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Mountrath Community School
> Contents Principal’s message
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Mission Statement
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About our school
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Junior Cycle Curriculum
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Subjects
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Options
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Senior Cycle Curriculum
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Transition Year (Optional)
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Leaving Certificate (Established)
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Leaving Certificate Life Community and Work (LCW)
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Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA)
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Technology and education in MCS
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Supporting Our New Students
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Extra-Curricular - Sports
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Pastoral Care System
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Extra‑Curricular Life at Mountrath Community School
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> Principal’s message Parents, Guardians, a Cháirde, Choosing a secondary school is a big moment for every family, and we want that decision to feel exciting, positive and full of possibility. In Mountrath Community School, your child’s happiness, learning and wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do.
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From the moment students walk through our doors, they are welcomed into a community built on care, respect and genuine connection. The warm relationships between students and staff are easy to see in our corridors — friendly conversations, supportive guidance and a sense of belonging that helps every child settle in quickly. We believe school should be a place where students enjoy learning, discover new interests and have fun. Whether it’s exploring science experiments, creating art, building projects
in Woodwork, coding in our Computer Rooms or taking part in sports, music and lunchtime clubs, students are encouraged to try new things and celebrate their strengths. Our students are proud of their school, and we are proud of them. High expectations are paired with strong support, ensuring each child is encouraged to reach their own potential. Learning here is active, engaging and shaped by teachers who are both experienced and deeply committed to their students’ wellbeing. Mountrath Community School offers a broad and exciting curriculum, delivered in modern facilities including Engineering rooms, Computer Rooms, Home Economics kitchens, Woodwork rooms, Science Laboratories, Music and Art studios, a full Gym and PE Hall, and extensive outdoor pitches
and courts. These spaces allow students to learn, create and grow in an environment designed for curiosity and confidence. We have a long tradition of academic achievement, extracurricular success and strong community values. Most importantly, we understand that the years your child spends with us help shape their future. It is a responsibility we take seriously — and joyfully — every single day. By choosing MCS, you are choosing a school that will work hard for your child’s best interests, both inside and outside the classroom. You are choosing a place where they will be cared for, challenged, supported and celebrated. We look forward to welcoming your child into our school community.
Kathryn O’Brien
> Mission Statement Mountrath Community School will endeavour to provide an educational setting and experience within which each person is encouraged to grow academically, spiritually, emotionally, socially and culturally. Mountrath Community School cherishes each member equally recognising his/ her uniqueness, religious affiliation and cultural difference. Each member of the school community is entitled to be treated with respect and dignity. All members of the school community are encouraged to share in the responsibility of running the school.
Education lies at the centre of our purpose. Mountrath Community School will facilitate a positive learning and teaching environment. A Learning environment should embrace the academic and cultural, leading to the development of the person as a whole. Students are expected to give due recognition and importance to their studies whilst striving towards educational excellence relative to their ability. Curricular and extra-curricular activities help form a mature and well-rounded student. Discipline in one’s life forms an essential part in the pursuit of excellence.
> Values
• Equality and Justice
• Respect
• Inclusion
• Fairness
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• Community
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• Care
Mountrath Community School
As a school community we have high expectations that are expressed through how we live out our shared core values, which are
> About our school MCS is an amalgamation of the Brigidine Secondary School, Mountrath with the Patrician Brothers, Ballyfin and St Aengus Vocational School Mountrath. The keys of Mountrath Community School were handed over to the first Principal Mr Martin Gleeson on the 18th August 2009 for its opening on the 25th August 2009. Since we opened in 2009 we have continuously improved our provision of education and facilities for our students. Recent developments: • All weather AstroTurf pitch • IT facilities – availability of four portable trolleys of Chromebooks We are committed to creating a caring environment, to fostering respect for self, for others and our community. We aim to help each member of our school community to develop fully, to celebrate our student’s achievements and to provide students with the skills that they need to meet life’s challenges with confidence and belief through empowerment and personal responsibility.
