BAILE MHISTEALA

MEA

NSCOIL NA TOIRBHIRTE Presentation Secondary School

MitchelstownSCHOOL PROSPECTUS

IntroductionWelcome to Presentation Secondary School. We are a Voluntary Catholic Secondary School for girls oper-ating under the trusteeship of CEIST. It supports the Religious and Educational Philosophy of its Foundress, Nano Nagle.

While justifiably proud of our long heritage and tradi-tion, we in the Presentation Secondary School strive for each student to be happy and secure here and reach her potential in a caring and co-operative community. Our school motto ‘Ad Vitam Paramus’ - ‘We are preparing for life’ - summarises the overall ethos of our school.

In this prospectus we give you an overview of school life. If you require any further information please visit our website or contact the school directly. We will be delighted to answer any questions you may have.

Lorraine O’Keeffe.

Mission StatementWe at Presentation Secondary, Mitchelstown strive to educate our students in a Christian environment which encourages each student to develop her full moral, social, cultural, spiritual, intellectual, emotional and physical potential in a supportive community.

We seek to promote a caring and committed school community where learning is nurtured, where gifts are recognised and the dignity of each person is valued.

Pastoral careA Pastoral Care Programme reflecting the Presentation ethos, extends throughout the school. Each class is assigned a Class Tutor who takes a special interest in the welfare and progress of each student.

The Class Tutor operates in close co-operation with the year head, the Deputy Principal and Principal.

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Student Support

Learning supportIn keeping with the presentation ethos of our school, learning support is provided for students with a range of learning difficulties. The special needs coordinator, in liaison with parents and subject teachers, offers any necessary assistance and our resource teachers provide tuition to individuals and small groups.

Absolute confidentiality is assured at all times in providing this assistance.

Our school provides a child-centered support learning programme focused on the needs of the individual girl.

Our school is enriched by the presence of the school chaplain who visits the school regularly. He works with the Religious Education teachers in fostering the spiritual development of each student.

Individual and class visits to the school Prayer room, together with mass and retreats for the year groups provide opportunities for students to deepen their faith and their relationship with God.

Students are also encouraged to reach out to others by being actively involved in fundraising for charitable organisations and in issues of social justice.

■ Collection for projects in the developing world

■ Donations for Christmas hampers to the St.Vincents de Paul Society

■ Christmas Toy Appeal

■ Annual sponsored fast for Concern

■ Visits by Missionaries and voluntary organisations

■ Fundraising for local and global charities

■ TY ‘Challenge to Change’

■ Young Social Innovators Projects

Our School Faith Development

Guidance and CounsellingThe role of the Guidance and Counselling service at Presentation Secondary School is to assist each student in their personal, educational and career choices, to support each student educationally, and to provide a support to students experiencing difficulties in their lives.

The service is operated by a qualified and experienced guidance counsellor, together with a strong pastoral care team who meet weekly to discuss student issues that may arise and organise appropriate action.

First Year InductionThe Principal, Deputy Principal, and class teachers together with a Transition year buddy system take special care to enable First year students make the transition from Primary school to Secondary school.

Our Induction day allows the students to meet with their teachers providing the opportunity to familiarise them-selves with the school, the facilities and requirements for the school day.

In September the parents of each first year class are invit-ed to meet with the care team. It also enables parents to meet the new classmates of their daughter.

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Subjects on offer at our school in Junior Cycle are:

Irish English Mathematics

History Geography Physical Education

French German Business Studies

Science Home Economics Religious Education

MusicSocial, Personal & Health Education

Civics, Social and Political Education

Junior Cycle

New Junior Cycle – 3 YearsThe New Junior Cycle is being introduced across all schools on a phased basis. It will feature newly developed subjects and short courses, a focus on literacy, numeracy and key skills, and new approaches of assessment and reporting.

See www.juniorcycle.ie for further details and latest updates.

Transition Year

Why Consider Transition Year? ■ A Maturing year

■ Resulting in students pursuing the Leaving Certifi-cate with more purpose and motivation

■ The curriculum has been developed with an aca-demic focus to provide a strong foundation for the Leaving Certificate.

