Schools in Maynooth

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.

yellow hen

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.

You absolutely have that right based on your own experience. However, to claim that a school is 'hands down' better than another without any substansiating evidence is foolish and also possibly untrue. I'm sure you meant no harm and it's great to feel that a school served your children so well but your comment was more than a bit disparaging to other schools.

For what it's worth my child is in another prinary school in maynooth which I feel is excellent but i cannot claim it to be better or worse than another school. It's also important to note that some schools and their ethos suit some children better than others.

washburn73

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.

So, there’s no difference at all between the two secondary schools?

Same teachers, same resources, etc.?

I’m assuming (perhaps incorrectly!) that the Post Primary is ‘older Maynooth’ families, whereas the Community College has a greater proportion of ‘new residents’ - would that be accurate? Perhaps slightly different demographics?

Do both schools have the same ethos, etc.?

Basically, I’m just trying to figure out which one gives my child the best chance at a good education (and, I know, that’s as much on the parents as it is the school/teachers).

All advice welcomed!

L1011

washburn73 wrote: »

So, there’s no difference at all between the two secondary schools?

Same teachers, same resources, etc.?

I’m assuming (perhaps incorrectly!) that the Post Primary is ‘older Maynooth’ families, whereas the Community College has a greater proportion of ‘new residents’ - would that be accurate? Perhaps slightly different demographics?

Do both schools have the same ethos, etc.?

Basically, I’m just trying to figure out which one gives my child the best chance at a good education (and, I know, that’s as much on the parents as it is the school/teachers).

All advice welcomed!

Same everything. Both have the same ethos - some former senior staff had convinced everyone that MPPS was somehow a Catholic school but it was, politely, bull**** - both are multidenominational.

granturismo

washburn73 wrote: »

So, there’s no difference at all between the two secondary schools?

Same teachers, same resources, etc.? Yes

I’m assuming (perhaps incorrectly!) that the Post Primary is ‘older Maynooth’ families, whereas the Community College has a greater proportion of ‘new residents’ - would that be accurate? Perhaps slightly different demographics? Thats how it seemed to me at this year's leaving cert graduation ceremony and our experience of applying for 1st year, 3 years ago.

Do both schools have the same ethos, etc.? In practice, yes, my children are in MPPS and there was never a hint of any Catholic ethos apart from a nun counsellor (and possibly a priest counsellor) who my kids never had any contact with

Basically, I’m just trying to figure out which one gives my child the best chance at a good education (and, I know, that’s as much on the parents as it is the school/teachers).

All advice welcomed!

At the moment, either school but it would probably be easier if there are at least some friends starting in the same school. It remains to be seen if a split developes when the campus moves to the new site.

Cakes and Ale

One way to approach the question of primary schools might be to look at the reports: the Gaelscoil had one this year.

https://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Inspection-Reports-Publications/Whole-School-Evaluation-Reports-List/20058T_WSEMLLP_EV_9568_20190310.pdf

L1011

Cakes and Ale wrote: »

One way to approach the question of primary schools might be to look at the reports: the Gaelscoil had one this year.

https://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Inspection-Reports-Publications/Whole-School-Evaluation-Reports-List/20058T_WSEMLLP_EV_9568_20190310.pdf

And its not appreciably more positive than the WSEs for the other schools; indeed in some areas its arguably worse

ETNS 2016 - https://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Inspection-Reports-Publications/Whole-School-Evaluation-Reports-List/20292E_WSEMod_1183_20161129.pdf

GNS 2016 - https://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Inspection-Reports-Publications/Whole-School-Evaluation-Reports-List/report1_00779U.pdf

BNS 2013 - ancient history tbh - https://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Inspection-Reports-Publications/Whole-School-Evaluation-Reports-List/report1_17341U.pdf

ghostdancer

washburn73 wrote: »

So, there’s no difference at all between the two secondary schools?

Same teachers, same resources, etc.?

I’m assuming (perhaps incorrectly!) that the Post Primary is ‘older Maynooth’ families, whereas the Community College has a greater proportion of ‘new residents’ - would that be accurate? Perhaps slightly different demographics?

Do both schools have the same ethos, etc.?

Basically, I’m just trying to figure out which one gives my child the best chance at a good education (and, I know, that’s as much on the parents as it is the school/teachers).

All advice welcomed!

it's been answered above, but they're essentially the same. According to a teacher I know there, the split is basically for administration purposes (she said it was because of limits on pupil numbers/pupil:teacher ratios on paper, although I've no idea how true that is). She teaches across both streams.

At present, your child has the same chance in either, from my understanding.

Call me Al

washburn73 wrote: »

So, there’s no difference at all between the two secondary schools?

Same teachers, same resources, etc.?

I’m assuming (perhaps incorrectly!) that the Post Primary is ‘older Maynooth’ families, whereas the Community College has a greater proportion of ‘new residents’ - would that be accurate? Perhaps slightly different demographics?

Do both schools have the same ethos, etc.?

Basically, I’m just trying to figure out which one gives my child the best chance at a good education (and, I know, that’s as much on the parents as it is the school/teachers).

All advice welcomed!

Re older Maynooth families, the enrolment policies distinguish with children of past pupils getting a preference in MPPS. This doesn't feature on MCC enrolment policy hence children of current Maynooth families who are new to the area are largely filtering into there.

Right now all kids are lumped in together in their overcrowded classrooms, with no distinction being made between MPPS/MCC. Two distinct schools will open in Sept 2020, albeit on the same campus. Nobody can really say yet if this will lead to a difference in educational outcomes. Give it a few years and then you'll know. Ethos both seem to be the same.

Orion

Call me Al wrote: »

Re older Maynooth families, the enrolment policies distinguish with children of past pupils getting a preference in MPPS. This doesn't feature on MCC enrolment policy hence children of current Maynooth families who are new to the area are largely filtering into there.

Not 100% true but certainly possible. My kids are in MPPS. The number of kids of past pupils doesn't come near to filling the school so next item is people living in the catchment - so basically anyone 5th generation Maynooth to new arrivals.

Call me Al

Orion wrote: »

Not 100% true but certainly possible. My kids are in MPPS. The number of kids of past pupils doesn't come near to filling the school so next item is people living in the catchment - so basically anyone 5th generation Maynooth to new arrivals.

Well I know from those leaving my children's catchment area school to attend Maynooth that only those children with a parent as a past pupil were accepted into MPPS. All of the others are allocated to MCC with most now on a waiting list to transfer across to MPPS. So there may be some places left but but certainly not in any serious quantity.

And I think it's a very unfair distinction to make in any enrolment policy.
But that's another day's argument.