December Newsletter 2019
Where has the time gone? It’s hard to believe we are in December already, it seems like only yesterday we returned to school. After a busy month of moving classrooms (for some) new teachers and different class groupings things are beginning to settle down. We welcome Ms Anita Brown to the school as our Special Education Teacher – we hope she enjoys her time with us. Ms Victoria Hazlett has been appointed as a temporary mainstream class teacher until August 31st. Interviews will take place next week to appoint an SNA for the Junior Classroom. Already we can see how the smaller class groupings are benefitting all the children in the school and as a staff we greatly appreciate the Department of Education’s decision to appoint an additional teacher to our school.
Pantomime
December will be a busy month for one of our 6th Class pupils, Ella Grimes, as she takes part in the Cheerios pantomime, Cinderella at the Pantodome, Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin. The pantomime stars Alan Hughes (TV3), Jake Carter (singer), Jenny Dixon (Fair City) and many more. Ella will perform in almost 30 shows over the Christmas period and we wish her well.
New Board of Management
The new Board of Management officially commenced its term of office on December 1st.
Rev. G. Clinton Presbytery Nominee
Mrs. Mildred Clarke Presbytery Nominee
Mrs. Karen Pepper Staff Nominee
Mrs. Pamela Patton Staff Nominee
Mr. Alan Hamilton Parent Nominee
Mrs. Catriona Burgess Parent Nominee
Mr. Clayton Wilson Nominee from the wider community
Mrs Eleanor Wilson Nominee from the wider community
The Board of Management is the body of persons appointed by the patron (Presbytery) to manage the school on behalf of the patron. It is the duty of the Board to “manage the school on behalf of the patron and for the benefit of the students and their parents and to provide or cause to be provided an appropriate education for each student at the school” (Se. 15 Education Act, 1988)
Cash for Clobber
Many thanks to all who donated to the Cash for Clobber scheme – a total weight of 1140kg was collected altogether. This is the most we have ever collected. The school will receive €456 which will be used to buy resources for the classroom.
Food Collection
Throughout the month of December we are asking pupils to donate to our Christmas Food Appeal. Non-perishable food items can be left in the box in the hall at the stage. Claire Douglas will accept the food on behalf of Hope Café, Monaghan. It will be distributed to local needy families in the run up to Christmas.
Christmas Walk to School
On Thursday 19th December children should meet at The Riverdale Hotel between 9.00-9.20 wearing festive hats, jumpers etc. We will walk to school through the park jingling all the way! On arrival at school members of the Parents’ Association will provide breakfast for all. This year we are asking that all children bring €2 each to school on that morning and the money will be donated to Ballybay Cancer Society as we supported them last year.
Christmas Plays
The children are very busy practising for their Christmas plays at the moment. This year Junior and Senior Infants will perform Christmas Counts and 1st-6th Class will perform The Magical Christmas Jigsaw on Tuesday 17th December at 7.30pm in 2nd Ballybay Presbyterian Church Hall, Hall Street. Please note the change of venue this year. Our school hall has now become a library, staff room, SET room and general storage area.
Parent Teacher Meetings
Parent Teacher meetings take place this week on Thursday. School will remain open until 3.00pm as usual. If however your appointment is prior to this time you may bring your child home with you when you are finished meeting your child’s/children’s teacher(s). Please note in order to keep to the schedule each child’s meeting will last 10 minutes. Don’t be offended if your meeting concludes after 10 minutes – should you need to speak to your child’s teacher regarding any concern you may have, make an appointment to do so on an alternative day. It is important that all meetings start and finish on time in order to keep to the schedule and to avoid parents having to be kept waiting.
Kris Kindle
It is the policy in our school that instead of the children exchanging Christmas presents with each other we implement Kris Kindle. All names will be put into a hat and every child will be given another child to buy for. Please spend no more than €5 on the present, wrap it and put the name of the person it is for (but not who it is from) on the label. Children may start to leave the presents under the Christmas tree in the hall. All presents should be left under the tree before Wednesday 18th December. The presents will be distributed on the day of the holidays.
Native Irish Trees
As part of the Science Festival this year, Monaghan and Cavan County Council collaborated with Science Foundation Ireland and Coillte to provide free native Irish trees to community groups and schools in the two counties to plant. We were delight to receive 25 trees. The children will plant them this week in our Outdoor Classroom Space.
End of term arrangements
Thursday 12th December will be the last night of homework before Christmas. School closes at 12.00 on Friday 20th December and reopens at 9.00 on Monday 6th January 2019.
Dates for Your Diary
Thurs 5th December Parent teacher meetings
Tuesday 17th December The Christmas Plays at 7.30pm
Thursday 19th December Festive Walk to School
Friday 20th December Christmas Holidays – school closes at 12
Monday 6th January 2019 School reopens