KILGARRIFFE NATIONAL SCHOOL WEEKLY NEWSLETTER​
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Week 17 (16/01/25)
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Welcome Back
Happy New Year to everyone and welcome back. Thank you to everyone for all their patience & understanding with the difficult weather disruptions we had on re-opening school last week.
Welcome
Welcome to Ida who has joined 5th Class this term and hope everyone helps her settle quickly into our school community & her family into the Clonakilty area.
Credit Union Quiz
The Annual Primary Schools Credit Union Quiz takes place on Sunday 9th Feb’25 at Ahamilla Sports Centre from 3-4:30pm. All the children from 2nd to 6th Class have taken part in practice quizzes this week & 2 teams (under 11s and under 13s) are being chosen to represent our school.
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‘Waste Not, Want Not’ Workshop
Next Monday 20th Jan (Infants – 3rd Class) & Thurs 23rdJan (4th – 6th Class), chef Gillian Hegarty will be coming into our school, to do a programme with the children on the topic of food appreciation & reducing food waste. This will include an overview of food waste reduction with topics like packing own school lunch, making own snacks, using left over food & demonstrating a few recipes. This is part of a new food waste reduction initiative ‘Waste Not, Want Not’ in Clonakilty town.
Kilgarriffe NS Enrolment 2025
Enrolment is open in our school for new pupils wishing to start next Sept’25.
Please spread the word to any friends, family, neighbours, etc. who may be interested in enrolling a child in our school for next September, especially those for Junior Infants.
Kilgarriffe NS Open Day
We are planning an ‘Open Day’ on Tuesday 28th January ’25 for any prospective pupils and their parents. Families who are interested in enrolling a child for next September or in coming years are most welcome to come and visit between 10am and 3pm that day.
Parent Teacher Meetings
Parent teacher meetings will take place in the week of Mon 24th to Fri 28th Feb‘25. Parents will be able to book a meeting slot in advance via Aladdin.
Dates to Remember
St. Brigid’s February Bank Holiday weekend: School Closed Mon 3rd February’25
February Midterm: School closed Mon 17th – Fri 21st February’25
Parent/ Teacher meetings: Mon 24th to Fri 28th Feb’25
Gaeilge sa Bhaile This week’s phrase is: Cad is ainm duit? ............... is ainm dom.
(What is your name? ............... is my name.
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Week 15 (19/12/24)
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Hoodwinked Performance
Congratulations to every one of the ‘Hoodwinked’ cast for a fabulous performance yesterday in the Parochial Hall. You were all brilliant. Many thanks too, to all the parents who helped at home with practice & costumes, helped yesterday in the hall with face painting, refreshments, baking, raffle, tidy up, etc. ….you are all much appreciated. Thanks also to Dean Cliff & Rev. Kingsley for helping hang the set, providing & working the sound system & making sure it all worked perfectly for our performance.
Raffle Prizes
Thank you to Shana & Heather for collecting & organising all the wonderful Raffle prizes yesterday. Huge thanks too, to all the families & local businesses for donating all these fab prizes.
Outdoor Classroom
Well done to Sheila & the BOM for finding, purchasing & organising delivery last weekend of our new ‘outdoor classroom boat’. Big thanks to Clive & Trevor
for preparing the site for its arrival & ensuring it’s now anchored securely in its new ‘safe harbour’.
Thank you also to several parents, who gave up some of their Sunday, to begin some renovation that’s needed, before we can allow the children access to it.
Christmas Holidays
Tomorrow Fri 20th Dec, school closes at 12 noon for the Christmas Holidays. No uniform is required & Christmas/ bright jumpers & hats are welcomed.
Wishing all a ‘Happy Christmas’ & school reopens on Monday 6th January’25.
Gaeilge at home
This week’s phrase is ‘Nollaig Shona duit’ (Happy Christmas to you).
Community Events
Christmas Market stalls outside O’Donovan’s Hotel, Clonakilty Sat 21st Dec’24
School Dates to Remember
Christmas Holidays: Half day Fri 20th Dec’24. Collection at 12 noon please.
School reopens: Mon 6th Jan’25
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Week 14 (11/12/24)
School Play Costumes
Costume needs for all the different parts have been posted on Aladdin, Parent’s What’s Ap group & Newsletter last week for all to view. Please can we have all costumes, in a named bag by tomorrow Thursday 12th Dec. Full Dress rehearsal in hall on Fri 13th Dec’24.
School Play Hall Practice
This Friday 13th Dec'24 we will have another practice day & dress rehearsal for our school play ‘Hoodwinked’ in the Parochial Hall Clonakilty (eircode P85 XC64). The children are to be dropped & collected from this hall at usual school times, instead of at school. School buses will deliver & collect from the hall.
