Ethos:
The ethos of the school will be centred around the four core principals of Educate Together:
Co-educational - Learner centred - Multi denominational - Democratic
Learner-centred
This obliges the Board to take decisions primarily based on the broad educational and developmental needs of the students over and above other external factors. This for instance, would influence decisions on opening hours, school holidays, code of behaviour and allocation of funds. Many of these decisions involve striking a balance between conflicting obligations.
Multi-denominational
All religious backgrounds should be equally respected in the operation of the school. Included in this definition are humanist, agnostic and atheistic viewpoints and a generic concept of ‘personal creed’. The objective is to create a school culture and practice in which the identity of every learner is guaranteed active support. The underlying concept is that human diversity enhances life, enriches cultures and provides huge educational resources for current and future generations.
Democratically run
Anna Livia is being set up by volunteer groups of parents in a community. Parents have a vital role in the operation of the school and its ethos reflects this. High levels of parental involvement in the work of the school are encouraged.
In order to reflect a true democratic element to Anna Livia, it is proposed that the Board of Management consists of 12 members:
- 2 representatives from the patron
- The principal and 2 members of staff
- 4 parents (no gender requirements)
- 2 community representatives
- A student representative, such as a prefect.