Dear Parents/Guardians
I hope you are all keeping well. As we approach the end of the school year we are delighted how well the children have done to date. Below is a list of recent & upcoming events.

School Car Park: The next stage of the car-park development, footpaths & preparing for tarring will be commencing at the end of June. We are hoping then that the tarmac & lining will be done towards the end of July. With everything being planned as it is the Car Park is on schedule to be ready for September 2023.

We are preparing another application for the next round of Clár Funding. We would like to get the rest of the site cleared & to continue our walkway around the perimeter of the site. This application is due the beginning of June. We are currently meeting with our Local representatives to get their support. Massive thanks to our very hard working Committee for the hours of time they are putting into this. I would especially like to mention Shane Nash, Aidan Clarke, Mike Mahony, Michael Fahy & Mairead Daly for their efforts. Due to other commitments Mairead has had to take a step back from Kilchreest Community Recreation Group. We are indebted to her for the time she has put in to bringing the project to where it is.

Fundraising: Thanks to all those who attended the fundraising meeting recently. It was a very positive meeting with some great ideas discussed. We are having another meeting this Wednesday 24th of May at 8:30pm in the school hall. All are welcome to attend.
There has been a good response to the parent’s contributions. €3670 has been collected to date which is over half what we were hoping to raise. We would be very grateful if the remaining contributions were sent in before the end of the school year. For EFT purposes the bank account details are as follows: IE04AIBK93742811830012

Donation Medtronic Tablets & Laptop: We received a very kind donation of 4 Samsung Tablets & a Dell Laptop from Galway Medical Devices company Medtronic last week. The donation which is to help with the implementation of STEM practices in Primary schools was organised by 1st class parents Medtronic employee Martin Fahy & his wife Regina. We are also very thankful to Regina’s brother Mike Finn who helped us secure the donation.

Schools Athletics: The annual John Manning Inter-school’s athletics competition took place on Thursday 18th May. There were some great performances from some of our athletes. Thanks to Ms. Cusack for preparing the team and looking after the children on the evening. The boys team came 2nd overall in the competition.

Healthy Eating Week: Our 6th class boys & girls did a great job organising activities for this year’s Healthy Eating Week. It culminated in a lovely idea of a Healthy Snack Off on the Friday. Thanks also to Ms Hayes for co-ordinating the week’s events.

First Penance/Communion: Congratulations to our fantastic 2nd class boys & girls who made their First Penance & First Holy Communion last Monday 15th & Saturday 20th of May respectively in Castledaly Church. Both are very special occasions for the children & we are very proud of them. Special thanks to Ms. Cusack for preparing the children so well for both Sacraments. We are also indebted to Ms Kelly for giving her time to provide the music for the ceremonies. Finally, we are grateful to members of the Parents Council for providing party bags for the children after First Penance.

Camogie: Our school camogie team are playing their Cumann na mBunscol primary schools blitz on Wednesday 24th May in Ardrahan Gaa Grounds at 10:30am. We wish them the best of luck. Thanks to Ms. Hayes for training the team.
School Hurling Team: The school hurling team played their 9-a-side Cumann na mBunscol blitz in St Thomas’ Gaa grounds. They played really well only losing to the eventual winners Leitrim NS. The boys also participated in the Garda 7-a-side tournament on Friday 19th of May. They made the Group 3 final narrowly losing to Peterswell NS. Thanks to 3rd class parent, Georgina Dunleavy, and her Garda colleagues for organising such a well-run event.

End of Year Activities:

Hurling & Camogie Blitzes: 3rd & 4th class boys & girls have been invited by Ballindereen NS to participate in a blitz on Thursday 15th of June in Ballindereen Gaa grounds. 1st & 2nd class boys & girls are playing a match vs Peterswell on Thursday 8th of June in St Thomas’ Gaa grounds.

Active Schools Week: Monday 11th- Friday 16th of June. We will have a full week of activities organised by the 6th class children to celebrate Active Schools Week this year. We have also organised for a trip to Coole Park for the whole school on Friday 16th June.
Kilchreest Got Talent will take place on Monday 26th June.

School Tour: Monday 19th June to the Let’s Go Activity Camp in NUIG. A separate letter will issue with prices and timetables closer to the time.

Sports Day: Wednesday 21st June.

Graduation Ceremony: Friday 23rd June at 1.00pm in the school hall for 6th class children & their parents.

Dates for the Calendar:

• Standardised Test: Thursday 25th May – Drumcondra English
• Tuesday 30th May – Drumcondra Gaeilge
• Thursday 1st June – Drumcondra Maths

Staff Meeting: Wednesday 7th June. Children will to home at 1:45pm. Buses will run as normal on the day.

Summer Holidays: The school is closing on Tuesday 27th June at 12.30pm. Buses will run as normal on the day.
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Is mise, le meas,
Francis O’Connor
Principal.