Scoil Mhuire na Dea Chomhairle Phone 061 367289

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

Christmas 2023 Newsletter

Dear Parents/Guardians,

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

Carol Singing: Our school Christmas choir, coordinated by Ms. Amy McNamara, were invited to sing at
the turning on of Kilkishen Christmas Lights on Thursday December 7 and perform at this year’s Senior
Citizens Christmas Lunch on Sunday December 17. The boys and girls helped create a very festive
atmosphere for all in attendance and help celebrate these two special community events.

Trip to Carrigoran House: Pupils from 1st to 6th class travelled to Carrigoran House on Friday December 8
and performed for the residents and staff. We were delighted to get the opportunity to perform for the
residents and helped bring some Christmas atmosphere to all at Carrigoran House.
Christmas Concerts: Christmas plays were performed at the G.A.A. Clubhouse this year and all in
attendance were treated to two days of great entertainment and drama. The Junior and Senior Infants
performed their play “Baarmy Bethlehem”, with Senior Infants and First Class performing “Christmas With
The Aliens” and 2nd and 3rd class performing “Ralf The Reindeer”. Senior classes entertained those in
attendance on Tuesday December 19 to performances of “Brian The Christmas Tree” and the musical
“Cinderella and Rockerfella”. All Christmas plays are available to enjoy on our school website at
http://kilkishen.weebly.com/xmas-plays-2023.html . We hope you enjoy the shows!

Baarmy Bethlehem Christmas With The Aliens

Ralf The Reindeer

Brian The Christmas Tree Cinderella and Rockerfella

Grease The Musical: Congratulations to all our past pupils that were part of Grease The Musical which ran
from Tuesday December 12 to Friday December 15 at St. Joseph’s Secondary School Tulla. Pupils from 4th
to 6th class attended the matinee show on Tuesday December 12 and thoroughly enjoyed the show. Well
done to all involved. We hope many of our current pupils will become future stars of musicals at St.
Joseph’s Tulla in the future.
Swimming Lessons Return in 2023: Pupils from 3rd to 6th classes will recommence swimming lessons at
Ennis Lesiureplex every Tuesday starting on January 9 for 8 sessions. Pupils will travel by bus each week
departing at 10:20am for 11am lessons. Pupils will return at 12:30pm approx. The cost of swimming lessons
is €56 which can be paid using epayments on the Aladdin app or a weekly fee of €7 which can also be paid
online or given to your child’s class teacher. Please ensure pupils have appropriate swim wear, a towel,
swimming hat and wear school tracksuit on swimming days.

Astro-Turf Extension: The finishing works to the Astro-Turf extension will get under way in early January
2024. The final stages of construction involving the grading of the base layers of stone and laying of
synthetic grass are due to be fully completed by the end of January. We hope to announce a date for the
opening of the completed Astro-Turf in early 2024 shortly.
Cumann na mBunscol Handball Trials: Trials to select u/11 and u13 singles and doubles partners boys
and girls have taken place on Tuesday December 19 and Thursday December 21 at Kilkishen Handball
Alley. Following the trials, run by local handball coach Christy Philpott, the following pupils will represent
Kilkishen N.S. in the Cumann na mBunscol competitions in January 2024.
U11 Girls Singles: Saoirse Frost. U/11 Girls Doubles: Analyse Hogan and Evie Lyons.
U/11 Boys Singles: Gearóid MacDonncadh. U/11 Boys Doubles: John MacDonncadh and Cian Donovan.
U13 Girls Singles Kahlan Kennedy. U/13 Girls Doubles: Natasha Casey and Éirinn Kennedy.
U/13 Boys Singles: Ruairí Frost. U/13 Boys Doubles: Darragh Donovan and Alex Davey.
Thank you to all that attended the trials and best wishes to those that now qualify to represent Kilkishen N.S.
at the Cumann na mBunscol Primary schools competitions. Thank you to Christy Philpott for running the
trials and for his continued support promoting handball at Kilkishen N.S.

The Planet Ennis Christmas Colouring Competition: Congratulations to Jack McNamara, 2nd class, on
winning the Christmas colouring competition run by The Planet Ennis. Jack has won a visit to The Planet in
Ennis for all of 2nd class during January 2024. Details of the visit will be arranged early in the new year.
Well done to Jack and we look forward to 2nd class’ visit to The Planet during January.

Thank you: As we have reached the end of another school term, I would like to take this opportunity to
acknowledge all of the staff in our school that has worked so diligently this term. Thank you to everyone
that helped coordinate, direct and assist with the staging of our school concerts. Thank you to all that
assisted in any way and made these plays such an enjoyable experience for all the pupils.

Thank you to all our parents who have supported Kilkishen N.S. throughout 2023. We appreciate all your
support and look forward to your continued support in 2024.

The School Management and Kilkishen N.S. staff wishes you all a very happy and healthy Christmas and
New Year. Looking forward to an exciting 2024!

Reminder: School closes at 12 noon on Friday December 22. School reopens on Monday January 8
2024.

Yours sincerely,

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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September

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November

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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