Galway City - Primary Schools

L

Light2010

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Hi, I wonder if anyone can offer advice.

My oldest child is due to start primary school this September. However, as I'm not from Galway, I really don't know much/anything about the local primary schools and would appreciate any advice/feedback with regard to schools here. We live on the east side of Galway city.

Secondly, I'm beginning to discover that Gael Scoileanna are really popular and well thought of and that Irish is second nature to many people here. However, my own level of Irish is terrible and I'm afraid that, if my child was to go to a Gael Scoil, I wouldn't be able to help with homework.

Has anyone else had the same quandary? Please help!
 
Always a fear for parents who are considering sending their children to Gaelscoileanna.

You usually get great support from the school and children pick up the language quite quickly when immersed in the language. Gaelscoileanna often run night classes for parents so an opportunity there to learn and socialise.

If you end up having difficulty with any particular subject you can always get the equivalent version of the book in English.

As your child will be starting in infants the immersion for you into the language will be at a nice, steady pace.

Having taught in a Gaelscoil I can honestly say that you'll be doing your child a favour in instilling in him/her a natural love of the language rather than an anglicised approach to it.

Gaeilge being used as the language of communication makes it easier for the child.

If you're worried about how you'll manage .... don't .... you will ... it will be worth it for your child.

Children in Gaelscoileanna love showing others their mastery of the language .... especially on tours, trips etc.

But .... just so you choose wisely ... look at all the schools in your area ... both English and Irish ..... because all schools have something to offer.

If you find a school that interests you then look to see if there was a W.S.E. (Whole School Evaluation) done ..... have a read, read between the lines .... and you'll learn more from that report than you'll ever pick up by just visiting the school!

Link to W.S.E. reports here:

http://www.education.ie/insreports/school_inspection_report_listing.htm
 
my children go to a gaelscoil and I have limited Irish. The key is a good dictionary and getting your children to understand the question i.e. if they can help with the understanding of the question then its easy to help them formulate the answer. Homework doesn't really come into play till 1st class so they develop a good understanding of irish prior to bringing home the work :)

Gaelscoil Dara is a good school on the east side of the city, unfortunately the premises are deplorable (another * for the government) but the teachers and principle makeup for the last of a new school
 
Light2010 said:
We live on the east side of Galway city.
Secondly, I'm beginning to discover that Gael Scoileanna are really popular and well thought of and that Irish is second nature to many people here.
Click to expand...

I am not sure that Irish is any more second nature to people in East Galway as any other part of the country. The majority have Leaving Cert Irish but you'd need to go deep into West Galway before Irish becomes second nature or widely spoken.
 
Thanks to all of you for your replies.

paddybloggit - thanks for your detailed reply, which has given me plenty to think about. I checked out the W.S.E. website but, unfortunately, Scoil Dara is not listed and Scoil Caitriona in Renmore and Briarhill N.S. reports go back a few years. Do you know anything more about these schools yourself? You might prefer to PM. I would be very keen to learn the good and the bad!!

tmalmb - thank you also and I have a similar question for you ... if you have any further info. on the schools' in general it would be very much appreciated.

Anyone else out there who might have the experience of children who have gone or who are going to any of the schools on the east side of Galway city, again, I would appreciate any feedback/advice.

Many thanks.
 
@ Light2010 ~ I've no knowledge of any of the schools you mention .... I'm in a different province altogether.
 
No problem. Thanks for the advice you gave, PB.

Anyone else out there who might have the experience of children who have gone or who are going to any of the schools on the east side of Galway city, again, I would appreciate any feedback/advice.
 
Thanks for that link, Hillsalt. Found the post which you referred to, which gave some helpful information.

Anyone out there who has children going to Briarhill N.S., Scoil Caitriona or Scoil Dara National Schools in Renmore and who could give some personal feedback?
 
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