St. Nicholas’ St. Nicholas’ N.S.N.S.

Claddagh Claddagh GalwayGalway

CladdaghCladdagh The Claddagh is a famous fishing village, on the fringe of The Claddagh is a famous fishing village, on the fringe of

Galway City.Galway City.

It has been termed as the last Celtic outpost of Europe and it It has been termed as the last Celtic outpost of Europe and it is the area where our school is located.is the area where our school is located.

Its name comes from the Irish name ‘An Cladach’, meaning a Its name comes from the Irish name ‘An Cladach’, meaning a stony shore. stony shore. 

Swans congregate here at the pier. People from near and far Swans congregate here at the pier. People from near and far come to watch the majestic birds and to feed them.come to watch the majestic birds and to feed them.

History of CladdaghHistory of Claddagh

Claddagh is one of the oldest Claddagh is one of the oldest places in Galway. Traditionally the places in Galway. Traditionally the Claddagh was a fishing village and Claddagh was a fishing village and also an area where the market was also an area where the market was held where merchants and traders held where merchants and traders would congregate to barter and would congregate to barter and sell their goods.sell their goods.

The ‘old Claddagh’ looks nothing The ‘old Claddagh’ looks nothing like the modern version we know it like the modern version we know it as today. Years ago the people had as today. Years ago the people had very basic houses. These were very basic houses. These were made form mortar and lime with a made form mortar and lime with a thatch roof. We call these thatch thatch roof. We call these thatch houses.houses.

The small thatched whitewashed The small thatched whitewashed cottages of the fishermen are now cottages of the fishermen are now gone, but the black hulls of the gone, but the black hulls of the fishing boats, Galway Hookers and fishing boats, Galway Hookers and Pucans can still be seen, here on Pucans can still be seen, here on the edge of Galway Bay.the edge of Galway Bay.

The The menmen in the Claddagh were in the Claddagh were predominantly fishermen by trade.predominantly fishermen by trade.

Their work was harsh and often took Their work was harsh and often took them away from their loved ones for days them away from their loved ones for days and weeks at a time. and weeks at a time.

They fished from a famous boat called a They fished from a famous boat called a ‘hooker’ or a ‘currach’.‘hooker’ or a ‘currach’.

The The women women of the Claddagh were of the Claddagh were homemakers. homemakers.

They looked after the children and did all They looked after the children and did all the work around the home. the work around the home.

It was also very challenging for the It was also very challenging for the women as the Irish tended to have large women as the Irish tended to have large families and didn’t have the income and families and didn’t have the income and facilities to meet the needs. Times were facilities to meet the needs. Times were tough… tough…

The world famous The world famous Claddagh ringCladdagh ring owes its owes its origin to this area of Galway. It comprises origin to this area of Galway. It comprises a heart and two hands clasped in a heart and two hands clasped in friendship and was used as a traditional friendship and was used as a traditional wedding ring which is still made in wedding ring which is still made in Galway.Galway.

Local AttractionsLocal Attractions Tourists from around the world come to see the lovely Tourists from around the world come to see the lovely

views of the River Corrib and Galway Bay, the local swans views of the River Corrib and Galway Bay, the local swans and the place that gave its name to the famous Claddagh and the place that gave its name to the famous Claddagh ring. Here are some other popular tourist attractions:ring. Here are some other popular tourist attractions:

The Spanish ArchThe Spanish Arch The Spanish Arch stands on the banks of the river Corrib The Spanish Arch stands on the banks of the river Corrib across from the village of the Claddagh. The arch is so across from the village of the Claddagh. The arch is so named because of Galway’s trading with Spain during named because of Galway’s trading with Spain during Medieval times. The Spanish Arch is part of the remains of Medieval times. The Spanish Arch is part of the remains of the city walls and the Galway City Museum now stands in the city walls and the Galway City Museum now stands in this historic area. The Arch leads to the Long Walk this historic area. The Arch leads to the Long Walk promenade, where there is a beautiful view of Galway Bay. promenade, where there is a beautiful view of Galway Bay. On a warm day many people sit out in the Spanish Parade On a warm day many people sit out in the Spanish Parade Plaza, in front of the Spanish Arch, the area which was Plaza, in front of the Spanish Arch, the area which was once the bustling Fish Market, where the fishwives of the once the bustling Fish Market, where the fishwives of the Claddagh sold baskets of fish.Claddagh sold baskets of fish.

