SCHOOL PROSPECTUS TEACHING STAFF 2019/2020 ABOUT US Message from the Principal & Deputy Principal e wish to extend a very warm welcome to those students In this regard, first year students are supported from their first who are considering attending Gallen Community day in school by a dedicated and committed staff. We strive WSchool. We are cognisant that identifying the right every day to maintain a happy, caring and respectful atmosphere secondary school for your child is one of the most important where all students and staff can achieve their full potential. We decisions that you will make in terms of his/her education. We believe that every pupil is unique and that it is our task to enable hope that reading this brochure will help you make that choice. all students to reach their potential as an individual whilst also Our aim in Gallen Community School is to provide a high quality encouraging them to respect the differences of others in the learning environment. We constantly strive for excellence in learning community. During their time in our school we will endeavour to and teaching by providing a rich and diverse curriculum that ensure that each pupil will have developed into a self-confident caters for the needs of each individual. The school also provides young person, ready to take their place in society. We look forward a vast range of educational experiences that will both stimulate to meeting you and your child when you visit the school whether and challenge your child. We are committed to the development it is on Open Night, during many of our high profile activities and care of each and every student. A strong emphasis is placed and events or at information evenings. If you require further on the personal and social development of all our students information please do not hesitate to contact the school. through the provision of a wide range of after-school activities We would be delighted to answer your questions. with all students actively encouraged to participate. We are very aware of the importance of a smooth transition for prospective Garrett Buckley Stacey Guinan students from primary to secondary school. Principal Deputy Principal 1 WHERE OUR STUDENTS COME FROM St. Ciarán’s NS, Clonmacnoise My piece of advice for an incoming 1st Year is: don’t be too nervous, people are so nice in the school and you will find making friends easy. Take part in as much as possible. Rachel Carty St. Ciarán’s NS, Clonmacnoise My piece of advice for an incoming 1st Year is: try all subjects and be open to trying new sports and making new friends, give everything a go. Darragh Mannion St. Saran’s NS, High Street My piece of advice for an incoming 1st Year is: talk to as many people in your year as you can because they will be just as nervous as you and will want to make new friends too. Emily Coughlan St. Saran’s NS, High Street My piece of advice for an incoming 1st Year is: make sure and keep your primary school friends and try as many sports as you can. Mark Nugent St. Cynoc’s NS, Ferbane My piece of advice for an incoming 1st Year is: don’t St. Cynoc’s NS, Ferbane St. Mary’s NS, Cloghan carry your bag around everywhere with you at break My piece of advice for an incoming My piece of advice for an incoming and lunch, leave it on a bag rack. Emily Flynn 1st Year is: please do not pick a subject 1st Year is: if you are feeling nervous just because all your friends are choosing don’t worry just be yourself, what can 2 it, pick what you like and stick with it. possibly go wrong. Dylan Morrow Eoghan Grennan St. Ciarán’s & St. Manchan’s NS, Boher My piece of advice for an incoming 1st Year is: try new subjects like French or Metalwork, try new sports like rugby and enjoy your time here. Oisín Carroll Ballinamere NS My piece of advice for an incoming 1st Year is: try your hardest at every subject and be yourself. Daniel Bracken St. Caillin’s NS, Rashina My piece of advice for an incoming 1st Year is: try and make new friends and bring a lunch with you. Calum Corcoran St. Caillin’s NS, Rashina My piece of advice for an incoming 1st Year is: Get your books before you eat your lunch because it is too much of a rush after you have eaten. Molly Wheeler St. Mary’s NS, Pullough My piece of advice for an incoming 1st Year is: Lumcloon NS St. Mary’s NS, Pullough Stay with everyone at lunch even if you are shy because My piece of advice for an incoming 1st My piece of advice for an incoming 1st you will get to know people which makes it much easier Year is: take part in sport, try to make new Year is: try out all the sports, make lots of to settle in. Participate in sports so you can make more friends, try out the southern fried chicken friends, don’t stay in the same group of friends from different year groups. Caoimhe Lynam panini and find a spot to hang out with friends from primary school. Joseph Dunican 3 your friends. Gavin Delaney GUIDANCE & COUNSELLING Guidance and Counselling in Gallen Community School refers to a range of learning experiences designed to assist students to make choices about their lives and to make transitions to these choices. These choices may be categorised into three distinct but interlinked areas – educational, career and personal/social. The Guidance Counsellor focuses on the following areas during the various stages of a students educational journey through the school. JUNIOR CYCLE SENIOR CYCLE Develop an understanding of themselves as individuals and in Develop an awareness of interests, aptitudes and personality relation to others. traits in themselves and others. Become aware of own strengths and weaknesses. Understand own intelligence type and learning styles. Acquire the competency to consult with Guidance Counsellor Understand the relationship of academics to the world of and Pastoral Care staff with regard to personal/educational work and to life at home. concerns. Develop career awareness and develop employment Develop good note taking skills, homework routine and study readiness. skills. Acquire the skills to investigate the world of work in relation to Demonstrate pride in self and school, i.e., have a sense of the knowledge of self, and to make informed career decisions. school as a supportive community and their role in it. Develop decision-making, planning, communication and problem solving skills. Assess personal qualities as a basis for career exploration. View career development as a continuous process. Counselling is a key part of the school guidance programme, offered on an individual or group basis as part of a developmental learning process and at moments of personal crisis. Counselling may include personal counselling, educational counselling, 4 career counselling or combinations of these. PAST STUDENTS eaving Gallen Community School, I was unsure am currently studying a BSc in Physical Education of the specific direction of my career. Due to a and Irish in the University of Limerick. There are Lgeneral interest in science and a keen love for I55 students on my course which is similar to the maths, I entered the Bachelor of Science Degree in number of students that were in my year throughout secondary school and for that reason it has made the NUI Galway. The course provided the ideal opportunity conversion to third level quite easy. The University to gain a strong foundation in all areas of science was quite daunting at first as the campus is quite while also providing many pathways for which to big, but I love it there and have settled in very well. specialise upon. I am currently in my third year of UL has state-of-the-art sporting facilities along with the course and have opted to focus my studies in the areas of Physiology and breath-taking academic amenities. This resonates with the incredible facilities Biochemistry. My transition from Gallen C.S. to University was essentially that GCS offers, and I certainly feel very lucky to have always been able to seamless and I believe this stemed from the independence, determination and avail of such magnificent resources to aid both my academic and sporting academic ambition instilled in me by the staff at Gallen Community School. endeavours. The lecturers and staff alike are very welcoming and helpful and I worked very closely with teachers who encouraged me to reach the highest really try their best to provide a rich and enjoyable learning experience for their students, just like the staff of Gallen Community School. Whilst I am limits of my potential and also to have confidence in my own ability. really enjoying my time in Limerick, my fondest memories will always be of Such confidence has enabled me to find my feet in the NUI Galway Science my days spent in Gallen Community School. The friendships I made there and Department with ease, where lecturers are as welcoming and open as the the memories I have, from All-Ireland sporting success with both basketball teachers I had in Gallen Community School. I think the most positive aspect and football to being afforded the opportunity of a scholarship to the Gaeltacht of life in GCS, apart from the priceless relationships founded there, was which fostered my love for the Irish language, the chance to participate in the the emphasis on holistic development.