WEB Roscommon Prospectus 2019
WEB Roscommon Prospectus 2019
WEB Roscommon Prospectus 2019
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School <strong>Prospectus</strong>
Ms. Georgina Keena<br />
Principal<br />
FÁILTE<br />
A Chairde Uaisle<br />
Jude Lohan<br />
Deputy Principal<br />
Content<br />
Why RCC ................................................ 3<br />
Curriculum ............................................ 5<br />
Transition Year ...................................... 8<br />
School Framework ........................... 11<br />
Extra Curricular ................................. 13<br />
Sports Programme .......................... 16<br />
Sports Gallery .................................... 17<br />
Leaders in Technology .................... 18<br />
Science Gallery .................................. 19<br />
Technology Gallery ........................ 20<br />
Music Gallery ................................... 21<br />
Art, Craft & Design Gallery .......... 21<br />
Student Services ............................ 22<br />
New Build ......................................... 23<br />
DES Inspection report .................... 26<br />
Cuirimid fáilte Uí Cheallaigh romhaibh dár scoil, Coláiste Pobail Ros<br />
Comáin. Tá bród orainn ár réamheolaire don bhliain acadúil seo a<br />
chur in iúl daoibh. Caitheann an réamheolaire seo ár n-imeachtaí<br />
scoile i slite leathana éagsula agus tá súil againn go mbainfidh sibh<br />
idir taitneamh agus tairbhe as.<br />
Welcome to <strong>Roscommon</strong> Community College, a co-educational<br />
secondary school under the governing body of Galway<br />
<strong>Roscommon</strong> Education and Training Board (GRETB). <strong>Roscommon</strong><br />
Community College has grown rapidly over the last few years<br />
and today provides a vibrant and energetic setting for growth<br />
and improvement in <strong>Roscommon</strong> Town. When your child enters<br />
our school they are taken on a journey of exploration that equips<br />
them with the necessary knowledge and skills to develop selfconfidence,<br />
independent inquiry, respect, positivity and tolerance.<br />
At RCC we want each of our students to feel supported, respected<br />
and valued as an individual within a caring, inclusive and<br />
compassionate school environment. We provide a framework of<br />
education that fosters academic excellence, pastoral care, social<br />
direction and support structures that assist and enhance your<br />
child’s life chances. We work with our students to achieve high<br />
academic grades and guide them throughout their time in our<br />
school so that they make appropriate life choices as they venture<br />
beyond our walls.<br />
Students at RCC can access a vast curriculum from which they can<br />
choose a variety of subjects, both practical and academic, delivered<br />
by a team of professional, dedicated and highly motivated<br />
teachers, and supported by our Special Needs Assistants. The<br />
work we do to enhance our students learning experiences is at the<br />
vanguard of educational practice and yet we never lose focus on<br />
their individual needs. We create a wide spectrum of opportunities<br />
for students and create a platform for them to experience foreign<br />
travel, charity work and competitive sporting and academic<br />
competitions. These opportunities help students achieve a holistic<br />
and fulfilling experience of learning, challenges them to think<br />
independently, work proactively and act responsibly and enables<br />
them to flourish in a range of different environments.<br />
An underpinning principle of RCC is our ethos of working in<br />
partnership with all members of the school community; students,<br />
parents, staff, Board of Management and the local community.<br />
Our active student council and vibrant Parents’ Association are<br />
essential in <strong>Roscommon</strong> Community College and very much a<br />
part of our inclusive approach towards education.<br />
I hope that as you browse through this prospectus and attend<br />
our Open Day, that you will discover a vibrant school community,<br />
characterised by an atmosphere of warmth and vitality, where our<br />
pupils are active, enthusiastic and happy during their time in RCC.<br />
Míle buíochas as ucht do chuid ama agus táimid ag tnúth go mór<br />
le bualadh libh go luath amach anseo.<br />
Le dea-ghuí.<br />
Ms. Georgina Keena<br />
Principal<br />
