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 2021_22
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
- Acting Deputy Principal: Laura Comer
- Infants: Jennifer Cawley
- First & Second: Kate Mc Donnell
- Third & Fourth: Shane Curley
- Fifth & Sixth: Clare Mc Loughlin
- SET: Claire Fitzsimons
- SET: Laura Comer
- S.N.A.s: Breda Meehan, Áine Hannon, Alan Connolly
- Ancillary Staff: Des O'Brien and Mary Corley
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:
- Green Flag: We have recently 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
- 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: Children regularly sing weekend mass in the beautiful St. Patrick’s Church, Garrafrauns.
- 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
- 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 Blitz in conjunction with Dunmore Rugby Club. School coaching sessions provided by the club to 3rd to 6th class pupils
- Friendship Week
- Walking Week
- Wellness Week - 30th May to 3rd June -
- 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.
