Scoil Raifteirí is an All-Irish Primary School situated on the Fairgreen in Castlebar. The school provides an excellent education suitable for children between the ages of four and twelve in a natural, friendly and stimulating atmosphere. The young teaching staff is fully qualified and committed to meet the educational, cultural and individual needs of the children entrusted to their care. The children are treated with fairness, firmness, dignity and understanding. They learn to know, value and enjoy our Irish language and heritage through dance, music, song, drama, story-telling, art and poetry. High standards of fluency and competence, both in English and Irish, are attained. A good solid foundation in all subjects is offered in our progressive and wide-ranging curriculum.

Is scoil lánghaelach í Scoil Raifteirí, atá suite i bhFaiche an Aonaigh, Caisleán an Bharraigh. Tá an fhoireann theagaisc óg agus díograiseach i leith forbairt iomlán an pháiste. Foghlaimíonn na páistí faoi dhúchas agus faoi chultúr na hEireann tríd damhsa, ceol, dráma, scéalaíocht, ealaín agus filíocht. Tá bunús maith sna hábhair go léir ar fáil leis an gcuraclam atá i bhfeidhm sa scoil. Cuirtear an páiste chun tosaigh i Scoil Raifteirí.

Dúnadh Speisialta / Emergency School Closures are rare. However, closure may be unavoidable due to extreme weather conditions, epidemics or other reasons. In any of the above instances we wish to advise all parents to:
(1) Ensure that they do not drop off the children without first checking that the school is open.
(2) Listen to Mid West Radio 96FM between 7:30-8:30 a.m.when a list of school closures will be announced.
(3) Note that, if the school gates are closed, parents dropping off children will be alerted and should make alternative arrangements for the child for that day.
(4) Read the notice posted up on the school front entrance doors.
(5) Note that the re-opening of the school will also be announced on Mid West Radio.
Bus Drivers and school staff will be alerted to the closure by a phone call network and also by listening to Mid West Radio.
It can be difficult to predict how long the school may need to remain closed, but there will be daily reports on the radio.

Leath-Laethanta/Half Days: School closes at 12:30 on half days which usually occur at beginning of holiday periods i.e. Halloween, Christmas, Easter, Summer as well as staff meetings. Parents are reminded and advised that:
· Punctual collection of children must be arranged by parents, babysitters, bus drivers at 12:30 sharp.
· Teachers are not covered by any insurance to drive children home.
· Should any child be uncollected by 12:40 p.m the school will have no alternative but to arrange for a taxi home, payable by the parents.
· Notice of staff meetings are put in the málaí scoile, and all parents are asked to check the mála daily for any notes especially in the case of the younger children. The parents of children in Rang II - VI will be reminded of notes in the school diary.

Aifreann Scoile/School Mass: All families are invited to our school Mass and especially children in Ranganna II - VI. Leaflets with the Mass responses in Irish & in English will be sent out later. It is important that these responses are practised in Irish in the school and in English at home. Children can help their parents with the responses in Irish and listening to the Mass as Gaeilge on Radio na Gaeltachta will help pronunciation etc.

What is a Gaelscoil?

· A Gaelscoil is a national primary school with full Department of Education recognition.
· All subjects are taught in accordance with the rules of the Department.
· The Gaelscoil is a public school recognised, subsidised and inspected by the Department.
· Co-educational schooling allows children to be educated in a more natural environment.
· There are 19,000 pupils in 101 schools, employing over 700 teachers in Gaelscoileanna outside the Gaeltacht regions.
· In Mayo we now have four Gaelscoileanna.

Why Choose Scoil Raifteirí?

· Bilingualism: parents are amazed by the children's progress in the Gaelscoil. On completion of Junior Infants, they can comprehend the language. On completion of 1st class, they are well on the road to fluency.
· Excellent preparation for secondary education and for the learning of European languages.
· Overall development of the children where they are encouraged to participate in local and national competitions of Feiseanna, Fleadhanna, Scór, quizzes, football, rounders, swimming, dancing, and art.
· The centrally located school is easily accessible.
· Pupil-teacher ratio is good.
· Well-equipped computer room provides a wealth of experience in Information Technology.