We returned to school after the October Mid-Term into a jam-packed month of activity here in Killurney National School.
​
On 3rd November, the school hosted anti-bullying and online safety workshops for all pupils from 1st class upwards with Bully4U as part of the SPHE curriculum. We also hosted a parent talk on cyber safety which all attendees found very informative.

We celebrated Science Fortnight from the 8th-19th November during which the children engaged with in a variety of science webinars, conducted experiments and participated in a range of STEM challenges.

All pupils participated in a live Zoom webinar with The National Gallery of Ireland which involved looking at and responding to the work of Jack B. Yates.

Congratulations to Robyn O Reilly who won a prize in the local Credit Union Art competition. The theme this year was “Imagine”. Congratulations also to Lucy Meagher and Ellie O Donnell who won prizes for their posters supporting Kilsheelan in the Senior County Hurling Final.

Junior Room
This month the Junior Room explored the topic of Iceland in SESE. The first and second class completed research projects on specialized topics such as food, wildlife, myths and legends and tourist attractions which they presented to the junior and senior infants. They then assessed the infants by asking them questions based on these which they came up with themselves.  The children took part in a wide range of STEM  activities and science experiments for Science fortnight. They made their own sensory bottles and explored sound by using percussion instruments to create a “stormy seascape” and made their own panpipes using straws. They also explored the concept of melting materials by making their own hot chocolate. All pupils concurred that the result of this experiment was delicious.
In Arts and crafts, the children made pom poms to be used in a “Yarn Bombing” art installation in Clonmel. The first and second class were also introduced to stitching and created some beautiful patterns and images by stitching wool into hessian fabric.
 
Senior Room
This month the senior room looked at the 7 wonders of the world. Each pod chose a wonder which interested them and together they compiled a project on its geography, history and interesting facts connected with it. For Science Fortnight the children partook in some fun STEM activities and online workshops.  They created towers using tinfoil and came up with some fun alternative uses for a paperclip. They also attended a Zoom awareness workshop on water pollution and an interactive lesson on milk production with Teagasc. Pupils looked at the Visual Arts strand of fabric and fibre and stitched some beautiful flower creations using wool and hessian fabric.

​October was an action packed month here in Killurney National School.
 
Senior Room
 This month the senior room looked at Halloween traditions around the world with particular focus on the festival of Dia de la Muertos in Mexico. The children learnt about how people make sugar skulls and dress up as a means of celebrating their loved ones who have passed on. They created their own beautiful paper craft creations of their own sugar skull.  The children also took part in the FAI soccer showcase and created their own soccer obstacle course. They had great full doing this and also improved their soccer skills. For SESE this month the senior room learnt about Poland. They looked the different aspects of life there and created projects which they presented to the rest of their class. For STEM this month, pupils were given the task of planning , creating and overseeing a fun, COVID 19 compliant, Halloween afternoon for the school. Each pod got creative and using their maths, engineering and art skills, they created fun Halloween stations for the Junior room. Activities included Pumpkin Golf, creating lollipop ghosts, toilet roll mummies, a pumpkin relay race and pin the stalk on the pumpkin.  We were extremely impressed with their creativity and the Junior room loved it! 
 
Junior Room
This month the Junior Room also explored the topic of Halloween. They made potions in Aistear and created pieces of artwork inspired by the Julia Donaldson book “Room on the Broom” The also participated in drama lessons with Ms Grant based on the story of “The Gruffalo” and created their very own Gruffalo masks. In SESE, the children explored the theme of “When my Grandparents were Young”. They participated in shared reading of an ebook titled “The old Toy Room” and we discussed the differences between toys that children play with nowadays and those which their parents and grandparents would have played with when they were little. The children worked as historians and brought in old toys, household objects and photographs which depicted what life was like when their parents/grandparents were young and presented these to the class along with the stories of their origin.  In creative writing, 1st and 2nd class created non- chronological reports. They researched and gathered information on their favorite wild animals on the ipads using World Book Online, Dk find Out and National Geographic Kids.

Maths Week and Digital Learning
We celebrated Maths Week in the school from 18th -22nd October. The children used their “Maths Eyes”. All children in the school were challenged to find something in their environment, take a photo of it and create a maths problem to accompany their image. We compiled these into digital posters which we submitted to the Waterford Teacher`s Centre to be judged as part of a “Maths Eyes” Competition. We also kept a digital book of all entries for the school. The junior room also participated in a maths for fun morning of maths themed board games on 22nd October and participated in an outdoor  maths scavenger hunt.
 
Halloween
On Friday 22nd October, we had a spooktacular day of treats, Halloween games organized by Ms Hogan and the Senior Room pupils and all pupils and staff arrived to school in fancy dress.  Have a look below at the photos of the fantastic efforts made with costumes.
 
