Our Lady Immaculate JNS
Our Lady Immaculate JNS: A Changemaker School
DCU CSN Membership Our Lady Immaculate Junior National School (JNS) stands as the sole junior school within the Dublin City University Changemaker Schools Network (DCU CSN). The school is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, creative, and empathetic learning environment, supported by various innovative projects and programs.
NTRIS Star Project
Our Lady Immaculate JNS is an active participant in the NTRIS Star Project, aimed at enhancing the attendance and participation of Traveller children in school. Through this initiative, students engage in storytelling and art projects celebrating Traveller culture. Each year, the school hosts a multicultural week, featuring storytelling and workshops that honour diverse cultures. This year, the Meath Travellers Workshop will visit the school, offering insights into Traveller life from 50 years ago. The school also received a commendation in the "Someone Like Me" art competition, promoting disability awareness.
Creativity
At Our Lady Immaculate JNS, creativity is seen as a vital component of mental growth in children. The school offers various art lessons, including sewing and felting, and emphasizes guided play in Junior and Senior Infants to enhance literacy skills. The yearly talent show, a child-led event, showcases the students' creativity and is always a resounding success. Additionally, the children participate in the Music Generation Programme, run by Dublin City Council, providing an enriching musical experience.
Literacy and Numeracy Projects
The school runs the Write to Read Project, fostering a strong motivation towards literacy among students. The Maths Recovery Project extends children’s number knowledge and understanding through unique approaches. Furthermore, the school employs three Reading Recovery teachers, offering targeted intervention for struggling readers, significantly improving reading levels. The recently opened special class for children with autism has been a positive addition, promoting understanding and inclusivity through events like Autism Awareness Week.
Empathy
The Green Schools committee at Our Lady Immaculate JNS has recently been awarded the blue flag, demonstrating their commitment to environmental stewardship. The school’s Wellbeing programme includes an annual Wellbeing Week, featuring activities like drumming lessons, yoga, and art, with opportunities for parents to engage alongside their children. Weekly meditation sessions and yoga classes are integral parts of the Meditation Project, enhancing the overall wellbeing of students.
Leadership
Leadership development is a key focus at Our Lady Immaculate JNS. The school implements the PAX behaviour game, teaching students’ essential self-management skills and promoting a peaceful, productive classroom environment. Students are encouraged to become PAX leaders, serving as role models for their peers. Teachers also receive training to become PAX mentors, further embedding these strategies in the school culture.
Principal's Perspective
“We are really happy in Darndale Junior School to be part of this project. The network offers great opportunities to engage with other schools and we really benefit from the professional development that the projects offer our school. We updated our Code of Positive Behaviour this year and being part of Changemakers really helped us to create our school vision and to develop what our dream school looks like. We have been fortunate to be selected to be the first primary school to have a pilot school nurse attached to our school. This is part of a project between the DCU and the HSE. Because this is a new idea DCU will be monitoring how well it works in our school, to see if it should be offered to other schools in the future. We are delighted to announce that we hope to get the Amber Flag this year. The Amber Flag Initiative recognises the efforts of schools, companies, & groups to create healthy, inclusive environments that support mental well-being”
Principal, Darndale JNS