KILGARRIFFE NATIONAL SCHOOL WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Week 6 (10/10/24)
School Coffee Afternoon
Thank you everyone to helped with our coffee afternoon last Fri 4th Oct’24 in aid of Marymount Hospice, as well as those who kindly supplied lots of baked goodies, supported the event and helped with the tidy up. Well done everyone and a total of €424.30 was raised.
Primary School Diocesan Service
Today Thursday 10th Oct, the Senior Classroom will attend the Annual Primary School Diocesan Service in St. Peter’s Cathedral in Bandon at 11:30am, let by Bishop Paul Colton. They will travel there & back by minibus.
New School Secretary
Welcome to our new secretary Heather Wilson, who will be helping out in our school office on Thursday mornings. We hope to get the Department of Education to increase these hours so that we’ll have Heathers help more often.
Food Dudes
Food Dudes continues for Infants & 1st Class next week. They have received a lovely selection of different fruit & veg this week along with some fun stickers & little prizes to encourage them to try some new fruits & veg or taste a little more than they would usually do. These fruit & veg will be repeated again next week, as repeated tastings have proved to have a positive effect in encouraging reluctant eaters to eat a greater variety of fruit & veg.
2nd to 6th class will receive 5 days of fruit & veg from the 21st Oct’24 to help maintain the healthy habits they should already have from prior participation. They will also receive some rewards along that week.
Annual Contribution towards Extra Activities
Extras activities, art supplies & personal accident fees of €60 per pupil are due to be paid by midterm break at the end of October’24 please. Reminder that this fee needs to be paid before your child is officially covered by the 24 hour personal accident insurance. Thank you to those who have already contributed.
Step into Autumn
Step into Autumn has commenced. This is a 10 minute active walking break every day for all classes until midterm break.
Tag Rugby
On Friday mornings (weather permitting) we will have some more Tag Rugby lessons for 1st-6th Class. Thank you to Clonakilty Rugby Club for these.
Pumpkin Patch School Fundraiser
On Sunday 27th Oct’24 from 2-5:30pm Carolyn & Clive Buttimer are kindly organising a Pumpkin Patch Fundraiser for our school at their farm and home. Full details on Parent’s Whats Ap and link to book your time slot: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/pumpkin-patch-school-fundraiser-tickets-1039074879937?aff=oddtcreator
Please pass on information & link to other families you know, all welcome.
Community Events
Clonakilty Community College Open evening
Clonakilty Community College will hold its annual open evening next Thursday 17th October’24 from 5:30pm to 8pm for any 5th & 6th class pupils & their parents. Further information available on this link: https://clonakiltycc.ie/open-october-17th-5-30-8pm/
Youth 5-a-side Soccer Tournament
Youth 5-a-side Soccer Tournament on Sat 2nd Nov’24 in Bandon Grammar School Sports Hall from 2-6pm for all 6th Class & secondary school students. Pizza, snacks, games & soccer for €5.
If you wish to attend contact Hilda ASAP on email: dyo@corkchurchofireland.com to reserve your space & a booking form will be sent to you.
Week 5 (03/10/24)
Maths Curriculum Day (No School)
School is closed today Thurs 3rd Oct’24 for all children. New Maths Curriculum training day for teachers in Dunmanway.
School Coffee Afternoon
Tomorrow Fri 4th Oct’24 from2-3pm, we will hold our school coffee/tea afternoon in the Junior classroom. This is a small fundraiser for Marymount Hospice & a perfect opportunity for new & not so new parents to meet together over a nice cup of Bewley’s coffee/tea. All welcome.
Tag Rugby
On Friday mornings (weather permitting) we will have some more Tag Rugby lessons for 1st-6th Class. Thank you to Clonakilty Rugby Club for these.
Active Flag
We are working towards achieving our ‘Active Flag’ this year. All classes took part in an ‘Athletics Relay Takeover’ activity last week. This week we start ‘Step into Autumn’. This is a 10 mins active walking break everyday for all classes. Next week we will start forming an ‘Active Flag Committee’ with representatives from different classes & some staff members.
We will also work together to create our ‘Active Flag Slogan’.
