Our School
Background
Bishop Galvin Central School is a co-educational vertical school with an enrolment of 225 pupils .
The school is one of the few central schools in the country which caters for all of the children living in the parish of Murragh and Templemartin and was established in 1971 when 4 smaller schools in the parish closed .
It is situated on 3 acres of ground in the small rural village of Newcestown, adjacent to the GAA club.
Vision
All members of the school staff are committed to our school’s vision which is to provide a happy, caring and safe learning environment for all , and to be a welcoming place where children and adults feel they can make a contribution and are valued as individuals. Our school is truly a partnership between children, parents, staff and management and the community as a whole.
Our main priority is to ensure that each child can ‘be the best they can be’ and can flourish in a happy, safe, learning environment.
Restorative Practice
We use restorative practice to address conflict and staff members have been trained in this pro-active approach to bullying. The list of R.P. questions are on display throughout the school, with the emphasis on repairing relationships, taking responsibility for one’s own behaviour and taking steps to repair harm done. Friendship week is truly a cause for celebration with junior and senior classes pairing up to enjoy songs, poems and activities to encourage friendship and parents are invited in to Assembly to celebrate at the end of this special week.
Ethos
Our school has a Catholic ethos in which every child is cared for, nurtured and developed in the image of God. The school is named after a Newcestown native Bishop Edward Galvin who over a hundred years ago, co-founded the Columban Missionary society. We recognise that we are part of a wider parish community and we work together to not only prepare children for the sacraments but to nurture in the children good Christian values where respect and tolerance are key. We are an inclusive school where we acknowledge and welcome pupils from all backgrounds and cultures.
Bishop Edward Galvin
Two years later, Fr. Galvin led the first pioneer band of missionaries to China. They encountered many problems such as poverty, hunger, leprosy and TB. From 1921-1950, China was in constant chaos. In 1927, he was ordained as Bishop of Hangyang. In 1931, 200,000 victims of flooding depended largely on the Hangyang missions for food and aid. In 1937, at the outbreak of war between China and Japan, the Columbans were called upon to care for wounded Chinese soldiers. During World War 2, American and Australian Columbans were considered enemies and forced to return home. Bishop Galvin was expelled from China in 1952 and left for the US before returning to Ireland where he died in late 1957.
Bishop Galvin answered God’s call and throughout his life gave of himself to others and offered 40 heroic years to missionary service in helping others less fortunate than himself.