Curriculum

Benefits of Transition Year: ■ More Informed on Subject Choice

■ Independent self-directed learning

■ Assessment (AFL)/Self assessment

■ CAO choices/Course requirements

■ Self management skills

■ Time management skills

■ Study skills –independent self-directed

■ Group/Project work/Research skills

■ I.C.T. skills

Note: Provision is made for students who may not be able to take the full range of subjects. A reduced timetable can be made available with learning support provided during the necessary times.

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Other Activities ■ Outdooor Education – Blackwater Activity Centre

■ Work Experience – One day a week, students will do 3 eleven-week work placements

■ Community Experience placement

■ Gaisce

■ Film Making

■ Song School

■ Green Schools

■ Subject Related Projects / Competitions

■ Competitions – YSI, Mini Company, Build a Bank, Milk it Awards.

■ Musical

■ Mentoring Programme

■ Drumming Workshop

■ Car / Driver Safety

■ Law Day

■ Toastmasters

■ John Paul Awards

■ Language Exchange Programmes

■ Trip to Gaeltacht

■ Visits/Tours

“I have really loved TY and I am glad that I did it. It has helped me develop confidence and now I find it much easier to talk to people. I have made some really great friends and we get on really well. It has also helped me choose my subjects for 5th year. I would recom-mend it to everyone.”

“I started 5th year but realised I wasn’t ready at all. Since then, I’ve been given a chance to do so much that I would never have had the chance to if I continued in 5th year.”

“I know exactly what course I want next year, TY gave me a chance to decide what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”

Transition Year Experiences

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Senior CycleThere are three Leaving Certificate programmes offered:

■ Leaving Certificate (Established)

■ Leaving Certificate Applied

■ Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme

Leaving Certificate Vocational ProgrammeThe LCVP is an intervention designed to enhance the vo-cational dimension of the established Leaving Certificate. It combines the academic strengths of the established Leaving Certificate with a new focus on self-directed learning, en-terprise, work and the community. Students wishing to take LCVP must include specific subject combinations in their choice of subjects for the Leaving Certificate.

Students choose 4 subjects from the following:

French German History

Geography Music Home Economics (Social and Scientific)

Biology Physics Chemistry

Agricultural Science

Business Accounting

Examinable Subjects

Irish English Mathematics

Non-Examinable Subjects:

Religion P.E SPHE Careers

Leaving Certificate (Established)In general, students taking this option study seven subjects.

Compulsory Subjects:

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Benefits of The Leaving Cert Applied ■ Independent / self-directed

■ Group / Project work /Research skills

■ Time management skills

■ Self management skills

■ I.C.T. skills

Examinations ■ Students are examined by the Department of Edu-cation after each module.

■ Students do a detailed project called a task. They are then interviewed on this task by an external examiner. They do seven student tasks over the two years in which they can gain a maximum of 70 credits

■ There are 68 credits for completing the required courses based on assignment work and 68 credits for the examination at the end of year two.

Students also do two specialist courses based on career related areas:

■ Hotel, Catering and Tourism

■ Hair and Beauty

Subjects:LCA 1 - Irish

LCA 2 - Spanish

EnterpriseInformation Technology

ChildcareEnglish and Communications

Social Education

Mathematical Applications

ScienceLeisure and Recreation

Vocational Preparation and Guidance

The Leaving Cert Applied

Who should consider LCA? ■ It is a two year Leaving Certificate for students who wish to follow a practical or vocationally orientated programme

■ Students who like practical and project based work. Those who want to go straight into the workplace.

■ Those who want go to a Post Leaving Cert. College for example the College of Commerce in Cork and gain a FETAC Level 5

■ With their FETAC Level 5 they can apply to go on to further study in one of the Institutes of Technology where, if they so wish, they can get a Degree, Masters, etc.

AwardsOur students have been awarded the prestigious Fergal Quinn award for top marks in the Leaving Cert Applied for eight consecutive years.

Certification ■ Distinction - 170 to 200 credits

■ Merit - 140 to 169 credits

■ Pass - 120 to 139 credits

What do students do? One day per week is spent on Work Experience. There are two modules per year of one day a week Work Experience and students try out a different work placement for each of these modules so it helps them greatly with their career choice

Four days a week are spent in school.

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Other activities provided in our school include:

■ Art

■ Debating

■ Drama

■ European tours

■ Mental Health Publc Speaking Competition

■ Music/Choir/Traditional Group

■ School musicals

■ School tours

■ Student Exchange Programme

Co-Curricular Activities

We are delighted to provide the opportunity for our students to engage in a wide range of sports and other activities. The school is privileged to have teachers and coaches who give generously of their time and expertise in the promotion of these activities.

