LUSK
COMMUN
ITY COLLEGE
LUSK
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Multi-denominational & Co-educational
WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE AN ENJOYABLE AND PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH A RICH RANGE OF OPPORTUNITIES
WELCOME School choice for your son or daughter is a crucial decision. I, as Principal, am confident that Lusk Community College will provide a holistic education of the highest quality across pastoral, academic, cultural, physical, psychological and social arenas.
LUSK
COMMUN
ITY COLLEGE
Lusk Community College is an inclusive second level for both boys and girls serving the Lusk area and North County Dublin. This first class educational facility opened its doors for the first time to 106 first year students in August 2013. The current phase one of the building caters for 350 students and we expect phase two to be completed in 2015 which will add an additional 650 places. This will bring the overall capacity to 1000 students. We place great emphasis on excellent teaching and learning. We expect every student to do their best. Staff members are very well qualified, dedicated professionals who strive to achieve high standards in their work. We work in tandem with parents and legal guardians and aim to assist them in their role as primary educators. We place great emphasis on students’ welfare. We strive to provide an enjoyable and personal experience with a rich range of opportunities. This results in a vibrant spirit of community permeating all activities.
YOUR COMMUNITY — YOUR COLLEGE Under the patronage of Dublin & Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB) formerly County Dublin VEC, Lusk Community College now forms an essential part of life and living in the locality of Lusk. Our educational ethos is one of total inclusivity and mutual respect in the formation of life skills which enable young people to meet their full potential in society. We have the heritage of expertise and experience in the DDLETB communitybased education spanning some 80 years of service throughout County Dublin. Lusk Community College offers you an educational experience which is reflective of modern day needs and changes in society; and it is on your door step. The luxury of being able to walk to their post primary school is not lost on our current teenagers in Lusk.
Our teachers are skilled in the delivery of an all-round education which meets the personal and career development needs of young people. As a student-centred secondary school, Lusk Community College believes in partnership, accountability, transparency, inclusion and respect for diversity, parental choice and equality. We aim to empower our students, teachers and parents collectively to achieve educational progress in a positive and encouraging atmosphere. This is of course a newly built school with state of the art facilities. The brightness and cheerfulness of the surroundings contribute to the overall achievement of a high quality education experience.
RESPECT IS THE PRINCIPLE AT THE HEART OF OUR SCHOOL
OBJECTIVES Lusk Community College offers boys and girls of this area an opportunity to pursue their second-level education together. This is achieved through the pursuit of standards of excellence in all areas of the school’s activities. Special emphasis is put on the quality of teaching and learning, positive behaviour and the use of Information Technology as an educational tool.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE WHOLE PERSON IS BASED ON PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY, INTER-DEPENDENCE AND MUTUAL RESPECT CURRICULUM The curriculum that is available in Lusk Community College is based on the syllabi of the Department of Education and Skills. We provide a broad range of subjects including languages, the humanities, arts, technologies and the sciences. The students entering Lusk Community College study the following subjects for the Junior Certificate: Irish, English, Mathematics, History, Geography, Science, CSPE, SPHE, PE, Religious Education (Non Exam), Spanish or French as their modern language, and TWO of the following option subjects Art , Business Studies, Home Economics, Music, Technical Graphics or Woodwork.
OUR SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Lusk Community College promotes the development of the whole person. Its aim is to create, with the assistance of parents, responsible citizens. The development of the whole person is based on personal responsibility, inter-dependence and mutual respect. The College seeks to cultivate integrity, the necessary skills for life, discipline and punctuality and facilitates the best in the academic and non-academic areas. The Board of Management seeks to inculcate a value for culture and belief traditions and seeks to be a caring and compassionate community where justice and truth will be central elements.
Lusk Community College is a digital school that is mirroring and building on the success of the modern Irish economy by underpinning all aspects of teaching, learning and managing the school with modern up-to-date technology. All students have purchased ipads which they use in every class subject. Many chose to avail of the Rush and Lusk Credit Union Student Loan Scheme to kit out the digital school bag with both ipad and ebooks.
STUDENT SUPPORT There are a comprehensive range of student supports available at Lusk Community College including Pastoral Care, Leadership Development, Learning Support, Guidance and Counselling and Canteen Facilities. The Student Council is represented by students from each class, elected by their peers. They have a voice in school affairs.
STAFF SUPPORT It is the policy of DDLETB and Lusk Community College’s management to work closely with its teaching staff to ensure quality personal and professional development particularly in the development of ICT skills as they relate to teaching and learning.
