‘Big’ day for two schools

It was “right down to the wire, even up until late on Sunday night”, but Curravagh National School successfully registered the children of three new families to the local area, thus saving the position of their second teacher and securing the future of the school.
On Monday last, Curravagh NS welcomed 17 pupils through its doors.
“It was a big day for us, the whole commuity, a wonderful achievement,” a spokesperson for the Stand With Glan campaign told The Anglo-Celt this week.
Glangevlin, like many rural areas is compounded by the fact that, according to the most recent Census results, the Curravagh NS catchment area suffered a near nine percent drop since 2011.
Aware of the need to continue their fight against and protect the future of their school and community, the spokesperson assured: “This is only the start.”
The group are, at present, working with another two families interested in relocating to West Cavan.

New era for Gaelscoil
Meanwhile, it was a case of a “new school and a new era” for Gaelscoil Bhreifne, who moved to a permanent site at the former St Clare's Convent at Tullacmongan on Monday.
“It's such an achievement for the current Board and past Boards of Managements, who have put in so much work, and dealt with temporary accommodation down through the years to get to this day. People have believed in Gaelscoil Bhreifne and the sign's on it now,” says Michelle Rudden, parents association representative.
Opening the new school, Gaelscoil Bhreifne more than doubled their pupil number over the summer, from 32 at the former Jackson's Garage site to 70 now.

“Our aim is to have an eight-teacher school eventually, and there are plans here to build a two-storey extension onto the back,” reveals Michelle, who has two children attending the Gaelscoil.
“So we can comfortably grow here. This is now our permanent home in every sense of the word.”