2
Why RCC?<br />
Our ethos centres on the student. We<br />
prize each and every child in our care and<br />
acknowledge their individuality, unique<br />
talents and their contribution to our school<br />
community as well as the wider society. We<br />
seek to develop each student’s talents to<br />
their highest potential in an environment<br />
that respects, encourages and confirms<br />
their efforts at achieving personal goals.<br />
RCC is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence<br />
in all aspects of education. We believe<br />
that every student has a tremendous and<br />
unique potential and our aim is to enable<br />
this potential in a structured and focused<br />
way. We will encourage civic responsibility<br />
so that each student can make a positive<br />
contribution to our society and bring their<br />
own distinctiveness to bear.<br />
Respect is a critical factor in RCC’s<br />
environment. Both teachers and students<br />
operate in an atmosphere of mutual<br />
cooperation and collaboration and this is<br />
reflected in the enduring relationships of all<br />
within the school community.<br />
Our results reflect the dedication and hard<br />
work of both students and teachers. Every<br />
year our students apply through the CAO for<br />
third level places and over 90% are offered<br />
their first or second choice.<br />
At RCC we excel as a school community.<br />
We believe that all our students are school<br />
leaders and we place them in the centre of<br />
teaching and learning in the school. We foster<br />
a climate of independent learning and inspire<br />
our young people to achieve. We respect<br />
their views and opinions in an environment<br />
of mutual respect and responsibility.<br />
Our Mission<br />
At RCC we aim to provide a<br />
quality academic, practical,<br />
social and spiritual education<br />
for our students, suited to their<br />
needs and abilities, in a warm,<br />
caring and friendly environment.<br />
We foster mutual respect<br />
between students and staff and<br />
instil in our students a sense of<br />
self-discipline and community.<br />
3
Our educational practice<br />
Your pathways<br />
Application Process for<br />
Incoming First Years<br />
Application forms and information regarding our<br />
Admission Policy will be delivered by representatives from<br />
<strong>Roscommon</strong> Community College to our local primary<br />
schools and other feeder schools for your son or daughter<br />
in 6 th class. Alternatively, information is available from<br />
www.roscomcol.com.<br />
4
CURRICULUM<br />
Junior Cycle<br />
RCC takes a broad and holistic view of education. Passionate about lifelong learning, we<br />
believe that success at examination level is crucial to developing the skillset that our students<br />
will need to become independent thinkers and self-disciplined learners. Our students are<br />
encouraged to take higher level in all their chosen subject areas and consistently achieve<br />
high grades across the board.<br />
In first year, our student’s sample and participate in all core, elective and non-exam subjects.<br />
Then in accordance with the Department of Education guidelines on the new Junior Cycle,<br />
each student maintains all the core subjects and selects four of the elective subjects for the<br />
Junior Cycle examination. Together with a number of non-examinable subjects they explore<br />
the curriculum through innovative and progressive classroom pedagogies and connect with<br />
a range of topics that develop them in a holistic and well-structured manner.<br />
Junior Cycle group work<br />
BEING<br />
LITERATE<br />
Junior Certificate<br />
Core Subjects<br />
COMMUNICATING<br />
MANAGING<br />
MYSELF<br />
Irish, English, Mathematics, Science,<br />
French/German<br />
Elective Subjects<br />
WORKING<br />
WITH<br />
OTHERS<br />
KEY<br />
SKILLS<br />
STAYING<br />
WELL<br />
History, Geography, Music, Home<br />
Economics, Business Studies, Materials<br />
Technology-Wood, Engineering, Technical<br />
Graphics, Art.<br />
Non-Exam Subjects<br />
Career Guidance, Study Skills, Religious<br />
Education, Computer Studies<br />
BEING<br />
CREATIVE<br />
MANAGING<br />
INFORMATION<br />
& THINKING<br />
Well-being<br />
BEING<br />
NUMERATE<br />
With the New Junior Cert all students<br />
develop eight key skills which enable them<br />
to participate in 21 st century learning.<br />
5
