A Mayo school which extends far beyond the classroom

The two children had attended a national school in Kilcock with over 600 pupils and they were not sure how they would adapt to a school with less pupils and possibly less activities to choose from.

A secondary school teacher by profession, Donnacha was not sure whether to send them to the local national school in Murrisk, or a larger one in Westport but looking back he is glad they went for the local option.

Nestled beneath the beautiful backdrop of Croagh Patrick, Murrisk National School is a three-teacher school with just over 40 pupils with new classrooms to cater for its expanding numbers and a playground and astro pitch out the back. The pupils enjoy a wide range of activities that promote confidence, wellbeing and teamwork and activities from a chess club and running club to yoga, Irish dancing, GAA and soccer coaching, there is something for everyone.

“When you rock up to a school like Murrisk, everyone knows you straight away and you can’t hide. They are in the middle of everything and the school is such a welcoming place and the class they were in everyone was friends straight away. They thrived and loved it straight away,” Donnacha told The Mayo News.

Marie Finnerty, the acting principal, added that it is a place where children are encouraged to learn, explore and thrive. She says the smaller class sizes allow teachers to build strong relationships with every child, providing individual attention and ensuring that each pupil is supported to reach their full potential, both academically and personally.

Her views are endorsed by Donnacha who is now chairman of the Murrisk NS Parents Association and having moved west he has become an advocate for the benefits of a smaller school environment.

“Murrisk is a small place and everybody knows each other and looks out for each other. The children don’t get a chance to be anonymous so you have to be in the middle of everything,” he explained.

“That was our biggest worry moving and it was our biggest relief after only a day of school. We were looking at bigger schools in Westport but once we realised what was on our doorstep was never a thought of going anywhere else.

“One day Eli was sick and his one concern was he was going to miss school and his friends. I was never like that when I was going to school. That is massive for us as parents to know your kids are happy and school has definitely made them happy.”

​Similiar experience

Denise and Martin Linke had a similar experience when their three girls arrived in Murrisk last February after moving from a larger school in Germany.

Denise, a native of Murrisk explained: “From the beginning the welcome they received was exceptional. They have really embraced the calm, nurturing atmosphere of the school and the fun, engaging learning environment. They have felt happy, included and welcomed from day one.”

Marie says one of the reasons why adapting to a smaller classroom environment has been so successful for the new arrivals is because their school ‘extends far beyond the classroom’.

“Our pupils enjoy a wide range of activities that promote confidence, wellbeing and teamwork. From chess club and running club to yoga, Irish dancing, GAA and soccer coaching, there is something for everyone. We are also proud of our Green Schools work, while community members and grandparents regularly volunteer in our polytunnel, helping children to grow fruit and vegetables. The excitement this year when we harvested our very first strawberries was something the children won’t forget!

“Every child is an individual, with their own voice, talents and potential and at Murrisk National School, they are given the opportunity to shine,” she said.

Outdoor learning

Marie said that outdoor learning is an important part of life in Murrisk and she recently completed a Forest School Leader training programme which encourages children to learn through nature, exploration and play.

“With Croagh Patrick, the Millennium Park and the nearby seashore on our doorstep, our local environment becomes an extension of the classroom. We look forward to further developing Forest School opportunities, encouraging children to learn through nature, exploration and play. Whether it is investigating habitats, taking part in science activities or simply enjoying the fresh air, our pupils benefit from regular opportunities to learn outdoors,” she said.

Next door to the main school building is the Little Bears Preschool and Stay and Play Afterschool which Marie says is very much part of the school environment and feels the interaction between the different ages teaches tolerance and respect.

The other staff members also get involved in the extra curricular activity with Jane McWalter, the senior room teacher organising a running club and yoga; junior room teacher, Fionnuala Feeney in charge of Green Schools and biodiversity while Padraig Cunnane, the middle room teacher and Helen Monaghan, the SNA, is in charge of the GAA and soccer coaching. Marie and Padraig also organise the Chess Club in the school and from September they will be joined by Katie McGarrigle and Alice Frazer who will be job sharing while the school secretary Helena Morahan is a valued a member of the school community and respected by staff and pupils alike.

Donnacha, who teaches in Rice College, added that he sees no difference between children from smaller national schools and those from bigger ones when they reach second level and has no concerns when his own daughter starts secondary school in September.

“The smaller school for me has outshone the bigger school in terms of care and attention and that exemplified how our kids got on. I have no issues with them going onto secondary school and it will stand to them as they will have that sense of community and ability to have their voices heard,” he commented.

With the new school year just around the corner, Marie says that there are places available across all class levels not just junior infants to start in September or any time of the school year and they will be made warmly welcome.

“There is such a lovely community spirit to the school and we want that to continue and grow for years to come.”