An Innovative Learning Community Committed to Leadership & Excellence

Coláiste Bhaile Chláir Claregalway College visit us at www.colaistebhailechlair.com

Why choose our school?

Pastoral Support o Class Ceannaire or tutor appointed to each class group o “Cool Schools” Anti-Bullying programme in place which is based on

national best practice o School counsellor who is also a Psychotherapist who offers ongoing care

and support to all students o Ceannaire (Year Head) and class tutors in conjunction with the pastoral

care team monitor student welfare o Rewards for each class group based on behaviour and conduct in 1st year

Committed to constant review and evaluation to enhance student learning

o We strive to improve the quality of education provided to each student through constant review and evaluation

o We aim to be a better school each year than the one we were before

Strong Academic Focus o Focus on constructive quality feedback to each student and target setting

from 1st year o Focus on revision techniques and strategies from 1st year o Evening study and evening subject revision classes o Academic Monitors and Supports put in place for all students o Small class sizes in 1st year across all subjects o Results available for all school tests online for parents

Wide Range of Sport and other Extra-curricular Activities o Sports include: Hurling, Camogie, Football, Soccer Rugby, Basketball,

Volleyball, Athletics, Handball, Golf and Show jumping among others o Extra-curricular- Quiz Teams, Mini-Company, Gaisce, Young Scientist,

School Tours o Music- Music groups and bands

Wide and Diverse Curriculum o Junior Cycle Reform lead school in Computer Science & STEM (Science,

Technology, Engineering and Maths) o Spanish, French and German o Taster programme of all optional subjects in first year

Why choose our school

Dear Parent and Student Choosing the right second-level school is one of the most important decisions any student or parent will make. While most schools offer the same subjects and the same sports and other extra-curricular activities, it is the quality of the teaching and learning experience and the overall care of each student that tends to distinguish them. Our aim in Coláiste Bhaile Chláir is to create and develop the best environment for students to learn and teachers to teach so as all students can reach their full potential. We have an excellent teaching staff in Coláiste Bhaile Chláir who are committed to ensuring that all students achieve the highest possible grades. They continually strive to ensure that the highest standards of education are provided to each and every student. We encourage all our students to work at the highest possible level in each subject and we give all of our students an equal start in the school. We form classes based on a structured mix in first year whereby students are placed in mixed ability classes and where there is a proportional balance of boys and girls. This provides all students with the best possible start and allows them time to settle into their new school and experience their new subjects. We continually monitor student’s academic performance, behaviour and attendance throughout the year through our online school management system. Parents will also have access to all of the information on monthly assessments, attendance and behaviour through our online student management system at claregalwaycollege.vsware.com which is made available after 6 weeks upon students starting school. This system allows us to open up better communication channels between the school and home and helps to keep parents fully informed and actively involved in their child’s education, which I believe is essential to ensure that students can reach their full potential. We hope that you will consider our school and place your trust in us to provide your child with the best possible education. Alan Mongey Principal

Message from the Principal

1st Year Curriculum

1st Yr. Core Subjects

Maths, English, Irish Science, History, Geography, RE

Language Choose 1

French

German

Spanish

Taster for full year

Art, Music, Home Ec., Business Stud., Wood, Metal & Technical Graphics

1st Yr Short Courses for Certification

Computer Science,

STEM (Science, Technology Engineering & Maths)

Physical Education

Me and My community (SPHE, CSPE combined)

Investment in ICT infrastructure and Training

o All students have Microsoft Surface Pro devices with school ebooks installed created for each year group by teachers in the school

o Online student management system for attendance, behaviour and awards. Parents will be able to access all information live online

o Microsoft IT Academy school: students can gain industry standard certification (MSO, MCSA, MCSE & MCSD)

o Each student has access to teachers’ resources on the internet through the website and the through “Office 365”, a secure online website for teacher and student collaboration.

o Our teachers attend regular in-service in ICT and its use in the classroom

School Fee

The school fee goes towards the costs of ebook creation, student 24/7 personal accident insurance, school bus trips to games, visits to lectures in NUIG and lots of other extra-curricular activities. The fee for each year is 100Euro. There is no voluntary contribution.

