A new school for Corliss

Corliss National School has stood firm for over 150 years and, with a recent renovation, it hopes to provide a base for growth and learning for many more years and decades to come.

The school held an open day recently when members of the local community came to have a look around and enjoy some cookies, which were freshly baked by students in their brand-new kitchen.

The original building, which is home to the junior room, has received a face lift; while the senior room is now located in a brand-new building, which also houses an accessibility bathroom, student and staff bathrooms, a SET classroom, a new office and kitchen/staff room.

When play time comes around, children have a full grass football pitch, and the school have set about installing a basketball pitch and badminton court, a maze, snakes and ladders, chess and more outside. They also have plans in place to create an outdoor classroom at the front of the school.

Set in the environs of the countryside in Killeshandra, the eight-month build and renovation project concluded just one week before the Christmas break, after which the children and staff moved into their new school.

“Sure they absolutely love it,” principal Maeve Quinn told the Celt, before adding that pupils “loved coming to school anyway”.

“We don’t know ourselves,” she said, herself sitting in a brand-new office.

“It’s just lovely to come into.”

The school is home to 19 students with junior infants to second class in one room; and 3rd to 6th class in the senior room. However they join together for activities such as artwork and cookery.

The principal said they “expect the number [of pupils] to increase”.

“Small rural schools have a real advantage when it comes to the social experience that children have,” she believes, describing how both young and older students positively interact with one another.

Being in the one room for four years reinforces certain elements of learning, she believes.

“For the able child they are hearing it before they need to hear it, and for the child that may be struggling a little bit, they are actually able to hear it year after year. The multi-class situation, while it’s very busy for the teacher, it’s a real bonus to children in terms of their own educations.”

Summer Open Day

The school will hold an official open day in mid-June, however a date has yet to be confirmed.

A “huge investment” has been put forward by both the Department of Education and the school’s board of management, the latter of which are funding a free bus between Corliss and Circle of Friends for junior and senior infant students.

“Our expectation is that the bus availability will grow,” she adds.

“This is a starting point for a bus being needed for the school,” she says, with the hope that the school will have a department-funded bus in the future.

“It’s a testament to the parents, they are wonderfully committed and supportive.”

Meanwhile she also praised her colleagues in the school Caoimhe Quinn who teaches in the junior room and their SET teacher Julieann McKiernan, and special needs assistant Bridget Cullen.

“It is lovely, it’s a great school,” she concluded.

More details can be found on their website.