Schools in Maynooth

evil_seed

Hey people, I've just become a dad, and my wife and I are wondering about schools in Maynooth and their policies with enrollment if a child isn't baptised. Does anyone have an idea?

AttentionBebe

There's the Educate Together and the new Gaelscoil ET due to open this September

Rathkenny

You don't need a baptismal cert for the Gaelscoil on the Celbridge Road but it was pointed out to me very clearly by the secretary that it is most certainly a Catholic school. As far as I know there is actually a blanket ban on all schools now requiring a baptismal cert now but I'm open to correction on that one.

The Educate Together and the new Gaelscoil (Gaelscoil Ruairí) are both multidenominational. You can register from birth for both the ET and Gaelscoil Uí Fhiaich. Gaelscoil Ruairí will be opening registration for future years in October. I believe both the boys and girls schools only open registration the year before you want your child to join.

Orion

First off congratulations on your new arrival.

There is no blanket ban on the baptism barrier. All current primary schools in Maynooth apart from the ET school give preference to baptised catholics. That said if they are not over-subscribed and you don't mind catholic instruction being part of the curriculum (and kids training for communion and confirmation while your kid sits at the back reading) then you could get in.

The new Gaelscoil will be multi-denominational too. I'm not sure if they are open for enrolment yet. The planning decision on their location is due on the 23rd June.

My advice is to enrol now in the ET school for 2024 - there is a massive waiting list but you should be ok for that year right now.

Rathkenny

Orion wrote: »

First off congratulations on your new arrival.

There is no blanket ban on the baptism barrier. All current primary schools in Maynooth apart from the ET school give preference to baptised catholics. That said if they are not over-subscribed and you don't mind catholic instruction being part of the curriculum (and kids training for communion and confirmation while your kid sits at the back reading) then you could get in.

The new Gaelscoil will be multi-denominational too. I'm not sure if they are open for enrolment yet. The planning decision on their location is due on the 23rd June.

My advice is to enrol now in the ET school for 2024 - there is a massive waiting list but you should be ok for that year right now.

I spoke to Gaelscoil Uí Fhiaich about this and they confirmed that preference is not given to baptised children. The enrollment policy on their website does not reference a requirement to be baptised. Preference is certainly given to siblings though. My kids were on the list from when they were a week old and they still weren't offered a place this year. 40+ on the waiting list.

Redsoxfan

Orion wrote:

The new Gaelscoil will be multi-denominational too. I'm not sure if they are open for enrolment yet. The planning decision on their location is due on the 23rd June.

Open and looking for enrollments although not sure they will keep baby places.

skooterblue2

evil_seed wrote: »

Hey people, I've just become a dad, and my wife and I are wondering about schools in Maynooth and their policies with enrollment if a child isn't baptised. Does anyone have an idea?

So you want your child in the "good school" but you dont want to do the whole catholic thing? Bit hypocritical isnt it? My own Brother in law was the same with humanist wedding and trying to get their child into the "good school".

Lastblackdog

skooterblue2 wrote: »

So you want your child in the "good school" but you dont want to do the whole catholic thing? Bit hypocritical isnt it? My own Brother in law was the same with humanist wedding and trying to get their child into the "good school".

Actually I would suggest the t opposite is true. Parents getting their children baptized just so that they can get them into the school of their choice are the hypocrites.

Many of them only visit a church for wedding and funerals but suddenly pretend to be a believer once a child is on the way.

This country needs more non-denominational schools so that parents don’t feel the need to pretend. Separate church from education once and for all.

evil_seed

skooterblue2 wrote: »

So you want your child in the "good school" but you dont want to do the whole catholic thing? Bit hypocritical isnt it? My own Brother in law was the same with humanist wedding and trying to get their child into the "good school".

Feel however you want but you don't even know if me or my wife are even catholic. I only asked a question and didn't want this type of **** to start.

Lastblackdog wrote: »

Actually I would suggest the t opposite is true. Parents getting their children baptized just so that they can get them into the school of their choice are the hypocrites.

Many of them only visit a church for wedding and funerals but suddenly pretend to be a believer once a child is on the way.

This country needs more non-denominational schools so that parents don’t feel the need to pretend. Separate church from education once and for all.

Thank you. Said it way better than I ever could

skooterblue2

Lastblackdog wrote: »

Actually I would suggest the t opposite is true. Parents getting their children baptized just so that they can get them into the school of their choice are the hypocrites.

