St. Columba S College

St. Columba’s College

Stranorlar

Admissions Policy

2013-2014

Introduction

School Management is hereby setting out its Enrolment Policy in accordance with the provisions of the Education Act, 1998, Section 15, 2 so that parents will be assisted in relation to enrolment matters. The following personnel will be happy to clarify any further matters arising from the policy.

Sr. Anne Mc Loone

Chairperson, Board of Management,

St. Columba’s College,

Stranorlar,

Co Donegal

Ms. Maeve Scully,

Principal,

St. Columba’s College,

Stranorlar,

Co Donegal.

Mission Statement

St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar is a Mercy Catholic voluntary secondary school under the

Trusteeshipof CEIST and is committed to ‘The pursuit of excellence in a caring environment.’

Characteristic Spirit and Ethos

Inspired by the vision of Catherine Mc Auley, Mercy education is committed to the holistic development and to the achievement of the full potential of each student, particularly those who are disadvantaged or marginalised. It is a process informed by the teachings of Jesus Christ and is conducted in an atmosphere guided by the core values of CEIST –

General Information

The number of teaching staff is linked to student numbers and may consequently vary each year. Students follow a three-year junior cycle and a two-year senior cycle. (Transition Year is optional).

In addition to the teaching staff the guidance counsellors, learning support teachers and special needs assistants support the students’ learning.

The school depends on grants and teacher resources provided by the Department ofEducation & Skills and is operating within the regulations laid down by the Department of Education & Skills. School policy has regard for and is cognisant of resources and funding available from the Department of Education & Skills.

St. Columba’s College follows the curricular programmes prescribed by theDepartment of Education & Skills, which may be amended, from time to time, inaccordance with Section 9 and 30 of the Education Act (1998).

Within the context and parameters of Department of Education & Skills regulations and

programmes, the rights of Patrons, as set out in the Education Act, and the funding andresources available the school supports the principles of:

Parental choice in relation to enrolment.

Respect for the diversity of beliefs, traditions and languages.

Equality of access and participation in the school.

Inclusiveness of students with disabilities or special educational needs.

Education Legislation

The school is committed to the implementation of the relevant constitution principles and to the principles which underlie the Education Act, 1998, the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, the Equal Status Acts, 2000-08, the EPSENAct 2004, and other relevant legislation.

Curriculum

JUNIOR CYCLE– The following subjects are offered:

Core subjects:

Irish, English, Mathematics, History, Geography, Religion, Science, Physical Education,S.P.H.E., Civic, Social and Political Education and ICT.

Option Subjects:

Art, Business Studies,French, German, Spanish, Home Economics, Music, Materials Technology Wood, Materials Technology Metal, Technical Graphics. Access to option subjects depends on personnel and resources.

Junior Certificate Schools Programme (JCSP)

This Department of Education and Skills (DES) Programme is offered to students moving into second year. The students follow the regular Junior Cert programme but with additional supports. The maximum number of students in this class group is 18.

All students in Junior Cycle take the same Junior Cert examinations.

SENIOR CYCLE

Transition Year

After Junior Cycle Transition Year is offered as an optional programme and the following subjects are offered:

Core Subjects:

Irish, English, Maths, Foreign Language and R.E.

Modules

Students also take a range of modules in areas such as:

European Studies, Enterprise Education, Home Economics, Art Craft and Design, Media Studies, Road Safety, Drama, Self Defence and First Aid. Work Experience is an integral part of Transition Year.

Leaving Certificate Programme (Established)and Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP)

Core Subjects:

Irish, English, Maths, R.E., SPHE (Social Personal and Health Education), Career Guidance and Physical Education.

Option Subjects–students choose four subjects from the following list:

Accounting, Agricultural Science, Art, Biology, Business, Chemistry,Construction Studies, DCG (Design and Communication Graphics), Economics, Engineering,French, Geography,Enterprise Education (LCVP), German, History, Home Economics-Social & Scientific, Music, Physics and Spanish.

At Junior/Senior Cycle access to optional subjects depends on availability of staff resources.Students who have the required combination of subjects for the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme will be automatically entered into the programme.

Leaving Certificate Applied Programme

The Leaving Certificate Applied is a distinct, self-contained two-year programme aimed at preparing students for adult and working life. The programme puts an emphasis on forms of achievement and excellence, which the established Leaving Certificate has not recognised in the past.

Core Courses (Subjects):

English and Communications, Mathematical Applications, Irish, Modern European Language, Visual Art, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), R.E., Social Education, Leisure and Recreation

Option Subjects – students choose two courses (subjects) from the following list:

Agriculture/Horticulture, Hotel Catering and Tourism, Engineering, Technology, Office Administration and Customer Care, Childcare/Community Care, Graphics and Construction Studies, Craft and Design, Hair and Beauty, Active Leisure Studies

Access to optional subjects depends on availability of staff resources.

