1st Yr students at Materials Technology

A large selection of subjects are offered in 1st Year – the ‘core’ subjects, which all students are required to study alongside the ‘option’ subjects. Student are provided with a most extensive sample of these option subjects in First Yr This is to help them make the best informed decision, when selecting the ‘option’ subjects which they will take in 2nd Yr and onwards to their Junior Cert. Some of the option subjects are offered on a Modular basis which allows for a greater concentration of classes over a shorter time period, while other option subjects continue throughout the school yr, with lesser classes per week.

Regular class examinations take place throughout the school year, with full house exams for all yrs at Christmas and Summer. The Summer 1st Yr Examination is of particular importance to 1st Yrs with all students sitting a common test in each subject. This is to provide a consistency, when determining the abilities of students for particular subjects and the level within that subject when the student commences 2nd Yr.

Bill looking for a few 'Apprentices' !!

Special Needs

Our Learning Support teacher, Ms Maureen O’Mahony is on hand to identify those students who require learning support across the 1st Yr curriculum and to advise on the best course of action to be followed in the case of students requiring ‘special needs’ assistance. Enquiries in this area should be directed to Maureen by arranging an appointment through the school office at office@midletoncbs.ie or 021-4631555

Should we bring in National Service with this lot ?

MUSIC

Depending on demand a song school workshop will be provided by the song school company

SCIENCE

Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Students enter the CIT Science competition

COMPETITIONS AND AWARDS

YSI – Raising awareness, Dublin showcase in May

Mini company- Christmas fair, Munster competition/regional and national competitions

Gasice/ community work

CAREER GUIDANCE

DATS

College fair Rochestown

College visits

TSB talk on money

AWARNESS/ISSUES

Guest speakers and presentations to the students will be ongoing:

Sexual Health talk

Mental health talk

Drugs/drink driving

WORK EXPERIENCE

Students will participate in 2 weeks of work experience in May 2010

EVENT ORGANISATION THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Students will be organising events as they arise throughout the year:

Examples- Transition year graduation

Possible sports day

Fundraising for school an community collections for selected charities

EVENTS

Outdoor activity trip- Kenmare

First Aid course

Safe Pass course

Law day

Politics forum

School bank

Driver theory test course

Film scripts

Debating

ASSESMENT

Students will have on going assessment throughout the year in the form of:

Class exams

Christmas, Mid-term and summer exams

Report writing

Evaluations

Presentations

SCHOOL FOREIGN TRIP- NEW YORK

LANGUAGES AND CULTURE

Students take 7 examinable subjects to include the core: Irish, English, Maths and option subjects from the following list: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Accounting, Business, History, Geography, Music, Art, Construction Studies, Technical Studies, Technology, French, German, Religion and Link Module*. A subject choice menu is offered to students from the option subjects above, based on demand.

Students continue with this course of study for the 2 yr duration and as with Junior Cert students, sit all house exams, class exams and in February of 6^th Yr, they sit The ‘Mocks’ or ‘Pre’s’ which means sitting a full Leaving Cert preparation examination held, as much as possible, under exact Leaving Cert conditions.

From the Career Guidance perspective, colleges are invited to the school throughout the year to address students on their future post-leaving course options. Students are also advised to attend a major careers exhibition to view options for those who wish to enter the employment market straight from school. For further details on career guidance, visit the tab relating to this matter on this page.

Hard at Work !!

*Link Modules – also referred to as Leaving Cert Vocational Programme (LCVP), is offered to students who have one of a specific subject combination at Leaving Cert. This offer is made during 5^th Yr. The subject is based on “Preparation for world of work”, is taught for 2 classes per week. It is eligible for Leaving Cert points based on a unique Pass, Merit and Distinction point scale. For further information visit www.lcvp.ie

Ms Nash going through the Career Portal site with a student

Personal and social development

Personal counselling is a very significant service within the guidance and counselling programme and is availed of by students from all year groups throughout the year.

HOW DOES MY SON ACCESS COUNSELLING?

Self – referral
A student can call to the Guidance office between classes to make an appointment.He can also speak to a subject teacher who will then arrange an appointment for him with the counsellors or Chaplain.

Office also open through lunch on Wednesdays – speak to counsellor.

Parent – referral
A parent can contact the school at any time to request a counselling appointment.

Teacher-referral
Teachers can refer students whom they are concerned about.Parents are informed.

Educational Guidance

Guidance counsellors  attend  Pastoral Care team meetings where we identify students in need of educational guidance , or counselling and allocate staff to meet with these students.

Career Guidance

Visits and trips to career events,colleges and industry , and presentations by speakers from colleges,industry, and youth welfare groups   take place throughout the year.

Contact Us

Parents are most welcome to contact the Guidance office regarding your son’s progress or any  queries you may have

Ms Deirdre Nash & Ms Imelda Clarke

Direct Dial: 021 4621 235

Email – guidance@midleltoncbs.ie

Guidance Delivery – Junior Cycle

1st Year

In first year our primary focus is on transition from primary school, establishing a warm working relationship with the students, personal and social health and subject choice for 2^nd year.

Pre-entry:

Guidance counsellor along with other school personnel (including Learning support colleagues) meets with 1^st years on day of entrance test.

Administers entrance test and liaises   with colleagues re: those students whom the test has identified as having special educational needs.

