News from the Board – Kilbonane National School

See the current Board of Management here: https://www.kilbonaneschool.com/board-of-management/

Board of Management Meeting 13/03/2024 – Agreed Report

Attendance for March was 95.9%
There are currently 97 pupils on roll
The current prediction is 92 on roll for 2024-25
The school held a ‘wellbeing week’ on the week beginning 12 February
The following policies were discussed and ratified: (i) Plean Scoile don Ghaeilge (ii) Electronic Banking Policy (iii) Policy on Qualification for Cork City Sports
SET allocations for 2024-25 have been published. The school will have 45 hours per week
Swimming Lessons concluded on 29 January
The annual Army Brass Band concert took place in City Hall on 20 February (3^rd to 6^th Class)
A Ficheall Chess tournament took place in Innishannon on 22 February. 16 pupils from 3^rd to 6^th Class attended
Gymnastics: A 4-week block began on 29 February and will conclude on 21 March
A Sciath na Scol hurling blitz (first stage) is planned to take place next week at Cloughduv GAA pitch next week (date TBC)
Qualifications for Cork City Sports will be held next week at Cloughduv GAA pitch, weather permitting (date TBC)
Rowing (5^th/6^th Class): A 6-week block will begin on 15 May
The Parents Association AGM was held on 23 January. The new Chairperson is Sarah Hassett
The PA cooked and provided pancakes for all pupils on Pancake Tuesday – huge thanks to all involved
The PA managed to secure a fundraising slot at Bishopstown Dunnes on Saturday 9 March – result: the PA are half-way towards their target of 16 new iPads for the school
A Lá Glas/Crazy Hair Day will take place on 15 March. Pupils are encouraged to bring €2. Proceeds of the fundraiser will go to the PA
Buildings: (i) The wall caps and exterior wall require cleaning and painting (ii) The four aluminium flagpoles were removed recently due to being noisy, poor quality and very difficult to raise and lower flags in poor weather. The Board approved – in principle (and assuming the funds are available) – of the purchase of one new fibreglass pole
Equipment/Resources: Two new 75” touchscreens were installed on 6 February by Sharptext. This included height-adjustable mount and relocation of older interactive whiteboard
Extra: A Liquidambar tree was donated to the school by Ronan Nangle and planted on 5 March – huge thanks to Ronan
A fire drill was held on 22 January. Another drill will be due in Term 3
Cork City Sports will take place on 30 May

Board of Management Meeting 23/01/2024 – Agreed Report

Attendance for January was 89.1%
There are currently 98 pupils on roll
There are 13 applications for admission to Junior Infants for 2024-25 at present. Parents will be officially offered places by 1 March but more than likely by mid-February. Current prediction is 97 on roll for 2024-25
The following policies were discussed and ratified: (i) Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment (ii) Review of the Child Safeguarding Statement document
All curricular plans will be updated gradually between now and June
Extra-curricular: (i) Our Carol Service/Nativity was held in the Church on 12 December 2023 (ii) The Carols at Cork Airport took place on 13 December 2023 (iii) The school attended the Christmas Panto on 14 December 2023
Swimming Lessons began on 8 January (4 week block) for pupils from 3rd to 6th Class – finishing 29 January
Indoor Camogie/Hurling for 3rd/4th Class took place on 11 and 16 January
A Ficheall Chess tournament will take place on 22 February. 16 pupils from 3rd to 6th Class will attend and represent the school
Gymnastics: 4 week block beginning 29 February
Rowing: A six-week block (pupils from 5th/6th Class) beginning 15 May
The Parents Association held a stall at the lighting of the Christmas tree in Aherla (2 December 2023). Parents of Juniors to 2nd Class provided baking. The pupils created clay Christmas tree decorations which were also sold in order to raise funds
The PA held their annual raffle at the school on 22 December, raising €480 which will be added to their GoFundMe page towards the purchase of iPads for the school
The PA provided selection boxes for every child at Santa’s visit on 22 December. Many thanks to the PA for all their work and support over the past year
Parents were surveyed on the Christmas Show – approx. 79% in favour of moving to a two-year alternating system (ie Year 1 full show in Ovens Hall; Year 2 simple carol service in the Church). The Board discussed this and agreed to move to a two-year alternating system from 2024-25
Parents were surveyed (Google Forms) on 8 January as part of the Review of the Child Safeguarding Statement Review
The Parents Association AGM was held on 23 January
Repairs: (i) A chute that was leaking over the front wall of the school has been fixed (ii) The Board discussed painting the wall caps (and possibly front exterior walls of school) this year. The condition of the paintwork will be assessed in the coming weeks and the Board has sanctioned painting work to be completed if suitable
The Board discussed the possibility of gradually installing interactive touch-screens in the classrooms to replace promethean boards and projectors. The Board decided to purchase one 75″ touchscreen unit initially and to seek quotations on a second. Cathal will speak with the suppliers
The fire extinguishers were tested and passed inspection on 11 January by Apex Fire
A fire drill was held on 22 January. Another drill will be due in Term 3