COMMENTS FROM<br />
1 st Year Students<br />
“I like the school because<br />
the teachers are lovely<br />
and kind. I like the way we<br />
picked our subjects in 1 st<br />
year and not in 2 nd year!”<br />
“The moment I stepped in the door<br />
I felt welcome! The teachers are<br />
fantastic and always make us feel<br />
great about ourselves.I have learned<br />
so much in my first term! It is an<br />
amazing school with an even<br />
better community!”<br />
“I really like <strong>Roscommon</strong><br />
Community College because it is a<br />
very happy school, the pupils are<br />
all very nice and the teachers are<br />
kind and caring. I also really like<br />
the lunch scheme.”<br />
“I am very happy in school.<br />
The teachers are fantastic.<br />
They support you and help<br />
you in any way possible.<br />
What a great school!”<br />
“I was very excited to go to this<br />
school and it was well worth the<br />
excitement. The teachers and<br />
pupils are very nice and helpful.<br />
There is a half day on Friday and I<br />
really like this.”<br />
“I like this school because I have<br />
made a lot of new friends. It’s easy<br />
to find my way around the school.<br />
All the teachers are so friendly and<br />
helpful.”<br />
6
Positive Behaviour<br />
All members of the <strong>Roscommon</strong> Community College<br />
community are expected to treat one another with respect,<br />
good manners and courtesy at all times. We expect and<br />
promote high standards of behaviour centred on respect<br />
including: respect for self, respect for fellow students, respect<br />
for staff and respect for property. View our Code of Behaviour<br />
on www.roscomcol.ie<br />
7
CURRICULUM<br />
Transition Year<br />
RCC challenges Transition Year students to formulate a sense of self, set and reach new<br />
goals and ambitions, reach heights that they never knew possible and experience diversity<br />
and enjoyment. We encourage and help our students to embrace change and opportunity<br />
while developing cognitive, social and emotional skills in a way that compliments the<br />
transition to senior cycle. Students study the core Leaving Certificate subjects and sample<br />
the extensive range of modular subjects on offer. The benefits of this core year, can be seen<br />
by our students in their awareness, attitude and commitment to their studies and prevailing<br />
excellent results attained in their Leaving Certificate.<br />
CORE SUBJECTS<br />
Gaeilge<br />
English<br />
Mathematics<br />
French/German<br />
NON-EXAM SUBJECTS<br />
Outdoor Pursuits<br />
Career Guidance<br />
Work Experience<br />
Preparation for the World of Work<br />
MODULAR<br />
Multimedia and Web Development English Law Education<br />
Business and Enterprise Irish Global Citizenship Education (GCE)<br />
French Debating Education<br />
German Geography Art, Craft and Design<br />
Metalwork Home Economics Social Dancing<br />
Engineering Design Music Career Guidance<br />
Science Maths Work Experience and Preparation for the<br />
Environmental Studies<br />
Outdoor Pursuits<br />
World of Work<br />
8<br />
PROGRAMMES AND AWARDS<br />
NUI Galway Mini Med John Paul II Award Driver Education<br />
First Aid GAA Coaching Course Roddy Doyle Writing Workshop<br />
Work Experience Farm Management WorldWise Global Schools Project (WWGS)<br />
Community Work Experience Microsoft Certificate Production of School Magazine<br />
Career Guidance BT Young Scientist Leadership for Life Programme<br />
Fundraising SciFest SPHE and Mental Health Initiatives<br />
Gaisce - The President’s Award First Lego League Competition Big Brother Big Sister<br />
TY Physics Experience in association with<br />
Trinity College Dublin<br />
TY Mini Med in association with Mayo<br />
General Hospital<br />
Junior Mini-Sumo Robotics
CURRICULUM<br />
Senior Cycle<br />
LEAVING CERTIFICATE<br />
RCC students’ progress from our core Transition Year programme into our Senior Cycle<br />
programme. Having studied the core Leaving Certificate subjects Irish, English, Mathematics<br />
and French/German, and sampled the extensive range of modular subjects, our students<br />
have a great foundation and insight into the requirements of each subject as they progress<br />
into Senior Cycle. The full range of subjects are on offer.<br />
CORE SUBJECTS<br />
Irish<br />
English<br />
Mathematics<br />
French/German<br />
NON-EXAM SUBJECTS<br />