Many of them only visit a church for wedding and funerals but suddenly pretend to be a believer once a child is on the way.

This country needs more non-denominational schools so that parents don’t feel the need to pretend. Separate church from education once and for all.

That is the same thing to a certain extent but you will find in the UK that the Catholic Grammar schools are the prefered than the government comprehensive school. The problem isnt the Catholic schools its the Government are building enough. This is really about a land grab where the UN Document Plan for 2030 mentions education 30 times. Its happening in the UK where they want to take the grammar schools out of the control of the local board of Trustees and bring it under the Ministry of Education.

Look across the world. All the best school are the ones with the Religious Ethos. Next year they want to dilute the Junior cert("adjusting the bell curve") and they have already done this to the Leaving cert (currently sitting). You cannot compare the VEC education to the religious schools. I had to suffer them because it was the only thing on offer. You see it in the United States the religious uniformed schools are superior to the wear what you like non denominational schools.

You see all the best schools are run by certain orders (Jesuits, Dominicans) and then there are the government schools. Dont believe me? Look up the Sunday Times schools table. Aint no one clambering to get into the Educate together. ITs all the Gael scoils and the Religious School.

So you are going to ask me why didnt I go the religious school, even though I passed the test for the A class? Cos we couldn't afford the bus pass to the provincial town. Thats the difference.

AttentionBebe

skooterblue2 wrote: »

So you want your child in the "good school" but you dont want to do the whole catholic thing? Bit hypocritical isnt it? My own Brother in law was the same with humanist wedding and trying to get their child into the "good school".

They literally never said any of that, you just made something up in your own head. How embarrassing!

L1011

I'm fairly sure the two schools that are the easiest to get in to are the English language Catholic ones anyway? The main competition is for the ETNS and Gaelscoil and there's a non Catholic Gaelscoil imminent

skooterblue2

AttentionBebe wrote: »

They literally never said any of that, you just made something up in your own head. How embarrassing!

No they didnt but that is what it reduces down to.

Orion

skooterblue2 wrote: »

That is the same thing to a certain extent but you will find in the UK that the Catholic Grammar schools are the prefered than the government comprehensive school.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/faith-schools-academically-no-better-than-any-others-epi-report-religion-catholic-church-england-a7451676.html

skooterblue2 wrote: »

The problem isnt the Catholic schools its the Government are building enough. This is really about a land grab where the UN Document Plan for 2030 mentions education 30 times.

I think you're looking for the Conspiracy Theories forum.

Orion

skooterblue2 wrote: »

No they didnt but that is what it reduces down to.

So you have a deep insight into their lives and faith do you? Tell us more oh wise one.

Orion

L1011 wrote: »

I'm fairly sure the two schools that are the easiest to get in to are the English language Catholic ones anyway? The main competition is for the ETNS and Gaelscoil and there's a non Catholic Gaelscoil imminent

This is true and the new Gaelscoil should reduce pressure on both even a small bit. However if the OP's child has just been born you're looking at 2023 or 2024 registration which should be ok.

skooterblue2

Orion wrote: »

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/faith-schools-academically-no-better-than-any-others-epi-report-religion-catholic-church-england-a7451676.html

While pupils in primary and secondary faith schools do achieve better results overall, these tables do not take into account social background, the report warns.

A spokesperson for the Catholic Education Service commented: “This research bears no resemblance to the on-the-ground experience of Catholic schools, nor does it bear any resemblance to the actual facts.

“The 2016 Catholic Schools Census is the most accurate representation of Catholic schools in England. It finds that Catholic Schools educate 21 per cent more pupils from ethnic minority backgrounds than the national average, and in Catholic primary schools, almost 40 per cent more pupils from the poorest households."

There is something else in the religious educations system. read the full article. This is why parents are all want their children in the better schools.

L1011

This isn't the UK

skooterblue2

L1011 wrote: »

This isn't the UK

You are right. its not but the pattern remains the same. Go back to the Sunday times schools league. Different countries, same patterns.

