About Us
School History
Sacred Heart School, now Christ King Girls' Secondary School, opened in Sunview House in September 1965. Mother Ursula (Manager), Sr. Eucharia (Principal), pictured left, Mother Paul and Teresa Tracy staffed the new school which then had its first two classes of 68 pupils
In September 1966, Sr. Berchmans, Sr. de Lourdes
and Shiela Murphy joined the staff, followed in 1967 by Mary Cotter (Hurley)
and in 1969 by Sr. Helen Dobbyn and Margaret Moran. Meanwhile the number of
pupils on roll grew steadily.
The first Leaving Certificate group left the
school in 1971, having achieved excellent results. As well as the house, the
school now comprised of several prefabricated rooms, while plans for a beautiful
new building were being formulated to accommodate the 400 pupils on roll.
In 1971, Sr. Berchmans Murphy succeeded Sr. Eucharia Hogan as
the principal. The staff continued to grow and now formed a young, enthusiastic,
idealistic group who worked tirelessly to attain the highest standards, not
only in the academic field, but also in Games, Debating, Music and numerous
other extracurricular activities. Many local and national awards were presented
to the school. Both staff and pupils have fond memories of those early days.
The main school structure was finally begun
in 1971 and completed in September 1974, when the first classes occupied the
new school. However, on 17th October 1976, tragedy befell when a large portion
of the school was destroyed by fire. Fortunately, a complete restoration was
carried out within a year.
Sr Gertrude O' Grady became the school's third principal in 1977, while Sr. Eucharia continued as Manager. There were also 500 pupils on roll and a large staff employed. The school continued in the next few years to build on the tradition of the earlier days. Extra curricular activities, which increased year by year, continued to achieve the same excellent results.
There
was a note of sadness in the history of the school in 1983, when our esteemed
Vice-Principal, Teresa Treacy, pictured here, died tragically in an accident
at her home, Ar dheis De go raibh a h-anam dilis.
Sr Gertrude continued as Principal and Mary
Hurley became Vice-Principal in March 1983. The school was blessed in May
1986 by Bishop John Buckley. There was a rededication ceremony when the name
Sacred Heart became Christ King to establish links with the parish.
St. Catherine Goode became Principal in 1985, succeeding Sr. Gertrude who has successfully directed the school for eight years
The wheels of time continued to roll and
history was made in 1986 when theschool's first Board of Management was established.
Composed of representatives of the Trustees, Staff and Parents, the Board
has responsibility for the overall management of the school.
It was decided in 1988, to replace the prefabricated buildings which had been in use for some years. An already impressive sum of money had been collected by hardworking and dedicated fundraising groups and this was augmented by the proceeds of a major confined draw. The efforts of all involved were crowned with the success when a fine twelve classroom extension, was officially opened and blessed in January, 1989.
Another milestone in the history of the
school was marked in the appointment of the first lay 
Principal,
Jean Geoghegan in September 1990. The Presentation Congregation, which continues
to act as trustee to the school, had taken this momentous decision, after
very serious deliberation. Members of the Congregation remain on the school
staff and on the Board of Management. A warm welcome was extended to Jean,
who joined us from her former appointment as Vice-Principal in Carrigaline
Community School.
In the school year 1990 - 1991 there were
many minor but significant changes. The exterior of the main building was
entirely refurbished and a fine new administration block was constructed.
A spacious modern computer room with 16 Apple Macintosh computers was furnished
and opened to all classes. The school uniform with a new crest, was redesigned
to suit the needs of the girls. Lockers were installed in all classrooms.
The year '93 - '94 brought further development. A new Physics laboratory was furnished to relieve the demand on the two existing laboratories. Twelve additional color computers were acquired and new more advanced technology is on the way. Very modern Art equipment including a kiln have enhanced the art department. Advanced video and camcorder appliances, including the editing suite, have given new life to the film studio.
In 1993 a monster fund raising drive
raised over €127,000 for a proposed P.E. / Concert Hall. Further funding
is required before the venture can be realised.
The Transition Year, though not obligatory,
was extended in 1994 to all pupils. Also a group of senior students was offered
the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme in addition to their normal senior
courses.
Boards of Management are elected subsequently in three year cycles to continue the very important work of developing the school. The Education Act, 1988 formalized the role and responsibility of the Board under the guidance of the Trustees.
In 1995 the school roll numbered 892
pupils with a staff of 49 permanent teachers and 6 part-time. Another block
of 4 classrooms and a social area was constructed. The school number is standing
at 920 pupils and 51 permanent teachers in 1999. The new P.E. / Concert Hall
has now been approved by the D.E.S. (Department of Education and Science)
.
In summer 2000 Mrs Jean Geoghegan was seconded to work for the Department of Education & Science as a Regional Co-ordinator of the School Development Planning Initiative for a 2 year period. In September 2000 Mrs Kathleen Feeney was approved acting principal for two years. The number of students for the year 2002/2003 is 939 with 55 permanent teachers as well as a number of temporary wholetime staff. The new extension finally came to fruition in 2003 consisting of a state of the heart P.E. Hall, Stage, two Science Laboratories, Computer Room, Art Room, Multi Media Presentation Room, Science Demonstration Laboratory, Library, Geography Room, Guidance Suite, Staff Room and a new modern Administration Office. (Pictures of our new extension)
These wonderful new facilities were officially opened and
brought the school campus up to the standard of the most modern schools in the country.
The number of students for the year 2002-2003 reached 939 with 55 permanent teachers and 7 temporary
whole-time staff. In 2005, the student population reached 1003 with 62 permanent staff and 4 temporary
whole-time staff. A second Deputy Principal, Mary O'Mahony was appointed.
In 2006, the 40th Anniversary of the school's opening was celebrated by the school community. An evening of reminiscence and shared memories was enjoyed by all, as the story of Christ King Secondary School was recalled with pleasure and gratitude. A new block of 6 classrooms was added to the school complex in September 2006 to accommodate the increasing number of students. The original school was modernised and uggraded at the same time.
Mission
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Christ King is a Catholic Secondary School under the trusteeship of the Presentation Sisters.
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Our mission is to respect the uniqueness of each person within the school community.
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We are committed to providing an environment within which the development of intellectual and spiritual values is of prime importance.
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Our hope is that this mission will be fulfilled in co-operation and partnership with pupils, parents and the wider community.