School Facilities
We are very fortunate in Kilnamona N.S. to have access to a range of facilities including our Sensory Room, School Yard, Pitches and Kilnamona Community Hall. Our school is wheelchair accessible with ramps into the school premises via the main door and classroom entrances also.
Astro Turf
Our all-purpose Astro Turf sports pitch is suitable for all sports and the children really enjoy using this wonderful facility. Classes use the Astro Turf during break times, and also use it during P.E.
Pitch
From April to November we have access to the sports pitch which is adjacent to the Astro turf and Kilnamona hall. We use the pitch for training sessions for upcoming matches in Gaelic football, hurling and camogie. We use it for training for cross country also and to facilitate Sports day.
Kilnamona Hall
We also have a hall available to us in Kilnamona N.S. Visiting teachers use the ‘halla’ for activities such as yoga and sports coaches use it on wet days. We also use it for school plays and concerts, and afterschool activities take place in Kilnamona Hall such as drama and Irish dancing.
School Yard
We have access to a very large yard for playing on, adjacent to our astroturf and a pitch.
The children cross the quiet cul-de-sac using the recently upgraded foorpath access and pedestrian crossing.
We use these facilities at lunch time and for P.E. and Wellness throughout the school year.
Currently there are plans afoot to upgrade our yard to incorporate a basketball court and have games marked on the ground for the children.
Sensory Room
The sensory room was launched during ‘Feelings February’ when all of the children in Kilnamona N.S. had weekly slots to visit the sensory room. It is important that each child in the school gets to experience the sensory room with their peers, or on their own. Time in our sensory room helps children improve their visual, auditory and tactile processing, while benefitting their fine and gross motor skills. By providing a sense of calm and comfort, this room allows children learn to self-regulate their behaviours, which ultimately improves focus. This dark space is lit up with LED and sensory lights. Relaxing music is played through Bluetooth speakers. Each child in the school designed butterflies to stick around the sensory room, as we have named the room féileacán. These butterflies lead from the sensory room to the sensory garden.
School Garden
When walking down the hallway from the entrance to the junior classrooms, you will pass our sensory garden. It can be viewed from the 5th and 6th class classroom also. ‘Sensory gardens include features, surfaces, objects and plants that stimulate our senses through touch, sight, scent, taste and hearing’.
We have lights hanging in our garden, along with a bird feeder, butterflies, fairy houses and bubble machines. When we do planting in our classes, we put them into the sensory garden. We have a bird directory overlooking the sensory garden, so if birds are spotted, they can be logged and identified.
From being outside in the spring, summer and autumn months it can improve children’s overall health, cognition and mood. Fine and gross motor skills can be developed also by gardening.
Church
St. Joseph's Church is directly across from the school.
Whilst having regard for those of all faiths, and those with none, Kilnamona N.S. has a Catholic ethos and we visit the church throughout the year.
We have school masses, celebrate the sacraments, have our Grandparent's Mass and perform the Stations of the Cross at Easter time.