ENNISCORTHY
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
BROCHURE
A Message from the Principal
On behalf of all our staff and students I want to take this opportunity to welcome your child to our school. Enniscorthy Community College (ECC) which is under the patronage of Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board. It is a multidenominational and a co-educational school. The aim of the school is to ensure that your child develops into a well-rounded individual and fulfils their potential so that they are well equipped for the challenges that they might face after completing their secondary education. The school has several core values that are very important, and they are clearly visible throughout the school community. They are as follows:
Teaching and Learning are very much to the fore in the school and a wide variety of strategies are employed by teachers to ensure that all learners are catered for by using differentiation and a variety of teaching methodologies. We also have a wide range of extra-curricular activities both sporting and non-sporting and we strongly encourage that students get involved in activities outside the classroom so that they develop other important skills. As Principal of the school, I hope as you are reading through this booklet you get a good flavour of the wide range of activities that take place in the school and that the school is a very caring and vibrant community. We are a truly inclusive school where all members of the school community are valued and cherished equally. All members of the school community are unique and have a positive contribution to make. We have a very dedicated staff who strive to ensure that your child gets an education of the highest quality. All staff (teachers, SNA’s and ancillary staff) at ECC bring great commitment and professionalism to their teaching and in caring for our students with a strong emphasis on student wellbeing. Should you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact the school office on 053 9234185. Regards, Dr. Iain Wickham Principal
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Mission Statement
Enniscorthy Community College endeavours to provide a secure and supportive educational environment where all students can experience a quality of education appropriate to their intellectual, physical, personal, social, moral and spiritual needs in a changing world.
Curriculum
The school offers Junior Cycle, Junior Cycle Schools Programme, Transition Year, Leaving Certificate, Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme and Leaving Certificate Applied. Junior Cycle Students in first year take core and optional subjects as part of their curriculum and when combined make up 9 subjects and two short courses. The core subjects include: • English
• History
• Maths
• Science
• Irish
In instances where students are exempt from Irish, they get additional special tuition classes. Students then choose four other subjects from the list below: • Business
• Music
• Geography
• Home Economics
• French/German*
• Wood Technology
• Engineering
• Visual Art
• Graphics
Note French and German rotate every year * Please note the availability of options will be dependent on demand and teaching resources. Students also have classes in the following non-examination subjects: Physical Education (P.E.), Social, Personal and Health Education (S.P.H.E.), Civic, Social and Political Education (C.S.P.E.), Computers and Guidance. Students take short course in PE and SPHE. Students get to choose their optional subjects prior to starting school but if they are not happy with an optional subject, they can change in the first month provided there is space in the class.
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Junior Cycle Reporting Formal reporting on the progress and achievements of students will be through annual reports in first and second year. At the end of the Junior Cycle, students are awarded a Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA) by their school. The JCPA will reflect the student’s achievement across all relevant areas: • Results of Classroom Based Assessments • Success in other areas of learning • Events students may have been involved in • Achievement in Wellbeing • State Certified Examinations In autumn following their Junior Cycle exams students will receive provisional grades from the State Exams Commission (SEC) and the JCPA will be issued after this. The grade descriptors are as follows: Distinction 90-100% Higher Merit 75-89% Merit 55-74% Achieved 40-54% Partially Achieved 20-39% Not Graded 0-19%
Transition Year Transition Year (TY) will become compulsory for all students in the 2025/26 academic year. It links the Junior and Senior Cycle and gives students the opportunity to develop individual talents and skills while sampling a wide variety of Senior Cycle subjects. TY encourages independence and responsibility and provides our students with the time to mature and develop resilience and confidence to face Senior Cycle, Third
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Level and the world of work. Some of the highlights of the TY Programme include the following: • Four Day Trip to Killary in Galway, where students get involved in outdoor activities and further enhance their teamwork skills. • Students take part in the Junk Koture fashion design competition and had great success last year, in the future hope to see more creations on the catwalk. • All students complete work experience module, which gives them an understanding of the world of work and may assist them in making future career choices. • Significant time is spent organising the annual Transition Year show, where all students play a part alongside staff from school. • Students can achieve GAISCE, the President’ award. • Educational trips to Glendalough, Young Scientist competition, local company BD Bard and to the Garda station in Wexford. • Students receive certification from external agencies eg First Aid and Build a Bank.