Extra-Curricular Activities
This month all children designed their very own Christmas cards which have now been ordered. We are hoping to have these back from the printers for those who ordered them in the coming weeks.  All pupils also submitted an entry to the local Credit Union Art competition. The theme this year was “Imagine”.  We were delighted to  receive yet another letter from the Texaco Art competition. Congratulations to Judy O Donnell in 2nd class who made it to the final judging stages of the competition and received a certificate of commendation. 

We have had a very busy first month back here at Killurney N.S and the pupils are well and truly settled back into the hustle and bustle of school life.
On the 26th August, we welcomed 5 new junior infants as well as 2 new pupils to the senior room.  We also welcomed Miss Hogan to the senior room.
Here is an insight into what we have been up to these past few weeks.
 
Junior Room
The junior room pupils have been busy being “Autumn Detectives” for SESE. They have been exploring the school environment for signs of seasonal change as well as finding out about the different species of trees and plants that grow in our locality. They documented their findings and evidence using checklists and drawings as well as taking photos on our school Ipads. In History, the children also created personal photographic timelines, documenting how they have changed and grown since they were babies. They had great fun comparing baby photos! In Visual Arts, they have been learning about “Pop Art”, creating their own Andy Warhol inspired, self-portraits. They also learned about Pointillism and explored the work of Georges Seurat. They then created rainbows and autumn trees using cotton buds inspired by this type of painting.
 
Senior Room
This month the senior room studied the art of Henri Matisse and his unique style of art called “Painting with Scissors”. They created a fabulous collaborative installation, using Matisse`s work as inspiration.  To celebrate “Dot Day” on the 15th September, they read the famous book “The Dot” by Peter H. Reynolds and created pieces of art to celebrate and acknowledge each child`s unique personality, goals and dreams. In SESE they have been studying the Celts. Each class pod took a different aspect of Celtic life and created a project which they presented to the rest of the class. The children also looked at Celtic art and design and each created a Celtic spiral/knot. For STEM  this month, the children were given materials and a mission to create a boat which could be powered solely by wind energy. They had great fun designing, creating and testing these.
 
On 17th September, all pupils took part in a virtual draw along event with The Arts Council and Laureate na nÓg in association with Áine Ní Ghlinn and Children`s Books Ireland as part of our Creative Schools initiative to mark Culture Night. The children enjoyed designing robots while following instructions “as Gaeilge”.
 
A special mention this month also to Frankie Burke, who won a Special Merit Award in the 67th annual Texaco Children`s Art Competition for his entry entitled “Butterfly Fish”. Frankie`s drawing, along with this year`s other winning artworks, will be exhibited at the Highlanes Gallery in Drogheda, Co. Louth until 2nd October.  Frankie is the first ever winner we have had in the Texaco Art competition and we are extremely proud of him. 

June was a fun filled month in Killurney N.S. 

Our 1st and 2nd class pupils made their First Penance in Kilcash Church on Wednesday 2nd June.

All classes continued their block of GAA coaching with John Roche and Zumba lessons with Niall from Kool school. The children really enjoyed these lessons and had an opportunity to explore their dance moves!

Creative Schools: The children engaged in two more Creative art workshops with Muireann, our Creative Associate. They love working with Muireann as she digs deeper and deeper into their imaginations!

On Friday 18th June, we had our annual Sports Day. All classes were divided into teams and participated in a variety of races and activities. The children then went for a walk up to the woods and had a picnic. They also had to work with their team to construct a den. A great day was had by all!

On Monday 21st June, we said goodbye to Max, Katelyn and Billy. Our three 6th class pupils are very excited about starting the next chapter of their lives in secondary school. It was a pleasure to have them in Killurney N.S. for the past 8 years and I wish them the very best of luck next year! We had a graduation party for our 6th class and the ice cream van came to our school. It was also a very big day for Billy, Frankie and John-Joe who graduated from Ms Meagher's Junior Room!

On Wednesday 23rd June, we welcomed our new Junior Infant pupils to our school for an Open Morning. They were thrilled to be starting 'Big School' and didn't want to go home! Please God they will feel the same in September!!!

All children will finish school on Thursday 24th June at 12pm. 
Well done to all of our boys and girls for their hard work and dedication this year! It hasn't been easy for you but you have all worked super hard!

Have a wonderful summer!

Mrs O' Brien




​

The month of May was a busy month yet again for all the boys and girls in Killurney N.S. 

The children in both the Junior Room and Senior Room engaged in more coaching lessons with Tom Fitzgerald and began their GAA coaching with local man John Roche also. Thank you to both Tom and John for dedicating their time to our school. 

