ETHOS STATEMENT OF OUR SCHOOL

Nun’s Cross National School is a co-education primary school under Church of Ireland management. The Archbishop of Dublin and Bishop of Glendalough is the school’s Patron. The school endeavours to promote the moral, spiritual, emotional, intellectual, physical and social development of all the pupils in its care.  The school reflects the ethos of the Church of Ireland and values of honesty, charity, kindness, patience and personal responsibility are encouraged. Equally it encourages and practises respect for the traditions and teachings of other churches and spiritual communities. The teaching of Religious Education in this school does not involve religious formation or specifically confessional teaching as this is a matter for each family and their Church. The constitutional right of parents to withdraw their child from Religious Education is acknowledged. However, the attention of parents is drawn to the fact that due to accommodation constraints and the limited availability of staff a child who is withdrawn from RE may have to be remain in the classroom for the duration of the lesson.

Children of other faiths and none are welcomed and affirmed.

Nun’s Cross N.S. is a community where all pupils are equally valued and respected – irrespective of gender, social or ethnic background, family circumstances, educational achievement, physical characteristics or intellectual capacity.

Nun’s Cross N.S. is a community where the traditions and teaching of the Church of Ireland inform the position taken in regard to moral issues which arise in the teaching of secular subjects.

The work of the school is conducted in an atmosphere of inclusion, tolerance and respect for religious differences.  The admission policy of the school allows those of other faiths or none to enrol as pupils. Nun’s Cross N.S. values and recognises the contribution that pupils of different faiths bring to the life of the school.

Nun’s Cross N.S. is a part of the local church community and has strong links with the Parish.  Pupils take part in services in the local church each month (eg. Advent, Easter etc.) Special events take place in the school to mark religious festivals and celebrations eg. Christmas, Harvest etc. The Parish Pastor visits the school and takes part in Assembly on a regular basis.

Time spent teaching Religious Education is per Department of Education guidelines. All pupils generally take part in Religious Education lessons. The ‘Follow Me’ programme (developed by the Church of Ireland, Methodist and Presbyterian Boards of Education) is in used throughout all the classes. Please see the Religious Education Policy for further details.