Our Catholic Ethos and Pastoral Care
Fr. Crawford gives a blessing to the Pupils of 6th Class at their Graduation.
St. Fergus’ National School is a Catholic primary school under the patronage of Dr. Brendan Leahy, Bishop of Limerick. Our school community is built on the values of respect, inclusion, compassion, and care for all, as rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. These values guide how we treat one another, how we learn together, how we care for the well-being of every child and they permeate each day’s activities in St. Fergus’ NS.
Religious Education is taught in all classes using the approved Catholic religious programme, and children are prepared for sacraments including First Penance, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation in partnership with families and the parish. We also attend school and parish Masses during the year, including our Start-of-Year and End-of-Year celebrations, and on other significant occasions such as Feast Days.
We recognise and warmly welcome the diversity of beliefs and backgrounds within our school community. While St. Fergus’ National School is a Catholic primary school and Religious Education is part of the core curriculum, we are committed to respecting the rights of all families in matters of conscience and belief.
In line with our Admissions and Enrolment Policy, parents/guardians of pupils from non-Catholic backgrounds may request that their child be excluded from Religious Education classes and sacramental preparation. Where such a request is made, the school will work respectfully with the family to provide alternative supervision or a suitable learning activity, depending on available resources and staff.
Our school remains guided by shared values such as respect, empathy, inclusion, and care for others, which are embedded throughout all aspects of school life. We aim to ensure that all pupils—of all faiths and none—feel valued, safe, and included in our community
At St. Fergus’ NS, we believe that education is about the whole child—intellectual, spiritual, emotional, and social development. Our duty of care goes beyond academic learning. We promote a school culture where children feel safe, heard, and supported. We make it clear to all pupils that their voices matter and that trusted adults in our school are always available to listen.
Where appropriate, and always with sensitivity and care, we work with external support agencies when a child’s needs extend beyond what the school can provide. In doing so, we aim to support every pupil to grow and flourish in a positive, inclusive, and nurturing environment.
