The Schedule of a Catholic School
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. The Catholic school provides Religious education for the pupils in accordance with the doctrines, practices and tradition of the Roman Catholic Church and promotes the formation of the pupils in the Catholic Faith.
The Schedule indicates that a Catholic Primary School:
- is one established in connection with the Minister and therefore recognised as a national school for public funding
- is a denominational school under the patronage of the local Catholic bishop
- strives to be a good school committed to the ‘full and harmonious development of all aspects of the person of the pupil’
- sees full human development as including a living relationship with God and other people
- provides Religious Education for the pupils in accordance with the doctrines, practices and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church o
- promotes the faith formation of the pupils in the Catholic faith including the reception of the Sacraments of Penance, First Communion and Confirmation
- seeks to let pupils experience a religious way of life by being part of a faith community, the values and practices of which model a living relationship with God in Jesus Christ.
The Schedule does not state that a Catholic school is a school only for Catholic pupils. Neither does it state that the Catholic school provides what may be called a ‘common’ or ‘multi-denominational’ religious education programme open to pupils of all religious faiths and none. The Catholic school is a welcoming and inclusive school.
The Schedule is an important document for all those involved in any way in the life of the school.
- It must be prominently displayed at the entrance to the school.
- It must play an active role in the daily life of the school.
- Parents applying to enrol their child in the school, all staff seeking employment in the school and all who are nominated to the Patron for appointment to the Board of Management must be made aware of the content of the Schedule, helped to understand it, and indicated that they be respectful of it.
- The Schedule should be considered in the formulation of all school policies. It should be circulated, along with the school’s Admission Policy, to all parents applying to enrol their children in the school.