With regards to the Sacraments, no decision has been made yet as to their timeline, as soon as the information becomes available to us, we will forward details to parents. We would like to share a note received from the Diocese Primary Catechetics team:

Over recent days, Deacon Frank McGuinness, Diocesan Director of Youth Ministry, has integrated a number of child-friendly religious education / faith development resources with the Elphin Diocesan website.  They may be accessed via the homepage www.elphindiocese.ie  or directly at https://www.elphindiocese.ie/programme-prayer-resources/ .   Frank continues to add to this resource.  Currently it includes a listing of PG rated movies with faith themes (ideal for Easter holiday viewing) and First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation programmes that include animated videos etc. to stimulate the children’s engagement.

We also take this opportunity to wish you a blessed, safe and healthy Easter break.
Sincerely.

Teresa, Mary & Kathleen
Diocese of Elphin – Primary Catechetics

Dear Parents,
I hope you are all keeping well and your families are all safe. This is a very challenging and stressful time for everybody, including children. Many of them are worried about some of the things they have seen on TV, social media or overheard from people.
In order to avoid stress for both parents and children regarding school work we have put together some activities and ideas that you may find helpful.
We all need to look after our physical and mental health at this time. Spending time talking to your children and doing activities with them would be very beneficial. Above everything else, it is important that the children have some structure to their day and that they enjoy what they are doing as they will be missing the structure and routine of school as well as the friendship and support of their peers.

In the meantime, take care and mind yourselves.
Best Regards,
Audrey Nolan

National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS)

The Department of Education and Skills’ NEPS psychologists have developed advice and some resources for young people to manage and stay well when schools are closed. Please click on the link below. https://www.education.ie/en/The-Department/Announcements/information-for-schools-preschool s-and-third-level-institutions-on-the-coronavirus.html#15

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There are lots of amazing resources online to assist home learning. The following is just a selection:

https://www.seomraranga.com/ is offering a free daily quiz (answers must be in by 3pm!) offering a daily prize of a €20 gift voucher, the winner each day will be announced on Twitter.

https://www.twinkl.ie/offer is offering free access to parents: enter the code IRLTWINKLHELPS.

https://dabbledoomusic.com/p/parents-subscription-full-access/product_id=1122889&coupon_code=19924I Dabbledoo music programme, free at home access

https://www.typingclub.com/ (a free online site to learn touch typing skills)

http://khanacademy.org (free online Maths lessons)

https://scratch.mit.edu/ (online coding tutorials and challenges)

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/ (online games for maths and English practice)

https://rtejr.rte.ie/10at10/ (10 at 10, get active in English and as Gaeilge!)

https://www.youtube.com/artforkidshub (lots of drawing tutorials for kids to follow)

https://www.scoilnet.ie/scoilnet-services/world-book/ (excellent, reliable, age-appropriate information source for students)

https://www.librariesireland.ie/join-your-library (as the libraries are currently closed you can use your library card details or sign up at this link to get temporary card details, use the BORROWBOX app to download 5 books/ audiobooks as you would from the library)

https://www.into.ie/2020/03/18/tips-and-tricks-home-learning/

https://stories.audible.com/start-listen

https://webmail.eir.ie/service/home/~/?auth=co&loc=en_GB&id=165210&part=2

Seachtain na Geailge was celebrated in style in Ballagh NS with a Ceolchoirm of music and dance. For more pictures, see gallery.

The staff and pupils of Ballagh NS had a special treat recently, when the pupils of 4th class entertained us with a wonderful lunchtime drama. The pupils scripted the show, sourced their own props and costumes and even designed brochures. The performance took place on our Astro Turf and the name of the show was Goth Girl. Certainly an Oscar winning performance.

Pupils in our Senior Room were busy designing and writing Irish books for the Scríobh Leabhar Competition. Congratulations to everybody who took part and created wonderful books. The two winning groups are:

Katie Smith, Siobhán Maddden and David Cox for their story “Fíor Scéal : Na Trí Mhuc agus Mac Tíre Cneasta.

Leah Trimble, Sophie Cox and Áine Madden for their story “Ruaille Buaille ar an bhfeirm”

Both groups will attend a prize giving ceremony in Carrick Education Centre on Tuesday, 10th March.

WELL DONE TO ALL