Extra Curricular Activities

Extra Curricular activities include basketball, athletics, gaelic football, soccer and rugby. Musical performances, junior and senior choir, traditional group and orchestra are also available. Students also take part in maths, science, business, art and debating competitions. Some extra curricular activities vary from year to year.

Calendar and Fees

Details of holidays, parent/teacher meetings, staff meetings and other important dates are forwarded in the September of the academic year in question.

School hours are from 9.24a.m. to 4.05p.m. Monday to Friday.

Each student is required to have a school journal and an attendance scan card.

Students pay fees for materials based on subject choice. The average cost is €85per student per year.

The school requests a voluntary contribution of €20 per family, per year. The monies are used towards the building programme, maintenance and general school resources.

School Management & Representative Associations

The school’s Board of Management is appointed by CEIST. The Boardmanages the school on behalf of CEIST and does so in accordance with thepolicies determined by the Minister of Education and Skills from time to time. Themembers come from the following constituencies:

CEIST: 4 nominees

Parents: 2 elected nominees

Teachers: 2 elected nominees

The members of the Board of Management for the period October 2011 to September 2013

are:

Trustee Nominees

Mr. Tony Carr

Ms. Patricia Hennessey

Ms. Anne Marie McGeehan

Sr. Anne McLoone (Chairperson)

Parent Nominees

Mr. John Byrne

Teacher Nominees

Mr. N Curran

Ms. Philomena O Donnell

Representative Associations

The Parents’ Association represents the parent body and meets regularly with the schoolPrincipal.

The Students’ Council represents the student body and meets regularly.

Procedure For Offering Places In First Year

Admission Requirements

Students who are applying for Admission into First Year:

• Under Department of Education & Skills rules secondary school students must beaged 12 years on the 1st January in the calendar year following the student’s entryinto first year. The school will require an original birth certificate at enrolment. Thiswill be returned immediately.
• Have completed Sixth Class in Primary School or equivalent
• Be willing, with parents/guardians, to accept and support the school ethos

• Be willing, with parents/guardians, to accept and support the school Code of Discipline (Confirmation in writing is required, that parents/guardians and students accept the Code of Discipline.)
• Be willing to take an Assessment Test.

Criteria for Enrolment

The Board of Management shall have regard for the Department of Education and Skills directives concerning class size, staffing provisions and other relevant requirements concerning accommodation such as physical space or the health and welfare of children in deciding the maximum number of places to be offered for enrolment each academic year.

All eligible applicants are accepted on a first come first served basis, up to the limit of available places in a given year, except in exceptional circumstances where the discretion of the Principal and Board of Management may be exercised.

Admission Procedures

Prior to enrolment, an information evening is held in the school for parents interested in sending their son/daughter to St. Columba’s College. Enrolment packs containing the Admissions Policy and Code of Behaviour are distributed to all parents/guardians at this meeting.

Initial enrolment application is made by completing the application form. To facilitate the processing of completed applications and their receipt, the school holds an enrolment evening between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the month of February. Application forms will be available directly from the school office after this date. The date of receipt by the school of the application form determines the order of the waiting list should the number of applications exceed the maximum number of places to be offered for enrolment each academic year.

School management requires the following details on the application form:

Pupil’s Name & Address.

Names & Addresses of Parents/Guardians.

E-mail address if available.

Pupil’s Date of Birth

Mother’s maiden name

Student’s PPS Number

Contact telephone numbers, including work number so that a parent/guardian can be contacted in case of emergency.

Mobile contact numbers for text messages.

Religion.

Details of any medical condition of which the school should be aware.

Details of any disabilities or special educational needs.

Previous schools attended by the student.

Relevant information, if applicable, regarding custody, access arrangements and

Court Orders pertaining to the student.

Further information which may be relevant to the school and/or its ethos.

Assessment tests are conducted to ensure a mixed ability grouping in classes. The assessment for incoming 1st year studentsusually takes place on the third weekend in April each year preceding entryto the school.

Attendance at the test is an integral part of the admissions procedure.

Students with Special Educational Needs

The school acknowledges the rights of all children to an education, including children whohave a disability or other special needs as they relate to education pursuant to theConstitution and the Education Act, 1998, the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 and the EqualStatus 2000. Applications from students with a disability are welcome, provided the schoolcan meet their special educational needs and disabilities; such provision is, however, subjectto the limitations imposed by State funding and resources and the school reserves the right totake into account any serious detrimental effect to safety, health and welfare to otherstudents and staff arising from such provision, and/or any serious detrimental effect on theprovision of its services to other students or school staff.

