In line with the values of our Charter, we have developed a model of education based on the founding intention and the life of blessed Edmund Rice. Care for the disadvantaged and vulnerable, a strong opposition to poverty and injustice, fostering of leadership and a deep commitment to the Catholic faith are characteristics of an Edmund Rice school.
Our schools promote equality of access and participation – in other words, children of any faith, or none, at every level of ability, of any nationality or ethnic grouping are all cherished in our schools given the opportunity to be the best they can be. Our schools recognise the uniqueness of each individual in caring communities where holistic development is nurtured. Enrolment processes are open and transparent and the highest educational, developmental and pastoral standards apply in all our schools.
In addition to the provision of high standards of excellence in teaching and learning, our schools uphold a strong cultural and sporting tradition. Inspired by the five key elements of the Edmund Rice Charter our schools are responding to a changing world. We aim to develop leaders of the future who will work in partnership together to promote social justice, human rights and care for the environment and who will look after themselves and others equally and be inspirational citizens.
Our Charter
The Charter sets out a framework designed to enable Catholic education in the Edmund Rice tradition to thrive and grow into the future. Each school community in our network is invited to put the Charter into practice, taking account of its own unique circumstances and traditions. The values in the Charter came from the schools. Through a process of reflection and sharing the school partners reached a consensus on what comprises the heart and soul of an Edmund Rice school.
Inspired by the Charter we respond to the needs of a changing world. We ensure that our schools continue to adapt and re define themselves, while remaining faithful to our mission and founding vision. Faithful to the church and inspired by Edmund Rice’s vision, we ensure the future of our schools as Christian communities of learning and teaching.
The five key elements of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust Charter are:
- Nurturing faith, Christian spirituality and Gospel-based values
- Promoting partnership
- Excelling in teaching and learning
- Creating a caring school community
- Inspiring transformational leadership.
Our schools promote equality of access and participation – in other words, children of any faith, or none, at every level of ability, of any nationality or ethnic grouping are all welcome in our schools. All of our schools are encouraged to recognise the uniqueness of each individual in caring communities where holistic development is nurtured.
As Trustees we appoint and nominate Boards of Management to run our schools. We help these Boards through training and a rolling programme of advice and support.
We also advise and support our Principals, Deputy Principals and staff through Conferences, Cluster meetings, training and induction courses.
Our Network promotes a strong sense of belonging and cooperation. We believe a great strength of our Network is this sense of belonging and consistently high levels of support and guidance given to our Principals and Boards of Management.
Our main object is to ensure and foster the advancement of education and to further the aims and purposes of Catholic education in the Edmund Rice tradition. To enable us to do this we encourage and expect all our community to engage with us, and to assist us to improve and expand our service to young people.
The Edmund Rice Schools Trust is a vibrant schools Network that is developing and supporting Catholic education throughout Ireland today.
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Our Vision
Promoting full personal and social development in caring Christian communities of learning and teaching.
Our Schools recognise the uniqueness of each individual in caring communities where holistic development is nurtured. We care for the development of the child in every sense as they grow in a happy, safe environment. We encourage each of our students to be the best they can be. We encourage academic achievement allied with the promotion of sport, hobbies, drama, music and the arts in order to assist the social and personal development of our students.
In the Edmund Rice school students will
- Grow in awareness of faith and find an opportunity for faith development
- Gain an awareness of social justice, human rights and a care for the environment
- Get the opportunity to develop leadership skills and to advocate for issues that they believe will make a difference in today’s world.
Interconnectedness with the earth and caring for our common home is a central part of Edmund Rice education; in the words of Pope Francis.
“You are called to care for creation, not only as responsible citizens but also as followers of Christ”.
To provide Catholic education in the Edmund Rice tradition.
Catholic education is based on Jesus Christ’s vision for humanity as expressed in his living and teaching. It is concerned with the formation of the human person in the image and likeness of Christ.
Nurturing Faith is a key element of the Edmund Rice Schools’ Trust Charter. The Edmund Rice School in partnership with the home and parish is dedicated to providing and developing a Catholic education by cultivating a living faith, fostering Christian spirituality and educating people in Gospel- based values.
The Catholic faith permeates the life of the Edmund Rice school and is witnessed in all the interactions and relationships that occur between members of the school community. It is central to the very fabric of the school and is lived out in the myriads of actions and interactions that are part of the daily life of the school. The characteristic spirit of a Catholic school will promote a Christian concept of the world with a spiritual and moral values system that will contribute to the good of society as a whole.
The Edmund Rice school not only welcomes diversity but cherishes each individual, regardless of race or creed, and at all times strives to bring all to the centre of everything that happens in the school. To be Christian is to be universal and each person’s religious freedom and personal conscience are respected and recognised.