Board of Management Meeting 29/11/2023 – Agreed Report

Attendance for November was 96.9%
There are currently 98 pupils on roll
The Teacher Nominee for the board of Management 2023-2027 is Eva O’Driscoll.
Staff received Inservice training on the new Primary Maths Curriculum on 27 November. Our school was clustered with other smaller schools for the training and it was delivered at West Cork Education Centre. The Department of Education sanctioned a full-day closure for this training.
The school had a Department of Education Inspection (Curriculum Evaluation) in Maths on 10-11 October. The Inspector furnished a full report which will be published on the Department’s website in the coming weeks.
The school has purchased a Wellbeing programme and will implement this over a ten-week period every academic year going forward as part of the SPHE curriculum. The programme is called ‘Welcome to Wellbeing’ (Infants to 1^st Class) and ‘Weaving Wellbeing’ (2^nd to 6^th Class).
We are still reviewing our ICT Acceptable Use Policy and currently updating our Plean Gaeilge. All curricular plans will be updated gradually throughout the 2023-24 year.
In Sciath na Scol, the football team reached the semi-final of our group on 24 October but unfortunately lost. Many thanks to Laura MacMahon and Eva O’Driscoll for coaching.
Green Schools: We are currently working on the process for Year 2 of our Energy flag application.
The Student Council has been set up for 2023-24. They will meet once a month under the direction of Laura MacMahon.
Our annual Scholastic Book Fair ran from 12-13 October and was a great success.
Irish Dancing (6 week block) with Deirdre O’Sullivan came to an end on 20 November. Feedback has been very good and we hope to continue with this next year.
Our annual Carol Service/Nativity Play will be held in the Church on 12 December. Parents are being surveyed on the possibility of a 2-Year alternating system – one year in the Church, one year in Éire Óg Hall. Cathal will bring the results to the next Board meeting and a decision will be made then.
The Carols at Cork Airport will take place on 13 December (3^rd to 6^th Class).
The Christmas Panto will be on 14 December.
Swimming Lessons due to begin in January (4 week block) for pupils from 3^rd to 6^th Class.
Gymnastics: 4 week block will begin 29 February 2024.
Parent-Teacher meetings (in-person) were held on 20 November. Parents were also offered the choice of phone call meetings.
Two Parent Nominees have been elected to the Board of Management for 2023-27. These are Siobhán Slevin and Adrian Cullinane.
A fundraising cake sale in aid of the Parents Association was held on 27 October.
The Parents Association have offered to fundraise towards the cost of new iPads for the school. They organised a bag packing fundraiser on Saturday 11 November which raised €881 and they have also set up a GoFundMe page which people may wish to support if they choose. The link is: https://www.gofundme.com/f/kilbonane-national-school-fundraising-appeal
The PA funded a new parachute for the school from a €170 grant they received for the previous Cycle to School event.
The PA will have a stall at the lighting of the Christmas tree in Aherla (2 December) and are asking parents of Juniors to 2^nd Class to provide baking. The pupils have created clay Christmas tree decorations which will also be sold in order to raise funds. The school thanks them very much for all their support.
Ballincollig’s Eastgate Medical Centre kindly offered free flu vaccine for all children and came to the school to administer on 26 October.
First Communion will take place on Saturday 25 May 2024. We will be grouped with Cloughduv NS.
Confirmation will take place on Thursday 2 May 2024. Again, we will be grouped with Cloughduv NS.