Physical Education and Games<br />
Religious Education<br />
Relationships and Sexuality Education<br />
ELECTIVE SUBJECTS<br />
Sciences – Physics, Chemistry, Biology,<br />
Agricultural Science, Home Economics,<br />
Applied Mathematics.<br />
Humanities – French, German,<br />
Geography, History, Music, Politics and<br />
Society.<br />
Technology – Construction Studies,<br />
Engineering, Design Communications<br />
and Graphics, Art.<br />
Business – Business, Accounting,<br />
Economics, Leaving Cert Vocational<br />
Programme (LCVP).<br />
“RCC offers an education<br />
that places the student<br />
at the centre of the<br />
learning. We create a<br />
learning environment<br />
which acknowledges<br />
the student voice as<br />
central, incorporating<br />
an enquiry-focused<br />
approach. Our<br />
curriculum is inclusive,<br />
wide-ranging and<br />
meets the needs of<br />
many diverse and<br />
differentiated learning<br />
requirements.”<br />
~ Teacher<br />
9
CURRICULUM<br />
Learning For Life<br />
LEARNING FOR LIFE (SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS)<br />
For students with more complex learning needs, we offer our Learning for Life Programme.<br />
This provides an educational programme that meets the academic, social, vocational and<br />
behavioural needs of students with mild to moderate learning disabilities. We endeavour<br />
to provide such students with the skills needed to live fulfilling and productive adult lives,<br />
together with the tools to seek and gain employment. Our goal is to ensure all participants in<br />
the Learning for Life Programme gain recognition and certification at a level appropriate to<br />
them. Transition from one level to the next is ability based. Admission to this programme is<br />
based on a number of criteria and availability, as decided by the school Principal. Students<br />
may complete modules from the new Junior Certificate Level 2 Learning Programmes<br />
(L2LPs) and Level 1 (L1LPS) or modules from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI).<br />
CORE SUBJECTS<br />
L1LP:<br />
Numeracy<br />
Communication, Literacy and Language<br />
Personal Care and Well-being<br />
Being part of a Community<br />
The Arts<br />
Physical Education<br />
L2LPs:<br />
Communicating and Literacy<br />
Numeracy<br />
Personal Care<br />
Living in a Community<br />
Preparing for work<br />
ELECTIVE SUBJECTS<br />
Home Economics<br />
Music<br />
Information Technology<br />
Horticulture<br />
Work Experience<br />
Cultural Studies<br />
Health and Safety<br />
Movement and Relaxation<br />
AWARDS<br />
‘First Steps’ – A FETAC Level 1 Certificate<br />
in Communications<br />
‘Write On’ – A FETAC Level 2 Certificate in<br />
General Learning<br />
10<br />
‘Learning for Everyday Living’ - A<br />
FETAC Level 3 Certificate in General<br />
Learning
School Framework<br />
YEAR-HEADS<br />
Board of<br />
Management<br />
Principal<br />
Deputy Principal<br />
5 Assistant<br />
Principal 1’s<br />
Student Mentoring (BBBS)<br />
Class Prefects<br />
5 Assistant Principal 2’s<br />
Head Boy and Head Girl<br />
STUDENT<br />
46 Teachers/8 SNAs<br />
Student Council<br />
Pastoral<br />
Care Team<br />
School Completion<br />
Coordinator<br />
Home School<br />
Community<br />
Liaison Officer<br />
Learning<br />
Support Team<br />
Guidance<br />
Counselling<br />
“Every building needs a solid foundation. RCC has given me the<br />
foundation to build the rest of my life on.”<br />
~ 6 th year student<br />
11
Inspiring Excellence<br />
Encouraging Thinking<br />
‘The happy atmosphere<br />
in RCC has given my<br />
child the opportunity to<br />
flourish and develop into<br />
a capable young adult. His<br />
time spent in the school<br />
has not only offered<br />
him the academic tools<br />
to succeed but also has<br />
given him the social and<br />
cultural skills to pursue<br />
his goals and dreams”.<br />
~ Parent<br />
12
Extra Curricular<br />
At RCC we place great value on ensuring that each child in our care becomes a responsible and hard-working adult. We support them<br />
as they become active participants in protecting and supporting their community and environment. Through our extra-curricular<br />
programmes we give our students the opportunity to discover and explore cultures and social issues and develop their knowledge and<br />
communication skills.<br />
School Trips<br />
• RCC offers students a rich and diverse educational experience<br />
