Avondale
Community College Rathdrum, Co.Wicklow.
avondalecc.net 1
Avondale Community College
Principal Message A s Principal of Avondale Community College it gives me
great pleasure to welcome you to our school website. I hope it gives you a real sense of the richness and diversity of school life here. Our school is a co-educational community college of 600 students under the auspices of Kildare and Wicklow Education Training Board and we serve our local community with pride. We have embedded our vision and ethos into our mission statement; ‘Learning to Grow through Respect and Trust’. Helping all students to achieve their personal and academic potential in a caring and inclusive setting is the underpinning and definitive principle under which we operate as a school. Students from all religious backgrounds, traditions and cultures are welcome at the school. A huge emphasis is placed on the social, spiritual and personal development of students outside of the academic sphere of the classroom.
Elaine Fitzgerald Principal
We offer a broad and balanced curriculum which endeavours to meet the needs of our diverse cohort of students in a safe, supportive and nurturing learning environment. Our extensive curriculum currently offers the Junior Certificate, Transition Year (TY) programme, the Leaving Certificate, the Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) and the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP). We offer a broad and vibrant range of extra and co-curricular programmes that serve to enhance the holistic education we provide for all students. Mindful of the fact that the provision of quality education is best achieved through partnership, particular attention is given to creating an environment that is pleasant and caring for all involved in the school, that is, management, staff, students, parents and the local community. I am supported in my work by the Deputy Principal Ms. Patricia Gahan, and an enthusiastic and dedicated teaching team who are committed to the holistic development of every student. As Principal, I feel privileged to be leading the school forward, building on the past achievements and excellent reputation of the school, while also looking to the future and becoming part of the next chapter in Avondale Community College. Elaine Fitzgerald Principal
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PROSPECTUS
Mission StatementI and EthosI I
n Avondale Community College, we are committed to providing a positive, supportive and inclusive learning environment, where each individual feels valued and respected. In our pursuit of excellence, we provide an education that is appropriate to each individual’s physical, social, moral and spiritual needs. We promote a love of learning through a rich variety of educational experiences while enabling each individual to achieve his/her own unique potential.
‘Learning to grow through Respect and Trust’
Patricia Gahan, Deputy Principal
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Avondale Community College
Junior Cycle Subjects Avondale Community College offers a comprehensive and varied curriculum which provides students with a range of subjects that meets their needs and builds a solid foundation for subject selection at Senior Cycle and career choice in college. English
Irish
Mathematics
Science
French
History
Geography
Music
Business Studies
Art
Wood Technology
Home Economics
CSPE
SPHE
Religion
Life Skills
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PROSPECTUS
Transition Year Programme Transition Year is an optional one year programme which acts as a bridge between Junior and Senior Cycle. Avondale Community College offers a carefully designed programme to enable students to develop skills and initiatives in a way that may not be possible in more exam-oriented contexts. English
Irish
Mathematics
Art
TY Portfolio
Theatre and Music
Engineering
Biology
Agricultural Science
Physical Education
Spanish for beginners
French
Physics
Public Speaking
Mini Company
GAA Analysis
GAA Coaching
GAA Journalism
GAA Nutrition
Green Schools
Yoga
Law
Chemistry
Wellbeing
Computers
Junk Couture
Animation
Young Social Innovators
Interior Design
Personal Development
Health and Safety
Safe Driving
First Aid
History in our Locality
Work Experience
Home Economics
Woodwork
Outdoor Pursuits
Careers
Tourism
CAD: Solid Works
Accounting
European Studies
RE/ Cultural Studies
Geography 5
Avondale Community College
Senior Cycle Programme Core Examination Subjects: English
Irish
Mathematics
LCVP – if eligible
Core Non-Examination Subjects: Careers and Guidance
Religious Education
Physical Education
Optional Examination Subjects – students select four subjects from the following: Accounting
Agricultural Science
Art
Biology
Business
Chemistry
Construction Studies
Design and Communication Graphics
Engineering
French
Geography
History
Music
Physics
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PROSPECTUS
LCVP Students taking the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme follow the usual Leaving Certificate Programme with an added vocational dimension and focus on enterprise, work and the community. They must include specific and relevant subject combinations in their choice of subjects for the Leaving Certificate.
