CASTLEPOLLARD Community College Principal’s Address Thank you for taking time to consider our college as the ideal place to nurture your child’s education. We are very proud of the continuous, yet dynamic developments our college has undergone in the past five years. Castlepollard Community College is a small co-educational school with a multi-denominational ethos. The campus which was opened in 2005 and recently developed with two more state of the art classrooms added boasts the most modern of facilities. The college provides a fusion of impressive IT facilities EDUCATION all the while incorporating the traditional positives of education. is not The relationship between old and new is something which we see the as central to the success of Castlepollard Community College. Filling We are proud of the strong relationship with our local community and parents. of a Being regarded as a “small” college, we are very much aware of our role as a pillar of PAIL the local community. This important role is fulfilled by providing a personal touch with but the outstanding pastoral care for our students. We feel that fostering close relationships Lighting between teachers and students compliments 21st century teaching and learning. of a Ultimately, the personal and caring nature of our small classes gives learners FIRE the support and high expectations to match the aspirations of our students. - William Butler Yeats Mary Coyle, PRINCIPAL 2 Along with providing small class groups, the college also provides an extensive Teaching Staff subject choice. TEACHERS SUBJECTS Maeve Bourke . .Maths, Science, Biology, Ag Science, Physics Aoife Brady . .PE, Biology, Science Stephen Melody . .Science, Maths Redmond Burke . .TG, Woodwork, Construction St, DCG Ann Marie Casey . .Science, Biology, Chemistry, Maths Sharon Carberry . .English, Geography Aoife Smith . .Geography, Irish Brian Caffrey . .Metalwork, Engineering, TG, DCG Serena Dillon . .Irish, French Patrick Gilsenan . .Business Studies, Accounting, LCVP It is the Laura Harrison . .PE, SEN Nicola Hayes . .Maths, PE, IT Finbar Jordan . .English, History Supreme Therese Kenefick . .Business Studies, Accounting Tara Kiernan . .Religion, History ARTof the Catriona Kilbride . .French, Music, LCVP Joan Leonard . .English, Music Teacher Anne Marie Lohan . .Home Economics, Economics, SEN to James McGrath . .Science, Biology AWAKEN Laura McLoughlin . .Social Studies in CREATIVE Orla McManus . .English, History, SEN Joy Lorraine Mimnagh . .Art, IT and EXPRESSION Michael Murphy . .Woodwork, TG, Construction St, DCG Zara Power . .Irish, French knowledge Breege Smith . .Guidance and Counselling, SEN, LCVP Miriam Mac Elroy . .Home-School Liason Co-Ordinator - Albert Einstein 3 21st Century What is 21st Century Learning? Our school motto is at the forefront of everything we do as a college. Learning 21st Century Learning is much more than a technologically savvy student. At Castlepollard Community College, we believe in nourishing an education which promotes the well rounded, 21st Century pupil. Through cross-curricular activities, focus on academic achievement and the promotion of extra-curricular fulfilment our students “I enjoy working with are educated with the learning, literacy and life skills at the heart of modern education.* other students in English to create presentations.” Our focus as an educational institute is to provide students with an educational structure - Ian Dobson which encourages collaboration, creative initiative and critical thinking.* These skills and focuses, which are central to the teaching methods of our staff, form the core elements of not only 21st century learning but also the new Junior Cycle currently being implemented.** “The iPads help us with homework as I Here at Castlepollard Community College, we feel strongly can even communicate with my classmates and “The iPads really that our pupils are sufficiently prepared to address the teachers from home when help with research I need help through and project work.” range of interpersonal, creative and technologically centred the Showbie app.” - Francis Murphy-Cassen - Shauna Cribbon skills at the heart of the modern Irish educational system.