Scoil Mhuire na Dea Chomhairle Phone 061 367289

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

August 23 2023

Dear Parents/Guardians,

On behalf of the staff of Kilkishen N.S., I am happy to welcome you to the 2023-24 school year. I
would like to give a special welcome to our new Junior Infants joining Kilkishen N.S. this year and I
hope they will have a wonderful time throughout their school life. Welcome Ava O’Grady, MacDara
MacDonnacha, Zara Murphy, Nessa Gleeson, Nathan Gleeson, Tommy Duggan, Emily Duggan, Lily
Murphy, Senan Donovan, Ava Donnellan, Zaylee Salmon-Kelly, Tom Cahill, Lucas Herrod, and
Annie Cleary. I would also like to welcome Cara Malone, Love Dahlberg and Sai Saanavia Dalta
joining 3rd, 4th, and 5th classes respectively. We wish them all the very best and hope they have a
wonderful time here at Kilkishen N.S.

New Junior Infants: New Junior Infants may arrive at school from 8:25am on Wednesday August
30. This will give new pupils and their parents a quieter opportunity to settle into their new classroom.
Ms. Anna Corry continues to teach Junior and Senior Infants until mid-term covering for Ms. Kelly
MacLean. Junior Infants will finish at 12 noon for the first 2 weeks of school. School photographer,
Kevin Donovan, will be in attendance on Wednesday August 30 after 9am and will capture all of our
new entrants first day at school.
New Appointments: I would like to welcome Ms. Eilís Whitney to the teaching staff of Kilkishen
N.S. for 2023-24. Ms. Eilís Whitney has been appointed to a fixed-term mainstream teaching position,
covering a career break, teaching 5th and 6th class. I would also like to welcome Mrs. Úna Harrington
to Kilkishen N.S. who is joining our Special Needs Assistants team. We also welcome Ms. Emma
Gleeson commencing a shared Special Education Teaching post working with senior classes this term
and Mr. Ciaran Morrisey teaching English as an Additional Language (EAL) until he commences a
career break after mid-term. We wish Ms. Eilís Whitney, Mrs. Úna Harrington, Ms. Emma Gleeson
and Mr.Ciaran Morrissey all the best in their new positions for the coming year.

Swimming 2023: Swimming lessons for pupils from 3 rd – 6th classes will commence after Christmas
on Tuesday January 9 2024 and continue every Tuesday until February 27 for eight weeks.
Lessons will take place between 11 and 12 noon. More details will follow later in the term.

Healthy Lunches: The school continues to promote healthy eating with a Healthy Lunch Policy
running in the school. Sweets, chocolate bars, crisps and fizzy drinks are not permitted. Pupils may
bring one small treat as part of their lunch on Fridays. Parents also have the option of ordering school
lunches which are delivered to the school each day. Simply download the Lunchbag school app and
join Kilkishen N.S. and your pupil’s class.

Astro-Turf Extension and Sports Capital Funding 2022:

Due to the very wet summer the planned 40M x 40M extension to the Astro-Turf has been delayed.
Premier Pitches have commenced the works in the last week of August and it is expected the planned
works will be completed over the next 3-4 weeks. Security fencing has been erected around the school
to ensure the safety of pupils whilst construction is underway. Junior and Senior pupils will all enter
the school via the main entrance whilst construction is underway from 8:50am each morning.
Senior pupils are asked to line up at the Pedestrian crossing side of the school. Junior pupils are asked
to line up on the opposite side of the main gate. Pupils attending the Preschool and Special Class
line up at the Junior School Entrance as normal. Thank you for your co-operation whilst the
works are taking place.
Building Update: A planning application has been submitted to Clare County Council over the
Summer months to construct a 2 x Special Class extension with associated rooms including a shared
central activities space. Once planning permission has been acquired a process to appoint a
construction firm to carry out the work will take place in early 2024. It is hoped construction on this
project will commence by mid-2024.

Confirmation 2024: Confirmation for pupils in 6th class takes place on Saturday April 20 2024 at
3pm at O’Callaghan’s Mills church and will be celebrated by Bishop Fintan Monaghan.

First Holy Communion 2024: Pupils in 2nd classes will make their First Holy Communion on
Saturday May 4 at 11 am at Kilkishen Church.

Free School Books Scheme: All school books, workbooks and copies will be provided for each pupil
this year with the introduction of the Free Book Scheme. Pupils will receive their books for each
subject on returning to school. School stationary such as pens, pencils, colours and crayons are not
included and each child should have these on returning to school.

School Uniform: Pupils should attend school wearing their full school uniform each day. Pupils are
permitted to wear school tracksuit on P.E. days and every Friday for hurling and camogie
throughout the school year. Pupils from 3rd to 6th classes may also wear school tracksuit on
Tuesdays during January and February whilst swimming lessons are taking place.

Mobile Phones: Kilkishen N.S. has a strictly no mobile phones permitted at school policy. It is a
matter for all parents to decide on allowing your child access to mobile phones and social media apps
outside of school. Class group chats and online social media groups are not permitted. Pupils will
be reminded to remove themselves from any groups that they may be part of. Schools working
together with parents must cooperate to ensure the safety of all pupils. Thank you for your
cooperation on this matter.

School Communication: All school communication will take place via the Aladdin Schools App. If
any parent has any difficulty accessing this app, please contact the office and we will assist you and
rectify any issues. Monthly newsletters will keep you informed on the latest new and upcoming events
taking place at Kilkishen N.S. Important notices will also be communicated via the messaging service
on Aladdin School App when the need arises.

All staff members are looking forward to a productive partnership with you to ensure our children can
achieve their highest potential and thrive in the coming year. We recognize that in order to be
successful in school, our children need support from both the home and school. We ask that you guide
and support your child’s learning by ensuring that the following are adhered to:
 1. Attends school daily and arrives on time ready for the day’s learning experience. School
starts at 9am. Pupils will be received at school when gates open at 8:50am and proceed
directly to their classrooms. Separate entry points for Junior and Senior pupils continues as
normal.
2. Completes all homework.
3. Reads daily to develop a love for reading.
4. Shares school experiences with you so that you are aware of his/her school life.
5. Demonstrates RESPECT for pupils, staff and school property.
6. Knows that you expect him/her to try their best every day.

As principal of Kilkishen N.S., my main priority is to ensure that every student is provided with the
highest quality of education possible in a safe and supportive learning environment. If you need to
bring something to the attention of your child’s class teacher, they will be happy to discuss this matter
with you. Each pupil’s teacher will provide a school email address which will be sent out later this
week, alternatively put a note in your child’s diary or email: principalkilkishennns@gmail.com
during office hours. In the interest of reducing classroom interruptions, please do not interrupt class
teaching time.

Procedure for Collecting Children Early from School:

 Email your child’s teacher and school email kilkishennationalschool@gmail.com detailing

the date, time, adult that will collect your child and reason for collecting early from
school.
 Pupils can be collected from the school office at the main entrance of the school when the
designated adult has arrived for collection.

Finally, I would like to welcome everyone back to school on Wednesday August 30. I have attached
a school calendar for 2023-24 for your convenience detailing any school closures in the coming year.
We thank you for your support and look forward to another very busy and successful year at
Kilkishen N.S.

Yours sincerely,

Conor Harrison
Principal Kilkishen N.S.
 Kilkishen N.S. Calendar 2023-2024
2023-24 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
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
August

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
September

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
October

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
November

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
December

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
January

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
February

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
March

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
April

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
May

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
June

School Reopens/Ends for Pupils School Holidays Bank Holidays Weekends Staff Return on Tuesday August 29