Esker National School

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7th February 2012

Dear Parent,

Just to update you on the following:

Catholic Schools’ Week:

The children participated in a number of activities to mark Catholic Schools’ Week.

St. Brigid’s Day:All children learned about the story of St. Brigid and completed art work associated with the topic. The children in the senior classes made crosses from rushes.

Feast of St. Blaise:Fr. McNamara and Fr. McMahon called to the school and spoke to the children about St.Blaise, they then blessed their throats.

Grandparents’Day:

We had a lovely day in the school last Thursday – the day was enjoyed by the children, staff and grandparents. We are grateful to the grandparents and the parents for all their positive comments and remarks about the children and the school. The children were delighted to see them in the school and had prepared well for the big day.

Thanks to the parents who helped on the day in providing the refreshments for the grandparents, their cooperation helped to ensure the day was a success.

Quiz Teams:

The Junior Quiz Team and Senior Quiz Team participated in the Credit Union Quiz in Raheen Woods Hotel last Sunday 5^th February. The children did their best and enjoyed the experience.

Handwriting Competition:

Some of the children will be taking part in the handwriting competition run by the INTO. We hope they will be successful in their efforts.

Cuiditheoir Gaeilge:

We had a visit from a facilitator working for the Department of Education in the school on Monday 6^th February. He was present to help promote Gaeilge in the school. He was very impressed with the children’s standard of Irish.

Midterm Break:The school will be closed next week 13^th-17^th Feb (inclusive).

We hope you enjoy the break.

Yours sincerely,

Iomar Burke

_________________________
Principal

Welcome from Esker National School

Fáilte go suíomh gréasáin Scoil Pádraig Naofa, Eiscir.
Guímis gach beannacht ar ár gcairde agus ár iarscolairí uile na scoile seo atá scaipthe are fud an domhain.

We would like to welcome parents, past and present pupils to the webste of Esker National School. Please take some time and browse through our pages and picture galleries to see all the wonderful activites and indeed learning that takes place here in our happy school.

Front of School

Back of School

Description of the school

Esker N.S. is situated in the parish of Kiltulla, beside St. Patrick's Monastery and just 3 miles from the historic town of Athenry. At present there are 103 pupils on the roll from over 60 families. We have 4 mainstream teachers,2 learning support teachers, and S.N.A. and a secretary working in the school.

The school building now consists of four large classrooms, library/resource room, learning support room, staff room and office. There are also 2 large pre-fabs in the school grounds and these are used as multi purpose rooms.
We have a comfortable and modern school with the best of facilities and equipment.The school is awash with colour from the children’s beautiful art and project work along the halls, while the classrooms themselves are bright, colourful and inviting.
The school needed to be extended due to an increase in enrolment. This project was funded by the Dept. and a very generous local contribution.The new extension was completed in September 2008. It was officially opened by Tánaiste and Minister for Education Mary Coughlan on December 12th 2010. It was blessed on that day by Bishop John Kirby.

Games and Activities

We have a large playgroud, garden and playing pitch.So the children have a huge play area for break time and P.E.The pupils avail of an extensive range of equipment and are trained by the teachers as well as visiting coaches.
We enjoy games and sport and the children participate in competitions and local sporting events.
We have hurling, football and camogie teams in Esker N.S.
We also participate in athletics, soccer, basketball and rugby while at school.

General Information

Principal: Iomar Burke
Deputy Principal: Siobhán McGillicuddy

Teachers & Classes:
Ailbhe Conneely - Infants
Niamh Kelly - 1st & 2nd class
Siobhan McGillicuddy - 2nd 3rd & 4th class
Iomar Burke - 4th 5th 6th class
Ann Melia - Learning Support
Mary O'Sullivan - Learning Support

Other Staff:
Secretary: Finola Lawless
S.N.A.: Fiona Lane

History of Esker N.S.

The old school in Esker was founded by Fr. Smith in 1828. It was a two storey building located in the field beside the existing school.
The present school was built in 1962 and was originally a two roomed school. As you can see from the aerial photograph (1982) a prefab was constructed when there was a need for a third room.