Board of Management Meeting 27/09/2023 – Agreed Report

Attendance for September was 97.5%
There are currently 98 pupils on roll
The Board approved our Admission Notice for 2024-25. The Board agreed that 21 places will be made available in Junior Infants for 2024-25.
Our new cleaner, Margaret Corcoran, began working in the school on 31 August.
Staff will have Inservice training on the new Primary Maths Curriculum between October and next June. Our school will be clustered with other smaller schools for the training and it will be delivered off-site. The Department of Education has sanctioned a full-day closure for this training.
The following policies were reviewed and ratified: (i) Plean Scoile Policy Statement (ii) Admission Policy (iii) Code of Behaviour (iv) Critical Incident Policy (v) Anti-Bullying Policy (vi) Health & Safety Policy (vii) Admission Notice (viii) Online Banking Policy.
We are currently reviewing our ICT Acceptable Use Policy. Cathal hopes to bring a draft version for approval at the next BoM meeting.
Sciath na Scol has commenced for 2023-24 (football). A one-day blitz will be held on 3 October.
A school Choir has been set up – pupils rehearse every Tuesday at lunch time.
Ciara McCarthy is our Green Schools Coordinator this year and will lead the process for Year 2 of our Energy flag application.
Laura MacMahon will lead the Student Council meetings (once per month) – to begin in October.
Irish Dancing (6 week block) with Deirdre O’Sullivan will begin on Tuesday 3 October.
Our annual Scholastic Book Fair will run from 10-13 October.
The Christmas Show will be a Carol Service in the Church (date TBC).
Swimming Lessons are due to begin in January (4 week block) for pupils from 3^rd to 6^th Class
Gymnastics: 4 week block beginning 29 February 2024.
Repairs/Improvements: (i) The tap in the Infants classroom was replaced (ii) The sink under the stairs (for use by cleaner) was leaking and new pipework had to be laid.
Equipment/Resources: (i) James Gleeson has now networked the 13 laptops in the computer lab. Huge thanks to James for all his work.
Health & Safety: Eva O’Driscoll carried out a H&S audit on 14 September.
We held a Fire Drill on 14 September and will hold another in Term 2.

Board of Management Meeting 21/06/2023 – Agreed Report

Attendance for June was 84% (lots of families on holiday)
There are currently 103 pupils on roll
Projected numbers: 102 for 2023-24
Interviews for a fixed-term teaching position will be held in July.
Marian Dineen’s retirement celebration will take place on 28 June. The Board will make a presentation to her and parents have been invited to attend. Tea/coffee and refreshments to be served afterwards.
An advertisement has been placed in the Lee Valley Outlook for a new cleaner. Interviews will be held for the position in July/August in order to have a new cleaner in place for September.
Staff received inservice training on the new Primary Language Curriculum on Friday 16 June.
Report Cards were made available for parents on Aladdin on 19 June.
No policies were reviewed/ratified at this meeting.
The Sciath na Scol hurling tournament was a great success and the school team reached the final at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on 23 May. Unfortunately, they were beaten by Dripsey NS but it was an amazing achievement to have made it to the finals of both the football and hurling (winning the football) and the school and Board would like to express its sincere thanks to coaches Eva O’Driscoll, Brian Phelan and Louise Henchin.
The Cork City Sports races took place on 1 June. Two of our runners took 1^st Place, Two took 2^nd Place and our relay team also took 2^nd Place.
Sports Day took place on 20 June. The ice-cream van arrived at 12pm and all children received an ice-cream or slushie. Winners of the races received plaques and medals. Winners of the soccer tournament received certificates.
Swimming Lessons have been booked for January (3^rd to 6^th Class, although we will need to wait on Leisureworld to confirm availability of instructors. We may need to confine it to 4^th to 6^th Class. We will know more in Term 1 of 2023-24.
Gymnastics have been provisionally booked for all pupils in February/March 2024 (to be confirmed in the autumn).
A recent survey of parents showed that there was a lot of interest in Computer Coding and Irish Dancing. Enquiries ongoing as to the availability of same for the coming year.
The Parents Association held a Cycle to School Day on 19 May.
On 25 May the PA held their annual 5k. The start and finish locations were the school. Refreshments were provided at the school. The turn-out was excellent and the event was a great success. The Board would like to express its appreciation for such a well-run event.
The PA will make a presentation to Marian Dineen on 28 June.
Repairs/Improvements: (i) We are in the process of setting up a computer lab in the old staff room upstairs. The computer room should be ready for use in 2023-24. (ii) A wheelchair ramp has been installed at one of the emergency exits (iii) A number of slates came loose recently and these have been replaced (iv) The all-weather pitch was recently serviced. The PA has agreed to help towards the cost (v) End caps on two rain chutes have been recently replaced:
Equipment/Resources: From 2023-24 onwards, parents will not be required to pay for schoolbooks, workbooks or copies. The school has ordered the necessary amounts of the above for next year. Parents will still be asked to purchase pencil case items, recorders, etc, and to pay towards the cost of art/craft materials and photocopying, as well as pupil accident insurance. The Board discussed the exact price to be charged for the above and agreed that €40 will be requested – €32 towards art/craft and photocopying, etc, and €8 for insurance. This represents an increase of €2 overall. Parents will be notified of exactly what they will require before the end of term.
HSE’s Infants Immunisation programme: This took place in the school on 19 June. There were no issues/complications.
Covid-19: Same arrangements for enhanced cleaning, handwashing/sanitising, ventilation and HEPA filters.
We held a fire drill on 20 June
The Infant Open Day took place on Wednesday 14 June and was very successful. New pupils met their teacher and spent time in their classroom, mixed with each other, etc. Parents were served tea/coffee and refreshments.
First Holy Communion took place on Saturday 13 May.
School tours have taken place for all class groups, except the remaining tour 23 June Ballyhass Lakes (3^rd/4^th)

