CURRICULUM

We implement the Revised Curriculum as set down by the Department of Education. This curriculum is child centred and integrated.

It covers the following areas:

• Irish;
• Maths;
• English;
• Music;
• Physical Education;
• Visual Arts;
• Social, Personal and Health Education (S.P.H.E);
• Social Environmental and Scientific Education (S.E.S.E.).

All children from infants to 6th receive tuition in music including instrumental music (violin and ukuleles). We also have a school choir.

Children have the opportunity to go on educational outings and educational visitors are invited to visit the school from time to time so the children gain experience of artistic, cultural and recreational activities.

Homework

It is the school’s policy to give homework. Homework helps to reinforce what has been learnt in school and helps the child to become an independent student. It also helps to keep parents in touch with what goes on in the classroom. The children record their homework in a special Homework Journal which parents are asked to sign when the homework is completed. There is a Homework Club in the school which operates from 2.30 to 3.40 Monday to Thursday for children from Second to Sixth Class. This is run by the School Completion Programme.

Religion

While the school is Roman Catholic, we welcome pupils of other denominations or none. Children are prepared for the sacraments of Penance, Eucharist and Confirmation in conjunction with the parish. Meetings with parents are held in advance of these sacraments to outline the programme being followed. We seek to support parents who bear the primary responsibility for the religious formation of their children.

Text Books

The school operates a Book Rental Scheme to reduce the financial burden on parents. Parents send in a specified amount for each class and the school purchases their school books, copies and pencils.

Equipment

There is a wide range of equipment that is of great assistance in delivering the curriculum including digital cameras and web-cams. Every classroom now has an Interactive Whiteboard which is connected to the internet.

There is one teaching laptop in each classroom. There are a class set of laptops available for children thanks to parental fundraising. Parents must sign a consent form before children are allowed supervised access to the Internet.

There is a wide range of PE equipment also available.

We are developing our new school library in the autumn.

EXTRA CURRICULAR

All children have the opportunity to take part in dance lessons, yoga classes and have access to a visiting music teacher once a week.

There is also an Afterschool Sports Club, Mathletics and Drama club. The film club, Picture Pals, runs monthly.

Children also participate in gaelic football, athletics and basketball coaching. They participate in inter-school competitions and leagues.

All children are encouraged to participate in our annual Musical Production, which is normally held at Christmas.

We have also participated in events such as:

• Credit Union Quiz;
• National Spelling Bee;
• Wicklow Schools Athletics;
• The Peace Proms;
• Cumann na mBunscol;
• Our school ensemble played in the National Concert Hall.