through our global school’s programme. This gives students the<br />
opportunity to experience different cultures and values.<br />
• The Modern Foreign Languages Department offers a wide range<br />
of out-of-class language and cultural experiences including<br />
European Day of Languages, International Fashion Show,<br />
MFL cinema trips and plays, Lunchtime Language Meet-Up<br />
(Stammtisch), Student Language Exchange Programmes and<br />
Language College Scholarships. Through the Student Language<br />
Exchange programmes our students are given the opportunity<br />
to establish relationships with other students of similar age and<br />
background through total submersion in French and German.<br />
• Each year students have the option to travel abroad on school<br />
tours. Previous tours have visited London, France, Germany,<br />
Belgium, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands.<br />
• The Career Guidance department travel each year to Ireland’s<br />
universities and third level colleges.<br />
• Other trips and excursions have included visits to theatres,<br />
Ecology and Geography fieldtrips.<br />
Gaeltacht Scholarship<br />
Each year students are afforded an opportunity to apply for a<br />
scholarship to attend one of the island schools in Árann for the<br />
academic year. This year two of our students were awarded this<br />
scholarship from the GRETB to attend Gairmscoil Éinne in Inis Mór<br />
for the 2018/<strong>2019</strong> academic year.<br />
Student Awards<br />
RCC takes a broad view of education and each year students are<br />
encouraged to attain their personal best through the awards<br />
programme, which focus on many aspects of school life. The<br />
awards include; Academic Excellence, Class Contribution, Good<br />
Citizenship, Leadership, Euro-Language French and German<br />
Scholarships, Gaeltacht Scholarships and Sports Awards. Being<br />
part of the Galway <strong>Roscommon</strong> Education and Training Board gives<br />
our students the opportunity to participate in the GRETB Awards<br />
Programme, under the following categories; Sporting, Academic,<br />
Overcoming Adversity and Leadership.<br />
13
Green School<br />
Our school was the first Post-Primary school in the county to<br />
achieve a Green Flag Award. We have successfully retained our<br />
green flag status on the last seven assessment occasions and are<br />
currently preparing for our eight assessment on the theme of<br />
Global Citizenship with an emphasis on the Marine Environment.<br />
WorldWise Global Schools (WWGS)<br />
Our school has been involved in WWGS projects over the last number of years, with the aim of<br />
integrating Global Citizenship Education (GCE) into all aspects of teaching and learning. GCE is<br />
a powerful vehicle through which we can better understand the world we live in and take action<br />
to change it as informed global citizens. At RCC we believe GCE is an exciting and effective way<br />
to equip students with critical thinking skills and instil personal values such as empathy and<br />
solidarity, to help our students contribute to creating a more just and equal world. Each year<br />
our school chooses different themes to focus on for our WWGS project, which link in with the<br />
Sustainable Development Goals. Students engage in class work on these topics as well as other<br />
extra-curricular activities, a sample of which are listed below.<br />
• Trip to Irish Aid Centre for GCE workshop<br />
• Intercultural Breakfast Morning<br />
• Trip to Cloughjordan Ecovillage<br />
• Trip to Lough Boora for Habitat Study<br />
• Inclusion Creative Writing Workshop<br />
• Environmental Sustainability Video-making Workshops<br />
• Discrimination Drama Workshops<br />
• Intercultural Music Workshop<br />
• Fair Trade Awareness Raising Activity<br />
• Trip to Strokestown Famine Museum<br />
14
Supporting Community<br />
Building Confidence<br />
“Having the opportunity<br />
to be guided by the<br />
wonderful teachers and<br />
staff at RCC has been a<br />
privilege. I have learned a<br />
lot about myself, especially<br />
in Sporting teams. I<br />
have experienced many<br />
great memories and I<br />
am confident that it has<br />
given me the platform to<br />
succeed in the future.<br />
~ 6 th Year Student<br />
15
Building Character<br />
Reaching Potential<br />
RCC Coaches<br />
• Mr. Fergal Timmons: Hurling,<br />
Handball, Football<br />
