Secondary Schools

neets

Someone has just put the fear of God into me as I don't have either of my sons down for secondary school yet and the eldest is five years old. Any opinions/recommendations regarding good schools in in Bray/South County Dublin/along the Dart line etc.

Minka

total scaremongering.......my eldest is in 5th class (age 11) and I've recently been enquiring in secondary schools in bray and they all have availability in 2012 which is when he'll be starting.....don't think you'll have to worry about 7 years down the line!!

Cheeky Chops

Educate Together are currently trying to get a secondary school started for 2014 I think ...

benjiboy

I heard something about a new secondary school opening in Greystones in the near future? A friend of ours heard something on the radio

Nancenet70

there is hope that there will be an Educate Together Second Level school in Greystones in the near future

you can express your interest in an Educate Together 2nd Level School in Greystones by adding your name to our growing list, grateful to all who show their support:

http://www.greystoneset.ie/2nd-level-campaign/


thank you!

budro

At the moment in this area the options for our kids are St. Davids or Colaiste Craoibh Abhainn in Kilcoole, then a couple of boys schools in Bray, Pres for one.

As someone mentioned above, there was something on the radio a while back - a rep of ET was talking about the campaign for Educate Together at 2nd level. The group mentioned above is active in Greystones and the facebook page is good for following updates - http://www.facebook.com/pages/North-WicklowSouth-Dublin-ET-2nd-Level-Action-Group/106160539451370 and there's actually a lot of info on the main ET site as well about their 2nd level school plan.

There's a serious lack of choice in Greystones for kids in secondary so hopefully Educate Together will be able to set up here. I'd take a look at schooldays.ie there is a comprehensive listings of secondary schools for Wicklow and South Dublin there!
Good luck but I wouldn't panic, it seems like you have time.

Cheeky Chops

You put the name down for David's when they are in 4th class.

neets

Thanks for the info. Do many kids from Greystones go to school in Dublin? Or is Greystones outside the Dublin catchment area?

Nancenet70

only 30-ish percent of Greystones students are educated in Greystones, the rest do get on the DART and bus and leave the area for secondary school...many go to Dublin area schools (of course some by parent's choice, but many by necessity)

loyatemu

Nancenet70 wrote: »

only 30-ish percent of Greystones students are educated in Greystones, the rest do get on the DART and bus and leave the area for secondary school...many go to Dublin area schools (of course some by parent's choice, but many by necessity)

many go to fee-paying schools in Dublin, though also David's has quite a strong Catholic ethos, so if you don't want that you have to get the DART (the official CofI school for students leaving St Patricks is East Glendalough School in Wicklow Town).

I hope the ET guys can get their act together - I also agree with Derek Mitchell's assertion that any new school should be down the Charlesland end of the town on IDA land - its where all the growth in the town is and is beside all the sporting facilities. (There is apparently a site earmarked for a VEC college up beside where the ET and Gaelscoil currently are).

milosh

About 1/4 of all students enrolled in Pres Bray are from Greystones. It has an excellent reputation. I assume that this number is because of family links with the school and the fact that they offer a strong rugby programme (Greystones RFC has strong ties with the school). Their new school should be open soon.

However, they open enrollment once a child is in 2nd class and most places go to sons of past pupils and brothers. Their is always a huge waiting list so if you don't have his name down by 2nd class it is more than likely too late.

Many more boys from Greystones go to St Michael's, Blackrock and St Gerard's. This is not necessarily a reflection of St David's but more on the middle class nature of the town. CCA in Kilkoole by all accounts has a good reputation too if St David's is full. Best of luck finding the right school for your sons.

neets

Thanks a million for all the tips, I really appreciate it. Does religion come into things much these days? They're both going to Delgany National School. Will this make it more tricky for them to get into a Catholic Secondary School?

loyatemu

afaik David's is not full and they do admit non-catholics.

