PROSPECTUS - Holy Rosary College 2023

HOLY ROSARY COLLEGE Mountbellew, Co. Galway

“Holy Rosary College is a Voluntary, Catholic, Co-Educational Secondary School where students, staff, management, parents and the local community together aim to provide a holistic education in a safe and caring environment and where the dignity and uniqueness of each person is valued and respected”.

WELCOME Welcome to the prospectus for Holy Rosary College.

Choosing a secondary school for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make about his/her educational future. We hope that this prospectus will help you make that choice.

further sign of our commitment to our student’s holistic education. Each student will be offered the opportunity to discover their passion, be it in the area of sport, performance, design, literature or technology.

Here, at Holy Rosary College, our aim is that our students will develop their various talents in a mutually respectful environment and grow into happy, confident and responsible adults. At Holy Rosary College, we are committed to offering a broad and comprehensive range of subjects to all our students. This will enable them to choose the academic path that best suits their ability, individuality and ambitions. Our students are encouraged by a dedicated team of teachers to work hard and reach their potential. These teachers embrace new teaching methodologies, curriculum reform and educational initiatives for the benefit of our students. They are passionate about their subjects and profession and have a genuine interest in the development, progress and wellbeing of each student.

The school is committed to the development and care of each student in a community, where respect for one another is held in the highest regard. We realise that the transition from Primary school to Secondary school is daunting and we pride ourselves in the support system we have in place for our first years and we endeavour to make the transition as easy as possible. In choosing to send your son or daughter to Holy Rosary College, you are making the best decision regarding their post primary education. Should you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact me.

The extensive range of extra-curricular activities which are on offer at Holy Rosary College are a

I look forward to meeting you and your child.

Tom Crehan Principal

Martin Tierney Deputy Principal

I hope that this prospectus will give you a sense of what our school is like and will assist you in deciding on the next stage of your child’s education.

Tom Crehan

Maura Larkin Deputy Principal

HISTORY OF HOLY ROSARY COLLEGE Holy Rosary College was established in 1965 by the sisters of the Christian Retreat.

Since its establishment, is has served the students in the surrounding community.

Having initially started as a small school, and with the introduction of the Free Education Scheme in 1967 the numbers attending the school increased. During the 1970’s the first permanent buildings of the school were built including Science Labs, Home Economics Rooms, a Library, Staffroom, Offices, Cloakrooms, Geography Room, Art Room, General classrooms and a large General Purpose room.

2016 saw the completion of a new major extension to the school which included 6 extra classrooms, specialist rooms for Art, Music, Business, IT, Religion, Languages, and a Sports Hall with a Fitness Suite and stage. During these building works, the older parts of the existing building were also refurbished as part of the project.

Today, we are proud to have a state of the art building with state of the art equipment in Holy Rosary College.

TRANSITION TO HOLY ROSARY COLLEGE Helping our incoming first year students to settle in and achieve their potential is a priority at Holy Rosary College. To this end, we have put in place a comprehensive set of support structures. These include: In order to help with the transition from Primary to Post-Primary, Holy Rosary College invites prospective students to attend our school on a Saturday morning during their final term of 6th class. This morning provide students with the opportunity to get to know their new school, sample some of the subjects on offer and meet with some members of the school staff. Incoming students find this opportunity to become familiar with the school building, future classmates and some members of the teaching staff helpful as it gives them some familiarity on the first day of school in September.

MISSION, VALUES, CULTURE OR ETHOS OF HOLY ROSARY COLLEGE “Holy Rosary College is a Voluntary, Catholic, Co-Educational Secondary School where students, staff, management, parents and the local community together aim to provide a holistic education in a safe and caring environment and where the dignity and uniqueness of each person is valued and respected”.

STUDENT ASSESSMENT All Junior Cycle classes in Holy Rosary College are mixed ability. In order to best assess the needs of our students and create classes in which each student can reach their optimal potential, students sit an assessment at the beginning of 1st year.

