De La Salle College
Churchtown, Dublin 14
De La Salle College Churchtown
De La Salle College has served the local Churchtown Community for over 70 years and we are very proud of our traditions that have built up over this time. We are a medium sized school with small classes which gives us the opportunity to know our students as individuals. Visitors to the school comment on the warm atmosphere they experience on entering the College and the positive relationship between staff and students.
Every parent worries about their child as they make the transition from Primary to Secondary School. Here in De La Salle College we try to make this transition as smooth as possible. We have groups of our students who go out to primary schools to help with sport activities. We also run an introductory sports camp which is designed to welcome our new students and help them settle into their new school. Our 5th Year Mentors provide a “Buddy” system for all First Years.
We have a very hard working, dedicated staff, teaching a wide range of subjects, at both Junior and Leaving Certificate Level. Teachers work in partnership with parents to provide the very best academic education in a caring supportive environment.
We are a Catholic College which welcomes students from many faiths and none, in an atmosphere of understanding and respect. Our College motto Recta Sapere, means to savour what is right, which we interpret to have correct judgement and to have the courage to follow through on it. We encourage all our students in a proud Lasallian tradition to respect and care for everyone they meet, in whatever circumstances they may find themselves.
We have a strong Pastoral Care System. Students have the support of all staff including Year Heads, Class Tutors, Additional Educational Needs Teachers, Guidance Counsellor and the SNA Team.
Our college aims to provide a holistic education. Students are encouraged to develop their personal, social and leadership skills by participating in all aspects of school life. There is a wide variety of sports, committees and clubs which are available to students at lunchtime and after school. They have opportunities to become Mentors, Prefects and members of the Student Council and the Lasallian Aminator Team.
De la Salle College is part of the Le Chéile Trust which supports the commitment to Catholic education for the future. The hopes and aspirations of La Sallian education as supported by the Le Chéile Trust, will help ensure that the highest standards of academic excellence are achieved.
Staff, students and parents work in partnership to ensure that De La Salle College is a centre of teaching and learning excellence and a safe, happy environment where students reach their full potential
Philosophy
In keeping with the religious and educational philosophy of that Congregation, “The Lasallian School of today must ensure a good academic level, good discipline, good atmosphere for life and work and a good reputation”.
De La Salle College is proud to welcome all students, and seeks to provide a quality educational service for all of the students to the best of its ability. All school policies, practices and the general atmosphere of the school, allied to the excellent relations among the students, and between the students and the teachers and staff, combine to encourage the participation, integration and attainment of all the students.
Mission Statement
De La Salle College Churchtown is a Catholic, voluntary, Coeducational secondary school founded by the De La Salle Brothers and now under the trusteeship of the Le Cheile Trust.
The College seeks to foster each student to achieve his full potential, academically, physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually, in a safe, caring environment and in an atmosphere of mutual respect.
College Motto
The College motto “Recta Sapere” means “Correct Judgement” which we interpret as
“The wisdom to know what is
right and the courage to do it”.
School Prayer
Let me be the change I want to see
To do with strength and wisdom
All that needs to be done...
And become the hope that I can be.
Set me free from my fears and hesitations
Grant me courage and humility
Fill me with spirit to face the challenge
And start the change I long to see
Today I start the change I want to see
Even if I’m not the light
I can be the spark
In faith, service and communion
Let us start the change we want to see
The change that begins in me
Live Jesus in our hearts forever!
College Background
John Baptist De La Salle founded the De La Salle Brothers in the 17th century in order to educate young people. The first De La Salle School in Ireland was opened near the end of the 19th century. Since then the De La Salle schools have established an excellent reputation in educational standards. Archbishop John Charles McQuaid invited the Provincial of the De La Salle Order to establish schools in Churchtown in the early 1950’s.
De La Salle College Churchtown was officially opened in 1952 and moved to its present site in 1957. Since then the College has extended on two separate occasions, in 1986 and 1997, in 2024 we also added a new Home Economics Building.
In 2022 / 2023, the College celebrated its 70th Anniversary of providing education to the students of Churchtown and its surrounds.
In the 2023 Academic Year the College became a Coeducational school, welcoming girls for the first time.
The College now has an extensive range of facilities which we continue to improve on an ongoing basis. We strive to provide the very best safe, happy learning environment for our students and look forward to the future with confidence.
