Our Aim

We want every child to delight in the present every moment of every day.

Our Education System

Value and Beliefs Educational Principles
Oneness the world is one, a diverse unity , that every human being shares the same essence – full of vitality, knowledge and happiness
  • We encourage everyone in our community to see themselves in others and to take care of each other.
  • Close teacher pupil relationships are at the heart of our school.
  • We try to bring out the true happiness that is inside.
The power of attention in the present moment attention is the key. Life takes place in the present moment.
  • The child needs to develop its power of attention – to give full attention in every situation. Then learning is easy.
  • We strive for engaged learning through engaging teaching. Learning and enjoyment go together.
  • The child needs to be in the present to participate as fully as possible.
Enquiry and self-discovery life is a journey of enquiry and self-discovery
  • Children are naturally curious, they love enquiry. We encourage this.
  • As they grow older the need for self-discovery increases. We encourage this as well.
  • With older children self-observation and reflection are powerful skills.
Learning every child can realize their full potential
  • We want to teach children to learn how to be happy in all circumstances, how to live meaningfully and successfully in the world.
  • Children need to learn good habits – the rules for success, live selflessly, harmonise emotions, thoughts, speech & actions, speak the truth beautifully,
  • We give them good company: spiritual, emotional, intellectual and physical.
  • We introduce them to service, dedication, gratitude, acceptance, detachment, humility and other key values
  • We endeavour to be good role models.
Stillness regular access to stillness is essential
  • Coming to rest regularly throughout the day – pausing – provides new energy at all levels of the being.
  • Meditation is offered to older children.

 

What Else is Different?

Some of the visible ones are:

  • Class sizes are significantly smaller. (In 2016/17 the average class size was 16; the largest was 22)
  • Teachers stay with their classes for longer
  • We start earlier and finish later;
  • Extra time for learning
  • Sanskrit
  • There are daily ethos-based assemblies
  • Each class has a weekly philosophy lesson and there is an annual whole school Philosophy week
  • We come to rest for a moment at the end of every activity
  • Pupils & teacher eat a hot vegetarian lunch together
  • 3 PE classes a week
  • Two annual class performances
  • Close parent teacher contact

Boys and Girls – Separate or Together?

When JSS started the policy was to educate boys and girls separately. This was not always possible due to varying class sizes. As a result we have significant experience of mixed and separate classes.

Our current view is that younger children – up to the age of 10 – are best educated together. Teachers of mixed classes have to be mindful of the different natures of boys and girls. Two examples are, boys tend to be quicker at numeracy while girls tend to be quicker at literacy & boys tend to be more direct in their behavior than girls.

At September 2015, the status of the various classes is as follows:

  • Mixed: Junior & Senior Infants, 1st Class, 2nd Class, 4th Class and 6th Class
  • Separate: 3rd Class and 5th Class

Location and Facilities

The Primary school is currently in two locations:

  • Junior Infants to 4th Class: 47/49 Northumberland Road, Dublin 4
  • 5th and 6th Classes: 72-76 Morehampton Road, Dublin 4.

We share the Morehampton Road buildings with our sister Secondary school.

Click here for location Maps

There is a playground at the back of each building and we are close – five minutes walk – to green areas for PE classes.

 

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