Headmaster’s Welcome As the Headmaster of Clongowes Wood College SJ, it gives me great pleasure to introduce this prospectus, which I hope will give you a sense of what makes Clongowes an exceptional school. The College’s Mission Statement speaks of educating our pupils according to the best traditions and highest standards of Jesuit schooling and the values of the Gospel and this is a succinct expression of what we are hoping to achieve in Clongowes. Each one of our boys is valued and encouraged. Our aim is to create an open, happy, stimulating, mutually respectful community environment in which young people are able to develop the full range of their talents and abilities in a balanced, integrated and generous way.
“The idea of community is pivotal to how we live, how we learn and how we wish young men to grow.”
The Statement further stresses the criterion of excellence, which we apply to all aspects of life in the school, and our special concern to foster a sense of values and a commitment to the service of others. We are pledged to an ever-renewed faith, which actively promotes the struggle for greater justice in the world. Traditional values are at the heart of the College’s community, which, at the same time, is forward thinking and vibrant as we seek to meet the challenges of a changing world.
The profile of our ideal Clongowes’ graduate is someone who is open to growth, intellectually competent, socially able, culturally aware, physically developed, inspired by the values of the Gospel, flexible and adaptive, actively concerned about justice and peace, committed to striving for excellence and having a sense of belonging to the Church and its mission. It is a central part of my role, working with the Trustees and the Board of Management, to ensure that these ideals are realised as fully as possible in our boys, and in the life of the school community as a whole. I hope that you will be enthused and excited by the world that you see within these pages and that you will be inspired to pay us a visit that we may show you what it is that makes Clongowes Wood College such a special place in which to educate your son.
Chris Lumb, Headmaster
History Clongowes Wood College is one of Ireland’s leading Catholic boarding schools with a 200 year tradition in the education, nurturing and development of our students. The school’s impressive 18th century castle set in over 350 acres of land was purchased in 1814 by Fr Peter Kenney SJ for the establishment of all boys’ boarding school. Waves of development through the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries have provided the school with a breadth of excellent education, boarding and co-curricular facilities. While the castle and its surroundings have remained virtually unchanged since the arrival of the first students, within the walls of this historic and constant building, beats the heart of an everevolving school, a special place that has firmly secured its position at the forefront of Irish education. Throughout the centuries many of our students have gone on to achieve success in their chosen fields. Amongst these is James Joyce, who wrote of his time at Clongowes in the Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man and who is today remembered in the school with the James Joyce Library.
“Clongowes is among a special group of schools that since their founding by the Jesuits have made a special contribution to Irish life and history.” Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland.
Boarding Life Clongowes is about providing a home from home for our students. We offer seven day boarding with extended weekend breaks every month. Accommodation is provided in dormitories for first and second year students, with separate cubicles for those in third and fourth year while fifth and sixth years have individual study rooms. The care and wellbeing of each student is at the heart of boarding life at Clongowes both as an individual and as a member of a community. In addition to the very high standard of catering and the dedicated on-site medical team, there are excellent support networks are in place through the comprehensive prefecting system. Each year group is looked after by a prefect or housemaster – an adult, who is responsible for the overall care of the boys in his year. The prefecting system ensures continuity of care both for year groups and individual students throughout their time at Clongowes. The prefect acts ‘in loco parentis’ to the year group, ensuring that care of the individual is a reality on a daily basis. As they live close to the dormitory there is always a reassuring adult presence and they are the first port of call for parents wishing to find out how their son is getting on. The life of a student at Clongowes is a full one incorporating classes, study periods, a wide range of co-curricular activities and social outings. Students at Clongowes talk of the balance that is achieved through boarding; their days are planned to allow for a healthy mix of academic and cocurricular activities. This, the students say, is one of the key advantages of a boarding school.
“Clongowes boarding provides a home from home in comfortable, relaxing, enjoyable and supportive surroundings”.
Spirituality & Care To understand how Clongowes has been so successful in the teaching and development of young men down through the generations, we must first understand the nature of Jesuit education. Holistic in nature, it aims to develop the student’s Competence in terms of academics, the arts and sports; Conscience to allow him to discern what is right and good and Compassion for those less fortunate. Through these Jesuit values, a Clongowes education aims to inspire students to become ‘men for others’. This approach centres on care for the individual and strives to allow each student to develop his potential in a nurturing and warm environment. There are a number of adults in the school that the boys can go to with any issue. These include his prefect, the school counsellor, the academic year head, a learning support teacher, the chaplain and a school nurse who are always on hand to listen, offer advice and encourage. This helps us have a better sense of each student’s needs and ensures that each boy has support throughout his time at Clongowes.
“We aim to form leaders in service in imitation of Christ Jesus - men of Competence, Conscience and Compassionate Commitment.”