I went there and had a couple of non-catholic friends, and as I recall they did not enjoy their time there - however the school was run by nuns then, and I didn't particularly enjoy it either - at least they got out the religion classes... :pac:

Son of Jack

There is a strong demand for places in St. David's.
So much so that the Board of Management brought forward plans to increase the intake for next year to 125 students.

This is their admissions policy
http://www.stdavids.ie/admissions-policy/

Their website is very informative and detailed.

If you scroll down you will see their enrollment procedure. In a nutshell one sends in a 'letter of interest' ASAP. This is acknowledged and put on file. Then, as Cheeky Chops says in the October of the year your child is in fourth, they get the ball rolling in terms of a formal letter of application.

As Loyatemu says they do accept children of all religions and of none.

I'm trying to remember how long it is since one of the sisters (from the Holy Faith Order) was principal there.

Certainly it was two principals ago... perhaps close to twenty years ago (though I am open to correction there).

Times have changed; the website speaks of a Christian ethos. This has been my experience and it has been a good experience.

I find the pastoral care there second to none. Great improvements in the last six years. Hence, I believe the increase in demand for places.

Annasopra

loyatemu wrote: »

There is apparently a site earmarked for a VEC college up beside where the ET and Gaelscoil currently are.

It hasn't been decided yet who will run this school. Educate Together and the VEC are both looking to be the patrons.

loyatemu

Son of Jack wrote: »

I find the pastoral care there second to none.

pastoral? are there sheep involved?

Son of Jack

From Wiki:

"Pastoral care ... a term generally applied to

the practice of looking after the personal and social wellbeing of children under the care of a teacher.

It can encompass a wide variety of issues including health, social and moral education, behavior management and emotional support.

...Pastoral care involves shepherding the flock. This is a loving way of caring for people rather than controlling them.

...Shepherding involves protection, tending to needs, strengthening the weak, encouragement, feeding the flock, making provision, shielding, refreshing, restoring, leading by example ..."

Ewe did ask

Misty May

neets wrote: »

Someone has just put the fear of God into me as I don't have either of my sons down for secondary school yet and the eldest is five years old. Any opinions/recommendations regarding good schools in in Bray/South County Dublin/along the Dart line etc.

Our son went to Colaiste Craobh Abhainn in Kilcoole. There is no harm in looking around at the options & putting the children's name down in a few schools. Local is best as they will have a local social life and you will have a better chance of getting to know their friends etc. Also less driving involved if you have to pick up a teenager or go to parent teacher meetings etc. Good luck but no panic plenty of time yet.:)

Edgar_Murl

Misty May wrote: »

Our son went to Colaiste Craobh Abhainn in Kilcoole. There is no harm in looking around at the options & putting the children's name down in a few schools. Local is best as they will have a local social life and you will have a better chance of getting to know their friends etc. Also less driving involved if you have to pick up a teenager or go to parent teacher meetings etc. Good luck but no panic plenty of time yet.:)

I agree. Local is best. There is little chance of a new second level school in Greystones in the current economic climate, especially since so many parents are happy to send their children to fee-paying schools in Dalkey, Killiney, Monkstown and Blackrock. Choices in Greystones are Coláiste Chraobh Abhann in Kilcoole, a State, non-religious run school, if that is your preference. Then you have St David's which has a reputation of long standing for good quality education. Más mian leat odeachas trí Ghaeilge a chur ar fáil dod' pháistí, tá Coláiste Ráithín i mBré. So there is plenty of choice already - we don't need a school for everyone in the audience.

Huntthe

Edgar_Murl wrote: »

I agree. Local is best. There is little chance of a new second level school in Greystones in the current economic climate, especially since so many parents are happy to send their children to fee-paying schools in Dalkey, Killiney, Monkstown and Blackrock. Choices in Greystones are Coláiste Chraobh Abhann in Kilcoole, a State, non-religious run school, if that is your preference. Then you have St David's which has a reputation of long standing for good quality education. Más mian leat odeachas trí Ghaeilge a chur ar fáil dod' pháistí, tá Coláiste Ráithín i mBré. So there is plenty of choice already - we don't need a school for everyone in the audience.

