S.N. COLMCILLE NAOFA
S.N. Colmcille Naofa is a small rural school, minutes from Galway City yet quietly nestled in the peacefulness of Castlegar countryside. Our pupils numbering 70 reflect different ethnic backgrounds and cultures and enrich us all in the process.
There are three classroom teachers, a learning support teacher based in our school and two resource teachers. The old Castlegar school was situated on the Tuam Rd. After its closure in 1940 our school sprung into being.
Castlegar derives its name from the castle by the turlough and it is up for discussion where the “gearr” comes from! One theory suggests that the castle was small yet other may argue that it was to do with the little amount of time the De Burgo family spent in the castle.
The school was extended in the eighties and today we have three classrooms, a staff-room and resource rooms.
We can see many changes coming our way in the near future. Our small country school of today may not exist for much longer due to infrastructural and housing development. This will inevitably change the whole structure of our school but our ethos and philosophy will remain as it is today.
Castlegar is a place where most children are born with Hurleys in their hands. Every year the students of Scoil Colmcille Naofa enter teams into 9-a-side hurling competitions and the school has reached the county finals on many occasions.
There is a strong relationship between the school and the Castlegar GAA club with many of the school’s pupils both past and present representing the local club. The schools hurlers are coached by one of the schools ex-students.
The schools on site facilities also allow students to participate in basketball, olympic handball and soccer. Other school sporting activities include swimming and athletics.
As part of the schools ethos, Scoil Colmcille Naofa embraces an open door policy with the local community by inviting groups and individuals to give talks, workshops and tours with the pupils, i.e., Science projects, Heritage for schools projects, and recently the Junior Film Fleadh.
Through the East-West project organised by Leargas education service, the school linked up with two schools in Scotland in 2005. The children kept in contact via email, exchanging news, and have hosted members of the Scottish schools as well as visiting Scotland.
Green Flag
The Green Flag flies proudly over Scoil Cholmcille Naofa. The school was awarded the honour in 2005 after a whole school effort in recycling. The raising of the flag was presided over by the then Mayor of Galway City, Catherine Connolly.