Senior Cycle Curriculum
All students are surveyed regarding what option they would like to take at Senior Cycle. They also receive presentations on the different subjects and programmes on offer, so that they can make a well-informed choice. Parents/Guardians also get a presentation from the Guidance department, so that they have a good understanding of what is on offer at Senior Cycle for their child.
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Traditional Leaving Certificate All Leaving Certificate students are required to take seven examination subjects which are offered at all levels. The only exception to this are those students that are exempt from taking Irish. Students take the following core subjects • English
• Irish
• Maths
Optional Examination Subjects Students then choose four subjects from the following list of optional subjects. Not all subjects are offered, and it is totally dependent on demand and teaching resources. • Agricultural Science
• Business
• Engineering
• History
• Physical Education
• French or German
• Art
• Construction
• Geography
• Home Economics
• Design, Communication and Graphics
• L.C.V.P. Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme *
• Biology • Music
Students also take the following non-examination subjects: Physical Education (P.E.), Career Guidance and Computers.
Leaving Certificate Applied Programme The Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) Programme is a distinct self-contained two year programme, aimed at preparing learners for adult and working life. It focuses on forms of achievement and excellence, which the established leaving certificate has not recognised in the past and prepares students to progress onto further education and training opportunities. LCA allows students to develop a more independent and enterprising approach to learning and life. During the two years there are regular work experience placements, and continuous assessment during the programme is the primary way of grading students. There are a small number of terminal examinations at the end of Sixth Year.
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First Year
Induction Programme The transition from Primary to Post-Primary school can be a very stressful time for some students and their parents. To assist with this transition ECC has an Induction programme in place to support and reassure our new students. During the month of May, prior to students starting at the end of August and information evening is held for parents/guardians where they are given the opportunity to meet key personnel in the school. Parents/Guardians are given an insight into how the school runs, and strategies to assist with their child when it comes to starting in secondary school. First year students are back before all other groups and their Induction programme takes place over the first three days. This greatly assists in putting students at ease and allows them the opportunity to make new friends. Some of the areas covered include the following: • Understanding your timetable.
• Tour of the school.
• Using lockers and facilities.
• Coping with change.
• Importance of good organisational skills.
• Homework/study.
During the three days students partake in a wide range of activities such as drama, arts and crafts, horse riding and pitch and putt to name just a few. The Induction programme comes to and end with the sports day.
Support Structures There are a wide range of support structures in ECC, that fall under the remit of pastoral care for students. Pastoral care assists with providing an orderly environment and firm framework, which allows all students to get maximum benefit from their schooling. We plan this caring approach by assigning each class a Year head, and a Class Tutor. The Year Head provides the administrative support necessary to ensure that the pastoral care structure functions effectively. He/she co-ordinates the caring structure by meeting subject and Class Tutors regularly to discuss and evaluate student progress and development. He/she meets individual students and classes regularly and encourages a high standard of work and
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behaviour. Regular assemblies take place throughout the year to reinforce certain messages, regular communication channels with home are maintained also. The Class Tutor is important in supporting the student’s wellbeing keeping a close on educational progress, attendance, punctuality and other critical performance indicators. He/she motivates the class to achieve their highest possible standards. The Principal and Deputy Principal are also there to support students through their educational journey. Other supports provided at ECC include: Guidance and Counselling: The Guidance department are integral in providing students with personal, vocational and academic guidance. The service of the guidance counsellor is available to assist students in making career choices and also to provide individual counselling should the need arise. The Guidance department also provide students with information on subject options, arrange study skills workshops, visit third level institutions and schedule guest speakers. Home School Community Liasion (HSCL): The HSCL Coordinator works to improve educational outcomes for students by working in partnership with parents/ guardians. These supports are provided through home visits, parents classes/courses and offering information on other family supports available locally. Other supports in the school include the Student Support Team, the Behaviour for Learning Teacher, School Completion Programme and linking in with external agencies from time to time like NEPs and Tusla.
Communication
Communication with parents/guardians is through the iclass app so it is vitally important that this is downloaded, so as not to miss important news from the school. Students will be given information on how to download the app and anyone experiencing difficulties need to contact the school office on 053 9334185. Parents/Guardians also need to download the Vsware app as this will allow you to view your child’s school reports and track their academic progress. The school website www.enniscorthycommunitycollege@wwetb.ie is also a wealth of information along with our social media platforms of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Bills can be paid through our Way2Pay system.
