New Ross Educate Together NS numbers soaring
A FULL Junior Infants class is expected to start at Educate Together NS in September after huge interest was shown by parents in the school at its open night last week.
Less than two-and-a-half years after it opened its doors in Barrett’s Park with 13 Junior Infants pupils, the school numbers have swelled to 43, with a further influx of around 26 pupils due this September.
Principal Aoife Mahon said there were queues out the door for the open night at the school which caters for junior infants, senior infants and first class pupils. More than 60 people attended, with many children already enrolled. ‘It was wonderful to see the community openness and its growing understanding of Educate Together which fosters diversity, choice and respect. Our core values are reflected in everything we do in our Learn Together curriculum.’
She said: ‘Our school is about so much more than religion. We teach the five major religions and that there are people who don’t follow a faith. It’s not done on a very formal basis. It’s about teaching children life values and morals. We have an open door policy so we encourage parents to be involved and we liaise with them. We use a digital pupil portfolio called Seesaw so parents can see samples of what their childern in class are doing every day.’
She said arising from the huge interest she expected a full Junior Infants class this September. ‘We will hopefully be taking on another teacher so we’d have four permanent teachers. The feedback was that people were very interested in it and really positive about our school.’
Ms Mahon said funding is being sought to move the school to a larger premises in the town.
Pre-enrolment is through the school website: newrossetns.ie or at 053 9105070.