St. Wolstan's - Prospectus 2022/23

Welcome

Welcome to St. Wolstan’s Community School. The original school was founded by the Holy Faith Sisters in Celbridge in 1955.

The school has a long tradition of providing an excellent education for the girls of Celbridge and its environs.

Our Mission is to create a community of excellence where each person is given the opportunity to reach her full potential. We strive to provide a holistic education that enables our students to:

• Achieve academically

• Make informed moral choices

• Nurture healthy relationships

• Embrace the spiritual dimension of their lives

• Develop physically with a focus on well being

Our teaching team are committed and dedicated to supporting each one of our students.

We offer a broad curriculum that is complimented by a comprehensive extra-curricular programme and our pastoral care team services are designed to ensure that the individual needs of each student are addressed.

We pride ourselves on our excellent academic results and the numerous successes and achievements of our students and staff members down through the years.

The prospectus will provide you with some introductory information that will help you (parents and student) to explore what we offer and the options that are best for you.

Francis Carolan Principal

“We challenge each student to fulfil her potential in each aspect of her education and we work in an atmosphere of care and mutual respect.“

Our SchOOl

St. Wolstan’s Community School, under the Trusteeship of the Archbishop of Dublin, Le Chéile and Kildare Vocational Education Committee, is an all-girls second level school.

The school is under the direction of a Board of Management, which includes representatives of the three Trustees as well as representatives of the teachers and parents. The school is situated on the outskirts of Celbridge on the Clane Road.

The origin of the name St. Wolstan’s dates back to 1203 when a Catholic monastery was founded in Celbridge. In 1955, the Holy Faith sisters adopted both the name and the site of the monastery for a girls second level day and boarding school. This secondary school had excellent standards and a superb reputation.

In 1999, St. Wolstan’s Secondary School transferred to the new St. Wolstan’s Community School at Ballymakealy, Clane Road, Celbridge. Our Community school opened its doors for the first time on 30th August 1999.

Our MiSSiOn

To create a community of excellence in second level education where each person is given the opportunity to reach his or her own full potential. We endeavour to enable all members to -

Develop physically Nurture healthy relationships

Achieve academically Make informed moral choices

The SchOOl creST

And embrace the spiritual dimension of their lives.

The School Crest was introduced when St. Wolstan’s moved from the old school to our new school building in 1999. It was designed by Past Pupil, Katie McDonnell. It comprises of 4 separate parts:

The Scroll - representing the value and importance of education.

The St. Brigid’s Cross – representing the Patron Saint of the Holy Faith Order and of Kildare.

The Dove – representing Peace and Hope for all.

SW – In keeping with the original St. Wolstan’s Crest, SW is at the core of the crest.

Wellbeing and Pastoral care

Student Wellbeing is present when students realise their abilities, take care of their physical wellbeing, can cope with the normal stresses of life and have a sense of purpose and belonging to a wider community

All teachers in St. Wolstans are key to ensuring the Wellbeing of our students. The Pastoral Care Team play a particular role in this area.

The Pastoral Care Team comprises the Principal, Deputy Principals, Year Heads, S.P.H.E. co-ordinator, CSPE coordinator, Tutors, Guidance Counsellors and Chaplain. Each class has a class tutor and each year has a year head. Each class in First, Second and Third year has an S.P.H.E. (Social Personal Health Education) class once a week. The S.P.H.E. programme includes modules on substance abuse/ prevention, relationships, care and respect for personal and school property, general health and safety, study skills, attendance, classroom behaviour and other issues.

JuniOr cycle

Currently all pupils study the CORE SUBJECTS includes

IN ADDITION PUPILS: either French or Spanish

Pupils also study TWO OPTION SUBJECTS from the following list:

Religious Education is studied as a non examination subject and it encompasses World Religions

SeniOr cycle

At Leaving Certificate level all students study the Leaving Certificate core subjects (Maths, English, Irish, Language) plus three subject options.

SeniOr cycle SubJecTS

CORE: Irish Maths English French/Spanish

OPTIONS: Accounting Home Economics: Social and Scientific Art Music Biology Physics Business Studies Religion Chemistry Physical Education Geography Politics and Society History Technology

The LCVP (Leaving Cert. Vocational Programme) is offered to suitable senior cycle students.

All senior cycle students have timetabled classes of Career Guidance, and non exam PE and Religion

transition Year

MiSSiOn STaTeMenT

Transition Year is an integral programme in the curriculum of St Wolstan’s Community School. Our mission embodies the mission statement of the school as a whole: ‘To create a community of excellence in second level education where each person is given the opportunity to reach his or her own full potential.’

Transition Year provides a bridge to enable students to make the transition from Junior to Senior Cycle. It encourages academic, personal and social development and recognises the need for students to grow in independence and agency as they approach key decision-making years. The St Wolstan’s Community School TY programme was developed in consultation with all stakeholders at the school and is open to annual review on an ongoing basis.

