Prospectus 2020

Athlone Coláiste Pobail Community Átha Luain College

Every student matters, every moment counts

PROSPECTUS Eileen Donohue Chris Forde Pauline Fadden Deirdre Whitlow Gráinne Macken Principal Deputy Principal Deputy Principal Deputy Principal Acting Deputy Principal Welcome to Athlone Community College I’d like to extend a very warm welcome to you and your child to Athlone Community College.

Here at Athlone Community College we foster community and flourish within our community. Your child has full access values. Our school is a place where everyone belongs and to an inclusive, diverse and challenging curriculum, taught positive relationships between staff, students and parents by highly qualified and outstanding teachers. We expect all are highly valued. students to strive for excellence in their academic studies. Students are provided with a wealth of opportunities to Reopening our doors at the start of this school year was one of challenge themselves, their classmates and indeed to our most treasured moments to date. We took considerable extend their knowledge and understanding steps to ensure that a full and safe return to school was achieved for all of our students. The health and safety of We offer a progressive and diverse academic curriculum as all within our school community is always of paramount well as an extensive range of extra-curricular activities, which importance. Our students are the heartbeat of our school and promote the holistic development of our students. ensuring their wellbeing is something we take huge pride in. Every effort is made to ease the transition from Primary to We understand how important the choice of post-primary Post Primary School for all students and we have put in place school is for you and your child. Choosing the next pathway extra measures this year given the unsettling global crisis we in your child’s educational journey is a cornerstone in a are all living through. young person’s development. As a parent, I understand fully the apprehension you may feel as your child begins their As Principal, all I want is for our students to succeed and preparations for this new exciting chapter in their lives. We are find joy in all that they do. We understand how important the fully committed to supporting you and your child in making choice of secondary school is for parents and children as you this choice. Not only is this a new chapter in your child’s life open the first page of this new chapter, we are here to offer but it is also a new chapter in yours. every support you need.

Our community values of respect, kindness and care Our community cares for all. underpin every aspect of teaching, learning and guidance offered in this school. This foundation, built on respectful Eileen Donohoe relationships, provides the fertile soil for all students to grow Principal.

Our community cares for all.

page 2 Athlone Community College Prospectus Our School, Our Community

Here at Athlone Community College we foster community values. It is a place where everyone belongs. We believe co-education is the best way to prepare girls and boys for the world in which they will live. We inspire learning in an environment that reflects real-world communities and workplaces, setting students up to thrive and succeed beyond our walls.

FOSTERING INCLUSIVENESS AND INTERACTION By learning in a co-education environment, boys and girls cultivate mutual respect, understanding and support for one another. Students realise and appreciate their own individual value as well as each other’s. Girls and boys embrace leadership positions across all areas of learning, providing all students with strong female and male role models.

PREPARATION FOR LIFE BEYOND SCHOOL Our students develop strength and independence and emerge as balanced, well-rounded individuals. Become a part of our community, we work better when we work together!

By learning in a co-education environment, boys and girls cultivate mutual respect, understanding, and support for one another.

page 3 Why choose Athlone Community College ?

Athlone Community College can offer the following to your child:

A state of the art educational facility with a long-standing tradition and culture of success, achievement and excellence.

High expectations of all students in their academic, sporting or cultural endeavours.

Outstanding success in Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate results.

A vibrant, enthusiastic and dedicated teaching staff

A welcoming and friendly environment for pupils. Our zero tolerance We promise that each student who passes approach to bullying through our doors is valued and recognised for is outlined in our their individual contribution to our close-knit community. Anti-Bullying Policy. Our zero tolerance approach to bullying is outlined in our Anti-Bullying Policy.

A strong sense of community within the school.

Excellent pastoral care and support systems.

We offer a book rental scheme

We operate a peer mentoring system.

We have Class Tutors, Assistant Yearheads, Yearheads, the Pastoral Care and Learning Support Team, Co-Teaching Teams and a student council body of representatives.

page 4 What Our First Years Think!

