Our Ethos
General Aims
Moral and Spiritual
The general aim of this strand is to help develop in children a critical knowledge, understanding and awareness of right and wrong and a heightened awareness of social, ethical and moral standards through reflecting on the meaning and purpose of life. The strand should encourage and develop the individual on the journey to inner discovery and empower the child to make informed moral decisions.
Equality and Justice
The general aim of this strand is to develop in children a critical knowledge, understanding and awareness of issues relating to human rights, equality, culture and diversity, social justice and social inclusiveness and to empower them to make a difference.
- Exploring human rights
- Promoting Equality
- Exploring the Democratic Process
- Activating Equality through Positive Action
Belief Systems
The general aim of this strand is to develop in children a critical knowledge understanding and awareness of the teachings of religious and non-theistic belief systems and how these systems relate to our shared human experience. The emphasis will be placed on an exploration of the infinite variety and richness of humankind through nurturing respect for a person’s right to hold and practice individual belief systems and through creating spaces where values can be articulated and critically examined. Children will be encouraged to develop an understanding of the right to hold and practice differing beliefs and what it means to live in a world of diverse beliefs.
Ethics and the Environment
The aim of this strand is to develop in children a knowledge, appreciation and respect for their environment and to empower them to take an active role in its stewardship
- Knowledge and awareness of environmental issues
- Activation of responsibility and stewardship
Junior and Senior Infants
Moral and Spiritual
- Golden rules of the school and classroom
- Sense of self
- Being special
- Co-operation through games
- Kindness
- Sharing
- Respect
- Core Values
- Relaxation and Meditation
- Interdependence
- Celebrate MayDay and the significance of festivals
Equality and Justice
- Democracy in the classroom and school: rights and responsibility, positive behaviour in classroom, school and yard
- Conflict Resolution
- Respect and value each person
- Explore and celebrate similarities and differences
- Human rights Day Dec 10th
- Promoting equality
- Celebrate Friendship day
- Fairtrade fortnight (27th Feb – Mar 11th)
Belief Systems
Buddhism
- Nirvana Day
- Wesak
Humanism
- Exploring Beliefs
Sikhism
- Guru Nanak
- Vaisakhi (Sikh New year)
Learning about these different value and belief systems through story, pictures, photos, ICT. Examining symbols, philosophies, key figures, ceremonies, places of worship.
Ethics and the Environment
- Recycling
- Green Schools Art Project
- Develop sense of wonder in nature – seasonal changes
- Water – integrating with Maths and Science
- Caring for our local beach
- Field trip to beach and exploration of beach objects and beach life
- Litter and the environment
- Protection of the environment: Birds and Animals
1st class
Moral and Spiritual
- Golden rules of the school and classroom
- Meditation, yoga
- Kindness
- Helpfulness
- Consideration
- Thinking time
- Self reflection on feelings and experiences
- Circle Time
- Collaborative group work
- Co-operation
- Reflection on difference
Equality and Justice
- Democracy in the classroom – activism, fair decisions
- Conflict Resolution
- Rights and Responsibilities
- Exploring human rights
- Fair-trade fortnight
- Human Rights Day
- Friendship Day
- Exploring equality through positive action
- Development Education Project
Belief Systems
Buddhism
- Nirvana Day
- Wesak
Humanism
- Exploring Beliefs
Sikhism
- Vaisakhi
- Guru Nanak Birthday
Learning about these different value and belief systems through story, pictures, photos, ICT. Examining symbols, philosophies, key figures, ceremonies, places of worship.
Ethics and the Environment
- Green Schools Participation
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
- Taking care of learning environment
- Responsibility and stewardship of environment
- Waste Management
- Anti Litter activities
- Participation in School Garden activities
- Global warming
- Involvement in local community by helping at beach clean up
- Local habitats
- biodiversity
2nd class
Moral and Spiritual
- Golden rules of the school and classroom
- Meditation, yoga, reflection
- Creating positive classroom environment
- Thinking Time
- Visualisations
- Exploring and discussing moral dilemmas
- Conflict Resolution
- Respect
Equality and Justice
- Respect
- Explore and celebrate difference and similarity
- Exploring the Democratic process
- Exploration of Human Rights
- Human Rights Day
- Citizenship
- Responsibility
- Friendship Week
Belief Systems
Buddhism
- Nirvana Day
- Wesak
Humanism
- Exploring Beliefs
Sikhism
- Vaisakhi
- Guru Nanak Birthday
Learning about these different value and belief systems through story, pictures, photos, ICT. Examining symbols, philosophies, key figures, ceremonies, places of worship.
Ethics and the Environment
- Green Schools participation
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
- Ethical approach to caring for the environment
- Beach and local environment awareness
- Participation in school garden activities
3rd class
Moral and Spiritual
- Golden rules of the school and classroom
- Meditation
- Moral Dilemmas
- Creating a responsible classroom/school environment
- Conflict Resolution
- Responsibility
Equality and Justice
- Democracy in classroom/school/Irish society
- Exploring Democratic institutions in Ireland
- Poverty and Wealth in an Irish context
- Poverty and Wealth internationally
- Human Rights Day
Belief Systems
Buddhism
- Nirvana Day
- Wesak
Humanism
- Exploring Beliefs
Sikhism
- Vaisakhi
- Guru Nanak Birthday
Learning about these different value and belief systems through story, pictures, photos, ICT. Examining symbols, philosophies, key figures, ceremonies, places of worship.
Ethics and the Environment
- Green Schools participation
- Fossil fuels/Green Energy
Enhancing the environment
- Conserving energy
- Care trees
- Caring for habitats
Recycling Project
Participation in school garden activities
4th and 5th class
Moral and Spiritual
- Golden rules of the school and classroom
Personal choices
- Responsibility: individual and collective
- Exploration of shades of right and wrong
Cultural and spiritual growth
- Raising awareness of different life experiences
- Reflection on such and impact on people
- Examination of personal views on a range of issues
Equality and Justice
Exploration of Human Rights
- Rights of the Child
- Protection Rights
- Review such rights Irish context
- Human rights Day
Promoting Equality
- Exploration of discrimination and prejudice, equality issues, equality legislation
- Friendship Bracelets
Democratic Process
- Awareness of and participation in the process
Activating equality through positive action
- Activism in the classroom and wider community
- Fair Trade
- equality
Belief Systems
Buddhism
- Nirvana Day
- Wesak
Sikhism
- Vaisakhi (Sikh New Year)
- Guru Nanak Birthday
Humanism
- Exploring beliefs
Learning about these different value and belief systems through story, pictures, photos, ICT. Examining symbols, philosophies, key figures, ceremonies, places of worship.
Ethics and the Environment
Knowledge and awareness of environment issues
- Pollution, natural disasters, conservation, impact of actions through generations
Activation of responsibility and stewardship
- Green Schools Project
- Environmental debates
- Exploration of environmentally friendly lifestyles
- Participation in school garden activities