Netbooks to replace textbooks o All students currently have digital ebooks on Microsoft surface Pro devices

This is a hugely innovative step in second level schooling and our school is one of the leading schools in Ireland for ICT integration into teaching and learning. In order to attend the school parents must purchase one of these devices. There will be a number of options presented on the open night through www.wriggle.ie of varying price points

Healthy Eating School In conjunction with the HSE, student council and our canteen provider (Treat

Café) we have developed a healthy school policy.

VSWARE Parents will be issued with a secure username and password to the school

website where they will be able to access o Attendance and Punctuality details o Assessment results o Behaviour and Conduct details

This system allows us to provide more detailed and up-to-date information on student progression for parents.

Innovation in Education

With the introduction of the Junior Cycle Reform in September 2014, schools can chose to offer short courses to students in a variety of subject areas. These classes will aim to expand the extra-curricular opportunities of the student and introduce variety into the school timetable. Claregalway College will offer several short courses to the students, one of which is STEM; Science Engineering Maths and Technology.

In this course, students are engaged discussion on real world problems and encouraged to work to a practical solution using and developing skills in each of the four disciplines. The aims of this course are to:

Encourage development of logical and reasoning skills through practiced problem solving

Experience science through practice and experiment, developing innovative solutions to real world problems

Increase awareness of the breadth of exciting careers available in these fields

Involve students in competition to stimulate and maintain interest across a variety of topics.

Make strong cross-curricular links in other subject areas where these skills can be easily transferred.

We have many experienced partners working with us to create a fun and fast-paced course to engage the students with visiting speakers/competitions/visits to local experts throughout the year. Students will regularly visit the local universities and meet professionals working in STEM careers of interest, developing a real awareness of the career opportunities open to them in the future. Some of the competitions the students participate in as part of their STEM studies:

BT Young Scientist – students develop and run an experiment over several months to find a solution to a real world problem in their lives.

PRISM – Maths competition in NUIG to encourage problem solving in secondary students.

I’m a Scientist Get me Out of Here – students interact via web chat with working scientists about their research and career choices before voting for which scientist best explained their research.

Reel Life Science – Video competition where students record their understanding of a scientific problem and suggest solutions.

Engineer’s week Contest – students work to solve a set problem against the clock.

STEM & Computer Science

Comprehensive range of sports for All Interests

The wider catchment area around our school has a very proud sporting tradition. We cater for Hurling, Camogie, Gaelic Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Handball, Rugby, Soccer, Athletics, Golf and many more sports.

Music, Drama and the Arts Performance Club Opportunities to explore and expand their creativity and theatre knowledge. Engage in a variety of performance skills/techniques including acting, singing, dancing, and voice work Experience performance opportunities/showcase their creative talents and performance skills by presenting key scenes/songs from plays and musicals/poems/monologues. Direct short scenes. Learn about lighting/sound/set design/costume. Creative Writing: create their own piece of theatre. Attend an artistic performance. Develop their creative and communication skills. Club Gaeilge

Béim ar labhairt na Gaeilge mar theanga beo. An Ghaeilge agus cultúr na Gaeilge a spreagadh agus a cheiliúradh sa seomra ranga agus timpeall na scoile. Imeachtaí, gníomhaíochtaí agus comórtais a eagrú chun an Ghaeilge labhartha a chur chun cinn i mbealach taitneamhach.

Samplaí: Coiste a eagrú, Clár do Sheachtain na gaeilge a eagrú, Cúinne na Gaeilge sa leabharlann, Raidió scoile Gaeilge a chur i láthair, Comórtas deartha póstaer as Gaeilge /cártaí as Gaeilge), Comórtas ealaíne, Comórtas amhránaíochta/X Factor as Gaeilge, Comórtas cócaireachta as Gaeilge.

Music, Drama, Sport & Extra-Curricular

“Nurturing the Individual”

Settling In First years return to school in September for two days on their own. This helps to familiarise themselves with the school and their fellow year group. Students also meet with their Ceannaire (class tutor) each week throughout first year. All first years are encouraged to participate in sport, music, science, quiz or mini-company activities to build better relationships with their peers and teachers. During the first year induction programme students are divided into Ceannaire groups and follow a comprehensive programme of induction covering such topics as:

Getting to know my school

Getting to know my class

Study and organisational skills

Behaviour and Anti-bullying programme Students also compete in a half-day sports day during which they are divided into colour teams so as to better get to know their year group.

First Year Induction