I am really enjoying 1st year in “I was nervous about Athlone Community College, starting 1st year and especially my choice subjects anxious that I wouldn’t “I am very glad that I chose to come to - Tech Graph, Business and make friends but when ACC because I feel happy and relaxed French. I had never done any of I got here everyone here. My teachers along with the them before in primary school. was so nice and friendly to me! I Principal and Deputy Principals have I am glad I decided to really enjoy studying English and made us all feel safe and protected come to ACC. French as the teachers teach these during the Covid-19 situation. I have subjects in a fun and fresh way. I am made lots of friends and I really don’t really looking forward to reading mind coming to school every day.” Hazel Donegan more novels in English! I really enjoy studying science because we Sean Brogan conduct fun experiments! I am also “The first year looking forward to cycling in P. E. ” experience so far has “There are lots of activities been wonderful. I have Donnacha Lee for everyone. I was super met many wonderful happy when I saw we had so friends on the first day. many choices, I signed up for You will meet amazing sports, orchestra and choir” friends for life here. ” “I am so glad I Aoife Walsh Regan Hoh chose to come to the Community College, the minute I arrived I “When I started I was “The facilities are, with no felt welcome and I’m sure the overwhelmed, the exaggeration, state-of-the-art” other first years would agree all amount of students, the of the teachers were very kind diversity, height, race, Óisin Mulvihill and I knew I had chosen the right culture. But I have to say, place. I have made loads of new Athlone Community College friends.” is an amazing school! Even “The teachers here are kind though we are all different, I and helpful. I like learning Sadhbh Kilcommons feel like we are one” Spanish and enjoy going down to the Science labs.” Elvis Kwarteng “I found school Ruairí Dolan overwhelming “I really enjoy studying on the first day, science because we conduct “It’s really nice to have but I soon settled fun experiments! I am looking the option to go outside down and I am now forward to going to the and walk around, it’s comfortable coming in each Science Club at lunchtime.” also so nice to have a day. I have made a lot of new person teaching new friends.” Nathan Furey you every 40 minutes, having Aoibhe Gill different classes has also given me an opportunity to broaden my friendship group” “I was very nervous when “My time in ACC has been very enjoyable so far. Everyone I started school because Hayley Berrigan I was afraid that I would is kind and helpful and we not make friends. I came get lots of support from our from a very small primary “I love secondary school teachers, Year-Head, students and staff school and I was worried and I have really enjoyed to help us settle in. I chOse to come that everyone else would have starting this new stage in to this school because when I visited their friends with them already. my life. There are so many during the Open Day last year, I felt the Thankfully everyone was friendly fun and interesting subjects atmosphere was warm and caring and I and I made so many friends in no to choose. I love art in particular as it am glad to say that I still find it this way. time, being from a small primary involves learning about famous artists It is a large and busy place but there is school wasn’t a problem. I love all and getting creative with fun projects. lots of fun to be had here too.” my subjects too and my favourite is I have also loved making new ” Leah Bernadette Naughton woodwork because we make our own projects. ” Caoimhe Scullion

Abraham Quaye At first, I was both nervous and excited about coming to school, but now I am happy to come in each day. I particularly like Spanish and having a variety of teachers.

Damien Devaney Mentors Message “I participate in the mentoring programme here at school. The programme began with a training day; it gave us better understanding of what exactly was involved in mentoring and what is expected of us. We learned about the ways we can be most helpful to the first years. We find out their interests and what they need help with and get to know as many first years as we can! Over the past few weeks, I have helped my first year with their timetable, finding classes and organising their locker. Being part of this programme is extremely rewarding.” Jennifer Cummins Fifth Year page 5 National Schools represented Jake Flynn Aimee Garvey Cornafulla NS Ballyforan NS

Maebh Noone Vidhur Dandu Jacob Hickey Abby O’Callaghan Cornamaddy NS Amy McGuinness Scoil na gCeithre Maistri Cloonakilla NS St. Ciaran’s Baylin NS Kilcleagh NS

Teigan Gethins Cillian Donlon Adrien LeDebrve Alexa Moran Bridget Donohoe Dunne Lecarrow NS Coosan NS An Grianan NS Roxboro NS Brideswell NS Mount Temple

Jack Reddy Efezino Akwenuke Leah Naughten Sanam Singh Chandi St Peters NS Aoife Minnock Summerhill NS Curraghboy NS Ballybay NS Ardkeenan NS

Eoghan Mulry James Nicholson Éabha Wheatley Gary Ng Lismoil NS Caoimhe Lennon Clonbonny NS Ballintleva NS Tubberclare NS Athlone Mixed NS

Áine Reilly Grace Killian Peter Oliyide Igor Idzikowski St Ronan’s Liam O’Rourke St Colman’s Wood, Dean Kelly NS page 6 St. Marys NS Taughmaconnell Drumraney NS Roscommon Facilities We have so much to offer your son or daughter.

Athlone Community College has an ultra-modern building that consists of: logy, Six Science Labs: Dedicated Chemistry, Physics, Bio General Science and Agricultural Science.

