Ballapousta National School

Applications for Enrolment for Junior Infants 2009
Letters of acceptance for the Junior Infants class of 2009 are currently being issued to successful candidates. There will be a waiting list for places again this year. So please get your acceptence form back to the school asap to guarantee your place.

December 18th, 2008, Newsletter

The Christmas holidays are here almost and it’s time to look forward to the coming of Jesus and another visitor from northern lands.

The school will close at 12.00 noon on Tuesday, December 23rd and will re-open on Wednesday, January 7th at 9.20 a.m. Please make sure that all children are collected promptly next Tuesday.

On behalf of the Board of Management, teaching staff, ancillary staff and all of the school community we wish you a happy, holy, restful, peaceful and joyful Christmas and a successful New Year for 2009.

Christmas Carols
All classes will attend the weekly mass this Friday, December 19th at 9.30 a.m. and will join in the Christmas carols which they have learned. If you are free to join us please come along and join in prayer and in song.

Education Cuts
Many thanks to the parents and staff who marched on Saturday, December 6th to protest against the proposed education cuts put forward by Minister Batt O’ Keefe. As you are aware the DES has agreed to provide sub cover after the first day of uncertified sick leave, which means that classes will have to be divided on the first day and hopefully a substitute teacher is available after that. This will mean an interruption to all classes.

Christmas Bazaar
Many thanks to all those who generously donated to the Bazaar and to those who attended on Sunday, December 7th.
Anyone who attended enjoyed the afternoon. Many thanks to Amanda and all her helpers young and old who made the day such a success. Dave Delaney did a fantastic job running the Wheel of Fortune, so much so he lost his voice.

Raffle Results
1st Pat Birch, Collon
2nd Abi McAlester, 3rd class
3rd Katelyn Martin, 5th
4th Anita Halpenny, Annaglog
5th Ryan McShane
6th Suzanne Brennan
7th Ciaran Maher, Dunleer
8th Patricia Woods, Monasterboice
9th Brian Clarke, Drumconrath
10th Jamie O’Brien

The 6th and 9th prizes have not been claimed and are available for collection from the Principal’s Office. If you know Suzanne Brennan or Brian Clarke please collect the prize or let them know to collect it from the Office before next Tuesday. Many thanks to all who bought or sold lines.

Callaghan Cup 2008
Many thanks to all those who braved the elements of frost and ice to support the school team, captained by Harry Callaghan who played Nobber NS in the Callaghan Cup on Saturday, Nov. 29th in Hunterstown. For a full report of the match and a slide show of pictures go to the school website at www.ballapoustans.ie

School Calendar 2009
The 2009 Ballapousta NS school calendar is now available for sale from the Principal’s Office for the small amount of €5.00. All profits from the sale of calendars will be put towards buying new library books for all classes only.
All families will today receive 4 calendars to sell or buy as Christmas presents for friends and family. Please return all money to the Principal’s Office before 12.00 on Tuesday next, December 23rd.

Sponsorship of Jerseys
Recently we asked for sponsorship for a new set of football jerseys for the school and two sponsors volunteered. Barry Finegan of Barcrete Concrete Products generously sponsored the new jerseys which you can see opposite. We are very grateful to Barry and hope to get his picture presenting the new jerseys in our website after Christmas when he will hand over the set of jerseys to the school.

Bookwise Book Readings
Folllowing the recent Bookwise readings and book display in the school, we have bought new library books for 4th class with the profits which came to the school as a direct result of your purchases at the book display. Many thanks for your generosity. We have highlighted buying new library books for all classes as the cause for which we will raise funds in the school this year. A book is a great present at Christmas. It may not be as fascinating as a computer game but the gift of reading is a gift for life. Please encourage your children to read during the holidays to keep their minds active and occupied. Does it matter what they read? Not really as long as they are reading.

Colds, infections, head lice
It’s the time of year when many of us teachers, parents and children are coming down with all sorts of bugs, colds etc. Please make sure that the class teacher has an up-to-date contact mobile or home phone number for you if we need to contact you to collect a sick child.

Bug Busting Nights
If you receive a letter, the dreaded head lice letter, please check your child’s hair and remover any eggs and treat if necessary. It is VITAL that ALL families check the heads of children when you receive a letter. If only one is missed the infection will remain present in the class. The eggs are glued to the strands of hair with a substance almost as strong as superglue so they have to be picked or combed out.

Cars Parking at the front
We have received complaints from concerned parents that a number of cars are stopping at the front gate causing a danger to other road users every day. The car park between the church and the school is where children are dropped and from which the are collected each day. Only in exceptional circumstance will anything else be tolerated. The local Gardai are aware of the situation and will be keeping an eye on this situation in the new year. Please co-operate with this frequent request.

PPS Numbers
We are urgently looking for PPS numbers for some of the pupils and will be in touch after the holidays. Please help us to update the records.