Quay StreetQuay Street winds up into Galway City from the winds up into Galway City from the Spanish Parade. This narrow street has a Spanish Parade. This narrow street has a distinctly Medieval style and is part of the Latin distinctly Medieval style and is part of the Latin Quarter of Galway. This is one of the most lively Quarter of Galway. This is one of the most lively streets of Galway and it is lined with pubs and streets of Galway and it is lined with pubs and restaurants. Music and crowds of people flood restaurants. Music and crowds of people flood the street at night time where you will be sure the street at night time where you will be sure to find a great atmosphere of enjoyment and to find a great atmosphere of enjoyment and ‘craic’.‘craic’.

The Galway MarketThe Galway Market has been trading every has been trading every Saturday morning beside the Collegiate Church Saturday morning beside the Collegiate Church of St Nicholas for centuries. Traders come here of St Nicholas for centuries. Traders come here selling fresh produce and hand made crafts. selling fresh produce and hand made crafts.  There is also a great variety of locally produced  There is also a great variety of locally produced cheeses, home made breads, jams, marmalades, cheeses, home made breads, jams, marmalades, crepes, hand made chocolates, soups, madras crepes, hand made chocolates, soups, madras curry and sushi  to name but a few gourmet curry and sushi  to name but a few gourmet treats. Crafts include Celtic and other types of treats. Crafts include Celtic and other types of jewellery, knitted scarves, hats, gloves, jewellery, knitted scarves, hats, gloves, handbags, and much more.handbags, and much more.

Lynch’s CastleLynch’s Castle is located right in the heart of Galway is located right in the heart of Galway City. It was the home of one of the most powerful City. It was the home of one of the most powerful merchant families in Galway during the 15th and merchant families in Galway during the 15th and 16th centuries. The building is one of the finest 16th centuries. The building is one of the finest examples of a town castle in the country. Town examples of a town castle in the country. Town castles were popular homes for wealthy merchants in castles were popular homes for wealthy merchants in Ireland during Medieval times. To this day the Ireland during Medieval times. To this day the original structure remains intact and beautifully original structure remains intact and beautifully preserved. The exterior features the Lynch coat of preserved. The exterior features the Lynch coat of arms, finely carved gargoyles, and decorative arms, finely carved gargoyles, and decorative windows.windows.

Our School – St. Nicholas’ Our School – St. Nicholas’ N.S.N.S.

Located in the heart of Claddagh Village in Located in the heart of Claddagh Village in Galway City.Galway City.

Built in 1933, celebrating 80 years this year!Built in 1933, celebrating 80 years this year! Originally divided into a boys' school and a Originally divided into a boys' school and a

girls' school.girls' school. Later amalgamated to become co-educational. Later amalgamated to become co-educational.  The school currently has over 360 pupils, over The school currently has over 360 pupils, over

40 teachers and 25 special needs assistants 40 teachers and 25 special needs assistants (SNAs).  (SNAs). 

In recent years, the school has In recent years, the school has seen extensive development of seen extensive development of its facilities including the its facilities including the construction of a new construction of a new gymnasiumgymnasium. .

This is where all classes and This is where all classes and teachers assemble in the teachers assemble in the morning and begin the day with morning and begin the day with a prayer. (We also sing our a prayer. (We also sing our school anthem on Fridays!)school anthem on Fridays!)

Physical Education (P.E.) Physical Education (P.E.) classes take place here daily. classes take place here daily. School concerts and recitals School concerts and recitals take place here too.take place here too.

Our Our craft centrecraft centre, established in , established in 1993, is run by a dedicated art 1993, is run by a dedicated art teacher. It is fully equipped and teacher. It is fully equipped and provides the children with a provides the children with a unique artistic experience. It unique artistic experience. It even has a ‘kiln’!even has a ‘kiln’!

