Welcome to Garrafrauns NS. We are a rural multi-grade national school in the heart of North Galway and we love all things fun in learning, sport, music and nature. Please contact office@garrafraunsns.com if you have any queries in relation to our school or this website.
Department of Education Inspection Reports:
Staff 2022_23
Board of Management:
Chairperson: Pat Coleman
Secretary: Claire Fitzsimons
Treasurer: Eileen Kivlehan
Teacher Nominee: Clare Mc Loughlin
Patrons Nominee: Fr. Fergal Cunnane
Parents Nominee: Damien Daly
Community Nominees: Tom Ryder and Jimmy Nestor
- Principal: Claire Fitzsimons
- Deputy Principal: Edel Feeney
- Infants: Jennifer Cawley
- First & Second: Laura Comer
- Third & Fourth: Shane Curley
- Fifth & Sixth: Clare Mc Loughlin
- SET: Claire Fitzsimons
- SET: Edel Feeney
- S.N.A.s: Breda Meehan, Áine Hannon and Claire Daly
- Ancillary Staff: Breda Meehan, Des O'Brien and Gerry Rattigan
Board of Management:
Chairperson: Pat Coleman
Secretary: Claire Fitzsimons
Treasurer: Eileen Kivlehan
Teacher Nominee: Clare Mc Loughlin
Patrons Nominee: Fr. Fergal Cunnane
Parents Nominee: Damien Daly
Community Nominees: Tom Ryder and Jimmy Nestor
Extra-Curricular Activities and Dates for the Diary:
> STEM Award: We have received a Gold standard award for 2023 for SFI Curious Minds Discover STEM. We are so proud of all our pupils who participated with such enthusiasm and diligence. Well done to all and special thanks to Ms McLoughlin for coordinating and submitting all the evidence to SFI on our school's behalf.
> STEM Award: We have received a Gold standard award for 2023 for SFI Curious Minds Discover STEM. We are so proud of all our pupils who participated with such enthusiasm and diligence. Well done to all and special thanks to Ms McLoughlin for coordinating and submitting all the evidence to SFI on our school's behalf.
- Green Flag: We have received our 5th Green Flag for 'Biodiversity' and work in conjunction with Dunmore Tidy Towns to make the most of our abundant outdoor space in our school grounds.
- Active Flag: We have received our Active Flag as part of our P.E. programme.
- Active Week: We celebrate Active Week in our school with Movement Monday, Thankful Tuesday, Wacky Wednesday, Try-It Thursday and Friendship Friday.
- I.C.T School: With Clevertouch panels in each classroom, i-Pad, padcaster kit and green screen technology, along with a range of tablets and laptops for student use in school, children in Garrafrauns NS are preparing well for a bright future with ICT!
- Friends Resilience: Fun Friends and Friends for Life programmes are taught throughout the school by our teaching staff who are trained facilitators. This programme, founded on the principles of CBT (Cognative Behavior Therapy) helps children to deal with anxious feelings and negative thoughts. It is endorsed by the Department of Education and the WHO
- MATHS QUIZ: We participated in the Ard Rí Maths Quiz this year and came in second place!
- Poly-Tunnel: Each class have a designated raised bed for planting vegetables and are busy learning about cultivating crops and biodiversity.
- End of Year Mass: Friday 16th June 2023 11.30am mass St Patrick's Church Garrafrauns. Mass to celebrate the end of our school year with a particular emphasis on marking the last mass with our 6th class pupils. All welcome.
- Instrumental Music: Children engage in weekly music lessons with Marion McCarthy, of the famous McCarthy family of traditional Irish musicians. Fridays in Garrafrauns NS are filled with wonderful music on whistle, violin, accordian, guitar and any instruments the children are willing to try!
- School Choir and Trad band: Children regularly sing weekend mass in the beautiful St. Patrick’s Church, Garrafrauns and the Trad band are also joining Monica in the church to play at masses. We are delighted to make this strong community link and look forward to it going from strength to strength.
- Christmas Concert / Christmas DVD: All classes give a musical and dramatic performance each year. In more recent times we have switched to film and, using our green screen technology, our performances have beamed their way into family living rooms and given the Late Late Toy show a run for its money! We have also used ICT resources to create a Christmas film DVD that can be sent to parents.
- Christmas Carol Service and Grandparents' Day: Tuesday 20th December 10am mass in St. Patrick's church Garrafrauns. Christmas carols and traditional Irish music at mass followed by a community gathering to celebrate Grandparents and our older citizens in our community in the Community centre to share stories and experiences of going to school in the parish over the years. All welcome. Tea and treats available.
- BLAST - January 2023: Artist in Residence, Kathy Ross is working with pupils to create a beautiful new indoor mural highlighting some of our core values in our school - friendship. As part of our Wellness initiative we are creating this wall as an important focal point and remind to our whole school community that we value friendship and respect very highly in Garrafrauns NS. Keep an eye on the Latest News section for progress updates before the big reveal!
- Heritage/Grandparents/Local History Days
- Sport: Sporting activities include soccer, basketball, athletics, tag rugby, G.A.A. Cumann na mBunscoil tournaments, gymnastics, hurling, yoga and swimming.
- RSA: Road Safety Authority guest speaker each year
- Yoga and Mindfulness
- Discover Science and Maths Award STEM
- Confirmation Retreat: 5th and 6th class attend a retreat in Knock or Ballintubber Abbey as part of their confirmation programme
- Junior Entrepreneur Award
- Digital Schools of Excellence Award 2017
- Tag Rugby School coaching sessions provided by Dunmore Rugby Club to 3rd to 6th class pupils
- GAA coaching: school coaching sessions from 3rd- 6th class
- Friendship Week
- Walking Week
- Wellness Week - 6th - 9th June 2023
- Chess Tournament - We are so lucky to have our chairperson, Pat Coleman, a chess enthusiast, teach our pupils how to play chess. A brilliant skill to develop at a young age. Our 5th and 6th class pupils have entered their first chess tournament and we wish them the best of luck - they'll be great!
- Tables Tennis Day: We look forward to celebrating our first Table Tennis Day on 28th April 2023