About

Principal’s Welcome

St. Canice’s NS is a vibrant school, which continually seeks to achieve high standards in all that it does. A holistic education is the core principle of life in the school, where high academic expectations are balanced with a broad co-curricular and extra-curricular programme.

We encourage our students to reach their full potential and to be sensitive to the rights and needs of others. In our school, education is viewed as the development of the whole child – attention and emphasis is placed not just on the intellectual development but also on the pupil’s physical, social and spiritual development.

Each student is a unique individual with special gifts and talents – we hope that with motivation, encouragement and hard work that all our students will discover their individual talents.

The school acknowledges that parent(s)/guardian(s) are the primary educators; as a professional body of teachers, the staff of St Canice’s work in co-operation with the student and the home to help each individual pupil to reach his/her potential. Our professional teaching staff strives for excellence in and outside of the classroom. We have a great sense of community among staff and students throughout the school. We make every effort to create a positive school environment where learning and respect for ourselves and each other is valued.

We welcome you to the large school family which comprises of the teachers, pupils, ancillary staff and parent(s)/guardian(s) of St. Canice’s.  Our hope is that while your child is with us that he/she will develop into a mature, happy, responsible young adult who is prepared to face the future with confidence.

School Curriculum

The school depends on the grants and teacher resources provided by the Department of Education & Science.  It is operated within the regulations laid down by the Department.  School policy is formulated taking into regard the resources and funding available to the school.

The school follows the curricular programme prescribed by the Department of Education & Science, which may be amended from time to time, in accordance with Sections 9 and 30 of the Education Act (1998)

The curriculum is presented in six subject areas, some of which are further sub-divided into subjects. These are Language (Gaeilge and English), Mathematics, Social, Environmental and Scientific Education (History, Geography and Science), Arts Education (Visual Arts, Music and Drama), Physical Education and Social, Personal and Health Education.

Education in St. Canice’s school is characterised by care for the individual, answering the child’s many needs within the framework of a well-structured environment.  We seek to enrich the child, preparing her/him for life and giving her/him a solid foundation for her/his development as a Christian.  The educational environment seeks to encourage the child to be confident, appreciative, independent and creative, in short to be an active learner at her/his own rate.  We view education as not just the development of the intellectual life of the child but equally as the development of her/his spiritual, moral, emotional, physical and social life.

We encourage and promote the taking on of personal and collective responsibility by the children, particularly in the senior classes.  The children are involved in school crossing warden scheme, undertake litter warden duties, help with the school recycling programme, organise charity fund-raising of their choice, participate in the Green Flag environment scheme, etc.

Mission Statement

St Canice’s School is committed to the holistic development of children in a safe, caring, creative and respectful environment.

Main Aims

• To continue to provide the highest possible standards in Teaching and Learning while striving to promote excellence.
• To be child-centred in our approach and to respond to individual needs within the best of our ability.
• To be committed to improving our infrastructure and Health & Safety procedures in order to provide the best possible facilities for our school community.
• To promote Health & Well-being initiatives that encourage children to embrace a healthy lifestyle.
• To continually update and improve our policies and procedures in line with Departmental guidelines and best practice.
• To support and value the commitment shown by all stakeholders within our school community – Patron, Board, Staff, Parents and Children.
• To promote and encourage environmental awareness and manage resources in line with sustainable principles.

History Of The School

The school is one of three schools in the parish of Rosbercon.

Local historian James Murphy in his history “Rosbercon Parish” (2000) records the names of Master Joseph Kelly and Mistress Katherine O’Brien as teaching in Rosbercon National School in 1846 and the school remained a lay school until 1925.

The Holy Faith Sisters were then asked to take charge of the school on Schoolhouse Road and three sisters began teaching there. The school was re-named St. Canice’s.

In 1946 it became a two – teacher school remembered as “The Bothán”.  A new school, also called St. Canice’s, was built in 1961. Pre-fabricated extensions were added in 1990, 1997 and 2003.

The Holy Faith Sisters ended their connection with the school in 1997 with the retirement of the late Sr. Nuala Kavanagh (R.I.P.).  The school then became a parish school under a lay principal – the first one since 1925.

The Board of Management is responsible for the management of the school.  It is comprised of representatives of the Patron, parents, teachers and wider community and is elected every four years.