• Ms. Siobhán Tully: Handball,<br />
Volleyball<br />
• Mr. Paul Casserly: Rugby<br />
• Mr. Conor Devaney: Football, Athletics<br />
• Ms. Laura Fleming: Football<br />
• Ms. Sheila Gunn: Football, Volleyball<br />
• Ms. Niamh Conway: Camogie<br />
• Ms. Aishling Spellman: Camogie<br />
• Mr. Shane Killoran: Football,<br />
Volleyball<br />
• Mr. Gary Patterson: Football<br />
• Mr. Maurice Callinan: Hurling<br />
• Ms. Maura Connolly: Football<br />
• Mr. James Martin: Football<br />
SPORTS PROGRAMME<br />
Research shows that participation in youth sports helps children improve the physical, social, emotional and academic aspects of their<br />
lives. In addition, the experience of youth sports influences their behaviour as adults, while also helping to promote physical fitness. At<br />
<strong>Roscommon</strong> Community College we value the role of sport as we endeavour to counter the rising tide of childhood obesity and other health<br />
problems.<br />
Physical Education is offered to students of all ages within <strong>Roscommon</strong> Community College. We emphasise the importance of sport in<br />
everyday life and students develop the values of teamwork, individual achievement and sportsmanship through taking part in a suite of<br />
extra-curricular sports activities throughout the school year.<br />
Together we aim to develop student ability in a way that enhances competitiveness while encouraging self-discipline and supporting team<br />
skills. Whether your child enjoys team-based sports or is more of an individual, we have the expertise, facilities and the passion to develop<br />
their physical skills and create healthy habits as they move into adulthood.<br />
OUR SPORTING ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:<br />
Volleyball Handball Table Tennis<br />
Gaelic Football Basketball Athletics<br />
Hurling<br />
Rugby<br />
Camogie<br />
Soccer<br />
Our Outdoor Pursuits Programme for Transition Year is an integral part of our extra-curricular activity curriculum and involves camping,<br />
orienteering, mountain climbing, hill walking, cycling, abseiling and a variety of water sports. Coaching courses in GAA, Volleyball and soccer<br />
are also available for those budding managers of the future.<br />
16
Sports<br />
17
Leaders in Technology<br />
Significant investment and planning has ensured that <strong>Roscommon</strong> Community College is at the forefront in utilising IT in teaching, learning<br />
and management. Every classroom is equipped with a teaching computer, interactive whiteboards and high-speed broadband to enhance<br />
the visual environment and we have two fully-equipped computer rooms and a bank of student devices for the language department to<br />
address the needs of modern learning.<br />
Each student in <strong>Roscommon</strong> Community College receives a school email and Microsoft Office 365 account. This allows our students the<br />
use of various Microsoft applications to aid their learning. Students can access OneNote, which allows students to access their class notes<br />
including videos, which are specially designed by teachers, to enhance students learning.<br />
Website<br />
Our website keeps you up-to-date with all of the necessary<br />
information required to monitor and explore your child’s<br />
education. Subject information, school calendars and support<br />
services are some of the items on the website that keep you<br />
informed of the various school activities. You can log on to our<br />
website at www.roscomcol.ie. For enquiries contact us at info.<br />
roscommon@gretb.ie<br />
Ms. Marie Bance - School Secretary<br />
VSWare<br />
Parents can stay up-to-date of their child’s progress through VSWare,<br />
our secure and online student record system where up-to-date<br />
assessment results, timetables, attendance and other information<br />
can be viewed.<br />
Texting Service for Parents<br />
We offer a text service to parents to inform them of student absences<br />
and notify them of any changes or events that may be taking place.<br />
This may include reminders for parent teacher meetings, sporting<br />
activities, class trips, school emergencies, general notices and<br />
unplanned closures.<br />
Way2Pay<br />
Way2Pay is Ireland’s fastest growing cashless payment solution for<br />
schools. Parents can ‘pay by text’ for school activities instantly on<br />
their smartphones with a few simple clicks.<br />
