A Program Showcase Scoil Iognaíd Rís by Michael Kalinowski
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4 3 PROGRAM SHOWCASE Reprinted with permission from Exchange magazine. EHAXC Nge NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2009 Visit us at www.ChildCareExchange.com or call (800) 221-2864. Multiple use copy agreement available for educators by request. a program showcase Scoil Iognaíd Rís by Michael Kalinowski Ignatius Rice Primary School is located in Kilkenny, a popular ent school. On the 26th of September 1860, it opened its doors southeast Irish tourist destination with many medieval build- to a large influx of pupils. “Two hundred and sixty boys were ings, including a castle, on the River Nore. Kilkenny celebrates put on the rolls that day, but many others had to be excluded for its 400th anniversary as a city this year. The school was the first lack of space” (C.B.S. Primary School web site, see For Further to be named after Edmund Ignatius Rice (Iognáid Rís), born in Information). 1762 in Callan, 10 miles from Kilkenny. Rice forged a successful career in business and, after a tragic accident that killed his wife The current red brick school building was opened in 1953. and left his daughter disabled, devoted his life to the education Scoil Iognáid Rís is an all-boys school for 260 pupils from 7 to and service of the poor. He founded the Institute of the Brothers 11 years. “Our aim is to enable each child in our care to live a of the Christian Schools, and conceived the idea of a ‘Catholic full life as a child; to help him identify and develop his talents, Model School,’ eventually establishing 11 such programs in so that his full potential is reached. In the tradition of Blessed Ireland. Several others were later established throughout the Edmund Rice and the Christian Brothers, each child is taught world. Rice died in 1844 in Waterford, and became a saint in respect for himself and for others in an environment that 1996. teaches Catholic and Christian values. We seek to develop the whole child — personal, academic, spiritual, and social” (C.B.S. The Irish Christian Brothers established Ignatius Rice Primary Primary School web site, see For Further Information). School in 1851 and shortly thereafter erected a solid stone two-story building. Downstairs were two large classrooms. The In 2008 the Christian Brothers handed 93 schools over to the upper story acted as a residence for the Brothers. The original Edmund Rice School Trust, a lay body. Denis O’Reilly has been building was located slightly in front of the facade of the pres- on the school staff for 31 years, and served as principal for ten. He notes two relatively recent changes — the integra- tion of children with special needs, and the inclusion of an increased number of children of foreign nationals: “We are mainly a Catholic School, but now have a grow- ing number of non-Catholic children, including some PHOTOGRAPHS BY M. KALINOWSKI Muslim and Hindu children. Kilkenny is well served with a number of primary school options: single sex, co-ed, one multi-denominational, one Irish lay school, one Church of Ireland school, and three specialized schools. There is no Muslim option in Kilkenny, however. Catholic schools have a strong religious ethic, which Muslim families may favor, even though the specific religion is not their own. The school is well known for the breadth of its extra- curricular activities. Sports include hurling, Gaelic foot- PROGRAM SHOWCASE 35 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2009 EXCHANGE ball, soccer, swimming, basketball, and athletics. There is also greater variety of materials available and most schools are a boys’ choir and instruction in piano, Irish dancing, drama, a connected to the Internet with free broadband access. The staff chess club, and, for the older boys, French and guitar instruc- of a school is hugely important. We have a very hard-working, tion. There is a sister school in Peru for which they raise funds dynamic staff that work well together as a team. They share every year.” their talents with the children and are very willing to give their time after school with games and activities. We also have a very, Mr. O’Reilly reflected on his own history with the school saying, very strong Parents Council and we work closely with them. We “When I started teaching, we had large classes with 45 children all work in partnership together for the good of the school.” and little equipment. Now the average class size is 28, although it varies by school and by classroom. When I was a teacher, the When I asked Mr. O’Reilly what was the hardest part of his job method of instruction was ‘Chalk Talk.’ Now there is a much as an administrator, he responded without any hesitation: “Dealing with people, and perfecting people skills. That was hardest when I moved from being a teacher. As a principal, I deal with parents, staff members, boards, and the community. Trying to keep my cool and keeping things in perspective is very important.” For further information contact: Mr. Denis O’Reilly, Principal Ignatius Rice School Stephens Street Kilkenny, Ireland [email protected] homepage.eircom. net/~cbsprimarykilkenny The Program Showcases were developed by Michael Kalinowski as a component of the World Forum on Early Care and Education. They are intended to highlight the work of particularly interesting, unique, and/or exceptional early childhood programs around the world. Selected programs will appear in future issues of Exchange, and are also available on www.ChildCareExchange.com..