Today, Monday, August 30th is a day of historic and memorable significance for Kilmurry National School in Cordal.
The 1976 built, four-teacher school has just welcomed this year’s enrollment of 19 new junior infants.
However, more significantly, and what sets the school apart for this term at least, is that the 19 enrollments includes five sets of twins.
Children of Local Families
The children of local families including the Keanes, O’Sullivans, O’Donoghues, Culhanes and Quirkes will add the historic element to the class and to their class-mates.
Since 1976 the school has undergone significant refurbishment and modernisation process.
In 2010 a new office and staffroom were added, along with a spacious corridor and there were also toilets built for each of the classrooms.
Purpose-Built Preschool
The school also has a newly, purpose-built pre-school and after-school facility on the grounds.
Cordal Preschool and After-school was built last summer and it enables children from the school to access a breakfast club from 8.15am each morning before school and an after-school service until 6pm each evening.
They also run camps at Halloween, Easter and have just had a very busy number of weeks of summer camps.
New Additions Always
Each year, on the children’s return to school, there are always some new additions.
Most recently, each classroom upgraded their interactive whiteboards to brand new 85” interactive screens.
Last year, along with the new preschool, there was a new drive through and set down area created at the front of the school.
This has been a very positive addition, as parents can now safely drop off and collect their children, without worrying about parking.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Last September a new special class for the deaf and hard of hearing was opened and there are currently five children enrolled in this class.
“This has been a fantastic addition to our school, with children in each class having the opportunity to learn Irish Sign Language,” said Principal Thérèse Kearney.
“We are also very fortunate to be chosen for the new Primary Language Pilot Scheme.
Irish Sign Language is now an official language and as part of the pilot scheme, the school will have a tutor teaching the children sign language each week,” she said.
Astro Turf Area
“This summer, the O’Callaghan Brothers undertook the refurbishment of an under used area of the school grounds by adding a wonderful Astro Turf area for the children, with much of the school yard also being resurfaced.
“This will be an excellent addition to our school, especially with the significant increase in school enrollment numbers.
“In the past decade, school enrollment numbers have increased from 60 pupils to over 100 and among this year’s enrollments are 19 new junior infants.
Lots of Excitement on Friday
“This number of children enrolled in any class is quite a feat for a country school.
“There was lots of excitement on Friday last at their induction day when the twins got the opportunity to meet each other and their class-mates – some for the very first time.
“All at Kilmurry National School are really looking forward to officially welcoming them and their peers to our school community,” said Ms. Kearney in anticipation of this mornings historic event for the school.
You can contact The Maine Valley Post on…Anyone in The Maine Valley Post catchment area who would like to send us news and captioned photographs for inclusion can send them to: jreidy@mainevalleypost.com Queries about advertising and any other matters regarding The Maine Valley Post can also be sent to that address or just ring: 087 23 59 467.
