Latest News from Castletara NS

On Wednesday 24th of September the whole school enjoyed a wonderful nature walk in Ballyhaise along the beautiful Lady’s Walk trail. Each class got the bus down to the Ballyhaise Agricultural College and set off on their adventure through the woods.

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Ms Masterson met each class and led them along the walk discussing and explaining the different types of trees, leaves and seeds along the way. The pupils had the chance to collect acorns, sycamore seeds and colourful leaves while learning how to identify trees by their shape, leaves and fruits. We also closed our eyes and were silent as we listened to the sounds of nature and identified what we could hear. Some of the senior classes also made it to the Ice House at the end of the trail where they saw some insects and a birds nest.

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The air was crisp, the sun was shining and the path was carpeted with golden leaves, making it a perfect setting to explore and appreciate nature at this beautiful time of the year. Everyone returned to school with bags full of nature’s treasures and lots of new knowledge about the wonderful world of trees!

Our wonderful friend and classmate Leon passed away peacefully on September 11th 2025. He was surrounded by his loving family. Leon was a member of our 3rd class so it is particularly hard for us all. The children have been so kind to each other and have had some lovely days together, where we shared fond memories of Leon and laughed a lot. We will continue to share memories and stories about Leon and he will not be forgotten. RIP our Lovely Leon.

The day was packed with fun, energy, and excellent coaching, giving our pupils a chance to develop their football and hurling skills in a supportive and encouraging environment.

The sessions were led by a group of Ballyhaise GAA volunteers, including some former pupils, which made the day even more special. It was great for the children to see past students returning to help and share their love for the game.

Every group was given the chance to take part in a variety of drills and games, all focused on building confidence, teamwork, and core GAA skills. The volunteers were fantastic with the children—encouraging, patient, and full of enthusiasm throughout.

We’d like to offer a sincere thank you to Ballyhaise GAA and all the volunteers who gave their time to organise and run the day. The effort and planning that went into it were clear to see, and the children came away smiling, inspired, and more confident in their skills.

Days like this show the real strength of our local community, and we’re proud to continue building strong links between the school and the club.

Here’s what some of our pupils had to say:

"I really liked the soloing game—we got to race each other and I won my group!" – 4th Class
"It was cool learning from older players who used to be in our school." – 5th Class
"The coaches were so nice. They showed us how to kick the ball better." – 2nd Class
"I hope we can do it again next year!" – 3rd Class

We are now enrolling for all mainstream classes at Castletara N.S.

There are places available in all year groups.
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To apply, please follow this link:
📝 Enrolment Form

After completing the form, please email the school at office@castletarans.ie

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As we come to the end of another school year at Castletara N.S., we would like to thank everyone who contributed to a positive and productive year.

A sincere thank you to all our staff for their continued hard work and support throughout the year. Their commitment to the day-to-day running of the school and the care shown to pupils is greatly appreciated.

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We also want to extend our best wishes to Ms. Tara Ronayne, who is taking a career break. We thank her for her contribution to school life and wish her all the best in the time ahead and look forward to her return.

Staffing arrangements for the next school year have been shared with families via Aladdin.

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To all our parents and guardians, thank you for your support and cooperation over the past year. Your involvement plays an important role in the life of the school.

We also wish to acknowledge the work of the Board of Management, whose ongoing support helps guide and manage school matters.

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A note of thanks as well to our Parents’ Association, whose help with various events and activities during the year has been greatly valued by staff and pupils alike.

We return to school on Wednesday, 27th August at 8:50 a.m.

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We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable summer break, and we look forward to welcoming pupils back in the new school year.

Our 6th Class recently took on an exciting and meaningful challenge—completing the Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail ("The Stairway to Heaven") to raise funds for the Little Blue Heroes Foundation.

The pupils put in an incredible effort, not only in completing the scenic and demanding walk, but also in their fundraising. We’re proud to share that they raised over €1,000 for this wonderful charity, which supports families with seriously ill children.

The experience was both enjoyable and rewarding. The weather was kind on the day, and the group showed great spirit and determination as they climbed the steps and took in the stunning views from the top.

