The school year 2017-2018 is well and truly underway. We had a very good start to the new school year and at this stage I hope that all students have settled into a steady pattern of work. It is very important for the exam classes that good study habits are established early on and maintained throughout the year. I would encourage 9th and 12th class students to avail of the supervised study after school Monday to Thursday.
As always life in St Kilian’s has been busy. Since the 28th of August we have had a DES Inspection for Guidance. The Hamburg exchange students were with us for almost 3 weeks and the 10th class students are looking forward to the return visit over the Easter holidays.
Wandertag took place the day after the Junior Certificate results issued. The results overall were excellent with one student scoring grade A in 10 subjects. On the weekend of the 21st September we welcomed the Internationale Deutsche Schule Brüssel to St Kilian’s for a weekend of Sport. The Sprachdiplom certificates were handed out to successful students by Ambassador Mathias Höpfner at a ceremony on the 5th of October in our Lynn Hall. On Saturday 7th October we held our first ever open morning which proved to be an enormous success. We had the highest number of families visit the campus expressing an interest in places for both primary and secondary school.
On 13th October we reunited with the class of 2017 for the annual Schulball and a wonderful evening was had by all in Fitzpatrick’s hotel in Killiney.
I am happy to report that the Mobile Device Policy has been successfully implemented and has made an impact. Students are now talking to each other during break-time and that is to be welcomed!
We are looking forward to the opening of the new Astro Pitch at the end of November. It will enhance our facilities for soccer and offer us considerably more space for students to go outside during break times.
The 9th of November is our Anti-Bullying day. The issue of bullying will be addressed in all classes across the curriculum on that day and it will be followed by an Internet safety presentation on the 15th of November.
As I write this piece the body overseeing the delivery of professional training for teachers (JCT) to deliver the new Junior Certificate Curricula is scheduling whole school training days for the new year. This will involve two days of school closure for the secondary school in early 2018. I will give you advance notice of the days as soon as they are finalised.
This report is an overview of some of the events and initiatives which have taken place in the school in the first half term. I wish all staff and students an enjoyable and restful mid-term break.
Alice Lynch
Principal
