St. Pius X National School

St. Pius X National School
Scoil Naomh Pius X
Omnia in Christo
Everything in Christ
Address
Fortfield Road, Templeogue, Dublin 6W
Ireland
Information
School type Primary school
Religious affiliation(s) Roman Catholic
Opened 15 February 1965
School number Boys: +353-1-490-3057
Girls: +353-1-490-1052
Principal Boys: Dermot Lynch
Girls: Celine Fitzpatrick
Years Offered Junior and senior infants, and first class to sixth class
Gender Male and female, taught separately
Age range 4-12
Pupils 984 (495 boys, 489 girls) [1]
Website

St. Pius X National School is a primary school in Templeogue, Dublin, Ireland. It operates as two associated schools, for boys and girls.

History

The school opened on 15 February 1965 in six pre-fabricated classrooms sited around the side and rear of the Templeogue parish church, St. Pius X at College Drive in Templeogue, and on adjacent ground leased from St. Mary's Rugby Football Club. There were six teachers and 176 pupils at the time: 117 boys and 59 girls, a 2:1 ratio.[2] Classes were taught in the early years in these temporary units without the proper accommodation and amenities of a modern school. As more children joined the school, more pre-fabricated classrooms were installed, and classes were held also in the church sacristy and in St. Mary's room in the church.[3]

A newly-built school to replace the temporary pre-fabricated units was officially opened at Fortfield Park in Templeogue on 19 January 1971, and was subsequently blessed by the Archbishop of Dublin, John Charles McQuaid. The school then comprised 32 classrooms, 16 each for boys and girls; a library; a cookery room; medical room; gym hall; staff rooms and principals' offices. The first principals of the boys' and girls' schools were a married couple, and there were 28 teachers and 1,130 pupils.

The school celebrated its fortieth anniversary on 30 September 2005, and President Mary McAleese visited on 15 December 2005.

Classes and activities

There is one teacher for each class, assisted by a helper in some classes with special needs. There are mathematics and English resource teachers, while sports teachers give instruction in Gaelic football, camogie and physical education.

St. Pius X School has won numerous awards for sport, and along with physical education, it teaches Gaelic football and camogie during normal school hours. After school activity includes Olympic handball, Gaelic football, camogie, golf, basketball, tennis, athletics, cricket and swimming.

There are two music teachers. Pupils from second to sixth class learn the recorder, and there are two choirs: a special choir which students join after auditions, as well as a choir composed of the students of 5th and 6th classes, or of 4th and 5th classes; this choir sings when the Catholic sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation are celebrated.

The boys' and girls' schools share the same address and campus at Fortfield Park in Templeogue, and they have a common school crest, school tie, gym hall, and parents' association.

External links

References

  1. ^ Department of Education school listing, www.education.ie.
  2. ^ St. Pius X school history, piusxbns.ie. Retrieved: 2010-08-24.
  3. ^ St. Pius X school history, piusxgns.ie. Retrieved: 2010-08-24.