1 (1) Laurel Hill Coláiste FCJ, Sth Circular Rd, Limerick, Girls 96.4%

2 (2) Scoil Mhuire, Sidney Place, Cork, Girls 87.1%

3 (5) Coláiste Íosagáin, Booterstown, Co Dublin,Girls 87.0%

4 (8=) Gonzaga College, Ranelagh, Dublin 6, Boys 85.9%

5 (10) Loreto College, St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Girls 85.2%

6 (4) The Teresian School, Donnybrook, Dublin 4, Girls 85.1%

7 (7) Presentation Brothers College, Mardyke, Cork, Boys 85.0%

8 (3) Salerno Jesus and Mary Secondary School, Salthill, Galway, Girls 84.3%

9 (13) Mount Anville Secondary School, Goatstown, Dublin 14, Girls 83.5%

10 (14) Coláiste na Coiribe, Knocknacarra, Galway, Mixed 81.7%

11 (12) Castleknock College, Castleknock, Dublin 15, Boys 81.6%

12 (22) *Coláiste Iognáid SJ, Sea Rd, Galway, Mixed 81.3%

13 (8=) Christian Brothers College, Sidney Hill, Cork, Boys 80.7%

14 (19) Mount Sackville Secondary School, Chapelizod, Dublin 20, Girls 79.4%

15 (53) Coláiste Ghobnait, Inis Oírr, Aran Islands, Co Galway (G), Mixed 77.8%

16 (16) Alexandra College, Milltown, Dublin 6 (B), Girls 77.2%

17 (23) Loreto High School, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, Girls 76.5%

18 (32) Holy Faith Secondary School, Clontarf, Dublin 3, Girls 76.5%

19 (21) Blackrock College, Blackrock, Co Dublin (B), Boys 76.4%

20 (15) Belvedere College, Great Denmark St, Dublin 1, Boys 75.6%

Not an Educate Together or a VEC School between them.

L1011

Number 10 and 15 are Galway VEC. The number of secondary pupils who have finished at ET secondaries is tiny so far.

Most of the rest are private, which is the important factor - not religious figurehead status.

skooterblue2

The Assessment is only over one year. Most of those school look like they have a religious Ethos. You will usually find the VEC at the bottom of the local league tables. You will usually find the parents have no interest in education or dont have the money for the better schools.

Lastblackdog

skooterblue2 wrote: »

The Assessment is only over one year. Most of those school look like they have a religious Ethos. You will usually find the VEC at the bottom of the local league tables. You will usually find the parents have no interest in education or dont have the money for the better schools.

You seem to be confusing Correlation with Causation.

You could just have easily said that single sex schools do better than mixed ones.

Your suggestion is that a school can't compete without a religious person running it is simply ludicrous.

It is also possible that the league tables are measuring performance against a narrow set of achievements.

I attended a Catholic primary school run by the (UN)Christian Brothers and was labeled a dunce and spat out with little prospects based on my academic achievement up to that point. I made the decision to escape from the mitts of the Christian Brothers and enrol in a technical school.

This was the best decision of my life. You see they catered from children without a narrowly defined academic ability and included a broader curriculum that helped me do well.

A good school is one run by a good team of teaching staff and is supported by the parents.

After all the religious scandals we have endured in this country it is sad that we continue to allow the clergy to have such influence over our children.

Separate education from religious indoctrination. Let the churches create Sunday schools for their brainwashing activities if they so desire.

evil_seed

Mods lock this dumpster fire of a thread please. I've got what I needed

Orion

L1011 wrote: »

Number 10 and 15 are Galway VEC. The number of secondary pupils who have finished at ET secondaries is tiny so far.

Most of the rest are private, which is the important factor - not religious figurehead status.

And apart from the private aspect approximately 60% of secondary schools are run by religious orders. So the figures are going to be skewed towards them.

granturismo

skooterblue2 wrote: »

.. Most of those school look like they have a religious Ethos. You will usually find the VEC at the bottom of the local league tables. .

This is probably because the top performing schools tend to be religious private schools and those that are non private religious are well established schools.

skooterblue2 wrote: »

You will usually find the VEC at the bottom of the local league tables. You will usually find the parents have no interest in education or dont have the money for the better schools.

Absolute BS. Does the VEC still exist? Maynooth post primary schools are part of KWETB and MPPS was a VEC school. Maynooth tends to be ahead of most ETB schools in performance tables because it is the only secondary school in town, there is no competition from other secondary schools and being in a University town with public transport links to other third level institutions in Dublin, a high percentage of Maynooth PPS attend third level because they can live at home (this is also one factor in other third level locations such as Galway.)

So parents in Maynooth have no interest in their childs education?