Food Dudes
Phase 1 of Food Dudes starts for Infants & 1st class tomorrow Fri 4th Oct’24. They will receive a portion of fruit & veg each day now for 16 consecutive days, along with some stickers & prizes to encourage them to try new fruits & veg or eat a little more than they would usually do.
2nd to 6th class will receive 5 days of fruit & veg from the 21st Oct’24 to help maintain the healthy habits they should already have from prior participation. They will also receive some rewards along that week.
Healthy Lunchboxes
Reminder that all children should have healthy food in their lunchboxes.
One treat is allowed on FRIDAYS.
Primary School Diocesan Service
Next Thursday 10th Oct the Senior Classroom will attend the Annual Primary School Diocesan Service in St. Peter’s Cathedral in Bandon at 11:30am, let by Bishop Paul Colton. They will travel there & back by minibus.
Full clean uniform please as we represent our school.
Thank you
Many thanks to Carolyn who kindly spent last Saturday repainting the white lines on our school yard. Great job & thank you again.
Annual Contribution towards Extra Activities
Extras activities, art supplies & personal accident fees of €60 per pupil are due to be paid by midterm break at the end of October’24 please. Thank you to those who have already contributed.
School Uniform Sweatshirts
We still have lots of school jumpers coming into school unnamed or with the incorrect names on them! Please could you ensure that all your children’s school sweatshirts are CLEARLY NAMED.
Week 4 (26/09/24)
Tag Rugby Blitz
Primary School Tag Rugby Blitz at Clonakilty Rugby Club was held today Thursday 26th Sept’24 for all children in 2nd to 6th Class. All children participated very well and had a fun day with plenty of exercise.
School Coffee Afternoon
Unfortunately, we must post phone our coffee afternoon in school tomorrow Fri 27th Sept’24 due to a lot of staff & pupil illness this week. We hope to hold this next Fri 4th Oct’24 from 2-3pm. This is a small fundraiser for Marymount Hospice & a perfect opportunity for new & not so new parents to meet together over a nice cup of Bewley’s coffee/tea. All welcome.
Maths Curriculum Day (No School)
Reminder that our school is closed next Thurs 3rd Oct’24 as all teachers will be attending a New Maths Curriculum training day in Dunmanway.
GAA Football
GAA football lessons with Conan restarted last Monday 23rd Sept for all classes & will continue every Monday (weather permitting) for this term.
New Pupils
Welcome to our new pupils Rami (Jun Infants) and Kamilia (3rd Class) and I’m sure you will all help to make them feel welcome and part of our school community.
National SNA Appreciation Day
A very special ‘thank you’ to our SNA’s Joyce & Tina for all that they do to help us all.
Nothing is ever too much for them. A huge thank you from us all.
European Sports Day
Tomorrow is European Sports Day & as part of our work towards achieving our ‘Active Flag’ all classes will take part in an ‘Athletics Relay Takeover’ activity to celebrate the amazing achievements our Irish relay runners achieved in getting to the Olympics finals during the Summer & to participate in relays themselves.
Food Dudes
As part of our ‘Healthy Eating’ policy we will once again take part in the ‘Food Dudes’ programme from next week. Phase 1 starts with Infants & 1st class. They will receive a portion of fruit & veg each day for 16 consecutive days, along with some stickers & prizes to encourage them to try new fruits & veg or eat a little more than they would usually do.
2nd to 6th class will receive 5 days of fruit & veg from the 14th Oct’24 to help maintain the healthy habits they should already have from prior participation. They will also receive some rewards along that week. Letter in school bags re Food Dudes.
Annual Contribution towards Extra Activities
Extras activities, art supplies & personal accident fees of €60 per pupil are due to be paid by midterm break at the end of October’24 please. Thank you to those who have already contributed.
School Uniform Sweatshirts
Please could you ensure that all your children’s school sweatshirts are CLEARLY NAMED. Lots of lost & mixed up jumpers already this term!
Secondary School open days & enrolments for 2025/26
Sacred Heart Secondary School Clonakilty: Information/Open Evening on Thursday, 3rd October, starting at 5:00 PM. Online applications will open on 1st October 2024, with the application deadline set for 18th October 2024.
