Staff 2020/21
Teacher allocations to classes for 2020/2021:
6th Class: Paul O'Dwyer (Deputy Principal)
5th Class: Anna Cullen
4th Class: Conor Finnerty
3rd Class: John O'Connor
3rd Class: Edel McGrath
2nd Class: Sarah McNamara
2nd Class: Holly Beggan
1st Class: Celine Lunney
1st Class: Georgia Ryder
Senior Infants: Jen Bradford
Senior Infants: Lynne McCullagh
Junior Infants: Bláithín Dodd
Junior Infants: Clíona Curran
Evergreen Classes: Heather O'Doherty and Aideen McCormack
Special Education Teachers: Suzanne McCoy, Alison Walker, Nicole Malone and Ciara O'Hara
On Leave: Tríona Ní Léanacháin, Claire Glavey, Sarah Coughlan, Sarah Butler
ISA (Inclusion Support Assistants): Agnieszka Bien; Geraldine Keane; Aoife Coyne and Lily Johnstone, Leah Grealis, Michelle Coogan, Pearl Sheridan, Ann-Marie O'Keeffe, Chloe Hughes, Adriana Giurgila, Denise Hannigan, Nadia Racca and Lauren Kelly
Secretary: Lisa Pounch
Caretaker: Brendan Scully
Cleaning: Izabela Kierklo and Eliza Karpiej
Principal: Collette Dunne
Firhouse ETNS welcomes Ciara O'Hara to our Teaching Staff (March 2021)
Firhouse ETNS welcomes Lauren Kelly as Inclusion Support Assistant (November 2020)
Firhouse Educate Together N.S. is delighted to welcome Lauren Kelly to our staff as an Inclusion Support Assistant! Lauren completed her work placement in Firhouse ETNS in February 2020. She is passionate about working with children with additional needs and is keen to provide a welcoming environment to all students. Lauren worked in a creche and completed a Child Care Level 5, before undertaking the Special Needs Assistant Level 5 course.
Firhouse ETNS welcomes Nicole Malone to our Teaching Staff (November 2020)
Firhouse Educate Together N.S. is delighted to welcome Nicole Malone to our staff! Nicole is joining our SET team while another staff member is on leave. Nicole trained in St. Patrick's College and has a passion for wellbeing.
Firhouse ETNS welcomes Nadia Racca as Inclusion Support Assistant (November 2020)
Firhouse Educate Together N.S. is delighted to welcome Nadia Racca to our staff as an Inclusion Support Assistant! Nadia taught English as a Foreign Language for 10 years in Argentina. She later trained as an ISA to have more tools to help children with their learning. She is interested in mindfulness and enjoys sharing her love of reading!
Firhouse ETNS welcomes Alison Walker to our Teaching Staff (August 2020)
We are delighted to welcome Alison Walker to our school. Alison graduated with a B.A. in Primary Teaching with Disability Studies, from Liverpool Hope University. Since then, she has completed a PgCert in Special Education and a PgDip in Psychology of Education. Over the past seven years, she have worked in a large primary school in Manchester, where she originally worked as a mainstream class teacher, and later as a SEN teacher and Special Educational Needs Coordinator. She is passionate about creating fully inclusive environments, where each child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Firhouse ETNS welcomes Georgia Ryder to our Teaching Staff (August 2020)
We are delighted to welcome Georgia Ryder back to our school. Georgia studied primary teaching in Hibernia College. Before this, she completed a BA in English and Geography in NUIG. She held a special education teacher position in Firhouse Educate Together this year and is looking forward to moving into the mainstream classroom setting this September. Among her interests are children’s personal development and well-being, outdoor learning, and sport. Georgia has a strong interest in sports, particularly in GAA and Irish dancing. She held a coaching position with a Gaelic football team in Galway last year and is looking forward to bringing her knowledge of sport to Firhouse Educate Together this year.
Firhouse ETNS welcomes Aideen McCormack to our Teaching Staff (August 2020)
We are delighted to welcome Aideen McCormack to our school. Aideen is a Montessori and Special Education teacher, who is passionate about working with children with additional needs and committed to helping them grow, develop and reach their full potential. Aideen has a diverse range of experience teaching children in both Montessori and primary school settings. Aideen is a true believer in learning from hands on experiences by exploring the world we live in. Her teaching style focuses on ensuring that each individual child is given the opportunity to
express themselves in order to shape their own personality and belonging within our society. She has completed LAMH sign language level one.
express themselves in order to shape their own personality and belonging within our society. She has completed LAMH sign language level one.
