School History

Holy Family Community School opened its doors to 73 students in September 1981. It was to cater for 510 students. This represented a huge achievement for the communities of Rathcoole, Newcastle and Saggart. In 1975 a committee was formed to lobby for a Post-Primary School. This committee had representatives from Newcastle and District Residents’ Association, Saggart/Rathcoole Community Council and the parent representatives on the Boards of Management of Saggart, Rathcoole, Newcastle and Scoil Chrónáin National schools.

The first meeting of the Board of Management was on 17th June 1981. The trustees appointed to our school were the Holy Ghost Fathers, the Presentation Sisters and the County Dublin Vocational Education Committee, reflecting the inclusive ethos and vision of our school. There was a tremendous sense of excitement at being part of the new Community School movement in education, where all the children in the community were to be educated together.

Our vision statement sees our school as a community of students, staff, parents and the Board of Management. We are committed to developing a community of learners. We believe that education provides opportunity for all. We nurture the well-being of all so that they may grow in knowledge and compassion. We strive to provide a school that promotes academic excellence and enables all students to realise their full potential. Our programmes, curricular and extra-curricular, develop the whole person. These educational objectives are achieved through partnership with parents, national schools and the local community.