A big thank you to Ms. Ronayne, the 6th Class teacher, for organising the walk and supporting the children every step of the way. Thanks also to the parents and families who contributed so generously and encouraged the pupils throughout their fundraising efforts.

The success of this initiative reflects the kindness, teamwork, and commitment of our 6th Class pupils. Not only did they take on a physical challenge, but they also helped make a real difference to others.

We would also like to give special thanks to Detective Ann Marie Brady, who has dedicated so much of her time and energy to the Little Blue Heroes Foundation over the years. Ann Marie has played a key role in raising awareness and support for the charity within our school, having organised several Little Blue Heroes events for the pupils in recent years. Her commitment and passion have made a lasting impact on our school community.

Well done to everyone involved!

To round off a wonderful school year, we held our much-loved Castletara N.S. Talent Show, giving our pupils a chance to step into the spotlight and share their talents with friends, staff, and families.

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The aim of the day was simple—to create a fun, relaxed, and supportive space where children could perform without pressure, and just enjoy the experience. And they did exactly that!

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We were treated to a brilliant variety of acts, including singers, musicians, comedians, gymnasts, and dancers. Every performance was unique, and the atmosphere in the hall was full of encouragement, laughter, and applause. It was a joy to see the pupils shine in their own way—whether on the microphone, at the piano, or showing off their dance moves.

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The talent show was not only hugely entertaining, but also a lovely reminder of the creativity and confidence that lives in every corner of our school.

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Here’s what some of our pupils had to say:

“I was nervous at the start, but once I got on stage, it felt great!” – Jack, 5th Class

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“I loved seeing all the different acts—everyone was really good at something.” – Ava, 4th Class

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“My favourite part was playing guitar with my friend. It was so much fun.” – Cian, 6th Class

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“It was nice to just have fun and not worry about winning anything.” – Ella, 3rd Class

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We want to say a big thank you to all the staff and parents who helped prepare the children and supported them in getting ready to perform. And most importantly, a heartfelt thank you to the pupils—your bravery, imagination, and enthusiasm made the day so special.

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What a great way to finish the school year on a high!

We were thrilled to take part in a colouring competition recently organised by the Ballyhaise Development Committee for the pupils of Castletara NS.

The children really enjoyed the chance to get creative and show off their artistic skills. Every entry was full of colour, imagination, and effort, making the judging very difficult! It was clear how much thought and care went into each picture.

Well done to all who took part and especially to those whose artwork was chosen. A big thank you to the Ballyhaise Development Committee for organising the event and for supporting creativity in our school. Activities like this help bring the school and wider community together, and the children really appreciated the opportunity to take part.

We look forward to more creative projects in the future!

This year’s Sports Day was a fantastic success, filled with energy, laughter, and great weather from start to finish. Held on Tuesday 10th June, the whole school came together to enjoy a wide range of activities, from classic races to creative challenges that kept everyone on their toes.

Pupils took part in traditional sprints, egg-and-spoon races, and three-legged races, as well as newer events like table tennis rallies, a shoot-the-target challenge, and an exciting group water race that had everyone cheering.

There was also a long jump, a bean bag toss, relay races, and an obstacle course that tested both balance and speed. The variety of events gave every student a chance to take part and enjoy the day in their own way.

The sunshine only added to the fun—and the arrival of the ice cream van, generously sponsored by the Parents’ Association, was a highlight for many. Big smiles and happy faces could be seen all around the yard and field.

Here’s what some of our students had to say:

“The water race was so funny—our whole team got soaked but we still won!” – 5th Class
“I liked the shoot-the-target game best. I hit it three times in a row!” – 3rd Class
“The ice cream at the end was the best surprise ever!” – 2nd Class
“It was my last Sports Day here, and I’ll never forget it.” – 6th Class

A huge thank you to all the staff who planned and ran the events, kept things running smoothly, and made sure everyone had a great time. Their effort made a big difference, and the day wouldn’t have been possible without them.

Well done to all the pupils for their enthusiasm, teamwork, and sportsmanship. It was a day to remember!