Raffle Prizes
If any families would like to donate a Raffle prize for our big Raffle on the day of our ‘Hoodwinked’ performance, please send in to the school office. The proceeds of this Raffle helps to cover the costs of props, costumes, sets, etc. for our performance. Thank you in advance.
Hoodwinked Performance
The children will perform ‘Hoodwinked’ on stage for all our families to attend at 12 noon on Wednesday 18th Dec’24 in the Parochial Hall Clonakilty. All parents, siblings, other family members & friends are welcome to attend. The children are to be brought to the hall between 9-9:30am to prepare for their show. Audience welcome to arrive at 11:30am for refreshments before performance starts at 12 noon.
Children go home after performance at about 1:30-2pm. School bus will take children to the hall in the morning but there will be NO SCHOOL BUS after the performance.
Help required
School staff will require some helpers on the day of our Hoodwinked Drama performance with the following:
Supply some baked goods to serve with refreshments
Face painting 10-11:30am
Setting up & serving refreshments (10:30-12noon)
Selling raffle tickets (11:30am)
Wash up after refreshments/ performance (1:30-2pm)
Tidy up of hall after performance (1:30-2pm)
If you are free & willing to help with any of the above, please let staff know on school mobile 083 0658096. Thank you all & hope everyone enjoys this event.
Lisavaird Co-op Art Competition
Congratulations to Xavi La Trobe Hogan (Sen Infants), Aela Graham Hughes (1st Class) & Ada Marks (3rd Class) for all winning their class sections in this Art Competition. Our school also won one of the two school laptops that Lisavaird sponsor. Well done to all involved.
Christmas Songs at Bushmount
Thank you to all the children from the Junior & Middle classrooms who sang well along with Rev. Kingsley on his guitar, for the elderly residents of Bushmount at their Christmas party today.
Nasal Flu Vaccines
Nasal Flu vaccines will be administered to all pupils whose parents/guardians have requested them, during the school day next Monday 16th Dec’24.
Gaeilge at home
To help the children to increase their daily use of the ‘Irish language’ (Gaeilge) we are concentrating on one phrase every week. It would be great if these phrases could be used regularly at home too. This week’s phrase is ‘Go raibh maith agat’ (thank you).
Community Events
Christmas Market stalls outside O’Donovan’s Hotel, Clonakilty Sat 14th & 21st Dec’24
School Dates to Remember
Hoodwinked Musical: 12 noon on Wednesday 18thDec’24 in Parochial Hall, Clonakilty.
Christmas Holidays: Half day Fri 20th Dec’24. School reopens Mon 6th Jan’25
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Week 13 (05/12/24)​
ExtraOrdinary Prayer Event
Today all pupils from the middle & Senior classrooms visit the ExtraOrdinary Prayer Event in the Parochial Hall as part of their RE programme. We hope all enjoy this special visit.
School Play Costumes
Costume needs for all the different parts have been posted on Aladdin & below here for all to view. Please can we have all costumes, in school in a bag named with your child’s name, as soon as possible. Dress rehearsal Fri 13th Dec’24.
Robin Hood: Green/brown leggings and top, long green knee socks (hats and cloak provided)
Marion: Medieval style flowing dress – see pic in parents’ WhatsApp
Sheriff: Black base layer, silver armour – see pics sent for ideas
Deputy: Black base layer, silver armour
Narrator: Colourful costume e.g. pantaloons, knee socks, colourful shirt (he is a travelling storyteller) King Richard: Black base layer (cloak and crown provided), brown habit/cloak needed for disguise as friar
Merry Men: (inc Will Scarlett & Little John) Green/brown leggings and top, long green knee socks. belts (hats and cloak provided)
Villagers: Black base layer (smocks provided) Friars (inc Friar Tuck) Black or brown base layer (habits provided)
Lord: Black base layer (cloak provided)
Lady: Medieval style dress (similar to maid Marion’s ladies) see pic in parents’ WhatsApp
Servant: Black base layer (tunic provided)
Jester: Black base layer (cloak and hat provided)
Guards: Tunics needed – see pic sent Announcer Long colourful coat/cloak for over base layer
Town Criers: Town crier hat
Animals: Woodland animal costumes
School Play Hall Practices
Next week we will have 2 days when the children will be practicing their school play ‘Hoodwinked’ on stage in the Parochial Hall Clonakilty (eircode P85 XC64). The children are to be dropped & collected from this hall at usual times, instead of school on Wednesday 11th & Friday 13th Dec’24. School buses will deliver & collect from hall.