STUDENT INDUCTION DAY On their first day in Holy Rosary College, 1st Year students are the only students in attendance. This gives them a chance to become familiar with the school building and meet their fellow classmates, teachers, tutors, year head and other members of staff.

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SCHOOL CURRICULUM JUNIOR CYCLE: Students enrolling in Holy Rosary College will follow the Junior Cycle Programme for their first three years in Secondary School. Junior Cycle students typically study 9 subjects for their Junior Cycle exams - 6 from the core list, a foreign language and 2 optional subjects.

Optional subjects are selected before students enter the school but the option to move and transfer between subjects is given to students if they wish to change subjects in September.

English, Irish and Maths are assessed at both Higher and Ordinary level. All other subjects are now Common level under the new Junior Cycle.

CORE SUBJECTS: • Irish • English • Mathematics • History • Geography • Science NON-CORE SUBJECTS (students choose two of these subjects) • Business Studies • Graphics • Applied Technology • Visual Art • Wood Technology • Music • Home Economics 4

LANGUAGES (students choose either French or German) • German • French All Junior Cycle students also follow a comprehensive Wellbeing programme. Wellbeing is a combination of PE, SPHE, CSPE, Guidance and ICT. ASSESSMENT The Junior Cycle is assessed using a combination of continuous and final assessments. This means that during 2nd and 3rd year, pupils complete a series of Classroom Based Assessments and Assessment Tasks. They sit 9 exams at the end of the Junior Cycle Programme. Students’ achievements are recorded on their Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement and this is presented to pupils on completion of the Junior Cycle Programme.

Students also complete short courses in SPHE and CSPE. These short courses are also reported on the Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement presented to the students.

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SCHOOL CURRICULUM SENIOR CYCLE: TRANSITION YEAR In Holy Rosary College, the majority of students enrol in our optional Transition Year Programme. This is an excellent bridge between Junior and Senior Cycle.

It is a highly structured programme that is designed to develop academic, social and personal skills.

Students benefit from the opportunity to sample a wide range of subjects, free from the pressure of State Examinations. Students are also afforded opportunities to participate in work experience, educational outings, volunteering and fundraising events, as well as entering a variety of local and national competitions.

OPTIONAL SUBJECTS: • Accounting • Agricultural Science • Applied Mathematics • Art • Biology • Business • Chemistry • Construction Studies • Design & Communication Graphics • Geography

In 5th and 6th Year, students begin working towards their Leaving Certificate Examinations. The students choose an average of seven subjects, which must include Irish, English and Mathematics. Additionally, all students have classes in PE, RE and Career Guidance. Students with the qualifying subjects can also select the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme as an additional subject.

• History

SENIOR CYCLE CORE SUBJECTS:

LANGUAGES (students choose either French or German)

• Career Guidance

• Home Economics • LC Physical Education (examinable subject) • LCVP • Music • Physics • Technology

• English • Irish • Mathematics • Physical Education • Religious Education

SCHOOL DAY • • • • • • • • • •

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The school opens at 7.50 am for students on early buses.

There is supervised morning study from 7.50am to 9.00am.

Students should be in school not later than 8.50 a.m.

The timetable in HRC (6 class periods) is divided as follows: 2 classes, 09:00 – 10:00 and 10:00 to 11:00 11.00 – 11.20 Morning Break 2 classes, 11:20 – 12:20 and 12:20 – 13:20 1.20 – 2.00 Lunch 2 classes, 2:00 – 3:00 and 3:00 – 4:00 4 classes-school finishes at 1:20pm

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STUDENT WELLBEING AND SUPPORTS

PASTORAL CARE SYSTEM

STUDENT COUNCIL

The Pastoral Care Team, supported by the entire school community, work to create a positive atmosphere where student welfare, safety and happiness take centre stage. The Pastoral Care Team is supported in its work by a dedicated team of year heads and tutors who are there to offer support and guidance to the young adults in their care.

The Student Council is an intrinsic part of the school community. It gives students an important voice in matters pertaining to the student body and the general running of the school. It is a democratically elected council, representing students from every year group in the school. It provides a direct line of communication between students, management, staff and parents/guardians and offers valuable leadership experience for students elected to sit on the council.

