Today, children from 1st to 6th class brought home a book of their choosing to keep. Next week, children in the Junior Classes will also select a book to keep. Books are from a wonderful selection, gifted to us by Woodbine Books in Kilcullen. We’re very grateful to Woodbine and wish them book-joy for many years to come!

This afternoon, we learned about stud farms in Kildare and the sire, Sea the Stars, in Gilltown Stud, just a few kilometres from our school. Our sincere thanks to John Garrett for visiting us to share his knowledge and experience and to Jill Donnelly for organising. We’re looking forward to visiting Gilltown, when restrictions ease in the next school year.

This afternoon, we learned about bees and pollination when Karen Flynn, parent, shared her experience and expertise as a bee-keeper with us. We learned about the 97 bee species in Ireland, foods that would be ‘off the menu’ without bees, how bees see flowers, and lots more before tasting some of Karen’s delicious honey! Our sincere thanks to Karen for all her planning and preparation. 

Brannoxtown CNS will be closed for the June Bank Holiday weekend next Monday and Tuesday (June 7th and 8th). School will resume for everyone on Wednesday, June 9th. 

Earlier this year, we completed several projects as part of the Creative Schools initiative.  The Creative Schools team have asked permission to use some of our school’s photographs for future educational and promotional work. Please complete this form to indicate your consent for the use of photographs of your child(ren) by Monday, 17th May. 

Our May Mid-Term Newsletter is available here. We hope you all enjoy the bank holiday and the break next week. We look forward to welcoming the children back on  Monday 10th May. 

Our School Calendar for the next academic year is available here. Junior Infants will begin school on Wednesday 1st September. Senior Infants to Sixth Class will return the following day, Thursday 2nd September.

Sincere thanks to Jennifer Corley, Parent, for sharing her experience and expertise as an equine vet with all children. Children in the Junior Room were thrilled to learn how to look after their pet and to have a real vet visit, especially when our play theme was ‘The Vet’s Surgery’! Older children appreciated the opportunity to apply their knowledge of human biology and to learn about the very complex and rewarding work involved in being an equine vet.

Our Easter Newsletter is available here. Best wishes to all Brannoxtown CNS families for a happy Easter Break. We look forward to seeing children again when school reopens on Monday, April 12th.

We look forward to welcoming children from Junior Infants to Third Class back to school on Tuesday, March 9th. This date ensures our flood repair work will be complete and our school deep-cleaned for children’s return. Parents of all children from Junior Infants to Third Class are asked to complete a HSE/Government Declaration to say that to the best of your knowledge, your child does not have any symptoms of Covid-19 (by selecting ‘yes’ in the online declaration). Please complete the School Return Declaration for your child(ren) by Wednesday, March 3rd.

Welcome back to Virtual School. Across classes, our Active Challenge starts on Monday, February 22nd for three weeks. Each child records their progress with daily physical activity using the large ‘Your Homework Challenge’ sheet posted to you before mid-term. The ‘Active Homework Challenge: Exercises’ sheet posted (one per family) explains exercises for each week of the challenge. Children can use our Active Schools Padlet for additional ideas on ways to be active each day. More information is available on our Active Flag webpage: www.brannoxtowncns.ie/active-schools/.

Well done to children and thank you to parents for facilitating participation in daily Virtual School with your child(ren)’s teacher and classmates. Our small classes have been key to continuing children’s learning on Zoom and Class Dojo during this lockdown. Our thanks to parents for sharing your experience with us. Feedback has been very positive nad is always welcome at: brannoxtowncns@kwetb (FAO Virtual School).

The one-week mid-term break, from Monday 15th to Friday 19th February is a well-earned rest for everyone. Until virtual school resumes on the 22^nd, on behalf of all of us, best wishes for a safe and relaxing mid-term break.

The school mailing to each child on 11/02/21 includes a hard-copy of this February Mid-Term Newsletter. The newsletter includes updates on developments across the school and and learning resources for when children  return to Virtual School after the break, on Monday 22nd February.

Individual and small group support for children with additional needs is continuing daily with Múinteoir Anne Marie. Teaching and learning based on children’s individual targets in reading, spelling, emotional regulation and study skills takes place on Zoom. A number of children are working on targeted programmes, including TTRS and Nessy, from home. School Support and School Support Plus plans are due for review and dates for review meetings will be scheduled after mid-term. Parents of child(ren) eligible for the home-based Supplementary Programme 2021 have been contacted this week (beginning Monday, 08/02/21). Múinteoir Anne Marie is available if you have any questions about your child(ren)’s support plan: brannoxtowncns@kwetb.ie FAO: Múinteoir Anne Marie.

The Board of Management meeting  Tuesday, November 24th was hosted by Office 365. The Minutes and Agreed Report from the November Board Meeting were approved. Following the meeting, the Agreed Report from the February Board Meeting was also approved. Agreed Reports for all Board Meetings are available on the  Board of Management webpage.