Mount St.Michael’s (Rosscarbery): Open Night Thurs 17th Oct’24 6:30pm-9:30pm. Applications for admission accepted from Tues 1st Oct – Fri 25th Oct’24
Week 3 (19/09/24)
Tag Rugby Lessons & Blitz
Primary School Tag Rugby Blitz at Clonakilty Rugby Club next Thursday 26th Sept’24 for all children in 2nd to 6th Class. All children in these classes to be dropped to the Rugby Club between 9-9:15am and collected there between 2:45 & 3pm. Children who usually travel on the school bus will be taken & collected by their bus. Sports clothes, coat, lunch, water & gum shield advised.
School Coffee Afternoon
Next Friday 27th Sept’24 all Parents are invited to a casual coffee afternoon in our school from 2-3pm. This is a small fundraiser for Marymount Hospice & a perfect opportunity for new & not so new parents to meet together over a nice cup of Bewley’s coffee. All welcome.
Annual Contribution towards Extra Activities
Extras activities, art supplies & personal accident fees of €60 per pupil are due to be paid by midterm break at the end of October’24 please. Thank you to those who have already contributed.
School Uniform Sweatshirts
Please could you ensure that all your children’s school sweatshirts are CLEARLY NAMED. Lots of lost & mixed up jumpers already this term!
Rapid Response Visit
Thank you to the Rapid Response Team that visited last Thursday. The children loved the visit & being able to explore Jason’s Jeep. We now have a whole bunch of children who’d like to be paramedics or ambulance drivers!!
GAA Football
GAA football lessons with Conan restart next Monday 23rd Sept for all classes.
Clonakilty Youth Centre
Clonakilty Youth Centre will be running some workshops for 6th Class about trasitioning to secondary school. Full details on flyer on Noticeboard & on Parent’s what’s Ap.
Secondary School open days & enrolments for 2025
Bandon Grammar: Open Day Sat 21st Sept’24 10am-1pm
Sacred Heart Secondary School Clonakilty: Information/Open Evening on Thursday, 3rd October, starting at 5:00 PM. Online applications will open on 1st October 2024, with the application deadline set for 18th October 2024.
Maths Curriculum Day (No School)
Reminder that our school is closed on Thurs 3rd Oct’24 as all teachers will be attending a New Maths Curriculum training day in Dunmanway.
Board of Management update
The Board of Management has overseen wastewater management and drainage work in the school grounds over the summer months and are happy to report that these necessary works are now completed.
Funding has also been secured for development of outdoor play facilities in the school grounds via the Physical Activity in Teaching and Learning Pilot Programme. Parent volunteers are needed to join staff and Board members on a committee to oversee the work on the play areas. Please let Principal or Sheila know if you would be interested in helping.
The Board recently carried out the annual review of the Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment and have also ratified an updated Code of Behaviour. Both of these are available to view on the school website.
An incidental inspection by the Department of Education was carried out in the school last week. The Board are pleased with the positive feedback received.
Week 2 (12/09/24)
Junior Infant Home time
Reminder Junior Infants will now stay until 2pm each day from next Monday 16th September’24.
West Cork Rapid Response Team visit
Today Thursday 12th Sept’24 we had a visit from the West Cork Rapid Response Team to our school. All classes got to meet the team, hear about this amazing emergency service that they provide & have a great look at the special Jeep & its equipment.
Tag Rugby Lessons & Blitz
All pupils from 1st to 6th Class will take part in some Tag Rugby lessons on Thursdays for the coming weeks, coached by Clonakilty Rugby Club. This will conclude with a Primary School Blitz at Clonakilty Rugby Club on Thursday 26th Sept’24.
Annual Contribution towards Extra Activities
Extras activities, art supplies & personal accident fees of €60 per pupil are due to be paid by midterm break at the end of October’24 please. There will be a charge of €50 per child for swimming lessons later in the school year, but if you wish to pay both together, that’s fine. Please send cash/cheque in a named envelope. Thank you.