Gymnasium and Craft Gymnasium and Craft CentreCentre

ASD UnitASD Unit In 2001, our new purpose-built In 2001, our new purpose-built ASD unitASD unit for for

children with autism was opened. children with autism was opened. Our school was the first in Galway to offer Our school was the first in Galway to offer

such a class in a mainstream setting. such a class in a mainstream setting. The facility includes a therapy room, a The facility includes a therapy room, a

sensory room and a life-skills room.sensory room and a life-skills room.

We have four dedicated classes We have four dedicated classes for children diagnosed with for children diagnosed with ASD. ASD.

These classes cater for 22 These classes cater for 22 children. children.

Each class has 1 teacher and 2 Each class has 1 teacher and 2 or more special needs or more special needs assistants and there is a assistants and there is a teacher to pupil ratio of 1 to 6.teacher to pupil ratio of 1 to 6.

We aim to equip the children We aim to equip the children in our school with social skills in our school with social skills and communication skills as and communication skills as well as academics.well as academics.

We hope that one day the We hope that one day the children will be able to become children will be able to become contributing members of contributing members of society, living independently society, living independently and having gainful and having gainful employment.employment.

The *Teacch Model ClassroomThe *Teacch Model Classroom

We base our A.S.D.classrooms on the Teacch We base our A.S.D.classrooms on the Teacch Model from North Carolina in USA.Model from North Carolina in USA.

There is a Station for Group Work where the children all work together on the same subject matter.

Each pupil also has their own individual Work Each pupil also has their own individual Work Station for independent work or 1 to 1 teaching.Station for independent work or 1 to 1 teaching.

**TTreatment and reatment and EEducation of ducation of AAutistic and related utistic and related CCommunication-handicapped ommunication-handicapped CChildrenhildren

The Teacch Model promotes working from The Teacch Model promotes working from left to right. left to right.

The children work on 3 items in a session, The children work on 3 items in a session, one at a time, from top to bottom.one at a time, from top to bottom.

Each finished item is placed in the Finished Each finished item is placed in the Finished Tray. Tray. 1.

2.

3.

Finished

The pupils also benefit greatly from the The pupils also benefit greatly from the Interactive White Board. There is one in Interactive White Board. There is one in almost every classroom in our school.almost every classroom in our school.

The children learn their The children learn their daily timetable and daily timetable and routine from their routine from their schedule.schedule.

They manage their own They manage their own daily schedule, under the daily schedule, under the guidance of the Special guidance of the Special Needs Assistants.Needs Assistants.

We have a small room We have a small room called the Quiet Room.called the Quiet Room.

If children need a break If children need a break or a rest they can lie down or a rest they can lie down on mats or a bean bag.on mats or a bean bag.

It is also a great place for It is also a great place for the teacher to rest after a the teacher to rest after a long day at work…!!! long day at work…!!!

Music in Claddagh N.S.Music in Claddagh N.S. Music is a very important part our Music is a very important part our

curriculum, our school culture and our ethos.curriculum, our school culture and our ethos.

We are very fortunate and proud to have many We are very fortunate and proud to have many talented musicians as teachers on our staff talented musicians as teachers on our staff who are a great inspiration to our pupils. who are a great inspiration to our pupils.

Children are taught how to play many Children are taught how to play many different types of instruments including tin different types of instruments including tin whistle, bell irons, violin, guitar, piano whistle, bell irons, violin, guitar, piano accordion and drums.accordion and drums.

The award-winning The award-winning School BandSchool Band leads the  leads the opening of Galway's Oyster Festival each opening of Galway's Oyster Festival each September, as well as marching in the St. September, as well as marching in the St. Patrick's Day Parade each year. Patrick's Day Parade each year.

We are very proud of our fabulous school We are very proud of our fabulous school choir which includes children from upper choir which includes children from upper primary (3primary (3rdrd-6-6thth class) who practice every class) who practice every week in preparation for competitions and week in preparation for competitions and recitals.recitals.

They sing a range of different styles from They sing a range of different styles from traditional to contemporary and they love traditional to contemporary and they love showing off their beautiful voices and showing off their beautiful voices and perfect harmonies!perfect harmonies!

