Scoil Chóca Naofa Kilcock officially opened their new playing field and running track at an event hosted by the school on Thursday morning, October 24th.

Local Athletics legend Bobby King and current top class runner Paul Robinson were both on duty to cut the ribbon, with Robinson aslo joined by Kildare Ladies Captain Grace Clifford in giving a talk on sport to the kids, parents, teachers and fellow dignitaries in attendance.

School principal Mrs Daly addressed the large crowd in the school’s sports hall, introducing the teachers and parents who worked so hard over the past few years to fundraise to ensure the school could reach its goal of putting in a playing field with goals and a catching net at either end, as well as a running track around the perimeter of the field.

One way in which the parents association fundraised was by holding the very successful ‘Colour Run’ in 2017, 2018 and again this year in 2019.

The very progressive school are not hanging around in putting their new facilities to good use, with the students today completing a marathon that they have been chipping away at since they returned to school in September, running the final mile alongside King and Robinson, as the crowd made their way outside to cheer them home.

The kids started running three times a week, before upping it to four and then five times a week, before completing their final mile today. Mrs Daly commended the students for their hard work and endeavour and couldn’t stress enough how important exercise is in their daily routine. She went on to say that the teachers had noticed how alert the students were when they would come back in from their run to continue with the remainder of their lessons for the day.

It was clear to see how much energy and excitement these new facilities along with the exercise and fresh air had brought to this very productive school.

Mrs Daly singled out certain people, thanking them for their hard work, including Ms Diggin for helping the kids complete the marathon. Val Herbert was also thanked for her part in training the kids in Gaa and caretaker and clearly the very popular caretaker Tommy Simms for his hard work in looking after the new surface and the school in general. Members parents association both past and present including Sarah Acton Keene were also thanked for their hard work in making everything possible.

This is a school that seems to be only going one way and that is forward. Congratulations to all. Here’s to the next marathon.