Pupil Personal Accident Insurance
Once paid as part of Annual contribution (above) children are covered for all costs, should they be injured in any accidents at home, school & at after school activities 7 days a week for 365 days a year.
School Uniform Sweatshirts
Please could you ensure that all your children’s school sweatshirts are CLEARLY NAMED. Once they are taken off in school, they are all the same and it’s impossible to know whose jumper it is. Lots of lost & mixed up jumpers already this term!
Maths Curriculum Day (No School)
Reminder that our school is closed on Thurs 3rd Oct’24 as all teachers will be attending a New Maths Curriculum training day in Dunmanway.
Effects of Screen time on kids: Sensational Kids workshop for parents
If interested in registering, full information on Aladdin.
Community Notes
Bandon Hockey Club (flyer on noticeboard):
Boys Hockey: Thurs 6:30-7:30pm at Bandon Grammar. Contact: Dave 083 4323531 or Glenn 087 9580953
Girls Hockey: Saturday mornings 9:30-10:30 at Bandon Grammar. Contact: Susan Mc Court 086 8275085
Mixed Ability Tag Rugby (flyer on noticeboard): starts Sat 28thSept’24 at 2pm at Clonakilty Rugby Club.
Clonakilty Apple Fest: At Clonakilty Community Garden (in front of direct provision centre) on Sun 29th Sept 12-6pm (flyer on parents what’s Ap)
Youth Weekend (6th Class) Invitation: Cork Diocesan Youth Council (CYDC) are inviting any 6th Class + to a weekend of fun, games & workshops from Fri 20th Sept at 7pm to 1pm Sun 22nd Sept’24 in the Carhue Centre Bandon. Full information given on flyer to all 6th class today. Places limited so book ASAP if interested.
Week 1 (05/09/24)
Welcome Back
As we start a new school year, we would like to extend a very warm ‘welcome back’ to everyone. We hope that everyone had an enjoyable summer and are ready for all the fun & activities in the new school year ahead.
New Pupils and Families
A special welcome to the new pupils & their families who have joined our school: Sebastian, Eoghan, Robin & Ella in Junior Infants, Tobi & Adam in 3rd Class. We hope that everyone will help them to quickly settle into our school life.
Our Newsletter
Our school newsletter is issued every Thursday & displayed on our notice board outside school as well as on our website www.kilgarriffens.ie
A mobile phone version is available for your convenience.
This is our main way of communicating & informing families what’s happening in school, so please read it each week & it won’t be as long as this one each week!!
In it we hope to keep all families regularly informed about:
● As many aspects of school life as possible.
● Any student achievements and/or successes both from within and outside
school, so let us know when they happen, otherwise we may not know!
● Information from our Board of Management (BOM) that they may wish to inform parents of.
If anyone wishes to contribute news or information to our newsletter please submit via text or What’s Ap to our school mobile (083 0658096), or by email to kilgarriffens.office@gmail.com before 3pm on a Wednesday and we will do our best to include it in the next day issue.
School Books & Stationery
Each child has received their ‘Free School books & copy books’ provided by the Dept. of Education this year. Please ensure your child has the required stationery and indoor shoes in school as soon as possible, thank you.
Annual Contribution (per child)
Extras activities, art supplies & personal accident fees of €60 per pupil are due to be paid by midterm break at the end of October’24 please. Later in the school year there will be a charge of €50 per child for swimming lessons, but if you wish to pay both payments together, that’s fine. Please send cash/cheque in a named envelope, whenever convenient. Thank you.
School Uniform Sweatshirts
Please could you ensure that all your children’s school sweatshirts are CLEARLY NAMED. Once they are taken off in school, they are all the same and it’s impossible to know whose jumper it is.
Drop-off and collection of children
Reminder that we operate a ‘Drive in drop off / collection’ system in the morning & at home times in the afternoon.
At home time, please allow the school bus to exit first at 3pm so the bus can depart quickly & easily, thus allowing plenty of space for cars to drive in, collect & drive out from school again.
Cars need to drive in from the hill above the school & exit out the lower part of the car park. If you need to park or queue for drop off/ collection, please do so above the school on the left hand side coming down the hill. Thank you for your co-operation with this to ensure the safety of all children coming to & departing from school. The few car park spaces outside the school wall are for teacher’s cars only.
