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Historic day for new schools

Tuesday, 09 September 2008

HISTORY was made in Dublin 15 last week when two schools, the first of their kind in the country, opened their doors to throngs of excited children.
Scoil Choilm in Porterstown and Scoil Ghrainne in Phibblestown are piloting a new state-run community model for primary schools.
The schools, which will be multi-faith to cater for all religions and none - in comparison to most other schools which are traditionally church-run - will fall under the patronage of County Dublin VEC.
Principal of Scoil Choilm, Treasa Lowe, said the first day at her new school was exciting for both children and teachers.
“We are absolutely delighted to be piloting this new initiative,” she told Northside People.
“We feel education is best when it is rooted within the community and this is very much a community based school.
“Many people are new to the Dublin 15 area so it is great to be able to offer people something different to cater for all walks of life.”
Scoil Choilm opened last year under the temporary patronage of Archbishop Dr Dermot Martin but transferred to the new Community National School model on September 1.
Ms Lowe explained how the school is a new departure from the traditional religious practices in schools.

“We welcome children from all denominations, everyone is catered for,” she said.
“We find a commonality between the beliefs and build from there.”
The 12 teacher and 16 classroom school has already proven popular with an enrolment of 150 children from almost 25 different nationalities for the current school year.
“We have got a lovely facility here in Porterstown,” Principal Lowe said.
“The rooms are very bright and colourful and I think teachers, parents and children alike are very happy.”
Meanwhile, Scoil Ghrainne also opened its doors to 67 eager junior infants pupils last week.
“All the kids are settling in nicely,” Principal David Campbell told Northside People.
“It makes no difference what school model they are in, for the kids a school is a school.
“As for the teachers, we still have the same curriculum to teach so we are now just focusing on getting familiar with what ‘sit down’ and ‘stand up’ are in Irish.”
The school is currently based in temporary accommodation located on an educational campus in Phibblestown.
The facility will share the site with Colaiste Pobail Setanta, a new community college, which is also due to open this year.
Both schools will exist side by side for the next two years until their permanent; state-of-the-art buildings are completed in 2010.
It’s hoped that once fully developed, Scoil Ghrainne will cater for a full range of primary pupils from junior infants to sixth class.
A spokesperson for the County Dublin VEC explained how the schools will operate under the management of an autonomous board of management.
“The schools will have an ethos of inclusiveness and respect for all beliefs, both religious and non-religious,” the spokesperson said.
“The school is committed to inclusion, equality and fairness.
“It will aim at all times to provide a caring, happy and secure atmosphere where the intellectual, spiritual, physical, moral and cultural needs of the children are identified and met.”
Scoil Choilm and Scoil Ghrainne are the first of several hundred schools which are expected to open under the new model over the next 10 years.

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