The Mission
Our Student Support Team help to ensure the Coláiste supports the contribution that each member of the school community makes in helping us to realise our school mission. Our Student Support Team meets on a weekly basis to ensure that all of our students needs are being recognised and that relevant supports are put in place to meet these needs. Members of the support team are continuously liaising and working with subject teachers, class teachers and management. Such teamwork coupled with the relatively small size and familiarity of our community helps us to ensure that care is tailored to meet the individual’s needs.
Learning Support/Resource
Coláiste Mhuire fosters equality and inclusion and strives to ensure that the educational needs of all students are catered for in a caring way. Coláiste Mhuire is equipped with a growing Learning Support Department that provides students who are experiencing learning difficulties with the vital support needed to achieve their potential.
Members of our Learning Support Department liaise closely with the surrounding primary schools to establish the needs of individual incoming students. STen scores and information shared, help to determine a student’s ability and skills while also highlighting any difficulties a student may be experiencing in numeracy and literacy.
Students with Special Needs may receive extra help in a number of different ways depending on the needs of the individual child. One to one tuition, small group tuition and team teaching are all utilised within the Coláiste. Students, Parents and Teachers work hand in hand to formulate action plans suitable to the student’s needs. In the Coláiste Mhuire ASD Programme we provide the opportunity for all of our students to achieve the greatest level of meaningful independence whilst at the same time catering for their educational needs. Classes take the form of supported/unsupported mainstream inclusion, learning support classes involving curricular support or classes unique to the ASD Programme such as non-curricular Literacy and Numeracy, Social Skills, Music/Yoga, Personal Care/Occupational Therapy, Cooking etc. and Social Outings into the wider community.
Guidance & Counselling
Our Guidance Department endeavours to support all our students in their journey through secondary education. Our role involves counselling, providing information, educational guidance, career guidance, individual appointments and providing for the personal, educational and social development of all our students. Our Senior Cycle students participate in psychometric testing as well as careers classes, careers counselling, mock interviews, college visits and college presentations. We work in conjunction with the Coláiste’s Student Support Team, Class Teachers, Co-ordinator of Behaviour and Senior Management Team to provide a range of supports which a student may need. Parents and guardians are welcome to contact our Guidance Counsellor with any concerns or queries they may have.
School Chaplain
Here at the Coláiste we have a dedicated Chaplain who provides a discreet and safe service for the pupils. The primary role of the school Chaplain is that of a faith presence in the school. The Chaplain works closely with all members of staff to carry out this responsibility and also extends this to the local parish community. This role is a wide and varied one, ranging from teaching Religious Education, organizing retreats/ prayer services, meeting, listening and supporting students both as groups and on an individual basis while taking an active part in all areas of school life. The role of chaplain is a professional one and a privileged responsibility.
School Completion Coordinator
The SCP Coordinator, Keziah Knight, co-ordinates the day to day school completion activities during the school year. Such activities include additional practical supports for students such as breakfast club and homework & study clubs. Activity clubs are also organised during lunch time each day for 1st Year students. Summertime leisure activities are organised to affirm and reward students who work hard throughout the year.
Home School Liaison Officer
The HSCL scheme is relatively new to Irish Secondary Schools and aims to promote active co-operation between home, school and relevant community agencies in promoting the educational interest of children. Home visits and parental support are an integral part of the HSCL scheme. Mary Dunlea, HSCL Officer is contactable on 086/0412893.
Class Teachers
Due care and attention is paid to the general well- being of the students through the appointment of class teachers. Class teachers are the first point of contact and help pupils throughout the school whenever difficulties arise. Morning assembly is held at 8.50a.m. daily. At assembly the class teacher checks student journals, uniform and punctuality.
Buddy System
The “Buddy System” is a system where each incoming First Year is befriended by a Transition Year/Fifth Year Student whose role is to help ease the transition from Primary to Secondary School. A series of events i.e. a treasure hunt, table quiz, basketball, bowling and soccer tournaments are organised in the school between the First Years and their “Buddies”. Regular events and meetings take place throughout the year. Paired reading activities are also organised throughout the year where TY students tutor the First Year students as a strategy to improve Literacy development amongst both groups.
Student Council
Our students have a valuable contribution to make to the effectiveness of the Coláiste and their involvement in the operation of the school is itself a valuable part of the educational process for them. Our student council gives students an opportunity to acquire the sort of communication, planning and organisational skills which will be of benefit to them in their future lives. It enables students to take responsibility for projects, and to demonstrate that they can manage and bring such projects to successful conclusion. The general objectives of our Student Council include.
To enhance communication between students, management, staff and parents.
To promote an environment conducive to educational and personal development.
To promote friendship and respect among pupils.
To support the management and the staff in the development of the school.
To represent the views of the students on matters of general concern to them.
To organise and partake in a number of fund-raising initiatives in the Coláiste.