Both Junior and Senior Room students have also been participating in a block of 6 Zumba lessons with Niall from Kool skool. They are really enjoying these lessons and love dancing and being active.

Both classes also participated in a Creative Schools Week and engaged in workshops with our Creative associate, Muireann. The children will have another two workshops with Muireann in June. 

All classes from 1st - 6th class engaged in compulsory standardised testing in Maths (Sigma-T) and English (New Dromcondra Tests). It is also best practice in our school that the children complete standardrised testing in Irish (Dromcondra) and Spelling (Dromcondra) as it gives a great reflection of where each child is at compared to national standards. All of the children did so well in their tests and we are super proud of them. Report cards and September packs were sent home last week. 

What other topics have the children been learning about this month??

Junior Room: 
The Junior Room pupils planted some herbs in our outdoor herb garden and have been carefully maintaining them since.
During SESE and STEM lessons they built rockets which they launched outdoors, they learned all about the moon landing and built their own Apollo 11s. They also engaged in map drawing when they learned all about 'Our local community'.
During 'Aistear' time the children have been busy building and making constructions with our new giant polydron sets. 

Senior Room
Our Senior Room students were extremely busy preparing for their tests during May. Our 6th class have also been busy preparing for their Confirmation which will take place on 28th August. They had to complete a project on their chosen Saint's name. 
The children in 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th class have also been learning about Amazing medical devices and people who cared for the sick in the past such as Florence Nightingale and Mother Theresa. They learned about Revolution in Ireland and the path to Irish freedom and they also finished editing and publishing their 'Explanatory Written texts'.
During Art this month they engaged in marble painting, printing, still life drawing and drawing plants and nature scenes. 

All children are now looking forward to Sports Day and a picnic in the woods  on Friday 18th June.
We will have a graduation party and celebration for our 6th class pupils on Monday 21st June and we look forward to welcoming our 5 new junior infants to our school for an Open Morning on Wednesday 23rd June. 

The children were thrilled to return once again to school on Monday 12th April, following the Easter holidays. 

We had a very busy month knuckling down to schoolwork and having lots of fun along the way.

During April, all classes were delighted to begin our 5 week training and coaching block with Tom Fitzgerald, the Tipperary Games Development Administrator. The children have had 3 sessions so far with Tom and really enjoy this. Tom has even tried out some activities from 'Ireland's Fittest family' with the Senior Room pupils.

The children were also delighted when John-Joe and Ella-Rose introduced us to some new additions to their farm. We had all heard so much about Petal the lamb, the children were so happy to finally meet her and the baby chicks. 

You may also have noticed we have a new 'outdoor classroom' bench area at the bottom of the school pitch. Ann and Michael Grant worked so hard on this area over the Easter holidays and did a fantastic job. The children have really been enjoying this space and have had some outdoor lessons here also. All we need now is the sunshine!!!

Behind the scenes:

-Five brand new Lenovo laptops were purchased for the school during the month of April. All of which have now been set up and installed with Microsoft Office. The children are looking forward to using these laptops for typing, school work and project work. 

-During this month the Junior Room were learning all about Spring and 'Under the Sea'. Each child completed a project based on a sea creature and presented this to the class. They also learned about Ocean Pollution and how we can all play a part in keeping our environment litter free.
The Junior Room are also currently engaging in some life drawing art lessons and have created some wonderful masterpieces which can be seen on the Junior Room window.

The Senior Room have been busy learning all about breathing and how our lungs work. They have also been learning about the force 'Friction' and how we use this to speed up or slow down a moving object. They carried out some wonderful experiments investigating and observing. 
The Senior Room have also been creating some still life pictures which can be seen on the Senior Room window. Every child in the Senior Room also created a wonderful Easter basket.

During the moth of May, the children are looking forward to beginning a six week block of outdoor Zumba lessons with Karen from Kool school and they will continue their coaching with Tom.

All children from 1st to 6th class will have standardised tests during the last week of May.

The Junior room students were thrilled to return to the classroom on 1st March 2021 and were beaming to see all of the staff and their friends once again!

The Senior room pupils were just as happy to return to the classroom on Monday 15th March! They were even more delighted to hear that they wouldn't be getting any homework until after the Easter break!

During the past number of weeks the children have really settled back into the classroom and their daily routine. They have been busy celebrating St. Patrick's Day and working on their Texaco art competition entries and now tell me that they are looking forward to the Easter break!!!

Behind the scenes this month, we are working on our outdoor classroom area. We have purchase two beautiful 8 seater benches which will be assembled and painted over the Easter break.

We are also looking forward to engaging in our Creative Schools project once again, next term.

During the months of January and February we were so disappointed to hear that we wouldn't be able to return to in-class teaching following the Christmas break.

