Scoil an Chroí Ró Naofa Íosa - A brief History
The first 25 years
Scoil an Chroí Ró Naofa is a Catholic school under the patronage of the Archbishop of Dublin. It was established in the parish of Huntstown in 1982 as a Junior school with two teachers on staff. At that time Huntstown was a burgeoning suburb on the outskirts of Dublin. By 1986 the staff had grown to six and the Dublin 15 area was becoming more populated. Under the Leadership of Mr John Lynch, the school's principal until 2008, the school began to enrol children from across the globe as families from other countries came to live in the area. By 2006 the school had a population of over 900 children. Mr Lynch had taught in Finglas and had worked in schools abroad before his appointment to Sacred Heart of Jesus. Under the motto 'Ní neart go cur le Cheíle', he led the school through its first 25 years to become one of the largest primary schools in Ireland where over 40 different nationalities are represented. The school was and continues to be at the forefront of inter-cultural education. The school has always been to the forefront of educational innovation and has gained a richly deserved reputation as an inclusive school. Sacred Heart of Jesus has been a pioneering school in the Induction Project for Newly Qualified Teachers since 2002. Mr. Lynch employed a very committed and talented staff and spearheaded many initiatives over his twenty five years service to the school community. During the early years, Sacred Heart of Jesus was housed in the re-bricked section of the present building. As the population expanded and demand for enrolments increased, many pre-fabricated buildings were added. From the early part of the new millennium, plans were drawn up to provide additional permanent accommodation at Scoil an Chroí Ró Naofa Íosa. In 2006 the new extension was built at a cost of €7m. This impressive structure includes a large gymnasium, a library, new staff room, reception area, principal's and secretary's offices, a board room and a beautiful atrium space. Sixteen new classrooms, extra resource rooms and a computer room were also added.
A new phase
Mr. Lynch saw his vision for a state-of-the-art facility for the growing community in Huntstown come to fruition in 2006. The new building was officially opened in 2007 by An Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern. Mr Seán Ó Díomasaigh was appointed principal in September 2008. He was a school principal in Rathfeigh NS, Co. Meath and St. Michael's NS, Trim, Co. Meath before his appointment as National Coordinator for the Pilot Project on the Induction of Newly Qualified teachers (NIPT). He spent five years in the School Inspectorate at the Department of Education and Skills (DES) and coincidently was the inspector for Scoil an Chroí Ró Naofa Íosa for five years prior to his appointment in 2008. That year was a memorable one for the school which celebrated its 25th year through a variety of events and the publication of a beautiful commemorative book.
Following Mr Ó'Díomasaigh's retirement in 2017, the principalship was taken over by Mr Kieran Lyons. Mr Lyons began his teaching career in Huntstown before becoming a principal in Swords North County Dublin. He returned to the school to lead it through the next phase of its development.
A new phase
Mr. Lynch saw his vision for a state-of-the-art facility for the growing community in Huntstown come to fruition in 2006. The new building was officially opened in 2007 by An Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern. Mr Seán Ó Díomasaigh was appointed principal in September 2008. He was a school principal in Rathfeigh NS, Co. Meath and St. Michael's NS, Trim, Co. Meath before his appointment as National Coordinator for the Pilot Project on the Induction of Newly Qualified teachers (NIPT). He spent five years in the School Inspectorate at the Department of Education and Skills (DES) and coincidently was the inspector for Scoil an Chroí Ró Naofa Íosa for five years prior to his appointment in 2008. That year was a memorable one for the school which celebrated its 25th year through a variety of events and the publication of a beautiful commemorative book.
Following Mr Ó'Díomasaigh's retirement in 2017, the principalship was taken over by Mr Kieran Lyons. Mr Lyons began his teaching career in Huntstown before becoming a principal in Swords North County Dublin. He returned to the school to lead it through the next phase of its development.
