PROSPECTUS - Ownbawn Community School - 2023/24

PRINCIPAL’S WELCOME

I would like to welcome you on behalf of the school community to Old Bawn Community School.

As our mission statement makes clear, we are a community of learning and personal growth, which includes our students and their families, our teachers and staff, our trustees and our adult students.

It is very important to me to create a learning environment that promotes college and career readiness. Old Bawn Community School is a place where students learn 21st century skills, where students are tolerant of each other, where we embrace diversity and care about the wellbeing of staff and students. Our aim is to create a happy, stimulating, mutually respectful community environment in which all our students can develop the full range of their talents and abilities.

In Old Bawn we have a supportive and active community who fully involve themselves in the school life. The staff are open and willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that each learner exceeds expectations and experiences fulfilment in learning. We are supported in our work by the Board of Management, Parent Association and the Student Council.

Old Bawn Community School provides a holistic community of learning. We strive for each student to be happy and exceed their potential in a caring and co-operative community. Old Bawn remains the school of choice in the area due to its warm, welcoming atmosphere and because of its positive relationships between staff, students and parents. We strive for academic success and believe that every student irrespective of ability can reach their full potential with us.

Old Bawn Community School has been a centre of educational excellence for young people and adults for over 40 years in Tallaght. It is an honour for me to be able to continue this work providing every opportunity to make our students college and career ready.

MISSION STATEMENT

Old Bawn Community School is a community of learning and personal growth, which includes our students and their families, our teachers and staff, our trustees and our adult students. We have a role in the wider community and in the overall educational community. All parties to our school have their rights and duties within our structures.

Ms Yvonne Marley Deputy Principals

Ms Ursula McCabe Principal

Ms Sarah Gibbons Deputy Principals

Mr Ronan Conneely Deputy Principals

OUR CURRICULUM

In Old Bawn we endeavour to provide the broadest curriculum possible in order to suit every learning need and style.

Junior cycle three years

Core Subjects

Wellbeing Geography

English Religious Education

Gaeilge French/German

Mathematics Physical Education History

Two Options:

Engineering Music

Wood Technology Art

Graphics Home Economics

Business Studies

Transition Year (one year)

Comprehensive programme that varies from year to year in addition to formal core curricular subjects the following are areas that may be studied:

Driving lessons

History

Self defence Geography

Drama Physics

Philosophy Chemistry

Work experience

Gaisce

Young Social Innovators

Junk Kouture

Gaa future leaders Business Mini Company

Community Involvement Accounting Economics

Leaving Certificate Applied

The Leaving Certificate Applied is a two year course available to students who wish to follow an ongoing programme with a strong practical and vocational emphasis.

Digital Media Literacy

Geometrix Microsoft Training

Music

First Aid

Leaving Certificate two year course

English French Business Physics

Gaeilge German Accounting Chemistry

Mathematics History Economics Art

Social Cultural DCG

Music Geography

Engineering Religious Education

Biology

Construction & Home Economics

LEARNING AND TEACHING

Learning and Teaching is at the core of everything we do in old Bawn Community School. Our primary focus is on the learner. We adapt and innovate within our teaching in order to ensure that every member of our learning community has a positive learning experience. Our exceptional staff are trained to the highest standards and facilitated and encouraged to constantly engage in continuous professional development. This means in effect that we have a highly motivated and expertly trained team ready to prepare young people for the world of work and further education.

DIGITALLY ENHANCED LEARNING

Part of Old Bawn Community School’s development strategy is to ensure the students are as prepared for the modern world as possible. The school is leading the way in this area and has recently become a Microsoft Showcase School. Students and teachers are working in collaboration to use technology as part of the learning and teaching in the school.

All our junior students have one to one devices. Our senior students

have access to devices within the school. This gives them access to their own email account, OneNote, Teams, PowerPoint, Word, Excel etc as well as allowing students to access their schoolbooks online. This virtual learning environment allows students to access notes, homework assignments, remote classes and recorded lessons allowing them every opportunity to engage with school work and have their materials and resources all in one place.

PASTORAL CARE

Our school promotes an atmosphere of trust and friendliness.We have designed the unique integr8+ programme to Introduce a further level of supportive and tailored education. The students involved in this programme received specialised and individualised intervention with the need arises. The school motto “We care about your success” means that if for any reason a student's ultimate success is affected by any circumstances, the school will intervene in a caring and supportive way. Our aim is that every student is happy, settled and safe in school.

Year Heads, SDOs, Tutors, student support, the Guidance Team all work to make sure that students reach their full potential.

THIRD LEVEL LINKS

Students attending our school have the opportunity to participate in the Trinity access programme; A programme which provides a positive mindset and supports real steps towards going to university. In addition to this, our school consistently sends exceptionally high numbers of students to a broad range of third level programmes.

Old Bawn Community School has received the Trinity Access School of Distinction Innovation Award in September 2021.

ADULT EDUCATION

In Old Bawn Community School we offer a wide variety of courses covering personal, professional, and leisure interests. We provide a warm and welcoming centre for lifelong learning. With this you can pursue an interest, make new friends and experience a friendly social evening. At present, we have more than 40 courses to choose from on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

EXTRA CURRICULAR

Old Bawn Community Schools education is very much centred on the education of the whole person. In addition to being committed to the academic we offer numerous extracurricular activities to develop social and cultural skills as well as adding to the enjoyment of school life.

Habitat for Humanity Football

Debating Hurling

Couch to 5K Trips

Chess Choir

Musical Rugby

Amber flag Basketball

LGBTQI+ Soccer

Amber flag Green schools

Gaisce

STUDENT VOICE

Students are partners in education in old Bawn Community School. We consult with them and listen to the student voice in every aspect of school life. Students are involved in policy development and meet regularly with the Board of Management. Increasingly students are being consulted more and more in all aspects of learning and teaching and school business.

PROMOTING EXCELLENCE

Every September we host our Prize Giving evening to recognise success within our school. At our 6th Year Graduation we also recognise 6th years who have achieved success throughout their time in the school.

Students are nominated for awards in the following:

• Subject Achievement

• Academic Excellence

• Attendance and Punctuality

• Student of the Year Award

• Spirit of Old Bawn Award

• Sports Person of the Year

• Music Student of the Year

• Extra Curricular Success

• The Principal’s Award

• The Kathleen Shorten Maths Award