Firhouse ETNS welcomes Anna Cullen to our Teaching Staff (August 2020)
We are delighted to welcome Anna Cullen to Firhouse Educate Together National School! Anna is a graduate of St. Patrick's College, DCU, where she specialised in the area of multi-denominational education. She also has an interest in the area of wellbeing and arts and crafts and is looking forward to promoting these in Firhouse ETNS.
Firhouse ETNS welcomes Eliza Karpiej as Cleaner (August 2020)
Firhouse Educate Together N.S. is delighted to welcome Eliza Karpiej to our staff! Eliza is originally from Poland and has been living in Ireland for the past 14 years. She loves animals and has lots of them at home: two bunnies named Olaf and George, a black cat named Arata and a black dog named Marvel!
Firhouse ETNS welcomes Denise Hannigan as Inclusion Support Assistant (February 2020)
Firhouse Educate Together N.S. is delighted to welcome Denise Hannigan to our staff as Inclusion Support Assistant! Denise comes to us after completing her work experience in Abacus Special School. She is passionate about working with children with additional needs and is keen to provide a welcoming environment to all students. Denise has been enjoying working with the children in Evergreen Class and is taking part in the first ever National Training Programme for Special Needs Assistants in UCD.
Firhouse ETNS welcomes Edel McGrath to our Teaching Staff (August 2019)
We are delighted to welcome Edel McGrath to the school. Edel is a graduate of Mary Immaculate Teacher Training College in Limerick. Having specialised in SPHE in college, Edel has a keen interest in the child’s personal development and wellbeing.
Firhouse ETNS welcomes Paul O'Dwyer to our Teaching Staff (August 2019)
Paul trained as a primary school teacher in Hibernia College, having previously studied psychology in UCD for five years. Among his interests are STEM, languages (Gaeilge and French), outdoor learning and well-being. Paul has trained on the Friends for Life Programme and has previously worked as a facilitator for the national Mental Health Awareness Initiative (MHAI), providing workshops for teachers on promoting the mental health and well-being of their pupils.
In March 2020, Paul was appointed Deputy Principal in our school.
In March 2020, Paul was appointed Deputy Principal in our school.
Firhouse ETNS welcomes Sarah McNamara to our Teaching Staff (August 2019)
Sarah has a background in languages and is always looking for fun and active ways to bring them into the classroom, most recently looking at using digital tools to promote oral language development in Gaeilge. Sarah is interested in sport, dance and music and is eager to bring these to Firhouse ETNS.
Firhouse ETNS welcomes Chloe Hughes as Inclusion Support Assistant (August 2019)
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Chloe Hughes as Inclusion Support Assistant in our school. She is passionate about social inclusion and promoting independence.
Firhouse ETNS welcomes Adriana Giurgila as Inclusion Support Assistant (August 2019)
Firhouse ETNS welcomes Ann-Marie O'Keeffe as Inclusion Support Assistant (December 2018)
Firhouse ETNS welcomes Pearl Sheridan as Inclusion Support Assistant (December 2018)
Firhouse ETNS welcomes Sarah Butler as Inclusion Support Assistant (November 2018)
Firhouse ETNS welcomes Heather O'Doherty to our Teaching Staff (August 2018)
We are delighted to welcome Heather O'Doherty, who previously worked in Monkstown Educate Together N.S. and has a wealth of experience with Additional Needs education both in mainstream and special schools here and in the U.K.
Firhouse ETNS welcomes Bláithín Dodd to our Teaching Staff (August 2018)
We are delighted to welcome Bláithín Dodd who qualified with a B.Ed. from St. Patrick's College, D.C.U., Drumcondra in 2017, and has recently worked in Riverview ETNS in Walkinstown. Bláithín worked as a an ard-chinnire and cúntóir for 6 years with the Spleodar, Coláiste Samhradh and is looking forward to bringing her interest in Gaeilge, art, and sport to our school.
Firhouse ETNS welcomes John O'Connor to our Teaching Staff (August 2018)
We are delighted to welcome John O'Connor to our school. John has great experience in Educate Together schools in Bray and Lucan as well as having worked abroad in Kuwait.
Firhouse ETNS welcomes Suzanne McCoy to our Teaching Staff (August 2018)
We are delighted to welcome Suzanne McCoy to our school.
Firhouse ETNS welcomes Celine Lunney to our Teaching Staff (August 2018)
We are delighted to welcome Celine Lunney back to our school in a permanent capacity. Celine previously did temporary work for us covering maternity leave in SET.
