|
| |
|
|
|
|
Pastoral Care
|
|
|
The High School has a team of
outstanding and committed teachers, who consider that the fostering of the broad personal
development of pupils and interest in their welfare are as much their responsibility as
effective classroom teaching. Their efforts are supplemented by the non-teaching staff:
Nurse, Librarian, administrative and secretarial personnel, caretaker, catering and ground
staff. All seek to encourage in students the qualities of industry, honesty, reliability,
consideration and co-operation, and to ensure that when they leave school they look back
on years spent in a happy, active environment.
In all year groups, each
class has one of its subject teachers acting as Form Teacher. In the year group one of the
Form Teachers acts as Year Teacher, taking overall pastoral responsibility for all the
pupils and relating closely with parents. This team usually stays together for the first
three years.
|
Guidance Department
|
|
|
The High School has
two
fully qualified Guidance Counsellors to provide educational and personal counselling as
well as vocational career guidance. An induction programme including a tour of the school
for incoming first year pupils is arranged before the autumn term starts, and the
Counsellors liaise closely with the Year Teachers. In the Senior Cycle career talks
take place on a regular basis. Aptitude
testing is used to assist with subject choice and career planning. Each pupil in Sixth
Year is interviewed to discuss his/her plans for the future. Study techniques courses,
mock interviews and careers exhibitions are also provided. Parents are welcome to
consult the Counsellors.
The Guidance Department is equipped with a large, specialist
library, a multimedia computer and TV/video recorder. A
third member of staff
offers expert advice concerning 3rd level college applications.
|
Discipline
|
|
|
Much of the ethos of the school is
contained in our code of conduct, the result of consultation with staff, parents, pupils
and governors. The philosophy underlying the code is embodied in a single word -
"respect". When applied to human relationships, care for property, safety and
the environment, the principle of respect needs little elaboration to provide a warm and
caring atmosphere in which a school may operate. The existence of such a code also
provides a sense of stability and security for parents, pupils and staff. At The High
School, the main emphasis is on positive discipline and building up the self esteem of
pupils. We expect high standards of behaviour so that the learning atmosphere is as
effective as possible. (The code of conduct can be read in the
parent
and pupil information booklet.) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
