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RSE and SPHE POLICY

Ratified by the BOM March 2006

SCHOOL PROFILE

Maryfield College is a Roman Catholic Secondary School for Girls

ENROLMENT

640 students entering at 1^st Year at age 12/13 years.

4^th year is offered to students after Junior Certificate as an optional year.

CATCHMENT AREA

Students are drawn from the north Dublin city area; Beaumont , Clontarf, Coolock, Santry, Marino, Griffith Avenue , Fairview as well as the satellite towns of Swords and Ashbourne.

The catchment reflects:

An increasingly multi-cultural and sub-urban lifestyle
Most parents actively choosing the single gender and Catholic ethos of the school
Student experiences reflecting all the possibilities-strengths and challenges that face modern families.

OUR SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY

We see the school above all as a community in itself, made up of management, staff, parents and pupils, all united in a common purpose and working together to achieve its common aims. Our task is to draw out the varied talents and gifts of each pupil, recognising her individuality, yet calling on each one to make a contribution to the whole group. For young people especially, school is a time of growth – growth in knowledge, in understanding, wisdom and responsibility towards themselves and others. The measure of each ones growth is the measure of the enrichment of the entire group.

The school motto, ‘in fide stabilis’ dates back to the establishment of the school in 1945. We hope to continue to offer to young people a place of stability during their school years, a place where they can become steadfast in their own faith, faith in their parents/ guardians, teachers, friends, a real faith and belief in themselves and above all faith in a personal Christ.

In working out this philosophy, Maryfield has always stressed as important:

That there is a good balance between the academic, social and spiritual growth of the person.
That the school is a happy place and the atmosphere is characterised by friendliness and a caring relationship between staff, pupils and parents.
That Christian values are lived in school e.g. freedom, love, justice, self-discipline, faith-centredness, truth, respect.
That the school by constantly adapting provides and education for today
That emphasis is placed on the pastoral care of each individual.

WHAT THE SCHOOL CURRENTLY PROVIDES

R.E. programme, which discusses relationships, values, peer pressure, conflict and decision-making
Pastoral care structure based on Year Head and Class Tutors
Possibility of one to one conversations with the school councillor for students having difficulty settling into the school and other issues.
Anti-bulling strategy and programme of prevention emphasising respect for the rights and dignity of others.
Education about human physiology and human reproduction – Science and Home Economics class.
Home Economics for Junior Cert, which discusses relationships within the family, maturity, adolescence and dealing with conflict, independence and responsibility.
Visits by speakers on topics such as anti-bullying, drugs and alcohol misuse and hygiene, health and sexual maturity.
A social and Health programme as past of the core curriculum in 4^th Year.

WHAT IS SPHE

Social, Personal and Health Education, as part of the curriculum supports the personnel development, health and well being of young people and helps them create and maintain supportive relationships.

The Education Act (1998) emphasises that schools should promote the social and personal development of students and provide health education for them. The Department of Education has approved a new syllabus for S.P.H.E. in post Primary schools, at Junior Cert level. S.P.H.E. is being introduced to all school on a phased basis form September 2000. This will build on the experience of all children at Primary level.

The modules are:

Belonging and integrating
Self-Management: a sense of purpose
Communication Skills
Physical Education
Friendship
Relationships and Sexuality
Emotional Health
Substance Abuse
Personal Safety

DEFINITION OF RSE:

Relationship and Sexuality is part of a wider programme of Social Personal and Health Education.

Its aims are:

To help young people understand and develop friendships and relationships
To promote an understanding of sexuality
To promote a positive attitude to ones own sexuality and in ones own relationships with others
To promote and respect for reproduction
To enable young people to develop attitudes and values toward their sexuality in a moral, spiritual and social framework.

ORGANISATION OF RSE IN OUR SCHOOL

Bearing in mind the sensitive nature of the content of the RSE module, the possible concerns of parents and teachers and the need for partnership in this area. The school asserts

The rights of parents to be consulted about and to be made aware of the content of the RSE programme as taught in our school
The right of parents to withdraw their children from the RSE class.
The right of parents to be consulted as part of the evaluation and review process
The right of parents to be further informed of amendments to the course content.