A modern day school steeped in history
Situated in the heart of Riverstown, Taunagh National School is bursting full of history.
Dating back to the 19th century, this school played a big part in history. Serving as an army barracks during the troubles, bullet holes can be seen along the front of the building.
The school was also burnt from the inside during these times. The teacher used to live upstairs, with classes taking place downstairs.
Nowadays, Taunagh NS is a two teacher school with 28 pupils.
It’s a Church of Ireland school, but pupils of all religions and backgrounds are welcome.
“We’re small in number so we like to engage with the community and reach out,” said Principal Linda McMahon.
The school is keen to get the balance right between digital learning and book based learning.
“We’re very involved in the green schools, we have iPads here for the pupils and we became a digital school.
“We’ve tried to focus a lot on digital literacy. We focus a lot on green, digital, reading, art with The Model.
“I think you need a balance between written work and practical.”
Digital learning is becom- ing increasingly important in schools, and Ms. McMahon says it is important pupils are educated on online safety.
“It’s all becoming more and more digital. We want to encourage our pupils here to use it responsibly and we had a safer internet day here.
“If you leave that kind of education until they’re in fifth or sixth class it’s almost too late. They need to know this from the time they are in third class.”
The school held a book festival as part of an open day recently, following on from the Scholastic Book Fair.
For more information on Taunagh NS, contact info@taunaghns.ie.