Kilmagner National School
Láthair/Location
Kilmagner N.S. is situated on the N 72 between Fermoy and Tallow and is adjacent to Coolagown village. The school is located on an elevated position in a very scenic location. The school has a long history – built in 1878 and before that it is believed that a hedge school was in existence nearby. The present school building was extended and extensively refurbished in 2008 – 2009. It is now a modern school with excellent facilities.
Facilities
•The school has 3 mainstream classrooms, a fully equipped resource room, learning support room, a General Purpose room, Staff room with kitchen facilities, adult washrooms, children’s cloakrooms and an office.
•Each class room has an interactive whiteboard, laptops and netbooks to facilitate and extend the children’s learning and education.
•The school has playing areas on 4 sides as well as all weather soft surface playing area especially for the younger children.
Staff, Pupils and School Community:
•As a Catholic Primary School under the patronage of the Bishop of Cloyne, our ethos finds expression through the core values of our school and through our action, attitudes and practices.
•Our school ethos embraces a deep respect for people and property and everyone is affirmed and encouraged; we strive to provide a sense of belonging and endeavour to maintain a happy and welcoming school environment for all.
•The school currently has 63 pupils and has 3 mainstream teachers, one full-time resource teacher, a learning support teacher shared with a nearby school and 4 Special Needs Assistants, and a part-time secretary and part-time caretaker. Mrs. Noreen Joyce is Principal.
•Our school motto is “Tús Maith” – a good start, and everyone collaborates to make this a reality.
•The focus in Kilmagner N.S. is on the child, each pupil is seen as an individual with an individual learning style. Children are constantly encouraged and affirmed to achieve their best in every sphere while recognising each child’s individual abilities and gifts.
•We engage with outside professionals:- Speech and Language Therapists, Psychologists and Occupational Therapists to ensure that childrens’ individual needs are catered for in a holistic and professional manner.
•The school has an active Parents’ Association, who do outstanding work in both supporting the school, and in fundraising.
•The hard-working Board of Management is committed to maintaining high standards of educational provision.
General Information:
•School begins at 9 a.m. and finishes at 2.40 p.m.
•Children wear a blue jumper, white polo shirt and grey pants or skirt, as a school uniform.
•The uniform is worn 4 days a week and the school track-suit is worn on Fridays for P.E.
The Green Flag:
Kilmagner N.S. has been awarded 2 Green Flags by An Taisce in the last 2 years. In 2011 the school was awarded the Green School Flag for Litter and Waste management. This year – 2013 we have been awarded a Green Flag for our participation in the European and Global Citizenship Programme. The school looked very closely at the conservation of water in the school and at the challenges around water, facing many communities throughout the world. Fair Trade was also researched and an awareness was created around the importance of buying Fair Trade products wherever possible.
Healthy Eating:
The school endeavours to improve the health and well-being of all children and staff in Kilmagner N.S. by encouraging healthy eating within the school. Healthy lunches are advised with an optional treat on Fridays.
–Because of nut allergies, we cannot permit any foods containing nuts.
Physical Education and Activities:
Physical activity is encouraged at lunchtime – football is the preferred sport with the older children. Skipping workshops with a renowned skipping expert have been held in the school, and skipping is popular especially in the 3rd term.
Swimming lessons as part of the P.E. curriculum, are facilitated in the Fermoy Swimming Pool. The school is represented at the annual Primary Schools Swimming Gala in Fermoy.
The school is well represented at the Cork Primary Schools Sports at Páirc Uí Chaoimh annually, and the children are always proud to be representing their school. We have been very successful in the past.
We hold a School Sports for all Day each year in the summer term. All kinds of games, races and novelty activities are held, ensuring that it is a fun day for children and staff alike.
Dance:
A professional dance teacher gives tuition in modern dance to all children from Junior Infants to 6th class.
Music:
•Music, singing and tin whistle playing are favourites in the school!
•A whole school choir performs at the annual Christmas Carol Service in the Church in Coolagown.
•Children from 1st – 6th sing and play the tin whistle at the First Communion Mass in May each year.
•The staff and pupils present a Christmas Show in the school annually.
Visual Arts:
The school is committed to fostering creativity and imaginative expression in the children, and the school constantly displays and celebrates the ongoing children’s art work in the main corridor and in the classrooms. Children are encouraged to enter art competitions throughout the school year.
Euro Eddy Saving Stamps:
The Euro Eddy saving scheme is operating in the school every Friday. Saving stamps at €1 each are available. The school encourages children to adopt the habit of saving.
Teangmháil/Contact Us
Príomhoide/Principal: Noreen Joyce
Rúnaí/School Secretary: Neasa Barrett
Guthán/Telephone: 025-36802
Ríomhphost/e-mail: kilmagnerns.ias@eircom.net