Curriculum
At Stella Maris School, pupils study our unique curriculum, which provides for a Catholic and classical education. We understand and appreciate that Theology is the queen of the sciences and that all our learning is ultimately aimed at coming to know, love and serve God better in this world, so as to be happy with Him forever in the next. As such, all subjects are seen as means to help us to understand God, others, ourselves and creation better. Awakening and maintaining a sense of wonder and awe at God and at His creation is a key aim of our curriculum. Each subject has its part to play in this goal and so the study of each subject is seen as being imbued with divine meaning.
Dorothy Sayers' renowned essay, 'The Lost Tools of Learning', as well as Laura Berquist's 'Designing Your Own Classical Curriculum', have been inspirational in the creation of our school's curriculum. The Trivium of classical education refers to the three stages of learning of the student whilst they are still learning to learn. These stages are Grammar, Logic and Rhetoric. Sayers states that the grammar stage is from the ages of about 9-11 years, the logic stage is from 12-14 years, and the rhetoric stage from 15-16 years. The early years of education are focussed largely on the child's ability to read, write and do arithmetic. Following this classical outline of education, our primary school helps children to learn the essential academic basics, as well as teaching them grammar and logic. Ultimately, our curriculum has the goal of all classical education, which is to teach children how to learn and how to think well.
The formation of wise, virtuous and happy students requires not only the correct method of a classical education, but also the choosing of quality materials in essential subject areas. Stella Maris School has liaised with an established classical educational community in order to combine the best of internationally available materials with our Irish resources to provide a first class educational experience for our students. Stella Maris School is very pleased to be able to offer an unrivalled array of subject areas to its students. The subjects provided for are: English, Gaeilge, Maths, Catechism, Geography, Science, History, Art, Music, P.E., French and Latin.
The study of Latin as a part of the primary curriculum has many important advantages. Liturgically, it is the sacred language of the Church; academically, it gives the basis for learning any of the Romantic languages, and it provides for an unparalleled enrichment of one’s English vocabulary. Our Irish language is a central part of our Irish culture; the teaching and promotion of the Irish language is an essential part of our school life. Music is also a vital constituent of a school’s culture; Stella Maris School will provide its students with the opportunity to learn Gregorian chant, as well as many important traditional hymns and songs ‘as Gaeilge’. The heart of the school’s culture is primarily determined by its teaching of religion. The teaching of traditional catechisms, Bible studies and exploring the Lives of the Saints will be combined with daily prayer and regular school Masses, to comprise the religious curriculum of Stella Maris School.
