Scoil Mhuire Junior School, Ballymany, Newbridge, Co.

Kildare:
School Information
Scoil Mhuire Junior is a DEIS Band 2 school in Newbridge, Co. Kildare. There currently
approximately 440 pupils in the school and there are 16 classes in total, from Junior Infants
up to Second Class. They have a walking principal, a deputy principal who is in learning
support, 16 mainstream class teachers, 4 learning support teachers, 2 language support
teachers and a home school community liaison officer. There are four full-time SNAs and one
part time SNA, along with another 7 staff in secretarial and caretaking roles within the
school. The school is of a Christian ethos and aims to provide an inclusive and supportive
environment for all children in its care. The vision statement of the school is as follows:
That the board of management, staff and parents working as a team provide support and
education to all children of every class, creed or abilities. That every aspect of each childs
intellectual, emotional, spiritual and social needs be nurtured and encouraged to develop to
its utmost potential, in his or her own time, in a happy safe environment.
(www.scmj.ie/about/)
The school was opened in 1976 and has grown significantly in this time, originally having
only 3 classrooms. A refurbishment of the school was completed in 2005, with some further
work on the school undertaken in 2009. The school environment is warm and welcoming, as
are the staff as a whole. The walls of the school display work that the children have
completed and highlight the varied and creative work that the children are engaging in. There
are four different play areas for the children, divided by class levels, and each of these are
accessed through an external door beside each classroom. There are two halls in the school;
the carpet hall and the wooden hall and these areas are timetabled for P.E and other
activities.
The school day begins at 8.55a.m, finish time for infant classes is 1.40, with the rest of the
classes going home at 2.40. There is a homework club that some children take part in after
school. Many children avail of a subsidised lunch scheme which costs 10 euro for the school
year. Some children also get a school breakfast which they have in their classrooms when
school starts.
The aims of Scoil Mhuire, as outlined on their website, are as follows:
We the board of management, staff and parents, aim:

To recognise and foster the social intellectual, emotional and spiritual potential of
each child who attends the school.

To make Scoil Mhuire a place where children feel safe, secure empowered and
aware of their own environment.

To provide an environment that is happy and fulfilling for children and staff.

To nurture the potential of each child to become a fully developed individual

 To foster a school ethos which is catholic and which develops an awareness and
respect for other denominations and beliefs