‘What we strive for is that every child has opportunity and support’
WHEN it comes to prospects for future Olympic Games, the sporting talent emerging from the training pitches at Crescent College Comprehensive SJ in Limerick should probably not be overlooked.
The non fee-paying mixed Jesuit school in Dooradoyle has produced a staggering four Irish Olympians — Tony O’Connor (Rowing), Thomas Comyns (Athletics), John Fulham (Wheelchair Athletics), and Fiona Doyle (swimming).
Roisin Upton is in line to become the fifth past pupil to make it to the Olympics, when she and her teammates on the Irish women’s hockey team battle for a medal in Tokyo in July.
“Our past pupils have distinguished themselves in a range of areas, from the judiciary, broadcasting and journalism, to the sciences and the arts, the military and in academia,” Karin Fleming, school principal, says.
“Care for the entire person”, or Cura Personalis — the Jesuit ethos — is embraced at Crescent. Indeed, the Jesuit Provincial, Fr Leonard Moloney SJ, is also a past pupil and a proud Limerick native.
Over the past 11 years, the school has consistently fed into universities, colleges, and institutes, with 96pc of its students progressing to third-level since 2009.
The current 881 student population is supported and nurtured by more than 70 staff, including teachers, administrators, and care-taking staff.
As all work and no play can create a very dull path, Crescent, like most other modern Irish schools, has harnessed a holistic approach to learning.
The opportunities to pursue sporting dreams are well covered, with students from all backgrounds offered experiences in rugby, hockey, basketball, soccer, GAA, equestrian sports and golf.
“We’re happy that our students succeed and we are here to support them in their learning, whether that’s a sports programme, orchestra, choir, or school show,” says Ms Fleming.
“We have some Argentinian students here at the moment; they’ve been coming for a few years. They visit Ireland and have a link-up with our school with some of our transition year students, so we have a lot going on.”
The school will soon get a new roof, funded by the Department of Education, and with funding provided by the Jesuit Provence, five new state-of-the-art science labs are also on the way.
Although Crescent has a “comprehensive model of education” with “a very diverse programme on offer”, Ms Fleming says it also offers students “many different (practical) experiences” through the transition year programme.
“What we are hoping for is that every child — the brightest child in the school, to those who are struggling academically — has the opportunity to experience these subjects and they’re supported.”
All backgrounds are welcome at Crescent which does not engage in “creaming” specific students, Ms Fleming explains. “That’s where you might test students on application to the school and then only offer places to students who are particularly able — we don’t do that.
“It’s only after (students) have accepted their places that there’s aptitude testing for them. We operate a system here where we offer 150 places a year and we divide this between boys and girls; we have five mixed ability classes of 30.”
There is also a “very strong liturgical programme” with “retreats” to help guide students on their journey.
Ms Fleming steers the ship with holistic sails, helping her students be the best “individual” they can be. “They are encouraged to be people for others, and that’s very important — to be men and women for others.”