The BKNS crest is symbolic of the core beliefs and values that we have in the school. It takes the form of a shield. A shield is a symbol which represents protection. We protect each other, our alues, our world and our community.
The church bell reflects the religious influence in our school. Although our school is proud of its Catholic religious tradition, we welcome children and families of all religions and of no religion.
The hurleys and sliotar represent our love of sport and the strong ties with our local clubs and the importance of sport on our health and wellbeing.
The holly symbolises the history of the area and it is included in our name: Baile an Chuilinn being ‘the townsland of the holly’. Legend has it that the leaves of the holly bush provided shelter from the cold of Winter for fairies, who in return would be kind to those who lived in the dwelling. Holly wreaths were worn as a crown by Celtic chieftains for good luck. It was also believed that the holly's spiny leaves and red berries came to symbolize the crown of thorns and the drops of blood. Its ability to remain green and produce fruit and nourishment to wildlife even in the coldest winter evokes the promise of sustaining life through difficult times.
The book symbolises lifelong learning. Our school first opened its doors in 1810 to local children regardless of their religious beliefs, sex or social background. We have been providing a quality education for children from the surrounding areas since then. Our school predates the Education Act, signifying the importance our community placed on education. We still believe that education is the key to success and can have a long lasting effect on our society locally, nationally and globally. Education means possibilities and change and is available to all in our community regardless of sex, religion or race.
The colour green on our crest represents harmony, growth and new beginnings; the colour red represents strength, courage and warmth and the colour gold represents generosity. Black and white represent innocence, purity, loyalty and peace.
The name of our school is proudly displayed in the centre of the crest and our school motto ‘Mol an Óige’ – Praise the youth (and they will flourish) is proudly displayed under the shield in our crest. We believe that there is good in everyone and this belief in finding the good in each of our students to enable each person to grow and develop maturity and character while in our school is our guiding principle. We live by this code. We aim to give each child many opportunities to experience different intelligences, while in our school: artistic, physical, mathematical, language, social, spiritual and social and hope that each person leaves our school with a value and respect of themselves, others and the world..