Hello,

My name is Mairead Feely and I am the Principal of St. Michael’s NS, Kill, Rathmolyon, Co. Meath. I am a new Principal, having taken up my position in August 2021, and I consider myself to be a very lucky person indeed to have arrived in Kill NS. We are a small, rural school with very proud traditions in many different areas. In the sporting milieu, we count hurling and football amongst our passions. Our past Alumni include the Captain of the current two-in-a-row All Ireland Ladies Football team, Ms. Shauna Ennis and journalist Gavan Reilly.

We are very proud of the schools support for and collaboration with one of the foremost proponents of Traditional Irish Music in Ireland. The famous O’Raghallaigh family have been teaching traditional music in the school since 1984 and continue to contribute to the cultural and holistic development of the children in our school.

Just this past year we have had two significant ‘Firsts’ in the history of the school since it was built in 1961. We were one of only two Primary Schools in County Meath to exhibit a project at the BT Young Scientist Exhibition in January 2023. The subject of the project was ‘What Makes the Perfect Sliotar’ and was done in close collaboration with the local Rathmolyon Hurling Club, another one of our great supporters. The Tánaiste, Mr. Micheál Martin visited our exhibit and was very impressed with the breadth of knowledge and presentation skills of all the children.

The school achieved another ‘First’ in November last year when we reached the Division 4 Football Final of Cumann na mBunscol which was played in Pairc Tailteann, Navan. As is typical of the Community spirit in the school, the PA held a surprise pizza party for the children when we all came back to the school for the after-match celebration.

We have one of the most highly trained, motivated, kindest and most conscientious teaching staffs a school could hope to have. We are very proud of the fun, engaging and busy learning atmosphere that exists in the school and this is to the credit of the Staff themselves.

We have one of the most pro-active and helpful Parent bodies in any school. The PA are very active and have contributed in very real and positive ways to the everyday learning experience of the children in our care. From fund-raising to painting the school shelter, to helping out with teas and coffees for Grandparents Day, the people in the PA can always be relied on.

Our pastoral team of Fr. Patrick and Fr. John have been essential to the emotional and moral development of the children in St. Michael’s NS. They are always there with a ready smile and exemplify the spirit of kindness and care that we as Christians strive to model.

The backbone of any school is the Board of Management and we are very lucky to have very supportive, organized and collaborative representatives on the Board, many of whom have worked for and on behalf of the school for many years.

However, the real stars of the show in St. Michael’s NS are the children themselves. They are amongst the most confident, funny, mature, engaged, co-operative, kind and helpful children you will find. In our school, every childs’ name is known, with particularly strong ties between the outgoing sixth class and the incoming Junior Infants because of our ‘Buddy System’.

I look forward to welcoming you and your precious children to St. Michael’s NS, and invite you to become part of our lovely school community.