Kinaffe N.S. - Events

Positive Mental Health Competition

The Daily Mile

SKIPnROPE

RDS Primary Science Fair 2017

Last October we applied to participate in the RDS Primary science fair.  We knew that there would be lots of schools around Ireland who wanted to go too, so we weren't sure if we would get the chance to exhibit our science project.

You can imagine our excitement when we found out before Christmas that we actually had been invited to exhibit our project at the RDS Primary Science Fair in Limerick!

The RDS Primary Science Fair took place on the 19th January 2017 in Mary Immaculate College in Limerick.  It also took place in the RDS in Dublin.

We arrived at Mary Immaculate College at 8:30 am.  When we arrived we got very excited about presenting our project. After parking up we walked to the Taiteann building to hand in our admission slip. Once we handed in our admission slip we were given wrist bands and brought to our stand.  When we reached our stand we started setting up straight away. When we had finished setting up, Ms Ruddy took a photo of us with our project.  It wasn't long until children from other schools came to our stand to find out about our project about Biodegradable Plastic.  We loved telling other children about our project!

After a while we walked around the room to examine and learn about the other projects. There was a lot of interesting projects there but unfortunately we didn't have time to see them all. We had the option of attending science workshops in different lecture rooms around the campus.  At 10:30 am we went to a workshop called 'Fantastic Physics'. It was very amusing and interesting to watch.  We learned cool science tricks about static electricity and about floating and sinking.  Straight after that we went to a workshop called 'Big, Bold, Hot and Cold'. This was also very interesting and interactive.  One of the leaders of the show actually set herself on fire, (but didn't burn!)  All of the audience were watching fearfully.  When we arrived back to our stand the judge came to find out about our investigations. He asked us lots of questions which we gladly answered.

At 1:00 pm we went to the last workshop of the day it was called 'Biodiversity in the Back Garden'. This was all about bees, butterfiles and bats and it was very engaging. The man that led this workshop was called Dale and is a famous Australian man, who has actually been on television a few times.

It wasn't long after we got back to our stand when the judge came with our award and feedback sheet. We felt really proud of ourselves reading our feedback because it was so positive. Ms Ruddy has actually framed it!

We highly recommend for other children to participate in the RDS Primary Science Fair because we have never experienced anything like it.  We felt so grown up following our timetable and going around Mary Immaculate College to different lecture rooms to see great science workshops. We felt like real scientists explaining our project and investigation work to people who were really interested in it.

It was a fantastic day and a wonderfuly experience that we will never forget!

By Ciara Keane and Abby Sweeney

Intel Science Competition 2016

 Our Trip to the Intel Science Competition

As part of our entry for the Intel Mini Scientist Exhibition we designed a project based on biodegradable materials and composting.  We wanted to investigate whether biodegradable plastic really did biodegrade and wheather it could do so safely, without damaging the environment around it in the process.  It ws a really fun project because we got to make our own composter and learn all about biodegradable plastic.  The infants got involved by collecting leaves, grass, moss, bark and soil for making our indoor composter.  We observed our composter twice a week measuring any changes in size and texture of the materials.  We also got to measure the ph levels of our composter, using litmus paper.

While planting our spring bulbs we came across worms and different insects.  We thought it would speed up the rate of decomposition if we put the worms and insects into our composter.

On the morning of the 8th of December we set off on our way to Intel.  We were so excited the night before, we could barely sleep! At 8:30 am we arrived at Intel Headquarters. Once we found our stand we began to set up our project for all to see. When we had finished setting up we looked at some of the other projects that were there.  We seen some fantastic projects, one group even designed their own shampoo! Another group shared their ideas with us about how to prevent future road acciedents.  It was so interesting!

