Dear Parents and Guardians,
 
Christmas Concert
I hope you all enjoyed the fantastic show last night. I'd like to again thank the staff for their tremendous efforts, the Parents Association for running the shop/raffle and the children for their hours of preparation and incredible performances! We'll enjoy the break now and look forward to next year.
 
Early Closure for Parish Meeting
Please note that the school will close tomorrow at 12h30 on Friday 14th of December. 
 
Indoor Football
Well done to the Boys of 3rd/4th Class for attending an Indoor Football blitz in Donoughmore today.  Great fun was had by all and they competed well.
 
1.30pm – 2.30pm Club
The infant club got off to a great start this week.  We have 5 children availing of the service today.  If you are interested in the club next week it will run from Monday to Thursday inclusive.  Please let the school office know if ASAP if you intend to send your child/ren.
 
Saint Vincent de Paul
The SVDP is currently organising their Annual Christmas Food Appeal, if you would like to drop any non-perishable foods in next week please do so before Wednesday.
 
Wildlife Heritage Presentation
Ms. Niamh O’Flynn from the Heritage and Schools Scheme will give a free (we were lucky to avail of a December promotion) talk to all classes here on Monday.  Ms. O’Flynn is a native wildlife educator.  Could everyone from 3rd – 6th class please bring in waterproof shoes or wellies on Monday.  
 
School Group Photos
Around 15 families in the school order and paid for school group photos earlier this year.  Could you please let Catherine in the office know (by e-mail or phone) if you ordered a group photo as Quaid have them ready for you now.





 

 


Yours sincerely,


 
___________________
Peter Mulcahy, Principal

Dear Parents and Guardians,
 
Following another wonderful Christmas Bazaar last Sunday, I’d like to extend my warmest gratitude to the Parents’ Association for organising this wonderful event where they raised €7000.  Thanks also to Sponsors and families who donated spot prizes and bought and sold the raffle tickets.  Between the tearooms, the games rooms, the art and craft/bingo room and the spin the wheel room, attendees were spoiled for choice.  People from the school community past, present and future have been in contact with us to say how much they enjoyed the event and we are already looking forward to next year’s Christmas Bazaar.
 
1.30pm to 2.30pm club update
A toilet is being fitted this coming weekend so we will hope to start the club shortly.
 
Aladdin Connect
84.6% of families have used the Aladdin Connect in the last month.   75.6% of families have signed in to use the App.  65.4% have validated their mobile number (it is important to validate the number so that an App message is sent instead of a text message, saving money for the school).  We also have a school calendar on the Aladdin connect App, which will be a great resource going forward.
 
Open Night
We were delighted with the strong attendance at our Open Day yesterday.  Will have our Open Night for Parents on Wednesday 5th of December from 7.30pm to 8.30pm.  Please spread the word.
 
Indoor Football 3rd & 4th class girls
Our 3rd & 4th class indoor football team will be going to Donoughmore on Tuesday 4th of December to participate in the Sciath na Scol football tournament. 
 
Panto in the Opera House for Juniors to 2nd Class
We are looking forward to taking the junior classes to Cork Opera House next Thursday 6th of December.  We will need permission slips signed by all parents to allow children to go on the trip.  Please sign and return the slips by tomorrow. This acitivity is covered by the field trip section on the family invoice and the balance is covered by the parents’ association so there is no fee due.  Please note that Junior and Senior Infants will not return to the school until 2.15pm.
 
Sciath na Scol – Sports Quiz
Due to adverse weather conditions yesterday the Sports Quiz has been postponed until Tuesday 11th of December. 
 
 
Early Closure for Parish Meeting
Please note that the school will close at 12h30 on Friday 14th of December. 
 
Christmas Annuals
The Folens Christmas Annuals are available to order again this year.  We have distributed a slip to all of the pupils the price of the Annual is €4 and most of the kids really enjoy doing the activities. 
 
Saint Vincent de Paul
The SVDP is currently organising their Annual Christmas Food Appeal, if you would like to drop any non-perishable foods over the coming weeks they will be collected before Christmas.
 





 
ours sincerely,


 
___________________
Peter Mulcahy, Principal

 
Open Day/Open Night
We will hold our school Open Day for new parents on Wednesday 28th of November from 2pm-3pm in the school. All parents and children are welcome. We will have our Open Night on Wednesday 5th of December from 7.30pm to 8.30pm.  Please spread the word.
 