WE ARE NOT A TEAM
BECAUSE WE WORK TOGETHER.
Our school crest is a core part of our identity and brings the traditions of these three educational establishments together. The Patrician Cross, the Cross of St Brigid and the manuscript of St Aengus all form three parts of the crest with the leaf of the Birch tree in the centre. The Birch tree represents the area where the school now resides. The Birch tree is an ancient symbol of new beginnings, regeneration, hope, new dawns and the promise of what is to come. The tree carries ancient wisdom and yet appears forever young. The area ‘Dysartbeigh’ means desert of the Birch.
WE ARE A TEAM BECAUSE WE
RESPECT, TRUST AND CARE
for each o ther.
> Bí Cineálta! When you tell a staff member that you think you are being bullied, or that you are concerned about a friend, we will:
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• talk with you about this • work out a plan together • talk to your parents • talk to the other student(s) involved • talk with the other student’s parents
We want everyone at our school to feel safe and happy. If you think that you are being bullied or someone else is being bullied, you need to tell a teacher or another adult that you trust.
THEY WILL KNOW WHAT TO DO TO HELP!
Bullying behaviour is when someone keeps being mean or hurtful to others on purpose over and over again. When it happens a lot. Not just once.
WOR W OTH
> Junior Cycle Curriculum At Mountrath Community School we are very proud of the broad curriculum we offer, our excellent academic results, our state of the art facilities, our exceptional range of extracurricular activities our experienced staff and outstanding students. Our curriculum is designed to nurture enquiring minds, encourage self-motivation and develop a love of learning. Subjects: Maths
Irish
English
Wellbeing
Science
History
Geography
Physical Education (PE)
Religion
French/German
Civil Social & Political Education (CSPE)
Social, Personal & Health Education ( SPHE)
Options:
BEING LITERATE
Wood Technology
Visual Art
Technical Graphics
Engineering
Home Economics
Music
COMMUNICATING
BEING CREATIVE
MANAGING INFORMATION & THINKING BEING NUMERATE
STAYING WELL
First year students will study their chosen subjects from September of their first year, preparing every students for a three year education programme and maximising their engagement with each subject.
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KEY SKILLS
Mountrath Community School
MANAGING MYSELF
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RKING WITH HERS
Business
> Senior Cycle Curriculum Transition Year (Optional) The Transition Year programme provides a bridge to help students make the transition between Junior and Senior cycles. This programme offers students the opportunity to take greater responsibility for their own learning and decision making at senior cycle. They will engage in learning strategies which are active and experiential, all designed to help develop a set of transferrable critical thinking and creative problem solving skills.
Our Transition Year programme enables our students:
Throughout the year students will take on all of the curriculum subjects, sampling new senior cycle subjects which will help them make more informed choices for their leaving certificate. At the end of the year the programme is assessed and evaluated and students graduate with grades earned by their performance, progress and results. Entry into this programme is by application and places are limited.
• To embark on new projects and pastimes both inside and outside school
Transition Year programme format:
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As is the case nationally, Mountrath Community School designs its own Transition Year programme, within set guidelines, to suit the needs and interests of our students. The TY programme operates its timetable on the following basis core subjects, modules and options.
• To develop maturity and personal character building • To prepare for adult life • To contribute to society and the local community in a positive and socially responsible way • To be a good citizen • To meet and accept new challenges
• To discover as much about themselves as possible in a caring, positive and motivating TY programme, so that personal development may continue • To become independent, self-directed learners • To gain insights into the world of work • To participate in TY taster programmes and gain insight into different careers Core Subjects: Irish
Sciences
English
Career Guidance
Maths
Religion
French / German
Work Experience
Health Education and Life Skills
Business and Enterprise
Preparation for the World of Work
Personal Reflection and Development
Options: Junk Kouture
Young Social Innovators
Green Schools
Stripe Young Scientist
GAA Future Leaders
Microbots
PE
YSI ( Young Social Innovators)
Biology
Chemistry
Dance
Development Education
Yearbook
Art
Strength & Conditioning
Design and Computer Graphics
Work Experience
Music
Future Leaders
Physics
History
Media Studies
Yoga
Accounting
Geography
Religion
Ways to Wellbeing
Agricultural Science
Engineering
I.T.
