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:
School Policies:
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:
- 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.
- I.C.T School: With Clevertouch panels in each classroom, i-Pad and green screen technology, along with a range of tablets for 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
- Harvest Mass: Tuesday 11th October 10am mass St Patrick's Church Garrafrauns. Mass to celebrate being back together again and to pray for another good year in our wonderful school. 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: 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!
- 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.
- Yoga and Mindfulness
- Discover Science and Maths Award STEM
- 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
- 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!