Our Christmas pageant which takes Our Christmas pageant which takes place every year is an amazing event! place every year is an amazing event! Children take part through narration, Children take part through narration, singing, playing instruments, dancing singing, playing instruments, dancing and acting to tell the Christmas story and acting to tell the Christmas story and it is truly magical!and it is truly magical!

Home, School, Community Home, School, Community Liaison Liaison

We are very fortunate to have the Home We are very fortunate to have the Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) scheme School Community Liaison (HSCL) scheme in our school. in our school.

The aim of the scheme is to promote The aim of the scheme is to promote partnership between home, school and the partnership between home, school and the community and to ensure that every child community and to ensure that every child participates fully in the school scheme. participates fully in the school scheme.

It recognises the role of parents as the It recognises the role of parents as the primary educators of their children, the primary educators of their children, the influence of the home environment and influence of the home environment and seeks to promote a partnership between seeks to promote a partnership between school and parents and the local school and parents and the local community.community.

The scheme co-ordinator in our school is The scheme co-ordinator in our school is Yvonne Fahy. She looks after the welfare of Yvonne Fahy. She looks after the welfare of the parents of St. Nicholas’ N.S.. She is the parents of St. Nicholas’ N.S.. She is available to discuss, on a personal level, available to discuss, on a personal level, matters of concern with parents.matters of concern with parents.

A Home-School-Community Liaison co-ordinator is A Home-School-Community Liaison co-ordinator is assigned to a school in a disadvantaged area. assigned to a school in a disadvantaged area.

Activities undertaken by Yvonne are: Activities undertaken by Yvonne are: Home Home visitationsvisitations.. Organisation of Organisation of in-school activitiesin-school activities and and coursescourses for for

parents, e.g. parents, e.g. English classes, Zumba English classes, Zumba for parents.for parents. Advising and supporting parentsAdvising and supporting parents on education- on education-

related issues such as study skills and the related issues such as study skills and the promotion of a stimulating home learning promotion of a stimulating home learning environment.environment.

Meeting with Meeting with community interestscommunity interests relevant to the relevant to the education education and welfare of pupils in the schooland welfare of pupils in the school

Encouraging co-operation between home, school Encouraging co-operation between home, school and community interests, e.g. ‘and community interests, e.g. ‘Maths for FunMaths for Fun’ and ’ and ‘Reading for Fun’ .‘Reading for Fun’ .

Yvonne also organises the Yvonne also organises the Parents’ choirParents’ choir who sing who sing at various school events. at various school events.

Our school is a Global Our school is a Global SchoolSchool

Traditional and modern Ireland co-exist Traditional and modern Ireland co-exist uniquely at Claddagh school.uniquely at Claddagh school.

While maintaining and celebrating the While maintaining and celebrating the distinctive cultural traditions of the distinctive cultural traditions of the Claddagh village, the school was one of Claddagh village, the school was one of the first in Galway city to welcome the first in Galway city to welcome children and families from diverse children and families from diverse backgrounds. backgrounds.

There are now children and staff from There are now children and staff from over 40 different cultural backgrounds in over 40 different cultural backgrounds in our school.our school.

Many children from different countries Many children from different countries avail of additional support for English avail of additional support for English language in Claddagh school.language in Claddagh school.

Rich cultural diversity including indigenous Rich cultural diversity including indigenous minority called Irish Travellers.minority called Irish Travellers.

Our own Irish culture and language is Our own Irish culture and language is treasured and studied.treasured and studied.

Many children remain bilingual and Many children remain bilingual and multilingual and English language support multilingual and English language support is offered for up to 3 years.is offered for up to 3 years.

Families are encouraged to integrate into Families are encouraged to integrate into the school community through parent the school community through parent classes, participation in school wide events, classes, participation in school wide events, ‘Fáilte Isteach’.‘Fáilte Isteach’.

A global focus is weaved into the curriculum A global focus is weaved into the curriculum mostly in SPHE subject but also through mostly in SPHE subject but also through arts, drama, literature, geography, etc.arts, drama, literature, geography, etc.

International Day and One World Week International Day and One World Week every second year.every second year.