Two Art/Craft Studios

Two Home Economics Rooms

Four Computer Studies Rooms

Three Materials Technology/Construction Studies Rooms

Two Metalwork/Engineering/Technology Rooms

Two Language Labs

Music Room and Dance Room

Library

Lecture Room

Fitness Suite

Sports Hall

Multimedia Learning Laboratory

Two Technical Graphics/Design and Communications Graphics Rooms

Mediation Room

We offer huge space for students to work, rest and play.

page 7 Subject choices JUNIOR CYCLE – 3 YEAR PROGRAMME

We also offer short courses: Wellbeing: Social, Personal Health Education (SPHE) | Civic, Social and Political Education (CSPE)

TRANSITION YEAR – 1 YEAR PROGRAMME This unique one-year programme promotes the personal, social, educational and vocational development of students. It prepares them for their role as autonomous, participative and responsible members of society.

SENIOR CYCLE – 2 YEAR PROGRAMME

Leaving Certificate Subjects CORE SUBJECTS English | Gaeilge | Mathematics | Physical Education | Wellbeing.

LEAVING CERTIFICATE VOCATIONAL PROGRAMME

LEAVING CERTIFICATE APPLIED – 2 YEAR PROGRAMME

SENIOR CYCLE REVIEW 2030 Our school is proud to have been chosen by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment to commence a review of the Senior Cycle Programme.

page 8 Athlone Community College Prospectus The John Hooper Medal for Statistics Award

BT Young Scientist Music Maestro by Ruairí Lyons, Smart Electric Fence by Irene Finnerty, Aoibhe Lennon & Pranay Goel and Shane Whyte. Aoife O’Neill. Smart Electric Fence was the National Winner of the ESB Networks National Safety Challenge. STEM and STEAM SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND APPLIED MATHS Education in the STEM subjects is clearly embedded in the curriculum of Athlone Community College and involves a cross disciplinary approach.

STEM focuses on scientific concepts whereas STEAM The STEM subjects: investigates the same problems through inquiry and problem based learning methods used in the creative process. Science | Technology | Engineering | Applied Maths Participation in the STEAM subject’s enables students to be independent, resourceful learners as they hone their STEAM = STEM + The Arts: enquiry based learning skills which are essential for living and working in today’s world. We regularly collaborate with Humanities | Language Arts | Dance | Drama | Music Ericsson and our local Institute of Technology where our Vsual Arts | Design | New Media students learn to code and flourish in an environment that supports the growth of STEM.

Take a look at some of the ways we participate in STEAM. What would you like to become involved in?

Athlone Community College teacher Ms. Meighan Duffy, Chairperson of the Applied Mathematics Association Ireland

page 9 Sport

Sport at our College plays an integral role in helping to develop our young men and women to flourish in an active and competitive environment.

Our students thrive on sport and boast a wealth of awards and medals. They promote sport here at Athlone Community College by honouring its values of honesty, commitment, humility, resilience and above all teamwork. We are very proud of our recent successes; look at a selection of our achievements below!

WE ARE EXTREMELY PROUD OF OUR STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN RECOGNISED BOTH NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY Connacht Sailing Winners 2017

Futsal Westmeath Champions 2019 (Boys) Connacht Rugby Junior Cup and Junior Rugby League winners 2018-2019

Connacht Schools Hockey Champions Futsal Westmeath Champions 2019 (Girls) Cahill Cup Senior Winners 2019

Hockey Sweetman Shield Winners 2019 FAI Schools Leinster Senior Girls Cup Winners and All-Ireland Runners-up

page 10 Athlone Community College Prospectus Zara Mae Kurt Elli represented Hockey Coach Rosemary Ireland in European Touch ‘Gudgie’ Moran with Allie and Rugby 2019 Hockey Halliday League Junior Winners 2019 Robyn Heatherington

Adam Lennon Senior Connacht Boys Relay Champions 2019

Connacht Rugby Cup Winners Leinster Junior Girls Gaelic Winners 2018

Sports Recognition Awards Girls Senior Soccer Panel FAI Schools Leinster Cup Champions & All-Ireland

Futsal Westmeath Champions 2019 (Boys) Runners up 2019 Aimee O’Connor (Ladies Gaelic Football) Roscommon Minor Gaelic Capt. & Member of Junior Boys Rugby Development League Winners 2019 Leinster Inter-provincial Squad Tommy Coogan (Basketball) U17 Irish Basketball International Girl’s Junior & Senior Hockey Panels Connacht – Cahill Cup Champions & Halliday Cup Champions 2019 Allie & Robyn Heatherington (Hockey) Connacht U17 Hockey Squad members. Tori Farrell (Rugby) Connacht

