Bunscoil Bhríde, Rathangan
An Active School, a Green School, a Digital School of Distinction and a STEM Award-Winning School
Admissions 2025/26
Applications for Admissions for the 2025/26 school year will open on Friday 25th October and close on Friday 15th November. See Admissions Notice here. Applications for Admission will be distributed to all local preschools on 24th October and will be available on request from the school office and to download on our school website.
Bunscoil Bhríde is a 19-teacher girls’ primary school, located in the picturesque village of Rathangan, in Co. Kildare.
In September 2020, we opened our Bluebells Class; a special class for girls with Autism.
We are very proud to have been recognised and awarded as an Active School, a Digital School of Distinction and are one of the few schools in the country to have been awarded eleven Green Flags. We are also recipients of the Discover Primary Science Award over the last twelve years and boast success in a range of team sports.
At Bunscoil Bhríde we provide high quality education in a safe, respectful, happy, collaborative and inclusive environment that builds the foundation for life-long learning.
We aim to nurture a Christian atmosphere that cultivates good relationships, strong friendships and teamwork, based on kindness and respect between staff, pupils, parents and the local community. Our vision is a school community where all children feel loved, valued, respected and encouraged to develop to their fullest potential.
Maria Rogerson
Principal
Bunscoil Bhríde School News
- View our school calendar for 2024/25
- September Assembly
- See our Junior Infants exciting first week at school!
- Graduation 2024
- Day of celebration for our 11th Green Schools Flag and 4th Active Schools Flag!
- Cycling Safety Course
- Senior Sports Day
- Junior Sports Day 2024
- April Assembly
- 6th Class Fair
- Senior Football Team Wins!
- Drumming Workshop
- Seachtain na Gaeilge
- Céilí i gcomhair Seachtain na Gaeilge
- World Book Day 2024
- February Assembly
- Gardening workshop with Paddy Madden
- Fifth and Sixth Class Quiz in Rathangan B.N.S.
- Irish Dancing with Carmel Somers
- Visit to Leinster House with Aideen Cross
- Offical Opening of our new Bluebells Playground
- Grandparents’ Day 2024
- January Assembly
- Debating Semi-Final
- Santa’s Visit to Bunscoil Bhríde!
- December Assembly
- Christmas Fundraiser
- Credit Union Art Competition Winners
- Basketball Success for our Senior Girls!
- Parent’s Day 2023
Recent Newsletters
- Fortnightly Bulletin – 10th October 2024
- Fortnightly Bulletin – 26th September 2024
- Fortnightly Bulletin – 12th September 2024
- Fortnightly Bulletin – 29th August 2024
Parents’ Association
Other News
- November Assembly
- Science Fair 2023
- Bunscoil Bhríde debaters through to Kildare Semi-Final!
- Maths Week 2023
- October Assembly
- Bluebells Day 2023
- Spooky Walk 2023
- Friendship Week 2023
- Bunscoil Bhríde Debating Team
- Brigid 1500 Programme
- Our First Student-led Assembly
- National Fitness Day 2023
- A Visit from Úna Curran
Bunscoil Bhríde Parents’ Association, is proudly collaborating with 14 other primary schools in South Kildare to introduce a Voluntary Smartphone Pact starting this month.
The Voluntary Smartphone Pact gives parents the option to collectively agree to delay the purchase of a smartphone for their child while they are in primary school. The aim is to:
- Introduce a voluntary no smartphones pact at school.
- Restrict online access for your child.
- Provide educational information to support child online safety.
Why
Significant concerns have been raised about the potential negative consequences of smartphones for children. This includes an increased risk of:
- Cyberbullying
- Self-Harm
- Reduced Concentration
- Depression and anxiety
- Access to pornography and violent content
- Poor academic performance
- Suicidal ideation
- Online predators
- Impact on relationships
Collectively, we believe that this alliance will function as a tool to address the above issues and in turn, reduce peer pressure on children to want a smartphone as they will not be the “odd one out.” Parents will also feel reduced pressure from their children to purchase one.
How
- Survey:
- An anonymous survey will be sent out to each class, in each school, for parents to fill in, with four brief questions.
- The responses will be analysed, and the results will be given to each class.
- E.g.: 99% of Junior Infants parents have opted in to not buying their child a smartphone this year
- Information Night:
- This night will be to provide additional information to parents and answers to any questions that may arise. There will also be speakers on the night to discuss the impact of smartphones on children under 12 years old.
Date: 18TH September 2024
Time: 7.30 pm
Venue: CMWS Hall, Saint Brigid’s Square, Kildare Town, Kildare. R51 WN51
Tickets: this is a free event and tickets are available on: https://skssmartphonealliance.com
Projects and Activities
Fifth class recently took part in a fabulous sewing workshop kindly facilitated by Aideen Cross. Click here to find out more.
School Trips
In November, Third and Fourth Class participated in the ‘Creative Rathangan’ project, which brought them to Tannery Park and Rathangan Library. Click here to read more and view photographs of the trip.
Green Schools
Latest News: In September, the whole-school took part in National Fitness Day. Click here for more information.
Active Schools
Latest News: The Active School Committee was very pleased with our busy Active School week, which took place from Monday 8th April to Thursday 11th April.
Mission Statement
Our Mission
To provide high quality education in a safe, respectful, happy, collaborative and inclusive environment that builds the foundation for life-long learning.
Our Vision
We aim to nurture a Christian atmosphere that cultivates good relationships, strong friendships and teamwork, based on kindness and respect between staff, pupils, parents and the local community.
History of Rathangan
Rathangan gets its name from ‘Iomgháins Rath’, the remains of which still can be seen at the top of the town.
Throughout the years, the town has been shaped by many influences and events such as the 1798 Rebellion, the Grand Canal and Bórd na Móna.