St Kieran’s College Kilkenny Founded 1782 SCHOOL HISTORY St Kieran’s College was established in 1782, ‘the first Catholic College in the Kingdom’ to open its doors after Grattan’s Parliament had relaxed the penal Laws in the same year. The College was situated in a number of different locations, Burrell’s Hall (now St Mary’s Cathedral) before the foundation stone of the present neo-Gothic building was blessed in 1836. In keeping with the aims of the College founders, we, at St Kieran’s College strive to prepare educated, committed and resilient young people, keeping in mind its particular role in promoting solid Christian values. MISSION AND ETHOS St Kieran’s College, as Ireland’s oldest all-boys Catholic Secondary School, continues its founding aim of the pursuit of real excellence in education and formation, in the light of the Gospel, so as to allow all our students to realise the fullness of their potential. Academically, spiritually, physically and emotionally our students are encouraged to strive for all that is possible in the relentless pursuit of perfecting their individual gifts and talents. In so doing they bring to life the joy intended by our motto, “Hiems Transiit”, for themselves, those they love and the community where they will live, serve and lead. ST KIERAN’S PRAYER That I may, reach as high as is possible; believe with all my being; learn with all my power; give with all my heart; and pray with all my soul. That I may teach in ways that are gentle, and carry victory and loss in perspective. That I may grow each day, here - in some new way. That I may look back in thanks and always forward in hope And, that I may ever know the steadfast support of you Kieran our Saint, who came from Cape Clear to Saigher with faith, trust and hope. A future yet untold. Welcome 2 PROSPECTUS ST KIERAN’S COLLEGE KILKENNY A welcome from the Principal On behalf of everyone at St Kierans College, I would like to welcome you. I hope that this prospectus will afford you an opportunity to get an insight into this wonderful school community and to get a sense of all that St Kieran’s College entails. With a history that dates back to 1782, we cherish our heritage and we are committed to honouring it by continuing to strive for real excellence in education - we are, then, relentless in the pursuit of academic excellence and the development, and maturation, of the whole person of each and every student; supporting them as they nurture their gifts and talents to become the best version of themselves that is possible. We are rightly proud of our immense academic achievements, our records in the areas of the arts, of music, poetry and drama, our strong sporting tradition in athletics, hurling and so many other areas. It is in educating the whole person that school success is found - it is in supporting all students in the development of their individual, and unique gifts that we best fulfil our mission. Chasing the best version of each of our students is the task of every member of our school community. I am proud, then, to lead a team of a wonderfully committed staff - each of whom work to support, nurture, and care for all of our students. The pursuit of their best is only as strong as the supports we offer them on that journey and our pastoral and guidance team are but the head of a whole school approach to care. I know that many of you will have had experience of St Kieran’s College before, whereas others may be joining us for the first time - to all I invite you to sample a snapshot of life in St Kieran’s College in this prospectus, on what may be the start of you and your son’s journey in education with us. Mr Adrian Finan Principal, St Kieran’s College Welcome 3 PROSPECTUS ST KIERAN’S COLLEGE KILKENNY A welcome from the President I am delighted to welcome you to St Kieran’s College, our diocesan Secondary School by means of this prospectus. Since we first began in 1782 St Kieran’s College has remained faithful to its original mission and ethos: the education and formation of each student to the highest standards, based on the values of the Gospel. We strive, therefore, to provide the opportunity for students who come to St Kieran’s the possibility to achieve the fullness of their potential academically, personally, sportingly and spiritually. It is humbling to witness the variety of the gifts and talents of our students. They are as many as the pupils we educate - from music to drama, debating to maths, poetry to science, languages to sporting successes and so much more… It is a privilege for us to journey with these men as they hone their talents through practice and commitment. Educating them is a sacred duty, guiding them is an honour, coaching them is a privilege, encouraging them is a simple task and enjoying the fruits of their gifts - a joy. As the oldest Catholic Secondary