Ms Freeman’s Says Farwell!
After 36 years of dedicated service to Kilmurry NS, we are saying good-bye to Ms. Freeman and we wish her all the best as she moves on to a new stage in her life. Ms Freeman was Deputy Principal and we acknowledge her huge contribution to school and parish over the past 36 years. She witnessed many changes in the school and she had a hugely positive influence on the children of Kilmurry. She showed exceptional kindness to her pupils and her caring nature shone through the school community. We are indebted to Ms. Freeman for the sharing of her talents and gifts so freely with us all. We wish her the very best in her retirement. The school community is working to mark this big step!
Deputy Principal
Ms Freeman’s retirement left a vacancy at Deputy Principal. Following an interview process, the Board of Management has appointed Ms Orla Brady as our Deputy Principal. Orla is a very experienced teacher and school leader. She will be joining us from Crusheen NS where she is currently acting Principal. Orla will teach 5th/6th class.
We would also like to thank Ms Michelle Fogarty who has been acting Deputy Principal in addition to teaching Junior and Senior Infants. Michelle has done a great job promoting and leading many initiatives in the school. We are very grateful for Michelle’s leadership in the school and we look forward to continuing to work with her.
Ms Gleeson
Unfortunately, we will be saying goodbye to Ms Emma Gleeson. Ms Gleeson joined us in 2019 and since then as taught Infants and 5th/6th class. Ms Gleeson has been a hugely valued member of staff and we wish her the very best in the future.
Cash for Clobber
The Parents’ Association have installed a Cash for Clobber collection point in the car park. You can drop your clobber whenever it suits you, rather than having to store your clobber until a collection date.
Parents Association Book Collection
A big thank you our Parents Association for organising the book collection and to all the parents who have donated books. We have had a great response so far. Indeed, we have increased our library so much that we must find new shelves to store all the books!
Hurling Blitz
The boys in 5th and 6th class went to play a hurling blitz in St Flannan’s College, Ennis. Zack, James and Joe tell us more about it:
The bus arrived at 9:15. We were very excited and all the boys got on the bus to get to the hurling pitch in St. Flannan’s School. We sang and chanted on the bus all the way. When we arrived we left our gear in the astro turf and we started to practice for the matches. All the schools got called to the stand and we found out who we would be playing against.
The first match we got a bye into the next round and we were playing the Gaelscoil. We lost, but we weren’t too disappointed because they are in Division 1. We played Kilmaley in our next match and we beat them. We got our lunch and ate it and then we went into the stands to see who got into the quarter final. We got in to the quarter final of the cup against Clarecastle. We gave it our all, but we sadly lost by 2 points. We went back to school proud of ourselves and we got no homework!
By Joe, James and Zack
School Opening Time
A reminder that the school opens at 8.40 am. No formal responsibility can be accepted for pupils arriving before that time. We appreciate that this can be an inconvenience for some parents, but the school must comply with Child Protection and Health and Safety rules.
Camogie Blitz
The girls in 5th and 6th class went to play a hurling blitz in St Flannan’s College, Ennis. Heidi and Darcy tell us more about it:
This year’s camogie tournament started by getting on the bus and getting to Éire Óg safe and sound. Once we got to Éire Óg we met our TY student Seán who guided us through the day and brought us to the dressing rooms. Once we were all settled and had our gear on, Seán took us all to the stand where we met all the other teams. Then we listened to another TY student who told us the fixtures that were happening that day.
Our first match was against Barefield, a massive school who were a tough and skilful team but in the end we unfortunately lost by a goal which was not bad for our first match of the year.
We then had a quick water break and then we had our next match which was against Crusheen. Mr. Clohessy named out the starting team and we went on to win that match.
Then we went on to play Toonagh and our team won quite well. We had fortunately made it to the quarter final for the Cup. We were up against Clarecastle who had won the division 1 Cuman na mBunscoil last year. It was a tough match and we unfortunately lost but only by a point. Our team were really disappointed but then again not so sad because they were a very big school. In the end we were proud we had made it that far!
From Heidi and Darcy.
Camera Phones
Please note that it is not appropriate to take photos/ videos of children engaged in school activities or entering/ leaving the school grounds without the permission of the parents of all children who could appear in the photography/ video.