A DIGITAL SCHOOL THAT IS MIRRORING AND BUILDING ON THE SUCCESS OF THE MODERN IRISH ECONOMY
RESPECT IS THE PRINCIPLE AT THE HEART OF OUR SCHOOL
STUDENT MOTIVATION
THE ROLE OF PARENTS
In Lusk Community College, high academic standards are a priority. An awards scheme will be developed to recognise student achievement across the full range of school activities. Teachers are encouraged to expect only the highest possible standards of work and behaviour from students and to engage in teaching that will challenge all students to achieve their potential.
Lusk Community College recognises the primary role of parents as educators of their children and a positive working relationship with the parent body is a priority. Parents are represented by a democratically elected Parent’s Association. The Principal meets parents on request. Guidance Counsellor meets parents on request. Progress reports are issued three times a year. Student/ parent/teacher meetings will be held annually for each year group. Various information evening meetings are held for parents on a variety of topics. The student journal is used as a means of communication between home, Year Leader, Tutors and class teachers. Parents are invited to make an appointment to meet the Principal and/ or any teacher if they wish to discuss any matter concerning their child’s education.
YEAR LEADER The Year Leader is in daily contact with students in the year group. The year Leader monitors attendance, punctuality, uniform and general behaviour as well as liaising with class teachers, tutors and parents when necessary.
CODE OF BEHAVIOUR Respect is the principle at the heart of our school.Students sign and agree to act within a comprehensive Code of Behaviour designed to ensure that all students’ second-level school experience is positive and happy. The Code sets out rights and responsibilities and outlines a system to ensure good discipline. All staff works in collaboration to implement the Code of Behaviour which ensures that learning prevails and that individual needs are accommodated.
BOARD OF MANAGEMENT The Board of Management, a sub-committee of DDLETB, has responsibility for the good governance of the school. The day-to-day management of the school is delegated to the Principal and her team. The Board is broadly based and consists of representatives from the parent body, the teaching staff, DDLETB and the local Community, including the local national schools.
SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS Where students have special educational needs, there is a dynamic and proactive team in the school who will work to support your child in every possible way. Students are regularly monitored and the school uses every resource available in support of the students. The team is dedicated in its work and have developed a resource room. The school is mindful of multiple intelligences in its teaching and utilises various class materials to bring each child’s learning experience to life.
SCHOLARSHIP DDLETB awards Gaeltacht Scholarships to a number of students in its schools each year. This facility will is also available to students in Lusk Community College.
MUSIC Lusk Community College provides every opportunity to students who are interested in music to improve their talents and skills in this field. We have a well-equipped Music room which aids us greatly.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Students are encouraged to engage in all aspects of school life. We provide, in line with student interests and talents, opportunities for students including Art Club, talent shows, drama, choir, music lessons, dance, ciorcal comhrá, club ceoil traidsiúnta, debating and public speaking, quizzes, Student Enterprise Awards, school tours, creative writing, Green Schools Environmental Club, Young Scientist Exhibition, reading and research skills. Sport, of course, is well supported, including Gaelic football, soccer, athletics, basketball, hurling, gymnastics and futsal. We also offer an experience of noncompetitive sport through a multi-activity club e.g. ultimate Frisbee, tag rugby/tip rugby, cricket, badminton, volley ball taekwondo and sports conditioning.
ASSESSMENT IN LUSK COMMUNITY COLLEGE Continuous assessment and Assessment for Learning takes place in Lusk Community College. Parents receive three reports each year regarding the progress of their child. Reports are sent out at the end of term. There will be one student/parent/teacher meeting each year for each year group. School journals are also used to ensure continuous assessment is communicated to parents.
THE CLASS TUTOR The Tutor takes a special interest in a particular class and meets that class regularly. The Tutor gets to know the students in that class well and through a caring relationship supports the Year Leader in monitoring progress and dealing with any issues.
YOU CAN NOW ENROL YOUR CHILD IN LUSK COMMUNITY COLLEGE BY 1
Completing the enrolment form included in this pack.
2
Returning the enrolment form to: The Principal, Ms. Atkins, Lusk Community College, Raheny Lane, Rathmore Road, Lusk, Co. Dublin.
3
The enrolment form can also be downloaded from www.luskcommunitycollege.ie or we can email it to you if you email us on admin. luskcc@ddletb.ie
4
Parents/guardians are advised to return completed forms to the Principal by 18th October of the year prior to starting as a student in Lusk Community College along with booking fee.
LUSK
COMMUN
ITY COLLEGE
LUSK
COMMUNITY COLLEGE Multi-denominational & Co-educational Raheny Lane Rathmore Road Lusk Co. Dublin Ph.: 01-5130000 Email admin.luskcc@ddletb.ie www.luskcommunitycollege.ie
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