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Aemula Virtus | Strive for Excellence
Message froM the PrinciPal Welcome to St Mel’s College! I hope that this school prospectus will give you a good insight into the school and the many curricular and extracurricular activities that we have. The school was founded in 1865 celebrating its 150th Anniversary in 2015. In that time it has become renowned for its academic and sporting excellence and St Mel’s College is now known nationally and internationally for the calibre of student it produces. In 2013 the Irish Times declared that the college was the top feeder school in Longford with 92% of our students attending 3rd level institutions.
The transition from Primary school to Secondary school is often a daunting one for students and parents and our induction team have worked hard in recent years to smooth this change. The students will have an opportunity pre-Christmas to sample a half day in the school while there is an Open-Evening after Christmas for students and parents to meet the staff and view our facilities. The name of St Mel’s College is a strong recommendation when it appears on the curriculum vitae of our students and it has opened many doors in the world of work. I can assure you that every effort will be made by management and staff to make your sons’ transition from Primary to Secondary school as smooth as possible and I look forward to meeting you in the weeks and months ahead.
Declan Rowley
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St. Mel’s College was founded in 1865, celebrating 150 years of education in Longford in 2015.
Schools are more than production lines for 3rd level and we feel in St Mel’s College that our students get a very rounded education and they are equipped with a full range of life skills to meet the challenges that lie ahead when their school days end. Our students are well supported by our excellent staff and our Guidance and Care teams are there to help students when life gets difficult inside or outside school.
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Parent’s surveys from WSE Dept. of Education Inspection show that 93% of our Parents were happy with the school
Mission stateMent: St. Mel’s College is a Catholic Diocesan Secondary School under the patronage of the Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, that is committed to providing an education for male students which, in co-operation with parents: promotes the spiritual, moral, social and personal development of our male students; strives for academic and sporting excellence in keeping with our inherited traditions, fosters an inclusive, caring, Christian Community based on Gospel values, where each person can expect to be treated with courtesy, respect, and dignity, nurtures and guides our students in developing their potential and in becoming responsible adults.
“I like St. Mel’s College because of all the new subjects that I am studying this year. The teachers are very friendly and really helped me to settle in. We elected a prefect and we know that we can turn to our year head if there was any problem.” James Moran, 1st Year Student 2014
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97% of students who were surveyed by the inspection team declared themselves proud to be in St Mel’s College. WSE Dept. of Education Survey 2014
“I had some of my most enjoyable times going to St. Mel’s and playing football there. I made some great friendships with students and teachers. I’m always proud to say I went to school in St. Mel’s. ” Michael Quinn (Longford Senior County Player)
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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.
First Year Induction St. Mel’s College management, teachers, Guidance Counsellor, Learning support teachers and class tutors take special care to enable your son makes the transition from Primary School to secondary school. We have two open days for prospective students; one for students only and one for both students and parents. In September our induction day allows students meet with their new teachers and familiarise themselves with the school environment. Our buddy mentor programme with senior students helps with the settling in process. At the end of September there is another opportunity for parents to meet with the teaching staff and school care team at the first year Parents Information evening.
Anti Bullying St. Mel’s College operates a ZERO tolerance policy towards any form of bullying. The anti bullying campaign encourages students to Recognise, Reject and Report “98% of our bullying behaviour. This no students felt that blame and reform approach to they could get help from an adult if they bulling in the school has made were experiencing St. Mel’s College a safer and bullying.” WSE Dept. friendly place for all students. of Education Survey 2014
“My memories of my time there were some of the best in my life. I received a first class education there. I spent most of my time after school running around senior field or on the Ballinalee Road. While I was not a boarder, I was able to attend study hall in the evenings. It made a difference. My teachers and priests at the time mentored me and guided my running career and I am still close to some of them today.” Ray Flynn, Athlete, Mile and 100 metre Irish Record Holder, Sports Agent.
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School Curriculum To help students to achieve their potential, St. Mel’s College offers a comprehensive curriculum and a diverse range of programmes. It is our goal to provide for the needs of all of all our students and to help them achieve success academically, socially and personally.
“My memories of my five years in St. Mel’s are entirely happy. The simplest thing I can say about it is that I don’t ever recall any of my class mates whom I have met since saying a negative word about their time there.” Mark Connellan (State Solicitor)
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Junior Certificate Irish, English, Project Maths, History, Geography, Science, Business Studies, French/German, Materials Technology & Wood/Technical Graphics/Technology, Religious Education, Civic, Social & Political Education, Art, Music, Social Personal & Health Education, Computer Studies and Physical Education Leaving Certificate Irish, English, Project Maths, Applied Maths, History, Geography, Business, Economics, Accounting, Biology, Chemistry, Agricultural Science, Religious Education, Physics, Contruction Studies, Design and Communication Graphics, French/German, Art and Physical Education.
sPort Students are introduced to a variety of sports in St. Mel’s College through the PE programme and extra-curricular activities. Sport and competitive games are an integral part of school life. Students participate in Gaelic football, Basketball, Soccer, Rugby, Hurling, Athletics and Handball. Our facilities include a Sports hall / Gymnasium, 4 gravel / sand soccer pitches, 3 Gaelic football pitches, 4 handball alleys, 2 outdoor basketball courts, weights training room.
