PROSPECTUS - CBS Clonmel - 2023/24

Learning for Life

MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Welcome to The Christian Brothers High School Clonmel

I would like to thank you for considering The High School for your son’s secondary education.

We offer a broad curriculum and strive to provide high quality Teaching and Learning, both inside and outside the classroom, in order to help your son grow and develop as a person.

Our motto is ‘Learning for Life’ and we see every relationship, encounter and experience as an opportunity for learning. We endeavour to create a safe, stimulating and happy learning environment, where each pupil can navigate their journey to adulthood with support and encouragement.

Through our broad curriculum and care structures we hope that each of our students can reach their potential, academically and personally. We aim to recognise your son’s gifts and talents as well as the areas of challenge that he may face.

Furthermore, through our Teaching and Learning, our Pastoral Care structures and supports, as well as our Special Education Support Services we aim to meet every child ‘ where they are at’, and provide the support they need to grow.

The school has an excellent reputation in a wide range of extra curricular activities, all of which are facilitated by a dedicated team of teachers and staff who strive to provide a holistic education to the student body.

At the High School we believe that academic success is borne out of hard work, determination and a positive partnership between home and school. We hope to support you as parents in your role of facilitating your son’s journey of self discovery.

These elements have ensured the attainment of consistently high results.

I hope that our prospectus gives you an insight into the life of our school community and, should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

C.B.S.

The members of the senior management team bring with them a clear sense of energy, purpose and educational vision, with a focus on student care, wellbeing and improved outcomes.”

Whole School Inspection Evaluation Report 2017

Mrs Karen Steenson Principal

Amy Kilcline Walsh Deputy Principal

Olivia Corcoran Deputy Principal

High School Clonmel

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT

Welcome to the CBS High School, Clonmel

I am delighted to engage with you on behalf of the Board of Management of the school. The role of the Board of Management is to provide governance and oversight to the smooth running and strategic development of the school. To that end, the Board is made up of four representatives from the school’s trustees, the Edmund Rice School Trust (ERST), two representatives from the parent body and two representatives from the teaching staff. It is through this partnership that we endeavour to uphold the ERST Charter and provide for Excellence in Teaching and Learning within a holistic development environment for your sons.

The future of the High School is looking bright. We have our wonderful staff and student body. In addition, the school has been sanctioned a major build in the form of an extension to the main school and our ASD support facilities. The extension will include two science laboratories and preparation rooms, a DCG room, a Home Economics and Textiles Room, a Multimedia Room, ten additional toilets, as well as the provision of two additional special classes. The funding for this project will amount to €6.5 million. The Board of Management is excited to be working on this expansion in the coming years. Alongside this project, the Board remains committed to the provision and ongoing development of high quality Teaching and Learning for the young men of Clonmel.

I hope you enjoy looking through our prospectus. I have no doubt that, should you choose to send your son to The High School, the Principal and Staff will do their very best to welcome you to the school community and to support you in your role as parents in helping your son to grow into adulthood.

EDMUND RICE SCHOOLS TRUST

The High School is part of The Edmund Rice Schools Trust, which has responsibility for 96 schools in Ireland. The Trust supports and guides the school Board of Management and Principal, in line with the values of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust Charter.

Our school promotes equality of access and participation and children of any faith, or none, at every level of ability, of any nationality or ethnic grouping are all welcome in our school.

All ERST schools recognise the uniqueness of each individual child and holistic development is nurtured. Enrolment processes are open and flagged in advance. High educational, developmental and pastoral standards apply in all our schools.

The main objective of the school is to ensure and foster the advancement of each student’s education in the tradition of Edmund Rice.

THE FIVE KEY ELEMENTS OF THE ERST CHARTER ARE:

 Nurturing faith, Christian spirituality and Gospel-based values

 Promoting partnership

 Excelling in teaching and learning

 Creating a caring school community

 Inspiring transformational leadership.

Mr T.J. Kinsella Chairperson Board of Management

YEAR HEAD

I am looking forward to welcoming you to The High School. As your year head, I will be with you throughout the five or six years you will spend here.

It is a big, exciting change going from primary school to secondary school. You may have older brothers or sisters to tell you what it may be like. We will spend time helping you to settle in and become familiar with your new school.

You will have a lot of new specialist Subjects to get used to as well as having to learn how to move about the school as you move from classroom to classroom. It will seem strange at first and perhaps a bit confusing at times but remember this is normal. After an initial few weeks next September you will be well settled into secondary school life. Your parents, your teachers, deputy principals, principal and of course myself as your year head will be there to help you in whatever way we can.

I hope that you take the wonderful opportunities that The High School can offer you.

As well as your academic subjects, there are many different extra activities and clubs you can get involved within the school in addition to our traditional sporting teams.

