The Society of the Holy Child Jesus is a small international congregation founded in England in 1846 by an American woman. Cornelia Connelly, founder of the Society and mother of five children, developed an educational system based on trust and reverence for the dignity of every human being. She encouraged Holy Child educators to carry this spirit to students of diverse backgrounds as they sought to respond to the wants of the age. Schools committed to the tradition of Holy Child education share in the Society’s mission to help others to believe that God lives and acts in them and in our world and to rejoice in God’s presence.
Since 1846, educators inspired by the Holy Child philosophy of education have helped students to grow strong in faith and lead fully human lives, have promoted academic excellence, and have sought to instil social responsibility. Holy Child education is a tradition which is rooted in Christian values and is attuned to learning opportunities that enable students to respond to life with joy, commitment and compassion. Students are encouraged to meet diversity and change with confidence in their own gifts and in God.
In Ireland the Holy Child sisters have been involved in second level education in both the community school sector and the voluntary secondary school sector.
Holy Child Community School, a multi denominational school, was founded on a vision of Catholic education which values the worth of each person. The school welcomes students with diverse abilities and talents and in keeping with its Christian ethos, seeks to recognise and develop their varied gifts and to promote in students a sense of self-confidence, tolerance and respect for others.
The congregation will continue to foster the Holy Child tradition of education and to maintain links with the school through the school’s membership of the Holy Child European Network of Schools.
