About our Ethos

Characteristic Spirit of the School

St Patrick's national School is under the patronage of the Church of Ireland and its characteristic spirit is a reflection of the ethos of the Church, incorporating a balance of faith and culture.

School / Parish Links

As a parish school, St Patrick’s NS and parish maintain close links in a number of ways and all staff work closely with the rector who visits the school on a regular basis.

Assembly

Weekly assembly at school is held each Wednesday morning and is led by the rector. Special school assemblies are held in the church on a regular basis and are led by different classes, from Junior Infants to Sixth Class, on a rota basis.

Church and Parish

As well as monthly assemblies in church, the school and its pupils are directly involved with various church services throughout the year. As well as reading and participating in regular services of worship, these include a Christmas play (Sixth Class); an inter-denominational service shared with our neighbouring National Schools for Easter (Fifth Class); and a service to mark the end of the school year and to ask God’s blessing on VI class as they move to secondary school (whole school, led by Sixth Class). The school is also involved in annual services (eg the parish Carol Service) and at occasional services such as radio and television broadcasts.

Many pupils and their families are active members of St Patrick’s Parish. Many pupils join parish-based clubs and organisations.

Diocese

Pupils from the senior classes join teachers and parents in representing the school at the annual Dublin and Glendalough Diocesan service to mark the beginning of a new academic year at Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin each September.