This meant that all children would once again engage in remote, online learning using Seesaw and Zoom. The children were absolutely brilliant at engaging in this and we couldn't believe how many posts we were getting everyday. 

We continued to celebrate annual traditions such as World Book Day and children dressed up as their favourite book characters and wrote wonderful book reviews. The Senior room entered poetry competitions for Valentine's Day and Book review competitions for World Book Day. Congratulations to Lucy Meagher in 3rd class who got 1st prize in the Carrick-on-Suir library 'Write a book review competition.'
Well done also to Lucy Meagher and Frankie Burke who won the 'World Book Day' classroom competitions.

Congratulations also to Lucy Burke in 4th class who was selected to participate in an online course run by Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology. Lucy chose to learn all about the secret life of Microbes!!! Very fascinating!

All children were delighted to hear that they would once again return to the classroom in March 2021!









​

In December all of the children were really looking forward to the Christmas break and counting down the days to Santa's visit.

Things were a little different this year due to Covid and instead of a Christmas party and the usual Santa visit to Killurney Hall, we welcomed Santa into our classroom using the power of zoom on the 22nd December. The children really enjoyed this and they couldn't believe how much Santa knew about each and every one of them. 

During the month of December the children also experienced a block of 4 Forest School lessons with Joanna.
All children from Junior Infants to 6th class swapped their runners for their wellies and boots and braved the elements to walk to our local forest. The children engaged in a wide variety of lessons including den building, lighting a forest fire (and learning how to safely extinguish it!), toasting marshmallows, building bird feeders using biodegradable materials, making Christmas decorations and identifying various trees. 

Also this month, we learned that our school had been selected to participate in the Creative Schools initiative and all of the children met our Creative Associate, Muireann. Muireann will work with the children and the staff over the next two years as we develop and achieve our Creative Schools project. The school will also receive a grant totalling €4500 to help us with this project and achieve 'Creative School' status.

On the 11th December, all children and staff wore their Christmas jumpers to school to fundraise for Crumlin Children's hospital.  We were delighted to raise just over €300 for this very worthy cause.

We also held our annual Christmas raffle and thanks to all of your kind donations raised a total of €860. This money will be used to purchase equipment for our outdoor classroom space! Congratulations to the winners of our 11 hampers!







​

November brought some wet and windy weather to our school but we did not let that dampen our spirits here in Killurney N.S.

During the month of November, we celebrated our Science fortnight. Although restrictions meant that we couldn't welcome our Lismore Primary scientists to our school this year we engaged in a variety of zoom interactive lessons and experiments instead.

1. The Magic of Water lessons: An Forum Uisce: Children in the senior room learned all about the physics of water, the chemistry of water and water as an ecosystem. All children learned about the three states of water, the chemical elements that make up water and some of the species that live in our water. They learned about the importance of oxygen in our rivers and how maintaining a stable pH is so important for our wildlife. We also discussed the effects of pollution on our rivers and streams.
2. The Amazing Cosmo Journey: Limerick Science Festival: All children from Junior Infants to 6th class learned about planet Earth in space, other planets in our solar system and the sun. They also learned about light and the speed of light and the life cycle of a star. They were taken on a journey through space and engaged in a question and answer session with an astronomer from UL.
3. Kahoot Science Quiz: Senior Room children participated in a Kahoot Science Quiz.
4. WIT Calmast Festival of Science: Senior Room children participated in the zoom lesson 'The Science of Sport'. They learned about what it is like to study Sport science in Waterford Institute of Technology and they learned all about the science and technology behind improving your performance as a sports person. They engaged in a question and answer session with professional footballer Mark Langtry.
5. Limerick Festival of Science: All classes participated in a zoom lesson ‘How to become a superhero scientist’ They learned all about the science and technology behind the Avengers costumes and superpowers. Junior Room pupils created their own superheroes.
   
   All children also participated in hands on Science experiments.
   
   All classes made volcanoes using Vinegar, food colouring and baking soda.
   
   The senior room used the same chemical reaction to inflate rubber gloves.
   The senior room also investigated how to make a rocket fly and how to steer it using just the following equipment: a balloon, a piece of string, a straw and a piece of selloptape.
   
   The senior room also had great fun learning about the distance of each of the planets in our solar system from the sun. They each made a scaled drawing of our solar system.
   
   The Junior room had lots of fun making colourful rainbows and lava lamps.
   
   
   Also this month we marked the 100th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. (21st November 2020)
   The children in the senior room enjoyed learning all about Bloody Sunday and the fight for Irish Independence. They made beautiful concept maps depicting all they had learned. 
   ​
   
   We were also delighted this month to hear that John Joe Morrissey won a prize in the Credit Union Art Competition. He came 'Highly Commended' and won a certificate and a cheque for €10. Well done John Joe! We are all so proud of you!