GUIDANCE & COUNSELLING Our comprehensive guidance programme commences before a student enters 1st Year and is initially designed to fully support students in their transition from Primary to Post-Primary school.

The comprehensive guidance programme continues throughout the student’s entire time in the school, with all students receiving both in-class and individual support covering areas like study skills, aptitude testing, pathways to third level and advice on career options.

LIBRARY Holy Rosary College offers students an extensive and ever expanding stock of library books, which they are encouraged to borrow and read at their leisure.

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SUPERVISED EVENING STUDY Holy Rosary College offers all students an opportunity to avail of supervised study for two hours after school from Monday to Friday. Evening study is run under the supervision of the teaching staff.

LEARNING SUPPORT AND STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS Students with specific learning difficulties are catered for through the provision of a Special Educational Teaching Service in the school. Specialist help is available for students with general learning difficulties through the learning support team, working in cooperation with subject teachers. This support can be offered on an individual, small group, in- class or whole class basis. Special Needs Assistants offer other support to individual students and are an important part of the Learning Support team.

STUDY SKILLS Each first year student completes a module on study skills. In addition students learn internet safety and are introduced to our Microsoft 365 digital learning platform.

CANTEEN Canteen facilities are available on-site. Students can avail of a wide variety of hot and cold lunches.

BOOK GRANT Each year parents can avail of a book grant to assist in the purchasing of school books. The grant heavily subsidises the cost of the books.

PREFECT SYSTEM Prefects play an important role in the school, providing a link between students and staff. Each year 6th year prefects are elected and are assigned tasks such as representing the school. Each first year class is assigned a number of prefects. The prefect checks in on the class group numerous times throughput the academic year.

FACILITIES • Art Room

LINKS WITH PARENTS/ GUARDIANS The school welcomes parents and has an open door policy in relation to parents. Appointments can be scheduled at any stage to discuss a student’s educational journey.

• Two Computer Rooms for Business / IT and Multimedia / Languages • Two Home Economics Rooms for Food and Textile Studies • Four Science Labs • Music Room • Technology Room • PE / Sports Hall with Fitness Suite and Stage • Meditation Room

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EXTRACURRICULAR At Holy Rosary College we encourage our students to get involved in a variety of sporting and extracurricular pursuits to complement their academic studies. Such activities are very important in promoting well-being and in fostering friendships across year groups.

SPORT

SCHOOL TOURS

Sport encourages students to work as a team, to develop discipline and to meet and interact with fellow students.

Participating in sport plays a key role in the development of crucial life skills. The availability of our Astro pitch, Grass pitch Sports hall and Gym allows us the opportunity to train and participate throughout the school year. We are proud of our sporting heritage and we are delighted by the continued success of our students in all sports.

Complementing both the curriculum and the social aspect of school life, students can avail of the opportunity to take part in international tours along with day trips to various sights around the country. These trips allow students visit and appreciate sights while making long-lasting memories.

Sporting activities in Holy Rosary College • Athletics • Gaelic Football • Ladies Football • Hurling • Soccer • Camogie

MUSIC AND DRAMA The school actively promotes music and drama. Musical performances at lunchtime and during ceremonies. Each year the Transition Year students perform a musical allowing students to display and develop their talents.

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PUBLIC SPEAKING & DEBATING All year groups are encouraged to participate in public speaking and debating. This encourages students to voice their opinion in relation to social, political and global issues.

The school participates in many local, regional and national competitions including the Soroptimist Public Speaking Competition and the Western Region Drug and Alcohol Task Force Public Speaking Competition.

LUNCHTIME LIBRARY ACTIVITIES Supervised activities for students in the Library including Chess, Card Games, Lego and much more depending on student interest.

www.hrc.ie

HOLY ROSARY COLLEGE Mountbellew, Co. Galway H53 VN50

Phone: 090 96 79222 E-mail: info@hrc.ie Website: www.hrc.ie Instagram: holyrosarycollegemountbellew Facebook: @holyrosarycollege