School opening hours
Our school officially opens from 8:55am to 3pm. All pupils are expected to be in school to start class by 9.15am. Junior Infants finish at 12:15pm until Fri 13th Sept after which all Infant collection will be 2pm.
After 9.15am the school doors are secured for the safety & security of the children and late arrivals will have to wait for the doors to be released again. This causes disruption to classes that have started. A big effort to be ‘on time’ is greatly appreciated.
Parents/ visitors calling to school during the day, please let us know beforehand, via the school mobile (083 0658096).
Please don’t drop children at school much before 8:55am and always ensure that a member of staff is there and your child has gone through the school gate, before departing.
Absent Notes
Please remember that absent information is required on each occasion that a child is out of school for a day or longer. Please ensure that absences & reason are logged on your family Aladdin account, on the day that your child returns to school.
Parent/ Teacher Communication
As much as possible, please can communication be made to teachers through messages on our school mobile or through Aladdin. If a private, or more serious discussion is needed, please request a meeting with the Principal and/or class teacher and an appropriate time can be arranged, usually after school hours. Thank you for your co-operation.
Healthy Lunch Boxes
Children are encouraged to bring a ‘Healthy Lunch’ to school including some daily fruit and/or veg. Please keep sugary treats to a minimum & only on Fridays.
Any cutlery required for your child to eat with, must be provided in their lunch box.
Reminder that chewing gum & fizzy drinks are not permitted in school. Crisps & popcorn are also discouraged as they cause extra mess!!
To help preserve our environment, please can children use reusable drink bottles instead of a disposable plastic bottle every day!!
Indoor/ Outdoor Shoes
To help with the workload of keeping the school clean, all children are asked to have a clean pair of indoor shoes for use in the classrooms. These will stay in school & can be light canvas, trainers, crocs etc. but must have a proper sole, so they are safe & will not slip on floors & provide adequate support to young feet. Please also ensure child can easily put them on & off by themselves. Slippers are discouraged as they are often slippy & don’t support young feet.
Make up and mobile phones
Wearing of make-up & false eye lashes and using mobile phones are NOT permitted in school. If a child needs a mobile for walking home & after school communication, then parents need to inform the class teacher & the phone will remain switched off in the school office until after school hours.
Hedgerows Workshop
Last Monday 2nd Sept all classes enjoyed an ‘out & about workshop’ with Calvin Jones from Heritage in schools, exploring the local hedgerows and their flora and fauna.
Tag Rugby Lessons
Tag Rugby lessons (Senior room) will commence next Thursday 12th & 19th Sept for a with a Rugby coach from the Clonakilty Rugby Club before 4th, 5th & 6th Class participate in the Annual Primary Schools Blitz on Thurs 26th Sept’24.
GAA Football
All classes will start GAA football lessons throughout the day with Conan on Mondays, starting on Mon 23rd Sept. (weather permitting).
Community Notices
Clonakilty AFC Girls Soccer will resume training from Saturday Sept 14th at 9:30am at the Clonakilty Sports Complex Astro for girls born 2015-2018 in U8 & U10 groups.
Registration open at https://clonakiltyafc.clubforce.com/products/membership
On Sat 14th & 21st all new girls are welcome to try it out without registering, so they can have a go before committing. (Flyer on school noticeboard)
Drama for Kids: Starting Wed 11th Sept, upstairs in the Samara Centre Clonakilty P85 V327. Ages 5-8yrs at 3:30pm & ages 9-13yrs at 4:30pm. New children are welcome to try before signing up for the term. For more information or booking call/text 086 3389180. (Flyer on school noticeboard)
Galleyhead Lighthouse Open Day: This Sunday 8th Sept from 12-5pm. All welcome.
Funday Sunday: Funday Sunday, the Kids’ Club for primary school aged children, will be starting up again this Sunday 8th Sept in the Parochial Hall from 11.15-12.30
The fun will include songs, snack, crafts, drama and stories with a Bible theme.
Everyone is welcome.