School will begin again for all children on Monday, January 11th as virtual school. Your child’s belongings will be ready (bagged and labelled) for collection at school this Friday, 2-4pm or Saturday 11am-1pm. Please plan to visit school during these hours. Phone 087-1124310 from the set-down and we will bring your child’s items (bagged and labelled) to your car.

We are using Zoom and Class Dojo for our virtual school. Your child will need access to a networked device (PC, laptop or tablet) to join their teacher’s zoom link. If your child needs a networked device, please email the school (brannoxtowncns@kwetb.ie). We have a small number of Surface RTs which can be loaned out during the closure and collected with your child’s belongings this Friday or Saturday. 

Teachers will share your child’s virtual school schedule on Class Dojo this Friday. As always, we appreciate your support and feedback as we make changes to do our best for children and parents.

School will close for all children on Tuesday, December 22nd at 11:50am (half-day). School reopens on Wednesday, January 6th and children will receive their Homework Folder on Friday, January 8th for the following week, in time to quarantine.

On behalf of Deirdre O’ Donovan, Chairperson, Board Members and Staff, every good wish for Christmas and the New Year/le gach dea-ghuí don Nollaig agus don Bhliain Nua! 

Junior and Senior Infants performed a selection of winter and festive songs including ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’ and ‘I’m a Little Snowman’. The video has been uploaded on to the ClassDojo site. We hope you enjoy it!

1st, 2nd and 3rd Class performed a radio play called Celebrate Winter by Jennifer Reif. They tell the story of woodland animals learning all about the changing of the seasons. They also performed Bualadh Bos together.

4th, 5th and 6th Class children performed a radio play, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, by Donald A. Reasoner Jr. A reporter interviews the Moore family after they experience a fascinating event. This is an imaginative retelling of the classic poem, ‘A Visit by St. Nicolas’, by Clement C. Moore.

Our Creative Schools associate, Helen Flanagan, will lead a Fairy Doors workshop with all children on Tuesday, 15th. Each child will have the opportunity to create their own personalised fairy door for our outdoor play spaces. On Thursday, 17th, Helen will work with all children to review our Creative Schools journey so far and imagine priorities for our Creative Schools grant next year!

Well done to Brian Byrne, Editor, and to the Bridge Board. Children are thrilled to see some of their November achievements included in the December issue. It’s hot off the press and available in all local/Kilcullen shops.

Thank you, Secret Santa! We love our five-star, hand-made birdhouse (mansion). The robins visiting our new willow hut are thrilled with their new lodgings! #happyfeatheredfriends

We had a wonderful time creating our Willow Hut with Beth Murphy during the last week of November! Some photos featured in our Friday Facebook post (@BrannoxtownCNS). You can read more on the Kilcullen Blog. Our thanks to Muinteoir Dawn who leads our Creative Schools initiative, to Yuki Kobayashi (parent) for supplying the willow and to Beth Murphy, master builder! 

Thank you to our second Secret Santa in as many days! Our new beech hedge is exactly what we hoped for to tidy-up our side garden! #beechlifeatbrannoxtowncns

The Board of Management had their sixth meeting on Tuesday, November 24th, hosted by Office 365. The Minutes and Agreed Report from the October Board Meeting were approved. Agreed Reports for all Board Meetings are on our  Board of Management webpage. 

For all parents looking for a place for your child(ren) in September 2021, our first Open Enrolment session is Wednesday, November 18th, at 8pm. Click here to request the link for the Open Day session. We look foward to meeting you online to introduce our staff and share information about our spacious classrooms, outdoor play spaces, small classes, hands-on learning, and lots more…

Following acceptance of a place at Brannoxtown CNS for September 2021, new students are invited to meet their teacher and other new students. These short zoom sessions were a lovely way for us to welcome new students during lockdown in Spring 2020. Welcome zooms for new students will be held on the second Wednesday of the last three months of the school year: April 14th, May 12th and June 9th, 2021.

This year, we look forward to celebrating Thanksgiving across the school on Thursday, 26th. Thanksgiving stories and traditions will be shared with children by a mum of the school who has celebrated this American holiday each year since childhood. 

As part of our Creative Schools workshops, Beth Murphy will be visiting our school for two days to help us build a willow hut. We are looking forward to welcoming Beth and beginning the project. 

Next week, mid-year Parent Teacher Meetings are scheduled for all children. These meetings support your child by enabling parents and teachers to share information about your child’s learning and development at home and at school. To begin the conversation, please complete the PT Meeting Parent Form by answering the questions for your child and returning the completed form to the school:

• On Email: to brannoxtowncns@kwetb.ie with PT Meeting in the email subject line.
• On Class Dojo: an attachment to a message for your child’s teacher.
• In Hard Copy: a printout of the completed form, sent with your child to his/her teacher.

Completed forms returned on email/Class Dojo are due back to school by Monday morning, 23rd November. Printed forms are due back by this Friday, November 20th.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, it is not possible to send gift-filled shoeboxes from Ireland this year. Team Hope is asking schools, families, friends, communities and businesses to donate gift-filled shoeboxes online. These donations will enable the network of local partners in Africa and Eastern Europe to purchase items for shoeboxes for children affected by poverty. Often these shoeboxes are the only gift that a child will receive at Christmas and the joy that they deliver is incredible. Parents can learn more and contribute here. 

