Kiltiernan’s Cute Chicks

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Chickens. Chickens are an important part of our community. Whether it’s for their meat or their eggs or to be kept as pets, we definitely need them!
A farmer by the name of John D thought that it would be a good idea to bring in some freshly laid chicken eggs to show the pupils of Kiltiernan the miracle of life and how all life on earth is important.
So John brought in all 12 chicken eggs on the 23rd of May 2017.
The eggs were kept in an incubator which was the next best thing, considering that John could not bring the mother hen or else she would become defensive and the pupil’s would not be able to take a look at the eggs.
The students of Kiltiernan were introduced to the eggs at around the end of April. John showed the pupils the stages of a chick when she’s in the egg. Their time in the egg lasts for 21 days. From a tiny embryo to a little chick.
John decided that it would be fun to show us what a ‘candling’ is.
‘Candling’ is when you take an egg and put it under a flashlight. When you do this you can see the embryo of the chicken while they’re in the egg. It looks a little funny but it’s also pretty cool.
Some of the eggs, unfortunately, where ‘glogars’ or ‘blind’ eggs. “What does that mean?” you might ask. “And why is it unfortunate?” Well when an egg is called a blind egg it means that the said egg doesn’t have a developing chick in it…the chick’s dead. Which is why it’s called ‘blind’, its empty.
This usually happens because bacteria has gotten into the egg and the embryo inside has died because of uncleanliness. 
During the bank holidays the eggs hatched, specifically on the 5th of June, which just so happens to be the same week as a pair of twins from Kiltiernan.
The students got to meet the chicks, one class at a time. There were eight chicks which means that the other four didn’t make it.
That same day, the chicks had to go home because if they were away from their mother for too long after they hatched their mother might not take them in, thinking that these weren’t her eggs. Luckily, the mother readopted her eggs.
The next week, on Monday, John brought the chicks back but this time he brought the hen as well!
There was a little pen, near the centenary garden that had a big hen and eight little, adorable, chicks. The chickens all stayed there until the school day was over.
Everyone in the school found it amazing and loved that we got to keep baby chickens in our school for a day. It was definitely a fun experience and you can bet that the students of Kiltiernan will be bugging their teachers until they get a school pet.

-Erin P

Seashore Safari with Brendan Allard

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On the 24th of May Brendan Allard from the Marine institute came to visit. He brought us to Traught beach to discover marine life. We came into school armed with our nets and buckets and we went on a bus to Traught.

First we went to the rocks. We got into groups and started searching for marine animals and plants under the seaweed at the rocks. We found hermit crabs, brown crabs, limpets, anemones, butterfish and seaweed. At the end of the activity we let all the wildlife go.

Secondly, we did marine engineering. Again we got into groups and tried to build the highest sandcastle. We had fifteen minutes to do this. Finally,it was time for  a beach clean-up. It is amazing how much litter was on the beach. We need to stop and help the environment. I really enjoy searching for crabs and all sorts of marine life. Some people think the beach is just about playing in the sand. There is much more to the beach than you think!

By David 5th Class

Drumcondra Tests

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Drumcondra Tests strike again!

For the past weeks we have been working very hard for the Drumcondra tests. We completed the first test which was the English test in late May. We also completed the spelling test in May but some classes were set aside to June. We finished the Maths in June and that was it- all completed.

The preparation was hard and I’m glad they are over. We worked hard on ever topic and soon enough they’ll be back to haunt us. “OH NO!!”

By Adam 5Th Class

Blogs Debating

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In the senior room over the last couple of months we have been undertaking debates in our classroom. We have worked on numerous motions including ‘Cats make better pets then dogs’, ‘Homework is a waste of time’ and ‘All students should be required to take a cooking class’. We were set into 2 teams and we had to argue out our points against  our opposing team. I really enjoyed debating and I think everyone else did as well. I learned how to research interesting, snappy facts and the language of debating-for example-oppose/propose the motion, rebuttals and how to refute an argument.

I learned that I must speak in a loud clear voice, add a little humour and keep inside the time limits!