Since this is a thread on schools in Maynooth, Maynooth's KWETB secondary schools are the only show in town so there is no point in comparing them to the likes of Kings Hos or Mount Anville unless money and travel are not an issue. The points achieved by Maynooth PPS students to date may surprise you. Maynooth CC have their first leaving cert class doing exams now.

Orion

The VECs are now called ETBs. They are pretty much the same thing except some of them merged such as Kildare and Wicklow.

Good point on MPPS though. Despite it having no academic selection criteria for enrolment it consistently scores very high on 3rd level progression tables.

fwiw MCC and MPPS are essentially the same schools when it comes to learning. Same building, same teachers, same facilities and kids in the same classes.

As for his comment on parents having no interest - that was such complete nonsense that I decided to ignore it.

skooterblue2

Orion wrote: »

The VECs are now called ETBs. They are pretty much the same thing except some of them merged such as Kildare and Wicklow.

Good point on MPPS though. Despite it having no academic selection criteria for enrolment it consistently scores very high on 3rd level progression tables.

fwiw MCC and MPPS are essentially the same schools when it comes to learning. Same building, same teachers, same facilities and kids in the same classes.

As for his comment on parents having no interest - that was such complete nonsense that I decided to ignore it.

Well then go to Kilkenny city where the former VEC school is consistently at the bottom (dont mention the scandal from 20 years ago). So the VECs merged and changed names, you still have the same auld sods sitting in the same auld chairs at a different coloured table in the same building. Its like trying to the difference between Marathon and Snickers.

Orion

Yet your comparison of public to private schools is like comparing Snickers with Curly Wurlies.

granturismo

skooterblue2 wrote: »

Well then go to Kilkenny city where the former VEC school is consistently at the bottom (dont mention the scandal from 20 years ago). So the VECs merged and changed names, you still have the same auld sods sitting in the same auld chairs at a different coloured table in the same building. Its like trying to the difference between Marathon and Snickers.

I went to the CBS in Kilkenny and my parents would never have considered Kilkenny VEC because of its reputation even though plenty of our neighbours went there but thats irrelevant, this is a thread on Maynooth schools and while Maynooth PPS has its problems, it preforms above the national average on the annual league table for third level attendance which is the table you referenced.

skooterblue2

granturismo wrote: »

I went to the CBS in Kilkenny and my parents would never have considered Kilkenny VEC because of its reputation even though plenty of our neighbours went there but thats irrelevant.

So there is a difference between the religious and secular? And how did Kilkenny VEC acquire that reputation?

skooterblue2

Orion wrote: »

Yet your comparison of public to private schools is like comparing Snickers with Curly Wurlies.

At the end of the day, all that matters is what result you got in your leaving cert. Sad to say money does give you a much better "chance at education". Then you have to make that chance work. But if you are stuck in a class room of lads who are going be independent pharmaceutical salesmen and contenders for president of the jobs club with a teacher praying for 65 and both parties watching the clock for 4pm then you are starting from a bad place.

ghostdancer

none of this is relevant to what the OP asked.
<SNIP>

Gaspode

Leave out the personal abuse folks or bans will be forthcoming. If someone is wrong explain why dont resort to namecalling.

washburn73

Just on this topic, would anyone have a view on the comparative merits or otherwise of Maynooth Post Primary School vs. Maynooth Community College? Given the choice, which one is "the better school" (from an academic perspective) and why?

Not trying to be controversial, merely asking out of curiosity since I have a child due to start secondary school in 2yrs time.

Genuinely interested.

L1011

They're the same school in those terms

Orion

skooterblue2 wrote: »

At the end of the day, all that matters is what result you got in your leaving cert. Sad to say money does give you a much better "chance at education". Then you have to make that chance work. But if you are stuck in a class room of lads who are going be independent pharmaceutical salesmen and contenders for president of the jobs club with a teacher praying for 65 and both parties watching the clock for 4pm then you are starting from a bad place.

Now you're moving your own goalposts. You started by saying that faith school are inherently better. Now that you've been proved wrong on that you are going down the money route. I'm done with your end of this conversation. Pure trolling.

skooterblue2

Orion wrote: »

Now you're moving your own goalposts. You started by saying that faith school are inherently better. Now that you've been proved wrong on that you are going down the money route. I'm done with your end of this conversation. Pure trolling.

