Class Act in Kilmihil

Clare Champion, Friday, 26th November 1999

Kilmihil National School opened its doors to the children on September 15th, 1995 replacing the school in Lacken which was almost one hundred years old.

The new school has three classrooms but now the number of teachers has increased to four which has resulted in one teacher using the facilities of the nearby local community centre.

The school is situated in the heart of the village adjacent to the newly developed GAA playing pitch and stand. Four teachers make up the staff - Eva, Carmel, Martina and Maura - as well as a shared remedial teacher, Mrs. Murphy. The school also has the services of a support teacher, Teresa, and a special needs assistant, Ann. School maintenance and cleaning are taken care of by Community Employment.

The school's extensive grounds include a basketball court, a football pitch, a tarmacadam play area and a green area with an infants' section in the corner as well as cobbled walks, tunnel and picnic benches.  Shrubs and native Irish trees enhance the whole playground.

A wide ranging curriculum is taught encompassing music, sport - both football and hurling, as well as athletics, computer tuition - given by Carmel to classes III to VI, and drama - taught by Peggy.

The children take part in many competitions including Feile na hÍnse and have won several awards. During the past year, the school won a National Environmental award in conjunction with the E.S.B. and St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra. Four children won a recent Quiz organised by the transition year students of the local Community College. Two children were winners in the creative writing competition sponsored by the Ennis Show Committee.  A group also got an award for the write-a-book competition organised by the Teachers' Centre in Ennis.  Combining with the other Parish schools, the children have won various under-age competitions in both football and hurling.

Participation in the Hallelujah Millennium Concert at the Point Theatre on November 14th was a major highlight of the school year. Over thirty children from third to sixth classes were involved in rehearsals since September. The concert programme included some popular medleys from hit musicals such as "Grease" and "Les Miserables" as well as selections from Boyzone, Abba and The Beatles. The concert was organised by Hallelujah Concerts Ltd. and the proceeds went to childrens charity.

Brendan Golden knows the answer at Kilmihil N.S.			The Best of Friends... Aisling Brennan and David McNamara at Kilmihil N.S.

Photographs by John Kelly, Clare Champion.

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