These extra curricular activities provide you with ways of meeting new friends and exploring new interests. It will hopefully give you a more robust educational experience. As you progress through secondary school we hope to foster your personal, spiritual, creative, and academic development.

Hopefully you will develop a thirst for ‘’Learning for Life‘’ the motto of your new school.

So a big adventure ahead of you. Lots of great opportunities and challenges await you.

JUNIOR CYCLE PROGRAMME

Three Year Programme

The school offers a comprehensive and varied curriculum which provides students with a range of subjects that meet their needs and interests, whilst also building a solid foundation for subject selection at senior cycle and career choice in the future.

Subjects studied at Junior Cycle include :

Core Optional Subjects (Language + 2 others)

English French or German

Irish Art

Maths Business Studies

Science Classical Studies

History Music

Geography Technology

CSPE Technical Graphics

Non exam Woodwork

Religion

PE

K E Y S K I L L S

The framework for the new Junior Cycle programme developed by the NCCA contains 24 statements of learning, underpinned by eight principles and eight key skills.

Mrs M Barry Year Head

I look forward to seeing you develop and thrive here.

In The High School we aim to ensure that all statements of learning and the key skills feature in the programmes of all Junior Cycle students.

SENIOR CYCLE PROGRAMME

The Traditional Leaving Certificate course consists of the core plus four option subjects. The Leaving Certificate course contains an additional programme known as the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP). The LCVP course is the same as the established Leaving Certificate, but with the addition of two extra modules linked to the world of work and enterprise. The primary role of the LCVP is to encourage participants to develop skills and competencies fundamental to both academic and vocational success.

The Traditional Leaving Certificate course consists of the core plus four option subjects

Leaving Certificate: Core + four option subjects

LCVP: Core + LCVP Link Modules + three option subjects

TRANSITION YEAR

The Transition Year (TY) is a programme that forms the first year of a three-year senior cycle. It is designed to act as a bridge between the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate programmes. It is a highly structured programme that is designed to develop academic, social and personal skills. Students benefit from the opportunity to sample a wide range of subjects, free from the pressure of state examinations. Students also have opportunities to participate in work experience, educational outings, volunteering and fundraising events, as well as entering a variety of local

Some of the subjects that students may experience as part of Transition Year:

national competitions.

SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS

LEARNING SUPPORT

In keeping with the Edmund Rice ethos of our school, we have a Learning Support team that aims to identify and support all students who have additional needs and to provide a coordinated, continuous and caring response to these needs as the student progresses through the school. The learning support team liaises with parents, students and subject teachers to offer assistance. Our learning support department provides support to individuals, small groups or in class support.

Supports for mainstream students with Learning Difficulties/Special Educational Needs include but are not limited to:

Very good leadership is evident in supporting students and their learning, as demonstrated by the work of the SEN department. Very good

One-to-one teaching Small group resource Team-Teaching in core subjects (Maths and English)

Assistive technology (where applicable)

SNA support (where applicable)

Reasonable accommodation for state exams

TEACHING AND LEARNING

The High School have a highly committed teaching staff with a strong subject and pedagogical knowledge.

Staff have a high level of interest in participation in ongoing professional development programmes and initiatives such as Forbairt, Instructional Leadership, Peer Mentoring, Wellbeing, and Assessment for Learning.

GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING SERVICE

For each year the Guidance and Counselling service provides ongoing educational guidance, career guidance and personal/social development for students where appropriate.

For first years in particular the Guidance Counsellor is involved in the Wellbeing Programme in the school. This programme involves assisting students with the transition from primary into post primary school. This includes developing self-management and organisational skills and promotes an awareness of support structures in school and how to access them. Through this class contact the Guidance Counsellor may identify students who need further supports such as one to one counselling.

Alongside this an additional programme called the Friends programme is run where smaller groups of first years are taken on a weekly basis to look at key personal developmental skills. Some of the content includes looking at confidence and self esteem and how to nurture these. The programme also looks at developing the skill of empathy. It also encompasses very useful life skills such as mindfulness and the practice of gratitude. It is found that students both enjoy the Friends programme and find it very useful in real life situations.

The High School uses 'Google for Education', and students have access to shared Chrome Book computers in class and during supervised evening study.

A positive and orderly classroom environment was evident throughout the school. Teachers were well prepared for lessons with appropriate resources to hand. They demonstrated good subject knowledge, with clear explanation of concepts, as well as energy and enthusiasm for their subject.

Whole School Inspection Evaluation Report

2017

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

The High School has a proud tradition of participating in and contributing to the rich cultural and sporting heritage of Clonmel and surrounding areas. Students and staff have represented club, county and country with distinction in Athletics, Boxing, Cycling, Equestrian, Football, Golf, Hurling, Martial Arts, Rowing, Rugby, Soccer, Swimming and Tennis. Musicians in the school have toured internationally with Banna Cluain Meala: we have students who are county, provincial and All Ireland winning traditional musicians, world champion dancers and remarkably talented artists.

