Our Vision
Who we are is reflected in what we do
Teaching and learning is a priority in every school, and we are very proud of our pupils’ achievements, effort and commitment to learning.
Who we are in Scoil Naomh Bríd is reflected in our extra actions and activities, in which our pupils and staff engage fully. Read more below about our commitments and interests that help shape our identity in Scoil Naomh Bríd.
Gaeilge
We have chosen Oral Irish as our focus for School Self Evaluation and to promote and improve Gaeilge over the next three years. In a questionnaire conducted with the children, 70% said they enjoy games as part of oral Irish lessons, and so we have been focusing on teaching the language for common games we play in English e.g. What Time is it Mr Wolf? and Snakes and Ladders. Children throughout the school are able to say: ‘Cén uimhir a bhfuair tú?’ agus ‘caith an dísle’ agus ‘fuair mé a sé’ agus ‘suas an dréimire’ and it is through fun activities like this that we hope to increase the children’s ability and confidence in using Gaeilge.
The Inspectors detailed that ‘pupils recite poems and rhymes with enthusiasm in some classes and demonstrate a satisfactory understanding of key words during learning in conversation lessons’ (WSEMLL 2018) and this is what we want to build on.
We have also introduced reward tokens for speaking Gaeilge sa Chlós/in the yard and teach specific phrases like ‘ceangail m’iallacha le do thoil.’ Certificates are given out at assemblies for ‘Gaeilgeoir na Míosa’ to those who have made great effort in using their Gaeilge.
Maths
Mathematics is taught well across all classes in Scoil Naomh Bríd and there is a particular emphasis on problem solving and using mathematical language. Our children engage in weekly open-ended problem solving challenges and describe their methods for solving the problems using their mathematical vocabulary. This is key to the understanding of maths. Children are also encouraged to use strategies such as doubles, near doubles and number bonds to improve the efficiency of their oral mental maths strategies. Topics such as weight, time, money and shape and space are taught using recommended practical methodologies and linked to real life maths.
There is a huge emphasis on practical maths across the school, but particularly in Junior & Senior Infants and First Class, where they do not have maths books and instead use programmes such as Ready Set Go Maths and Numicon to develop their early mathematical skills and understanding of maths concepts. We have found this to be of great benefit to their understanding of number and this was commented on by the Inspectors: ‘All teachers support the development of pupils’ mathematical language successfully during lessons and they made very effective links between mathematical learning and real life experiences.’ (WSEMLL, 2018)
English
We love reading and teaching reading here at Scoil Naomh Bríd. Teachers work together to explicitly teach comprehension strategies in our Guided Reading modules, to help children learn to read for meaning and ensure they understand what they are reading. Children are so excited to make predictions, connections, ask questions, visualise, infer, use context clues and summarise when they are talking about their books. The Inspectors observed that pupils ‘are provided with a broad range of reading experiences in English and have developed comprehension skills to a high standard.’ (WSEMLL, 2018).
We also run 6 weeks of evidence-based reading interventions before Easter: paired reading, peered reading, shared reading and novel reading. Our consistent teaching of structured phonics and phonological awareness activities in class, backed up by SET input and support, establishes strong foundations for reading and our Reading Recovery programme helps provide an extra boost for those who need it. We have a great selection of books for Guided Reading and have been building up our novel supplies in the past few years - mainly through Read DL and funds raised from our Scholastic Book Fair.
Inclusive School
At Scoil Naomh Bríd, we work hard to live up to our motto ‘All Are Equal.’ We are a welcoming school and endeavour to meet the needs of all our children. Teacher observation and assessment are used well to identify children who need a little extra support with their learning or other needs, and we involve them and their parents in setting and reviewing achievable targets. Our SET team work hard to monitor the learning of children in our school and use the Continuum of Support and New Model for supporting children with educational needs, in cooperation with the Principal, class teachers, parents and children.
Green School
The environment is very important to us here in Scoil Naomh Bríd and we have been on the Green Flag journey since 2003. Being involved from the very beginning, means that many pupils have passed through the doors of Scoil Naomh Bríd and hopefully have left with an understanding of how to protect nature and biodiversity. We hope they understand the impact of human actions on our Earth and most importantly have a commitment to do their bit to protect it.
We were awarded our ninth green flag: Green Schools Green Flag for the Global Citizenship Travel Project in May 2023.
Active School
Scoil Naomh Bríd has always been an active school but in the past few years we have really upped our game. 2018 saw us winning our first Active School Flag and an incredible two Donegal Sports Star Awards: Large Sporting Primary School and Best Sports Teacher. We were overjoyed to win a second Donegal Sports Star Award for Large Sporting Primary School in 2023.
