Brannoxtown CNS shows mouthwash project at RDS

Pic: Brannoxtown CNS.

Pupils of Brannoxtown Community National School are back at the RDS again this year, for the Primary Science Fair 2020 in association with the BT Young Scientist of the Year, writes Brian Byrne.

Their project is about mouthwash, and they have studied the reasons why it might be needed, as well as how many over the counter proprietary mouthwash products are used in their community.

They also looked at possible home-made alternatives, using various condiments and spices to make up their own preparations.

The pupils are pictured here with the school's principal, Dr Sarah Fitzpatrick, and an RTE TV team which interviewed them.

(And yes, they reckon they have found a natural way to beat bad breath ...)

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A special gift from the beekeepers

On Monday 4 March, we were thrilled to have a visit from Brendan, Irwin and Michael representing the North Kildare Beekeepers Association, write Brannoxtown CNS children and Principal Dr Sarah FitzPatrick. On our first snowy morning at Brannoxtown Community National School, they planted a beautiful ash tree in our school garden. The tree, grown by Brendan in his own garden and measuring 2m 40cm, will encourage bees to come and pollinate our garden.

It has also inspired us to create garden habitats to invite insects to find a lovely home in our school garden and grounds. We think that insects, birds and small mammals are a little bit like us … they like to have water, food, shelter, protection and a little bit of privacy, so we want to build their needs into the redesign and tidy-up of our school grounds.

We’ll have a new entrance to our school, via the Grangemore Housing Estate entrance, in the coming weeks so this is a wonderful opportunity to revisit our garden layout. This month, in March, we’re planning and planting in our school garden. We want it to be a biodiversity hub — a lovely place to hang-out and meet others (especially if you’re an insect, bird or small mammal), among the beautiful range of plants and shrubs in our garden.

Next month, in April, we’re excited to participate in An Taisce’s National Spring Clean, to continue our tidy-up of the garden and school grounds to make them beautiful for all of us — children, plants, birds and insects. We hope the word is out in the plant and animal kingdom that we’re currently enrolling … and all are welcome at Brannoxtown CNS!

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Brannoxtown CNS Enrolment Information Evening

Photo: Brannoxtown CNS.

A reminder that Brannoxtown Community National School is hosting an Enrolment Information Evening from 7-8pm this evening, writes Brian Byrne.

This is for parents who may be interested to visit the school and learn more about the enrolment process. Everybody with an interest in the school are very welcome.

Further information available by Email: brannoxtowncns@kwetb.ie; Phone: 087-1124310; Facebook: Brannoxtown CNS.

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Brannoxtown CNS dishes dirt at BT Primary Science Fair 2019

Some children accept award from a BTYSTE organiser.

Pupils at Brannoxtown Community National School 'cleaned up' at the BT Young Scientists Exhibition 2019 with a project about using vegetable juices for washing hands, writes Brian Byrne.

The school, which reopened last September under the patronage of KWETB, participated in the Primary Science Fair 2019, associated with the main Exhibition.

As a group, the pupils looked at the general issue of dirty hands, and asked if there is an alternative to the Antibacterial hand-wash normally used?

Concerns about an increase in anti-bacterial resistance to such hand-wash prompted an investigation of whether fruit and vegetable juices might be a suitable replacement.

Children explain the 9 experiments - two controls (dirty hands, water) and six juices (apple, coconut, orange, pineapple, prune, tomato).

They conducted nine experiments involving dirt, water, soap, and juices from apple, pineapple, prune, orange, tomato, and coconut water. In each case they created sealed samples of handprints in petri dishes after washing, and measured subsequent bacterial growth.

The results of their experiments suggested that tomato juice and pineapple juice are good at cleaning hands, while the juice of apple, orange, prune and coconut water are 'not very good'.

Their conclusions include the fact that washing with water alone has 'little effect' on dirty hands. The pupils also noted their scepticism about claims that antibacterial soap 'removes 99.9pc of bacteria'.

Children explain to a judge what's special about tomato - the antioxidant, lycopene.

The pupils are interested in further research of the subject, in particular about the tomato juice possibilities in producing a range of soaps, creams and ointments.

The pupils acknowledge the support and assistance for their project of Dr Dheeraj Singh Rathore of the Department of Crop Science at Teagasc.

The experiment also got the Brannoxtown pupils into a story on the Irish Times on Thursday, in a round-up of some of the exhibitors' work at the RDS, and prompted the headline to the piece.

One of the youngest children explains why washing your hands with water is really just 'a waste of time'. Water will not kill bacteria.

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Brannoxtown Community National School: A New Adventure

Visit by Peadar, the Builder.

”As soon as I saw you, I knew an adventure was about to happen,” said Winnie-the-Pooh. And so it was, when I first set eyes on the school in Brannockstown, writes Dr. Sarah FitzPatrick, Principal.

