Scoil Mhuire na Dea Chomhairle Phone 061 367289

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

May 2024 Newsletter

Dear Parents/Guardians,

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

Confirmation Class 2024: A huge congratulations to our 6th class pupils that celebrated their Confirmation
on Saturday April 20. Thank you to Bishop Fintan Monaghan and Fr. Donal Dwyer for a beautiful ceremony
based on the themes of Faith, Hope and Love. Thank you also to class teacher Ms. Eilís Whitney and
everyone that helped in the lead up to the ceremony and on the day itself.
First Holy Communion Class 2024: On Saturday May 4 at Kilkishen church, our Second Class pupils
received their First Holy Communion. On a beautiful day, the boys and girls of Second Class were part of a
wonderful ceremony which involved our fantastic school choir and band. Thank you to all that helped make
this such a special day. The Parents Association Committee held a lovely reception for pupils, families and
friends after the mass. Thank you to all that helped out and a special word of appreciation to Noni Donnellan
for donating a beautiful communion cake which was enjoyed by all.

Bike Week 2024: On Tuesday May 14, pupils gathered at Kilkishen G.A.A. Clubhouse and celebrated Bike
Week with a group cycle to school. Well done to all pupils that took part and thank you to Mike Hogan and
parents that also took part ensuring everyone arrived safely at school. Further group cycles are planned
throughout Bike Week and we encourage anyone that can to take part.
Cumann na mBunscol Hurling and Camogie: The senior boys and girls continue to play group matches in
the Cumann na mBunscol Divison 3 and Division 1 primary school competitions throughout the month of
May. This week our boys played Ogonelloe in Kilkishen on May 14 and recorded a very hard fought win
against a very strong side. Well done to all the boys who played their hearts out to earn a narrow victory.
Our girls’ team play Gaelscoil Mhícheal Inis on Thursday May 16 at 11am.

Agree to Agree Project: Kilkishen N.S. are one of 10 primary schools in Co. Clare taking part in a project
called "Agree to Agree" run by Clare Education Centre and guided by Dr. Maureen Griffin, Forensic
Psychologist, which is aiming to enhance the digital well-being of school communities. The project guides
school communities through a collaborative process aimed at implementing positive change, fostering
agreement and understanding among school stakeholders in order to establish a new norm for children’s use
of internet enabled devices. Thank you to all parents that provided feedback on this topic and responded to
the online survey compiled by our PAC. A draft Internet Usage Agreement is now under review by staff
which will then proceed to our PAC for consideration and feedback. The two areas of focus for next year are
The Age of First Device and Social Media and Communication Apps. The new voluntary Internet Use
Agreement will be in place for the new school year starting September 2024.
Students Council Bake Sale: Our Annual Bake Sale organized by our Students Council will take place this
Friday May 17. The money raised will go towards paying for the buses for each class school tour.
Donations and support are greatly appreciated.

Astro-Turf Extension Update: The Astro-Turf extension is now fully completed. We are delighted to have
the new facility open and operating which will be a fantastic resource for our school and community for
years to come. A sincere Thank You to everyone that supported this project and for your patience since
construction started last August. Bookings can be made by contacting Kilkishen Development CLG member
and bookings coordinator Mike Hogan. A big Thank You to Richard Maxted for his time in creating this
beautiful video capturing the finished project which can be seen at the following link:
https://vimeo.com/936331700
Sports Capital Grant 2023 Application: An application to secure funding under the Sports Capital Grant
2023 scheme was submitted in September 2023. The school was informed that decisions on all capital
project applications are due by the end of May 2024. Phase 3 of our sports development aims to install LED
lighting to our new and extended Astro-Turf pitch and Ball Wall facility, as well as developing our
remaining school field in to a juvenile grass playing pitch with new drainage, running lanes and upgrade
works.

Senior School Soccer League Finals Day: Congratulations to England our School Cup Champions for
2024. A great final against Italy was enjoyed by the whole school and special guests Mark O'Malley,
Kilkishen Celtic underage coach, and Dennis Hynes, Clare Schools FAI coach. Curtain raiser to the Cup
final saw Ireland crowned Shield champions, Portugal winning the 3rd Place Play-Off and Spain winning
the 4th Place match. Congratulations to all 8 teams and 53 pupils that took part.

Social Personal Health Education (S.P.H.E.) Stay Safe Programme: From Wednesday April 17 and
continuing throughout May, all pupils will be carrying out Stay Safe lessons which aim to teach pupils
personal safety skills so they can look after themselves in situations which could be upsetting or dangerous.
The program deals with common situations which most children will experience at some stage or other and
emphasises the importance of telling a trusted adult about any problems they have. Your child may bring
home worksheets which will inform you on the topics being covered in class. You can familiarise yourself
with the content of these lessons at www.staysafe.ie/teachers/resources.htm. Senior pupils will carry out
lessons dealing with topics such as online safety and cyber bullying.
Summer Camp: Glór na nÓg Preschool are seeking expressions of interest to operate a Junior and Senior
Infant Summer Camp from July 8-11 2024. The deadline to register your interest is Friday May 17.

Daily Mile Marathon Challenge: The Daily Mile is a school initiative which aims to improve the physical,
social, emotional and mental health and wellbeing of our children – regardless of age, ability or personal
circumstances. From Friday April 12 every child at Kilkishen N.S. has had the opportunity to run, jog or
walk for 15 minutes each day to complete 1 mile which is just over 8 laps of our Astro Turf pitch. The
challenge takes place over 26 school days finishing on Friday May 24 which will see all pupils complete a
marathon distance of 26 miles. The reported benefits of the Daily Mile initiative include:

It takes place in 15 minutes, with most children averaging a mile, or more, each day.

Children run outside in the fresh air – and the weather is a benefit, not a barrier.

Children run in their uniforms so no kit or changing time is needed.

It’s social, non-competitive and fun.

The children return to class ready to learn.

It helps to improve fitness.

It encourages children to be aware of their health.

Batteries for Barretstown: ‘Batteries for Barretstown,’ aimed at increasing awareness of battery recycling
and raising much-needed funds for Barretstown. There is a collection point here in Kilkishen National
School where you can recycle your used batteries. It is located inside the entrance door beside the Réaltaí
Reatha classroom. Please help us to support this fantastic cause.

Important Dates in Term 3:

 Students Council Bake Sale Friday May 17.
 School closed to facilitate voting on Friday June 7.
 School closed Friday May 31 and Bank Holiday Monday June 3.
 4th-6th classes school tour to Tralee on Wednesday June 19. Junior Infants-First Class tour to Turoe
Pet Farm on Thursday June 20. Second and Third Class Tour Tuesday June 25.
 School Sports Day Friday June 21.
 6th Class graduation and sports day award ceremony on Monday June 24 at G.A.A. clubhouse
starting at 10am.
 School year finishes at 12 noon on Friday June 28.
The School Calendar for 2024-2025 has been released. Pupils return on Thursday August 29 2024. School
will be closed Thursday and Friday May 29 & 30 2025. School finishes on Wednesday June 25 2025.

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
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
 Kilkishen N.S. Calendar 2024-2025
2024-25 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
2 days
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

21 days
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
19 days
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
20 days
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
15 Days
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
20 Days
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
February
17 Days
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
20 Days
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
12 Days
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
19 Days
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
17 Days
Total 182 days WEEKENDS CLOSURES BANK HOLIDAYS SCHOOL OPEN STAFF RETURN ½ DAY