Kilgarriffe National School is a Church of Ireland National School under the patronage of the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross.

 

The school is part of the local church community and has strong links with Kilgarriffe Union of Parishes. We also serve Ross Union of Parishes. The Rector of the Parish and the Dean of Ross visit the school and conduct assemblies on a regular basis. We are co-educational. The school was founded in 1871 and transferred to its present location in 1975. 

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Kilgarriffe is a school which, in accordance with the Education (Admissions to Schools) Act 2018, mainly serves those of a ‘minority religion.’  

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• The work of the school is conducted in an atmosphere of tolerance and respect for religious differences.  The school nurtures freedom of thought and an individual relationship with God.  This is most evident in the teaching of Religious Education and in the corporate prayer life of the school community.

• Kilgarriffe NS is held under the patronage of the Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross. The school is a community where all pupils are equally valued and respected – irrespective of sex, religious and social background, family circumstances or intellectual functioning. 

• The School is a community where moral values such as honesty, truthfulness, justice, fairness, sensitivity to others, and civic and national responsibility are nurtured and protected.  It is a goal of the School to prepare its pupils to be responsible and active citizens of Ireland and of Europe.

 

The school’s vision for the development of the child

Kilgarriffe National School aims to promote the moral, spiritual, social and personal development of students and provide health education for them, in consultation with their parents, having regard to the characteristic spirit of the school.

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The way in which the school nurtures faith and a living relationship with God and with other people

Through weekly assemblies and class time, the school seeks to develop a sense of Christian values, hand in hand with the curriculum, in particular S.P.H.E., and to maintain Christian standards of behaviour throughout the school day, in both the classroom and on the playground. Local clergy visit the school on a weekly basis. The school encourages freedom of thought and encourages each child to develop a relationship with God.  Religious education is based on the programmes supplied by the Church of Ireland Board of Education. 

 

The Gospel Values expressed in the daily life of the school

The school encourages an ethos where the children internalise spiritual, moral and social values.  This enables the children to live their lives with dignity, honesty, fairness, civic responsibility, tolerance, kindness and sensitivity to others.

 

Admissions

The school’s admissions policy is devised in accordance with the law including the Education Act 1998, the Education (Welfare) Act 2000, and the Equal Status Act 2000 as amended by the Education (Admissions to Schools) Act 2018.

 

Religious Education

The school utilises the Follow Me religious education programme, supplemented with other resources.

The aims of Religious Education in this school are to enable children:

• To develop a knowledge and understanding of beliefs, worship and witness of the Christian faith, and in particular of the Church of Ireland (Presbyterian Church / Methodist Church) and other principal reformed traditions. 

• To explore the biblical witness to God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 

• To develop their own religious beliefs, values and practices through a process of personal search and discovery.

• To develop an awareness of and a sensitivity towards those of other faiths and none. 

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The Strands of Religious Education deal with the following areas

• Celebrations, festivals, ceremonies and customs

• Sacred writings, stories and key figures

• Beliefs 

• Sacred places, worship and symbols 

• Moral values and attitudes 

• Personal search

 

The way the school cooperates with parents

The teachers and staff in Kilgarriffe National School acknowledge that the parent is the primary educator of the child, and that 

“School is regarded as an extension of the home and an active partnership between parents and teachers make this a reality, especially in the eyes of the young child, who is the central figure.”  

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DES Circular 24/91

It follows that parents are given as much information as possible on all aspects of the child’s progress and development. Parents receive regular progress reports, and parent/ teacher conferences are held once a year. Detailed reports are sent home at the end of each academic year.  There is a weekly newsletter, and the school website is updated regularly. From the day to day running of the school, to the work of the Board of Management and the support of the Parents’ Association, tolerance and respect are afforded to all. 

 

Staff Development

Kilgariffe National School recognises the importance of teacher growth and development. Teachers and staff are encouraged to participate in regular professional development courses that relevant to the class or individuals that they are teaching.

 

The values expressed in the Code of Behaviour

Kilgarriffe National School cherishes all pupils equally. To aid all pupils to achieve their full potential, this Code of Behaviour, which cultivates respect for all, has been devised. A high standard of behaviour requires a strong sense of community within the school. It requires a high level of co-operation among staff and between staff, parents and pupils.

In devising this Code of Behaviour, consideration has been given to the needs and circumstances of Kilgarriffe National School. The school recognises the differences that exist between children and the need to tolerate these differences. 

 

This Code of Behaviour aims to:

• Create an orderly environment in which the pupils can, through self-discipline, feel secure and develop progressively.

• Develop a proper sense of social behaviour and school discipline.

• Show regard for the safety, health and well-being of pupils, staff and all visitors to Kilgarriffe National School.  

• Outline predictable and consistent sanctions where necessary.

 

Kilgarriffe National School has in place a code of conduct which is clearly displayed inside the main door and in each classroom. This code is referred to regularly. 

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Inclusion and participation of minority groups

We share the core values of the curriculum: 

• To celebrate each child’s uniqueness.

• To develop each child’s full potential.

 

In conclusion, Kilgarriffe National School provides an enriched learning environment that has helped countless students. We offer a broad curriculum including drama, music, a great range of PE events participated in, gardening, a dedicated computer classroom and classes as well as the Aistear programme in the junior classroom. Located in the town of Clonakilty in beautiful West Cork, we are a small and friendly three teacher school with a Church of Ireland Ethos that is Co-educational, open to all and reflects the diverse backgrounds and cultures of the area. 

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Revised and Updated January 2019