We would like to provide you with some information about our school and the education we provide in Scoil Mhuire.
Scoil Mhuire is situated in Clondalkin Village beside the church and opposite the GAA Round Towers Clubhouse. We cater for girls from age 4 to 12 and for boys age 4 to 7. The school was built in 1950 and an extension was added to the school in 1959. We are a Catholic school under the patronage of His Grace, Archbishop Dermot Farrell.
Many pupils of different persuasions attend our school and their religious outlook is respected. At present we have 21 different nationalities in Scoil Mhuire. Scoil Mhuire has always been and continues to be welcoming of pupils from a diverse range of cultures and celebrates inter-culturalism in a variety of ways and events.
We have created a new school crest this year which symbolises the ethos of Scoil Mhuire. We begin with Sonas (happy) where we provide an atmosphere and environment where every child is happy. We then focus on developing a good work ethic - Saothar - which means work. For every child to develop their full potential in our learning environment we strive to develop their imagination – Samhlaíocht – to become creative, innovative and lifelong learners.
Our aim is to provide a learning environment in which each child is encouraged to develop his/her capabilities to their full potential. We begin our school year each September with “Lucky to be Me” fortnight. This focuses on the uniqueness of each child and supports the development of positive self-esteem.
You will hear the children talking about Marvellous Monday, Terrific Tuesday, Wonderful Wednesday, Thoughtful Thursday and Fantastic Friday. Age appropriate activities are developed in each class to support this. This supports all children in settling back into school after the summer break. It also helps our new Junior Infants to start their school life in a positive and happy atmosphere.
In November we have Friendship Week to reinforce this positive school atmosphere and the pupils work on activities together with their teachers and parents. During this month Stay Safe is taught in all classes.
Mindfulness is developed in all classes throughout the school year. Pupils are introduced to the programme early in the school year and they become more focussed, are calmer and generally happier and more relaxed. Bringing mindfulness into the lives of children increases their capacity to become still and be in the present moment and feel good about themselves. It gives them the skills to build self-worth, compassion and understanding of themselves and others.
In Term 2 we have Positivity Fortnight where pupils celebrate the good things in their lives. We are also involved in Operation Transformation and all pupils are encouraged to eat healthily as well as participating in extra activities to keep fit and stay healthy. Each class undertakes extra physical activities throughout the day with a fun element built into classroom activities.
This year we are participating in the Active Schools Programme. There are movement breaks in the classroom throughout the day, where children get up, move around, dance and are physically active for a number of minutes several times throughout the day. There are games in the yard at both breaks and pupils play in groups.
All of these activities contribute to positive attitudes to school and learning. The pupils in Scoil Mhuire are expected to give their best.
All the staff in Scoil Mhuire are committed to providing the best possible learning environment for children to flourish. We focus on the motto
“The place to be happy is here and the time to be happy is now”
We believe that children that are in a happy learning environment will become lifelong learners and will enjoy the opportunities provided.
We are proud of the good and harmonious partnership with parents and guardians of our pupils in Scoil Mhuire.
“Partnership is a working relationship that is characterised by a shared sense of purpose,
mutual respect and a willingness to negotiate.”
(Gillian Pugh – Working towards Partnership in the early years).
In Scoil Mhuire we work as a team to provide the best education for all pupils. We are a staff of 30 including the Principal and a wonderful support staff of SNAs, Caretaker and Secretary.