Fri, Jan 22nd, 2021
Email to Parents/Guardians January 22nd 2021
Dear Parent/Guardian,
I hope that you and your families are keeping well in these difficult times. I want to update you on a number of school-related matters, as outlined below:
1. Online Classes
We have now completed two weeks of our online classes and everything, for the most part, has been going extremely well. We appreciate your support in ensuring that your sons/daughters attend all of their classes.
With a very small number of exceptions (the students have the full details), the 6th Year students are following their full normal timetable, while other year groups finish at lunchtime every day.
2. Supporting your Son/Daughter with Online Classes
The school has put together a set of four presentations, which form part of the school’s ‘Communication Charter’. These cover Getting Ready, Online Classes, Writing Emails and Sending Attachments. I have attached these, so that you can familiarise yourself with the approach that we are taking with the students
Please pay particular attention to the Online Classes presentation. There are expectations in terms of behaviour for all students in the online setting, just like there are when the school is running normally.
3. Communication
At this period of school closure, all queries can still be directed to the School Office (01-2828126) or you can email advice@stkilianscs.com. If parents/guardians need to contact a teacher, they should use these means.
Students have teachers’ email addresses for the purpose of their classes and for sharing queries, information, homework and assignments only.
4. Thursday, January 28th
Next Thursday, January 28th, is an online training day for teachers. This is part of a series of training days that teachers have had in recent years around the new Junior Cycle.
Thursday will be a day of well-deserved rest for the students! We hope they enjoy it!
5. Mental Health Seminar
I have attached a letter from Ms Roseanne Sinnott (School Chaplain) regarding a seminar for parents/guardians about supporting young people’s mental health. This will be held next Wednesday 27th January at 7pm via Zoom. Full details are in the letter and I encourage you to attend.
6. Letter from Minister for Education
I have also attached a letter addressed to parents/guardians by the Minister for Education, Ms Norma Foley.
7. School Reopening, Mocks, State Examinations etc..
At the time of writing, there is still no clarity about dates for the reopening of the school. Likewise, at this time it is not possible to give any definite news about the Mock examinations. I understand that talks are ongoing regarding arrangements for the 2021 State Examinations, and there appears to be a firm commitment to hold the exams as normal. If and when there are developments around these or other relevant issues, I will contact you again. I understand how stressful all of this period has been, particularly for 6th Year students, and I hope that the situation will become clearer soon.
8. Student Support
The school’s Care Team, including the Guidance Counsellors and Chaplains continue to be available to support students at this time. Please do not hesitate to contact the school (01-2828126 or advice@stkilianscs.com) if you are concerned about your son’s /daughter’s mental health or if you have any other concerns where you feel that we can be of assistance. Likewise, the Home School and Community Liaison Coordinator, Ms Izzy Fox (086-7008999) continues to be available to support families at this time.
I wish continued good health and safety to you all and I look forward, as I know you do, to real improvements in our situation soon.
Best wishes,
John Murphy,
Principal.
26 Jan
This year's Music and Culture Week, from January 22nd to 26th, had a full programme of musical, dance and art activities. Highlights of the week included performances by the Garda Band and a performance of a Bach cantata, which is part of the Leaving Cert music curriculum. This recital, featuring a group of professional singers and musicians, including past-pupil Ross Scanlon, was attended by senior music students from other local schools and was a tremendous success. Everyone was also wowed by an excellent art exhibition, featuring the work of current and past-pupils.
26 Jan
This year's Multicultural Day was held on Friday, January 26th and had a range of events including Brazilian Capoeira and African Drumming workshops. As in other years, the centrepiece of the day was a major food fair with, and this year forty families, representing twenty-three different nationalities and cultures, were involved.
16 Jan
The Assessment Day for incoming First Year students for the 2024-2025 will take place on Saturday morning, January 27th, at the school.
Parents/Guardians are advised to check their emails for full details.
22 Dec
Every good wish to all of our students and former students, to their families and to all of our friends for Christmas and New Year.
We hope that you will all stay safe and well over the Christmas period, and that you will find time to relax and spend time with your loved ones.
Best wishes to everyone for health and happiness in 2024.
School reopens on Monday, January 8th 2024.
8 Dec
The school held another very worthwhile and successful College & Careers Awareness Week from December 4th to 9th.
Like in other recent years, there was a strong emphasis on involving past-pupils; those currently attending third-level colleges along with others who have gone on to pursue a variety of careers in the worlds of business and industry.
18 Oct
The Junior Cycle results for 2023 were issued today, Wednesday, October 18th. Congratulations to all of the students involved and their teachers and SNAs on some excellent results!
15 Oct
The school's Wellbeing Week takes place from Monday to Friday, October 16th to 20th. There is a wide range of activities for all year groups including Yoga and Meditation, as well as workshops with Shout Out and Zeeko and a Tony 10 talk. The week culminates with a First Year bonding trip to Avondale.
20 Sep
St Kilian's CS will hold its Open Night on the evening of Tuesday, September 26th, from 6.45pm to 8.45pm.
All primary school pupils and their parents, guardians and families are invited to join us as we celebrate our school and its students.
Past pupils and friends are also very welcome.
19 Sep
Applications for places in First Year 2024-2025 will be accepted from October 2nd until October 23rd 2023.
The Admissions Notice and Application Form (Part 1) are attached.
Please contact the School Office if further information is required.
6 Sep
From September 7th to 12th, four 6th Year students, Cara Byrne, Alannah Howick, Laura Kiselova, and Seán Fox Plunkett accompanied by the school Chaplain, Ms. Sheelagh Murtagh, will take part as helpers on the Dublin Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. We wish them good luck on their travels and in their important work in Lourdes.