Catholic Schools' Week 2018

Catholic Schools’ Week will take place across Ireland from January 28th  ‒ 4th February 2018 and will focus on Family, with the them: ‘Catholic Schools:  Called to be  a Family of Families’. 

Catholic Schools will be invited to reflect on and to celebrate the relationship that exists between home, school and parish.  It also presents a special opportunity for school families to celebrate the fact that parents are the primary educators of their children, as well as the vital role that Catholic Schools play in supporting parents as they raise their children. Catholic Schools Week is an annual all-Ireland celebration which invites schools to give expression in an exceptional way to the ethos of Catholic education.  It acknowledges the tremendous contribution that our Catholic primary and post-primary schools make, not to just Irish society, but to the mission of the Church. 

The Catholic School

•  Has at its heart the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ.

•  Builds an environment of care and concern for others that is rooted in Catholic social teaching.

•  Creates a safe and happy learning environment where every child is encouraged and enabled to develop to their full and unique potential as human beings, made in the image and likeness of God.

•  Seeks educational excellence while remaining faithful to its distinctive vision and approach.

•  Is an inclusive and respectful community, welcoming students of all denominations and of none. 

•  Acknowledges the role of parents as the first teachers in the ways of faith and provides opportunities for their participation in the life of the school.

•  Works in partnership with parents and the parish community to keep the light of faith burning brightly.

•  Provides religious education programmes that confirm and deepen the child's understanding of the Catholic faith so that every child will be as articulate in their faith as they are in all other areas of the curriculum.

•  Nurtures the child's appreciation and understanding of the sacramental life of the Church.

•  Displays the symbols of our rich Catholic faith tradition.

•  Spends time as a school community in reflection, prayer, ritual, celebrating the Eucharist and other sacraments in order to develop the spiritual life of each person in the school community.

Prayer for Teachers

Lord Jesus, guide us in our work so that the young people before us may grow to become all that you have called them to be. May our teaching encourage them to embrace life in all its beauty and mystery.  May our patience with them allow them to learn from their mistakes.  May our listening to them help them to respect themselves and others.  Through the gift of your Spirit inspire us to love what we do, to be a support to one another and to never give up on a child in our care.

Canon Brown