 

 

By Toby

5th Class

 

Swimming with a Splash

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Swimming is a milestone in the year that everyone enjoys, so on the 28th of April everyone came in with swimming bag under their arms. At 11 o’clock every Friday for 6 weeks we would get a bus down to Kilcornan Swimming pool.

We were all so excited about it when it came to the day. We all hopped on the bus and drove down. We got off the bus and got ready for Swimming. We all split up into different groups and we started swimming. We improved skills and learned new strokes. We learned lifesaving tips and practiced using ring boy. If I had to guess I would say everybody’s  favourite part was play time at the end. Kieran would throw a ball in the pool and we would fight and pass the ball around the pool on the final week Kieran’s group brought in pyjamas and we did all sorts of cool tricks with them.

It was a great way to spend six weeks of the school year and I would love to do again next year. Thanks to Kieran and all the coaches and … Splash!!

By Stephen, 5th Class

 

 

 

 

 

 

Des & Bosco’s Training Sessions

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Des and Bosco-awesome training sessions

 

Every Tuesday we hurling trained with Bosco. The middle room did it from 12 o clock till 1 o clock. The senior room played from 1 o clock till 2 o clock every Tuesday. In the training sessions we sometimes did drills and in the drills we did jab lifts with the sliotar. After that drill we did some hand passing. After that we would usually do a match for the rest of the training session.

 

Just after the Easter holidays Des came to train us in Gaelic football. For the first 4 weeks it is the senior room’s turn. For the last four weeks the middle room did it. First we did some drills such as hand passing and then we would do some shooting drills. Finally we get into a match-my favourite part. The rules are if you get a block you get a point. You have to pass to a girl before your team scores a point or a goal. A goal is worth 3 points. If it is a free kick a boy is allowed to score straight from the free kick.

I really enjoy doing Gaelic football and hurling. I hope they come back next year.

By Luke 5th class

Mini 7’s

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Championship Mini 7s

On Thursday the 25th of May the Kiltiernan boys had a hurling blitz. We played Kilbeacanty N.S and Lurga N.S. We played Kilbeacanty N.S first. It was a very good game- very tight until the last minute…. Bang Kilbeacanty score a goal we were now down 4 points. We kept our heads up but couldn’t get a score. Sadly(for us) Kilbeacanty N.S went home with a win. Because we were already out and Lurga were out we played a match for fun. We only played one half because we were all tired. We probably would have won because we were winning by like 15 points! After the match most of us went to the shop to get a treat. After we went back to the school and went out to break we told people about the matches.

By Adam

Des & Bosco’s Training Sessions

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Bosco and Des

 

Hurling

Every Tuesday after Easter pupils from 3rd to 6th class went out to Bosco to train for hurling. We started by doing some small drills and at the end we all played a match that everyone enjoyed. The middle room went with him from 12 O’clock to 1 O’clock and the senior room was from 1 O’clock until 2 O’clock.

 

Gaelic

 

Every Friday after Easter Des our new Gaelic coach came in for eight weeks. The senior room started for four weeks and then the middle room started their four week period after. Des taught us how to solo, shoot and some fun warm ups along the way. After all that was finished we all played a match.

I will be looking forward to them next year for sure!

By Seán

Girls Camogie Championship 2017

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On Thursday the 1st of May 2017 girls from 4th to 6th class attended a camogie competition .The competition was at St Thomas’s Pitch. We had been practising on the pitch at school and we felt that are skills had improved!
Ms Leech and Ms O’Doherty had the privilege of picking the starting team. We played 4 matches and even though there was so much rain overall we were all happy with our performance and I will remember my last camogie match in Kiltiernan fondly
By Hannah

Pantomime

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The pantomime was on the 7th of April. We spent a long time preparing for the big night. Everyone’s adrenaline was pumping. You could feel the excitement.

First 5th and 6th class did their Irish dancing followed by 2nd-4th class` play called “Jack and the beanstalk”. Without delay they did their Irish dancing.  Shortly afterwards the 5th-6th class` play “Alas in Blunderland” took to the stage. They both had jokes and both as good as each other. But then the night sadly had to come to an end.

If you missed the play you can go on YouTube and find the whole night’s entertainment. We all had a great time.

 

Meadbh

6th class