Catholic Schools Week for Athiests/Agnostic parents of children in National Schools

vicwatson

Was anyone else not told about this beginning until today? Despite it having a website etc showing dates, of which I only visited after I heard about it this morning.

I've a feeling my children will miss more school this week now thanks to this and it hasn't been done beforehand.

Would like to hear other peoples thoughts on this if you are parents that aren't bringing their children up in the catholic or no religion.

This is not a post on catholic religion bashing or catholicism in schools paid for by the taxpayer, rather how its going to affect those that might be put out/inconvenienced by dedicating a full specific week to catholicism in school (like every day is not already dedicated in some way). Nor is it a post designed for people to say "you knew what it was when you signed up your children" as we've already done the no choice bit.

afkasurfjunkie

vicwatson wrote: »

Was anyone else not told about this beginning until today? Despite it having a website etc showing dates, of which I only visited after I heard about it this morning.

I've a feeling my children will miss more school this week now thanks to this and it hasn't been done beforehand.

Would like to hear other peoples thoughts on this if you are parents that aren't bringing their children up in the catholic or no religion.

This is not a post on catholic religion bashing or catholicism in schools paid for by the taxpayer, rather how its going to affect those that might be put out/inconvenienced by dedicating a full specific week to catholicism in school (like every day is not already dedicated in some way). Nor is it a post designed for people to say "you knew what it was when you signed up your children" as we've already done the no choice bit.

What were you told today? I work in a catholic school and we never do anything for Catholic schools week. Why will your children miss school? Will you be keeping them at home?

huskerdu

I'm in the same situation as you, OP and I was unaware it was Cahtiolic Schools week, but our school doesn't do a huge amount for it.

How much time is your school devoting to it ?

ShamoBuc

Most schools might mention it, teachers may use some of the resources from the website, but that doesn't mean More religion is done this week over any other.

Total non- issue in my opinion.

Big Bag of Chips

Do you think religion will be done all day every day? My kids are catholic in a catholic school and I hadn't heard anything. I'd say beyond an extra mention during religion there'll hardly be much more done.

Do they only speak Irish all day every day during Seachtain na Gaeilge?

eviltwin

Daughter's school has a mass during the school day one of the days and a few speakers come in to give talks of a religious nature. She opts out.

vicwatson

Big Bag of Chips wrote: »

Do you think religion will be done all day every day? My kids are catholic in a catholic school and I hadn't heard anything. I'd say beyond an extra mention during religion there'll hardly be much more done.

Do they only speak Irish all day every day during Seachtain na Gaeilge?

What's Seachtain na Gaelige? Never heard of it.

ShamoBuc wrote: »

Most schools might mention it, teachers may use some of the resources from the website, but that doesn't mean More religion is done this week over any other.

Total non- issue in my opinion.

Thanks for your opinion

huskerdu wrote: »

I'm in the same situation as you, OP and I was unaware it was Cahtiolic Schools week, but our school doesn't do a huge amount for it.

How much time is your school devoting to it ?

That I don't know, it is the first time they've ever done it, different principal this year, we haven't been told anything and that's part of the problem.

afkasurfjunkie wrote: »

What were you told today? I work in a catholic school and we never do anything for Catholic schools week. Why will your children miss school? Will you be keeping them at home?

It depends on what exactly they have planned, they haven't advised us which is nothing new. I've heard they are doing grandparents day or the likes tomorrow where grandparents have been invited in to talk about their childhood or something.

Maybe it's all a storm in a teacup, will update to day after school when I get more information. Thanks for all the input

Big Bag of Chips

Seachtain na Gaeilge = Irish language week.

P.S. I never heard of Catholic Schools Week!!

J.R.

Big Bag of Chips wrote: »

P.S. I never heard of Catholic Schools Week!!

Education Secretariat in Archbishop's House post out a booklet outlining plans & ideas to all the Catholic schools during mid- January each year. These can be used during the usual, daily Religion lesson.

http://education.dublindiocese.ie/catholic-schools-week/

D4RK ONION

Principal at my school trying to make a big deal of it, but at the end of the day all it meant was a 40 minute visit to mass today. I imagine our school would be on the extreme side of things too, even acknowledging it!

heldel00

We have a little table set up in front hall of school with a bible and a crucifix sitting on it. "Catholic schools week" poster stuck on it. Bish bash bosh catholic schools week done!

pooch90

It was mentioned to us during a Croke Park meeting. It has made no difference to our school, barely mentioned bar making a Happy Grandparents Day card yesterday.

purplecow1977

I didn't do one thing for Catholic Schools Week. Many Catholic schools don't actually force Catholicism down people's throats you know

D4RK ONION

purplecow1977 wrote: »

I didn't do one thing for Catholic Schools Week. Many Catholic schools don't actually force Catholicism down people's throats you know

Technically, this means they're probably not really doing the whole "Alive-O" thing properly then :P

lazygal

purplecow1977 wrote: »

I didn't do one thing for Catholic Schools Week. Many Catholic schools don't actually force Catholicism down people's throats you know

How does your school cater for pupils not doing Catholic indoctrination?

purplecow1977

lazygal wrote: »

How does your school cater for pupils not doing Catholic indoctrination?

In the younger classes, they usually join in with songs etc as it's mostly 'moral' based (being kind, being truthful) etc rather than God/Jesus etc. Depending on how strict their parents are, they will work on something else themselves. Some parents don't really mind. I've had children that had the Alive O workbook before which surprised me and even though I had said 'They don't have to buy that!'

In sacrament classes (2nd/6th), they usually complete other work they have an interest in, so they are not being 'punished'. When I taught Communion class before, one of the children loved Maths so she completed Maths during Religion time. They are invited to come to the Church/celebrations if they wish.

In senior classes before, I found a Quran which I gave to the Muslim student in my class. He kept it on his desk and had a look at it whenever we did religion (which wasn't very often).

I'm not overly keen on the Alive-O. I say prayers some mornings. We have weekly visits from the parish priest. I do some bible stories through powerpoints. A few songs. I don't know of many/any teachers that spend the 30 minutes per day on religion. We are not an overly religious school although 2 classes had a prayer service last week to mark the week. I had intended on doing some things but never got around to it so I will do a bit next week.

purplecow1977

D4RK ONION wrote: »

Technically, this means they're probably not really doing the whole "Alive-O" thing properly then :P

Probably not :P

nice_guy80

Most schools don't do anything for it

Put up a poster, and well, thats it

vicwatson

So Pope Francis is appearing this year, telling the children about how we have to save the planet.

afkasurfjunkie

vicwatson wrote: »

So Pope Francis is appearing this year, telling the children about how we have to save the planet.

It's seems vic, you are more into catholic schools week then most schools are. ðŸ˜႒ Someone stuck up a poster in the corner of the staff room and that's the last we will hear about that. Can't speak for all schools obviously. But most have enough going on as it is.

heldel00

Only for vic I wouldn't have know it was even happening! Needless to say it will not feature in my plans!

Big Bag of Chips

vicwatson wrote: »

So Pope Francis is appearing this year, telling the children about how we have to save the planet.

Is that a bad thing? Don't lots of people tell us and our children that? Our school recently got their first green flag.

All that Pope's fault, I'd say.