year when we celebrate books and reading. On Thursday all staff and pupils come to school dressed up as a character from a book. They should wear something warm underneath. There will be a fashion show and children will get a chance to “strut their stuff” on the cat walk. Prizes will be awarded at the end of the day to the most creative outfit in each classroom. Throughout the day children will be engaged in different book related activities as well as making their weekly trip to Ballybay library. Children have received their World Book Day vouchers – these can be exchanged for a free book in Eason’s Monaghan/the Book Station or can be used to get €1.50 off a book of their choice.
The Student Council Activities
1.Book Swap
As part of World Book Day our Student Council are hosting a “book swap”. There may be books in your home that your children have finished with. The Student Council would like children to bring books to school (in good condition) that they are finished with (and won’t be getting back). The Student Council will organise the books and then each class will be allocated a time to view the books and take a book if they wish.
2.Beetle Drive
The Student Council plan to hold a fun Beetle Drive event for the whole school on 27th March to celebrate the beginning of the Easter Holidays. In a Beetle Drive, players roll dice to gradually draw a picture of a beetle. Each number rolled lets you add a different body part. The winner is the first person to complete their beetle. At each table (usually 4 per table), the people with the lowest and highest scores must move to a different table and a new round begins! This will be a very sociable event and brilliant for all ages and languages!
Rugby
We are delighted to welcome back Will Arkell from Monaghan Rugby Club for three consecutive Wednesdays – 11th March, 18th March and 25th March for tag rugby sessions. Children should wear tracksuits and runners for those three Wednesdays (instead of Fridays) as Wednesday will be P.E. day on these weeks.
Swimming Lessons
Swimming lessons for all pupils will take place on the following dates:
Friday 17th April, 24th April, 1st May, 8th May, 15th May and 22nd May. P.E. clothes should be worn. A swimming hat is needed for the pool. The lessons begin at 1.00pm and we will leave school at 12.20 and return to school at 2.40 approx. Please note staff are not permitted to dry children so if your child is in Junior classes and need help to dry/dress you must organise a responsible person to do this (i.e. yourself, older sibling or another parent). Staff will ensure younger children are able to undress, (it is helpful if swimming togs are already on underneath clothes) put belongings in a locker and get to the pool area. This is all part of the experience and is promoting independence for younger children. For those attending to assist with drying and dressing you should be at the pool at 1.45pm. Junior and Senior Infants may go home from the pool if parents are there. All other children will return to school on the bus.
For the duration of swimming lessons those who normally receive hot lunches from Fresh Today will receive a cold lunch instead. Cost per pupil is €50 for the 6 weeks.
Full payment must be made by cheque, draft or online.
NO CASH WILL BE ACCEPTED.
- Online banking – IBAN IE20AIBK 9324 2601 2651 56
When using online banking please put your name and swimming on the reference line so we know it’s your payment.
Building Emotional Resilience in Children
Does your child sometimes get upset easily? Do you want to know more about how to support your child if they are feeling worried or angry? All feelings are normal but sometimes children struggle with managing their feelings and this can affect behaviour.
Shannon Hollywood is a behaviour consultant from Omagh who gives practical advice for real life parenting. We are very pleased to welcome Shannon to our school community on Thursday night this week, 5th March. Tea and coffee will be available from 7.15 and Shannon will commence her presentation at 7.30 and it will include a question and answer session at the end. The presentation will last one hour. Please come along if you are free and if you wish bring a friend, they will be very welcome.
The People’s Peace Forest
On Tuesday 3rd February we welcomed the President of the Tree Council of Ireland, Cormac Downey and Eanna Ní Lamhna, a biologist, environmental consultant, author, educator and radio and television presenter, to school. We were delighted to be chosen as one of four schools in Co. Monaghan to receive trees as part of the People’s Peace Forest initiative. Ballybay translates to Béal Átha Beithe in Irish which means ‘The mouth of the ford of the birches’. Birch trees are synonymous with the area so planting 200 silver birch trees at the back of the school is very fitting.
Recently we applied to the Hare’s Corner for support to develop biodiversity on the school grounds. We have been given 5 apple trees under this initiative which will add to our plans to promote biodiversity.
After School Activity
Great fun was had at he Lego and Draughts after school activity in February. A draughts tournament is planned within the school before Easter. Who will be the Ballybay Central draughts champion???
Every School Day Matters
Regular school attendance is vital to every child’s learning, development and overall wellbeing. A recent study by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) found that school absence is linked to lower educational qualifications and poorer wellbeing in early adulthood. When a child misses 20 or more days in a school year, this is the equivalent of four full weeks of learning; 25 days amounts to five full weeks. In line with national guidelines, if a child is absent for 20+ days, the school is required to submit a report to Tusla Education Support Service (TESS). Obviously if children are sick they should not attend school. Developing good attendance habits in primary school will lay the foundation for positive attitudes towards education, and greater success and wellbeing in the years ahead. Parents can monitor their child’s attendance at any time through Aladdin Connect, and the school will also issue correspondence each term outlining the number of absences recorded.
School Closures
School will be closed on Wednesday this week, 4th March as there will be no electricity
School will be closed on Monday & Tuesday, 16th & 17th March for St. Patrick’s Day.
School closes at 12.00 on Friday 27th March for Easter and reopens on Monday 13th April.