Science Week
We had a week full of Science experiments last week. Infants did experiments on the effects of heat on chocolate and skittles.  1st and 2nd did experiments on floating and sinking,  3rd & 4th worked on electricity, circuits, conductors and insulators  5th & 6th made butter and did a bouncing egg experiment while Rang Oráiste did some fab designs with colours.  See some pics on the school website.
 
1.30 Club update
The toilet is due to be completed on the weekend of the 30th of November so we will be contacting those who had expressed an interesting in availing of the club shortly.
 
Sciath na Scol – Sports Quiz
We will be sending a team from 5th & 6th class to the Sports Quiz which will be held in the Rochestown Park Hotel next Wednesday 28th of Nov.  Wishing our team the very best of luck!
 
School Christmas Concert
Please note that the date of the Christmas Concert has been changed to Wednesday 12th of December in Ballyanly.  More information to follow on drop off for practice sessions to follow.
 
Christmas Bazaar – Sunday 25th at 2.30pm
We are looking forward to seeing you all on Sunday afternoon at the annual bazaar. Please return all spot prizes, ticket stubs and money and any unsold tickets to the school by Friday this week. We would appreciate any donations of baking for the tea room, please drop all baking to the school on Sunday morning from 10:30 onwards. All entries to the children’s baking competition should be dropped to the tea room before 3pm labelled with the child’s name and class. Thank you to all parents who have volunteered their time over the weekend, your help is greatly appreciated. Please see attached rota for your allocated times. We still need 1 parent to help selling tickets in SuperValu on Saturday evening 5:30-7:30pm. Please contact Mary O’Mahony 0876524066if you can help out.
 
Christmas Choir
Matehy Christmas Choir practice started yesterday evening in the church at 8pm.  New singers are always welcome.
 
Christmas lights in Tower
The Tower Christmas lights are being switched on at 5.00pm on Sunday 2nd December.  All welcome
 
 
Grease Lightning
Ballincollig Community School Transition Year students present “Grease Lightning” this November. The cast invite you to join them for an evening full of song, dance and laughter in the School Sports hall on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd of November from 7.30pm. Tickets are €12 for an adult and €8 for a student and can be purchased at the school. It is a show not to be missed!!!
 
Childminder position
A family living in the Courtbrack area, is looking for a childminder for two days a week from the end of January.  Please contact the school office for more details.  
 
 
 





 

 


Yours sincerely,


 
___________________
Peter Mulcahy,
Principal

5th & 6th class make and taste class made butter.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Christmas Fare and Bazaar 2018
The school bazaar will be on Sunday 25th of November.  There is an explanatory note about the Bazaar under separate cover.
 
Science Quiz
Last night , three pupils from 6th class competed in the 2018 Primary Science Quiz, in conjunction with the Lifetime Lab.  The questions were tough but our team consisting of Faye Mulready, Hannah Lucey and Ryan Murphy performed admirably.  An enjoyable night was had by all, including some interesting experiments and explosions at the end!
 
Parent teacher meetings
The Parent Teacher Meetings have now concluded, thanks to all of the parents for coming into the school.
 
Open Day/Open Night
We will hold our school Open Day on Wednesday 28th of November from 2pm-3pm in the school, all parents and children welcome and we will have our Open Night on Wednesday 5th of December from 7.30pm to 8.30pm all welcome.  Please spread the word.
 
Christmas Cards
Thanks to all of the children who submitted templates for their Christmas cards.  The order forms will be sent out early next week.
 
Rugby
The last session of Rugby training will take place tomorrow Friday 16th of November for classes from 3rd to 6th.
 
Change of Date for your diary:
The School Christmas Concert will now take place in Inniscarra Community Centre, Ballyanly on Wednesday 12th of December.  More information on this to follow.
Inniscarra Camogie
Congratulations to Ms. O’Connor, Senior Infant teacher and all of the Inniscarra Team on their great win over Inagh-Kilnamona last Sunday.



Yours sincerely,


___________________
Siobhán Looney,
Deputy Principal

Congratulations to Mr. Mulcahy, his wife Kate and family on the birth of their beautiful baby boy – Pete, who was born last week.
 
