Good afternoon everyone!
It is hard to believe that the first half term of the school year is already over. Ballinteer ETNS has been such a hive of activity for the past eight weeks and the pupils are to be commended for their hard work, kindness towards each other, and collective effort to make our school environment a positive place to play, learn and grow.
Our first two Monthly Values for the year (Cooperation and Respect) have been so visible among our pupil population in September and October; this is such a joy to see. In particular, I’d like to acknowledge the excellent behaviour modelled by our two 6th class groups in recent weeks; they truly set a wonderful example for their younger schoolmates to follow.
Áine hosted this week’s magical assembly. Her 6th class had prepared a great video with a rap on the theme of Respect. You can check out the video here.
One Day Together 2023
Today, Ballinteer ETNS joined our Educate Together partner schools up and down the country in celebrating One Day Together 2023, Educate Together’s national fundraising and celebration day.
One Day Together is where our school communities, start-up groups, past-pupils and families up and down the country hold celebrations and fundraisers on behalf of educational charity Educate Together to ensure that we can continue to open and support our fast-growing network of schools.
Our school is getting involved in the celebrations and we are helping to spread the word about Educate Together’s work and independent NGO and charity. For more information about the work that the Educate Together national office does in opening and supporting equality-based primary and second-level schools, and to find out how to support this important work, please see the attached information sheet (also linked here).
#OneDayTogether is about our network coming together on one day as a community of schools to celebrate what’s so unique about Educate Together, our shared values and our democratic and equality-based ethos. It’s a great opportunity for us to come together to support each other, and to celebrate the amazing work Educate Together schools do.
If you wish, parents/guardians can make a donation towards Educate Together’s work via Aladdin Connect. So far, we have already raised an incredible €1,820 through online donations! Thank you to everyone who contributed to this appeal. The optional payment link will be open on Aladdin until the end of day on Monday, 6th November in case anyone else wishes to make a donation.
Book Character Dress-Up Day
Our pupils and staff came today dressed as characters from their favourite books – as well as a few frightful Halloween ghouls! Photographs of today’s event will be shared later on.
Board of Management – Parent Nominees wanted!
We are now accepting nominations for parent nominees to the new Board of Management. Parents who wish to put themselves forward should email parentnominations2023@ballinteeretns.ie with their name and a short introductory paragraph. The deadline for doing so is 5pm on Sunday, 5th November 2023. If anyone would like to know more about the board’s work, please check out this page of our school website.
Following the mid-term break, all parents in the school will receive details of the candidates. A confidential online poll on Aladdin will then be set up so that parents can vote for their chosen female nominee and their chosen male nominee. Each individual parent has one vote for both races.
I would encourage parents to sign up for Aladdin if they haven’t already done so. The school will clearly communicate the voting window for these two races when the school reopens on Monday, 6th November.
Gaelic football blitz with Firhouse ETNS – Monday, 23rd October
Thanks to all involved in the Gaelic football blitz against Firhouse ETNS on Monday. More details can be found in this post.
October Mid-Term Break
The school is closed from Monday 30th October to Friday 3rd November inclusive for the mid-term break. We will re-open to pupils on Monday, 6th November.
I would like to wish all of the families in our school a happy, safe Halloween break.
Very best wishes,
Paul O’Dwyer, Principal