December Events and Christmas Holidays

3rd Dec 2021

Dear Parents

I wish to thank you all sincerely for your support to our school this term. The month of December is now underway and the children's excitement is building for Christmas now! The elves on the shelves appear to be causing a lot of trouble in local homes and leaving awful messes to clean up! My heart goes out to you parents!!

A few events to pencil into your diaries over the next few weeks are:

Monday 6th-10th Dec	(Saint Vincent De Paul Food/Toiletry collection in school - organised by the School Council). If you have any tinned foods, soaps etc please deliver them to the front door of the school. These will be used to make hampers for families who need help at Christmas time.
Wednesday 8th Dec	Pupils Christmas Dinner (Children can wear festive jumpers). School finishes at 1pm and pupils will need collected at that time.
Thursday 16th Dec	Pupils recording online performances/songs in school for Christmas Video.
Friday 17th Dec	Non-Uniform Day for Newry Hospice (Fundraiser for John Dalzell Sit Out). John is now 80 and has been doing his Annual Sit Out in Newry every year for 30 years! Any monetary donations are greatly appreciated and will be handed over to John on 21st December. Our school has a long association with the Newry Hospice and we would like to support John in this landmark year.
Wed 22nd Dec	Pupils finish at 12.00 for Christmas Holidays.
Thur 6th January	Back to School

Please refer to the school calendar for day to day events too www.Ballymoyer.com/calendar

ROAD CONDITIONS / SAFETY:

The darker mornings and colder weather always poses a risk for cars on the Ballymoyer Road. If this is your first year taking your child to school please be aware that the road remains ungritted and can be very treacherous.

NEW PRIMARY 1 APPLICATIONS / SCHOOL TOURS

Parents may make online applications from January. Please visit this weblink for more information: https://www.eani.org.uk/parents/admissions/applying-for-a-school-place.

As Open Days are not recommended by the Department of Education an online School Tour will be posted on the website for parents and children to view.

Parents may also contact Mr Toner by phone: Tel 028 37507428 or email jtoner775@c2kni.net if they would like a Prospectus or to arrange an appointment.

NEW MODULAR CLASSROOMS 2022

You may be aware from social media articles that our school has a planning application pending for 3 new modular buildings. This is very exciting news and if passed will provide state of the art accomodation for our pupils for many years to come. It is hoped that the works would commence in February and that the new buildings would be ready for use in September 2022! When the current mobiles are removed from the site, there will be greatly increased play areas for the children. The application for this replacement was submitted in October 2019 so it will be great to finally see works commence.

PUPILS MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL BEING

There is no doubt that Covid 19 has put additional pressures on children of all ages. Numerous surveys confirm that there is an emerging crisis in mental health for people of all age.

This year, our school has tried to reduce pupil anxiety by employing outside agencies for extra PE, outdoor play, relaxation classes and music. In lessons, teachers teach Personal Development which help children to become aware of ways in which they can de-stress and manage anxiety. Our weekly school mass is also an integral part of ensuring that the children become more aware of their own spiritual development.

Ways to support pupils emotional and behavioural development include:

Ensure children get enough sleep (limit access to TVs / Consoles in bedrooms)
Put time limits and parental controls on digital devices to keep children safe
Have a routine in the evenings: Complete homework early and have a regular bedtime routine.
Ensure good diet: limit fizzy drinks and high sugar foods.
Spend quality time with young children: colouring pictures, lego, reading stories, going for walks or to the park.
Respond in a calm way when correcting children's behaviour and give clear instructions / expections.
Use praise frequently at home 'Well done, I loved the way you said please and thank you!'
Demonstrate the behaviour that you want your child to copy.
If you are already doing all of the above - well done! If not, don't beat yourself up about it - You are doing your best!

Thanks again for your ongoing support to our teachers and staff. We greatly appreciate it.

Justin Toner

Principal