Post – entry

Guidance Counsellor liaises with parents whose children have been identified pre- entry as being in need of additional support

Orientation Programme

Exploration on the themes of new beginnings and transition to secondary school in Religion and SPHE classes

Guidance counsellor delivers study skills information and exam technique information in whole class  setting to 1^st years-  first years are encouraged to come to Guidance counsellor  for individual help in this area if needed.

1^st yrs are given a tour of the Guidance office and library, so that they know where to go if they need to speak to the Guidance Counsellor

Guidance  counsellor along with other school personnel (including SPHE teachers, English teachers, Art teacher) delivers 2 classes on the Midleton CBS Anti Bullying  Programme (Link to Anti Bullying Policy here)

2nd Year

In second year we focus on academic achievement, & personal and social development through collaboration with the CSPE/SPHE team

• The initial focus will be on helping them to set personal and academic goals for the year.  Guidance Counsellor will deliver study skills session in class- individual support available if required.
  
  
• Midelton CBS Anti bullying programme revisited in SPHE class
  
  
• Personal counselling will be provided as appropriate.

3rd Year

At third year level we introduce post 2^nd level study opportunities, provide students with the skills to prepare for state examinations and guide students through the decision making process re  and subject options.

• Study and exam techniques also covered in class by Guidance Counsellor,with support from subject teachers.
  
  
• Introduction to the career pathways that are open to students post leaving cert and discussion on requirements for these pathways.
  
  
• School visits by college Science, Engineering, Business Depts to inform students re the relevance of their Leaving Cert subject choices to career paths.

Subject Options Decision making process.

• Course choices post junior cert and implications of these choices presented to parents and students.
  
  
• Staff make presentations to students on content of, and aptitudes needed for particular Leaving Cert subjects.
  
  
• Staff consulted on suitability of individual students for Leaving Cert subjects – students advised of their teachers’ recommendations at  small group meeting with Guidance Counsellor.
  
  
• Guidance counsellor to meet students in small groups(and individually if needed) to discuss choices with them.
  
  
• Also available to discuss subject choice individually with parents.
  
  Midleton CBS Anti bullying programme revisited in SPHE class
  
  
• Personal counselling will be provided as appropriate.

Guidance Delivery – Senior Cycle

4th Year

In fourth year the focus is on career planning , on 3^rd level course options and subject choice for Leaving Certificate.

• Visit to UCC Spring open Day for interested students and visits from speakers from CIT ,WIT etc.
  
  
• Work experience programme for transition years which will include input on the value of work placement, preparation for placement.
  
  
• Work with coordinator in assisting students to find work placements.
  
  
• Students given the chance to participate in Rotary Youth Leadership competition- students learn interview skills

• Liaise with transition year coordinator in organising speakers in the social and health arena eg Aware 

5th Year

We focus on the transition into the Leaving Certificate programme and on ensuring that our students can cope with the demands of the Leaving Certificate programme both academically and personally.

• Aptitude Testing (DATS) and vocational interest evaluation – Careers Portal
  
  
• Rotary Youth Leadership competition.
  
  
• 5^th yr Compulsory Careers Project
  
  
• Assisting LCVP teachers with careers investigation for LCVP
  
  
• Students attend UCC, CIT, WIT Open days, and receive school visits from college/ industry.
  
  
• Envisage to strengthen links with local industries, such as the booming medical device sector – plant visits etc
  
  
• Individual guidance meetings on request

6th Year

In 6^th year the emphasis is on helping students to make decisions with regard to their future and in setting and achieving their academic and career goals. 

• Compulsory Individual guidance meetings to avoid untenable workload come CAO time.

• Help students to set academic goals for the year and decide how they are going to achieve these goals. Revisit study and revision programme.

• Information session on financial supports for 3^rd level

• Career talks in school and open day visits to 3^rd. level colleges

• CAO applications – presentations for both parents & students

• PLC presentations eg College of Commerce.
  
  
• Interview preparation for those applying to Defence forces / PLCs

New students

If your son has been offered a place in Midleton C.B.S and has special education needs of any sort it is vital that the school is made aware of these needs as soon as you have accepted your place.

If you have a Psychological Education Assessment for your son, please make this available to the school as soon as possible to allow us time to prepare the appropriate supports for your son.

If your son has had learning support or resource teaching hours in primary please indicate this on the application form in the appropriate space.  If your son has had resource hours in primary, it is necessary to make a fresh application for resource hours for secondary school.

The move to secondary school can be a stressful time for parents and students, even more so if there are special needs involved. Members of the Special Education Needs team are available at any time to discuss your son’s educational needs.

Students with special education needs may be provided for by a mixture of withdrawal classes where a student is withdrawn from a subject and in class support.

We endeavour to make the transition from primary to secondary as stress-free as possible. A rang of supports are provided for new students with special needs to make this possible.

	Special Needs and State Examinations   Students with special education needs are provided for with Reasonable Accommodations in Junior and Leaving Certificate. More information is available about this on the State Examinations Commission website, www.examinations.ie

Current Student

A student may be referred to the special education needs team if there are concerns regarding his learning performance. Referral is usually made by subject teachers, parents or the guidance counsellor. The learning support team will then assess the student and decide whether he needs extra teaching support or perhaps referral for an educational assessment with an educational psychologist.

An educational assessment must be carried out by an educational psychologist. C.B.S Midleton has an assigned NEPS psychologist; however the numbers of assessments available to the school are extremely limited. Students are prioritised for assessment based on severity of need.