Principal’s Welcome

Welcome message from the Principal

‘Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire’

W.B Yeats

Welcome to Our Lady’s School website, a school where we believe in the transformative power of education for young women. Our founding Sisters, the Religious of Christian Education, established Our Lady’s School in 1953 with the aim of providing young women with the opportunity to experience a holistic education rooted in Christian values and to strive for academic excellence in a happy, joyful atmosphere.

Today, we follow in the footsteps of our early Sisters, whose congregation was founded in 1817 by Abbé LaFosse in France, by continuing their mission encapsulated in our motto ‘Maria Vitae Porta’, Mary Gate of Life. Like those enlightened Sisters, we view education as a journey, one during which it is our privilege to support and nurture our students’ unique  talents, interests and abilities through our broad academic programme.

By encouraging our students to engage in our multi faceted co and extra curricular programme  including Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Camogie, Hockey, Gaelic Football, Tennis and Swimming, Choir, MUN, Lego Club to name but a few; and to search for truth by developing a social conscience through charitable endeavours, our students flourish academically, spiritually, physically and emotionally. Our teachers’ dedication to our students is evident in our State Examination results and our Subject Department Inspection Reports; both of which are testament to our long tradition of academic excellence.

Located next to Bushy Park, our students not only enjoy the benefits of the outdoors but also our new Olympic sized air dome which offers indoor basketball courts, badminton courts, pickleball courts and an Astro turf  football pitch. Our long tradition of caring for our students’ wellbeing is also nurtured by our unique House system, through which students forge friendships within their Year group but also across the school First to Sixth Year when they are placed in one of our five Houses: St Bridget’s House, St. Colmcille’s House, St.Laurence’s House, St.Muireann’s House or St.Patrick’s House. Our students are also supported by the Le Chéile Trust, whose Education Centre is located on our campus.

W.B Yeats succinctly captured the significance of igniting a passion in students for critical thinking, questioning and creating which are at the heart of the education we provide in Our Lady’s School. As you peruse our website  I hope you gain a sense of our love of learning  and the strength of our strong school community bonds which can be experienced at our annual Open Day.

Le gach dea ghuí,

Gráinne Byrne

Principal