Grace Park ETNS
Student Council at Grace Park ETNS
At Grace Park ETNS, pupil voice is at the heart of our school community. As an Educate Together school, we believe that every child should have the opportunity to share their ideas, express their opinions, and help shape school life.
"I like that we have access to lots of green areas, especially for Sports Day."
- Saoirse
"I like the outdoor spaces and campus. It’s nice to walk into in the morning"
- Bonnie
"I like the school because everyone’s allowed to be themselves and no one is excluded. We can take a few minutes to relax in our class if we are stuck and need help."
- Olivia
"The pet fish."
- James
Our Student Council is a fantastic example of this in action and plays a vibrant and valued role throughout the school.
The Student Council is made up of representatives from every class from 1st to 6th. We also have additional 6th Class representatives who advocate on behalf of our Junior and Senior Infant pupils, ensuring that the voices of even our youngest learners are heard. Each September, pupils have the opportunity to stand for election and take part in a democratic voting process, learning firsthand about leadership, representation, and active citizenship.
Meeting weekly in our Library, Student Council members come together to discuss ideas, raise issues that matter to their classmates, and work collaboratively to make positive changes in our school. These meetings provide a valuable opportunity for children to develop confidence, communication skills, and a sense of responsibility, while knowing that their opinions truly matter.
"I like how all the teachers make you feel like you belong and once a week all the classes get to calm down and go to the library."
- Isabelle
"I like the way we have such a big library."
- Clio
"Everyone is very friendly and there are no fights."
- Moses
"I like that they support me and my friends when we need help."
- Xander
"All the teachers and ANAs are so nice and friendly and kind."
- Úna
Over the years, our Student Council has led many wonderful initiatives that have enriched school life and strengthened our community spirit. From organising fundraising events for charities and school resources, such as the Student Council Art Show and Hygiene Drive Collections, to publishing a termly school newspaper featuring the much-loved “Pet Page”, their creativity and commitment shine through in everything they do.
"I like how the staff respect and educate us on all the different cultures."
- Iris
"I like the way you always feel safe to ask for help."
- Bronagh
"I like all the sports teams and the extra curriculars."
- Elliott
The Council also helps pupils learn about democracy beyond the classroom. Members have enjoyed exciting and educational visits to Dáil Éireann and have participated in Child Talks events hosted by the Ombudsman for Children's Office, giving them opportunities to engage with wider issues affecting children and young people.
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We are incredibly proud of our Student Council and the enthusiasm, leadership, and positivity they bring to our school. Through their work, they help to ensure that Grace Park ETNS remains a place where every voice is valued, every opinion is respected, and every child can make a difference.
TYPICAL SCHOOL DAY
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Extra Curricular Activities at Grace Park ETNS
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There is always something exciting happening after school at Grace Park ETNS! We are proud to offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities (ECAs) that give children opportunities to explore new interests, develop skills, make friends, and most importantly, have fun.
Our staff-run ECAs take place after school from 2:10pm–3:10pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
In addition to our staff-run activities, we are delighted to welcome a number of external providers who offer a variety of clubs throughout the week. These opportunities allow pupils to further develop their talents and interests in areas such as dance, music, mindfulness, and strategy games. Clubs have included Ballet with Dublin City Ballet School, Sing Dance Academy with Phoenix Stage School, Irish Dancing, Chess Club, Tin Whistle, and Mindfulness Club.
These clubs are always hugely popular and cater for a variety of age groups and interests. Whether pupils enjoy being active, creative, curious, or collaborative, there is something for everyone. Some of the clubs offered throughout the year include Sportszone, Knit and Natter, Jewellery Club, Quiz Club, The Fun Hub, Spanish Club, Arts and Crafts Club, Drama Club, Basketball Club, and Soccer Club.
At Grace Park ETNS, our extra-curricular clubs change each term, offering pupils the chance to try new activities, develop skills, make friends, and have fun beyond the classroom. These clubs are a valued part of school life and a weekly highlight for children and staff.
Information is shared with families via Aladdin, and places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. We encourage all pupils to get involved and make the most of the opportunities available.
FESTIVALS CALENDAR
Festivals Calendar at Grace Park ETNS
As part of our learning within our Ethos Programme, the Learn Together Curriculum, we explore a range of events throughout the year. Educate Together provides an Ethical Education Calendar each academic year, which supports planning across all schools.
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Teachers select events to explore at class level, while some are also shared and celebrated across the whole school community.
You can find the Ethical Education Calendar for the current school year linked here.
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In addition, we host a variety of school events throughout the year. These are outlined in our School Community Booklet, shared at the beginning of each academic year, so families can easily add them to their calendars.
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Our main whole school event is Fáilte Friday which takes place in December each year where children invite their grown-ups into their classrooms to share some of their learning during an open morning.
Each class from 1st-5th Class also hosts an Assembly throughout the year which their parents and guardians are invited to attend.
Our Junior and Senior Infant Classes host an annual Winter Show which their parents and guardians are invited to attend.
