Ballyconnell National School, Ballyconnell, Tullow Co. Carlow R93VA44
Twelve teacher, co-educational school under the patronage of the Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin
Active Schools is a Department of Education initiative which aims to get the school children of Ireland more active on a day-to-day basis in school.
There are three main elements to this: Physical Education, Physical Activity and Partnerships.
Read MoreAs principal of St. Mary's N.S. Ballyconnell, I would like to welcome you to our school website. As a 14 teacher school in rural Carlow, (on the Carlow/Wickow border) we are immensely proud of our school community, (parents, children, staff, Parents Association and Board of Management). Please browse our website to see our many and varied activities and we plan to update the information on a regular basis.
Thank you, Mary Dolan
Ballyconnell National School made history this year by participating in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Tullow for the very first time. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the newly formed school’s Parents’ Association. The school was proudly represented on the day by all present and it was the pupils of Ballyconnell who truly shone.
The parade saw an enthusiastic turnout, with students beaming with excitement as they marched through the street of Tullow, dressed in green and carrying flags and most of all soaking up the atmosphere from all who had turned out to watch the parade.
To top off an already fantastic day, Ballyconnell National School was awarded Best Entry in the parade—a tremendous achievement for their debut appearance. The school was honoured with the Simon Ronan Memorial Trophy and a €100 cheque, a recognition of their outstanding effort and teamwork.
Winning this award has made the occasion even more special, and Ballyconnell National School is already looking forward to participating again next year. Congratulations to all involved!
The week before our quiz team took part in the school’s first All-Ireland Credit Union Quiz Final in 24 years, our fantastic team of Maddie Cahill, Florrie Cosgrove, Cathal Butler and Peter O’Shea were presented with specially embroidered school quarter-zips to wear at the finals in the RDS. Míle buíochas to Niall Carter Electrical who sponsored the tops and to Annette O’Shea for co-ordinating the order. Our Fab Four were also presented with lovely embroidered beanie hats kindly sponsored by Helen Wheeler and John Cahill.
There was great excitement on Friday night the 7th of March as our quiz team of Florrie Cosgrove, Maddie Cahill, Cathal Butler and Peter O’Shea headed to the Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny for the Chapter Final of the Credit Union Quiz. This represented a first appearance at Chapter level for the school since 2018.
Our ‘Fab Four’ would face stiff competition from St Fiacc’s NS, Bennettsbridge NS, Mooneen Roe NS, Bunscoil McCauley Rice, Gowran NS and St Canice’s Co-Ed. All of these schools would have won their local area quiz in early February.
At the half-way point (five rounds), St Fiacc’s led the way on 27 with Bennettsbridge second on 24. Ballyconnell were joint third with Mooneen Roe NS and Bunscoil McAuley Rice on 23 so we knew it was all to play for!
When the results were announced, we all waited with bated breath.
‘And, in second place and going through to the All-Ireland Final are… Ballyconnell NS!!’ announced the scorekeeper.
Cue delight for the Ballyconnell students and parents. This is the first time since 2001 that Ballyconnell NS will be represented in the Credit Union Quiz at the All-Ireland Final – almost a quarter of a century! The final will take place on Sunday April 6th in the RDS in Dublin! Well done to St Fiacc’s NS who finished in first place on 47 points, 2 ahead of ourselves. They also qualify for April’s final.
Well done to Cathal, Maddie, Florrie and Peter – éacht thar na bearta atá ann! This is a fantastic achievement, one which will live long in the collective memory of the school.
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The school endeavours to develop each child to their full potential in a happy, safe and secure working environment.
The school seeks to prepare its pupils for their academic lives and to prepare them for their full and active participation as citizens of their state. We feel that children should be aware of their responsibilities.
“Ón dearcán suarach a fhásann an dair ríoga”.
St Mary’s N.S. is a co-educational Catholic primary school, serving the people in the parish of Clonmore under the patronage of the Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, Bishop Denis Nulty.
The school has a commitment to diversity and inclusivity, while, at the same time, protecting the integrity and Catholic ethos of the school.
Our school caters for the full range of classes from Junior Infants to Sixth class as well as two Autism Spectrum Disorder Classes (one ASD preschool class and an ASD class for children aged 4-12).
Currently there are 12 full-time teachers on the staff, comprising of an administrative principal, 7 mainstream teachers, 2 learning support teachers, and 2 ASD class teachers.
Four full-time SNAs are employed in the ASD classes to assist the class teachers while 2 SNAs are employed in mainstream classes.
The school follows the curricular programme prescribed by the Department of Education and Science, which may be amended from time to time, in accordance with Section 9 and 30 of the Education Act 1998.
Within the context and parameters of Department regulations and programmes, the rights of the Patron as set out in the Education Act and the funding and resources available, the school supports the principles of:
Particularly with reference to the enrolment of children with a disability or other special educational need.
Of access to and participation in the school.
In relation to enrolment.
For the diversity of values, beliefs, traditions, languages and ways of life in society.
The school’s doors open from 9.10am to receive pupils
9:20am – 2:00pm (Junior & Senior Infants)
9:20am – 3:00pm (All other classes)
Morning Break: 11:00am – 11:10am
Classes resume: 11:10am to 12:45pm
Lunch break: 12:45pm – 1:15p.m.
3:00pm classes finish. School close.