Scoil Mhuire na Dea Chomhairle Phone 061 367289

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

December 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
December 22 at 3pm.

 Carol Singing: Our school Christmas choir, coordinated by Ms. Amy McNamara, have been invited
to sing at the turning on of Kilkishen Christmas lights on Thursday December 7 starting at 7pm.
Pupils are also invited to perform at this year’s Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch on Sunday
December 17. Pupils from 1st to 6th class that are available are asked to be at Kilkishen Cultural
Centre from 7:20pm. on Thursday December 7 and from 1:20pm on Sunday December 17. We
look forward to both festive and special events in the Kilkishen community.
 Trip to Carrigoran House: Pupils from 1st to 6th class will travel by bus to Carrigoran House on
Friday December 8 and perform for the residents and staff. We are delighted to be invited to
perform for the residents and look forward to bringing some Christmas cheer to the staff and
residents of Carrigoran House. 1st to 3rd class pupils will perform from 11 am and 4th to 6th class
pupils will perform from 12 noon.

 Astro Turf Extension Update:

 Construction Update: Works continues on the Astro-Turf extension at present. Security fencing and
kerbing has now been completed. The final layers of stone will be laid shortly before synthetic grass
will cover the layers of stone. Premier Pitches Construction firm are catching up on delays with other
projects at present due to the very wet weather this year. Once they return the final phase of
construction will be completed. It is hoped to be fully completed by early 2024.
 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. Thank you
for your support.

 Cash for Clobber Fundraiser: The annual PAC Cash for Clobber fundraiser took place Tuesday,
Wednesday & Thursday 7th-9th November 2023.Thank you to every that donated. Your support is
greatly appreciated.
 Intel Mini-Scientist School Showcase Day:

On Thursday November 30, our school mini-scientist winners showcased their winning entry at the
regional schools final at INTEL in Shannon. Congratulations to 6th class pupils Gemma, Kahlan and
Leah for their presentation at the regional INTEL mini-scientist exhibition. Their project “Does Sight
and Smell Affect Our Taste?” was very well received and presented beautifully. We are all very
proud of the girls’ efforts and commend them for work that they have carried out.

 Parent Teacher Meetings: Parent teacher meetings continue on Tuesday December 5 for 2nd, 4th
and 6th classes. Times and dates for your child’s parent teacher meetings have been allocated. If there
is any issue with this timeslot please contact your child’s class teacher.
  New Board of Management 2023-2027: New Boards of Management for all primary and secondary
schools have commenced their term on December 1. The elections to select new parent nominees to
the new Board of Management for 2023-2027 have been held. Results have been verified by Parents
Association Committee chairperson Noelle Donovan. Firstly, thank you to outgoing parent
nominees, Pamela Davey and Patrick Hogan. Both have carried out their roles with great
commitment and dedication over the past four years. Congratulations to Aisling Casey, mother's
nominee, and Patrick Donnellan, father's nominee, on being chosen and accepting their positions
to sit on the new Board. I look forward to working with both and the new Board which.

The new Board is as follows:

Fr. Donal Dwyer Chairperson

Conor Harrison Secretary
Deirdre Maxted Teacher nominee
Diarmad Boyce Patron nominee
Paddy Ryan Community Nominee
Catherine O'Gorman Community Nominee
Patrick Donnellan Parent Nominee
Aisling Casey Parent Nominee
 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.
 Swimming Lessons: Pupils from 3rd to 6th classes will partake in swimming lessons for 7 weeks
each Tuesday commencing on January 9 and finishes on February 27. Pupils will travel by bus each
week. Details about fees and what is required will issue later this month.
 Christmas Concerts: Pupils throughout the school are busily preparing for their Christmas Concerts
later this month. Senior classes (4th-6th) will perform on Tuesday December 19 at Kilkishen G.A.A.
Clubhouse from 10am with Junior classes on Wednesday December 20 from 10am.
 School Closure: School finishes at 12 noon on Friday December 22. School reopens on January 8
2024.

Yours sincerely

Conor Harrison
Principal Kilkishen N.S.
 Kilkishen N.S. Calendar 2023-2024
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January

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February

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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