Our School and Our Community
The children of Finglas have been educated at our school since the 1950s. Many of our current pupils have parents, grandparents and great-grandparents who attended our school before them. Our old roll books could tell a tale. More of our pupils are from families who moved to Finglas in recent times.
St Brigid’s Infant School is a school with a Catholic ethos. We welcome pupils from all faiths and none. We provide an education for the full and harmonious development – academic, moral, spiritual and creative – of our pupils.
Our Children
We teach girls and boys between the ages of four and eight years old in our mainstream classes of Junior Infants, Senior Infants and First Class.
Most of our pupils move on to Second Class in St Fergal’s Boys National School and St Brigid’s Senior Girls School. The three schools serve the same families and work closely to ensure seamless transitions to second class.
In our two Early Start classes for three and four year olds, children follow a play-based language-enrichment preschool programme in the year before they start Junior Infants. Attendance at Early Start provides a sound foundation for all future learning and a smooth transition to Junior Infants.
Our junior special class caters for children aged five to seven with a diagnosis of autism. Children eligible for special class must fulfill the following criteria:
- aged five on the 1 September
- a diagnosis of autism
- a recommendation from a multidisciplinary team for a placement in special class
Our Staff
We have an administrative principal, mainstream class teachers, special education teachers, eight SNAs, a secretary, a caretaker and three cleaners.
Our Home / School Community Liasion teacher works closely with the parents to ensure that the children get the full benefit of every opportunity school has to offer. Our Parents Room is available for parent events, activities and meetings.
Our Early Start classes are staffed by two primary teachers and two childcare workers.
A number of external staff visit the school regularly to support the children’s education. School Completion Programme keyworkers support children in one-to-one or small group settings. Our Music Generation tutor teaches music lessons throughout the school year.
Our traffic wardens outside the school gates and on Wellmount Road help the children to cross the road safely into school and home again every day.
We also have workshops with coaches from Erin’s Isle GAA club, Finglas Celtic, and regular visits from authors and illustrators.
We liaise closely with speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, dental nurses, public health nurses, staff at Finglas library.
The psychologists and inspectors from the Department of Education are available to advise and support us in our work.
All of our staff engage in ongoing professional development. We love learning.
Our Values
Our school values are grounded in our Catholic ethos and the principles of the primary school curriculum, phrased in child-friendly language, taught and praised explicitly, rewarded publicly at our monthly assemblies.
September – Playfulness – I play nicely
October – Kindness – I am kind
November – Love of learning – I love learning
December – Patient waiting – I am patient
January – Resilience – I am brave
February – Good manners – I have good manners
March – Tidiness – I am tidy
April – Laughter – I love to laugh
May and June – Outdoor creativity – I love outdoor learning
Our Traditions
We greet our parents and grandparents daily as they drop off and collect children from the school yard. These two daily handover moments keep children safe from harm and provide the opportunity for everyone to meet.
Our school year follows a predictable pattern which provides a sense of security with something fun to look forward to at the end of every month.
We have a monthly assembly where we reward excellent attendance and encourage children to notice and practice a “value of the month”. Our chaplain Fr Martin sometimes drops in for a prayerful moment.
Here is a preview of the highpoints of our school year.
September – the excitement of meeting friends again, maybe a new room, new friends, a new teacher or a new SNA. We welcome our new entrants to Early Start and Junior Infants. We do our photoshoot.
October – Halloween Dress Up Day; Maths Week
November – We honour the November moment when we remember and pray for those who have died. Our new favourite November tradition is our school Pyjama Day, usually held on the same day as the Late Late Toy Show.
December – We jingle all the way to Christmas with songs, art and stories, ending with a visit from the man in red. Our parent elves make it all possible. Our Christmas concert and raffle is a popular day on the December calendar.
January – As part of Catholic Schools Week, we celebrate Grandparents Day at the end of January. Grandparents travel from near and far to celebrate with us.
February – We have always celebrated the feast day of St Brigid, our school saint. Now there is a public holiday, and a day off school, in her honour. Pancakes and Valentine’s Day excitement also make February a month of fun.
March – In March we are busy with the fun events of Book Week followed by Seachtain na Gaeilge. We march in our very own parade in the yard.
April – Spring fever.
May – Our annual “Just Dance” class dance-off is a popular May event.
June – June is always a busy month, featuring outdoor learning, outdoor games and sports, school tours and fun in the sun.
Opportunities for Our Pupils
- Our teachers and SNAs are qualified, experienced and caring professionals who are continuously engaged in ongoing professional development and learning
- Small class sizes
- Free pre-school year in our Early Start classes staffed by qualified experienced and committed team (two primary teachers and two childcare workers)
- Library, hall, outdoor green area, polytunnel and gardening zone, two yards with a selection of playtime activities and outdoor toys
- Interactive whiteboards in every room, class sets of tablets, beautiful library
- Parents Room
- Homework Club and After School Clubs
- Breakfast Club
- Free school lunches, snacks, water, milk and fruit
- Free school books and stationery
- Support with school uniforms by request
- Summer camp
- Strong links with parents, grandparents and local community
Mission Statement
In St. Brigid’s Infant School, the children are the focus of our energy. In partnership with the parents, children, the wider educational, social and professional communities and each other, we endeavour to provide an inclusive, safe school environment and a child centred education. Our mission is to lay the foundations for life-long learning while fostering respect, responsibility and acceptance thus enabling all children reach their full potential.