Scoil Mhuire na Dea Chomhairle Phone 061 367289

Kilkishen Email:kilkishennationalschool@gmail.com
Co. Clare Website: kilkishen.weebly.com
Roll Number: 13870E Twitter: @kilkishenns

February 2023 Newsletter

Dear Parents/Guardians,

I would like to bring the following announcements to your attention

Basketball:

Basketball: Boys and girls in senior classes competed in the annual Marion Keane Memorial Basketball
competition recently held at Gurteen G.A.A complex. Both teams took on St.Mochulla’s Tulla N.S.,
Kilmurry N.S. and Bridgetown N.S. After some great games of basketball, our girls team have qualified for
phase 2 of the competition after winning their three matches. A very young boys team can be very proud of
their efforts competing very well in all three games. Best of luck to our girls team in the next phase of the
competition.

G.A.A. Coaching: We are delighted to welcome back Killian Nugent, local G.A.A. coach, to our school
every Friday from now until the end of the school year. Killian has provided excellent coaching to boys and
girls over the past number of years and will continue to develop the skills of hurling and camogie with all
classes each week. Thank you to O’Callaghan’s Mills G.A.A. club for funding this coaching which pupils
greatly enjoy and benefit greatly from. Pupils should wear their school tracksuit, runners and have their
hurley and helmet every Friday from now until the end of the school year.
 Handball Success

Kilkishen pupils enjoyed great success in the Cumann na mBunscol Primary Handball competitions held
between January 16-18. Congratulations to Ethan Collins on winning silver in the boys u/11 singles event.
Juliet Moroney was crowned u/13 singles champion with Chloe Hannon and Jane Hogan winning the u/13
doubles event. Analyse Hogan and Saoirse Frost won gold in the u/11 doubles event. All county champions
qualified for the Munster Schools event held at Clarecastle Handball Alley on January 29. After two very
close contests our U/11 and U/13 doubles pairings were narrowly defeated in both finals. Juliet Moroney
was crowned Munster champion defeating the Cork competitor in the final. Juliet now travels to Croke Park
to compete in the All-Ireland Primary Schools Exhibition event later this month. Congratulations to all our
pupils that participated in the school trials, county competition, and Munster competition and best wishes to
Juliet in the All-Ireland series. A big “Thank You” to our club handball coaches, parents and Christy Philpott
for his help running the school trials. The great tradition of Handball in the school continues with everyone’s
support.

Soccer: Senior pupils will compete in the FAI 5-a-side boys and girls competitions to be held in March. In
preparation for these events, a school soccer league for pupils in 4 th to 6th classes, will take place every lunch
time during March. Our soccer league finals day will be on the last day of term on March 31. Kilkishen
Celtic: Kilkishen Celtic are looking to set up an Under 10/11 girls soccer team. Kilkishen Celtic have a boys
team which started last year and are hoping to start some more underage teams. If your child does not turn
11 until after the 01/January/2023 and would be interested in joining up, please forward your child’s name
and date of birth to Steve Donnellan on 0876251240 or Mark O’Malley on 0863440308 or email
Markomalley730@gmail.com.

Swimming: Swimming lessons for pupils in 3rd to 6th classes continues for 2 more sessions on February 21
and 28. Pupils have completed five lessons during January and early February and are making very good
progress to date.
Temporary Accommodation: A temporary accommodation for our Special Class has been installed
recently which will provide classroom space for our Special Class until our permanent building has been
constructed. The temporary accommodation is a state of the art facility equipped with activity space,
independent room, sensory room, changing room and staff meeting room. Just this week our pupils have
moved into their new building and are enjoying this new facility.

School Curriculum Evaluation Inspection–English: The school received notification from the Dept. of
Education and Skills that a curriculum evaluation of English would be carried out on Tuesday January 31
and Wednesday February 1. The inspectors met with school staff and observed the teaching and learning
of English lessons throughout the whole school. During the evaluation the inspectors conducted a short
focus-group discussion with some senior pupils. Following the inspectors visit, a report on the teaching and
learning in English will be compiled. The inspection went very well and we look forward to the publication
of this inspection in due course.

Congratulation Ms. Kelly MacLean: On behalf of everyone at

Kilkishen N.S., I would like to congratulate Ms. Kelly MacLean on
the birth of Tommy Colleran. We wish Kelly, Ian and Tommy a long
life of happiness and health together. We are delighted to hear of the
birth of baby Tommy and that he and Kelly are doing great.
Sports Capital Grant 2022: Having received formal approval to extend the school Astro-Turf, contracts to
complete the work are due to be signed on Friday February 10. A timeline of when works are to get under
way and when works are due to be completed will be agreed. Weather permitting it is hoped work will
commence at the end of February/beginning of March. We look forward to completing the 40m x 40m
Astro-Turf extension which will make the facility 60m x 40m once completed. Below is a drawing detailing
the planned extension.

Cash For Clobber: Kilkishen National School PAC are holding their annual
cash for clobber clothes collection from Monday the 20th of February to
Thursday the 23rd of February. Clothes can be dropped to the GAA
clubhouse in Kilkishen from 7-8.30 each evening. Provided items are of
suitable quality, reusable items are exported to developing countries, including
sub-Saharan Africa, Pakistan, and Eastern Europe. Items accepted: shoes (pairs
only), handbags and belts. Please note that pillows and duvets cannot be re-used
for hygiene reasons.

Aldi-Play Rugby Stickers: We are collecting stickers from Aldi in the hope of winning some great prizes
for the school. Anyone that shops in Aldi, please send the stickers into school to complete our Play Rugby
School Entry Poster. Thank you for your support.
Parking: Parents and guardians of pupils are asked not to double park or block the pre-school entrance
at drop-off and collection times. It is very important that young children can be seen during these busy
periods outside the school. Your co-operation on this matter is greatly appreciated.

Dogs: It has been brought to my attention that some children are fearful of dogs around the school grounds
at drop-off and collection times. It is a matter for all parents and guardians to ensure dogs are under full
control at all times. Please keep dogs away from school entrances and ensure dogs are under control and
remain calm when near the school grounds. Your co-operation on this matter is greatly appreciated.

Reminder: School closes for mid-term on Friday February 10 at usual times and reopens on Monday
February 20 2023.
Dates for your Diary:
 First Holy Communion: First Holy Communion will take place on Saturday May 6 at 11 am in
Kilkishen church.
 Confirmation: Pupils in 6th class will make Confirmation on Friday June 9 at 12 noon in
Kilkishen church.

Yours sincerely,

Principal Kilkishen N.S.

 Kilkishen N.S. School Calendar 2022-2023
2022-23 M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T
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August

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September

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October

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November

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December

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January

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February

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March

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April

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May

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June

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July

School Reopens
Wednesday August 31
Standardised Closures Bank Holidays Closes Friday June 30 Weekends Staff Return