School in Ireland, we are very proud of our past; and of those who left here carrying that tradition with them, we are immensely proud! But it is the future that we think about most: how can we continue to best prepare our students to serve as leaders in the Ireland of tomorrow? I know you will find in St Kieran’s College a community that is welcoming, supportive and encouraging. Maybe this is the continuation of your family’s tradition with St Kieran’s or maybe it is the beginning of a new one ... which ever it may be, you are most welcome. Rev. Dr Dermot Ryan President, St Kieran’s College Welcome 4 PROSPECTUS ST KIERAN’S COLLEGE KILKENNY WSE WHOLE SCHOOL EVALUATION Recently, a team of Inspectors from the Department of Education and Skills conducted a Whole School Evaluation in the school. It is tremendously gratifying for everyone involved in the St Kieran’s College community that the findings are so positive and are a glowing endorsement of what the school seeks to achieve. The following are some of the key findings from the WSE Inspection: • The Inspectorate observed that our mission, which states that our students are encouraged to strive for all that is possible in the relentless pursuit of perfecting their individual gifts and talents, “is lived out in practice.” • The Inspectorate recognised that “the Board of Management and the Senior Management Team promote excellence in teaching and learning” and “promote a culture of learning”. • They observed that “very well-organised student support structures are in place” and that, as a result, our “students were very focused and able to work purposefully.” • “In all lessons, there was a good atmosphere for learning, students were motivated to learn and showed high levels of respect towards their teachers and each other.” This is very affirming of the dedication and commitment of our students, staff, management and parents who all work so closely together to create this positive school environment. • “Student successes are celebrated in many ways, including on visual displays around the school, at assemblies, on the school website and at the end-of-year awards. The school has recently achieved the Amber Flag in recognition of its commitment to mental health awareness.” The full report is published on www.education.ie Whole School Evaluation (WSE) 5 PROSPECTUS ST KIERAN’S COLLEGE KILKENNY JUNIOR CYCLE CORE SUBJECTS ELECTIVES English (with tasters in First Year) Geography Applied Technology History Business Irish Music Maths Technical Graphics Modern Foreign Language - Visual Art French or Spanish (compulsory Wood Technology for Junior Cycle) Religious Education Wellbeing Science CSPE PE SPHE A Broad Curriculum 6 PROSPECTUS ST KIERAN’S COLLEGE KILKENNY SENIOR CYCLE CORE SUBJECTS Art Geography English Biology History Irish Business Studies Home Economics Maths Chemistry Music Construction Studies Physical Education ELECTIVES Design and Communications Physics Accounting Graphics Religious Education Agricultural Science Economics Spanish Applied Maths Engineering Applied Technology French A Broad Curriculum 7 PROSPECTUS ST KIERAN’S COLLEGE KILKENNY EXTENSIVE EDUCATION FACILITIES Twenty Two acre campus Fully equipped Science Laboratories Information Technology rooms Dedicated Art room Fully equipped suite of iPads on trolley Fully stocked Library Dedicated Career Guidance Room Specialised Construction/Woodwork rooms All classrooms have digital projector, speakers and computer School Chapel more >>>>> Our Facilities 8 PROSPECTUS ST KIERAN’S COLLEGE KILKENNY EXTENSIVE EDUCATION FACILITIES >>>>> Pastoral Care Office Two Technology rooms Specialised Design & Communication Graphics room Fully equipped Gym Specialised Music room Study Hall Weights room Four Indoor Handball/Squash courts Canteen Five outdoor playing fields - Two with floodlights and Dressing Rooms Our Facilities 9 PROSPECTUS ST KIERAN’S COLLEGE KILKENNY Brian Dowling Fergal Brennan WELLBEING AND PASTORAL Anne Wemyss CARE Pastoral Care in St Kieran’s College has evolved over the The Wellbeing of all members of the St Kieran’s years in providing a whole school approach to caring for College community is of paramount importance to us our students. Pastoral Care supports and strategies have and therefore we have developed many structures and been implemented and developed to care for students programmes over the years, aimed at protecting and before they arrive in St Kieran’s and long after they leave supporting student wellbeing. We provide a wide range us. of co-curricular activities such as History excursions, the Amber Flag Programme and Mental Health Week to name Our Pastoral Care team is made up of our School Chaplain a few. Guest speakers regularly visit students to discuss and the Guidance Counsellors who are supported by Year Mental Health, Wellbeing and Resilience.