Curriculum

Scoil Bhaile Nua follows the Irish curriculum as set by the Department of Education and Skills.

The primary curriculum aims to provide a broad learning experience and encourages a rich variety of approaches to teaching and learning that cater for the different needs of individual children. The primary curriculum is designed to nurture the child in all dimensions of his or her life—spiritual, moral, cognitive, emotional, imaginative, aesthetic, social and physical.

We also incorporate specific initiatives to support various curriculum areas.

Literacy Lift Off

This is a highly successful, intensive 6-8 week programme where children learn in small groups at their own ability level. It begins with assessing where the children’s needs are and grouping them accordingly. Our team work with the children at different stations. Over the course of an hour each day the children work on various aspects of literacy at each station. The stations usually include:

Familiar Reading
New Reading
Word Work
Writing

First and Second classes take part in this initiative in English each year.

Junior Infants and Senior Infant classes take part in a similar initiative as Gaeilge – ‘Léim sa Léitheoireacht’.

MS Readathon

Our children from Third to Sixth classes take part in the MS Readathon in November. This is a fantastic initiative which enables children to use their ability to read as a fundraiser. The children read as much as they can during the month, collect sponsorship to donate to MS Ireland and in doing so support those suffering with Multiple Sclerosis.

Music

All children are given the opportunity to learn to play the tin whistle from First class. We also have an instrument rental scheme for other instruments including – fiddle, concertina, flute, banjo, mandolin and accordion.

All children from Third class take part in the school band.

Our school choir also begins at Third class.

Sport

We have a strong tradition of Gaelic Games in our school.

Twice a week external coaches from Clár na gCluichí Gaelacha work with our children – Tommy Ó Fátharta – football and hurling and Maidhc Ó Duinn – handball.

We also bring Third to Sixth classes for swimming lessons once a week during second term.

Triathlon Ireland work with Fifth and Sixth classes during third term promoting and developing the children’s skills in athletics and cycling.

Dance

Our work in the area of dance is supported by visiting teachers of sean-nós dancing and Zumba!

Yoga

Fifth and Sixth classes make use of their extra large classroom by spreading out their yoga mats and having quiet yoga time.

STEM - Coding

Fifth and Sixth classes enjoy coding workshops during second term with our school parent Richard O’Shaughnessy. They develop their creativity, collaboration and problem solving skills while creating Scratch projects.

Religious Education

We follow the Grow in Love religious education programme by Veritas.

We prepare children for the sacraments of First Confession, First Communion and Confirmation. These are very special highlights in each child’s life. Our school choir also sings at these ceremonies.

We also celebrate feast days throughout the year with various activities such as making crosses for St. Bridget’s Day, welcoming Fr. Michael for the ashes on Ash Wednesday, making shamrock art for St. Patrick’s Day, creating a May alter Our Lady and performing the nativity at Christmas time.

Seachtain na Gaeilge

During the month of March we celebrate our national language with many fun activities. These include – whole-school céilí, tongue twister competition, table quiz, St. Patrick’s parade and green day. Last year our school band also took part in the Maigh Cuilinn St. Patricks’ Day parade and provided the music at the vigil Mass in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Maigh Cuilinn.