Transfer of Students from Other Schools

In the case of students seeking to transfer to St. Columba’s College from another post-primary school or seeking readmission, the following procedures apply:

Parents/guardians who request a place for their son/daughter(s) in a class in which a place may be available must complete an Application Form.

They may be interviewed by the Principal who may be accompanied by the Deputy Principal or a member of the teaching staff.

All relevant data – attendance, school reports (as per the Education Welfare Act 2000)concerning the applicant will be sought by the Principal from the Principal of the schoolwhich the applicant is attending or has most recently attended.

The reason for the proposed transfer will be discussed with the parents/guardians and thestudent, as appropriate.

The Principal must be satisfied that transfer to the school shall be on the basis that it wouldbe in the best interests of the student concerned, given curricular provision, subject choices,facilities available at the time and any other relevant factors affecting the educationalbenefits to the applicant and the likely impact on students already in the school and theoperation of the school in general.

The following information, along with an original birth certificate will be required in the

case of a student transferring from another school:

Student’s Name, Age, DOB, Address, Birth Certificate, PPS Number and Mothers Maiden Name.

Parents or Guardian’s name/address/telephone number and mobile telephone number.

Emergency contact numbers including work telephone numbers etc.

Details of relevant medical conditions of student.

Details of any disabilities or special education needs of students.

Religion.

Previous schools attended by student.

Reasons for transfer of student if applicable together with information and records from previous/present school.

Relevant information, if applicable, regarding custody, access arrangements and Court Orders pertaining to the student.

Further information which may be relevant to the school and/or its ethos.

Basic school attendance requirements as set down in the Education Welfare Act 2000.

A decision about the transfer of the student to this school will be conveyed to the parents/guardians within 21 days of the interview referred to above on condition that all the required data has been received by the Principal.

Repeat Students

Re-admission of students to various years will be dealt with in the first instance by the school Principal following receipt of written applications from parent/guardian which satisfy criteria set out in Department Circular M02/95. The Principal must be satisfied that the re-admission to the school will be in the best interests of the student concerned, given curricular provision, subject choices, facilities available at the time and any other relevant factors affecting the educational benefits to the applicant and the likely impact on students already in the school and the operation of the school in general.

Applicants will be notified in writing within 21 days of receipt of the applicationinforming them of the decision. Applicants will have the right to appeal thedecision to the Board of Management.

Code of Behaviour

St. Columba’s College has a detailed Code of Behaviour which is given to each prospective parent/guardian. It outlines the system of rewards and sanctions the school operates topromote a climate which facilitates the teaching and learning that is at the heart of theschool’s educational mission. Prospective students and their parents/guardians must read and

familiarise themselves with the school’s Code of Behaviour, which they are asked toaccept and sign. Prior to registration and admission to the school the parent (or a student whohas reached his/her 18th birthday) shall be required as a condition of such registration andadmission to confirm in writing:

That the Code is acceptable to them.

That they willmake all reasonable efforts to ensure compliance with the Code of Behaviour.

Suspension and Expulsion

In cases of suspension parents will be informed in writing

Of the reason for suspension.

Of the period of suspension.

That the pupil will be regarded as being in the care of theparents from the end of the school day in which he/she was suspended.

School managementreserves the right to exclude pupils in extreme circumstances in accordance with theEducation (Welfare) Act, 2000, (24-(1)) and in compliance with N.E.W.B. Guidelines. Should there be cause for complaint by parents/guardians or students aged 18 or over in relation to the application of the above code of behaviour, procedures in accordance with the Education Act and as stipulated by the Board of Management may be followed.

Board of Management Right to Refuse Entry

The school reserves the right to refuse enrolment to any student in exceptional cases. Such

an exceptional case could include the following:

The student has special needs such that,even with additional resources available from the Department of Education & Skills, theschool cannot meet such needs and/or provide the student with an appropriate education.

In the opinion of the Board of Management, the student poses an unacceptable risk toother students, to school staff or to school property.

Appeals

The Board of Management’s decision in relation to any decision is final, subject only to theright of appeal under Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998. An appeal to the Department of Education and Skills must be made within 42 calendardays from the date that the decision of the Board of Management was notified to theparents/guardians. The Appeals application form can be downloaded from the website: obtained from the school office.

“Appeals are dealt with within a period of 30 days from the date of the receipt of the appeal

by the Secretary General, except where on the application in writing of the appealscommittee stating the reasons for a delay in determining the appeal, the Secretary General

consents in writing to extend the period by not more than 14 days”.

Review

Policy updated in January 2013. The policy is subject to review by the Board ofManagement and the next review will take place not later than the 2014/2015 school year.

1