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Structure of the School Day
• Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 9:00 to 3:55pm. • Thursday and Friday 9:00 to 2:55pm. • All classes are one hour in duration. • Breaks form 11:00 to 11:15am and from 1:15pm to 1:55pm. • Students remain on-site for the duration of the day unless live 5 minutes from school then they can get a lunch time pass. • Canteen provision Fresh today provide breakfast and hot lunch free of charge.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
ECC has a highly qualified team of Special Education teachers and Special Needs Assistants who work diligently to ensure that students with SEN have an optimal learning experience. There is constant communication with students, parents and teachers to ensure that all students maximise their learning potential in all areas. The school has an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) facility called the Boro Suite which caters for 18 students. From time to time learning support professionals in the school link in with outside professional to further support the students in their care.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) In ECC there is a blended approach to teaching and learning where the traditional methods are further enhanced by advancements in ICT. In first year all students have one timetabled class of Computers, where they are given access to Office 365 along with an email address. Teachers work with students to work on their proficiency in using TEAMs, Microsoft Word and Powerpoint. We are very much aware that our students are increasingly becoming more ICT literate, and the use of technology can be a significant motivational factor in students learning. As students become more comfortable in using all the different IT tools, this can assist them in becoming more independent and self-directed learners. We have students that act as Digital leaders throughout the school further enhancing the support given by the teaching staff. While ICT is an important teaching and learning tool, it is just one of many innovative active learning methodologies that
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teachers use in the classroom. Every year we have two students that attend Google headquarters and get training on Internet safety and on their return to ECC they communicate this message to the different year groups.
Student Voice Student Council
The Student Council is a very active group that works in conjunction with students, staff and parents to ensure the smooth running of the school. Student Council elections take place in the school towards the end of September each year. Two students from each year group are selected to be part of the Student Council. The Council is run by the students for the students in conjunction with teachers and management. At the start of each year two members of the Student Council give a brief presentation to the Board of Management outlining their plans for the upcoming year. Each year they are involved in charity fundraisers assisting organisations like Pieta House, Concern and Vincent De Paul. They also have an input into any of the school policies that impact on our students.
Meitheal Leaders Students acting as Meitheal leaders are Senior Cycle students who are role models, mentors and leaders for first year students. In many cases young people relate best to their peers and may not have the confidence to go to a staff member in the first instance. In their role they are assigned to certain classes, and they visit the class regularly and keep a watchful eye to ensure that all first years are settling into their new school. In instances where they have concerns, they will report to the relevant staff.
Awards Day
Each year our Awards day takes place towards the end of May. At this event the school showcases all the wonderful activities that take place in the school and celebrates student success. Academic success in the different subject areas and state examinations is highlighted and acknowledged. It is also an occasion where the school recognises those students that have excelled in sport, leadership in the school community, excelled with their
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attendance and students that have demonstrated the core values/ethos of the school. The event concludes with the student of the year being announced. On the same day the Sixth Year Graduation ceremony takes place where parents/guardians, students and staff are all in attendance. They all look back with fond memories on the journey the students have made and the excellent progress that they have made.
School Tours
Right throughout the year there are educational trips that take place within Ireland. Trips outside of Ireland are also arranged and this year 45 students accompanied by teachers are travelling to the Ethiad stadium in Manchester for a Champions league match at the end of November. Over the May bank holiday weekend 50 students will travel to Barcelona and will spend three nights there taking in all the sights on guided tours.
Extra-curricular activities
We are extremely proud of the wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer in ECC. All students are encouraged to partake in activities allowing them to flourish outside the classroom. Through engagement in these activities students get to make new friends, further develop new interests and life skills. Below are a list of the extra-curricular activities on offer to students in the school. • Gaelic Football
• Debating
• Arts Club
• School Tours
• Basketball
• Science Club
• Hurling
• Creative Writing
• Polytunnel Club
• Enterprise Club
• Badminton
• School of Sanctuary
• Soccer
• Green Schools Committee
• Student Newspaper
• Orchestra • Rugby
• Chess Club
• Athletics
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Enniscorthy Community College, Milehouse Road, Enniscorthy, Wexford.
Phone: 053 9234185 Email: enniscorthycommunitycollege@wwetb.ie Website: www.enniscorthycc.ie