Craggagh NS Blog

After 7 weeks of rehearsals, we finally got the chance to share our performances with you!

Well done to the children in all classes who worked so hard on their routines and to Nikki herself.

Thanks again to our brilliant Parent Association who fund these dance lessons.

All three rooms are in the YouTube playlist below (or scroll down to see videos separately)

**If you are viewing this blogpost in an email you won’t be able to see the videos. Click on the blue link at the top of this message to view this message in your web browser or here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnbY_kJ1eWiB7Asbq_jDTrM8-I-jER9cA to view the playlist directly on YouTube

Senior Room

Middle Room

Junior Room

End of Year Update – Dates For Your Diary

Friday June 16^th

Dance Off! (Modern and Traditional dancing from all classes) 1pm – 2pm

Monday June 19^th

School Sports Day (weather permitting)

Friday June 23^rd     Sponsored Walk, Balla Woods 10am

Monday June 26^th

End of Year Mass and Graduation 7:30pm

Tuesday June 27^th

Last Day of Term

We are setting up an After School Childminding Facility in Craggagh NS from September 1^st 2017.

The facility will be located in the school building (downstairs classrooms) and grounds and will operate from 3pm to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Infants availing of the facility will be supervised from 2pm to 3pm.

Parents availing of the After School Childminding Facility will be able to apply for grant assistance to partially meet payments under the Government’s new “Affordable Childcare Scheme”, which commences in September 2017. Nevertheless, we will be keeping costs as low as possible. This is not a profit making endeavour.

Before we fully establish this facility and outline the cost to parents, we need to ensure that it is viable. Please complete the survey below to help us gauge the level of interest in this facility.

This survey will close on June 9th and we will confirm details of the facility by mid-June.

Please do no hesitate to contact us with any queries.

Further links:

Dept of Children and Youth Affairs Press Release on Affordable Child Care Scheme

Questions and Answers on Affordable Childcare Scheme

Further FAQs on Affordable Childcare Scheme

We had a brilliant morning following the St Patrick’s weekend festivities welcoming Jim, Jim and Patrick to our school. They are members of the Quaker City String Band.

The Jims played alto saxaphone and banjo while Patrick played the double bass (or “bass fiddle” as he calls it!).

We listened to them playing a few tunes and we also played our tin whistles, accordions, guitars and ukuleles.

It was a very enjoyable morning. Thanks to the three gentlemen for visiting and thanks to our wonderful Tourism Association in Kiltimagh for all their hard work preparing for the festival.

Below is a video from the full band’s amazing performance in the New Year’s Day Parade in Philadelphia:

We had some very important silverware in Craggagh last week when the Nicky Rackard Cup came to visit!

Mayo GAA Games Promotion Officer, Adrian Hession, accompanied by Mayo hurler, Ciarán Charlton, brought the cup around the classrooms. Each child got the opportunity to hold the cup aloft (the infants in particular enjoyed this!) and ask questions of Adrian and Ciarán.

Ciarán, who is Mr Charlton’s cousin, is a native of Kiltimagh. The town is not exactly a hurling stronghold but at the age of 12 Ciaran began hurling for Toreen GAA club. He was a key member of Mayo’s All Ireland winning team, lining out at midfield for the final.

Adrian discussed the development of hurling in County Mayo and finally showed the children a video of highlights from the All Ireland Final.

We really enjoyed the day, thanks Adrian and Ciarán!

Maigh Eo Abú!!!

The children of 5th & 6th class participated in the first ever Cumann na mBunscol Mhaigh Eo rounders exhibition in McHale Park on Saturday night during the Mayo Vs Roscommon NFL fixture.

We formed a Guard of Honour before the game to welcome the Mayo and Roscommon teams onto the field along with the children from the other participating schools.

At half time, we took to the field for a quick game of rounders with the children from Breaffy NS.

It was a great experience for all involved, and we even got to meet some of our heroes from the Mayo team!

Our Parent Association are again seeking your old clothes for recycling.

Where?  Craggagh Community Centre

When? After 11am Mass on Sunday, Feb 26th and 9am to 9:30am Monday, Feb 27th

All old clothes and textiles wanted. Simply fill as many black bags as
possible with the recyclable items listed below.
 Clothes (clean, dry and reusable),
 Paired shoes,
 Trainers (tied)
 Curtains
 Handbags, Belts
 Bedding (blankets & sheets)

No duvets or pillows please!

As always, it’s a busy time at home and at school, here’s few of our upcoming highlights:

Tuesday Dec 20th: 12:30pm Christmas Concerts

Please note – there will be a raffle with fantastic prizes including

• €30 voucher for Mack
• 2 x €25 vouchers for Supervalu
• €20 voucher for Finn Footwear
• €20 voucher for Liam’s Café
• And much more!

Tuesday Dec 20th: 5pm to 6:30pm Carol Singing, Pennys/Supervalu Castlebar

(Fundraiser for The Irish Pilgrimage Trust)

Wednesday Dec 21st: Trip to Horkan’s – Infants to 3rd Class

Thursday Dec 22nd: Christmas Holidays!

January 6th: Craggagh Social 9pm Community Centre

“The Social” makes a welcome return with music provided by Mick Holster, Tom Lyons and friends. A great night in store!

Tickets -€10 each, or 2 for €15

January 9th – School Reopens for new term

***There will be a collection of old clothing by the PA early in the new year***

Swimming lessons for 1st class to 6th class will commence on Friday, Feb 3rd.

The Craggagh National School Parent Association Committee for the 2016/17 school year is as follows:

Chairperson:                      Yvonne Higgins

Vice Chairperson:            Denis Rosney

Secretary:                           Sandra Loftus

Treasurer:                           Kathleen Murphy

Vice Treasurer:                 Mary McDonnell

We wish them well in their work for the year ahead and look forward to another fruitful year! Thanks also to the outgoing committee members Barbara O Shea and Mags Hession.

Our PA have organised a spooktacular evening this coming Friday.

At 6:30pm there will be a twilight lantern walk, followed by a disco in the Community Centre at 7pm.

The PA are asking for a small donation of €2, and any home baking would be greatly appreciated. 

It should be a fabulously frightening evening!

Congratulations to past pupil Eadaoin Ní Mhaicín (third from left holding fiddle), who is currently touring China with Minister for Education, Mr Richard Bruton, TD.

Eadaoin, a senior All Ireland fiddle champion, is representing Ireland with the Meitheal group, who are part of a delegation currently touring some of China’s major cities Beijing and Nanchang.

Last week they attended the China Education Expo.

Eadaoin is in her final year of teacher training in St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra.

Not content on sitting back, relaxing and soaking up the culture, our Eadaoin couldn’t pass up the opportunity to do a little networking, picking up a few contacts on her travels!