School Ethos
Mission Statement
St. Angela’s School is a girls’ Catholic school which aims to cherish the uniqueness of each individual and develop her to her full potential, in the spirit of the Ursuline ethos.
“Non sibi sed cunctis”
Philosophy & Ethos
Our Philosophy is that you will achieve more with gentleness & kindness. As a Catholic school its primary objective is to participate in the evangelizing mission of the church by fostering a school community where gospel values are lived and taught. Ursuline Education strives to nurture a community where Christian values are respected, lived and taught. It is based on the teachings of St. Angela which emphasise:-
- Personal relationship with God
- The holistic development of each individual
- The dignity and uniqueness of each person
- The importance of courtesy and kindness
- The fostering of courage and confidence to live in justice and truth
- The encouragement of a caring and respectful attitude towards self, others and the environment.
The ethos of Ursuline schools is Catholic. All are expected to have respect for that ethos whilst also respecting the religious beliefs of others. Religious Education has been central to the mission of the Ursuline Congregation since its foundation. Accordingly, religious instruction, liturgical services and prayer are part of daily life in the school and a high level of participation from students is encouraged. Ursuline Education is committed to the principle of collaboration and partnership between students, staff, parents local community, management and trustees.
Pastoral care of students and staff is integral to the life of an Ursuline School
Crest
The coat of arms is a combination of the original arms of the Ursuline Monastery, Rue Saint Jacques, Paris, and an ancient Badge of the Order of Saint Ursula. This badge, dating back to 1607, provides the Laurel Tree with the legend Ursula Laurus (Laurus being an anagram of Ursula). The Laurel Tree is surmounted by a Dove. This is a reference to an old document, which stated that a dove alighted on a tomb in the Cathedral of Cologne to indicate the burial of St. Ursula. The dove is flanked by a Cross, the Christian symbol of victory, and an Arrow symbol of Ursula’s martyrdom. At the base are two Shamrocks, which were added with the arrival of the Ursulines in Ireland in the 18th century.
The coat of arms of the Monastery of Rue St. Jacques shows a Halo surrounding the names of Jesus and Mary blended, three Passion Nails at the base and a Cross on top. Over the halo is a Star, commemorating the star that is said to have shone over the house where St. Angela’s body lay awaiting burial. The Fleur de Lis, right and left of the cross, recalls the patronage by the House of Bourbon to the St. Jacques Monastery.
The Motto, taken from the Book of Daniel, 12.3, was adopted by the order from its early years:
Those who instruct many unto justice
will shine like stars for all eternity.
The Crown and Stars represent the reward promised to those who fullfil the words of Daniel, and to all who live for the Glory of God alone; Soli Deo Gloria.
The Le Chéile Schools Trust
comprises the schools of fifteen religious congregations one of which is the Ursuline Sisters. The aim of the Trust is to carry on the legal, financial and inspirational role of trusteeship that has, up to now, been done by individual congregations. It carries out the legal and inspirational role of trusteeship. This is a significant development in Irish education as the Catholic Church and the individual religious congregations renew and reformulate their commitment to Irish education.
The main objective of Le Chéile is the development of a vision of Catholic education and overseeing its implementation in the schools, encouraging preservation of key aspects of the evangelical heritage of their founding Congregation and to facilitate the opening of new schools if and where the need arises and resources permit.
In the case of non-denominational schools, the aim is to promote the integration of human and spiritual values that permit Catholic values to develop.
The Congregations are currently responsible for fifty-three voluntary secondary schools and are trustees in eight community schools.
To find out more about Le Chéile, visit https://lecheiletrust.ie