Amber Flag
Politics & Society
Construction Studies
Choir
Modules:
• Yoga, CPR training • Croke Park experience • Factory and Museum Tour • “Outside Your Comfort Zone” Workshop • African drumming workshop • Trip to the Burren/Lahinch • Tidy Towns’ work • Fundraising events, to name but a few…….
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• Public speaking, debating and soap box competitions • Library events • Christmas Craft Fair • Canoeing, Activity trips, Cookery School • Culture and Diversity group support • Seachtain na Gaeilge events • Culture Week • Kenya Link / Development Ed. workshops • Amber Flag events • Knitting for the Needy • Running sports events for students of our school and from the surrounding primary schools • Disability workshops
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• Bonding trips • School Musical • Community projects in conjunction with Bloom HQ • Optional European school tour • Gaisce - The President’s Award • John Paul 11 Awards programme • Bonding events • Films - Irish / French / German • Drama Workshops, Drivers’ Education, Hiking in the Slieve Bloom mountains, Retreats • Bogathon • Dublin Zoo trip - conservation awareness • Film production and photography • Personal Development workshops • Personal Safety and Consent workshops
Mountrath Community School
Some of our other events may include:
Leaving Certificate (Established) Senior students follow a two year programme leading to the Leaving Certificate Examination. Subjects are offered at all levels. We take a student centred approach to subject choice at senior cycle. Student preference is supported by aptitude testing in third year. Core Subjects: Maths
Irish
English
Accounting
Construction Studies
History
Agricultural Science
Design & Communications Graphics
Home Economics
Art
Engineering
Music
Biology
French
Physics
Business
Geography
Leaving Cert PE
Chemistry
German
Politics & Society
Option subjects:
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Non exam subjects: Career Guidance, Religion and Physical Education will also be taken as non-exam subjects.
Leaving Certificate Life Community and Work (LCW) LCW is a Senior Cycle Programme designed to give a strong vocational dimension to the Leaving Certificate (established). The programme combines the virtues of academic study with a dynamic focus on self-directed learning, enterprise, work and the community. Young people taking the LCVP have a unique opportunity to develop their interpersonal, vocational and technological skills through their study of the Link Modules. These skills are equally relevant to the needs of those preparing for further education, seeking employment or planning to start their own business. CAO points are awarded for results in Link Modules. All LCW students study Link Modules at a common level.
Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) At Mountrath Community School the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme ensures the students enjoy positive experiences of the Leaving Certificate Programme and ensures that students develop their confidence and enhance their self-esteem. This is a two year programme aimed at helping students prepare for adult and working life. The learning experiences are active and practical where students apply their knowledge, skills and experience to real life situations in the school, in the workplace and in the community. Work experience is a compulsory component of the Programme. Our Students attend work one day a week. Students sample a range of jobs throughout the two years. As well as work experience, the programme has three main elements 1. Vocational Preparation – preparing students for the work place 2. Vocational Education – providing education in specific skills 3. General Education Student progress is monitored and assessed throughout the two years and students gain “credits” as they go along. Students’ work and skill development is assessed in different ways including interview, written, oral and practical components. Four times throughout the two years students get a statement of their results from the State Examinations Commission. In this way they experience regular feedback on their success and achievements. Achievement is acknowledged and rewarded throughout the two years at the School. All students of Leaving Certificate Applied take the following subjects. 1. Vocational Preparation and Guidance 2. English and Communication 3. Mathematical Applications
7. Irish 8. Modern language 9. Elective Modules 10. Home Economics In addition to the above students complete two specialist vocational courses. These Vocational Specialisms develop specific skills and knowledge relevant to a range of careers.
