Headmaster’s Message
Welcome to the website of St Vincent’s, Castleknock College. As a Christian school in the Catholic tradition, we place Faith, respect for fellow students and for teachers, care for the poor and vulnerable, and growth of self-worth through active participation, as central to the school’s spirit and ethos. We have as our inspiration the role model of St Vincent himself, the educator chosen by our founding fathers to be our patron.
Established in 1835, the college takes pride in excellent academic results achieved by our hard-working students, directed by dedicated teachers and encouraged by supportive parents. The College is consistently placed in the top three boys’ schools in the country for students progressing to third-level. The College mission (outlined on our Ethos page) is to educate the whole person and so, after the best exam results possible, we place sport in a central position, alongside music and the dramatic arts.
Classrooms are modern and well-equipped. Opportunities to get involved in clubs and societies exist through all six years at school. School tours and trips offer extra ways to strengthen friendships and expand horizons. We have a strong link with the Vincentian school in Ambo, Ethiopia, fund-raising for their pupils and sending students to help with their development projects.
Redevelopment of our facilities over recent years now presents the best possible environment for learning. Modern IT facilities and science laboratories complement our upgraded sports facilities which include a dedicated strength and conditioning gym, astro surfaces and a purpose-built sports gymnasium with full sized basketball court and climbing wall.
Student voice and leadership opportunities are key features of the journey through school. These are always under review, responding to changing needs. A student council system involves all students; mentoring programmes for junior students by older seniors help build a strong sense of community. SVP groups, an Ember Team in 5th year and Prefects in 6th year give voice to the call to serve. It is by such opportunities under the guidance of dedicated staff that our mission to live up to the virtues of St Vincent de Paul is brought to life.
I think St Vincent would be proud of a Castleknock College graduate. The more our young men engage during their own time here at “the ‘Knock”, the more a sense of service emerges as they leave to join the generations of past-men who can proudly say they went to a Vincentian school.
Christopher Kinder.
