Temple_Carraig_Admissions

After extensive research of the 3 bidders and their commitments my support was given to TempleCarrig's original application (to the exclusion of other competitive bidders) based on their explicit and repeated assurances that they would provide equal access to children of the area regardless of their religion. As someone who attended a COI primary school I have many happy memories of education within the COI ethos. It is therefore all the more disappointing to feel that commitments that were so clearly set out as the fundamental positions and values of the school might potentially be set aside. I personally see this as a real moment of truth for the BOM of TempleCarrig in establishing how this school is established and perceived within the wider community. I hope that the BOM are beginning to appreciate the broad questions and concerns this issue has raised and return to their original policy and principles of open and equal access for all. In this day and age in Ireland surely equal opportunity and access is the only acceptable and responsible example we can set and the only reasonable standard we can accept for our children and our future generations.

.... Church of Ireland is in a minority. Of the 7 feeder schools to Templecarrig, only 2 of them are COI, and one of them so far as I know at least, does not exclusively have COI pupils. Not looking for a row, but I don't think this level of reaction is required.

#8: ArthurG - Just a thought

The trouble is that the secondary school age population is going to double within the next few years:

There are 263 children currently in sixth class in Greystones and 519 in Junior Infants in the seven feeder schools. So Templecarrig and St Davids  will both be heavily oversubscribed within the next few years.

St David's dosn't have a religious priority and Templecarrig gave a clear commitment not to do so when seeking expressions of interest from local parents. Those expressions of interest were what got them the patronage. They got mine and I feel very misled!

#12: Puppy2 -

That's a fair point Puppy2, it would just seem to make sense though to have siblings in the same school from a traffic management point of view and it's far easier for parents. In any school I know of siblings get priority entry and this will benefit any family who gain admission to the school.There is no doubt this school will be over subscribed regardless of any enrolment policy but it would be good to know that the selection process is fair and does not discriminate against children on the grounds of their religion or lack of religion.

#12: Puppy2 -

Without sibling priority parents will be doing mulitple school runs and juggling different schools - we'll all be driving round in circles!

#19: Guest - Concerned!?!?

The question is  whether the patronage was won under false pretences.

It would be interesting to see how a re-run of parental preferences of primary school children would go now given that many parents claim that they gave preference to COI bid on the basis of the school being open to all regardless of religion.

This is why many feel that they were deceived and are upset about this deception.

The first time around a majority of parents opted for non-faith based patronage. This seems to have been forgotten:

Educate together-1440

VEC-577

COI-1843

It would be interesting (and appropriate) to do a re-run on the basis of what has transpired.

#19: Guest - Concerned!?!?

St David's has always welcomed CoI children as well as children of other denominations and none. They don't discriminate against children based on their religion or lack of religion. All children living locally have an equal chance of attending the school if they apply in time.