Debating
Yesterday our debating team took part in the Concern’s Primary Schools Debate against Balinora NS.  We opposed the motion “People should be fined for not recycling”.  After a very closely fought contest the motion was carried and Balinora School declared the winners.  The 3 speakers, Hannah Lucey, James Fairtlough and Bríd Hegarty were highly praised by the judges for their excellent speeches and arguments and James was awarded the overall best speaker in the debate. The debating team also included Gráinne O’Sullivan, Faye Mulready and Grace Murphy.  Well done to all!
 
Parent teacher meetings
The Parent Teacher Meetings will take place next week on 13th & 14th of November.  The uptake of appointments on Aladdin Connect worked very well.  Please note that the school will close at 12.30pm on 13th of November to facilitate the meetings. 
 
Open Day/Open Night
We will hold our school Open Day on Wednesday 28th of November from 2pm-3pm in the school, all parents and children welcome and we will have our Open Night on Wednesday 5th of December from 7.30pm to 8.30pm all welcome.  Please spread the word.
 
Parents’ Association News
The Parents association are holding a meeting on Wednesday 14th November at 8:30pm in the school to discuss this year’s activities and the upcoming Christmas bazaar. We would encourage a parent from each family to attend of possible.
 
Christmas Cards
We are going to run the Christmas Card fundraising initiative again this year.  Pupils from 1st to 6th class will do their art work in school.  Juniors and Seniors will do their cards with their parents as part of their homework tonight at home and return their templates tomorrow.   Your child will also receive a photocopied sheet to practice their drawing on first, if necessary.
 
Rugby
The last session of Rugby training will take place next Friday 16th of November for classes from 3rd to 6th.
 
Dates for your diary:
Juniors – 2nd class will be going to the Christmas Panto “Aladdin” in the Opera House on Thursday 6th of December. 
 
The School Christmas Concert will take place in Inniscarra Community Centre, Ballyanly - Thursday 13th of December.
 
Inniscarra Camogie
The Munster Camogie Senior Club Final will take place in Cashel on Sunday 11th of November at 2.30pm between Inniscarra and Inagh-Kilnamona. Good luck girls!! A special mention to Ms. Áine O’Connor – Senior Infant teacher who will be playing on the Inniscarra Senior team.
Card Playing in Vicarstown NS
The Vicarstown Card Players are looking for new members to join them on Tuesday nights for their card playing in the school at 8.30pm.  All parents welcome and card playing lessons included. 
 

Dear Parents and Guardians,
School awarded funding from - Local Agenda 21 Grant Scheme
We were delighted to be awarded €350 of funding from the Local Agenda Partnership to buy a Hungry Bin Worm Composter. The composter will replace our compost bin.  Many of the pupils are already acquainted with worms and of the wonderful work that they do.  Mr. Donal O’Leary, from Waste Down, gave a presentation today on how to operate the composter.  We are looking forward to using an alternative way to deal with domestic waste.
 
Mini 7’s
We will have a Mini 7’s football blitz tomorrow in Clondrohid.  Selected team members (only 10 aside) will need to get permission slips signed and please pay €5 towards the bus (if they have not already done so).
Futsal
We will be sending a team to play soccer in the Futsal tournament next Tuesday 23rd of October in Whitechurch. A permission slip will be distributed and please pay €5 towards the bus. Thank you!
GAA Training
There will be GAA training with Tim next Thursday 25th of October.
 
Halloween Fancy Dress
All pupils can dress up for Halloween on Thursday 25th. We look forward to greeting a selection of characters in school next week.
 
Presidential Election
Please note that there will be no school on Friday 26th of October as the school is being used as a polling station for the election.
 
Goal Jersey Day – Friday 12th of October
Well done to everyone who wore their Jersey’s for Goal Jersey Day.  We collected €235 for the charity which was very well supported. A big thank you to everyone!
 
Parents’ Association Family Table Quiz
The Parents’ Association are hosting a family table quiz in the Clubhouse of the Blarney Golf hotel on Sunday 21st October at 2:30pm. All welcome. Tickets €25 per family. Please support!





Yours sincerely,


___________________
Peter Mulcahy,
Principal