The
above Mission Statement seeks to include the core values of the school
and is also aimed at incorporating some additional points made by
staff. The term 'mission' implies a journey and an agreed mission.
statement can provide a framework for present practice and future
planning.
Analysis
"We
believe we can make a difference ..." suggests that we,
as a staff, intend to have a positive influence on the young people
in our care and is a statement of the highest moral purpose in teaching.
"
... a quality education..." includes not only the area
of curriculum but also an insistence on the highest standards of
teaching and learning and the balancing of academic excellence with
the social, personal and spiritual development of each student.
Achieving excellent examination results can do wonders for personal
development. Likewise, a balanced extra-curricular programme can
make a great contribution to the academic and personal development
of students. We believe we are making great progress in all these
areas.
"...
a caring and respectful environment ..." refers to our
pastoral care services such as the Tutor/Year Head system, the counselling
and chaplaincy services and to the many professional and personal
interactions between staff and students. Care and respect also imply
a proper balance between pressure and support. Expecting high standards
from students is one of the best compliments we can pay them. High
teacher expectations and positive staff-student contacts are the
two most significant factors in students developing a good academic
self-image which, as research has shown, leads to high academic
achievement.
"We
value respect, fair play and everyone's right to be himself or herself."
These are values which are enshrined in the anti-bullying document
which is on display in each classroom.. Almost every parent surveyed
in recent years agreed that their children were
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treated
fairly and with respect by staff. The motto on the school crest is
'Respect for All'.
"We
aim to help our students to develop a sense of their own unique
worth, to become their best selves and to respect the rights of
others."
This reflects the aspiration that we can help each student to be
happy in themselves, to have high self-esteem and to uncover and
develop their talents. We can be rightly proud of the curriculum
we offer students, the extracurricular activities we provide and
the care and commitment shown by individual teachers. Respect for
oneself, for others and for property forms the basis for our Code
of Discipline. This statement also recognises that we are dealing
with young people who may cause difficulties from time to time and
who need to be helped to become their best selves.
"We
strive for good relations between our students, our staff and our
parents". This emphasises the concept of partnership that
is essential to our success. No matter how hard we work, we need
the support and goodwill of parents, students and fellow staff members,
including management
"We
educate our students not only for now, but also for life".
As a school, we have been in the forefront of curricular change.
In the fast five years we have introduced successfully new programmes
such as the Transition Year Option (TYO) the Leaving Certificate
Vocational Programme (LCVP) and thirteen new subjects including
technology, computers and social, personal and health education.
We believe that we are leaders nationally in the technology/computer
and Social, Personal & Health Education (SPHE) areas.
These
curriculum developments make the education we offer more relevant
to the long-term needs of our students. This is not to underestimate
the contributions of good teaching, extracurricular activity and
the pastoral care services within the school in preparing our students
to face the future with confidence.
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