Primary Schools Baldoyle/Belmeyne/Bayside D13 ?

Steroo

We've a 3 year old girl who currently goes to creche & the time has come to get her name registered for junior infants! ;(

But we've no idea what the various schools in the area are like as we only moved in recent years.

Can anyone give me their views on the following schools please? Thanks

St Lawrences Baldoyle
St Francis of Assisi Belmeyne
Educate Together Belmeyne
Scoil Bhride Donaghmede
Bayside School

Much appreciated

lazygal

If you want ET you will need to get her name down ASAP.

AFAIK Bayside only takes names from the January before enrolment in September.

ahappychappy

Belmayne ET is excellent however, you are very unlikely to get a place there is a substantial waiting list.

Steroo

ahappychappy wrote: »

Belmayne ET is excellent however, you are very unlikely to get a place there is a substantial waiting list.

Ok Thanks. Does your child attend?
This is the one school I actually heard wasn't great from a local! But I like the ET ethos

ahappychappy

Yes I have a child in it and as an educator myself (of adults) I think it is a great school. The teachers are enthusiastic and innovative in using different teaching styles. They encourage independence, confidence and discipline.

Educate Together ensures all families are made feel inclusive be it on a basis of religion, race or culture. They operate on a basis of Golden Rules – “We do not interrupt each other, we listen to the teacher, we try our best, we invite children on their own in the yard to join in” etc, simple straight forward common sense manners and respect for all.
I find the teachers approachable and the principal is very accessible and professional. The school operate with a strong parental involvement and this is part of the Educate Together principle.

If you are looking at schools for your child, visit them as arranged, but also and this is crucial pop by the grounds around break time / home time etc. I did this and what I saw in one school horrified me – a grown woman shouting and screaming at 4/5 year olds in a very aggressive manner. I reported it to the relevant principal and basically told that was how you make them listen – a very 1980’s method! There is no need to use aggression with children – no one can learn in a state of fear.

If you have any concerns of children with language issues – there is support there in there in the form of English Language Teachers – and children learn at an alarming rate when immersed. Interestingly my child can ask “would you like to play a game?” in about six languages now and is asking to take lessons in other languages.

I have had a look at their academic scores (the old drumcondra tests) and they are in the top few per cent age – my own experience is my child is performing literacy at least three years beyond his current age level and similar in the mathematically.

Allow me to give a brief example of the culture in the school – there was a couple of abandoned horses across from the school. The children were discussing them with the teacher and with encouragement the children identified the relevant charities and with support from the teachers arranged the horses rehoming. The principal referred to it in a school note as active citizenship - If a school encourages the children to think like this – i.e. how can I help – then it is a winner with me.

If you have any particular concern, I would highly recommend contacting the school or indeed post here.

Steroo

Thanks for that response
We have her name on the list there anyway now so we'll wait & see!