LunchBag.ie
Thanks to all the parents who responded to our survey on lunch providers ‘LunchBag.ie’. We had hoped to introduce the service this September. However, LunchBag.ie have informed us that they are currently unable to find the staff to expand their service. They hope to have the required staff later in the year. We will keep you updated.
French Classes
Thanks to all the parents who responded to our survey for French Classes. We are currently working to secure a qualified French teacher so we hope to have the classes up and running after January.
Student Council Achievements 2021-22
Last year’s Student Council got lots of work done! These are our highlights:
- We wrote letters to local companies and got sponsorship for a bike shelter
- We helped with ideas for the outdoor classroom
- We bought uni-hockey sticks
- We upgraded the basketball nets
- We helped maintain the yard
- We helped with lots of jobs around the school!
Student Council 2022-23:
Congratulations to the members of our new Student Council who are:
| 3rd Class | 4th Class | 5th Class | 6th Class |
| Jamie | Matthew | Daisy | James |
| Sarah | Elise | Matthew | Mary |
| Larry | |||
| Aishling |
Junior Tidy Towns
Last year’s Junior Tidy Towns received a Bulb for Bees Gáisce Award from President Michael D Higgins. They also did lots of others things:
- Turning on the swift box at the side of the school.
- Taught the different classes about the swifts.
- Learned about the many different types of bees and how important they are
- Put up posters and signs.
- Learned about the butterflies and their habitats.
- Planted flowers all around the school.
- Watering the flowers during the nice weather
This year we will work again with Kilmurry Tidy Towns to learn about the biodiversity around our school. The Junior Tidy Towns committee for this year is:
| 3rd Class | 4th Class | 5th Class | 6th Class |
| Ben | Ewan | Zoey | Sophie |
| Katie | Kate | Noah | Zack |
Intel Mini Scientist
Our Intel Mini Scientist Showcase Day is back after COVID! It will take place on Wednesday 9th November. Parents are very welcome to come and view the children’s projects from 9.15am to 10am.
School Band
Aisling Donnellan (past pupil and now a teacher) will hold school band practice every second Thursday in the school at 4pm. All pupils from 3rd-6th who are interested in participating are welcome. Aisling can be contacted at 085 7690629
Cross Country Running
Well done to all our pupils who took part in Cross Country Running in Lee’s Road and best of luck to those who qualified to take part in the Clare Finals. Anna and Mary tell us more:
On Friday morning Kilmurry N.S went to Lee’s Road for Cross Country Running.
Two teachers Ms. Mc Mahon and Ms. Fogarty came with us.
First, the under 8s girls ran who were Ciara, Freya, Katie and Edel.
Then the under 8 boys ran who were John, Dan, Michael and Rhys.
Next the under 10 girls ran who were Polly, Kate and Molly.
After that the under 10 boys ran who were Harry, Ewan, Robert, and Fionn. Later the over 10 girls ran who were Heidi, Mary, Anna, and Saoirse. Lastly the over 10 boys ran which were Joe, James R, Cater, and Raphael.
The first 12 in each race qualified for the Clare Finals which will be held in November. Those who got through from our school were John, Rhys, Mary, Heidi and Joe. We had a lot of FUN.
Mary and Anna
Car Park
We would ask parents/ guardians to be especially cautious when entering the carpark.
We would also like to remind parents of the car park layout:
- There is a footpath that runs along the fence and school garden to allow children to walk safely from cars to the school door without having to cross in front of traffic
- We appreciate that there may not always be a carparking space available, but if there is please use it and reverse into the space.
- Please do not obstruct the flow of traffic.
- Please do not stop to let children out of cars at the entrance / slope to the carpark
The concern of all is to avoid injury to anybody. Thank you for your ongoing cooperation on the matter
Important Dates:
October Mid-term break: School closed Monday 31st October to Friday 4th November.
Reopens Monday 7th November
Sunday 6th November: Enrolment for 1st Holy Communion pupils at 10am Mass in Kilmurry Church
Sunday 13th November: Enrolment for Confirmation pupils at 10am Mass in Kilmurry Church
Christmas Holidays: School closing on Wednesday 21st December at 12.00 noon. Reopens Thursday 5th January 2023
Thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation. Enjoy the Halloween Break!
Yours sincerely,
_______________________
Kevin Clohessy,
Principal.