Tralee Educate Together
National School
National School
Frequently Asked Questions
s Educate Together a private fee paying school?
No. Our school is a state-funded primary school similar to all other primary schools in Ireland. We get the same level of funding and follow the same guidelines as other schools, as set by the Department of Education and Skills. There are no fees involved. Our school is different to other schools in three respects – our Ethos, our Patronage and our Ethical Education curriculum.
What is the difference between your school and other schools?
Our school is the same as other schools in that it teaches the same curriculum as all other schools.
Three factors make it different to other schools – , our Ethos, our Patronage (Educate Together) and our Ethical Education curriculum.
Ethos: Our ethos is unique and is very much of both the living experience of the school, and the taught experience of the school. We encourage active participation of parents through the Parents Association. We encourage active participation of pupils through the Students Council. We strive to ensure good communication between all representatives in the school community, and hold events during the year to support our ethos. Two obvious examples of our ethos is that the children don’t wear uniforms and they address their teachers by their first name.
The Ethos of all Educate Together schools is that they are
Equality based, Child-Centred, Democratically-Run, Co-Educational
Patronage: We are one of 65 schools in the country that are under the patronage of Educate Together, which is based in Dublin. Please see their website www.educatetogether.ie for more information. Most other local schools have the Bishop as their patron. In our school Educate Together nominate two people from the school community to represent them on the Board. In other local schools, the Bishop can appoint two nominees to the Board – one of whom is usually a religious representative.
Ethical Education Curriculum:
In other schools 2.5 hours per week is set aside for religious instruction – so for example in Catholic schools that time would be used for teaching Catholic faith. In our school that 2.5 hours is set aside for our Learn Together Programme. This is divided into four strands:
In addition, the school facilitates religious teaching outside of school hours for any group interested in doing so. Over the past few years, Catholic Education classes has been taught after school hours in this way.
Do you teach religion in your school?
All religions and none are equally respected.
There are no faith formation classes taught during the school day.
Under the Belief Systems strand in our Learn Together programme, the children are introduced to the six major world religions – Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism. In addition, Humanism, atheism and agnosticism are covered.
The school will reflect the cultures, religions and personal beliefs represented in the school in an inclusive manner.The children are encouraged to participate in celebrations of the different faiths represented at the school in an equitable and respectful manner. The children are encouraged to have respect for the beliefs of all children.
Each year the school holds a “Multi-Faith and Culture Day” celebration. This includes a concert for the enjoyment of the entire school community, followed by a feast of food from different countries. Parents are invited to participate in the concert, to wear native costume and to share food from their country with the school.
For more information on the Belief Systems Strand, please go to www.educatetogether.ie.
Is enrolment only open to children in Tralee town?
No. We accept enrolment from children living within and outside of Tralee town, and in accordance with our Enrolment Policy of “first come- first served”. Quite a number of our pupils travel from outlying areas such as Ardfert, Milltown, Lixnaw, Kilflynn, Abbeydorney, Leith and Killarney to attend our school.
What about school transport?
There is a bus service to our school operated by Bus Éireann, with conditions attached regarding distance from school. For information see: http://www.buseireann.ie/inner.php?id=257
Where can I get more information on the school?
Educate Together’s website at www.educatetogether.ie
For a copy of our School Information Booklet, please contact the school at 066 7180506
You can ring Brenda at 066 7180506
Or email any queries to: [email protected]
No. Our school is a state-funded primary school similar to all other primary schools in Ireland. We get the same level of funding and follow the same guidelines as other schools, as set by the Department of Education and Skills. There are no fees involved. Our school is different to other schools in three respects – our Ethos, our Patronage and our Ethical Education curriculum.
What is the difference between your school and other schools?
Our school is the same as other schools in that it teaches the same curriculum as all other schools.
Three factors make it different to other schools – , our Ethos, our Patronage (Educate Together) and our Ethical Education curriculum.
Ethos: Our ethos is unique and is very much of both the living experience of the school, and the taught experience of the school. We encourage active participation of parents through the Parents Association. We encourage active participation of pupils through the Students Council. We strive to ensure good communication between all representatives in the school community, and hold events during the year to support our ethos. Two obvious examples of our ethos is that the children don’t wear uniforms and they address their teachers by their first name.
The Ethos of all Educate Together schools is that they are
Equality based, Child-Centred, Democratically-Run, Co-Educational
Patronage: We are one of 65 schools in the country that are under the patronage of Educate Together, which is based in Dublin. Please see their website www.educatetogether.ie for more information. Most other local schools have the Bishop as their patron. In our school Educate Together nominate two people from the school community to represent them on the Board. In other local schools, the Bishop can appoint two nominees to the Board – one of whom is usually a religious representative.
Ethical Education Curriculum:
In other schools 2.5 hours per week is set aside for religious instruction – so for example in Catholic schools that time would be used for teaching Catholic faith. In our school that 2.5 hours is set aside for our Learn Together Programme. This is divided into four strands:
- Belief Systems
- Equality and Justice
- Ethics and Environment
- Moral and Spiritual.
In addition, the school facilitates religious teaching outside of school hours for any group interested in doing so. Over the past few years, Catholic Education classes has been taught after school hours in this way.
Do you teach religion in your school?
All religions and none are equally respected.
There are no faith formation classes taught during the school day.
Under the Belief Systems strand in our Learn Together programme, the children are introduced to the six major world religions – Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism. In addition, Humanism, atheism and agnosticism are covered.
The school will reflect the cultures, religions and personal beliefs represented in the school in an inclusive manner.The children are encouraged to participate in celebrations of the different faiths represented at the school in an equitable and respectful manner. The children are encouraged to have respect for the beliefs of all children.
Each year the school holds a “Multi-Faith and Culture Day” celebration. This includes a concert for the enjoyment of the entire school community, followed by a feast of food from different countries. Parents are invited to participate in the concert, to wear native costume and to share food from their country with the school.
For more information on the Belief Systems Strand, please go to www.educatetogether.ie.
Is enrolment only open to children in Tralee town?
No. We accept enrolment from children living within and outside of Tralee town, and in accordance with our Enrolment Policy of “first come- first served”. Quite a number of our pupils travel from outlying areas such as Ardfert, Milltown, Lixnaw, Kilflynn, Abbeydorney, Leith and Killarney to attend our school.
What about school transport?
There is a bus service to our school operated by Bus Éireann, with conditions attached regarding distance from school. For information see: http://www.buseireann.ie/inner.php?id=257
Where can I get more information on the school?
Educate Together’s website at www.educatetogether.ie
For a copy of our School Information Booklet, please contact the school at 066 7180506
You can ring Brenda at 066 7180506
Or email any queries to: [email protected]
