our school
Our school was built in 1995 with its most recent extension completed in November 2014. The school is situated in the parish of Kilmurry in Mid Cork and located close to the main N22 road. Cloughduv N.S. is a mixed school with a current enrollment of 141 pupils a teaching staff of eight, including six class teachers, two learning support teachers and two special needs assistants. The school also employs a secretary, cleaner and caretaker. The school is state funded and is run by a Board of Management, under the patronage of the Catholic Bishop of Cork and Ross.
facilities
We have two large buildings on a spacious 2 acre site. The original building was constructed in 1995 and the extension which incorporates 4 classrooms, 2 learning support rooms as well as a multi-purpose resource room was completed in 2014.
In addition to the classroom accommodation, we have a large general purpose hall with a stage, a multi-purpose room currently used for dance classes, drama classes and motor skills groups, our Aistear room which provides opportunities for learning through play in the early years, and our computer room which was previously housed in prefab accommodation is currently being relocated to a large classroom space.
All classrooms are equipped with a laptop computer for the teacher, an overhead projector, an interactive whiteboard and a Soundfield all round sound system.
There is a large outdoor play space available for the children including hard surfaces, a ball court and a grass area. Our school vegetable garden will be re positioned in the coming months, after construction works necessitated its removal last year and this will provide plenty of outdoor scientific opportunities and experiences for the children.
In addition to the classroom accommodation, we have a large general purpose hall with a stage, a multi-purpose room currently used for dance classes, drama classes and motor skills groups, our Aistear room which provides opportunities for learning through play in the early years, and our computer room which was previously housed in prefab accommodation is currently being relocated to a large classroom space.
All classrooms are equipped with a laptop computer for the teacher, an overhead projector, an interactive whiteboard and a Soundfield all round sound system.
There is a large outdoor play space available for the children including hard surfaces, a ball court and a grass area. Our school vegetable garden will be re positioned in the coming months, after construction works necessitated its removal last year and this will provide plenty of outdoor scientific opportunities and experiences for the children.
curriculum
The Primary School Curriculum as laid out by the Department of Education is followed in our school and incorporates eleven different subject areas. These are: English, Gaeilge, Mathematics, SESE – History, Geography & Science, Visual Arts, Music, Drama, Physical Education and SPHE – Social, Personal& Health Education. Religion is taught in all classes.
aistear
Aistear is the early childhood curriculum framework for all children from birth to six years. The word Aistear is the Irish word for journey and was chosen because early childhood marks the beginning of children’s lifelong learning journeys.Aistear shows how important play is for young children’s early learning and development and promotes the use of play in the junior and senior infant classroom.To incorporate the framework and its four themes into the work of the infant classes in our school, we have a bright, colourful, spacious room specially dedicated to Aistear which is laid out with all the resources necessary for the children to engage with the themes in a meaningful way.
gross motor & fine motor skills
The development of gross motor skills (tasks that utilise the gross or large muscles of the body such as arms, legs, core and / or entire body) and fine motor skills (small movements that utilise the small muscles of the fingers, toes, wrist, and lips) is very important in the growth and development of young children. We are very conscious of this and have a gross & fine motor skills programme in place in our school for children in infant classes. The children work on skills development of either gross motor or fine motor on two occasions per week during the school year. We are lucky to have a large room equipped with mats, benches, a trampoline, a canvas tunnel and various specialised equipment such as scooter boards, gym balls, space hoppers, balance boards and swoosh balls.
speech & drama, music & dance
The children have many opportunities to embrace the arts and are exposed to a wide variety of experiences throughout the school year. The children have speech and drama classes during school hours and performances are put on for parents at Christmas and / or another time during the school year. A school choir is active and children are given opportunites to perform at school, as well as at public events eg the Airport Christmas Homecoming or Glow. Each class takes part in a series of music workshops that are scheduled during the year. Tin whistle is usually taught in classes from 2nd – 6th. The children sometimes participate in dance workshops in the school or attend performances such as The Cork Pops Orchestra school concert or Cor Fheile on an annual basis.
sport
We consider that physical education and sport are an important element of your child’s education. Therefore, all pupils are encouraged to participate in some form of sporting or physical activity. To this end, we offer many opportunities to the children in our school.
We offer
- Gaelic football, hurling & camogie and we enter teams in the Sciath na Scol competitions annually.
- All children from 1st – 4th take part in a block of swimming lessons in Leisure World, Bishopstown in the third term.
- The children receive weekly gymnastics coaching for one term during the school year.
- The older children participate in rugby lessons from A Bandon Rugby Coach
- A team of over 30 pupils represent the school at the Cork Primary School Sports in CIT, a popular event which takes place annually.
We offer
- Gaelic football, hurling & camogie and we enter teams in the Sciath na Scol competitions annually.
- All children from 1st – 4th take part in a block of swimming lessons in Leisure World, Bishopstown in the third term.
- The children receive weekly gymnastics coaching for one term during the school year.
- The older children participate in rugby lessons from A Bandon Rugby Coach
- A team of over 30 pupils represent the school at the Cork Primary School Sports in CIT, a popular event which takes place annually.
Childrens' voices
We believe that the voice of each child is very important. Therefore, children are invited to be part of some school teams and committees where their opinions and ideas are sought. There is a school council, made up of children from the Senior classes, who are democratically elected by their peers. These children regularly meet with the Principal to plan events for the other children & help with school initiatives.
Other teams which are formed by the children are the Green Schools Team who help to promote sustainability at school, as well as reminding the other children about practical ways to care for the environment. A Wellness team was also formed with children chosen from each class to promote wellbeing around the school.
Other teams which are formed by the children are the Green Schools Team who help to promote sustainability at school, as well as reminding the other children about practical ways to care for the environment. A Wellness team was also formed with children chosen from each class to promote wellbeing around the school.