** The college’s focus on IT as an access point to these skills for all students, along with the endless creative possibilities enhanced by the use of IT allows our students to approach their lessons, their work “Using the iPad I was able to create my “I love being and their learning with the key skills necessary for the own autobiography in creative and working English using the app, with other students new Junior Cert Cycle and ultimately the workplace Book Creator.” on projects.” – John Connolly - Orla Smith * k12.thoughtfullearning.com ** http://www.juniorcycle.ie/NCCA_JuniorCycle 4 Breakfast Club: 8:00 - 8:45 Pastoral Care and Student Support Complimentary lunch for all students “The new apps help us The caring and nurturing atmosphere here to explore and investigate (2016/17) in a lot of our subjects, at Castlepollard Community College has been especially History.” supported by our pastoral and pupil care system. - Eleanor Masterson This structure acts as a perfect scaffold to aid our students on their social and academic journey. CARE TEAM “Since we started to use Principal: iPads, I have been Along with the overall care of our Principal reading more.” and Deputy Principal and Guidance Counsellor, Mary Coyle - Rachel Gorman the college offers support from Miriam McElroy, Home School Community Liason Officer and Deputy Principal: Martina Smith (Counsellor and Psychotherapist). James McGrath “It’s easy to remember On a day to day basis, each student is the homework as teachers can send us part of a tutor group with whom they our homework on Google Classroom and Showbie.” are guided from first year to final year. HSCL: – Breffni Moore Miriam McElroy Have a look at our pastoral structure (right). “I have enjoyed Career Guidance and “I really enjoyed being creative here “In Maths using Keynote to at Castlepollard Community Student Counsellor: we made a make a slideshow College. In Woodwork I used presentation Breege Smith about my favourite the iPad to come up with on Keynote to TV programme new ideas and research help us remember in Irish.” for a project.” HCFs and LCFs.” - Evan Farrelly - Ciaran Moran - Lauren Fitzsimons First Year Tutors 2016/2017: Tara Kiernan and Michael Murphy 5 Music and Drama Music plays a large part in the life of the school. Apart from mainstream music classes, there are many extracurricular activities for the students to get involved in. The school choir has been very successful, having performed at: MASSES GRADUATIONS OPEN NIGHTS VARIOUS COMMUNITY EVENTS AWARDS NIGHT The school instrumental group caters for any instrument and any ability. The group plays an array of genres from traditional to popular to classical. Two years ago, the college hosted the first ever full scale musical, Voulez Vous. The majority of the student body were involved in some capacity and the show was a huge success, especially in the local community. The show was followed last year by a production of Oklahoma, which took place to large crowds in the Mullingar Arts Centre. This year, Transition Year will take to the stage of the Arts Centre once again as the college is currently preparing a production of John B. Keane's, Big Maggie, due to be staged in late November. 6 Music and Drama For students who are interested in threading the boards, there are a variety of theatrical activities on offer at Castlepollard Community College. Transition years enter the Briery Gap competition each year. This year they will be partaking in the Gaiety School of Acting Playwriting Workshop and will write and produce their own play. There is also an improvisation group that meets regularly which is open to any students. We have also attended many national productions, including Oklahoma, The Field, An Trial and To Kill a Mockingbird along with various productions in Mullingar Arts Centre. 7 Sporting Activities Castlepollard Community College provides a range of sporting outlets for our pupils. Involvement in sport and access to a variety of activities for all is key to the ethos of the college. Students can utilise the essential 21st Century skills on the field of play as they are encouraged to develop leadership, display flexibility and demonstrate initiative. As the school has grown rapidly over the last few years, our involvement in sport has also. The picturesque setting in which our college sits also provides us with first-class sporting facilities including a full size GAA pitch, soccer pitch and tennis courts. The school also has a fully equipped sports hall to host indoor games and activities. North Leinster Champions The college coaches students in girls' football and camogie, whilst the boys' 2016 (U16) hurling team has gone from strength to strength. The annual "C'mon Caman" celebration of local hurling with our neighbouring primary schools, perfectly illustrates the sporting pillar that is Castlepollard Community College in the community. The school also provides training from professionally trained coaches in both soccer and tennis. This year, the school has also made the venture into competing in girls' hockey. 8 Sports Available at Castlepollard Community College • Physical Education • Hurling & Camogie • Gaelic Football • Soccer • Hockey • Lacrosse • Tennis & Table Tennis • Badminton • Athletics & Cross Country Running SPORTS do not • Gymnastics BUILD • Equestrian team Character •