Children from 1st to 6th class are in for a treat on Thursday, November 12th when Yuki, a mum of the school, joins us to share Japenese culture, language and … the art of Origami!

Our mid-year parent-teacher meetings are scheduled from November 24th to 26th, after school hours. In line with our Covid-19 policy, all meetings are by phone. Today, all parents received a text with details of your child’s meeting – time and phone number. Please email/phone the school if you wish to receive the call at another number or cannot make the time scheduled.

Best wishes to children and families for a wonderful October Break! Until school resumes on Monday, November 2nd, Saoire Oíche Shamhna Shona do gach duine /HappyHalloween Holiday to all! 👻🎃

Children wear their formal school uniform for County Photos (individual and class photos) on Tuesday, 20th.

Our Mask making workshop with Helen Flanagan, Creative Associate, was a huge success and nicely timed before Halloween. Here are some snapshots of children’s marvelous masks!

The Board of Management met on 13th October (virtually). Five school policies were approved at the meeting. Parents can access the policies below. They are also posted on the School Policy webpage:

Child Safeguarding Statement (updated)

Child Safeguarding Risk Assessment (updated)

Child Safeguarding Risk Assessment: Covid-19 (new)

Covid-19 Response Plan: Overview (new)

Code of Behaviour / Positive Behaviour Policy (updated)

Your child’s teacher has sent you a message on Class Dojo. Parents are asked to respond via Class Dojo to confirm receipt. From Monday, 5th October, we’re trialling Class Dojo for parents to let us know if your child is absent—cause and duration (if known). All schools are required to note and report the cause of each student absence. Up to now, parents have used the school phone and email. At the end of October, we’ll take stock to see if using Class Dojo to report absence to your child’s teacher makes the process easier and more efficient for parents and staff.

This Update on reopening Brannoxtown CNS was shared with all parents on October 2nd.

Applications are invited for admission to Brannoxtown CNS in September 2021. Details are available on our Admissions Notice and on our Enrolment page: www.brannoxtowncns.ie/enrol.

Monday, September 28th: Children’s Homework Folders/Envelopes for this week include our school’s Healthy Eating Policy Summary and … a copy of our school’s Healthy Eating Cookbook! Homework this week (for children from 1st to 6th class) includes a focus on healthy eating. The full BCNS Healthy Eating Policy is available on our school’s policy page: www.brannoxtowncns.ie/school-policies.

This Update on Reopening Brannoxtown CNS was shared with all parents on September 24th.

Here are some snapshots from our ‘very creative workshop’ on Shadow Puppets, led by Helen Flanagan, Creative Associate on September 24th!

Monday, September 21st: Chidren’s Homework Folders for this week include a copy of our school’s Code of Behaviour / Positive Behaviour Policy and one sheet for families to read and sign.  The policy is also available on our school’s policy page: www.brannoxtowncns.ie/school-policies. Thank you for returning the signed agreement sheet to your child’s teacher.

Our school’s Covid-19 Response Plan: Overview has been updated to include new advice published by the HSE (18/09/20) about what to do if you think your child is at risk (on pages 6 and 7).  It is also available on the Covid-19 section of our school’s policy page: www.brannoxtowncns.ie/school-policies.

Yes, your child can come to school with a runny nose or sneeze.  The HSE’s Advice for Parents explains when it’s ok for your child to come to school and when you should keep your child at home and contact your GP.

This Update on reopening Brannoxtown CNS was shared with all parents on September 18th.

This Update on reopening our school was emailed to all parents on 21/08/20. We look foward to welcoming parents and children back to school next week.

All parts of our school’s Covid-19 Response Plan are available here on our policy page. All documents are draft and will be continually improved if/as needed. Feedback is welcome to: brannoxtowncns@kwetb.ie. 

For enrolment queries, payments (ties, crests and the General Purpose Fee) and to drop off/collect crested uniform tops, the school office will be open:

• until Wednesday, 8th July.
• from Monday, 24th August.

Please email in advance to schedule an appointment at the school: brannoxtowncns@kwetb.ie

This Update on reopening Brannoxtown CNS includes exciting new developments at our school and questions and answers for parents on the government’s Response Plan for reopening schools, published 27/07/20.

We are delighted to welcome Busy Fingers to Brannoxtown CNS! Afterschool Club begins at the school this month with school reopening. Preschool is scheduled to begin at the school in September 2021. Application Forms and further information are at: www.brannoxtowncns.ie/busy-fingers/

Spaceous play areas, large well-equipped classrooms, high quality care and education, small classes, regular tours and trips outdoors, Afterschool Club and Preschool Care … these are some of the reasons parents choose our school. Check out our brief Q and A, weekly Facebook posts and this website to learn more. For further information  including our Enrolment Form, visit: www.brannoxtowncns.ie/enrol/