18
Science<br />
19
20<br />
Technology
Music<br />
Art, Craft & Design<br />
21
Student Services<br />
Evening Study<br />
Evening Study is open to all students and takes place after school<br />
Monday to Friday (nominal fee applies).<br />
Homework Club<br />
Homework Club is run in conjunction with the School Completion<br />
Programme. This service gives students the unique opportunity<br />
to stay back after school and complete their homework in a warm<br />
comfortable bright environment with their peers and a number<br />
of teachers present to help them, if needs be. It provides students<br />
with a structured environment, allowing them to get into the habit<br />
of completing homework and study during a set period of time and<br />
to the highest standards pupils can achieve.<br />
Student Council<br />
The Student Council consists of a representative body elected from<br />
and by the general cohort of students in the school. The Student<br />
Council gives students an opportunity to voice their concerns and<br />
opinions and to play an active role in school events and the life of<br />
the school. A member of staff liaises with the Student Council and<br />
through the Council links are formed between the students and<br />
school management.<br />
Care Meetings<br />
Our school care team meets weekly to discuss the individual needs<br />
and requirements of the students as they arise. The Care team is<br />
made up of the Principal, Deputy Principal, Guidance Counsellor,<br />
HSCL, Learning Support and SCP Co-Ordinator, and Discipline<br />
Co-Ordinator. The idea of a team approach within the school is<br />
intended to bring all the available resources of the school together<br />
to address, in a strategic and co-ordinated manner, the complex<br />
needs of students. Interventions can also involve agencies and<br />
support personnel from outside the school environment.<br />
School Lunch Scheme<br />
The School Lunch Scheme aims to provide free regular, nutritious<br />
food to students. At RCC we realise that proper nutrition can improve<br />
children’s ability to concentrate, improve disruptive behaviour and<br />
encourage children to attend school. Each student receives their<br />
own unique username and password for our school lunch scheme,<br />
which they use to login online to order a personalised lunch. In every<br />
lunch, each sandwich is individually handcrafted and labelled with<br />
the relevant student’s name. All lunches are delivered to school<br />
each morning in a unique temperature controlled boxes boosting<br />
freshness, quality and taste.<br />
Career Guidance and Counselling<br />
Guidance and Counselling is at the heart of our pastoral care in<br />
RCC. The Guidance Counsellor gives care and support to students<br />
learning to cope with the many aspects of growing up and school<br />
life and with their individual personal circumstances. Students in<br />
all years may be seen individually, either at their own request or<br />
that of a parent or teacher. Students are offered the opportunity to<br />
explore/discuss personal issues and are guided and helped through<br />
the decision-making process. The schools holistic approach offers<br />
students access Guidance in the Classroom, around the school and<br />
on a one-to-one basis which encompasses the three separate, but<br />
interlinked, areas of personal and social development, educational<br />
guidance and career guidance.<br />
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Delivering Equality of<br />
Opportunity in Schools (DEIS)<br />
<strong>Roscommon</strong> Community College is a DEIS school and<br />
therefore receives a range of additional resources including<br />
additional staffing, funding and access to literacy and numeracy<br />
programmes. In addition, interventions such as the Home<br />
School Community Liaison Scheme and the School Completion<br />
Programme are available to our school.<br />
Home School Community<br />
Liaison Scheme (HSCL)<br />
• aims to combat educational disadvantage, through a<br />
range of interventions and strategies, designed to improve<br />
educational outcomes for children.<br />
• the underlying vision is preventative; therefore, it seeks to<br />
promote and develop real partnership between parents,<br />
teachers and communities, in order to enhance pupils’<br />
outcomes and learning opportunities, through improved<br />