15 side RugbyAdam Squad Faith OviaweLennon (Rugby 7’s) U19 Boys Basketball Midlands Leinster Junior Girls Soccer Winners 2019 Final Winners 2019 Member of the Connacht Rugby 7’s Squad Junior Boys Rugby Squad Connacht League & Cup Winners, Oisin Dolan, Jim Connolly, Alban Ceipi, Paidi O’ Leochain (Rugby) Connacht Development Squads. Ben Graf (Sailing) Selected to represent Ireland at European Championships Oliwia Smilaek (Water Polo)

Aimee O’Connor has successfully been awarded Cameron Brill, 6th year student and member of Member of Irish Women’s a Sports Scholarship for NUI Maynooth for her our Student Council has just recently became Water Polo Team outstanding sporting prowess a member of the IRFU Youth Council in Ireland. Darragh Fitzgerald (Swimming) Cameron captains our rugby team here in school and is one of the youngest members the Connacht Schools Swimming page 11 IRFU has on this council. Champion Musicals and Lip Sync Battles Athlone Community College has a long tradition of staging vibrant musicals, which afford our students an opportunity to display their talents and give the public an opportunity to view first class productions. We regularly sell out the Dean Crowe Theatre four nights in a row!

Our school has also worked in conjunction with Lip Sync Battle Ireland and together with the Radisson Hotel, we put on an epic night of entertainment that our students will talk about for years to come!

The 2020 TY Show, ‘A Night at the Oscars’ will be staged virtually in December.

page 12 Athlone Community College Prospectus Athlone Community College Prospectus page 13 Music and the Arts We ensure that students have the freedom to embrace their creativity. From musicals to fashion shows and dance classes, students are provided with a wide range of performing arts opportunities. Athlone Community College is participating in the Music Generation Programme.

Our school is a melodic buzz of musical creativity. Inside the classroom, the music syllabus inspires creativity and music appreciation through listening, creating and performing. This is supported by opportunities to learning new musical instruments, engage in new music technology and try our many related extra-curricular activities:

Junior Choir

Lunchtime Music Club

Athlone Community College Orchestra

Traditional Irish Music Group

Lunchtime Concerts

Freestyle-Rap Battles

Songwriting Workshops

The benefits of taking part in music activities are vast, and we encourage our students to participate and take as many opportunities to shine as possible. Could you be our next star? page 14 Athlone Community College Prospectus Leaving Cert poet Paul Durcan recites his Gael Linn Debating Champions famous work to our Senior Cycle students

Soroptimist winners 2018 Concern Debating Team 2019 Public Speaking and Debating We are the premier school in the country in debating, having won 3 All-Ireland Concern Debating titles, Public Speaking All-Ireland titles, Soroptimist titles, Gael Linn national titles, NUIG Debating titles and various other Debating and Public Speaking titles.

All first year students have an opportunity to participate in Debating and Public Speaking and represent the school in English, Irish, French, German and Spanish.

To enrich their educational experience, students are encouraged to engage in pursuits that stretch the mind.

Athlone Community College All-Ireland Concern Debating Team

Athlone Community College Prospectus page 15 Transition Year in our school provides students Transition Year with the opportunity to: Create and moderate a TY website Transition Year encourages the development of a wide range of transferable critical thinking and creative problem Partake in Junk Kouture, solving skills and competencies within a well-defined Hone business skills: Young Entrepreneur academic structure. Competition

For instant updates, check out our TY website. See what our students Participate in One Good Idea Science have taken part in so far this year! www.athloneccty.weebly.com Competition, Irish Angus Beef Schools Competition, BT Young Scientist, Sci-Fest and the Young Environmentalist Award.

Volunteer with charitable organisations

Gain work experience in a field of their choice.

Participate in Gaisce, the Presidents Award.

Take a trip to the Special Criminal Court.

Become competent in ICT by creating videos and interactive presentations.

