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 2024 Newsletter

Dear Parents/Guardians,

I would like to bring the following announcements to your attention

Basketball:

Basketball: Boys and girls from 6th class competed in the annual Marion Keane Memorial primary
basketball competition on Thursday January 18 at Shannon Leisure Centre. Kilkishen N.S. was grouped
with Tulla N.S., Kilmurry N.S. and Bridgetown N.S. in both the girls and boys competitions. Our boys’
team have qualified for Round 2 of the competition with victories in all 3 games. Our girls’ team were
narrowly defeated by Tulla N.S. and Bridgetown and recorded a hard fought draw with Kilmurry N.S. Well
done to both teams on representing our school so well. Star performers on the day included Filip Wojdak,
Padraig O'Brien, Alex Davey in the boys matches with Kahlan Kennedy, Sophie McArthur and Leah
Roberts shinning for the girls team. Best of luck to our boys team in Round 2.
 Munster Handball Success

Double Munster Gold for Kilkishen N.S. Pupils: A remarkable weekend of handball success for Kilkishen
N.S. pupils on Sunday January 28. Doubles partners John MacDonnacha and Cian Donovan were crowned
u/11 Munster Doubles champions defeating Tipperary in the final at Nenagh on Sunday January 28. At
Kilcolman handball alley, Saorsie Frost was also crowned Munster u/11 Singles Handball champion
defeating the Cork representative in the final. Our Munster Champions will now compete in the All-Ireland
series at Croke Park on February 18. Congratulations to Saoirse, Cian and John, club coaches, parents and
everyone involved with their well-deserved success. Everyone at Kilkishen N.S. is extremely proud of your
achievements.

Clare Cumann na mBunscol Medal Winners: Kilkishen N.S. pupils also enjoyed great success at the
Clare Cumann na mBunscol primary handball events held at Clarecastle handball alley on January 22-24.
Gearóid MacDonnacha won silver in the u/11 boys’ competition and Analise Hogan and Evie Lyons
winning silver in the u/11 girls’ doubles event. Well done also to our boys’ u/13 representatives Ruiarí Frost,
Alex Davey and Daragh Donovan as well as our u/13 girls’ competitors Kahlan Kennedy, Erin Kennedy and
Natasha Casey who represented our school so well. The future of handball is very bright with these superb
role models in our school.
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.

Cumann na mBunscol Indoor Hurling and Camogie: During February, our 4th class boys and 4th & 5th
class girls will compete in the Cuman na mBunscol indoor hurling and camogie competitions. Kilkishen
have been grouped with Cratloe N.S., Tulla, N.S. and Kilmurry N.S. in both competitions. The dates and
venues for each blitz will be released later this month. We look forward to competing and having great fun
on both days.

Swimming: Swimming lessons for pupils in 3rd to 6th classes continue throughout February every Tuesday.
Pupils have completed four lessons during January and we look forward to completing our 8 weeks of
swimming lessons on Tuesday February 27.

Catholic Schools Week Jan 21-27: All classes took part in a daily lesson based on this year’s theme
Catholic Schools as Communities of Service. For Catholic Schools Week, lessons contemplate our schools
as communities of service under the following themes: Service in Our Community of Friends, Service in
Our School Community, Service in Our Family Community, Service in Our Local Community, Service in
Our Faith Community. On Friday, pupils in senior classes invited Fr. Donal Dwyer to visit their classroom
and posed questions to Fr. Donal about his life working as a priest. Thank you to Fr. Donal for sharing his
experiences and for helping pupils to celebrate Catholics Schools Week.
Trip to Clare Museum Friday February 2: Pupils in both Senior Infant classes and First Class will travel
to Ennis Museum to enjoy a St. Bridget’s Day workshop with storyteller Ruth Marshall on Friday February
2. Pupils will learn about the life of St. Bridget and engage in some St. Bridget Day activities on the day.
Pupils will depart by bus leaving at 9:25 am and return at approximately 12 noon.

AstroTurf Extension Update:

Astro-Turf Extension Update: The final layers of stone have been laid and all kerbing and fencing has
been installed. Ground works around the extension have been completed and all areas have been made good.
Delivery of synthetic grass has been completed and it will be laid this week by the Premier Pitches team. We
look forward to the facility being completed in the very near future.
After School Club: Glór na nÓg Preschool are seeking expressions of interest for the following services for
the 2024-2025 school year.
 Breakfast Club before school from 8am.
 Collection and supervision of Junior and Senior Infants finishing at 1:40pm until 2:40pm
 Homework Club for all primary pupils from 2:40pm to 5:45pm.

Reminder:
 School is closed Bank Holiday Monday February 5 2024.
 School closes for mid-term on Wednesday February 14 reopens on Monday February 19 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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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