Board of Management Meeting 24/04/2023 – Agreed Report

Attendance for April was 93%.
There are currently 103 pupils on roll
Projected numbers: At present, there are 9 incoming Junior Infants for 2023-24. 10 x 6^th Class pupils are progressing, so projected numbers for next year: 102
Staff will receive inservice training on the new Primary Language Curriculum on Friday 28 April. The school will close at 12pm to facilitate this inservice
The following policies were reviewed and ratified by the Board: (i) Protected Disclosures Policy (ii) Electronic Banking Policy
The Sciath na Scol hurling has commenced for the Spring and so far, our team have won all their games. The competition is ongoing
The annual Ficheall Chess tournament was held on 21 February and 8 pupils from 3^rd-6^th Class attended and competed. One pupil from our school placed 11^th out of 88
The Parents Association provided pancakes for all pupils on Pancake Tuesday (21 February)
A fundraising Lá Glas/Crazy Hair Day was held on 16 March. Approx. €150 was raised
The PA is hoping to hold a Cycle to School Day on 19 May (weather permitting) and has selected 25 May for the annual May 5K (the venue will be the school). Preparations are ongoing
Cupcakes and Goody Bags were provided for the pupils who received their First Confession. Many thanks to the PA for all their work
The PA enquired about switching to tracksuit only. Parents were surveyed and a majority (63%) are in favour of retaining both the uniform and tracksuit. In order to help avoid confusion for parents, the school has committed to having two specified tracksuit days per week (ie all pupils will wear tracksuit on those days)
Casey Construction completed repairs on the school roof on 3 and 4 April
We are in the process of setting up a computer lab in the old staff room upstairs. Donagh O’Shea has sourced, supplied and constructed 8 professional computer tables and 9 office chairs free of charge. The Board thanks Donagh for his generosity and all his hard work
A wheelchair ramp is required at one of the emergency exits. Charlie will install this on 6 May
Marie Spillane made an ‘official’ presentation on behalf of Global Giving (VMware) to the school in March. The Board thanks Marie sincerely for all her charity work on the school’s behalf
There was a planned electricity outage on Monday 24 April. The school remained open for children whose parents had no other option but to send them to school. We used water barrels from Mary Kelly and kept toilets in use

