In St. John's National School we wish to create a nurturing co-educational environment based on Catholic values. We welcome students from all nationalities. All our students are encouraged to develop to their full potential and gifts: academic, social, creative, spiritual, moral and cultural.
It is an all-inclusive school where everyone belongs, where diversity is celebrated while developing the individual's self-respect and respect for others. It is a school where successes are acknowledged and where mistakes are seen not as failures but as learning opportunities.
The school values the contribution of all, the students, the teachers, the parents and the wider community. Our students are encouraged to value their role in their local, national, European and global community.
Catholic Ethos Statement:
St. John's N.S. is a co-educational Catholic primary school under the patronage of the Bishop of Kerry. Our school aims to promote the full and harmonious development of all aspects of the pupil: intellectual, physical, cultural, moral and spiritual, including a living relationship with God and with other people. Our school strives to create a learning environment where every child is encouraged and enabled to develop to their full and unique potential as human beings, made in the image and likeness of God. We seek to form pupils who will unselfishly use their gifts for the common good and are committed to work for a more just and caring society.
The school models and promotes a philosophy of life inspired by belief in God and in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Together, the Board, the principal and the staff, working with the Patron, the parents and the local parish, model a living human-religious-Christian educational tradition which nurtures the faith of Catholic pupils in a manner that is welcoming to and inclusive of pupils committed to other religious traditions.
The Board of Management and the teachers have adopted the Grow in Love programme approved and recommended by the Irish Hierarchy for use in Catholic schools.
The programme incorporates the recommended approach to religious education for the reception of the Sacraments of Penance, Holy Communion and Confirmation.
The programme is studied each day for one half-hour. A Catholic ethos permeates the school day and the life of the school through our actions attitudes and practices.
Whole School Dimension:
Meaningful pictures and artworks are on display throughout the school building.
The major Catholic and local feasts are celebrated. They are marked with the aid of signs and symbols displayed throughout the school. Resource packs are available to all teaching staff containing work appropriate to each class grouping so that meaningful work can be planned for each feast and celebration:
Feast of All Saints/ All Souls
Advent – the Advent Wreath
Christmas – Crib and tree
Feast of Brigid – traditional crosses
Feast of Patrick – depiction of story and shamrock
Lent – symbols of repentance and ashes
Easter – symbols of the new life of resurrection
Pentecost – artistic depiction of the coming of the Holy Spirit
Feast of St. John – June 24th/ August 29th
Liturgical celebrations are held on the following occasions:
The opening and closing of the school year
Christmas Mass
Blessing of Ashes
Times of trauma of crisis
Various Class prayer services in accordance with suggestions made in the Grow in Love Programme.
The pupils of the school also join:
At the celebration of First Communion and Confirmation
Family Masses throughout the year
Holy Week – Stations of the Cross
Other liturgical celebrations in cooperation with the parish e.g. Corpus Christi Procession
Parish celebrations e.g. 150th Celebrations
Visit to Holy places e.g. Our Lady's Well
Pupils also learn about the History of our church and parish and visitation of the church is encouraged during the school year.