StKieran’sCollege

SecondarySchool

Kilkenny

SchoolPlan

2019-2022

Contents

Part1-IntroductionandEnrolment 3

Part2-SchoolStructures 4

Part3-Curriculum 10

Part4-SchoolPro:ile 14

Part5-CreatingACaringCommunity 18

Part6-PromotingPartnership 20

Part7-SchoolSelfEvaluation 22

Part8-PolicyFramework 24

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Part1-IntroductionandEnrolmentTrends

Introduction

StKieran’sCollegeisanall-boysvoluntarysecondaryschoolunderthepatronage

oftheBishopofOssory. TheCollegewasestablishedin1782,‘the:irstCatholic

CollegeintheKingdom’toopenitsdoorsafterGrattan’sParliamenthadrelaxed

thePenalLawsinthesameyear.

TheCollegewassituatedinanumberofdifferentlocationsduringthefollowing

decades before the foundation stone of the present neo-Gothic building was

blessedin1836.TwoyearslatertheCollegehadapermanenthome.

Sincethen,manyextensionshavebeenadded,makingStKieran’sCollegea:ine

blendofhistoricalandmodernbuildingstyles.

The present College crest replaced an earlier one in 1874. St Kieran is

representedwithmitre and staff, standing between two pillars. Themotto is

HiemsTransit(“Winterhaspassed”)fromTheSongofSongs(2:11)whichrefers

tothe‘winter’ofthePenalLawsera.

InkeepingwiththeaimsoftheCollegefounders,weatStKieran’sCollegestrive

toprepareaneducated,committed,Catholiclaity,keepinginminditsparticular

roleinpromotingsolidChristianvalues.

With a proud tradition as the oldest secondary school in Ireland, St Kieran’s

Collegeboastsover760studentsfromacrosssectionofsociety,bothurbanand

rural,andfromallsocio-economicbackgrounds.

Enrolment

DuringthelifetimeofthisSchoolPlanitisanticipatedthattheschoolpopulation

willgrowasfollows2016-2022

The demographic pro:ile of the diocese of Ossory is changing rapidly as

evidencedbyanalysisofCensus2016.

2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23

768 764 777 776 774 775 778

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Part2-SchoolStructures

The College Trustees are the legal owners of the school who determine the

purposeoftheschoolandwhatitexpectstoachieve.

TheBoardofManagement isappointedbytheCollegeTrustees. Itconsistsof

fournomineesofthetrustees,twonomineesoftheparents(selectedthroughthe

Parents’Association)andtwonomineesof the teachingstaff.TheBoardserves

fora three-year term.TheCollegePresident is theChairmanof theBoard, and

the Principal is the ex-of:icio Secretary of the Board. It is entrusted by the

Trusteestolookaftertheconduct,management,and:inancialadministrationof

theschoolinaccordancewiththeschoolethos.

ThemembersoftheBoardofManagement2019–2022are:

RevDrDermotRyan(Chairman)

MrMichaelHogan

MsYvonneO’Dwyer

MrPaulMuldowney

MrRichardMulrooney

MsGemmaMulligan

MsJacquiNorton

MsHollieHickey

TeachingStaff

• Ryan,RevDrDermot(President)

• Finan,Adrian(Principal)

• Maher,Ken(DeputyPrincipal)

• Smith,Liam(DeputyPrincipal)

• Allan,Evelyn–French

• Ahern,Eilish–Spanish,Irish

• Archbold,Kenneth–PE,ScienceandBiology

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• Boland,Bernadette–ScienceandBiology

• Brennan,Fergal–ReligionandMusic(Chaplain)

