Aistear is the curriculum framework for children from birth to six years in Ireland. As per this framework, Junior and Senior Infants take part in Súgradh, where they learn through play. It takes place in small teacher-led groups and focuses on a different theme each month.
To learn more about Aistear, click here.
An area we have participated in for many years with great enthusiasm is the Green Schools initiative. The Green Flag that flies outside Holy Cross shows our commitment to working together for a sustainable future. This initiative is led by pupils on the Green Schools Committee from 3rd – 6th class and includes talks from local experts in topics such as biodiversity, renewable energy and conservation.
Holy Cross has been a participant in the Active Schools movement since its inception. We have earned two flags thanks to our involvement and have been highly commended for our initiatives. The Active Flag is in recognition of the physical activity of the entire school. The emphasis is on inclusivity and we especially enjoy when we have Active Homework that we can do with our family.
At Holy Cross, we strive for the holistic development of all our students. In recent years, we have put a stronger emphasis on the wellbeing of our students. We rolled out a values programme across the school as well as using the Weaving WellBeing programme to help our students become ready for an evolving society. We have also achieved Amber Flag status thanks to the work of our committee. This is an award from Pieta House and recognises work in schools to promote positive mental health within the school community.
Junior and Senior Infants have the opportunity to use Balance Bikes in lessons, thanks to the Waterford Sports Partnership. 5th and 6th class pupils receive lessons in cycling. This includes road safety and culminates in a cycling “tour” of Tramore.
We take full advantage of being a seaside town with wonderful resources at our disposal. 5th and 6th class students participate in surfing lessons incorporating water safety skills with local surf schools.
All classes have access to our school garden and will plant all sorts of plants and vegetables. The children take great care tending to their crops and the highlight of every year is the harvest, which always includes taste-testing!
There is a strong tradition of tennis within our school, thanks to links with our local club here in Tramore. Each year, students participate in the Schools Competition, travelling the length and breadth of the province.
Our 2nd and 3rd classes attend swimming lessons in Splashworld every year and we hold our traditional school swimming gala there too.
Every class in Holy Cross goes on an annual school tour. Destinations include open farms, SETU Arena, Enniscorthy, Castlecomer Discovery Park, our own locality of Tramore and Dunmore East Adventure Centre.
Although some have already been mentioned, there are a plethora of sports available to the students in our school, through the curriculum and also thanks to visiting coaches. Some of those we’ve had the pleasure of learning from include Rugby Ireland, Cricket Ireland, FAI and GAA.
In Holy Cross we have Sports Days in Term 3. The focus is on participation and fun.
The children in Holy Cross learn lots of different methods of creating art. Our pieces can be seen any day on a walk through our corridors. We also make a point of entering art competitions every year. Students have had great success in many of these over the years including the Credit Union art competition.
There is a strong tradition of Music within Holy Cross. The children perform shows each Christmas and every four years we stage a musical within the school which includes sound, lighting and everything needed to produce a major stage production. Have a look at our recent production of “Holy Cross Hits” here.
Each year, our 6th class students are offered the opportunity to join the Debate Club. In this club the children’s critical thinking, communication and research skills are developed. The team takes part in the Concern Primary Debating competition each year. In the past, Holy Cross have been very successful, going as far as becoming Regional Winners.
Thanks to the fantastic teachers and TY students in Ardscoil na Mara, our 6th class students attend paired Science workshops in the secondary school. It’s a great opportunity for our students to acquaint themselves with the secondary school as well as helping to foster an interest in Science subjects as they move on in their education.