Being active is part of who we are - lunchtime crunches, morning wake-up dances, daily runs, weekly extra-curricular lunchtime activities and participation in athletics, running, football and GAA competitions, leagues and tournaments are just part of who we are in Scoil Naomh Bríd.
Student Council
Student voice is very important to us in Scoil Naomh Bríd and in October 2018, we formalised a way to gather pupil feedback and ideas and to engage pupils in helping to make our school a better place. Our first year was very successful, with children being consulted on important matters that concerned them, communicating and gathering feedback and ideas from their classes and putting some of their ideas into action. We are very proud of their achievements.
Wellbeing
We prioritise taking care of our wellbeing here in Scoil Naomh Bríd and have a dedicated 9-week programme that we developed ourselves for promoting positive mind health. Each week has a different theme during which pupils can learn to focus on the positive and learn different ways to relax and be mindful. In 2020, our Student Council achieved the Pieta House Amber Flag for Positive Mental Health and Emotional Resilience.
Friendly School
We are a friendly school.
‘Interactions among pupils and between pupils and teachers were observed to be very respectful and positive.’ (Inspector, WSEMLL 2018)
We care for the members of our school community and promote a spirit of friendship, kindness and respect in our classrooms and yards. We encourage all to do their best. Each year we hold Friendship Week, when children make a very special effort to be kind, friendly and respectful. We say no to bullying and we teach our children not to be bystanders. Our Student Council are planning on applying for the ISPCC Anti-Bullying Flag.
Musical School
Visitors to our school always remark on the great musical ability of the children. Children from First Class up, learn to play the tin whistle, keyboard or accordion. They play all together at our Christmas Mass and St. Patrick’s Day and Summer Holiday Irish Music Sessions. It is amazing to hear them playing and singing all together. We also have weekly choir practices and have participated in the annual Peace Proms in Belfast since 2019.
The Inspectors noted that pupils ‘engaged very positively during lessons and demonstrate confidence during song-singing and they play percussion instruments, tin whistle, keyboard and other instruments competently and with enthusiasm.’ (WSEMLL, 2018)
Gardening School
We love gardening here in Scoil Naomh Bríd and are lucky to have had our own polytunnel since 2016. We have put a lot of thought into our growing and crop rotation plan so that 200+ children can each get an opportunity to plant a different plant each year that they can take home before the summer. We have had good luck so far and each year have had a bountiful harvest of: onions, beetroot, lettuce, scallions, celery, radishes, swiss chard, potatoes, cabbage, herbs and tastiest of all…strawberries.
Collaborative School
An atmosphere of collaboration pervades what we do in Scoil Naomh Bríd. All teachers are willing to engage in co-teaching - where two or more teachers work together to plan, teach and assess evidence-based teaching approaches. The wider school community really help to support the teaching, learning and holistic development of the children in our school. Fr Farren and the Board of Management are very supportive, informed and involved in school life. The Parents’ Association are very active, helpful and supportive of the needs of the school. All school initiatives are well supported and tremendous family and community effort is put into events such as World Book Day, our Sponsored Read, homework projects, sporting events and training. Fundraisers are well supported and the encouraging, friendly, collaborative atmosphere of our local community help to make Scoil Naomh Bríd a happy place to learn, work and visit.
Solar School
For the Love of Solar
In February 2020, Scoil Naomh Bríd entered and won a competition to get solar panels for our school. We had to make a video outlining our ideas for a school and community project on renewable energy. Community voting got us through to the semi-final and then a judging panel chose us as winners in the North West Region - out of schools from Cavan, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Longford, Mayo, Monaghan Roscommon and Sligo. We are so delighted to have won.
In the summer term of 2021, the children created amazing projects on renewable energy. Our solar panels were installed during 2023 school year and are fully operational! The monitor in the link hallway shows how much electricity is being generated.
Blue Star Programme
In 2023, our pupils participated in the Blue Star Programme which challenges primary school pupils of all ages, from primary schools across Ireland to get creative and think about Europe.
Each class studied topics in the four categories: Historical, Geographical, Cultural, Institutional. They had great fun learning all about different European cultures and languages. Our main event was the celebration of ‘Europe Day’ on 19th May, when MEP Maria Walsh visited our school to help us celebrate 50 years of EU membership. We showcased our brilliant music for her and a special assembly on Solidarity in the European Union.
