Catholic Ethos- Threen National School

Diocese of Elphin

Threen National School is a Roman Catholic school under the Patronage of the Catholic Archbishop of Elphin.

A Roman Catholic school (which is established in connection with the
Minister) aims at promoting the full and harmonious development of all aspects of the person of the pupil:

• intellectual,
• physical,
• cultural,
• moral and
• spiritual, including a living relationship with God and with other people.

The school models and promotes a philosophy of life inspired by belief in God and in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

What do pupils learn?
From the outset, the experience of a pupil in a Catholic school is characterised by respect for both faith and reason.

We seek to support parents in their task of nurturing their children toward fulfilment in life and of preparing them to take their place in the world according to the gifts they have been given.

We have adopted the ‘Grow in Love’ programme, the recommended approach to religious education for the reception of the sacraments of Penance, Holy Communion and Confirmation.

We welcome a diocesan adviser into our school at least once per year.

Our attitudes, actions and practices in Threen National School

Our Christian ethos also permeates the school day through our actions, attitudes and practices:

• We provide opportunities for prayer, the celebration of liturgy and the sacraments.
• We strive to create a learning environment where every child is encouraged and enabled to develop to their full and unique potential as human beings.
• We seek to form pupils who will unselfishly use their gifts for the common good and are committed to work for a more just and caring society.
• We provide a welcoming and inclusive community that is respectful and tolerant of all religious traditions and beliefs.

Some Catholic feast days are celebrated appropriately. They are marked with prayer services and with the aid of artwork, signs and symbols, which are displayed in the classroom and throughout the school. These include:

• Hallowe’en – All Saints, Remembering the Dead – The Remembrance Tree.
• Advent – the Advent wreath and Jesse tree.
• Christmas – tree and crib.
• Feast of St. Brigid – traditional crosses.
• Feast of St. Patrick – depiction of story and shamrock.
• Lent – symbols of repentance and forgiveness.
• Holy Week – Reflection on the way of the Cross.
• Easter – symbols of the new life of the resurrection.
• Pentecost – artistic depiction of the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Liturgical and Eucharistic celebrations are held on significant days of the school including:-

• The opening and closing of the school year.
• Feast Days.
• Christmas Carol Service in school
• Times of trauma or crisis and for other occasions, which from time to time are considered appropriate to celebrate or to commemorate.
• School assemblies, which incorporate thematic religious subject matter, appropriate to age, season and circumstances.

The pupils of the school also participate at the following times:-

• At the celebrations of First Eucharist and Confirmation.
• School Masses at the beginning and the end of the academic year, and for Catholic School week
• Retreat for 6^th class students with other children receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation
• Other liturgical celebrations in cooperation with the wider community of the parish including altar servers and members of the choir and other participatory roles in the Parish Eucharist.

What about children from other religious backgrounds?
Children from various backgrounds are welcomed into all Catholic schools. The number varies from one place to another but respect for all religions and for people of no faith is an important part of the life of our school.
If your child is of another religion or no faith, please speak directly with your class teacher regarding participation in religion class.

For more information about Catholic schools, please visit www.catholicschools.ie