June Newsletter 2024
It’s hard to believe we are approaching the end of this school year already. It has been a very busy year with the boys and girls working hard and also getting opportunities to participate in many outdoor and extracurricular activities. We wish Adam, Seamus, Bethany, Sarah, Christina, Katie and Max all the best as they prepare to move on to local secondary schools and we thank them for the contribution they have made to Ballybay Central during their time with us.
Parents’ Association
Many thanks to the Parents’ Association for their kind donation of €1798 towards transport costs for swimming and the school tour. The Student Council also wish to acknowledge receipt of €250 which was used to purchase their shopper bags. It is important that all families support the Parents’ Association throughout the year as without their financial support swimming and tours would cost a lot more or mightn’t happen at all. The Parents’ Association is currently organising an End of Year Fun Night for Monday 17th June in the school grounds. This is always a great social evening when the school community come together to celebrate the end of the school year.
Camphill Community
Camphill Community is holding an Open Day on Sunday 9th June at the Robb Farm, Corraskea, Ballybay, A75 EO65. There will be a colour run, music, BBQ, a bakery and lots more. Entry is free and all are welcome from 2-5pm.
Curriculum Evaluation
The school recently underwent a curriculum evaluation in Maths. The inspector spent two days with us observing Maths being taught, reviewing documents including school policies and teacher preparation, chatting with pupils in a focus group while also monitoring compliance with Child Protection and Anti-Bullying guidelines. At the end of the two days the inspector met with the Principal and Deputy Principal to give oral feedback. He was very pleased with the work taking place in the school – the school is fully compliant with Child Protection and Anti-Bullying guidelines, teacher planning and preparation was excellent and the teaching and learning taking place was very good. A report will be issued in due course and following the school’s response to the report it will be made available on the Department of Education’s website.
Active School
Swimming lessons have finished for all pupils. Currently children are participating in 4 weeks gymnastics with Lisa Boyle from LA Gymnastics. We greatly appreciate the use of Hall St. hall for our gymnastics. Children in 1st-6th class took part in a table tennis workshop with Jing Yi last month. This was great fun and the school received a Table Tennis Set. Many thanks to Monaghan Sports Partnership for organising the workshop.
Our Active School Week takes place from 10th- 14th June. Children do not wear school uniform during Active School Week. They must wear tracksuits/shorts/ leggings and runners. We are looking forward to a week of activities which will end on the Friday with our school tour to Todd’s Leap.
School Tour
On Friday 14th June all pupils will travel to Todd’s Leap, Ballygawley for our school tour. We will leave school at 9.00am sharp. Children need to wear P.E. clothes including runners as they will be participating in games and activities. All children will take part in team games and then children from Junior Infants-1st Class will visit ‘Granda Bens Ethicial Zoo Trail’, while 2nd-6th Class will take part in ‘Total Wipeout’, which includes the ‘Big Yella Slide’, ‘Bungee Run’ and ‘Last One Standing’. Children need to bring a substantial packed lunch which will be eaten there. Treats including crisps are permitted but no fizzy drinks please. Children do not need any money and mobile phones are not permitted. We will arrive back to school for 3.00pm and all children should be collected at 3.00pm.
Tour cost:
Infants-1st Class €15 per pupil
2nd-6th Class €25 per pupil
Please forward payment for the tour before Wednesday 12th June. The school tour must be paid for in advance of the day.
The details of the school account are below:
IBAN: IE20 AIBK 9324 2601 2651 56
BIC: AIBKIE2D
Account Name: Ballybay Central School
Please put your family name/child's name on the payment.
You will receive a receipt from Sandra in the office after payment has been received.
H20 Heroes
The Senior Room took part in a ‘H2O Heroes Water Workshop’ last week. We were privileged to welcome three scientists from DKIT to the classroom for a great interactive workshop. The children explored water from a local source and enjoyed identifying many living organisms in it. At the end they ascertained the water quality was good which is great to hear.
Early Closing
School will close at 2.00pm for all pupils on this Friday 7th June. Please ensure children are collected promptly at 2.00pm. The Afterschool have been notified.
Cycle Training
On Thursday this week, 6th June, pupils from 1st-6th Class may take part in a cycle workshop with Garda James Gallagher, our community guard. In order to take part pupils must have a bike and helmet. If they don’t, unfortunately they won’t be able to take part. There are a number of children who are not taking part so please don’t worry if your child has no bike. Hopefully next year we will have Bike Green with us in school and they deliver a 6 week cycle programme and provide bikes and helmets.
International Day 19th June
On 19th June we are looking forward to celebrating diversity within our school community. We want to promote the different cultures and learn more about each other’s countries, cultures, traditions and much more. By learning about different countries and cultures it helps us to have a greater understanding of the world and the people who live in it. Celebrating diversity also helps to promote tolerance and acceptance of different cultures. In the lead up to our International Day we will be asking families from different cultures to contribute to the event – this could be food items, music, traditional dress, pictures, games etc from their countries. We will have displays set up in the hall, Hall Street, from 1.00 – 3.00 so please tell all your family and friends to call in.
The Student Council will also be hosting a cake sale on the day. Money raised will go towards funding additional play equipment for the yard. Parental contributions for the cake sale will be required and the Student Council will be in touch with all families regarding this.
Staff Arrangements 2024-2025
We extend our best wishes to Ms Brown as she leaves us at the end of the year for her maternity leave. Many thanks to Mrs Morgan for all her work in the Senior Room each week and also thanks to Ms Donaghy who covered the admin days in the Senior Room from September to December. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Ms Lauren Angell who worked with our Ukrainian pupils this year.
Class arrangements for next year are as follows:
Junior Room Junior& Senior Infants & 1st Class
Middle Room 2nd, 3rd, & 4th Class
Senior Room 5th & 6th Class
Teachers have not been allocated to each classroom yet. You will be informed of this before the end of the year.
Dates
Thursday 6th June Cycle training 1st-6th Class.
Friday 7th June School closing at 2.00pm for all pupils.
Mon 10th-Fri 14th June Active School Week.
Wednesday 12th June Last Gymnastic session.
Friday 14th June School Tour to Todds Leap.
Monday 17th June End of Year Fun Evening. Time to be confirmed.
Wednesday 19th June International Day & Cake Sale.
School Reports will be released on Aladdin
Thursday 20th June Sports Day – weather permitting
Friday 21st June School closing at 12.00pm for summer holidays.