Academic Life Academic achievement is central to Clongowes. Boys complete six years of study, sitting the Junior Certificate examinations after three years followed by a Transition Year, and then a further two years’ preparation for the Leaving Certificate. Our outstanding results in state examinations and in securing places at third level across Ireland, the UK, Europe and beyond speak for themselves. We work hard to create the conditions by which all students can achieve their best, teaching a mostly traditional curriculum which is both broad and balanced. All students have the opportunity to pursue a range of options according to their interests and abilities. Our teachers inspire with their passion for their subjects, and our boys respond with hard work, commitment and enthusiasm. Every student is very important to us: when boys work with determination at subjects, which they find challenging and difficult, they receive praise and congratulations whatever grade they achieve. In our learning environment where class sizes are small, there is an expectation of high standards supported by the careful monitoring of academic progress. Boys are encouraged to develop more independent learning styles as they progress towards state examinations. Excellent support is available for those with specific learning needs. We embrace modern approaches to education which are evident in our new Co-Operative Learning Centre and the cutting edge facilities in the Science, Art and Technology building. Such a collaborative approach to learning has led to our unique partnership with The University of Limerick on mathematics modelling projects.
“The school provides a very supportive, student-centred educational environment that reflects the Ignatian maxim, Cura Personalis.” Whole School Evaluation, Department of Education and Skills.
Tr ansition Year Clongowes was among the first schools in Ireland to introduce a Transition Year (TY) between the Junior and Senior cycles. This year of transition is Jesuit education in microcosm, as it offers students space to mature and develop through a broad variety of learning experiences inside and outside the classroom. Along with their formal academic studies, TY students undertake work experience and social awareness placements, community outreach, foreign language exchanges, an outdoor education trip, cultural experiences, visits by guest speakers and differential aptitude testing. The TY students lead Clongowes annual fundraising efforts for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin which includes the annual ‘Duck Push’. We are proud to say that Clongowes students have raised over €1.5 million to date for this very worthy cause.
“The school’s TY programme is excellent. The curriculum is broad and balanced.” Whole School Evaluation, Department of Education and Skills.
Creativity & the Arts Co-curricular activities at Clongowes play a vital role in the rounded development of the students and the school has a proud tradition in cultural activities and the arts. We have a vibrant music department with three school choirs, a full orchestra and a traditional music group. Students are encouraged to get involved and can avail of tuition in a range of instruments as well as taking part in school concerts and developing their own vocal skills. Inspired by Daniel O’Connell in the 19th Century, both debating and public speaking have long and distinguished histories in the school and are of considerable use to the students in their lives after school. These are areas in which students have consistently excelled and teams regularly represent the college in inter-schools debating competitions. Along with music and debating, participation in drama and the enabling of creative expression are important parts of a Clongowes education with opportunities for students to take part in various productions throughout the year. Drama has a long tradition with several of our recent alumni to be currently seen on stage as well as on both the big and small screens.
Sporting Life Sport plays an important part in the boy’s life at Clongowes and several of our alumni are currently pursuing successful sporting careers at international level. The College offers a wide range of sports including rugby, soccer, athletics, gaelic games, golf, basketball, swimming, cricket, tennis and watersports. The facilities for sport and fitness at Clongowes are exceptional with pitches, running tracks and tennis courts surrounding the school. Indoors, students enjoy a modern, fully equipped gymnasium and weights room as well as a large sports hall with basketball and badminton courts and a swimming pool.
“Sport encourages team work amongst the students and builds strong friendships.”
Looking To The Future Clongowes is a close knit community in which deep friendships are forged. When boys graduate, they do so in the knowledge that the Clongowes community will continue to support them along their next steps in further education and throughout their working lives. Initiatives such as The Clongowes Mentor Programme and the very active Clongowes Past Pupils’ Union keep this community of Old Clongownians together, supporting one another and maintaining lifelong friendships. Old Clongownians have left an indelible mark in shaping, influencing and advancing modern Ireland over the centuries, be it in politics, public service, the arts or sports. Clongowes is justifiably proud of its extraordinary contribution in providing many ‘men for others’ and is committed to continuing this tradition of excellence.
Next Steps This prospectus will have given you a sense of what makes Clongowes so special, but there is no substitute for coming to see for yourself. We encourage you to pay us a visit soon and to allow the staff and pupils to show you around our beautiful school. To register your child for admission to Clongowes please return the registration form to the admissions office.
Our main
entry points are at first year and senior cycle. In addition we do accept students in other years depending on available spaces. Our admissions office will be happy to answer any questions and to arrange a visit to the school. Contact them on T: + 353 (0)45 868202 or email admissions@clongowes.net Visit our website www.clongowes.net for all the latest news and information.
Little did I know at the time of the enormous impact that my days at Clongowes would have on the rest of my life. …the enduring lessons learnt from the Jesuit fathers and the deep bonds of friendship formed with my fellow schoolmates have had a tremendous positive influence on my own, and on my family’s lives. This was Clongowes gift to me. Words of an Old Clongownian
Clane, Co. Kildare, Ireland T: +353 (0) 45 868 202 E: admissions@clongowes.net
www.clongowes.net