Outline of Courses
Pupils follow a complete Junior Certificate Syllabus and Leaving Certificate Syllabus to Higher levels in a comprehensive range of subjects under the direction of a staff of graduate specialist teachers.
The Junior Certificate is a three year programme while the leaving certificate is a two year programme. Pupils may only repeat any of these years if the guidelines set out by the Department of Education and Science are followed.
Between Junior Certificate and First Year Leaving Certificate we run a compulsory Transition Year with a practical emphasis which includes work experience, mock interviews, career guidance, subjects in a modular form as well as maintaining the traditional academic disciplines. This year gives pupils an educational experience without the pressure of state examinations.
Subjects:
Non Examination Subjects:
- Religious Education
- Career Guidance
- Computer Studies
- Physical Education
- Music (Piano/Singing)
- Personal Social and Health Education
Transition Year Modules:
- Sports Coaching
- Drama
- Design and Communication Graphics
- Cookery
- Driver Education (Steer Clear)
- Spanish
- Music
- Art
- Performance Arts
- Woodwork
Junior Cycle Subjects:
- Irish
- English
- Mathematics
- History
- Geography
- Science
- Business Studies
- French
- Home Economics
- Technical Graphics
- Technology
- Art
- Music
- C.S.P.E.
- Religion
Senior Cycle Subjects:
- Irish
- English
- Mathematics
- Geography
- History
- Biology
- Agricultural Science
- Accounting
- Technology
- Music
- French
- D.C.G
- Home Economics
- Chemistry
- Art
Music:
Tuition is provided in Piano, Recorder etc if required. Pupils may follow
the examinations for piano, recorder etc as set out by The Royal Irish
Academy if they wish. Although desirable, it is not necessary to have
studied the piano before starting piano lessons in the school. Music
is also a curricular examination option to Junior and Leaving Certificate.
Computer Studies:
The entire School is networked allowing users to access their work at any PC throughout the school. The School has a filtered broadband Internet system, allowing for 'safe surfing' at all times. Keyboarding, word processing, databases and spreadsheets are some of the topics covered during class time and transition year pupils use the PC's to create Curriculum Vitae's for their work experience and they also take a web design as one of their transition year modules.
Learning support/Special Needs:
A learning support teacher is a full-time member of staff. Pupils with special needs are assessed and given extra help as appropriate. Concessions are arranged for dyslexic pupils in State Examinations. Part of the remedial/special needs programme is the maintenance of close communication with parents/guardians while dealing with pupils' needs.
Physical Education, Games and Extra-Curricular Activities:
Classes receive one Physical Education session per week, of 1 hour's duration approximately, in the Cavan Indoor Sports Complex. A bus is provided each day to
transport pupils to and from the complex.
After school, use is also made of the complex which now includes an indoor swimming pool. Extra-curricular activities cover a broad spectrum of indoor and outdoor activities including Hockey, Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball, Rounders, Athletics, Cross country,
Swimming, Tennis, Badminton, Table-tennis, Board games, Computers, Debating, Drama and Choir.
All pupils, unless exempted by a Doctor's Certificate, are required to take part in Physical Education and games.
The School Library:
Each pupil has a formal session in the Library each week of term, during which books may be borrowed and books and periodicals read. The Library is run by Transition year pupils under the direction of Teaching and Boarding Staff. In their use of the library pupils are encouraged to gain as much experience as possible in the use of modern library facilities. In addition periodicals and books are available to pupils as and when required in association with project work etc.
Career Guidance:
Career Guidance is attended to by Ms. Flanagan: each pupil receives detailed and individual attention as and where appropriate. Pupils completing Leaving Certificate at this school are well equipped to qualify for entrance to the Third Level Institution of their choice. Applicants are guided in making CAO (Irish Third Level Institutions) and UCAS (English Third Level Institutions) applications. Guidance is also given for non CAO/UCAS applications e.g. PLC Colleges, Agricultural Colleges etc. Examination results are excellent.