Christmas Songs at Bushmount
Next Wednesday 11th Dec’24 the children from the Junior & Middle classrooms will be singing Christmas songs, accompanied by Rev. Kingsley on guitar, to the elderly residents of Bushmount at their Christmas party. Please can each child bring a Christmas hat & their coat to school that day. We will walk over & back to Bushmount Nursing home from the Parochial Hall that day.
Raffle Prizes
Raffle prizes are needed for our big Raffle in the hall on the day of our ‘Hoodwinked’ performance. If anyone would like to donate a prize (voucher, chocolates, flowers, plants, beauty products, candles etc.), please send into school to class teachers, marked ‘Raffle’. The proceeds of this Raffle helps to cover the costs of props, costumes, sets, etc. for our performance. Thank you in advance.
Christmas Cards
Orders sent & will be distributed as soon as they return from printers.
Food Dudes
Gold awards will be presented to many at assembly on Friday. Well done to everyone who’s keeping up the great fruit & veg eating.
Gaeilge at home
To help the children to increase their daily use of the ‘Irish language’ (Gaeilge) we are concentrating on one phrase every week. It would be great if these phrases could be used regularly at home too. This week’s phrase is ‘Oscail an doras’ (open the door).
Community Events
ExtraOrdinary Prayer event: Open to all the public, come & experience at the Parochial Hall (P85 XC64) 4th Dec 12 noon to 9pm, Thurs 5th Dec 9am to 9pm & Fri 6th Dec 9am to 2pm.
Kilmalooda Nativity: takes place on Sun 8th Dec’24 at 11am in Kilmalooda Church (P85 RD28). The next rehearsal is on Sat 7th Dec in Kilmalooda Church (eircode P85 RD28). All welcome to come along.
Christmas Market outside O’Donovan’s Hotel, Clonakilty Sat 14th & 21st Dec’24
School Dates to Remember
Hoodwinked Musical: 12 noon on Wednesday 18thDec’24 in Parochial Hall, Clonakilty.
Christmas Holidays: Half day Fri 20th Dec’24. School reopens Mon 6th Jan’25
Week 12 (28/11/24)
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Christmas Cards
Orders sent & will be distributed as soon as they return from printers.
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Food Dudes
Daily portions of fruit & Veg in lunch boxes to continue. Well done to all for the great efforts.
School Play
Hoodwinked school play practices continue each day. Costume needs will be shared soon. Assistance with practice of lines at home too, would be greatly appreciated.
Active Flag
‘Active Busy Breaks’ initiative for the next 3 weeks continues.
Leap Scarecrow Art Competition
Congratulations to Sebastian (Jun Infants) who recently won a prize for his lovely picture entered in the Leap Scarecrow Art Competition. Well done Sebi.
Gaeilge at home
To help the children to increase their daily use of the ‘Irish language’ (Gaeilge) we are concentrating on one phrase every week. It would be great if these phrases could be used regularly at home too. This week’s phrase is ‘Dún an doras’ (close the door).
Raffle Prizes
Raffle prizes are needed for our big Raffle in the hall on the day of our ‘Hoodwinked’ performance. If anyone would like to donate a prize (voucher, chocolates, flowers, plants, beauty products, candles etc.), please send into school to class teachers, marked ‘Raffle’. The proceeds of this Raffle helps to cover the costs of props, costumes, sets, etc. for our performance. Thank you in advance.
Community Events
Kilgarriffe Parish Christmas Fayre: Sat 30th Nov’24 in the Parochial Hall from 2:30pm. Flyers in school bags.
Kilmalooda Nativity: takes place on Sun 8th Dec’24 at 11am in Kilmalooda Church (P85 RD28). The next rehearsal is on Sat 7th Dec in Kilmalooda Church (eircode P85 RD28). All welcome to come along.
School Dates to Remember
Hoodwinked Musical: 12 noon on Wednesday 18thDec’24 in Parochial Hall, Clonakilty.
Christmas Holidays: Half day Fri 20th Dec’24. School reopens Mon 6th Jan’25
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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Week 11 (21/11/24)
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​Christmas Cards
Last orders for the Christmas cards that the children individually designed, is tomorrow Friday 22nd Nov’24, so we can get orders sent & delivered back well before Christmas. If you would like to order packs of 10 cost €8 per pack.
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Matilda Musical
All children from 2nd to 6th Class attend a performance of the musical ‘Matilda’ presented by the Sacred Heart Secondary School, during the school today. An excellent production, enjoyed by all & the walk there & back in the snow made it all the more festive!
Festive Bake-off
The Senior room had a festive bake-off on Wednesday & produced some amazing & tasty baking creations. Well done all.
