Beyond Curriculum
Beyond teaching the national primary curriculum, there are a number of subjects that we teach that add to making John Scottus National School unique.
Philosophy
As a multi-denominational school, we embrace and introduce our children to all religions, practices and traditions. We go a step further in exploring the ‘big questions of life’ by teaching the principles of philosophy.
We transmit our ethos primarily by our behaviour. Weekly philosophy classes foster this. In the youngest classes it’s about stories with good messages, followed by discussion. As the children grow, the questions become more fundamental: Who are we? Where did we come from? What is the purpose of life? What is our relationship to the creation?
The benefits of teaching philosophy to primary school children are plentiful. Children are naturally inquisitive, and philosophy brings this to the next level, fostering curiosity and encouraging reasoning and deep thinking.
Emerging studies support these benefits, as discussed in this published article: RTE.
Sanskrit
Sanskrit is included as a tool to develop the mind. An understanding of its grammar and pronunciation provides a model for understanding modern day languages. Weekly Sanskrit lessons empower children to pay attention. The study of Sanskrit refines the mind just as the study of mathematics trains the mind to think in a mathematical way.
Universal Choirs
We have two choirs, one for 2nd class to 4th class, and one for 5th and 6th class, both of which practice weekly. They perform at our Christmas Carol Service, Corfhéile na Scoileanna and special occasions. Every other year, 5th and 6th class participate in the National Children’s Choir along with children from other schools, culminating in an impressive concert with a choir of 400, accompanied by an orchestra.
School Anthem
We are very proud of our school anthem, “Laetus Impraesens” which we sing in Latin!
Learning
Musical Instruments
Every class has a weekly curriculum music lesson with their class teacher. Children are also given the opportunity to take private piano, guitar, ukulele and violin lessons in Afterschool.
Music Week
Every second year, there is a Music Week. During Music Week, every child learning a musical instrument has the opportunity to, and is encouraged to perform at morning assembly.
In 2019, over 40 children performed in assembly. We heard from budding harpists, violinists, cellists, pianists, saxophonists, guitarists and ukulele players. The enthusiasm and participation was fantastic!
Musical
Every second year, students in the 5th and 6th class have the opportunity to participate in the school musical. In 2015, the students performed ‘The Stolen Child’, a sparkling story by award-winning playwright Joe O’Donnell (inspired by the poem by WB Yeats) and danced by members of the Irish National Youth Ballet with an original music score written by Fran Dempsey (Head of Music at John Scottus Secondary School for many years). The performance was held in the Pavillions Theatre, Dun Laoghaire and was a super success.
In January 2018, the students presented an original musical ‘The Pied Piper’ with wonderful appearances from some of the younger students. ‘The King’s Ears’ is planned for production in 2020.
Green School
In 2015 we began our Green Schools Journey. Promoting long-term, whole-school action for the environment, the Green Schools programme is student led with additional involvement from the wider community.
Through the creation of committees consisting of representative students from Junior Infants up to 6th class, teachers and a parent, and through regular meetings and activities we have actively participated in the programme and have developed our own Green School Plan for each theme explored so far.
In 2017 we were awarded our first Green School Flag for Litter and Waste and in 2018 for Energy. We look forward to embarking on our third theme for 2019/2020.