SCHOOL HISTORY

The Jesus & Mary Secondary School, Enniscrone, derives its ethos and tradition from St. Claudine Thevenet, foundress of the Congregation of Jesus & Mary. She was born in Lyon, France, in 1774 and lived through the horror of the French revolution. As a result of this experience she worked to relieve the suffering among the poor and orphaned children. Her whole life was centered on loving and serving God and leading others to love and serve Him. Her aim was to make Jesus and Mary known and loved by means of a truly Christian education. The sisters of Jesus and Mary came to Ireland in 1912 to continue the work that St.Claudine had begun. In 1940, at the invitation of Dr Naughton, bishop of Killala, a school was opened in Enniscrone. The educational aims and objectives of the school which respect the educational philosophy of St.Claudine are based on gospel values. By it's attentiveness to the individual, openness to the world and focus on Gospel values, the education offered integrates and enriches the personality at the human, religious and social levels as well as at the level of preparation for commitment and responsibility. The school was opened for girls only, but in 1967, to meet local demands, the school became co-educational. Since then the school has continued to grow and to flourish. The building of a new extension in 1986-1987, incorporating modern facilities for all educational and extra-curricular activities, has provided better opportunities for all, pupils, teachers and parents, to cooperate in the work of education.

ST CLAUDINE THEVENET