“I attended St. Mel’s College from 1959 to 1964 and I can honestly say that most of my success in life was due to the broad basic education, training and direction that I received in the College during these vital, formative years. Coláiste Naomh Mel abú.!” William (Liam) Mulvihill, Former GAA President
student suPPorts All members of management and staff exercise a caring role towards our students. Each class is assigned a class tutor. This pastoral tutor monitors the progress and welfare of each student and is supported by the Year head in this role. The Career Guidance Counsellor assists students who need personal support. They also help students with study skills and college applications. The learning support team looks after students with learning difficulties and ensures they get the help they need in these areas. The school Chaplain reaches out to all students and also cares for those who are most in need.
94% of the parents surveyed agreed that Discipline was good in the school. WSE Dept. of Education Survey 2014
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“Having completed my Junior Cert elsewhere, I moved to St Mel’s for my last two years and focused on science and maths subjects. The school had several excellent teachers and I learned a great deal about Physics, Chemistry and Maths. These served me well in my successive university studies in maths at Trinity College Dublin and the University of Cambridge.” David Conlon (Mathematician)
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Parents Association The Parents Association works along side the school management team and plays a significant role in the running of the school. It comprises of parent representatives from each year group ensuring that all parents’ voices are heard. Alongside fundraising, the Parents Association reports to the BOM regularly, arranges talks for parents and has input on changes to school policies.
Student Council The Student Council provides a forum for students to express their opinions and enables them to play a partnership role with the staff, parents and the school management team. Each year group has a representative on the student council.
Why choose St. Mel’s? “While I did not have the personal pleasure of attending St. Mel’s College, I am delighted to say that my father had very happy memories and my son Barry is thoroughly enjoying and benefitting from “all things St. Mel’s”, both academically and in the many extracurricular activities provided in the college”. Michael O’Brien, Chairperson, Parents Association 2014
• Proven Academic Excellence • High Progression to Third Level Education • Successful Anti-Bullying Policy • Excellent pastoral care, learning support and career guidance programme • Proud Sporting Tradition • Unparalleled Facilities • Variety of Academic Programmes • Broad bases curriculum • Extensive Range of Extra-Curricular Activities • Dedicated Student Care Programmes • Strong Positive Approach to Discipline • Modern IT Facilities • Friendly Inclusive Environment • Experienced and Helpful Staff • On-Site Canteen • Supervised Evening Study • Junior Students stay in school during lunchtime
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“I am proud to say I went to St. Mel’s College. It has a strong tradition of great teachers, great friends, great football and great memories”. Larry Moran, Student of the Year, Leaving Certificate 2014
annual aWards daY In May of each year we have the annual School Presentation Day. The Mel Murtagh Cup for Student of the Year, the Fr. Manning Medal for Sporting Achievement and the Geraldine McManus Trophy for the best Junior Certifi cate are awarded. Students are also acknowledged for their contribution to school life and the local community with the Monthly Achievement Awards. Other awards are given for full school attendance, Prefects, Student Council and Gaisce. Sports awards are presented to winning teams and to individual students who excelled in their chosen sport.
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES • Football • Soccer • Hurling • Rugby • Athletics • Basketball • Handball • Sports Day • Fundraising for Charities • ISTA Science Quizzes • Gaisce awards • Green Schools • Carol Singing • Christmas Concert • Film Club • Lunch time Language Clubs • School Library • Business Studies Quiz • Irish debating • English writing competitions
eXtra curricular actiVities In the college we offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities that encourage students to discover and develop their interests and talents. Through sports teams, academic competitions and charitable work students are given the opportunity to enhance their experience of school life and enrich their personal development. 10
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“There¹s an old saying that an education isn¹t much use unless you are also given the knowledge of what to do with it. That has always been the glory of St Mel¹s College: the promotion of a value system which extended far beyond the classroom walls”. John Greene, Sports Editor: Sunday Independent.
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SCHOOL UNIFORM: • Blue jumper with school crest • Blue Shirt • School Tie • Grey trousers • Black shoes • School jacket with crest available or Black / Navy jacket
“I am just after completing the transition year programme in St. Mel’s College. We did so many activities such as Gaisce, ‘Zip-it’, bubble football, BT Young Scientist, Young Enterprise and a school variety show to name a few. I was also elected onto the school’s first ever student council. This was a fantastic position to have in the school as we felt involved in the decision making of the school. This allowed us to be proactive in the community and we were able to raise funds for St. Vincent De Paul and Aware.” Rory O’Brien, 5th Year Student.
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St. Mel’s College Longford
Telephone: (043) 3346469
Email: stmels@stmelscollege.ie
Website: www.stmelscollege.ie
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Aemula Virtus | Strive for Excellence