A very Happy New Year to all on behalf of all the staff and pupils in Kilberry N.S…

The school will re-open on Wednesday, 6th January.

Our Christmas mass was held on Friday, 18th December and was celebrated by Fr. Hannon. The true meaning of Christmas was brought to life through liturgy, prayer, music and by the nativity scene so beautifully re-created by the children.

Congratulations and well done to all our pupils who achieved full attendance for the Christmas term.

After months of planning and brainstorming, Fifth and Sixth Class entered the Dragon’s Den on Wednesday last to pitch their ‘Mini-Company’ ideas for the Junior Entrepreneur Programme to the three ‘dragons’, Ms. Browne, Mrs. Dempsey and special guest ‘dragon’, Mr. Ray Lennihan from Bord na Móna.

Throughout the programme, the children have had to study how a business is founded, formed and run. All aspects of a business were examined and analysed, from product research and development to market research and advertising. The class were divided into groups and each group was given the opportunity to present their ideas to the ‘dragons’.
The first group on stage were Christopher, Damien and Dean with their company, Footy Football Kits. The boys had a great idea to create player and referee kits complete with gloves, gum shields and everything the busy footballer or referee might need.

After some tough questioning from the dragons, it was the turn of James, Cian and Julianna to pitch their idea to the group. Their ‘Healthy Helper’ idea was perfect for those trying to get active and healthy for the new year.

Group three’s, Lee, Liam and Maeve’s Personalised Mugs impressed the judges. They had even made up some sample gifts to show the group!

4th to pitch to the dragons were Séamus, Ciarán and Emmet. Their idea of a Winter Bundle which would consist of bags with turf, logs and kindling was a great idea but special guest Ray Lennihan of Bord na Móna, appeared slightly concerned about the extra competition!!

The 5th group in to the Dragon’s lair were Cora-Lee, Marcella, Emily and Megan. The girls’ product, Lumo Umo was a real hit with the dragons. The girls had come up with a fantastic idea of customising children and adults clothing and footwear with high visibility material which would enhance safety when out and about in Winter.

Last but not least, Molly, Lila-Ann and Sarah presented their idea of Christmas Candles or coinneals. Their slogan was, Keep Calm and Light a Coinneal which went down very well in the hall. They had also brought in some sample products for the dragons to look at.

At the end of the presentation, the dragons gave their feedback and Ray Lennihan complimented the students on the amount of work and effort that they had put into the project. It was then down to the class themselves to vote on which group’s idea would be turned into a mini company.
The children voted in favour of the Christmas Candles and the pressure is now on to create and sell their product so….
Keep Calm everybody and please buy a Coinneal!!

Each of the classes composed a special tribute to Kilberry N.S. in honour of our 50th anniversary celebrations, and parents, grandparents and past pupils were treated to a spectacle of music, songs and poems.
Junior and Senior Infants and First Class performed, ‘HELP!’, by The Beatles which was no. 1 in 1965. Complete with actions and percussion, this arrangement completely charmed the audience.

Mrs. Prendergast’s Class wowed with a wonderful medley of songs and poems, taking the audience on a journey back in time with songs and poems from their childhood, including, The School around the Corner, It’s Raining, it’s pouring, Ó ró ‘sé do Bheatha Bhaile, and a rousing rendition of I’ll tell my Ma’!!

Ms. Duffy’s fourth and fifth class performed The Hucklebuck which was a real crowd pleaser and had everyone in the audience clapping along to the music. The poem, ‘My Teacher took my I-Pod’ a significant reminder of how school life has changed in the past 50 years!

Mr O’Sullivan’s class formed their own Céilí Band for the event and performed the Dingle Polka and O’Connor’s Polka, as well as An Dreoilín and, for the finale, An Haca Ghaelach which drew the entertainment segment of the day to a magnificent close.

The entire community of Kilberry and beyond gathered to celebrate and take a little trip down memory lane on Thursday and Friday last. Current pupils, staff, parents and grandparents mingled with past principals, staff and pupils, as they reminisced and recollected stories and photographs from the past 50 years. There was much laughter and merriment, as well as some mixed emotions as parents and grandparents remembered the members of their own families who have attended Kilberry N.S. over the past 50 years, and indeed, since the school first opened in 1887.
Here are a few snaps taken over the two day celebrations in the school..

A HUGE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO SHARED IN OUR SCHOOL’S 50 YEAR CELEBRATIONS!

On Thursday 26th and Friday 27th November, we will be celebrating 50 years in our new school. All classes are busy doing projects on life and school in Kilberry since 1965 and these will be on display in our hall from 12 noon each day. Each class will be reeling in the years through music and song, and a time capsule the children are making will be formally closed on Friday. Our Parent’s Association will be providing light refreshments both days from 1.15pm.

The displays of old photographs and children’s project work will remain on display on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of the following week from 1pm to 2pm.

We sincerely hope that parents, grandparents and past pupils can join us either day to celebrate!!

We had a fantastic response to the Team Hope Shoebox Appeal this year. The children have had the opportunity in school to watch a DVD showing the happiness and joy these shoeboxes bring to children in need all over the world. Kilberry N.S. are proud to facilitate this wonderful programme in our school.

Wishing everyone a HAPPY and SPOOKY Hallowe’en… School will re-open on Monday, 2nd November..