The Bellaghy Echo ....

The Department of Education’s position on Swine Flu can be viewed on the Department’s website      www.deni.gov.uk

 WORLD BOOK DAY at BELLAGHY PRIMARY

We celebrated World Book Day and the joy of reading with a range of activities at our school.  All the children came to school dressed as characters from a favourite book. As you can see from the photographs, we welcomed Robinson Crusoe, Dennis the Menace and an array of characters from Alice in Wonderland. The day began with a reading breakfast which the children thoroughly enjoyed.  During the day, we had  D.E.A.R. time – Drop Everything And Read time, story telling sessions and a book swap.  The day finished with all children designing a book mark.

View the Photos - Click here...
 

Magherafelt District Council’s Environmental Public Speaking Competition Winners

Jillian, Nicole and Rebecca who participated in Magherafelt District Council’s Environmental Youth Speak competition pictured with John Murtagh, Environmental Projects Officer. Second and third place was awarded to Bellaghy Primary.
 

(2010)
CROSS COMMUNITY CHOIR PERFORMS AT FESTIVAL

 

Pupils from Bellaghy Primary School and St John Bosco Primary School recently came together to form a cross-community choir.  The choir, trained by Mrs Mary-Lou Richmond and Mrs Judith Torrens, performed at the recent Ballymena Festival.  The adjudicator,  Ms Gaynor Keeble, complimented the choir on its real energy and commitment, awarding the children a creditable second place.
 

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA – 2009

The Parent Support Group organised a very successful Breakfast with Santa on Saturday 5th December 2009.  Over 300 breakfasts were served by two very busy cooks – Edith Blair and Helen Kirkpatrick. Santa was also kept busy with many children visiting his grotto for a gift.  This year, the members of the PSG welcomed along a few craft stalls including a stall supporting Marie Curie Cancer Care and the N.Ireland Hospice


OUR SINCERE THANKS ARE EXTENDED TO THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS AND COMPANIES FOR THEIR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS OUR

‘BREAKFAST WITH SANTA’

·       Mr R Overend - Bacon

·       Mr J Overend, Bellaghy - Sausages

·       Aghadowey Creamery - Sundries

·       Sperrin Bakery, Daperstown – Potato Bread

·       Alistair’s Bakery, Moneymore - Sodas

·       Skea Eggs, Donaghmore - Eggs

·       McErlean’s Bakery, Magherafelt - Pancakes

·       Graham’s Spar, Bellaghy – Bread, Beans

·       Muldoon’s Costcutter - Juice

·       Wilson’s Fruit Shops - Mushrooms

·       Andrew Dempsey - Photographic material

·       Susan Bruce – Photographic material

·       Denise McPeake – Photographic material

·       Santa

 

November 2009

BELLAGHY PUPILS SPEAK OUT!

Three P7 pupils from Bellaghy Primary School participated in the Magherafelt and District Road Safety Public Speaking competition recently.  

Jillian Blair, Nicole Junkin and Rebecca Leslie delivered a speech chosen from a selection of topics including, ‘Seatbelts save lives’, and ‘17 is too young to be let loose with a lethal weapon on the road’. 

Mary-Lou Richmond, Principal of the school was delighted when Rebecca Leslie was announced as runner up by the adjudicator.  Rebecca’s speech was based around the subject - ‘Carnage on our roads, I have the answer’.  Mrs Richmond said that she thought Rebecca’s speech had caught the adjudicator’s attention because of  ‘her convincing and passionate delivery’. 

Rebecca’s success in public speaking follows Jillian Blair’s success in May when she won the Northern Ireland final of the Environmental Youth Speak competition.
 

June 2009

Lucy is runner up in ‘Eggs Factor’ competition in London

Lucy Montgomery one of our P7 pupils finished runner up in the final of the Eggs Factor competition held at ‘L’Atelier des Chefs’ in London.

Lucy jetted off to London at the beginning of July with her Mum and Mrs Richmond. In the competition, Lucy had to prepare her own egg based recipe for a famous character from TV, the movies or a book. Lucy chose Mickey Mouse and her dish was entitled ‘Eggstremely Mice and Tasty’. The tasty dish consisted of scrambled eggs with stilton, fresh salmon on a bed of spinach served with buttered crumpets.

It certainly caught the eye of celebrity judges Annabel Karmel, children’s food writer and Same Difference – X factor finalists 2007, as they placed Lucy a most creditable runner-up!

Everyone at Bellaghy Primary extends hearty congratulations to Lucy and best wishes to her as she starts her new school with twin sister Sophie. The Home Economics Department are in for a treat when they meet you Lucy!!

Also best of luck to Edward Hamilton, Rachel, Rebecca and Alan Rainey as they start Year 8 at Rainey Endowed and Magherafelt High Schools.

 

June 2009

OUTSTANDING SPEAKING SUCCESS FOR ANOTHER BELLAGHY PRIMARY PUPIL
  

A P.6 pupil from Bellaghy Primary School has won the Northern Ireland final of the Environmental Youth Public Speaking competition.  Jillian Blair who is nine years old beat off stiff opposition to be crowned the champion at Lisburn Island Arts Centre. 

Her speech was entitled ‘Recycling on its own will not solve our waste problems’ and the adjudicators were impressed with her well researched points and her outstanding delivery.  Jillian was presented with her award by U.TV weather-man Frank Mitchell. 

Speaking after the event, Jillian’s school Principal and coach Mrs Mary-Lou Richmond said she was absolutely delighted with Jillian’s success which has brought great accolade to the small village school.. She added that Jillian has a real flair for public speaking and she was a worthy Northern Ireland champion.

 

NEWS  (January 2009)

OPEN DAY

We held our Open morning on Friday 16 January when we welcomed some new recruits for Primary One. Parents had an opportunity to tour the school and speak with Mrs Richmond about life and learning at Bellaghy P.S.

AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS

This term, some children are participating in a Drama Club at St John Bosco Primary School, Ballynease with the Hullaballoo Drama Company.  They will be rehearsing for a big show which will be put on at Easter for all parents and friends.

Our own Hockey Club has resumed with coach Susan Bruce. Well done to our first eleven who brave the winter weather to develop their skills every Friday afternoon.

 

N.S.P.C.C.

Following our most generous donation of £500 to this worthy charity, we have welcomed Michelle Laverty from the N.S.P.C.C. to talk to the children on various topics including friendship, keeping safe and sharing problems.

SALMON PROJECT

Our P4 and P5 pupils will soon be getting involved in this year’s salmon hatching project.  The little eggs will arrive in February and they will be nurtured by the children until the baby fish are strong enough to be released into the Clady River.  The project will conclude later in the year with a visit to the Bushmills Hatchery.

 

NEWS (September 2008)

NEW RECRUITS IN P.1

We were delighted to welcome eight smiling faces to P.1 in September 2008. All our new recruits have settled into school very well and seem to be enjoying life at Bellaghy Primary.

 NON UNIFORM DAY FOR KATIE MAGUIRE

On Friday 19 September, all pupils left their uniform behind and came to school wearing fancy outfits to raise money for the ‘Keep Katie Alive’ charity.  We will be forwarding £40 to this worthy cause.

 AFTER SCHOOL HOCKEY CLUB

After school hockey commenced on Friday 19 September with coaching by Mrs Susan Bruce. All the boys and girls took part enthusiastically and they are all looking forward to developing their skills over the next ten weeks.

 

 

VIOLIN TEACHING

Twelve pupils are learning to play the violin with the N.E.E.L.B.’s Music teacher Mrs Kyle.  Every Tuesday morning, the sweet sound of music-making resounds through our school.

 

SWIMMING

All pupils P4 – P7 began their swimming lessons on Thursday 11 September with everyone progressing very well. Swimming lessons continue every week.

 

 

NEWS (June 2008)

  • All our pupils are presently involved in an IFA initiative with a trained IFA coach Reuben Smyth....the children are really enjoying developing their FUNdamental movement skills every Monday.

  • Key Stage Two pupils have been involved in an amazing environmental project...they have recently received a tank full of salmon eggs which they have to nurture until they hatch and grow into little fish before they take them to a feeder stream of the Bann to be released...this is a wonderful opportunity for our pupils to learn about the life cycle of a salmon.

  • P6 and P7 pupils recently performed on chimes and recorder with pupils from Desertmartin Primary at Maghera Leisure Centre for a Macmillan Cancer Concert. An amazing £16,000 was raised for this worthy cause - thanks to all who supported us on the night!  The music was first class!

  • Key Stage One pupils have been attending DRAMA/MUSIC workshops at St John Bosco PS, Ballynease.  Everyone loved Mr Hullaballoo and his many fairytales!

  • Some of our Key Stage Two pupils have been attending BASKETBALL coaching at Magherafelt High School.  Good luck as some of you may be picked for the regional team!

  • All pupils took part in a REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE workshop with staff from Bryson House...have a look at our brilliant display on this topic in the playroom.  At our school we recycle paper, plastic bottles and tin cans. We are striving to be an eco-friendly school!

  • Two pupils have been involved in an amazing environmental project...they have recently received a tank full of salmon eggs which they have to nurture until they hatch and grow into little fish before they take them to a feeder stream of the Bann to be released...this is a wonderful opportunity for our pupils to learn about the life cycle of a salmon.

  • P6 and P7 pupils recently performed on chimes and recorder with pupils from Desertmartin Primary at Maghera Leisure Centre for a Macmillan Cancer Concert. An amazing £16,000 was raised for this worthy cause - thanks to all who supported us on the night!  The music was first class!

  • Key Stage One pupils have been attending DRAMA/MUSIC workshops at St John Bosco PS, Ballynease.  Everyone loved Mr Hullaballoo and his many fairytales!

 

 

  • P6 and P7 pupils recently performed on chimes and recorder with pupils from Desertmartin Primary at Maghera Leisure Centre for a Macmillan Cancer Concert. An amazing £16,000 was raised for this worthy cause - thanks to all who supported us on the night!  The music was first class!

  • Key Stage One pupils have been attending DRAMA/MUSIC workshops at St John Bosco PS, Ballynease.  Everyone loved Mr Hullaballoo and his many fairytales!

  • Some of our Key Stage Two pupils have been attending BASKETBALL coaching at Magherafelt High School.  Good luck as some of you may be picked for the regional team!

  • All pupils took part in a REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE workshop with staff from Bryson House...have a look at our brilliant display on this topic in the playroom.  At our school we recycle paper, plastic bottles and tin cans. We are striving to be an eco-friendly school!

  • HOLA!! All our pupils are enjoying conversational Spanish classes with Julio from Madrid. Julio will be at our school every Friday until the end of June.  Gracias Julio!!

  • School closed Fri 2 and Mon 5 May- May Day Holidays

  • Annual Spring clean will take place during the week beginning Monday 5 May.  The purpose of this activity is to clean up our grounds and we get paid for doing it!!

  • Bushmills Residential Trip for P6 and P7 pupils - Mon 19 - Thurs 22 May - an exciting outdoor educational experience for our older pupils.  We team up with pupils from Kilross and Desertmartin Primary Schools for this enjoyable trip.

  • School closed Friday 23 May and Mon 26 May 2008

  • Fun Night - Fri 13 June 2008 (provisional)

  • School Trip - Monday 23 June 2008 (provisional)

  • Last day of term - Mon 30 June 2008