Firhouse ETNS welcomes Holly Beggan to our Teaching Staff (August 2018)
We are delighted to welcome Holly Beggan to our school. Holly's dedication and commitment to teaching was acknowledged with her being awarded the Vere Foster medal. She has a keen interest in Infant Education.
Firhouse ETNS welcomes Claire Glavey to our Teaching Staff (August 2018)
We are delighted to welcome Claire Glavey to our school. Claire previously worked in Balinteer ETNS and has experience in all areas of primary education.
Firhouse ETNS welcomes Clíona Curran to our Teaching Staff (August 2018)
We are delighted to welcome Clíona Curran to our school. Clíona has a keen interest in and commitment to education.
Firhouse ETNS welcomes Michelle Coogan as Inclusion Support Assistant (August 2018)
We are delighted to welcome Michelle Coogan to our school. Michelle is fluent in sign language and we look forward to her sharing this skill with all of our school community.
Firhouse ETNS welcomes Leah Grealis as Inclusion Support Assistant (February 2018)
We are delighted to welcome Leah Grealis to our staff as Special Needs Assistant. Leah has a varied background with a wide range of experience in business and childcare. Over the past year Leah has volunteered to work in Firhouse Educate Together N.S. every Thursday and has been a great support to teachers showing great initiative and building strong relationships with the children she worked with.
Firhouse ETNS welcomes Lily Johnstone as Inclusion Support Assistant (October 2017)
We are very happy to welcome Lily Johnstone to our staff as Special Needs Assistant. Originally from Manchester in the U.K., Lily did work experience in Firhouse Educate Together N.S. in 2015 in our Junior Infant Class alongside Tríona when we were still in Tymon Bawn Community Centre. Since then Lily has worked with secondary school children in Firhouse Community College. She has gained great experience working with children with a wide range of needs andparticularly enjoys working with the young children in Junior Infants.
Firhouse ETNS welcomes Sarah Coughlan to our staff September 2017
We are delighted to welcome Sarah Coughlan to our staff this September 2017. Sarah graduated with a Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning from the Charles Darwin University in the Northern Territory, Australia in 2010. After completing her studies, she taught for two years in Australia gaining invaluable experience and knowledge in culturally diverse classrooms. Since returning to Ireland, Sarah has spent time teaching in both Special and Mainstream schools. She has been teaching in an established Educate Together school since 2015 as a Resource Teacher, Support Teacher and a Class Teacher. Sarah is looking forward to bringing her interest and skills in Intercultural Education, Special Needs Education and sports to Firhouse Educate Together National School.
Firhouse ETNS welcomes Aoife Coyne as Inclusion Support Assistant (January 2017)
Aoife has a wealth of experience working with children with special needs for 10 years. She originally trained as a Montessori Teacher and through this she developed a keen interest in special education. Aoife has gained invaluable experience in a special school, ABACAS, working with children with ASD. During her time there she received training and qualification in Lamh, Irish Sign Language (ISL), and Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). In her spare time Aoife coaches a local camogie team.
Firhouse ETNS welcomes Lisa Pounch as School Secretary (November 2016)
Firhouse Educate Together N.S. is delighted to announce the appointment of Lisa Pounch as school Secretary. Lisa has vast experience in both office management and marketing and has also worked extensively on our PGTA Committee over the past two years.
Firhouse ETNS welcomes Brendan Scully as Caretaker (2016)
Firhouse ETNS welcomes Geraldine Keane as Inclusion Support Assistant (November 2016)
Geraldine has worked with us in Firhouse Educate Together N.S. since September 2016. She completed an Early Childhood Education Course in 2015 and has since worked in a wide range of schools in Dublin as a Special Needs Assistant on a temporary basis. Geraldine has also worked as a Community Welfare Officer and is a volunteer with La Leche League Ireland. She has always had a keen interest in supporting children to achieve their full potential and has recently trained with Barnardos to implement the Roots of Empathy Programme in our school during 2017-2018.
Firhouse ETNS appoints Class Teacher: Conor Finnerty (August 2016)
Conor has gained great experience teaching in London for several years and more recently in Rathfarnham ETNS. Conor is interested health, well being and sport and looks after our Active School initiative. He is also developing ICT in teaching and learning in our school.
In June 2017 Conor was appointed Special Duties Post Holder in our school.
In June 2017 Conor was appointed Special Duties Post Holder in our school.
Firhouse ETNS appoints Class Teacher: Jen Bradford (August 2016)
Jen Bradford joined our staff in Firhouse ETNS in September 2016. Jen has worked in other schools in the Educate Together sector on a temporary basis including most recently Ballinteer ETNS. Jen has looked after our Green School initiative during her first year in our school when we succeeded in getting our 1st Green School Flag.
