© San Carlo Junior School 2024
My School Pledge
I pledge today to do my best
in reading, math, and all the rest.
I promise to obey the rules
in my class and in the school.
I’ll respect myself and others too.
I’ll expect the best in all I do.
I am here to learn all I can,
to try my best and be all I am.
San Carlo J.N.S Confey, Leixlip is a co-ed
Catholic School under the patronage of the
Archbishop of Dublin.
Pupils range from Junior Infants to Second
Class and include Special Needs pupils and
pupils from overseas. The ethos of the school
is Catholic. However, it also has due regard
for other religons. Pupils are encouraged to
be respectfull and caring of themselves, each
other and authority and of the school buildings
and equipment.
In keeping with our school motto Step to
Success with Confidence we strive to
develop all our children intellectually,
spiritually, physically, asthetically, emotionally
and socially so that they may live a full and
usefull life as pupils and ultimately as adults
in society.
To do this we provide an inclusive curriculum
suited to the needs of all our pupils so that
each may develop to his / her full potential.
We also aim to provide a caring, disiciplined
and structured environment where all our
young pupils feel confident about themselves
and their achievements. All our pupils,
regardless of background, gender and
disability are valued members of our school
and encouraged to feel good about
themselves and their role within their class
and within the school community.
We value the multicultural nature and diversity
of our school population and see it as being
potentially a very valuable means to exploring
multiculturealism and identity in our school.
Our school promotes gender equality amongst
the teachers and staff and all our pupils, boys
and girls, are given equal opportunities in
curricular areas and sporting areas.
Sa scoil seo déanfaimid iarract Gaeilge a
labhairt chomh minic agus is feider. Cuirfimid
failte roimh cách roimh paistí le eagsulacht
cumais agus paistí ó chultura eile.
Our School
San Carlo
Junior School
A history of San Carlo Junior National School
Mission Statement
1981 – 2017
Confey was separated from the Parish of Leixlip in 1979. Fr. Paul Freeney was the first
curate in charge of Confey. He resolved to put the wishes of the first Parish Priest of
Leixlip, Fr. Patrick Savage to rights.
In 1832 Fr. Savage was appointed to Maynooth and Leixlip and his first task was to
build a church in Leixlip. Fr. Savage had a Foundation Stone engraved with St. Charles
Borromeo’s name on it, but the Archbishop of the day, Dr. Murray, had other ideas and
insisted on the church being dedicated to Our Lady.
Despite its chequered history, the Foundation Stone survived, and Fr. Paul Freeney
chose this name for both the church and school in Confey. He then set about building a
school.
San Carlo Junior School opened it’s doors in September 1981 for the first time. There
were six teachers on staff : Mrs. Mc Cann (Principal), Mrs. Buckley (D.P.), Mrs. Divilly,
Ms. King, Mr. Keegan and Mr. Aherne.
The number of pupils on roll was 201. The average class size was 35 and there were
was no Learning Support position in the school. The first Principal of San Carlo J.N.S.
was Mrs. Margo McCann and her D.P. was Mrs. Eva Buckley. Mrs. McCann retired in
2008 after 27 years service to the school. She left behind a rich legacy in the field of
education in our school.
The children who joined Senior Infants and first class in September 1981 previously
attended Scoil Eoin Phoil, Green Lane, Leixlip. These children travelled from Confey to
Green Lane daily by bus until our school opened. The children came from the following
areas: Confey, Glendale, Riverdale, St. Mary’s Park, Avondale, River Forest and the
surrounding areas.
The pupil numbers steadily increased until 1991 when we had 725 children on roll. This
caused a serious accommodation problem due to the late delivery of prefabricated
classrooms which lead to “dual days” for the pupils. This meant that one half of Junior
Infant pupils attended in the morning and the other half of the pupils attended from noon
onwards.Our teaching staff numbered 24 at this stage.
Currently there are 271 pupils enrolled in San Carlo J.N.S. We have 12 mainstream
teachers, two Learning Support teachers, two Resource teachers, 2.83 SNAs, 2 job-
sharing secretaries, one caretaker and four part-time cleaners.
In the early days the school hall played a big part in the life of Confey parish as it was
used for Sunday masses and other parish gatherings while the church was being built.
The first group of children received their First Holy Communion in May 1982. The
ceremony took place in a prefabricated church and Fr. Sean Malone officiated in place
of Fr. Paul Freeney who was ill.
.
The second Principal appointed to San Carlo J.N.S. was Mrs. Eva Buckley and she lead
the school from 2008 until her retirement in December 2011. During her time as
Principal the school was insulated and a new gas boiler was fitted.
Mrs. Bridie Divilly became the third Principal of the school in January 2012. A native of
Galway, she has lived in the parish since she got married. She has worked tirelessly for
the good of the pupils of San Carlo and the wider community. In March 2012 Mrs. Divilly
applied to have new windows fitted throughout the school. Mrs. Divilly retired in August
2014.
The current Principal, Mrs. Catherine Diggins was appointed in September 2014. The
Deputy Principal is Mrs. Regina Fitzgerald. New windows and doors have been fitted, a
lobby area has been created and a full electrical upgrade of the school has been
completed.
San Carlo J.N.S has just been awarded it’s second Active Flag and it’s second Green
Schools Energy Flag. We are also applying for Digital Schools status and will know
shortly if we are successful.
San Carlo Junior School has now reached the stage where we have past pupils
returning as parents and teachers. We also have past pupils who return here to do
Transition Year work experience and Teaching Practice. It is great to see pupils,
teachers, parents and all stakeholders in the community working alongside each other.
The school is fortunate to have a very active Parents Association. Their fundraising and
general involvement in school life has enriched the range of activities and resources
available to the children.
Thanks to their fund-raising efforts the school will be installing a sensory garden and
playground in June 2017. The support of parents over the years has been greatly
appreciated and every cent raised has gone back into resources and activities that
benefit all children.
The future for San Carlo J.N.S. and it’s many pupils looks bright.
Catherine Diggins
Principal.
The uniform for September 2018 will
be
Girls: navy pinafore/trouser with a
blue cardigan/jumper. Tie with a
narrow gold stripe . Blue shirt and
navy/white tights or socks.
Boys: navy trousers, blue jumper,
blue shirt, tie with a narrow gold
stripe and navy/black socks.
(Please remember that pupils may
wear their brown uniform until it no
longer fits)
This uniform is generic therefore all
elements, except the tie, are widely
available from chain stores and on
line.
The tie will be available, at a reduced
rate, solely from the school. I have
spoken with the suppliers and I will
let parents know as soon as they are
ready for purchase. This new change
of colour will make the uniform more
easily available and cheaper to
parents.