Ethos

Our school is part of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust (ERST) who are the trustees of our school. The Edmund Rice Schools Trust (ERST) is a vibrant schools network that is developing and supporting Catholic education throughout Ireland today. ERST has responsibility for 97 schools, secondary and primary, in the Republic of Ireland.

The main object of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust is to foster the advancement of education and to further the aims and purposes of Catholic education in the Edmund Rice tradition in colleges, schools and other educational projects in Ireland in accordance with its religious and education philosophy.

An Edmund Rice school promotes equality of access and participation. It recognises the uniqueness of each individual in caring communities where holistic development is nurtured.  High educational, developmental and pastoral standards apply in our schools.

In addition to the provision of excellence in teaching and learning, our schools uphold a strong sporting tradition, Gaelic culture, and commitment to social justice. Inspired by the five key elements of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust Charter our schools are responding to a changing world and supporting future leaders to be inspirational citizens,  to work in partnership and to care for the environment, themselves and others equally.

The five key elements of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust Charter are

  • Nurturing faith, Christian spirituality and Gospel-based values;
  • Promoting partnership;
  • Excelling in teaching and learning;
  • Creating a caring school community;
  • Inspiring transformational leadership.

To find out more about the work of ERST please click here.

If you would like to read more about the ERST Charter then please click on the following for a fuller explanation as to what our school is trying to accomplish ERST-Charter_2014.

The Edmund Rice Tradition

The Edmund Rice Schools Trust is the inheritor of a 211-year tradition.  When Edmund Rice looked at the Waterford of 1802 and saw the plight of the poor, his response was to establish an education system that was daring, bold, imaginative and revolutionary.

Between 1802 and 1820 schools were opened in Waterford, Carrick-on-Suir, Dungarvan, Cork, Dublin, Cappoquin, Limerick and Thurles.

The story of Blessed Edmund Rice has inspired generations of people across the world. Among the values that we cherish from his tradition are his generosity, his courage, his humanity, his love of God’s word in Scripture, his practical reaching out to the poor and oppressed and his absolute trust in God’s providence.

In 2008, some of that energy of Edmund’s response was rediscovered in the launch of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust. In the world today, new needs have emerged for young people, and the Congregation of Christian Brothers responded by examining the core message of their schools and devising a Charter that encompassed that message. Pragmatic and practical, the Congregation also saw the decline in their numbers and an aging profile of their members. Encouraged by Vatican II they looked to the lay people, the co-workers and supporters of Edmund Rice education, to help continue the work.

The Congregation set up a new independent body, The Edmund Rice Schools Trust and passed on responsibility for their schools to this new Trust. They also freely gave over their property with their blessing and encouragement to explore new horizons in the charism of Edmund.

Today, the Edmund Rice schools family and community have risen to the challenge to respond to the needs of young people and provide a strong foundation for the continuation of Catholic values in its network of schools.

Catholic Schools

Some people may not fully understand or appreciate what it is that makes a Catholic school distinct or different from other schools. They might have the impression that Catholic schools are not welcoming of students from other faith backgrounds, but this is not the case. In fact, a 2012 ESRI report highlighted that Catholic primary schools are the most inclusive type of school in the Republic of Ireland.

You can find out more about Catholic schools in this short leaflet CSP FAQ

You can also see how Catholic schools include students of other faiths in their schools in this publication Guidelines for Students of Other Faiths Manual