LCA The Leaving Certificate Applied is a distinct, self-contained two year programme available to students who wish to follow a practical course with a strong vocational emphasis. Aimed at preparing students for adult and working life, continuous assessment and work experience is an integral part of the programme.
English and Communication
Mathematical Applications
Language 1: Communicative Irish
Introduction to ICT
Visual Arts
Social Education
Vocational Preparation: Careers/World of Work
Vocational Preparation: Enterprise
Vocational Specialism 1: Graphics and Construction
Vocation Specialism 2: Hotel Catering and Tourism
Elective Course 1: Agriculture/Horticulture
Elective Course 2: Agriculture/Horticulture
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Avondale Community College
Teaching and Learning Avondale Community College has invested and continues to invest in the provision of professional development for teachers in order to meet the challenges of an ever-evolving classroom. Since xx, the school has enrolled a number of teachers in the Instructional Leadership and Magenta Principles Training Programmes, providing teachers with innovative strategies to enhance student learning.
Instructional Leadership The IL programme led by Professor Barrie Bennett, aims to positively impact student learning and increase student achievement through the active implementation of Instructional Leadership skills, tactics and strategies. With a focus on co-operative and collaborative learning, problem solving skills, the use of graphic organisers, fostering student responsibility and reflection practices, students are encouraged to become successful and independent learners.
Magenta Principles The Magenta Principles is an umbrella phrase that refers to a philosophy expounded by Mike Hughes, and an approach to teaching based upon the premise that learning should be both exciting and engaging. More specifically, the term represents a pedagogy underpinned by the core belief that: Learning is the consequence of thinking…
Language is central to thinking…
Learning is an active process…
therefore our job is to get students to think
therefore our job is to get students to talk
therefore our job is to get students active.
Central to this approach is the question of what students do with the information they encounter as they progress through their curricula. To more effectively engage with this material, students are asked to utilize the Magenta Principles to actively maximize their learning. The Magenta Principles Connect
Contrast
Arrange
Replace
Reduce
Change
Add/Develop
Challenge
Classify
Sequence
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PROSPECTUS
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Avondale Community College
School Facilities
Extra and Co-Curricular Activities
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The academic work of Avondale Community College is complemented by a range of extra and co-curricular activities.
Canteen Two Computer Rooms Sports Hall Two Courtyards Outdoor Classroom Football Pitch Basketball Courts Fitness Gym Library Two Art Rooms Two Science Laboratories Metalwork/Engineering Room Technical Graphics Room Wood Technology Room Home Economics Living Kitchen Music Room Interactive Garden SEN Support Centres ASD Unit Guidance Suite Student Support Room Administrative offices 10
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BT Young Scientist Boomwhackers Club Chess Club Christmas Craft Club Cioral Cainnte Computer Club Creative Writing Drama Field Trips Gaisce (The President’s Award) Green Schools Homework Club Horticulture Literacy Events Running Club
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School Bank Science Debating Science Club Sci-Fest Social Club Sports activities (Gaelic football, camogie, hurling, basketball, athletics, badminton) Student Council Themed Weeks TY Drama Music Club Upcycling and Art Groups Vocal Skills Yoga
PROSPECTUS
Student Leadership We place a high emphasis on developing student leadership skills and our student body is led by a dynamic student leadership team that supports students on a daily basis to get the best from school life. The following leadership opportunities are available in Avondale Community College; • • • • • • •
Heads of School Prefects Student Council Peer Mentors Literacy Leaders (Well Read Initiative) Green Schools Leader Sports Captains
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Avondale
Community College Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow. A67 RR26 0404 46445
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www.avondalecc.net
avondalecc@kwetb.ie