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6. Social Education
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5. Arts Education
Mountrath Community School
4. Introduction to Information and Communication Technology
> Technology and education in MCS MCS displays an impressive array of IT in the school. Every class comes equipped with overhead projectors and screens. We have two fully equipped computer labs as well as a high tech Technical Graphics room. With the demand on computers and the move to digital resources constantly on the rise the school also has 4 mobile Chromebook trolleys which are used by all in the school. Teachers and students use Google Classroom as our interactive school platform. We timetable IT classes for all incoming 1st year students to make sure that they are au fait with using all features in Google Classroom as well as teaching about the importance of their responsibilities when using digital media such as their digital footprint and digital safety.
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Parents and guardians also have access to our school management system, Compass, where they can track attendance, academic results, matches or keep up to date with school news.
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Mountrath Community School
> Supporting Our New Students
The transition from primary to secondary school is an exciting milestone, and at Mountrath Community School we work hard to ensure every student feels welcomed, supported and confident from their very first day. Our approach is built on care, connection and belonging, with a range of structures designed to help students settle in quickly and happily. A key part of this support is our Buddy System, where trained senior students guide and encourage our new First Years. Buddies help with lockers, timetables, finding classrooms and, most importantly, making sure every student feels included. We take great care with class placements and offer friend requests so students begin their journey with familiar faces while also having opportunities to meet new friends. This balance helps create calm, positive and well‑connected class groups.
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Building strong relationships is central to our ethos. First Years get to know their Year Head closely, and our Guidance Counsellors are available to support students socially, emotionally and academically. Students quickly learn that there is always someone to talk to, someone who knows them, and someone who cares. To help First Years feel secure and settled, we provide specially designated areas just for them — including their own canteen space, base rooms, and
supervised social areas. These spaces give students room to relax, chat and build friendships in a comfortable environment designed with their needs in mind. Throughout the year, a wide range of activities is organised to help students bond and feel part of the school community. Our Senior Prefects lead fun introductory events, while the Year Head coordinates team‑building activities, bonding days, and our much‑loved Tea & Chats sessions — informal, friendly gatherings where students can talk, share experiences and get to know staff in a relaxed setting. All of these supports work together to ensure that every student feels valued, understood and ready to thrive. At Mountrath Community School, we don’t just welcome First Years — we help them belong.
Our TY students also take part in the GAA Future Leaders Programme. Here, students have the opportunity to develop many leadership skills including communication, organisation and planning. Modules covered include: • Coaching
• Performance Analysis
• Nutrition
• Sports Journalism
• Event Management and Sports Administration
Our aim is that all of the above programmes are delivered in a PE environment which is fun, friendly, inclusive and yet challenging for all of our students. Here in our school PE helps to build students’ motivation in and commitment to physical activity and sport within and beyond school.
Students can choose to represent the school in many activities including: Athletics Basketball Camogie Gaelic Football
Hurling Ladies Football Rugby Volleyball
MCS teams regularly compete and are successful at county, provincial and national level
The kindness of the teachers and other students made me feel welcome on my first day.
Sadhdh: It helped me to settle in having the base rooms and canteen just for 1st yrs Amelia: I wanted to come to this school as my brother goes here and he says its amazing!
Noise
: I love to wa aroun lk d with m y f riend s at lunch time.
Bernar d: I’ve met so many new frie nds here.
Gráinne: I met my new friend. She is in my base class. The teachers encouraged me to talk to someone new and now we are friends
Ka va thi n: m so ng i y fa cce st he vour rea r at ie as b tr lly r go eak. o od I fun t is .
We are very proud of our sporting achievements to date and it is an integral part of our school identity. For all the latest sports news from MCS follow us on Twitter:
@sportmcs
Mountrath Community School
Here at MCS we also provide an extensive range of extra-curricular sports .We value and encourage the development of teamwork skills and building friendships. We want our students to be the best they can be in every aspect of their lives whether this is taking on new challenges or celebrating their achievements. Our students are encouraged to fully commit to representing school teams, through their preparation, attitude and application.
Abbie: my friends and my teachers helped me to feel like I belonged here.