Midlands NISO Quiz Winners. 3 years in a row. Suzie Gavin, Sneha Chippa and Noa Moric.

page 16 Athlone Community College Prospectus Extra-Curricular Clubs and Societies A large number of our clubs and societies are peer-led by TY students Activities with teacher guidance. We encourage all our first year students to join a club when we hold our Clubs and Societies Registration day:

Maths Club

Film Club

Computer Club

Drama Society

Traditional Music Society

We encourage our students to get involved in a variety of extra – Arts and Crafts Club curricular pursuits to complement their academic studies. Such Board Games Club activities are very important in fostering friendships across year groups. We become a stronger community when we work together! Photography Club Table Tennis Club SOCIAL AWARENESS Our students are encouraged to respect and value the world around them. Debating Society Students in our college have been involved in numerous activities relating to social awareness and have won many awards because of these endeavours. Pitch and Putt & Golf Club Well-being Club

Badminton Club

Club Gaeilge

Homework Club

Maths and Science Olympiad

National Quizzes in Maths and Languages WE FUNDRAISE FOR: Graduate.ie Citizen and The Simon Community | ASPCA | Trocaire | Concern Democracy Programme - to name but a few! Green Schools Committee OUR EVENTS INCLUDE: Supervised Evening Study The Green Schools Flag Competition | Gaisce Awards Amber Flag (Anti-Bullying) Award | Lourdes Diocesan Pilgrimage, Young Entrepreneurs Concern Debating Competition | Global Passport Award Creative Writing Club CPR Training | Well-being Workshops | Trocaire Fundraisers, Orchestra Stand-Up Week | Community Coaching | CMRF Free-style Rap Club

Politics Club

Athlone Community College Prospectus page 17 Where are they now Aaron Maloney Adam Cummins A selection of the Leaving Engineering, Computer Science, UCD NUIG Naughton & Ericsson Applicant Certificate Class of 2020 ?

Caoimhe Galvin Cianna Meehan Aoibhinn McKnight Breena Breheny Maths & Computer Ailbhe McManus Amy Nestor Athletics Therapy Training, Vetinerary Medicine Architecture, Science Education, Primary Teaching, Law, TU Dublin DCU TU Dublin Warsaw University of NUIG St. Pats Life Sciences

Daniel Guinan Daniel Quinn Conor Henry Daniel Adeleye Colleen McManus Creative Media & Engineering, Ciara Gately Wildlife Biology, Business Information Science Education, Interaction Design, UL UCC Early Childhood Care IT Tralee Systems, GMIT and Education, DCU Mary Immaculate College

Fearghus Lennon Jasmine Maloney Erika Reid Eve Conway General Nursing, Darragh O’Brien Dylan Keegan English Literature PE & Maths Education, Education Gaeilge & Business Studies, DCU NUIG Mathematical Science, UL & History, UL Business Studies, Mary Trinity Immaculate College page 18 Leeyang Chieng Lia Harte Juliette McGrane Kate Olwill Early Childhood Jennifer Seery John Feeney English Studies, Science, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, UCD Education, St. Pats Civil Engineering, NUIG Trinity AIT UL

Megan McBurney Luke Grisleain Matiss Simanskis Lisa Gavin Psychology, Liam Coolahan Liam Egan Accounting & Finance, Data Science, Human Nutrition Queens Belfast Law & Economics B Comm Accounting DCU Tilburg University Holland NUIG & Dietetics, UCD Trinity Twormey applicant Tax institute shortlist

Niamh Donnelly Olive O’Loughlin Micheal McClean Michelle O’Connor Dentistry, Michael Arrigan Michael Flynn Maths & Education, Maths & Irish Education Science (Open choice Engineering, Mary Immaculate UCC Arts with Performing Arts UL NUIG Studies, NUIG Physics & Maths),UCD College Naughton & Ad Astra Applicant

Sam Kennedy Sarah Jameson Rebekah O’Reilly Romana Inic Rebecca Joyce Biopharmaceutical Food Science, Rebecca Campion Arts with Journalism, Nursing General, Equine Studies, Chemistry, NUIG UCD Medicine, NUIG NUIG UCD Cafre College, Fermanagh

Wiktoria Sewernyiak Viktoria Gorovenko Vladamir Romanov Sean Reynolds Shona Neary Civil Law, Pharmacy, PE Teaching & Aviation Management, Trinity Aeronautical Engineering, DCU NUIG UL Geography, UL

Athlone Community College Prospectus page 19 Student Voice

Prefects are appointed from our Leaving Certificate group. As they are ambassadors for the College, the title and position of School Prefect is an honour and a privilege.

Junior Mayor - Our inaugural Junior Mayor, Aleetza Lennon. The position was created in conjunction with Mr. Frankie Kenna and Westmeath County Council.

The role of the Mentors is one of support in helping First Year students make the transition from primary to secondary school more enjoyable, and to help them integrate into school life.