Transition Year offers learners an opportunity to mature and develop without the pressure of an examination. It also provides an opportunity for learners to reflect on, and develop an appreciation of, the value of learning in preparing them for the ever-changing demands of the adult world of work, further and higher education and relationships. (NCCA Guidelines)

aiMS

The aims of the Transition Year Programme reflect those specific to the guidelines published by the Department of Education and Skills, namely:

1Education for maturity with the emphasis on personal development including social awareness and increased social competence.

The promotion of general, technical and academic skills with the emphasis on interdisciplinary and self-directed learning.

Education through experience of adult and working life as a basis for personal development and career imagining and planning

admission to the transition Year Programme

All 3rd Years students may apply for a place in Transition Year by completing an application form in January of the year prior to entry.

(For more on the wide range of Transition Year Activities, please visit www.stwolstans.ie)

STudenT cOuncil

St. Wolstan’s Student Council acts as a voice for the students in the school. Each Year Group elects two of their peers to represent their views on the Student Council. Elections are held in late October/early November. The council elects its own Executive Committee. This executive consists of Chairperson, Secretary and other officers. The aim of the Student Council is to work in partnership with the Board of Management, Principal, Deputy Principals, staff, students and parents for the benefit of the whole school community.

SeniOr PrefecT TeaM

The Senior Prefect Team is an integral part of our school, assisting the management team to run many events and support activities within St Wolstan’s.

In addition to their day to day duties, they also help to mentor incoming first years and coordinate numerous fun events during Halloween, Christmas, St Patrick’s Day and Sports Day.

ParenTS’ aSSOciaTiOn

The Parents’ Association is an integral part of the school. It makes a vital and valuable contribution to the school’s growth and development.

At the Annual General Meeting of parents each year, parents are invited to join the Association. The Parents’ Association meets once a month and acts as a representative body which

• Represents the views of parents

• Informs parents of developments in education and in the school.

• Fosters cooperation between parents, teachers and School Management.

• Provides opportunities for parents and the school principal and representatives of staff to meet and exchange ideas on the education of their children, to discuss issues such as homework and other topics of mutual interest.

The Parents’ Association have proved themselves a most willing and selfless group in the giving of their valuable time to school activities.

If you have any queries regarding the parents association you can email them here: parentsassociation@stwolstans.ie

admissions

An open morning is held on a Saturday in early October. Application forms are available in October of the Year prior to entry. Please visit www.stwolstans.ie for more information.

learning SuPPOrT

St Wolstan’s Community School welcomes and supports students with a wide range of Special Educational Needs. We have a team of trained personnel including teachers and special needs assistants working together with the co-ordinator, Ms Mary Douglas. Our job is to ensure each student reaches their full potential.

From enrolment, each student’s needs are individually assessed. These assessments take the form of a cognitive ability test (the ‘entrance exam’) and any psychological assessments or occupational therapy reports they may have. Supports for their learning are then put in place, ranging from in-class support to withdrawal from classes for smallgroup interventions.

Thank you for having a look at our page, and if you have any queries or concerns relating to your daughter, don’t hesitate to phone.

SuPerviSed STudy

Supervised study commences in the third week of September and continues until the end of May. Sessions run from 4:15pm to 6:15pm on Mondays and from 3:30 – 5:30 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Places are limited and preference is given to students from 3rd and 6th year.

SchOOl day

Our classes are from 8:55am to 4:00pm on Mondays and from 8:55 to 3:20pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Little break is from 11:05 to 11:20 each day and lunch is from 1:20 to 2:00pm each day.

exTra curricular and cO curricular acTiviTieS

At St. Wolstan’s, we encourage our students to participate in extra-curricular and co-curricular activities. These activities can help develop social and cultural skills as well as adding an enjoyable element to school life. Examples of activities include: (Home and St. Vincent de Paul Group

guidance counselling

Guidance plays a pivotal role in the life of the school community and in the pastoral care of all of our students.

The SchOOl chaPlain

The Chaplain is involved for the Pastoral, Spiritual and Personal Care of staff and students at St. Wolstan’s Community School. Support is given to staff and students who are free to call into the Chaplain’s Office at any time to have a chat or make an appointment. The role of the Chaplain is rooted very much in the gospel story of the Road to Emmaus, the accompaniment story for all Christians. Like Jesus, the Chaplain meets people in their present situation, walks with them, acknowledges their fears/needs/hopes and supports them in their spiritual development. The Chaplain is available to students of all denominations and none.

Celebrations are a big part of life in our community and the Chaplain is involved in many services and masses that will mark your daughter’s time here at St. Wolstan’s. We also have a meditation room which provides a place of contemplation, reflection and relaxation for our staff and students.

STudenT cOuncil

The Student Council acts as a voice for the students in the school. The Council is appointed each November, with two representatives from each year group. The aim of the Student Council is to work in partnership with the Board of Management, Principal, staff, students and parents for the benefit of the whole school community. They take on board the opinions of the student body and work to achieve new goals for the school community each year. They meet weekly to discuss issues of interest or concern to their year groups, regularly review policies and introduce initiatives.