I think the school at Brannockstown had adventure in its bones from its first life as a Baptist School in 1885, established by the Master of Harristown Estate, John La Touche. Stone and materials from the remains of Portlester Castle (a medium-sized Norman castle) had been used in its construction. Perhaps it was inevitable that after a brief sojourn as a private residence, the school would begin its second adventure in education in 1929 as a Catholic National School. September this year marked the school’s third adventure, opening its doors to new experiences and a new identity as a Community National School, under the patronage of the Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB). Our school is both newer than its youngest children, and yet older (and wiser) than its teachers! You might be wondering what kinds of learning happens in such a special place?

As we approached the end of our first term at Brannoxtown Community National School, children reflected on 15 weeks growing and learning in our new/old school. Here’s what children had to say, in their own words, using rhyming couplets (our poetry strategy for December):

First Term at Our School
By Brannoxtown CNS Children

Naming some favourite things in our new school?
Starting with us, a new class, that was cool.
Crafting hedgehog families from lots of old books
Baking in the kitchen like real, proper cooks.
Assembling marshmallows to make the tallest towers
Studying the weather, rainbows and showers.
Learning on the laptops with websites we know
Knowing places online we can safely go.
Using Scratch on the laptop to code and create
Making angles and shapes with lines that are straight.
Creating different conditions for bread to grow old
Studying colours and shapes created by mould.
Playing charades and games for sound of the week
Sharing how we are each special and unique.
Winning a national prize for our poetry submission
Filling Team Hope boxes, our November ambition.
Go noodling and playing outside to stay fit
Using our Maths Eyes each week, another little bit.
Designing clay tablets with old Myan glyphs
Discussing poetry endings that fall off cliffs.
Playing Halloween games – fortune telling
Planning shopping lists for buying and selling.
Celebrating Diwali, Hanukka and the Nativity
Learning values and beliefs for each festivity.
Reading books and novels, especially Holes
Choosing and assembling the new school goals.
Listening to the builder who came with lasers
Measuring distance with his (Star Wars) light sabres!
Hosting families and friends for our Winter Gathering
Serving cookies and drinks to old and young, chattering.
Name my favourite thing? I can’t think of just one…
I enjoyed every bit of the things we’ve done!

RDS Primary Science Project: Petri-Dishes of handprints.

I believe happy children make the best learners; fun is a key ingredient in our planned adventures for 2019! From from the beginning of January to the February mid-term, we’ve planned some exciting times ahead! We’re presenting our science research (Which fruit/vegetable juices are the best at cleaning hands?) at the BT Young Scientist, RDS Primary Science Fair in early January.

School Crest: Discussing designs.

Our new School Crest will take centre-stage in January; we’re inviting feedback on draft designs during a two-week consultation; details will be posted on our School Facebook page (Brannoxtown CNS). At the end of January, we’re visiting the Mountlucas Wind Farm in Co. Offaly to study Kinetic Energy-seeing, touching and hearing wind turbines at work! In February, children begin swimming lessons at the Osprey Hotel. Our School Website is scheduled for publication also in February.

Leaf Walk.

Christmas Shopping (Maths: Money).

Winter Gathering Baking.

On Wednesday February 13th, we’re hosting an Enrolment Information Evening from 7-8pm for parents who may be interested to visit the school and learn more about the enrolment process. All are very welcome.

Email: brannoxtowncns@kwetb.ie; Phone: 087-1124310; Facebook: Brannoxtown CNS

Sincere thanks to The Bridge for inviting us to provide an update in this issue. We wish all readers, many special adventures in 2019 and we look forward to sharing some more updates with you later in the year.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was prepared for inclusion in the Christmas issue of The Bridge, but due to a misunderstanding over deadlines it didn't arrive in time. We publish it here on the Diary with the permission of Dr FitzPatrick.

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New teacher post at Brannoxtown

Brannoxtown Community National School is looking for another teacher.

The school, which reopened in September under the patronage of KWETB, wants someone to join their 'start-up' team as a Mainstream Class Teacher.

It's hoped to fill the post at the end of November.

Full details of the post available at educationposts.ie/post/view/112508.

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First day back at Brannoxtown school

With the ups and downs of the last 12 months behind it, Brannoxtown Community National School is open today, and the first five children from six who are enrolled were welcomed by the principal, Dr Sarah Fitzpatrick, writes Brian Byrne.

"It has been a hectic two weeks, but we're open," she told the Diary this morning. "And though it is a small number to start with, we have promises from parents and I believe the story will be quite improved from even mid-term."

The pupils who started this morning were previously in a variety of other schools, including Halverstown NS and the Kildare Steiner School, and one has come from as far away as Brazil.

For the moment, all pupils will work in the one room of the four-room school building opened in 2013, but as soon as the other promised students arrive, a second classroom will become the Junior Room.

As I left, Sarah was saying to her first day back group "One nice thing about a small school is that we can do all sorts of crazy things ..."

Sounds like it's going to be fun.

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New Brannoxtown principal 'very much at home' in small schools

Dr Sarah Fitzpatrick, Principal of Brannoxtown CNS.

Her own experience as a pupil in a two-teacher school, and a subsequent career path which involved regular interaction with small schools, underpins the enthusiasm of Dr Sarah Fitzpatrick for her new role as Principal of Brannoxtown Community National School, writes Brian Byrne.

