Scoil Mhuire na Dea Chomhairle Phone 061 367289

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

November 2023 Newsletter

Dear Parents/Guardians,

I would like to bring the following announcements to your attention:

 Enrolment for 2024-2025 Now Open: Applications for enrolment for the 2024-2025 school year
are now open. Application forms are available from the school office or online application can be
made at this address: https://www.aladdin.ie/i/4777800833695744. Closing date for applications is
November 30 at 3pm.

 First Year Applications Now Open: St. Jospehs’s Secondary The online application process for
First Year at St. Joseph's secondary School in Tulla is now open. Applications must be made before
the deadline of Wednesday November 29 at 4pm. Please have your child's PPS number ready
before you begin the application. To commence the application go to this address:
https://www.sjt.ie/News/1st-Year-Application-LIVE/46818/Index.html.
 Clare Primary Schools Cross Country Running: On Tuesday November 14, 13 pupils from
Kilkishen N.S. will compete in the Clare Primary School cross-country finals. Best of luck to
Bronagh Shanahan competing in the u/8 girls individual event and our boys u/8 and boys u/10 teams.

 Cumann na mBunscol Boys and Girls Football Competitions:

Girls Football: On Friday October 13, Kilkishen girls football team competed in the Division 2
football blitz held at Clonlara G.A.A. grounds. Kilkishen played Clonlara N.S. and
Stonehall/Ballycar N.S. in two very close and entertaining contests. Kilkishen played Cratloe N.S. on
Friday October 20 in their final group game. Well done to all the girls that took part and represented
Kilkishen N.S. so well. Boys Football: Kilkishen N.S. played Tulla N.S., Knockanean, Kilrush and
Lisseycasey N.S. in the group stages of the Div. 2 boys primary football during October. The
displayed great teamwork and desire in all group games and can be very proud of their efforts. Well
done to both teams for representing Kilkishen N.S. so well in both competitions.

 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. Pupils are reminded that Class group chats and online social media groups are
not permitted. Pupils have been reminded to remove themselves from any groups that they may be
part of. New guidelines on the use of mobile phones for pupils in primary school are due shortly and
will be communicated with parents in due course.
 Astro Turf Extension Update:

 Construction Update: Works continues on the Astro-Turf extension at present. Security fencing and
kerbing are being erected this week with the final layers of stone to be laid shortly before synthetic
grass will cover the layers of stone. We hope to have news on the estimated opening date for the
Astro-Turf shortly.
 Fundraiser: Thank you to everyone that has so kindly donated to our Astro-Turf fundraiser so far.
We have had a fantastic response from businesses, parents and community members to our
fundraiser. If you or members of the community are in a position to support the Astro-Turf extension
project, an online donation can still be made until the end of December. All donations are greatly
appreciated which will help us reach our goal of completing the project debt free. The online
fundraiser link is available here at https://www.idonate.ie/cause/kilkishennationalschool or scan the
QR code attached which will bring you to the idonate web page. Thank you for your support.
 Cash for Clobber Fundraiser: The annual PAC Cash for Clobber fundraiser takes place Tuesday,
Wednesday & Thursday 7th-9th November 2023.Bags can be dropped off from 7-8:30 pm each night
to the Kilkishen G.A.A. Clubhouse. Your support is greatly appreciated.

 Intel Mini-Scientist School Showcase Day: On Wednesday November 8, pupils from 4th to 6th
classes presented their Intel Mini-Scientist projects to judges from Intel at Kilkishen N.S. 15 projects
were entered in this years’ school showcase event. After much deliberation and discussions the
project chosen to represent Kilkishen N.S. at the regional Intel Mini-Scientist event was Taste it-
How does sight and smell affect our taste? by Kahlan Kennedy, Leah Roberts and Gemma Hayes.
Well done to everyone that took part and we wish our winning team the very best at the regional
finals later this month.

 Trip to Ennis Abbey and Clare Museum: Pupils from Second to Fifth Classes travelled to Ennis
on Wednesday October 25 and experienced two historical activities. Firstly, pupils learned about the
history of Halloween and Halloween folklore relating to County Clare with a workshop given by
storyteller Ruth Marshall at Clare Museum. Pupils then learned about the history of Ennis town and
the oldest building in the town, the Ennis Franciscan Abbey. Thank you to Clare County Council and
the OPW for coordinating both activities. Highlights from the trip can be viewed below.
  Parent Teacher Meetings: Annual parent teacher meetings will take place during the last week of
November and the first week of December this term. Times and dates for your child’s parent teacher
meeting will be sent home later this month.

 New Board of Management 2023-2027: New Boards of Management for all primary and secondary
schools are being formed to commence on December 1. Parents will be invited to select a mother and
father nominee to sit on the new Board next week. If you do not wish to have your name included for
selection to the new Board, please email principalkilkishenns@gmail.com by Friday November 10
detailing your wish to have your name removed from the selection list.

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
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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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April

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May

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June

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