attendance, participation and retention in the education<br />
system.<br />
School Completion Programme<br />
(SCP)<br />
• aims to have a positive impact on retention for young people<br />
at risk of early school leaving.<br />
• numerous innovative programmes and interventions are<br />
provided ranging from Homework Club and Individual Support,<br />
to Music and extra tuition.<br />
Parents Association<br />
A number of parents are elected to form the Parents’ Association<br />
at the Annual General Meeting of parents each year. The Parents’<br />
Association acts as a representative body that:<br />
• represents the views of parents<br />
• informs parents of developments in education and in the school<br />
• fosters co-operation between parents, teachers and school<br />
management<br />
• provides opportunities for parents and the school principal<br />
or representative of staff to meet and exchange ideas on the<br />
education of their children, to discuss issues such as discipline,<br />
homework etc. and to address topics of mutual interest<br />
• helps with the provision of extra equipment and fundraising.<br />
Opportunities for Parental<br />
Participation<br />
Throughout the year parents are invited to attend information<br />
briefings such as:<br />
• 1 st year information night<br />
• Subject and Programme choice<br />
• First Year Maths Evening<br />
• CAO Information<br />
• TY Information briefing<br />
• Tour briefings for each group travelling<br />
• Transition Year Graduation Night<br />
• Sixth Year Graduation Night<br />
• Annual parent teacher meetings<br />
• Personal appointments<br />
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<strong>Roscommon</strong> Community College New Build<br />
Commencing January <strong>2019</strong><br />
New Facilities Include<br />
1 Home-Economics Room<br />
1 Science Laboratory<br />
1 Special Education Unit<br />
5 General Classrooms<br />
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Floor Plan of New Build<br />
Classroom<br />
Classroom<br />
Science Lab<br />
Classroom<br />
Classroom<br />
Classroom<br />
Classroom<br />
Courtyard<br />
Fem<br />
WC<br />
Male<br />
Home<br />
Economics<br />
Entrance<br />
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Looking at our School<br />
DES INSPECTION<br />
REPORTS<br />
November 2018:<br />
Mathematics Department Inspection<br />
• Subject provision and whole-school support<br />
for Mathematics are very good.<br />
• Students in need of additional numeracy<br />
support are very well catered for.<br />
• Planning and preparation for Mathematics<br />
are of a very high standard.<br />
November 2015:<br />
Science and Biology inspection<br />
• Consistently high-quality teaching was<br />
observed in all the lessons visited.<br />
• Lessons were structured, well-paced and<br />
student centred.<br />
• Students demonstrated evidence of goodquality<br />
learning; the teaching approaches<br />
used challenged and engaged them in the<br />
learning process.<br />
November 2013:<br />
Whole-School Inspection – Management,<br />
Leadership and Learning (WSE-MLL)<br />
• The senior management team is very<br />
effective, having a vision for the school’s<br />
development and the capacity to progress<br />
the school’s developmental priorities.<br />
• Considerable work has been done to<br />
develop the school’s systems and processes<br />
including those for special educational<br />
needs (SEN).<br />
• The quality of teaching and learning was<br />
good or very good in almost all lessons, with<br />
excellent practice evident in a number of<br />
lessons.<br />
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Pastoral Care<br />
RCC is a listening school<br />
where the students’ voice is<br />
heard. Our expert pastoral<br />
care team will ensure<br />
that students who are<br />
experiencing difficulties, be<br />
they academic, emotional<br />
or social, are cared for in a<br />
sensitive, compassionate and<br />
proactive way. The aim of<br />
our pastoral care programme<br />
is to provide well-being for<br />
all members of our school<br />
community in a safe and<br />
caring environment.<br />
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<strong>Roscommon</strong> Community College<br />
Lisnamult, <strong>Roscommon</strong> Town<br />
090 6626670<br />
info.roscommon@gretb.ie<br />
www.roscomcol.ie<br />
@roscomcol<br />
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