Included in our Sports schedule are:

■ Soccer ■ Gaelic Football ■ Basketball ■ Camogie ■ Tennis ■ Running Club ■ Badminton ■ Volleyball

Sport

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Traditional MusicThe enjoyment of traditional music has of recent years been reflected in school by “The Pres Trad Group”, many of whom are prize winners in Fleadh Cheoil.

The School ChoirOur school choir is a three-part choir with a varied rep-ertoire from classical to popular, as well as preparing for our school musicals, shows and masses. Our second school choir is the Chamber Choir. The chamber choir competes in local and national competitions (for example, Feis Maithiu, Cork Choral Festival and Limerick Choral Festival, and experiences great success

School MusicalEach year, in collaboration with the CBS, we produce a School Musical. Non exam classes are involved in the production and encouraged to participate in all aspects of the production (dance, acting, singing, set design, costume design, artwork, backstage, sound and lighting).

Music

Student LeadershipAll of our students are encouraged to join in with the development of our school and this takes the form of difference student organisations.

The Student Council consists of students elected from their class and attend weekly meetings. The meetings are chaired by the Head girl who is selected by her peers and teaching staff.

The Gaisce Award contributes to the development of young people through the achievement of personal challenges

The Green School programme initiative is led by the Second year, year group who are committed to the retention of our green flag for Litter and Waste, Energy and Water. They will begin work on achieving the Green flag on Travel shortly.

Other opportunities available to students are:

■ Student Newsletter

■ School Choir

■ Yearbook Committee

■ Club Gaeilge

■ Achievement ■ Dedication ■ Most improved ■ Attendance and Punctuality

■ Subject Achievement ■ Nano Nagle Award

■ Extra-curricular Achievement

■ Art Award ■ Music Award ■ Student of the Year ■ School Spirit Award ■ Principal’s Award

Awards:Students are nominated for awards in:

School Uniform ■ Wine V-necked jumper (with crest)

■ Cream shirt ■ Wine and Navy plaid knee-length skirt

■ Navy Tights ■ Navy school pants (optional)

■ Black / Navy leather shoes

PE Uniform ■ Navy Hoodie (Crested)

■ Navy tracksuit bottom ■ Navy polo t-shirt (Crested)

■ Monday – Thursday: 8.50 – 15.40

■ Friday : 8.50am – 13.00

Morning Break:

■ Monday – Thursday: 10.50 – 11.05

■ Friday: 10.50 – 11.00

Lunch:

■ Monday: 13.05 to13.40

School Timetable

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Supervised StudySecond, Third, Fifth and Sixth year students may apply to do two hours of supervised study each evening after school. Supervised study is provided for students on Saturdays and during mid-term & Easter holidays.

Trips, Tours & Student ExchangeEvery year there are many trips and tours organised with different year groups.

The Junior year group have the opportunity to experi-ence a cultural and activity tour within Ireland. The Senior students have the opportunity to travel on a European Tour and experience the language and cultural of the destination.

There is a European Student Exchange programme currently running in our school. Our students spend two weeks in the Spring with their Exchange student and then in late Autumn the Exchange student makes the return visit to their Irish host family.

Their visit includes one week at lessons in the school and the second week on work experience.

Parents’ CouncilThe Parents’ Council meets once a month and acts as a representative body that:

■ Represents the views of parents.

■ Informs parents of developments in education and in the school

■ Fosters co-operation between parents, teachers and school management

■ Provides opportunities for parents and the school prin-cipal or representatives of staff to meet and exchange ideas on the education of their children, to discuss is-sues such as discipline, homework etc. and to address topics of mutual interest.

■ Helps with the provision of extra equipment and fund-raising.

■ Parents who wish to become actively involved in the school are welcome and encouraged to join the Par-ents’ Council.

Board of Management The Board of Management consists of representatives from the teaching staff,the parent body, and the Trustees.

It determines the ethos and status of the school . It is responsible for the management of the school which it delegates to the principal.

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Presentation Secondary School, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork

T: 025 25394 | F: 025 24713 | E: pressecmtown@gmail.com | W: www.presmitchelstown.ie

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