In 1845, the original Stokane National School opened its doors on a site adjacent to the present building. As this was the first year of the famine, the school was closed intermittently during many of its early years. The first teacher in the school was Michael Rouse who was just nineteen years old. In a report of 1868, the school had fifty-three children in total : “twenty-seven boys, twenty four girls and two infants”.
By 1890 the school building was in a very poor state of repair and the present school was built and opened in 1891. This school had two classrooms and a hall where turf could be kept. A “peppercorn” rent of one penny a year was paid on the school site. A high wall separated the boys and girls play areas ensuring they would not mix. Most children would come to school barefoot in the summer months, they would bring turf for the fire and would eat lunch outside each day unless the weather was really bad.
By the 1930s there were three teachers in the school Mr Denis Rouse, his wife Mary and Ms. Bridget Maye. At this time there were between seventy and eighty pupils attending the school.
As most pupils came from a farming background sometimes the entire school would be closed when things were busy on the farm and help was needed. Pupils got a week off in Spring to plant potatoes and another week at harvest time for cutting oats and wheat. They would also have a week off in October for picking potatoes.
As the years passed, the school grew and thrived. Music was encouraged by all principals and staff. In 1975, Stokane National School Band was established under the guidance of the then Principal, Mr. Damian McHale. This love of music is still evident in the school today with all pupils learning a traditional musical instrument, beginning with the tin whistle in Junior Infants and progressing to accordion, concertina, violin,bodhran or flute as they grow in confidence. In 2008, Stokane National School band renewed the annual tradition of marching in the local Saint Patrick’s Day Parade.
Our school has had a proud history of taking part in many sporting activities down through the years. A number of past pupils have proudly represented our school and parish on the county GAA Minor and Senior Gaelic football teams; we take part each year in the Cumann na mBunscol hurling and Gaelic Football competitions and have had the privilege of winning the County Finals, held annually in Markievicz park, in both the boys’ and girls’ competitions. We are also extremely lucky to avail of the expertise of Sligo GAA coaches every year helping to develop our GAA skills.
In 1980 a 3-acre playing field was purchased for school use and this is where the newly created Stokane Community Park is under construction.
In 1989 the school building was refurbished and in 1991 the school celebrated its centenary. To mark this historic occasion a book was published: ‘Stokane…Moments in Time’ and a school reunion was organised to which all past pupils were invited.
In 2011, the school was enhanced with the addition of an office, staffroom and disabled toilet facilities.
In 2017, a Resource Room and new entrance hallway were added.
In 2019, playing facilities were expanded when a prefab and shelter were removed and a large tarmac play area was developed to the rear of the school.
In 2020, a wonderful new MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) with an astro turf surface was ready on our return to school in September.
2023; Stokane Community Park was completed. This facility incorporates an astroturf football pitch, a grass pitch, a walking track, exercise equipment, picnic seating and is wheelchair accessible. Stokane National School has full use of these facilities during school hours.
We are very proud of our past pupil Micheál Naughton who was inaugurated as the 14th President of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association in March 2021