Cuilmore Community National School begins new chapter under MSLETB patronage
CUILMORE Community National School, Newport, officially transferred to the patronage of Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB) on August 27, becoming the first Community National School in County Mayo and the MSLETB region.
Formerly Cuilmore National School, the school joins a growing national network of state-run, co-educational and multi-denominational primary schools in Ireland.
The transition follows a period of engagement and planning involving the school community, MSLETB, the Department of Education and Youth and the Archdiocese of Tuam. Cuilmore Community National School will retain its commitment to high quality education while embracing the Community National School (CNS) ethos of excellence, equality, community, care and respect.
Speaking about the future of the school, Tracy Hanley, principal of Cuilmore Community National School, said: “Cuilmore National School has been at the heart of the local community for over 176 years, and we are excited to begin this new chapter as Cuilmore Community National School. We look forward to building on our strong traditions while embracing the opportunities that being part of the CNS model and the wider MSLETB family will bring for our pupils, staff and community.”
Under MSLETB patronage, pupils will benefit from access to a broad range of educational supports and resources, including enhanced STEM learning opportunities, improved ICT infrastructure, innovative digital technologies, wellbeing supports, and specialist programmes designed to support teaching and learning in the school.
Among the opportunities now available to the school are links to the MSLETB XR Hub, which promotes the use of emerging technologies in education, and Achill Outdoor Adventure Centre, which offers outdoor learning experiences for pupils.
The wider MSLETB network also enables collaboration across schools, provides additional pupil and teacher supports, and gives access to a range of educational resources.
Congratulating Cuilmore Community National School, Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton said: “We would like to welcome back the pupils and staff of Cuilmore Community National School as they start a new school year as a multi-denominational Community National School. This school has a proud history and I would like to congratulate all involved with this school, past and present.
“I am delighted that the transfer of patronage of this school to Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board increases diversity of provision, providing a multi denominational primary school option for parents, while continuing to cater for the local community.”
The transfer also strengthens links between Cuilmore CNS and the wider family of MSLETB schools, centres and colleges across the region. School representatives said this will provide valuable opportunities for collaboration, shared learning and access to expertise that can further enhance educational outcomes for students.
Welcoming this important development, Tom Grady, chief executive of MSLETB, said: “The school has a strong tradition of educational excellence and community engagement, and we look forward to building on that legacy.
“As an MSLETB school, Cuilmore Community National School will continue to provide a welcoming, inclusive and child-centred learning environment where every pupil is supported to achieve their full potential.”
While the patronage has changed, representatives emphasised that the school’s commitment to local families remains unchanged. The focus, they said, will continue to be on creating a positive learning environment where children can thrive academically, socially and personally.
Welcoming the school into the MSLETB community, Regina Anderson, director of schools with MSLETB, said: “This is an important development for Cuilmore Community National School and for MSLETB. Community National Schools place children, families, and communities at the centre of everything they do, creating learning environments where every child feels valued, respected and supported.”
Benefits of Community National School Status under MSLETB Patronage
• Enhanced ICT infrastructure and digital learning resources
• STEM learning opportunities
• Outdoor education opportunities
• Additional wellbeing and student support services
• Opportunities for collaboration across the MSLETB network
• Stronger links to educational supports and services
• Joins a network of state-run, co-educational, multi-denominational primary schools, offering greater choice for families