Firhouse ETNS appoints Class Teacher: Lynne McCullagh (August 2015)
Lynne has a rich and varied background of teaching in Ireland, Spain and the United Arab Emirates. Her experience abroad is of great value and she also has a vibrant enthusiasm for teaching in innovative ways. In addition Lynne has excellent communication skills and we thank her for building great relationships in Firhouse Community Centre when her class was based there last year. Lynne looks after Arts and Social Committee in our school and has trained on the Friends for Life programme which she and Rachael have introduced to our school.
In June 2017 Lynne was appointed Special Duties Post Holder in our school.
In June 2017 Lynne was appointed Special Duties Post Holder in our school.
Firhouse ETNS welcomes Izabela Kierklo as Cleaner (January 2015)
We are delighted to welcome Izabela Kierklo to our school as a cleaner! Izabela likes handcrafting and taking care of her garden and flowers in her free time. She also likes animals. Izabela really likes long walks and visiting the beautiful corners of our green Ireland.
Firhouse ETNS Appoints Inclusion Support Assistant: Agnieszka Bien (October 2013)
Agnieszka Bien
Educate Together, along with Principal of Firhouse ETNS Collette, are delighted to announce the appointment of Agnieszka Bien as Special Needs Assistant in our school.
Agnieszka has lots of experience working with children. She is a qualified teacher who has worked in primary and post primary schools in Poland and as an SNA in Ireland.
Agnieszka is particularly interested in special education and occupational therapy. She possesses a genuine interest in children and respects their individuality.
She believes that becoming a teacher and an SNA not only changed her life but has also made a positive impact on the lives of the children she works with.
Firhouse ETNS Appoints Class Teacher: Tríona Ní Léanacháin (August 2013)
Tríona Ní Léanacháin
Educate Together, along with Principal of Firhouse ETNS Collette, are delighted to announce the appointment of Tríona Ní Léanacháin as the first mainstream class teacher of the school.
Tríona has a rich and varied experience in teaching and we are very pleased to have her on board. Tríona is from the locality and we know she will be greatly missed in her previous school, Croí Ró Naofa where she worked for the last ten years. Triona has also spent a number of years working for Dublin West Education Centre providing professional development for other teachers as a course designer and facilitator.
Tríona graduated from U.C.D. with a primary degree in English and History and then completed a Post Grad in Primary Education. She has a Masters in Education, specialising in maths education, from D.C.U. and she also has a Post Graduate Diploma in Special and Inclusive Education. Triona is a fluent Irish speaker and is interested in all aspects of education.
Welcome! A Note from School Principal Collette Dunne (June 2013)
Collette Dunne
Hello and thank you to all of you who have been working to make Firhouse Educate Together happen. Congratulations! We are all set to open at 8.30am on Monday 2nd September 2013. Our new school will open its doors in temporary accommodation in Tymon-Bawn Community Centre. This is a temporary location, with a view to moving to a permanent location by September 2015. Educate Together continues to work with the Department of Education and Skills to ensure we get the best possible location in Firhouse for our permanent building.
We're working closely with the parents and local community to establish Firhouse ETNS as a vibrant centre of learning to empower each and every one of its pupils to live the best lives they can. With our commitment to the multi-denominational, co-educational, child-centred and democratic principles of Educate Together, I am confident we can overcome the challenges that will arise as we develop Firhouse ETNS into a dynamic, happy, community centre of learning we will all be very proud of.
Collette
Principal: Firhouse Educate Together National School
We're working closely with the parents and local community to establish Firhouse ETNS as a vibrant centre of learning to empower each and every one of its pupils to live the best lives they can. With our commitment to the multi-denominational, co-educational, child-centred and democratic principles of Educate Together, I am confident we can overcome the challenges that will arise as we develop Firhouse ETNS into a dynamic, happy, community centre of learning we will all be very proud of.
Collette
Principal: Firhouse Educate Together National School
About Firhouse Educate Together NS
Firhouse Educate Together NS is a new primary school which opened in September 2013 with one class of junior infants.
