A rigorous academic curriculum, with a strong focus on literacy and numeracy, is at the center of our approach to teaching and learning. This core is supplemented by challenging opportunities in broader curriculum areas such as science, IT, music, art, drama, modern languages, and sport. Core subjects are taught by experienced and well-qualified primary teachers while specialist subjects are taught by a team of highly qualified graduate teachers in well-equipped specialist areas such as the science lab, art studio, IT lab, music room, sports hall, swimming pool, etc.
We pride ourselves on our community spirit, rooted in a wide-ranging pastoral care system that enables all pupils to thrive as individuals within a group setting. Our ethos of personal development is based on our founding motto “mens sana in corpore Sano” (a sound mind in a healthy body), a motto which is still as relevant today as it was when it was first adopted back in 1904 when the school was founded.
Supplementing our academic and pastoral program is an extensive daily program of extra-curricular hobbies ranging from chess to swimming, basketball to sewing, animation to junior gourmet. In addition, we have a wonderful library and Learning Resource Centre that enhance opportunities to develop individual and collaborative learning skills.
We welcome children from age 3+ into the Pre-Prep Department. Class sizes are small with two classes per age group catering for 3+-year-olds (Pre-Prep 1), 4+-year-olds (Pre-Prep 2), and 5+-year-olds (Pre-Prep 3). In Pre-Prep 3 pupils are prepared for the transition to the Prep Department. Eligible children in Pre-Prep 1 and Pre-Prep 2 may avail of the ECCE scheme.
The Head of Pre-Prep manages the day-to-day running of the Department, including curriculum, pastoral care, and admissions. The Deputy Head of the Department teaches in every classroom and assists the Head of Pre-Prep with administration duties. Each class is taught by a suitably qualified and experienced early years teacher who is supported by classroom assistants, who are also qualified, teachers.
Our fundamental philosophy of early years’ education is founded on a carefully planned yet rigorous play-based approach to learning. While we teach the Irish Primary Curriculum for Junior (Pre-Prep 2) and Senior Infants (Pre-Prep 3), we also include aspects of the Montessori teaching methodology, using Montessori materials. Dialogue or talk, active engagement in tasks, and freedom to explore topics in-depth are seen as vitally important to engage all children in exciting, age-appropriate, learning activities. Topics or themes change roughly every half term and might include, for example, “All About Me”, “Space”, “Mini Beasts” or the “Fairy tales”. Open-ended themes are refined within each classroom depending on the interests and abilities of each group. Pupils are encouraged to follow their particular interests and to use technology to supplement their learning. Activities in pairs, threes, or other groups are seen as critical so that pupils are encouraged to verbalize their thinking process, thereby enhancing cognitive development as well as improving social skills.
