Creative Schools is a flagship initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme to enable the creative potential of every child. It aims to put the arts and creativity at the heart of children and young people’s lives. We were delighted to be a recipient of this award for the 2021/2022 school year. Our overall goal is to integrate creativity and fun into our approach to learning across all curriculum areas at Kilberry National School.
We are delighted that we will be given the opportunity to work with a creative associate for the duration of the project. Creative Associates are artists, creative practitioners and/or educators with an understanding of the arts and creativity and its potential to transform the lives of children and young people. Creative Associates are assigned to match the needs of schools to arts and creative opportunities in their locality. We look forward to meeting our creative associate who will work with our school on this exciting project over the next two years.
January 2022
We were delighted to meet with our creative associate, Alexsandra Rosiak who had lots of advice and suggestions on how best to navigate the project. Mrs. McLernon will co-ordinate the programme and has been instrumental in getting the school involved in this wonderful programme.
February 2022
Alex visited each classroom on February 4th to engage the children in the creative process and begin the creative journey with the pupils. These introductory sessions will utilise student voice and help guide the process going forward. The children examined what creativity means to them and created some artwork based on the session.
Ukulele Sept 2021 – June 2022
The pupils from 3rd to 6th class were very fortunate to learn a musical instrument this year. Shane Sullivan from Music Generation came in every Thursday to teach the children and their class teacher the ukulele. The lessons were fun and engaging and the children really enjoyed playing the ukulele and singing along as they played. The children learned to play many chords, to read music and to compose their own song. The children entertained us throughout the year with their many impressive performances.
Jabba Jabba Jembe Percussion Workshops – March/ April 2022
The pupils from junior infants to 6th class all enjoyed high energy, interactive drumming workshops facilitated by Dave Day. The children explored different rhythms and beats as they learned to play the African drums and a host of other percussion instruments. The children and teachers truly enjoyed the workshops. The energy and enthusiasm was magical.
Easter Bonnet Parade – April 2022
The children were assigned with creative homework and were tasked with the assignment to create an Easter Bonnet that would stand out from others. The staff were blown away with the creativity and innovation. Children used hats as a base and others used card for theirs. We saw knitted features and paper mache and some even had edible features. All bonnets were wonderfully made and we were all so impressed with the creativity in our school. Well done to all the children and teachers who participated in our Easter Parade.
Creative Week- May 2022
Kilberry National School celebrated Creative Schools Week ( which takes place from the 9th to the 13th of May). Our teachers organised many activities to help the pupils to celebrate creativity across the curriculum. On Monday, we kicked off the week with Samba drumming, where the children enjoyed playing the drums, singing and dancing. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the pupils took part in various visual art activities in each room, creating an overall calloborative art display. On Thursday, the senior classes performed their own songs they composed on the ukulele. Well done to all the children and staff for their excellent participation in this creative and fun week.
A trip to the Olympia Theatre – June 2022
The pupils from 3rd to 6th were treated to a day out in Dublin to see David Walliams Gangsta Granny at the Olympia Theatre. And what a treat that was! The atmosphere was electric and we were truly entertained by a witty performance. The children really enjoyed themselves and many now express their aspirations to become actors in the future.
Albert Einstein famously said ” Creativity is contagious, pass it on”
Christmas Drama
The excitement and enthusiasm meter certainly raised during the month of December as the children and teachers prepared and rehearsed for the Christmas Production. Crowds of proud parents, grandparents and members of our community filled our school hall and were entertained by the witty and musical performances.
February 2023
The Creativity continues in Kilberry National School with the children having the amazing opportunity of art classes being facilitated by the talented Artist Virginia McGovern Byrne.
Have a look at the children’s amazing creations
Junior and Senior Infants
Junior and Senior Infants had great fun constructing and making colourful birds. They make a fabulous display in the Junior room.
First and Second Class
First and Second Class had a great time constructing and making Sponge Bob Square Pants.
Third and Forth Class
Third and Forth class pupils made impressive marionettes puppets. They enjoyed this project immensely. Have a look at their fabulous work!
Fifth and Sixth Class
Fifthand Sixth class pupils were working with clay making Gargoyle inspired creatures. The class truly enjoyed these lessons and it was a joy watching the students sculpt and mould as they used their imaginations and creative skills.
STEAM Lessons
The 5th and 6th class pupils have had the amazing opportunity to participate in Steam lessons facilitated by John Johnson. John introduced the children to the world of Engineering guiding the pupils through inquiry and to critical think as they collaborated to solve experiments and understand the Stem concepts.
‘Every child is an Artist’
Here is a glimpse of the wonderful art produced by the children throughout the school. We are very proud of the limitless creativity that the pupils deliver.