Not what I said at all. The sunday time league table speaks for itself, so that case is not proven. But for the things that the schools dont provide for it doesnt hurt to have money. Y'know the autism diagnosis, the trips out to Zoo and so on and so forth.

granturismo

washburn73 wrote: »

Just on this topic, would anyone have a view on the comparative merits or otherwise of Maynooth Post Primary School vs. Maynooth Community College? Given the choice, which one is "the better school" (from an academic perspective) and why?

Not trying to be controversial, merely asking out of curiosity since I have a child due to start secondary school in 2yrs time.

Genuinely interested.

June 2019 has the first year of MCC students sit the leaving cert, so only time will tell if a difference developes between the two schools once both move to their new buildings.

At the moment, in my opinion, both schools are suffering from the overcrowding in the current location.

Orion

granturismo wrote: »

June 2019 has the first year of MCC students sit the leaving cert, so only time will tell if a difference developes between the two schools once both move to their new buildings.

At the moment, in my opinion, both schools are suffering from the overcrowding in the current location.

You have to factor in that the two school are not separated at all right now. Kids from both in the same classes, with the same teachers and same facilities. There is currently no real difference between the two.

2ndcoming

Skooter Blue, you are mistaken about a great many things.

Firstly the UK system isn't based on "Catholic" grammar schools and "Government" comprehensive schools. Grammar schools are selective based on intellectual ability and comprehensive schools are not, they must serve all in the catchment area. Religion has nothing to do with it for the most part.

Secondly, the only thing your Sunday Times list shows is that over half of the list are highly expensive private schools. The fact that in this country they are Catholic is little more than historic fact at this point in time.

The good people of South Dublin aren't sending Tristan and Isabella to Blackrock and Mount Anville to learn the ways of the Holy Spirit, they're doing it so they can walk into the professional ranks at The Big 4 or Blackhall Place with the rest of their privileged ilk.

Hellrazer

Ive had 2 go through the Post Primary in Maynooth and 2 more to start post primary over the next 2 years. The other 2 wont be going near it. Bullying is rampant in it (them)
And that's only the start of it. I could go into a long detailed post but Id probably get myself into trouble.


The 4 of them went to the Gaelscoil which hands down is the best primary school in Maynooth. and my 12 year old is starting in the Educate together secondary in Celbridge and my 11 year old will be going there next year for secondary.

Orion

On a related note it's just been announced the opening of the Gaelcholaiste is being deferred until September 2020

yellow hen

Out of curiosity, on what basis is it 'hands down' the best primary school?

Hellrazer wrote: »

The 4 of them went to the Gaelscoil which hands down is the best primary school in Maynooth.

Hellrazer

yellow hen wrote: »

Out of curiosity, on what basis is it 'hands down' the best primary school?

Its just the way that the school "feels"
There's a real sense of "family" around the school. The teachers almost know every family member on a first name basis.
Its just the whole lot to be honest. It doesn't feel like a school in the traditional sense.

L1011

Hellrazer wrote: »

Its just the way that the school "feels"
There's a real sense of "family" around the school. The teachers almost know every family member on a first name basis.
Its just the whole lot to be honest. It doesn't feel like a school in the traditional sense.

And you have proof that that doesn't happen in the others?

Hellrazer

L1011 wrote: »

And you have proof that that doesn't happen in the others?

I'm speaking from experience of having 4 kids go through the gaelscoil.
I've also recommended the school to numerous others some who have moved kids from other schools in the area and they have all said it's the best school in the area.

L1011

Hellrazer wrote: »

I'm speaking from experience of having 4 kids go through the gaelscoil.
I've also recommended the school to numerous others some who have moved kids from other schools in the area and they have all said it's the best school in the area.

So you're speaking based off experience of just it, then.

Parents who have moved kids are going to have to state that it was a good idea.

Hellrazer

L1011 wrote: »

So you're speaking based off experience of just it, then.

Exactly and with 4 kids gone through the school Id feel I have enough experience to recommend the school over all the others in Maynooth.

L1011

Hellrazer wrote: »

Exactly and with 4 kids gone through the school Id feel I have enough experience to recommend the school over all the others in Maynooth.

Despite having zero experience of the others.

Hellrazer

Fine Ill bite-Yes I have no experience of the others.

Are you happy now??? You've gotten your answer that you've been trying to get for your last 4 replies in this thread.

Im only trying to help the OP or others in Maynooth with school recommendations.

I wont be posting in this thread again.

L1011

Your initial statement cannot be substantiated - that's what I wanted to know.

Would have been quite easy for you to say that it was your opinion, but you stated it as fact.