Our School's History
The Littlepace area lies between Clonee and Blanchardstown on the Dublin/Meath border but within the boundaries of Dublin 15. Mary, Mother of Hope J.N.S is a Catholic school under the patronage of the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin and forms part of the parish of Huntstown. While the school espouses a Catholic ethos we welcome children of all faiths and none living in the catchment area.
Mary, Mother of Hope National School opened in temporary accommodation in September 2001, on a site purchased by the Department of Education and Science and which originally formed part of Littlepace Stud farm. We had an initial enrolment of 55 pupils, both boys and girls, and three teaching staff.
In subsequent years the school grew extremely rapidly and within a short number of years we were taking in four streams of each class level. We moved into a permanent 16 classroom building in September 2005 and a second building opened in September 2007. This building was dedicated to St Charles Houben Building, reflecting the strong links between the parish of Littlepace and the Passionist Community of Mount Argus. In 2008 it was agreed by all of the partners involved that the best way to meet the educational needs of the children of the Littlepace/Castaheany area into the future was to establish a Junior and Senior school. Mary Mother of Hope opened in September 2008 as Mary, Mother of Hope Junior National School and Mary, Mother of Hope Senior National School - two independent schools with very strong ties!
Mary, Mother of Hope National School opened in temporary accommodation in September 2001, on a site purchased by the Department of Education and Science and which originally formed part of Littlepace Stud farm. We had an initial enrolment of 55 pupils, both boys and girls, and three teaching staff.
In subsequent years the school grew extremely rapidly and within a short number of years we were taking in four streams of each class level. We moved into a permanent 16 classroom building in September 2005 and a second building opened in September 2007. This building was dedicated to St Charles Houben Building, reflecting the strong links between the parish of Littlepace and the Passionist Community of Mount Argus. In 2008 it was agreed by all of the partners involved that the best way to meet the educational needs of the children of the Littlepace/Castaheany area into the future was to establish a Junior and Senior school. Mary Mother of Hope opened in September 2008 as Mary, Mother of Hope Junior National School and Mary, Mother of Hope Senior National School - two independent schools with very strong ties!
Our School Crest

The detail on our school crest contains the following symbols:
- The ring, as a sign of unity
- The book, as a sign of knowledge and learning, containing the Greek letters alpha and omega.
- The lily is the symbol of Mary, Mother of Hope, the patron of the school.
- The name of the school appears in Irish on the outline of the crest.
- The inscription in Latin reads 'Per Scientiam Ad Unitatem', meaning through knowledge to unity and understanding
Board of Management
Boards of Management of primary schools are appointed for a four year term. The term of office for new Boards of Management is from 1 December 2015 to 30 November 2019.
The Board manages the school on behalf of the Patron and is accountable to the Patron and the Minister. The Board must uphold the characteristic spirit (ethos) of the school and is accountable to the Patron for so doing. The Principal is responsible for the day-to-day management of the school, including guidance and direction of the teachers and other staff of the school, and is accountable to the Board for that management.
The Board manages the school on behalf of the Patron and is accountable to the Patron and the Minister. The Board must uphold the characteristic spirit (ethos) of the school and is accountable to the Patron for so doing. The Principal is responsible for the day-to-day management of the school, including guidance and direction of the teachers and other staff of the school, and is accountable to the Board for that management.
Chairperson
Patron's Nominee School Principal Teacher Representative Parent Representative Parent Representative Community Representative Community Representative |
Mary O'Flynn
Fr George Begley Alma Moran Maeve Callery Ken Ash Patricia Gilmartin Janet Baragry Des O'Neill |
Our Mission Statement

Many Cultures,
One Community,
Living, Learning
and
Working Together
Our School Vision
At Mary, Mother of Hope JNS we adopt a child centered holistic approach to ensure that each child’s needs are catered for and strengths nurtured in a welcoming, caring, happy, safe and loving environment.
Parents, staff and members of the wider community work collaboratively to encourage the development of each child to their full potential. We aspire that each child will become a mature, responsible, open minded and respectful member of our community.
Parents, staff and members of the wider community work collaboratively to encourage the development of each child to their full potential. We aspire that each child will become a mature, responsible, open minded and respectful member of our community.
Our School Ethos
Mary, Mother of Hope Junior National School is a Catholic school under the patronage of the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin.
The policies, practices and attitudes of the school are grounded in Christian values.
A spirit of mutual respect and tolerance for difference is promoted within the school community. The school seeks to foster an appreciation of, respect for and celebration of the different religious and cultural backgrounds represented in the school.
The school aims at fostering a sense of community between Management, Teachers, Parents, Pupils and the wider community.
The school aims at promoting the full and harmonious development of all aspects of the child, including his/her relationship with God, with other people and with the environment.
The community of Mary, Mother of Hope JNS place the safety and protection of our children at the core of our thinking.
The school staff aims at making the school a centre of excellence in which high professional standards are maintained and where pupils learn in a safe and happy environment
Teachers are encouraged to develop their personal and professional talents.
Ancillary staff in the school, are highly valued and respected. It is recognised that their work makes a valued contribution to the process of education.
The school recognises and celebrates the dignity and value of each individual child. Teachers are sensitive to the needs and particular circumstances of the pupils in their care.
Close contact is central to the positive experience of the child in school. We aim for parents and teachers to value, respect and support one another. We seek to collaborate as partners, in leading the young people in whose education we play such a crucial role.
The school’s code of discipline reflects Christian values promoted in the school, with an emphasis on forgiveness, reconciliation, new beginnings and hope.
Religious education is provided for the pupils in accordance with the doctrine and tradition of the Catholic Church.
Prayer is a feature of the school day. Children are prepared for the reception of the sacraments in co-operation between home, school and parish. Children are given the opportunity to participate in liturgical celebrations arranged by the school.
The school seeks to identify itself closely with the parish and the wider community and children are encouraged to participate in parish and community activities.
The policies, practices and attitudes of the school are grounded in Christian values.
A spirit of mutual respect and tolerance for difference is promoted within the school community. The school seeks to foster an appreciation of, respect for and celebration of the different religious and cultural backgrounds represented in the school.
The school aims at fostering a sense of community between Management, Teachers, Parents, Pupils and the wider community.
The school aims at promoting the full and harmonious development of all aspects of the child, including his/her relationship with God, with other people and with the environment.
The community of Mary, Mother of Hope JNS place the safety and protection of our children at the core of our thinking.
The school staff aims at making the school a centre of excellence in which high professional standards are maintained and where pupils learn in a safe and happy environment
Teachers are encouraged to develop their personal and professional talents.
Ancillary staff in the school, are highly valued and respected. It is recognised that their work makes a valued contribution to the process of education.
The school recognises and celebrates the dignity and value of each individual child. Teachers are sensitive to the needs and particular circumstances of the pupils in their care.
Close contact is central to the positive experience of the child in school. We aim for parents and teachers to value, respect and support one another. We seek to collaborate as partners, in leading the young people in whose education we play such a crucial role.
The school’s code of discipline reflects Christian values promoted in the school, with an emphasis on forgiveness, reconciliation, new beginnings and hope.
Religious education is provided for the pupils in accordance with the doctrine and tradition of the Catholic Church.
Prayer is a feature of the school day. Children are prepared for the reception of the sacraments in co-operation between home, school and parish. Children are given the opportunity to participate in liturgical celebrations arranged by the school.
The school seeks to identify itself closely with the parish and the wider community and children are encouraged to participate in parish and community activities.