Our 6th Class pupils host their Graduation in June to celebrate completing primary school with their parents, guardians and school staff.​​
We advise parents and guardians to keep up to date on school events by reading the monthly School Community Newsletters, weekly Five on Friday updates via Aladdin from their children's teachers and communications from the PGTA via WhatsApp.
SCHOOL TOURS
School Tours at Grace Park ETNS
School tours and trips are a much-loved part of the school year for our students. Each class looks forward to their annual school tour in late May/June, with visits to places such as Clara Lara, Causey Farm, and Puddleducks Farm. We also come together as a whole school for a cinema trip at the end of Term 1, which is always a highlight for everyone
Our 6th Class pupils also enjoy a special overnight tour, made possible through their Movie Night fundraiser, organised by the PGTA and 6th Class team. The annual Movie Night is always a standout event in the school calendar and a real highlight for our 6th Class pupils, helping to fund this memorable experience. In recent years, the overnight trip has been to Carlingford Adventure Centre.
Throughout the year, students from 3rd–6th Class take part in a range of exciting educational outings to support and enrich their learning. These may include visits to Dublinia, IMMA, Glasnevin Cemetery, The Chester Beatty Library, and the National Gallery of Ireland.
As we travel by public transport for these trips, we kindly ask that all pupils from 3rd Class upwards have their own Child Leap Card.
BUDDY SYSTEM
The Buddy System at Grace Park ETNS
At Grace Park ETNS, our school value of Belong is brought to life through our Buddy System.
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Our Junior Infants and 6th Class pupils are paired together, giving our oldest students the opportunity to share their knowledge and reflect on their experiences while welcoming and supporting the newest members of our school community.
Buddy activities take place throughout the year and include paired reading, arts and crafts, assemblies, school trips, and other shared learning experiences.​​​
"We really like doing Buddies together. We like it when we play on yard. Our favourite games to play are 'Cops and Robbers' and 'The Guessing Game'. We like when the Buddies come to our class, sometimes we draw and once we did a quiz about Jolly Phonics. When we are with our Buddies we feel happy!"
- from Daire (Junior Infant) and her buddies Holly and Theo (6th Class)
Belong
"What we like about having a Buddy is that our Buddies come to play with us on the yard. Our favourite games to play with our Buddies are 'Cookie Monster' and 'The Guessing Game'. We think Buddies are good to have because they are very helpful in class and funny in the yard. How we feel when we are with our Buddies:
- Happy
- Crazy
- Jumpy
- Playful
- Joyful.
We love having Buddies because they are helpful when we need them and cheer us up when we are sad."
- from Aoife and her buddies Dean and Francesco
Our whole-school Buddy System extends beyond Junior Infants and 6th Class, with Junior Infants paired with 3rd Class, Senior Infants with 4th Class, 1st Class with 5th Class, and 2nd Class with 6th Class. These partnerships help children form meaningful connections across the school and create a welcoming, supportive community for everyone.
For Junior Infants, having a 6th Class buddy helps make the transition into primary school a little easier. A friendly face in the yard, a helping hand at school events, or a familiar older pupil to look up to can help children feel safe, confident, and part of the school community from the very beginning.
For our 6th Class pupils, being a buddy is an opportunity to step into a leadership role and to care for others. As they prepare for their own transition to secondary school, they develop important skills such as responsibility, empathy, patience, and confidence. Many take great pride in supporting their younger buddies and watching them grow throughout the year.
"As a Buddy we like playing with our friends. We love being with our classmates and their Buddies and feel good when we are with our Buddies. Our Buddies are kind and playful, we love it when our Buddies play with us."
- from Haqqiat and her buddy Rose
The Buddy System reminds us that belonging is something we create together. While our Junior Infants are beginning their journey at Grace Park ETNS and our 6th Class pupils are preparing for the next chapter beyond it, both groups learn from one another, build lasting memories, and discover that kindness, friendship, and community make every transition a little easier.
CYCLE BUS
The Cycle Bus at Grace Park ETNS
At Grace Park ETNS, we are delighted to support a growing Cycle Bus run by parent volunteers. The Cycle Bus departs from Fairview Green in Marino each morning at 8:05am and follows a set route to school. Families are welcome to join at any point along the route.
The Cycle Bus provides children with a safe, healthy, social, and enjoyable way to travel to school. Cycling together allows pupils to build confidence on their bikes, enjoy time with friends, and arrive at school energised and ready for the day ahead.
As Grace Park Road is a busy route with narrow footpaths and limited space for young cyclists, travelling together as part of the Cycle Bus helps make cycling to school a more accessible and safer option for families. It also helps to reduce traffic congestion around the school and encourages active travel within our community.
​The initiative is an important part of our commitment to building a more sustainable school community. By choosing to cycle, families can help reduce carbon emissions, promote healthy lifestyles, and contribute to a cleaner, greener environment for everyone. Just as importantly, the Cycle Bus helps foster connections between families and creates a sense of community before the school day has even begun.
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While the Cycle Bus is still growing, we are excited about its potential and hope to see even more families joining in the years ahead. Every new cyclist helps strengthen this positive initiative and supports our shared goal of creating a healthier, more sustainable school community.
For more information about joining the Cycle Bus or to find out about the route, please contact the PGTA at pgta@graceparketns.com.