Board of Management Meeting 07/02/2023 – Agreed Report

Attendance for February was 93%.
There are currently 103 pupils on roll
Projected Numbers/Implications: At present, there are 8 applications for admission to Junior Infants for 2023-24. Projected numbers for next year: 101
School Self-Evaluation: The focus of ‘Wellbeing’ was selected by staff. Pupil, Parent and Staff questionnaires were circulated and a School Improvement Plan (SIP) was developed. The SSE Report and SIP are available on our website. Parents were notified. The ‘Wellbeing Board’, fortnightly assemblies and ‘Principal Award’/’Gaelgeoir na Seachtaine’ are under way. A Student Council has been set up with one pupil from each class (i.e. 8 pupils in total) being chosen to represent their class. Mrs Jakubowski will organise and guide the Student Council meetings.
The Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment was reviewed and ratified by the Board. The Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment has been published on the school website, emailed to parents and to the Patron.
Extra-Curricular: The planned indoor Hurling blitz for 4th Class on 18 January was postponed due to snow. We await a new date. There will be a Ficheall Chess tournament on 21 February and 8 pupils from 3rd-6th Class have been selected to attend and compete.
The Parents Association screened two Christmas movie nights (one for lower classes and one for upper classes) in December. They supplied selection boxes for Santa’s visit on 21 December and held a fundraising raffle on the same day. These were a great success and we thank the PA for all their work.
The PA held their AGM on 18 January. A new Chairperson was elected – Siobhán Slevin. Geraldine Canty will take the role of Secretary and Cris Duggan will remain as Treasurer. Many thanks to outgoing Chairperson, Yvonne O’Flynn for all her work.
A fundraising Cake Sale (held by 3rd/4th Class) was held on 3 February. Proceeds go to the Parents Association. The amount raised was €240.
The PA contributed €1,661 last year towards buses.
Cathal surveyed the Parents regarding Homework (following President Higgins’ comments on the topic). A majority of parents would like homework to remain as it is. However, clearly written work and memorisation cause the most difficulty. The PA will discuss the results of the survey at their next meeting and we await their suggestions.
Celebrations: Grandparents Day was held on 25 January and was a great success.
Sacramental Preparations: (i) First Confession will take place on 7 March (ii) First Holy Communion will take place on Saturday 13 May.
Rowing will take place for 5th/6th Class in the school hall for a period of 6 weeks, starting on 24 February.
Future Events: School tours have been booked for all classes: (i) 29 May Oysterhaven and Wilton (5th/6th ); (ii) 21 June Let’s Go Camp (Infants to 2nd ); (iii) 23 June Ballyhass Lakes (3rd /4th )

Board of Management Meeting 06/12/2022 – Agreed Report

Attendance for November was 94%.
There are currently 103 pupils on roll
Projected Numbers/Implications: At present, there are 6 applications for admission to Junior Infants for 2023-24 (admission closes 1 February 2023). 10 x 6^th Class pupils are progressing to secondary school, so projected numbers for next year: 99
Mrs Jakubowski and Ms O’Driscoll attended ‘Wellbeing’ training from the PDST on 25 October and a number of developments have come from this, including: (i) introduction of a wellbeing board (ii) reintroduction of whole-school assemblies (iii) a principal’s award (weekly, one from each classroom) and (iv) a ‘gaelgeoir na seachtaine’ award (weekly).
Staff received inservice training on the new Primary Language Curriculum on Friday 28 October.
Staff received support from the PDST on Friday 18 November (focus was on team teaching).
School Self-Evaluation: The focus of ‘Wellbeing’ has been selected by staff. Pupil, Parent and Staff questionnaires have been circulated in an effort to establish what the school can do to improve the wellbeing of our school community.
Policies: (i) The Department of Education has directed all schools to insert two new paragraphs into their Admission Policy. These concern co-operation with NCSE regarding opening special classes, etc. The Board approved the update to the Admission Policy and the Patron will be notified (ii) Our Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment will be due for review in February 2023. A sample of pupils and parents will be surveyed in January/February 2023.
The Scholastic Book Fair was a great success and earned the school €906 in rewards.
The Sciath na Scol football team, led by Ms O’Driscoll, Brian Phelan and Louise Henchin, were victorious at the final in Páirc Uí Chaoimh (27 October). This is the first such victory in 12 years and the school community are absolutely delighted. The Board expressed their thanks to Ms O’Driscoll, Brian and Louise for all their work in preparing/coaching the team.
There will be an indoor Hurling blitz for 4^th Class in mid-January (details TBC).
The Cork Simon Christmas Jumper Appeal (Toy Show night) raised €286.
The Carol Service/Nativity will take place on Tuesday 13 December in St. Joseph’s Church, Cloughduv.
The Carols at the Airport will take place on Friday 16 December (3^rd – 6^th Classes).
There will be a Ficheall Chess tournament on 21 February and 8 pupils from 3^rd-6^th Class will be selected will attend and compete.
The Parents Association subsidised buses/entry for the Sciath na Scol final.
The PA have kindly agreed to subsidise buses for the Christmas Panto/Lifetime Lab (5^th/6^th Class).
The 5^th/6^th Class held a bake sale on 11 November to raise funds for the PA.
The Parents Association will screen two Christmas movie nights (one for lower classes and one for upper classes) which will be held in the school on 15 and 16 December. The Board expressed their thanks to the PA for all their work throughout the year.
A new school sign has been erected (3 December) to replace the previous one.
Regarding the leak on the roof, the school is waiting on a number of quotations to repair the damage.
A fire drill was held on 19 October (during Fire Safety Week). We will hold another in Term 2.

