December Newsletter 2022
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
Thanks
Many thanks to all who donated clothes to the recent Cash for Clobber clothes collection. In total almost 800kg of clothes was collected. The money raised from it will be used to buy resources in school. 15 shoeboxes were donated to Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal. Again many thanks to those who supported this appeal.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Hanny Avelino who was awarded 2nd place in 11-13 years category in the Credit Union art competition. Hanny was presented with her prize at a prize giving on Saturday 19th November.
Student Council
The student council are running a Christmas Pick & Make Competition. Any children who wish to participate have picked a Christmas word. They have to represent the word in whatever medium they wish – bake, paint, build, write, draw or create (junior children are to draw their word). Items must be returned by 12th December and they will be displayed in the hall. Members of the student council will choose a 1st, 2nd & 3rd prize along with one prize for the staff entries. Well done to our newly elected student council and Ms. Fitzpatrick for organising this competition. We look forward to seeing the creative talents of our students.
Food Appeal
A box has been placed in the hall for items of non-perishable food for our food appeal. Every year we are always delighted with the response to our food appeal which helps so many families at this time of year. Please send items with your children during December. Food items will be donated to local charity for distribution in the run up to Christmas.
Christmas Outings
A Christmas trip has been organised for all pupils as follows:
Junior & Senior Infants, 1st and 2nd Class – ‘Old Mother Hubbard’s Crazy Christmas’ in the Garage Theatre on Thursday next 8th December.
Children will leave school at 9.20am sharp and return before lunch.
3rd-6th Class:
Christmas in the Country at the Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh on Wednesday 14th December. Children will leave school at 9.15am and return at 3.00pm.
Cost per pupil per trip is €5. As this money is being paid directly to the Garage Theatre and the Folk Park we are asking that children bring their €5 to school on the day prior to the trip so as the secretary can have the money ready for payment on the day. Please put the money in an envelope with your child’s name on it.
Many thanks to the Parents’ Association who are subsidising the cost of buses to both of these events.
Fresh Today are providing treat bags for all children for both trips and a packed lunch will be supplied for children in 3rd-6th classes for their trip (as they won’t be back in time for lunch time). It’s great to be able to take the children to both these events this year.
Christmas Celebration
We are looking forward to celebrating the reason for the season in 2nd Ballybay Presbyterian Church, Hall St, on Monday 19th December at 7.30pm.
Children will be taking part in the service and everyone is welcome to refreshments afterwards in the adjacent hall. Many thanks to the members of the Parents’ Association for organising the refreshments.
Kris Kindle
It is the policy in our school that instead of the children exchanging Christmas presents with each other we implement Kris Kindle. Children will be given the name of who to buy for. Please wrap it and put the name of the person it is for (but not who it is from) on the label. We ask that all presents are brought into school between 12th and 16th December. Please be mindful of the age and interests of the child your child has to buy for. Please don’t include selection boxes in the presents. All presents will be left in a box in the hall until Wednesday 21st when they will be distributed before children go home.
Christmas Cards
As is school policy we ask that children do not exchange Christmas cards with each other in school.
Christmas Activities
Thursday 8th December – Trip to Garage Theatre Infants-2nd class
Wednesday 14th December – Trip to Ulster American Folk Park 3rd-6th class
Friday 16th December – Festive Walk to School in aid of Ballybay Cancer Society – all children will meet at the Riverdale wearing festive jumpers, hats etc. and walk through the park. We ask that children contribute €2 each which will be collected on the day for Ballybay Cancer Society.
Monday 19th December – Christmas Celebration 2nd Ballybay Presbyterian Church 7.30.
Wednesday 21st December – School closes for Christmas Holidays at 12.00.
Thursday 5th January 2023 – School reopens for all pupils.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.