Good morning everyone,
This will be my last weekly update from the principal’s chair in Ballinteer ETNS. I’d like to thank you all for your support during my time in the school; it has been a truly wonderful experience working here and a privilege to serve as the principal.
The school’s new principal Ruth Brennan will start in her role on Monday, 11th of March. From Thursday, 1st of February until that date, Órla McCarthy will be serving as acting principal. On a personal note, I’d like to wish Ruth every success and happiness as she joins the Ballinteer ETNS community.
Below are a few updates from around the school in the past few days.
Very best wishes,
Paul O’Dwyer
New comics in the school library
Our library coordinator Claire has been working hard to find new and interesting comics and graphic novels for our school library. Thanks to Claire and to her helpers from 6th class for stamping the new books and creating a beautiful display space for them.
6th class – apple tree planting
Today, our two 6th classes had an interesting talk about the science of planting delivered by a local garden designer named Emmet Ryan.
Emmet then helped the two classes to plant eight 4-year-old apple trees as a legacy gift to our school. The trees will flower in April and should have fruit in September/October. If the weather is warm, the bees will help with the pollination. Emmet talked to the group about sustainability, biodiversity and how the trees will help the local area.
We look forward to reaping the benefits of these trees for years to come!
Learn Together Resource shout out to parents (from Rebecca Carroll)
With the release of the wonderful new Learn Together Curriculum we have been putting together a new whole school plan for Learn Together. In doing so we are creating boxes of resources to implement the teaching of this programme.
In the Learn Together Curriculum children are facilitated in developing knowledge and understanding of the richness of belief systems and worldviews, both religious and secular. These include: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism, Hinduism, Humanism, Atheism and Agnosticism.
We are inviting families to donate resources to us that may fall into any of the above categories. eg: special books or relics. Anything that you think would be important in a resource pack on that topic. Any resources to do with celebrations, pilgrimage, symbolism, rituals, special clothes and dress.
If you could attach a note telling us what it is you are sending in and what it is used for / meaning / importance, we would greatly appreciate it. If you have something you wish to donate please send it in with your child for the attention of Rebecca. Their class teacher can pass it on to me. If you need to contact me please do so at rebeccacarroll@ballinteeretns.ie
Dogs on school campus
I would like to remind dog owners that dogs must be kept on a short leash at all times when they are on the school campus. I would ask that dog owners respect that not everyone is comfortable around dogs; for this reason, we ask again that dogs are not brought too close to the school doors at drop off or collection time. We thank you in advance for your cooperation in this regard.