Lisavaird Christmas Art Competition
Good luck to everyone who has completed their Christmas picture for the annual Lisavaird Art Competition which were submitted today.
Flu Vaccine Forms
Please can the Flu Vaccine forms distributed last week, be returned ASAP. Please return form, whether you want your child to be vaccinated or not. Thanks.
Food Dudes
Lots of children receiving ‘Silver Certificates’ this week for all their fruit & veg efforts. Well done & keep up the great healthy eating.
School Play
Hoodwinked school play practices continue each day. All children now have their parts, lines in script and songs to learn. Assistance with practice at home too, would be greatly appreciated.
Christmas Annuals
Christmas activity Annuals have been distributed this week to all who ordered them.
Active Flag
‘Active Busy Breaks’ initiative for the next 4 weeks has started. First active flag committee meeting next week.
Kilmalooda Nativity
Kilmalooda Children’s Nativity takes place on Sun 8th Dec’24 at 11am in Kilmalooda Church (P85 RD28). We’d love as many children as possible to feel free to join in. The first rehearsal is this Sunday 24th Nov’24 3-4pm in the Parochial Hall, Clonakilty. The following rehearsal will be on Sat 7th Dec in Kilmalooda Church (eircode P85 RD28). There will be a few speaking roles but many just involve being in the Nativity as an angel, sheep, etc. All welcome to come along.
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Community Events
Kilgarriffe Parish Christmas Fayre: Sat 30th Nov’24 at 2.30pm in the Parochial Hall Eircode P85 XC64.
Kilmalooda Nativity: Sunday 8th Dec’24 at 11am Kilmalooda Church P85 RD28
Dates to Remember
Hoodwinked Musical:12 noon on Wednesday 18thDec’24 in Parochial Hall, Clonakilty.
Christmas Holidays: Half day Fri 20th Dec’24. School reopens Mon 6th Jan’25​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Week 10 (14/11/24)
​Primary Science Week
Primary science in progress this week. All classes are having extra Science time this week with lots of budding scientists exploring and performing lots of different experiments. Well done everyone.
Team Hope Shoe Boxes
Last day for Team Hope Shoeboxes is tomorrow Friday 15th November. Many thanks to all who have donated to this worthy charity. Great number of shoeboxes now in school ready for collection.
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Type Onesie Day
Tomorrow Friday 15th Nov’24 all classes are invited to wear their favourite ‘onesies’ or any warm pyjamas to school for the day. This fun day is to support Evie and lots of other children living with type 1 diabetes. As we all have fun in our PJ’s in school tomorrow a small donation to this CUH Charity would be much appreciated.
Food Dudes
The ‘Food Dudes’ programme continues as each child is encouraged to bring in a fruit and veg portion each day as part of their snack and lunch in their new lunchbox, working towards their Bronze, Silver & Gold certificates. Well done all, great fruit & veg in school this week, keep up the huge effort.
School Play
Hoodwinked school play practices continue each day. All middle & senior classroom children should now have their parts, lines in script and songs to learn. Assistance with practice at home too, would be greatly appreciated.
Christmas Cards
The Christmas cards that the children individually designed have arrived & a sample of each child’s unique card is in their schoolbags. This sample can now be kept. If Parents/guardians would like to buy packs of 10 of your child’s own Christmas card, please complete the order form & return to school with payment by next Friday 22nd Nov’24, so orders can be placed quickly and everyone will have them back in plenty of time before Christmas.
Christmas Annuals
Christmas activity Annuals have now been ordered & will be distributed as soon as they arrive.
Active Flag
Certificates have arrived from our ‘Step into Autumn’ walking challenge, for each classroom for the distances walked overall during the 5 weeks. These will be presented in assembly tomorrow Friday. Well done everyone. Next week we will start an ‘Active Busy Breaks’ initiative for the next 4 weeks.
Matilda Musical
Next Thursday 21st November’24 all children from 2nd to 6th Class have been invited to attend a performance of the musical ‘Matilda’ presented by the Sacred Heart Secondary School, during the school day. Please ensure that your child has a coat in school that day as we will be walking there & back. Each child will need to bring in €5 for this event. Thank you.​
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​​​​​​​​Week 9 (06/11/24)
Food Dudes
The ‘Food Dudes’ programme continues as each child is encouraged to bring in a fruit
and veg portion each day as part of their snack and lunch in their new lunchbox.
School Play
Our whole school play this year is ‘Hoodwinked’ a version of Robin Hood. Parts &
scripts are being worked on and all should have their lines to learn by the end of this
week, as we all continue to learn the many songs at the moment. Whole school
performance will take place on stage in the Parochial Hall on Wed 18th Dec’24 for all
to come and see.
