Our school was set up by the Dominican sisters soon after they moved to the area. The old school building was built in 1865. The founding sisters had no financial support but there was great support for the school from the local population. Although Cabra was a rural area within walking distance of the city, pupils came from as far as Finglas, Blanchardstown and the city to the school daily. It educated both boys and girls and was noted for its high records of attendance. There were about 150 pupils in the school at that time.
In 1883 it joined the national system of schools. It undertook the ideas of Froebel and the kindergarten system in its junior classes, which helped to make an enjoyable learning environment for the children. Froebel’s philosophy of learning is still a strong element in our school today. His theory highlights the importance of creating a happy, positive environment in which the child can learn and express themselves as an individual through exploration and play.
“The play of children is not recreation; it means earnest work. Play is the purest intellectual production of the human being, in this stage … for the whole man is visible in them, in his finest capacities, in his innermost being.” ~ Friedrich Froebel
Between the early 1930’s Cabra changed from being a rural area to being a large suburban area of the city. It became home to many young families and the number of pupils in the school dramatically increased and overcrowding became a huge problem. Work began on the present day St. Catherine’s building in 1942. It was to have 26 rooms, staffrooms, cloakrooms, toilets and a domestic science room. It would have 2 sections run by two different principals, a junior school for boys and girls (taught in separate classes however), and a senior girls school. In 1944, the first four classrooms were opened with the remainder opening soon after. In 1950/51 there were 2,401 pupils in the school!
In 1979 Pope John Paul II spent his time in Ireland in the Papal Nunciature on the same grounds as the school and convent. He also used the convent for the purpose of meetings, whilst on his visit.
Now St Catherine’s Junior School caters for boys and girls from Junior infants to First Class, with 10 mainstreams classrooms, our Stars Class for children with Autism, a library, computer room, hall, maths room, staff room, secretary’s office and principal’s office. After First Class, our girls go upstairs to St Catherine’s Senior School and our boys typically go to St Finbar’s in Cabra or St John Boscos on the Navan Road. Fledgling’s Pre-school have a class on our premises also.
We love our school. Call in and visit sometime!