At 10:30 am one of the judges came to see our project. He asked us lots of questions and was really please with the work we did.  It wasn't long before another judge came to ask us questions about our project too. When the judges had seen all the projects some of the staff from Intel gave us lunch.  We were very lucky and got our lunch for free! After lunch there was a science show for everyone to watch. Dr. Ken (the man doing it) did tricks to do with science like juggling. After the science show the awards ceremony commenced. We didn't get through to the final stage but we were happy to have gotten to this stage of the competition.  The fun didn't stop there though, because we got to do a bit of Christmas shopping afterwards and go for dinner in TGI Fridays with our teacher.  It was a great day and a very enjoyable experience that we will never forget!

By Ciara Keane and Abby Sweeney

BT Young Scientist January 2014 Kinaffe NS children attended thir first BT Young Scientist Exhibition with their project entitled "What makes a good parachute?"   Kiltimagh Credit Union Art Competition Prizewinners Kinaffe NS Easter 2014                             European Blue Star Award Winners Kinaffe NS May 2013     Pet Day 2013      Italian Home Cookery Evening - fundraiser An Italian home cookery evening was held in Kinaffe N.S. It was a great success and everyone enjoyed themselves. Thanks to everyone for helping out and supporting us.

Santa's visit Santa came to visit us on the last day of school before the Christmas holidays. We were so excited

Christmas Decorations The children made festive table decorations with Breege Halpin. The children were very proud of their creations

Mary Davis Mary Davis came and visited the school, where she spent many a happy day learning. She was presented with the school cookbook which was compiled by the children. A great day was had by all.

Open Day Kinaffe N.S. opened it's doors to parents, neighbours and friends alike. People were shown the excellent facilities on offer at the school.

GAA training Tom Byrne puts the children through their paces every year

Visiting chicks/ducks We are very lucky to have ducks and chicks that visit us every few months to say hello. We really enjoy their visits.

Independent living We really enjoyed when Noel and his friends came to visit our school. He taught us alot about disabilities and what it is like for a person with a disability. Noel organised a poetry/essay competition. Pictured below are the winners. Congratulations!

Thanksgiving in Kinaffe Philip (from America) visited our school and told us all about America and Thanksgiving. We learned alot about America that day.

Hand writing Award Winner Community Games I worked really hard to improve my handwriting last year. I then took part in the Community Games hand writing competition. I won a Silver Medal. I was thrilled.

Award Winning Artists in Kinaffe N.S. Adrian Finn’s award winning picture of David Villa was published in MATCH Football Magazine. Adrian is very interested in football and he likes to draw famous footballers

WSSP Western Seaboard Science Project This is Mr. Greg Smyth St. Patrick’s College Drumcondra presenting Ms Reilly with a plaque to mark the schools participation in this project for the last number of years. The school is undertaking science experiments and work in classrooms each term as part of this project.

Ducks visit Kinaffe N.S. The ducks loved their dinner which was followed by a bath - splash splash.

Cycle Safety 2011 Gerry Butler putting the children through their paces.

Halloween 2011 Our scary party

St. Patrick's Day 2010 The theme for the parade was “The Good old days”. We dressed up as different personalities from the last 50 years. Monsignor Horan, Enda Kenny, the winning Mayo team of 1951 & ’52, Mary Robinson, Liam Clancy, Aer Lingus representatives, Sharon Shannan, luck the leprechaun, and 60’s hippies. We had a great time and enjoyed the parade in Swinford.  We were awarded 2ndprize for efforts.

School Tour 2009/2010
A great day was had by all on our school tour to the Let's Go Adventure Centre, Castlebar. The children participated in numerous events including the zorbee ball roll, the human table football, the bungee trampoline, KMX karts and the eliminator.

The junior classes partipicated in similar activities but the overall favourite were the Pony Cycles. The day was rounded off by a well earned visit to Mc Donalds followed by a very quite bus journey home.

Astro Turf - Opening 2009
On the 7th of December 2009 we officially opened our new Astro Turf Pitch. Pupils, teachers, staff, families and friends turned out to help celebrate this big event. Bishop Kelly blessed the new facilities with the help of Fr. Meehan and Fr. Gormley.

Paddy Oliver opened the Astro Turf Pitch, while John O'Mahony opened our new bike stand.