Pumpkin Patch School Fundraiser
During midterm on Sunday 27th Oct’24 The Pumpkin Patch Fundraiser took place at
Carolyn & Clive’s Farm and was greatly enjoyed by many. Many thanks to Carolyn for
coming up with the idea and to everyone who helped before and on the day itself,
raising an amazing €1,800 for our School. Well done to everyone involved.
Team Hope Shoe Boxes
All children received a leaflet about the Team Hope ‘Shoe Boxes’ appeal before
midterm. If there are any more completed shoeboxes, please can they be sent into
school as soon as possible, as they will be collected by the volunteer organisers soon.
Primary Science Week
Primary science week is next week. All classes will have extra Science related lessons
and they may get a chance to be ‘the scientist’ themselves!!
Type Onesie Day
Next Friday 15th Nov’24 all classes are invited to wear their favourite ‘onesies’ or any
warm pyjamas to school for the day. This fun day is to help the CUH Charity
introduce a new educational programme & fund raising initiative designed to help
raise awareness about children living with Type 1 diabetes.
Christmas Cards
Once again this year, the children have designing their own individual Christmas card
and these have been sent away to be printed professionally. When they return, each
child will receive a sample of their unique card today, which they may keep.
Parents/guardians will have an opportunity to buy packs of 10 of your child’s own
Christmas card if they wish.
Christmas Annuals
Christmas activity Annuals from educate.ie are now available to order for €2.50 each.
Order forms were distributed today & are in homework pack. If you wish to order,
please complete the order form & attach correct money (€2.50 each), before
returning to your child’s class teacher by next Monday 11th November
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Week 8 (23/10/24)
Halloween Dress Up
Tomorrow Fri 25th Oct the children (and staff) are invited to dress in ‘Halloween Costume’ for the day. Costumes are to be age appropriate please (not too scary!) and we will be organising Halloween Fun and Games for them all to enjoy.
Children may bring in a small amount of treats to share with their class.
Hope Foundation Collection
Yesterday India Hurley (past pupil) visited our school and talked to all classes about her future visit to India later this year with the ‘Hope Foundation’ during her secondary school transition year programme. As part of this visit she must fundraise some money for the ‘Hope Foundation’ to help the poorer children there.
As part of our Halloween Dress-up day tomorrow please could each child donate €2 or a family donation towards the ‘Hope Foundation’. Thank You.
India will be back to visit after her travels, to show everyone lots of photos of the places & people she encountered on her visit.
Food Dudes
All classes have had lots of fruit and veg this week from the ‘Food Dudes’.
Everyone will be provided with a special little fruit & veg lunchbox tomorrow. This is for stage 2 of the programme, starting after midterm, when each child is encouraged to bring in a fruit and veg portion each day as part of their lunch.
Parent Annual Contribution towards Extra Activities
Many thanks to all those who have already contributed.
School Play
Our whole school play this year is ‘Hoodwinked’ a version of Robin Hood. Larger parts & scripts will be issued tomorrow before midterm to give time for script familiarity. We are hoping to have our performance on stage on Wed 18th Dec’24 for all in the Parochial Hall.
Active Flag
Active Flag Slogan was chosen by all children this week and the winner was
‘Body Movement and Brain Improvement’.
The Active Flag committee this year are: Leah & Rebecca (6th Class), Eduard & Ruadhán (5th Class), Maya (4th Class), Ada (3rd Class), Lucy (2nd Class) and Luke (1st Class).
Pumpkin Patch School Fundraiser
On Sunday 27th Oct’24 from 2-5:30pm (booking essential) https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/pumpkin-patch-school-fundraiser-tickets-1039074879937?aff=oddtcreator.
Thank you to all who are helping Carolyn & Clive & to those who have booked & passed on information to friends & family.
Have a great day everyone.
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Credit Union Art Competition
Lots of lovely art entries submitted this week for the Credit Union Art Competition ‘The Joys of Life’. Good luck to all those entered.
Team Hope Shoe Boxes
Flyers distributed to all children (check school bags) about the Team Hope ‘Shoe Boxes’ appeal. If you’d like to put together a ‘Shoe box’ with your children over midterm, please follow the guidelines on the flyer & return filled ‘Shoebox’ to school after midterm. Thank you.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Leah & Hannah Buttimer who were part of the Ballinascarthy U13 Camogie team who won their Shield Final v Enniskeane last Saturday. Well done to all
Mid Term Break
Reminder School is closed next week for midterm break and reopens Monday 4th Nov’24.
Happy Halloween Everyone!
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