December 2015 Newsletter

Dear Parent/Guardian,
I want to bring the following to your attention in this December Newsletter:

School News

Swimming- Pupils from 3rd/4th & 5th/6th will be attending swimming lessons at Ennis Leisureplex
for 6 weeks commencing Tuesday January 12 2016. Pupils will depart Kilkishen N.S. at 10.30
and return for 12.30. Aquatics is part of the primary school curriculum and pupils are expected to
actively participate in the lessons working towards achieving PAWS (Primary Aquatic Water
Safety Certificates) levels 2-4. The cost for the bus and six lessons is 30 which can be paid in
full prior to the lessons or 5 each day swimming takes place. Please ensure your child has
appropriate swimming gear, towel and a swimming hat.
Super Troopers-Pupils have been encouraged to participate in a physical exercise initiative
called Super Troopers. Pupils are logging their daily exercise routine and trying out the fun Super
Trooper exercises to increase pupils activity levels each day. Mr. Walsh is coordinating this
initiative and this will form part of our schools Active Flag application in 2016.
Indoor Hurling and Camogie- The Cumann na mBunscol indoor hurling and camogie
competitions for 4th class boys 5th class girls will take place in January. Kilkishen school will
travel to Cratloe at a date yet be confirmed and participate in these competitions.
Debating Team- The Kilkishen N.S. debating team had a great win over Parteen N.S. in the first
round of the Clare Primary Schools Debating competition at the end of November. In early 2016
Kilkishen will take on another school yet to be confirmed in the quarter finals. Well done to all
involved and Ms. Fawl for coordinating the event and coaching the team.

Building

The Department of Education and Science has accepted an emergency application to replace
furniture around the school. New pupil furniture will replace inadequate furniture throughout the
school in early January.
The school recently purchased and installed 3 state of the art Promethean InterActive
Whiteboards. These boards have touchscreen technology and enable up to 6 pupils work together
at one time. These boards will greatly enhance teaching and learning throughout the school and
will increase motivation and participation levels amongst pupils.
Summer Works Scheme- The school has made an application to replace the existing heating
system under the Departments Summer Works Scheme 2016. Successful applications will be
published in February on www.education.ie Thank you to Ger Moroney, Mike Hogan and Kevin
Frost for their work on completing the schools application.

Meeting with Minister for Education- A delegation from the school met with Minister Jan
OSullivan on Monday December 14. She was presented with a Building Review document and

letter from the Parents Association outlining the schools need for new classrooms and existing
facilities within the school. She has discussed Kilkishens case with Department representatives
and a decision on our building review is expected early in the New Year.

Parent Teacher Meetings

Parent teacher meetings will take place on Monday & Tuesday January 18 & 19. A timetable will be
distributed in early January detailing what exact time you can meet with your pupils teacher. If the
allocated time slot is unworkable, please inform the class teacher as soon as possible and every effort will
be made to find a time that is mutually suitable. Parent teacher meetings are important and provide a good
opportunity to discuss your childs progress to date and plan for the remainder of the school year.

Board of Management 2016-2019

A new Board of Management has been selected for the next four years. The board consists of Fr. Donal
Dwyer-Chairperson, Conor Harrison- Secretary, Michelle Fawl-Teacher Nominee, Paddy RyanCommunity Nominee, Pat OBrien- Patron Nominee, Aidan Moroney- Parents Nominee, Monica
Greaves Parents Nominee. The Boards second community nominee has yet to be selected.
Thank you to the outgoing board and the service they have given the school for the last four years. I look
forward to working with the new board in serving the schools needs for the coming four years.

Commemoration at Glenwood
On Sunday January 17 2016 there is a commemoration to remember the 95th anniversary of the Ambush
at Glenwood. Coordinator of the event Patsy Neville has invited 5th & 6th class pupils from Kilkishen
N.S. participate in the commemoration. Pupils will read sections from the 1916 Proclamation and sing our
national anthem at the event.

Christmas Message
The month of December has been are very special and exciting month for the pupils in Kilkishen N.S.
The teachers and staff have helped pupils prepare for Christmas through a variety of Christmas
celebrations and events. The Christmas Concert, trips to Christmas Plays, and Advent Wreath talk from
Nicole Zimmerman were some of the highlights in the past month.
I would like to thank you all for the great welcome I have received in Kilkishen N.S. and wish everyone a
very happy Christmas. Best wishes for 2016.

Yours sincerely,

Conor Harrison