The location of the school originally in Tymon Bawn Community Centre was temporary. The Department of Education and Skills is currently building a permanent new school on Ballycullen Drive which is due to open in Autumn 2017. Educate Together schools are national schools, teaching the full primary curriculum. They are child-centred and focused on the best possible educational outcome for your child. Our teachers bring the curriculum to life by encouraging children to think, question and engage both with their teacher and each other. Parents, you can download welcome pack and policies from our POLICIES Page under the Board of Management tab on this website. |
Educate Together's Ethical Education Curriculum - the ‘Learn Together’ - supports children’s moral and spiritual development and teaches children about different belief systems. This curriculum has been developed over 35 years in Irish primary schools and is an important part of making Educate Together schools welcoming and inclusive. When Firhouse Educate Together NS opened in 2013, it became one of 68 Educate Together schools nationwide, and one of around 20 in the South West Dublin / Kildare area surrounding Firhouse. If you would like to know more about how Firhouse Educate Together NS, contact us here. If you would like to know more about Educate Together, please see details on page below and / or visit the Educate Together website |
Parental involvement is already well underway in Firhouse ETNS
Contact Firhouse ETNS
Educate Together
Educate Together is an organisation that supports its expanding network of schools, parents and supporters around the country. We want to keep people informed and interested in our latest news and updates. Please feel free to update your website information with the following points, so that everyone who is interested in Educate Together can access the most up to date information.
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Ethos & Mission
Educate Together is the representative organisation for primary & secondary multi-denominational schools in Ireland. It is an independent NGO that runs and supports schools that guarantee equality of access and esteem to children "irrespective of their social, cultural or religious background". Educate Together schools are learner centred in their approach to education and are run as participatory democracies, with respectful partnership between parents, pupils and teachers. The Educate Together national office is working towards an Ireland in which all people have access to an excellent education that is inclusive of all, irrespective of belief system, ethnicity, class, culture, gender, language, sexuality, family background and ability.
For more information on Educate Together's primary schools, visit:
http://www.educatetogether.ie/our-schools/primary
Curriculum
Educate Together schools teach the Learn Together Ethical Education Curriculum, rather than the religious instruction programmes taught in denominational schools. This curriculum has four strands:
- Moral and Spiritual: children learn about feelings and values, the development of conscience, choices and consequences, stillness and meditation.
- Equality and Justice: children learn about wants and needs, rights and responsibilities; the promotion of equality and the nature of democracy locally (student councils are encouraged), nationally and globally.
- Belief Systems: children learn about the rites and ceremonies, celebrations, key figure and beliefs and values of the six main world religions: Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism and Sikhism. Schools also address Atheism, Agnosticism and Humanism.
- Ethics and the Environment: children learn about appreciation and stewardship of the natural world. Educate Together schools have an ethos of respect, diversity & inclusion.
For more information on Educate Together's curriculum, visit:
http://www.educatetogether.ie/about/learn-together
School Community
As of September 2013, there are now 68 Educate Together primary schools in Ireland. The growth in the Educate Together school network continues to be driven by parental demand. In addition to our established schools we have start-up groups in communities hoping to have Educate Together schools opened in their area.
To locate your nearest Educate Together school or start-up group, visit:
http://www.educatetogether.ie/our-schools
Second-level
Four second-level schools with Educate Together involved as patron, co-patron or as partner are now open: Hansfield Educate Together Secondary School (Dublin 15) - a voluntary secondary school under the patronage of Educate Together. Ballymakenny College (Drogheda, Co Louth) - community college under the joint patronage of Educate Together and Louth and Meath ETB. Kishoge Community College (Lucan, Co Dublin) - a community college under the patronage of Dublin and Dún Laoghaire ETB, working in formal partnership with Educate Together. Celbridge Community College - an Educate Together and Kildare Wicklow ETB partnership school. These schools represent a new approach to second-level education – developing a welcoming, inclusive school community that enables young people to meet their full potential in society and focussing on the lifelong learning needs of students.
Educate Together's approach at second-level moves away from 'teaching to the test' and towards an emphasis on the learner. Students will develop skills in creative and critical thinking, communication, teamwork, research and leadership. Teachers in an Educate Together second-level school will use the best teaching and learning methods to make students’ learning active, relevant, challenging and enjoyable.
Second Level Educate Together Campaigns & Start-up Groups
Educate Together schools are established in an area following an engagement process with local parents. A start-up group is established which liaises with the National Office staff and assists with establishing the extent and longer term potential of local parental support for the school. The establishment of any new school can be a long process that continues for many years. A start-up group is made up of parents who want an Educate Together school for their children. In recent years Educate Together has grown substantially and parental support for these campaigns has been critical to the successful establishment of schools.
Please see link below for the expression of interest form for the Firhouse Educate Together Second Campaign:
https://form.jotformeu.com/53214615979362
To learn more visit:
http://www.educatetogether.ie/our-schools/second-level