Your missing a few there but I agree with your point.

2.8trooper

i left in 92 and the principal was still a nun then sister anna a tough old lady well known for her no nononsense approach but likeable to (in a way)

The Guide

2 new TD's from Greystones are ex St David's boys

GingerDave

The Guide wrote: »

2 new TD's from Greystones are ex St David's boys

mmm...is this implied to be a good thing for St David's? The opposite could be interpretated....

The Guide

GingerDave wrote: »

mmm...is this implied to be a good thing for St David's? The opposite could be interpretated....

I would say a good thing!

Son of Jack

Well with TDs of the calibre

of Simon Harris and Stephen Donnelly,

I'd agree that it reflects well on the school

Huntthe

Son of Jack wrote: »

Well with TDs of the calibre

of Simon Harris and Stephen Donnelly,

I'd agree that it reflects well on the school

It's a bit early to judge.

Selandia

Of course it reflects well on the school! For years parents who chose to send their kids to the local school for all the right reasons have had to justify their decision to parents who believed that their kids would be more "successful" - whatever that is - if they went to a fee paying school along the Dort line. Harris and Donnellys achievement just goes to prove that good parenting and interested, motivated teaching gives kids the self esteem and confidence to achieve in any walk of life - plumber or politician, barrister or builder - no matter what school they attend. Incidentally, Simon Harris was a brilliant debater in St David's, a skill that was taught and encouraged to students over the years by two teachers in their own time. That'll stand him in good stead now!

Huntthe

Selandia wrote: »

Of course it reflects well on the school! For years parents who chose to send their kids to the local school for all the right reasons have had to justify their decision to parents who believed that their kids would be more "successful" - whatever that is - if they went to a fee paying school along the Dort line.

I was refering to the Calibre of TD they turn out to be.
No one can tell at the moment . The Dail tends to chew people up and spit them out.

My kids will be attending School locally unless a reason not to arises. I don't feel the need to justify that to anyone. Never heard anyone else questioning or justifying another parents decision on where their kids would be educated either. However I'm not denying there may be a touch of snobery around some parents choice.

Edgar_Murl

Huntthe wrote: »

I was refering to the Calibre of TD they turn out to be.
No one can tell at the moment . The Dail tends to chew people up and spit them out.

My kids will be attending School locally unless a reason not to arises. I don't feel the need to justify that to anyone. Never heard anyone else questioning or justifying another parents decision on where their kids would be educated either. However I'm not denying there may be a touch of snobery around some parents choice.

Perhaps the fact that they were elected says something about the calibre of people they are already. Especially Stephen Donnelly who succeeded as an independent without the party backing. But returning to the issue of schooling, one of the values of the local school is that young people mature and socialise from childhood, through adolescence, to adulthood within the same community. There must be some value in that.

Huntthe

Perhaps the fact that they were elected says something about the calibre of people they are already.

No it doesn't but just for the record Donnelly got my 1. and Harris managed to work his way down to 5 from 1.

But returning to the issue of schooling, one of the values of the local school is that young people mature and socialise from childhood, through adolescence, to adulthood within the same community. There must be some value in that.

Agree entirely.

recedite

Son of Jack wrote: »

From Wiki:

"Pastoral care ... a term generally applied to

the practice of looking after the personal and social wellbeing of children under the care of a teacher.

It can encompass a wide variety of issues including health, social and moral education, behavior management and emotional support.

...Pastoral care involves shepherding the flock. This is a loving way of caring for people rather than controlling them.

...Shepherding involves protection, tending to needs, strengthening the weak, encouragement, feeding the flock, making provision, shielding, refreshing, restoring, leading by example ..."

Ewe did ask

And of course don't forget the main concerns of the shepherd; Firstly to make sure that none of his sheep escape, and then preferably to increase the size of the flock....;)