Ethos
Our Ethos is very important to us as a school and we bear witness to it on a daily basis - it is a lived experience and not just a plaque on the wall. Below are some examples of how our ethos is borne witness to on a daily basis in Ardscoil Rís.
Ethos in action in Ardscoil Rís
Religious Education
Our Religious Education (RE) programme is a core part of our daily timetable with students having three periods of RE each week. Find out more in the links following links: Junior Religious Education and Non-Exam Subjects in Senior Cycle
Mentoring
45 trained 5th Year Mentors work with our 1st Years throughout the year as part of our broad and on-going 'Welcome Programme' for 1st Years, as the settle into school life here in Ardscoil Rís. The 5th Year Mentors themselves were mentored when they were in 1st Year and now want to give something back. Each 5th Year Mentor meets with approximately three 1st Year student sin both a formal and informal setting throughout out the school year.
Pastoral Care
Our school has a very clear and well-structured Pastoral Care system with a well defined referral pathway. Our Pastoral Care Team consists of the Principal, both Deputy Principals and two Guidance Counsellors, with the team meeting formally once a week.
Prayer Room
We are very fortunate to have a dedicated Prayer Room in the heart of the school. It is a space for prayer; it is a space for meditation; and it is a space for reflection. It is in use on a daily basis and based on student feedback; it is very much a space our students enjoy using on a frequent basis.
Guidance and Counselling
We are very fortunate to have four qualified and experienced Guidance Counsellors in our school. Our Guidance Counsellors aim to meet all of our First Year students by the October Mid-Term Break as part of of 'Welcome Programme' for First Years. As students journey through the school, they have timetabled Career Guidance classes. Guidance Counsellors also meet students on an individual basis for Counselling or for Career Guidance where appropriate.
Edmund Rice International
Edmund Rice International (ERI) is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) granted ECOSOC status at the UN in 2012, and committed to working for children and young people who are marginalised because of poverty, lack of access to education, legal status, environmental degradation, or involvement in armed conflict. ERI works at the international level to promote and protect the rights of children and young people particularly in regard to education. Care for the environment is a value that is embedded in all that we do. Inspired by the vision and life of Blessed Edmund Rice, we believe that education in all its forms offers opportunities for the promotion of a rights-based and faith-based approach to social justice and ecological advocacy.
Edmund Rice Education Beyond Borders (EREBB)
EREBB is an International network of Catholic schools educating young people from many different faiths and cultures. We are inspired by the teachings of Jesus, Gospel values and the spirit of Edmund Rice. In over 25 countries we endeavor to promote global solidarity and offer a transformational education for justice and liberation. EREBB was inaugurated in May 2014 when leaders representing Edmund Rice Education gathered in Nairobi, Kenya to establish an inclusive international network of Edmund Rice educational communities.
Retreats and Reflection Days
During the school year, it is our intention that students in each year group may have the opportunity to take part in a retreat. Some retreats take place in school, while others are off-site in places such as the 6th Year Encounter Retreat in Portlaoise; 5th Year Retreat in Lough Derg, The Sanctuary of St Patrick in Co. Donegal; De La Salle Retreat Centre,in Castletown, Co. Laois; Croagh Patrick in Co. Mayo; School Retreats at Knock Shrine in Co. Mayo; as well as The Edmund Rice International Heritage Centre in Mount Sion, Co. Waterford.
India Immersion
Since 2012 up to the Global Pandemic in 2020, Ardscoil Rís have organised our biennial India Immersion Programme. It is our intention to re-establish this programme again.
What is the Edmund Rice Developing World Immersion Programme? Edmund Rice schools provide opportunities for teachers and students to connect with communities in the developing world. This programme, known as the Immersion Programme, reflects our mission as Catholic schools and indeed is a unique and inspirational expression of the Edmund Rice ethos.
The Edmund Rice Developing World Immersion Programme was begun by the Christian Brothers and has been further developed by the Edmund Rice Schools Trust. This programme affords the opportunity for our schools to connect with Christian Brother, and other communities in the Developing World.