School Initiatives
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Since 2008 many new projects have been undertaken by the school which have enhanced the school infrastructure and the facilities for the children. "The Garden of Delights" was commissioned as part of the Per Cent for Art Scheme funded by the DES as part of the new building and was opened in January 2009 by An tUachtarán Mary McAleese. In 2009, the school playground was extensively extended to allow the children to run and exercise during playtime. Local businesses sponsored this project and it was also supported by the Parent' Association. A new pedestrian entrance was opened at the front of the school, the canopy enclosed and lights were installed. The lane way to the side of the school was resurfaced and new secure fencing was erected.
Considerable improvement works were necessary in the original section of the school. A new pitched roof was erected in 2009/2010 because of persistent ingress of water causing classroom flooding. The flat roof and all up-stands throughout the whole school had to be replaced to secure the school from leakages. In 2010 all the toilets, wash basins and classroom sinks and wet areas were completely refurbished and the walls were insulated. New storage cupboards were installed and hot water is now available in all classrooms. 
Major works to provide internet connectivity to all parts of the school were undertaken in 2010. Subsequently all classes were provided with interactive white boards (2011/2012). The school opened two special ASD classes for children with autism. The first, Coiscéim 1, was completed in 2011 and officially opened by the then Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar T.D. The second, Coiscéim 2, was completed in 2012 and officially opened by An Tánaiste and then Minister for Social Welfare, Joan Burton T.D. and Professor Paul Reville former Secretary of State for Education in Massachusetts.
Coiscéim 1
These welcome additions to the school necessitated the building of a new classroom in 2013 and two adjoining resource rooms. In 2015 a new playground was built and has proven a great success with all the children, particularly those in Coiscéim 1 and 2. A new playing field was completed in 2015 and will be a very useful facility for children in the coming years.
New Playground 2015
In 2013 the school broadband connection was upgraded and in 2015 the school was recognised as a Digital School of Distinction by the DES for its commitment to the use of digital media as learning tools in the education of the children. Acoustic panelling was installed in the staff room in 2013 and a teachers' resource room was fitted in 2014. Due to demands on accommodation the school received planning permission in December 2015 to build an additional classroom, resources rooms and a third classroom for children with autism. A new sound system for the gymnasium was installed in 2015 which facilitates a variety of events and which teachers to use it during physical education lessons. The computer room was decommissioned in 2011 and thanks to the generous donation of 20 laptop computers by a parent and the support of the Parents' Association, a mobile computer lab has been commissioned for use in classrooms in January 2016.
Yellow Flag
In 2015, Scoil an Chroí Ró naofa Íosa having met all the criteria and being assessed externally, the school was awarded the Yellow Flag in recognition of its work in promoting diversity & inclusion.The school flies its flag with pride and uses the logo on its official correspondence. Khan Academy Maths
Children participate in Khan Academy which is an online maths programme where the children are encouraged to complete maths activities according to their individual ability level. Each pupil is given a profile and acquires points for their profile having completed their activity.After setting up a Khan Academy account children become eligible for the ‘Learn Storm’ (formerly known as ‘Mathletes’) competition. ‘Learn Storm’ is a national competition in which pupils compete individually against other pupils from across. the country. Children also compete against other schools and weekly leader boards are published ranking children and schools in Ireland. Sacred Heart’s initial participation in the national Maths ‘Learn Storm’ competition was a great success with the school being ranked eighth in the country and third in Dublin, out of 120 schools, in 2015. 
Droichead
Scoil an Chroí Ró Naofa Íosa is pleased to be part of the Droichead Programme under the auspices of the Teaching Council.The programme is designed to reflect the importance of induction for new teachers as they are formally welcomed into the most important profession in society. It is grounded in the belief that those best placed to conduct this formal welcome are experienced colleagues who have relevant and in-depth knowledge of teaching and learning in their respective schools. These fellow professionals are themselves supported through the provision of a range of structures and resources from the National Induction Programme for Teachers (NIPT). 