The Student Council is a representative student body elected from each tutor class in the school. The Student Council strives to make a positive contribution to every page 20 Athlone Community College Prospectus aspect of the school community. Student Wellbeing Guidance Counsellors Ms. Nicola Burke and Ms Cathy Cryan giving career advice

At our College, we recognise CAREER AND GUIDANCE COUNSELLING that we have a central Guidance refers to a range of learning experiences provided in a developmental role to play in supporting sequence, designed to assist our students to make choices about their lives and and promoting students’ to make transitions consequent to these choices. The Guidance Department in learning about wellbeing and Athlone Community College is a part of the Student Support Service. Guidance for wellbeing. Our students learn provides this support in the following areas: about wellbeing through specific areas of the curriculum and PERSONAL CAREER ACADEMIC various wellbeing events and initiatives that are organised to Personal and social skills Employment awareness Subject choice develop awareness, knowledge and skills about wellbeing. Problem solving Educational choices Course choice Self-awareness Training choices Study skills Our pastoral care programme aims to provide a caring Decision making Job seeking skills Exam skills supportive school community allowing for the full development Planning Career growth skills Subject support of the emerging adult, nurturing talents, fostering self-worth and The Guidance Counsellors work alongside other staff members, parents and maximising potential. professionals outside the school setting to provide a service to meet student needs. We host a career event each year that allows Universities, Institutes of Technologies, local businesses, army services and apprenticeship providers the opportunity to meet with our students. It is a fantastic evening that allows our students to see what wonderful opportunities are in store for them. FOUR ASPECTS OF WELLBEING IN ATHLONE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

National Tree Day

page 21 Academic Excellence

The Principal’s Award Female – Aya Rassool Male – Raphael Salaja

Academic Excellence Award Female – Emma Lennon • Male – Luka Moric Both received over 700 points in their Leaving Cert.

Bank of Ireland Junior Certificate Student of the year Award 2019 Bank of Ireland Leaving Certificate Female – Hollie Walsh Student of the year Award 2019 Male – Cian Furey Upcoming Female – Clodagh Moxham Male – Robert Kelly Academic Excellence Awards

Sinead Gonley, a happy graduate Leaving Cert students of 2019 who received Liam Egan who is currently outstanding results with several achieving studying a B Comm & over 600 points and two over 700 points. Accounting in NUIG has been short listed for the Irish Tax page 22 Athlone Community College Prospectus Institute Scholarship. We wish Liam every success. Parent’s Reflections

Two of my daughters attend Athlone Community College – my eldest is currently in Fifth Year and my second child is in Transition Year. Their time at Athlone Community College has been such a positive experience to date.

Participation in the debating team, hockey and soccer teams are just some examples of activities which have contributed to their personal development since entering secondary school. The size of the school has never been a factor because the support structure for every student is so well considered and managed. The roles and responsibilities of the Class Tutor and Year Head facilitates accessible channels of communication for both students and parents, and enables teachers to get to know each and every student. The culture and values of the school provides all students with a positive platform and environment to flourish and perform to the best of their ability. We could not have wished for such a positive transition to secondary school for our daughters and would highly recommend Athlone Community College.

Garry Walsh

As the first of our kids to make the big leap from Ardnagrath NS – a wonderful small, country school – we thought very carefully about where our daughter would go to school. It was very important to us that her new school would be strong academically as well as offering lots of sporting choices.

In the end we chose Athlone Community College for several reasons. We believe in co-education and it was important for us that our children continue to share the same school experience. Despite it being a constitutional right, Athlone Community College was actually the only school we spoke to that respected our choice to opt out of religious instruction. It was also the only school to offer soccer as an option for girls. In the end as a parent, all you want is for your child to make good friends, be happy and hopefully have some fun whilst learning.

Siabhra Durcan

Athlone Community College Prospectus page 23 Athlone Community College College Principal: Ms. Eileen Donohoe Retreat Road Deputy Principal: Mr. Chris Forde Athlone Deputy Principal: Ms. Pauline Fadden Co. Westmeath Deputy Principal: Ms. Deirdre Whitlow Acting Deputy Principal: Ms. Gráinne Macken Tel: 090 6472625 / 6472640 Fax: 090 6473710 Office Hours: 8.30 a.m. – 4.30 p.m. www.athlonecc.ie [email protected]

Follow us on social media: Visit our school website to view a video on @CCAthlone a day in the life of Athlone Community College Athlone Community College

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