Learning

Primary School

• The Primary School welcomes children from 6-12 years of age. Pupils enter First Class in our Primary School at a minimum age of 6 years and 3 months having completed their Kindergarten/Vorschule years (Junior/Senior Infants). Pupils joining us from other schools and from abroad may enter the Primary School in accordance with our Admissions Policy.
• During their six years at Primary School, pupils follow the Irish Primary School Curriculum with the exception, initially, of the Irish Language (introduced in 3rd class). We follow Baden-Württemberg guidelines for the subject German and for our German Curricular Stream.
• German is taught throughout the Primary School. A knowledge of the German language is not a requirement for entry into the Primary School.
• There are two classes for each year group and we aim to ensure that our classes include an even mix of children regarding sex, German mother and foreign tongue as well as nationality.
• Every class has a class teacher.
• Classes are taught by a mix of primary teachers and specialist teachers.
• PE is an integral part of our core curriculum. Classes 1 to 4 have five timetabled classes of Sport a week, classes 5 and 6 have three. Hockey and Soccer are also taught as optional subjects in the afternoon.

School Day

In Primary school the timetabled school day varies according to the age of the pupils. The school day begins at 8.25 a.m.

Kindergarten children may be dropped off from 7.45 a.m. Children in Classes 1 – 6 may be dropped off from 7.45 a.m. They are then supervised by a teacher on the hockey astro until 8.10 a.m. when they are collected by their teachers. In very inclement weather, and if sufficient teachers are available to supervise, the children will be admitted to the building earlier.

Subjects and German

Our Core Curriculum: Mathematics, English, German, Science, History, Geography, Sports, Irish, Music, Art.

German plays an important role in our school. Pupils study German at a standard that is not available in any other Primary School in Ireland. German classes are offered at different levels: for non-native speakers and native speakers. More detailed information about the subject German at St. Kilian’s is available here.

English – The English curriculum is designed to offer children a language experience which integrates oral language, reading and writing. Oral language is of particular importance throughout the curriculum, as it is central to the development of the child’s general language ability. Talk and discussion are encouraged in every curriculum area. The approach to reading presented in the English Curriculum is based on this integrated language experience. From the earliest years children should experience a print-rich environment in which they have ready access to books. The ability to write clearly and expressively is developed through the process of writing.

• Children have the opportunities to write for a variety of purposes, for different audiences and in a range of genres
• They develop the ability to self-correct their own writing, through a consistent experience of drafting, editing and redrafting
• They develop a command of the conventions of grammar, spelling and punctuation, and progressively become independent writers.

Irish is taught from 3rd class onwards. At the heart of the Irish curriculum is a communicative, task-based approach to language learning, in which the child learns to use the language as an effective means of communication. Children are encouraged to speak the language in activities such as games, tasks, conversations, role-playing and drama. The broader Irish curriculum also aims to install in the children Irish cultural awareness and pride. Our pupils will attend Irish College in Donegal during either 5th or 6th class.

Mathematics enables children to think and communicate quantitatively and spatially, solve problems, recognise situations where mathematics can be applied, and use appropriate technology to support such use. The Mathematics Curriculum emphasises the development of the child’s estimation skills and problem-solving skills using examples which are relevant to the child’s experience. Discussion, hands-on experience with materials, and active learning are encouraged throughout the Primary School, and the importance of the development of mathematical language in communicating ideas is also stressed.

Science enables children to develop basic scientific ideas and understanding about the biological and physical aspects of the world. The Science Curriculum includes four strands:

• Living things
• Energy and forces
• Materials
• Environmental awareness and care.
• Each strand is subdivided into strand units which focus on particular concepts.

Music provides children with opportunities to engage with a wide range of musical styles and traditions, to become involved in moving, dancing, illustrating, storytelling and making drama. The Music Curriculum has three strands:

• Listening and Responding
• Performing
• Composing

The Art curriculum consists of six strands. Each strand represents a medium for developing the child’s expressive abilities. These strands are:

• Drawing
• Paint and colour
• Print
• Clay
• Construction
• Fabric and fibre.

The Visual Arts curriculum emphasises three starting points for the child’s art activities: the child’s own experience, imagination and observations. Art is taught through the German language in St. Kilian’s Primary School.

Religion As stated in our Ethos and Mission statement, St. Kilian’s cherishes the values and traditions of Europe’s Christian civilization. Pupils are prepared in Roman Catholic religion classes for the Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation.

EVS (Environmental Studies) consists of three subjects: History, Geography and Science. EVS is concerned with the exploration, investigation and development of an understanding of the natural, human, social and cultural dimensions of local and wider environments. It provides opportunities to engage in active learning, to use a wide range of skills, and to acquire open, critical and responsible attitudes. Each EVS subject plays a distinctive role in fulfilling the aims and objectives of this curriculum area.

IT plays a very important role in the Primary School and the Primary School teachers are committed to the integration of IT into the teaching and learning process. Significant investment over the last number of years has been made to the IT infrastructure in the Primary School. All classrooms in the Primary School are equipped with Interactive Whiteboards, laptops and wireless Internet access. Podcasts have become a feature of teaching and learning in some of our German and Irish language classes.

Physical Education is a core subject in St. Kilian’s and is taught on a daily basis in classes 1-4. We use the school gym and school grounds to play sport outside. In 6th class we group St. Kilian’s and LFI students together to participate in sports. This allows students from both schools to get to know one another in a sporting environment before they merge in the Secondary School. Aside from the obvious physical benefits to participating in sport regularly, the students develop a range of social skills including verbal and non-verbal communication, respect, fair play, developing an awareness of tactics, encouraging and helping others, planning, performing and evaluating, health and safety. The Physical Education programme within the school is designed to encourage individual skills and teamwork. Sport is a universal language, which is essential in a school with such a diverse range of nationalities and where different languages are spoken regularly. The key components of each class are participation, respect for one another.

Assessment

All pupils are assessed at the end of each school year using the Micra-T and Sigma-T standardised tests. Pupils are continually assessed in the core subjects throughout the school year using a variety of criteria.

Parent-Teacher Meetings

Parent-Teacher meetings take place in late September or early October. At these meetings parents will meet their child’s class teacher and subject teachers. Aspects of school life and curriculum content will be addressed and it is an opportunity to raise any questions parents may have. For any more child specific questions and conversations with the relevant teacher, we would like to encourage you to contact the respective teacher in order to make an appointment.

Learning Support/ Resource Teaching

St. Kilian’s Primary school has a resource department for Maths, English and general difficulties. Support can also be given in German and E.F.L. (English as a foreign language). If it is considered that your child needs assistance from any of those teachers, you will be contacted and consulted about their needs by the class teacher.

Reports

Reports are sent out three times a year: in October, at the end of January and at the end of the school year in June.