We take every opportunity to support and acknowledge the hard work, dedication and talent of our students within the community and give them the opportunity to develop and showcase their talents within our school.

We have teams in Football, Hurling, Basketball, Rugby, Soccer, Athletics, Orienteering, Golf, Tennis, and Chess.

In addition, our students have represented the school in equestrian events, rowing, swimming and other sports, as inter schools competitions arise.

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

We also encourage our students to engage in events related to class subjects. Students have won awards at local, regional and national level in Business competitions, Science and Maths quizzes, Debating, Model United Nations Club, Writing competitions, and Public Speaking.

Students are involved in charitable work too, whether that is with the school branch of St.Vincent dePaul, fundraising for The Hope Foundation, collecting for the Shoebox Appeal or raising awareness of the issue of homelessnes with Focus Ireland.

All students can avail of educational trips to sites around the country while non exam years have many opportunities to embark on school trips ranging from Premiership games in England, tours to Italy for the Classical Studies classes, walking the Camino in Fifth Year, or the annual school tour to such places as Poland, Italy, France, Germany or Spain.

One of the highlights of the school year is our school show. We have had over 40 years of collaboration with The Presentation Secondary School and each show is a memorable, formative experience for those involved.

The school has also recently joined the Creative Schools initiative, bringing The Arts into the classroom.

Students are provided with a wide range of valuable co-curricular and extracurricular learning experiences that allow them to develop their talents and skills through participation in activities of a sporting, artistic, musical or charitable nature. The commitment of teachers to supporting these activities is acknowledged.

Whole School Inspection Evaluation Report 2017

“For incoming students into first year, transition arrangements are in place to facilitate progression from primary to secondlevel. Furthermore, a recent project has examined ways of supporting students with special needs in making the move to a new school.”

Whole School Inspection Evaluation Report 2017

STUDENT VOICE AND LEADERSHIP

Student Voice is welcomed and encouraged in our school.

Students have the opportunity to vote for Student Leadership representatives and have the support of a liaison teacher. The Green Schools Committee and Amber Flag Committee also promote environmental and mental health issues respectively. Students also have the opportunity to join The Peer Ministry Group in Fifth Year, a faith based leadership programme.

PARENTS’ ADVISORY COUNCIL

The Parents’ Advisory Council meet every month/six weeks to discuss matters of concern for parents and to engage with the Principal on a variety of matters. We aim to provide a forum that supports parents and guardians in our parenting role and to interact effectively with the school, discussing issues that impact on the education and development of our sons.

We support the school in various fundraising initiatives including the annual Parents’ Advisory Council Table Quiz, Church Gate Collection and collections at Parent-Teacher Meetings.

We participate in a number of committees including the Policy Committee, Book Rental Committee, Social Committee and we organise the Study Skills Course that takes place each autumn.

Student leadership is promoted in a number of ways, and in particular through the junior and senior leadership groups. The students are elected to these groups by their peers. The groups meet regularly and have the support of a liaison teacher. A very positive element of students’ engagement in these groups, and of how their opinions are valued, is the regular meetings with the principal to discuss their contributions, especially in the review of policies. Students from the leadership groups have raised issues which have then been discussed by staff, parents, and the Board of Management as part of a consultative process.

Whole School Inspection Evaluation Report 2017

C.B.S. High School Clonmel

CONTACT DETAILS

PRINCIPAL

Karen Steenson principal@cbshighschoolclonmel.ie

DEPUTY PRINCIPALS

Amy Kilcline Walsh amywalsh@cbshighschoolclonmel.ie

Olivia Corcoran ocorcoran@cbshighschoolclonmel.ie

SEN CO-ORDINATOR

Angela O’Connell aoconnell@cbshighschoolclonmel.ie

ASD COORDINATOR

Paddy O’Gorman pogorman@cbshighschoolclonmel.ie

GUIDANCE COUNSELLOR

Aoife Leahy aleahy@cbshighschoolclonmel.ie

052 61 24459

www.cbshighschoolclonmel.ie @hsclonmelcbs

CBS High School Clonmel - An Edmund Rice School

OPEN NIGHT

WEDNESDAY 11TH OCTOBER 6-9 PM

OPENING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS - 11th October 2023

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS - 8th November 2023 at 1 pm

Successful applicants will be notified in writing by 16th November (posted Tue 15th November: post dependant)

Date for confirmation of an offer 22nd November 2023 1pm

APPLICATION FOR OTHER STUDENTS

Please contact the Principal.