Board of Management Meeting 27/09/2022 – Agreed Report

Attendance for September (to date) was 85%.
There are currently 103 pupils on roll.
Since Emma Davis is on Career Break, Eva O’Driscoll (acting DP) will act as DDLP for Child Protection Matters.
Projected Numbers/Implications: The Admission Notice for 2023-24 was approved by the Board. 16 places will be made available in Junior Infants for 2023-24, as there are currently 12 Senior Infants. The Board agrees that 28 pupils is the maximum that can be accommodated in any classroom in the school.
Due to SET hours being cut for 2022-23, our school is clustered with Bandonbridge NS. Mairead O’Sullivan will attend there on alternate Mondays for the duration of the school year.
The Board has a new Teacher’s Nominee, Eva O’Driscoll, due to Laura MacMahon taking maternity leave. Eva will serve for the remainder of the Board’s current term (2019-2023).
Curriculum: Staff will have Inservice training on the new Primary Language Curriculum on Friday 28 October. The Department of Education has sanctioned a half-day closure for this training.
From the School Library Book Grant, each classroom/zone (five in total) has €430 to spend on new books for our libraries. Teachers are sourcing these books currently.
Policies: The following policies were reviewed and ratified: (i) Plean Scoile Policy Statement (ii) Admission Policy (iii) Code of Behaviour (iv) Critical Incident Policy (v) Anti-Bullying Policy (vi) Health & Safety Policy (vii) Admission Notice
The following new policies were discussed and ratified: (i) Special Needs Assistant Policy (ii) Assessment Policy
Sciath na Scol has commenced for 2022-23 (football).
Ukulele classes (after school) commencing Tuesday 4 October – 3rd/4th Class.
The Christmas Show will be a Carol Service/Nativity Play this year (date to be decided) and will be held in the Church in Cloughduv.
Our annual Scholastic Book Fair will run from 11-14 October.
A new Parent’s Nominee was required for the Board, due to one parent becoming ineligible. Parents were contacted and 5 volunteers (mothers) came forward. The parent body was balloted and Joanne Whelton was deemed to be elected at a meeting of the PA on 21 September.
The Parents Association are hoping to run a Halloween Costume Shop in the school on Friday 7 October (1.40pm-3.15pm).
There’s a leak in the roof. It has been temporarily sealed it (26 September) but a section of the lead is cracking and will need to be replaced eventually. Cathal will seek estimates for this for the next BoM meeting.
Covid-19: The same arrangements will be in place for enhanced cleaning, handwashing/sanitising, ventilation and HEPA filters. Other than that, most measures (pods/class bubbles, etc) have been stood down.
Fire Drill: We will have one this term (November).
Four past pupils have applied to complete TY work experience in late January/early February 2023.
Sacramental Preparations: First Communion will take place on Saturday 13 May.