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Extra-Curricular - Sports
What our 1st Yrs say about our school....
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Oliver: Everyone is so nice and it’s great!
> Pastoral Care System The Pastoral care system at Mountrath Community School encompasses each student’s wellbeing and involves the whole staff. We strive to nurture an environment where all our community feel a sense of belonging and are respected and cared for. Our pastoral care system in all inclusive, recognising the importance of diversity and respect for all. Through this system we embody our Mission Statement. Class teacher/ Class Tutor/ Year Head
Counselling Services – inside and outside of school
Care Team - meet weekly to discuss student welfare
School Chaplaincy
Guidance Counsellors
SPHE and RSE Programmes
Learning Support Team
Meitheal/Prefects
Year Head/Class Tutor/ Class Teacher Every student in each class grouping is assigned a tutor and a Year Head whom the student meets on Induction Day and throughout the year. All tutors/teachers liaise with the Year Heads to address any concerns and also to look after students’ wellbeing. Every year group has a dedicated Year Head. The Year Head has overall responsibility for discipline, punctuality, monitoring academic achievement and liaising with the Class Tutor. Guidance & Counselling Our school Guidance counsellors play an important part in the lives of our students. They assist students in making educational, vocational and personal decisions, advise on career choice and offer a one to one service for students experiencing personal difficulties in addition to timetabled guidance classes. Our counsellors offer one to one support to students who need a confidential and supportive setting. This can be by personal request or by teacher referral. In addition to this the school employs a counsellor who meets with students (referred by the care team) on a one to one basis in the school.
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Chaplain Our School Chaplain actively contributes to the pastoral care of students, offering a confidential listening service to all. The school chaplain sees to the provision of liturgical services and opportunities for prayer and reflection throughout the school year.
School leadership- Meitheal/Prefects The school organises a number of comprehensive mentoring programme for students. Known affectionately as ‘White Shirts’ our senior student leaders take great pride in their roles. Many made the promise as 1st yrs that they too would be a ‘White Shirt’ when they got to 6th yr. • Senior Prefects are selected as role models for the student body. They are supported and guided by their coordinator, their Year Head, Principal and school managers throughout their tenure as prefects. They assist in the management of student school life and act as representatives for their year group. • Meitheal leaders are fully trained to mentor incoming first year students to help them settle in more quickly to their new school. This is a peer mentoring programme for 1st yrs where the senior students mentor and advise our new students, helping them settle into school. During the school year they organise a variety of activities (ice skating, movie days, trips etc.) for the 1st yrs. Student Council Our student council plays an important role in the school community. The main role of the council is to promote the interests of the school and involves the elected student representatives in the affairs of the school in cooperation with the Board, Parents and teachers. Class representatives communicate between the council, the coordinator and class. The council meet regularly to identify issues related to the improvement of school life for students.
> Extra‑Curricular Life at Mountrath Community School
For those who enjoy discussion and ideas, Debating offers a platform to build confidence, think critically and express opinions with respect and clarity.
Mountrath Community School
From the quiet concentration of Chess Club and the relaxed fun of the Games Room to the creativity of Film Club and the innovation of Coding and Robotics Clubs, there’s something for everyone.
We encourage all students to get involved — to try something new, meet new friends, and discover talents they never knew they had. Participation in extra‑curricular activities helps students grow in confidence, leadership and empathy, while strengthening the sense of community that makes Mountrath Community School such a welcoming place to learn and belong.
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Our sporting life is equally strong, with opportunities to take part in Hurling, Camogie, Basketball, Rugby and Football. Whether students are competing on the pitch or cheering from the sidelines, teamwork and school spirit shine through.
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At Mountrath Community School, we believe that learning extends far beyond the classroom. Our vibrant extra‑curricular programme gives every student the chance to explore new interests, develop skills, and make lasting friendships.
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Dysartbeigh, Mountrath, Co Laois 057 8741 080
www.mountrathcs.ie
office@mountrathcs.ie