"In my heart, this is very much a homecoming for me," she told the Diary during yesterday's Family Open Day. "I'm very much at home in this environment ... and delighted to be part of a new chapter in the school."

Sarah has worked for the last three years as a teacher in Naas CNS, and reflects on how this latest move 'happened very quickly'. "I was on holidays when the position came up, and I applied for it while I was away. Then I met with Dr Rory O'Toole the day after I came home from Canada ..." And now she is in the middle of what is undoubtedly a challenge to get Brannoxtown CNS up and running in a very short time frame. "But it's also a great opportunity, with the new patron."

Prior to going back to teaching, Sarah worked with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), finishing as Deputy Chief Executive. During that time she was directly involved in developing the Patron's Programme for Community National Schools.

"We worked with hundreds of small schools, really got a sense of what they are. Though every school is different — each one has its own peculiarities and conditions that makes each a very special case."

When she decided to return to teaching, Sarah says she was inspired to work with Community National Schools from her experience with them during the development of their Patron's Programme. "Particularly from working with teachers in the CNS system."

Though not from the area, Sarah has followed the recent story of Brannoxtown NS 'from afar', and is very much up to date with what the school means to the people of Brannockstown. "There are clearly fantastic ties with the community ... it's almost overwhelming to see such a generosity of spirit from a community for the school."

Brian and Sean Murphy, past pupils, entertained through the afternoon.

Bouncy castles and ice-cream on a sunny Saturday.

A touch of paint added colour.

Yesterday's Open Day was sunny, colourful and musical, with a number of past pupils coming along to revisit their earlier classrooms. They also contributed with football displays and some expert fiddle playing.

But bouncy castles and face-painting and an ice-cream van are not what will make the revived Brannoxtown national school work. It will need a mix of patience, enthusiasm, and professional expertise, to attract families back to a school with an extraordinary heritage.

That mix is there. If a sunny Saturday afternoon is a sign for a positive future, the laughter of happy pupils in a small school will return to Brannoxtown.

Past pupils Leah Mallon, Emily Carter and Amy Nolan revisited memories.

Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin, Conor O'Toole, and Anthony Carter.

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Family Open Day today at Brannoxtown school

Clocks restart for Brannoxtown CNS.

An ice cream van, bouncy castle, face painting, a demonstration of football skills from members of Kilcullen GAA, traditional music by the Murphy family — all will be part of the Family Open Day this afternoon at Brannoxtown Community National School, writes Brian Byrne.

The event begins at 3pm and everybody is welcome. In addition to gaining information about the school's programme after it opens on 1 September, it will be a chance to meet the new Principal, Dr Sarah Fitzpatrick.

The school is now accepting enrolments. The Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB) is the new patron for the school, which will be publicly managed, with funding by the state. Schools operated by the ETBs through the country are multi-denominational and provide a child-centred approach to learning.

For further information or enrolment forms please email brannoxtowncns@kwetb.ie or call 087 1124310.

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Principal appointed to Brannoxtown school

An Acting Principal has been appointed to Brannoxtown Community National School by Kildare and Wicklow ETB, the new patron group for the school, writes Brian Byrne.

Dr Sarah Fitzpatrick currently teaches at Naas Community National School and she is a former Deputy Chief Executive for the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). She takes up her new role with immediate effect.

Parents and students will have the opportunity to meet with Dr Fitzpatrick at the Brannoxtown Community National School Family Open Day on Saturday next, 18 August, starting at 3pm.

For further information or enrolment forms please email brannoxtowncns@kwetb.ie or call 087 1124310.

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Family Open Day at Brannoxtown school on Saturday

A reminder that a Family Open Day is being held at Brannoxtown Community National School on this coming Saturday, 18 August, to show what the school can offer potential students, writes Brian Byrne.

The event begins at 3pm, and there will be local hospitality as well as an opportunity to see the building and classroom facilities.

The school will open on 1 September, and is now accepting enrolments.

The Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB) is the new patron for the school, and earlier this week it was given the green light to open, by the Department of Education and Skills.

It will be publicly managed, with funding by the state. Schools operated by the ETBs through the country are multi-denominational and provide a child-centred approach to learning.

For further information, contact Bernie on 087 1124310 or email brannoxtowncns@kwetb.ie.

Application forms can be downloaded here.



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Community National School for Brannockstown opening in September 2018

Residents, past pupils and representatives of KWETB at last night's meeting. 

As we revealed at lunchtime, Brannoxtown CNS will open this September, writes Brian Byrne. This is the announcement from the Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board:

Following consultation with the local community and having received their full support, the Chief Executive of Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB), Dr Deirdre Keyes is delighted to confirm the opening of Brannoxstown Community National School from September 2018.

She also stated that ‘KWETB are fully committed to the success and development of the school and will work in partnership with the local community and the Department of Education and Skills to offer an excellent and holistic primary education for the children of the area in line with our multi – denominational ethos’.

For further information or enrolment forms please email brannoxtowncns@kwetb.ie or call 087 1124310.

(Press Release KWETB 2nd August, 2018.)

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