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 Girls' Football Team 2015
Sport
The school has always had a rich sporting tradition. Children can enjoy taking part in Gaelic football and hurling, atheltics, basketball, soccer and swimming and there have been many triumphs over the years. Indeed many of the boys and girls have gone on to great sporting success both nationally and internationally. They receive coaching in a variety of sports throughout the year including cricket, rugby, hurling and football. Teachers give of their free time also to train children for athletics, basketball, hurling and football. Music
Music is an integral part of everyday life. With an accomplished staff of musicians, singers and directors the school has produced highly successful stage musicals. 'The Wizard of Oz' (2002), 'Honk' (2006) and 'Bugsy Malone' (2011) and OLIVER! (2013) were performed on the main stage at Draíocht Theatre Blanchardstown. The school participates biannually in the National Children's Choir staged in the National Basketball Arena and the National Concert Hall. 
Scene from OLIVER! 2013
Digital School of Distinction
In 2015, the school was recognised as a Digital School of Distinction. The school successfully completed the three step programme to receive the nationally recognised Digital School of Distinction Award, accredited by the Department of Education. Digital Schools of Distinction also receive free hardware and software and ongoing practical support and resources as part of the community of digital schools in Ireland. 
Aistear
The school has initiated the Aistear Framework in Junior Infants.This Framework is for all children from birth to six years. It is the outcome of extensive research, consultation, planning, and development by the NCCA in partnership with the early childhood sector. Highlighting the fact that children learn many different things at the same time, the Framework uses four interconnected themes to describe the content of children's learning and development: Well-being, Identity and Belonging, Communicating and Exploring and Thinking. Aistear highlights the critical role of play, relationships and language for young children's learning. In doing this, it provides a guide to using play, interactions, partnerships with parents, and assessment to help children progress in their learning and development. The Framework has both implicit and explicit links with the Primary School Curriculum (1999). 
STEM Learning Programme Science
Scoil an Chroí Naofa Íosa is delighted to be associated with the STEM learning programme in science. RDS STEM Learning is a professional development programme with a difference – developed by teachers, for teachers. RDS STEM Learning challenges teachers to embrace children’s natural curiosity and to focus on how they think, not what they know. It is also a community for shared learning amongst teachers, providing know-how and confidence in science and maths teaching. The classroom benefits of RDS STEM Learning are many: literacy and numeracy improvements; better problem solving; oral language development and integration of inquiry skills across the curriculum. The children have exhibited in the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition at the RDS in 2013, 2014 and 2016. Extra Curricular
Children take part in many extra-curricular activities including sport, art, dance, homework clubs and choral work. The school participates in a range of competitions including art competitions and inter-school quizzes. Green Schools Green-Schools, known internationally as Eco-Schools, is an international environmental education programme, environmental management system and award scheme that promotes and acknowledges long-term, whole school action for the environment. Through the hard work and dedication of the Green School Team, over a number of years, supported by the school community, Scoil an Chroí Ró Naofa has achieved four green flag status for its work on the environment including litter control, recycling, water preservation and transport. 
Minister Varadkar with the Green Flag Team
Student Council The student council plays an active part in the life of our school. Students from fifth and sixth classes are offered the opportunity to join the council each September. Each class holds a ballot to elect one boy and one girl who will represent them on the council. The job of the council is to act as a voice for the wider student body. The students have been involved in many aspects of our school and we are enormously proud of them for their hard work and dedication. Here are some examples of the types of activities they are involved in throughout the school year: Supporting school events - welcoming guests and showing them around the school. Working to support the school musical. Organising fundraising efforts. Listening to the students in the school and communicating their ideas and concerns at meetings. |
Rainbows is a national children’s voluntary service with an average of 6,000 children and young people coming into the service every year throughout Ireland.Rainbows supports children and young people in groups. There are groups for children and young people who have been affected by the death of a close family member and there are groups for children and young people whose family has changed because their parents have separated or divorced. We are proud to be a centre for Rainbows Ireland at Scoil an Chroí Ró Naofa Íosa
School staff circa 1988
School staff 1998
School staff 2003
Music Gallery
The photostream below offers a flavour of what has happened in the school over the last ten years.
Presentation of 4th Green Flag to School
The school is very active in the Green Schools programme. Over the past ten years the students and teachers have worked very hard to develop a more green and beautiful environment that we can be proud of in Huntstown. We now have four green flags and are working hard to maintain the high standards we have set. Here are some images of the activities that are ongoing in the school.