• Brennan,Tom–PEandScience

• Buckley,Gerard–MathsandTechnology

• Connolly,Michael-ReligionandResource

• Connolly,Niall–AccountingandBusiness

• Cotter,Laurence–English

• Darmody,Patrick–Maths,AgriculturalScienceandBiology

• Dowling,Bernadette–ResourceandMaths

• Dowling,Brian–Business,SPHE,CSPEandCareerGuidance

• Farrell,Grace-IrishandHomeEconomics

• Farrell,Jonjo–ReligionandResource

• Fitzgerald,Paul–BusinessandBusinessStudies

• Fitzpatrick,Jean–MusicandEnglish

• Ghanem,Debbie–SpanishandIrish

• Heffernan,Eamonn–DCGandTechnicalGraphics

• Hennessy,David–MathsandScience

• Hickey,Hollie–Irish

• Hogan,Thomas–I.T.andIrish

• Kavanagh,Joseph–MathsandChemistry

• Kelleher,Michael–Art

• Kelly,Patrick–Maths

• Keyes,Sharon–EnglishandHistory

• Lynch,Carl–Maths

• Madden,Christine-GeographyandResource

• Maher,Eadaoin–Resource,HistoryandGeography

• Mannion,Loretto–IrishandEnglish

• Moran,Jane–CSPE,IrishandHistory

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• Morgan,Stephen–HistoryandGeography

• Morrissey,Sean-Religion,HistoryandGeography

• Mulcahy,Regina–EnglishandGeography

• Norton,Jacqui–FrenchandIrish

• O’Connor,Olive–MusicandReligion

• O’Keeffe,John–HistoryandEnglish

• O’Neill,Martin–History,GeographyandEnglish

• Reddy,Simon–Science,Maths,SPHEandClassicalStudies

• Reynolds,Orla–Maths,HistoryandGeography

• Ruth,Richie–Technology,TechnicalGraphics,DCGandCSPE

• Ryan,Lester–BusinessStudies,Accounting,Economics

• Staunton,Ciara-EnglishandResource

• Walsh,Evan-ReligionandBusiness

• Walsh,Gerry–Maths

• Walsh,Michael–PEandMaths

• Walsh,Philip–Maths,PhysicsandI.T.

• Wemyss,Anne–CareerGuidanceandSPHE

• Windle,Richard–Chemistry,PhysicsandScience

Non-TeachingStaff

• Bergin,Pauline–SpecialNeedsAssistant

• Cahill,Eamonn–MusicLessons

• Malone,Enda–Caretaker

• Hennessy,Lisa–MusicLessons

• Martin,Mary–SchoolSecretary

• O’Dolan,Jennifer-SpecialNeedsAssistant

• O’Shea,Anne-SpecialNeedsAssistant

• Staunton,Jo-SchoolAccountant

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TheParents’Associationconsistsofparentsofstudentsandmeetsonaregular

basis, usually with the Principal in attendance. At these meetings, issues of

concern to the parents are brought to the Principal’s attention and he in turn

informsthemofdevelopmentsintheschool.

TheStudentCouncil

TheStudentCouncilcomprisesof:iveboysfromSixthYearandtwoboysfromall

other years. Sixth Year boys form the Council Executive - Head Student,

Chairperson, Treasurer, Public Relations and Secretary. Each year in May,

electionstakeplaceforthefollowingyear.

The Student Council is the voice for students in the school and a vehicle for

student participation in the operation of the school. Meetings are held during

lunchtimeandtakeplaceonafortnightlyschedule.

PastoralCare

PastoralcareinStKieran’sCollegeisrootedinthebeliefthatalloftheteachers

inourschoolmakeuptheteamofpeoplewhodealwiththelivesofthestudents

onadailybasisandarethereforethepastoralcareteamoftheschool.

Aswellassubjectteachers,eachclassalsohasaFormTeacherandaYearHead.

These are teachers that the students can approach with any issue, worry or

problem,whichmayariseduringthecourseoftheschoolyear.YearHeadsspeak

to the students within their allocated year on a daily basis. The tutor is a

signi:icantpersonforpupilstoapproachshouldtheybeexperiencingdif:iculties.

The tutor isan importantsupport to theyearheadand thePastoralCare team

andwillhavedetailedandcoordinatedlessonplansfortheirtutorclasses

There isalsoaPastoralCare teammeeting that takesplace in theschoolevery

week. The Chaplain attend this meeting and once per month the Guidance

Counsellor/s attend. The Pastoral Care Team consists of the Guidance

Counsellors,MsAnneWemyssandBrianDowling; and theChaplain,MrFergal

Brennan. Important issues arising in the area of Pastoral Care are focused on

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duringthesemeetings.ThePrincipal,DeputyPrincipals,YearHeads,SENCOand

otherteachersalsomeetwiththisgroupwhennecessary.

YearHeads

PostsofResponsibility

PostsofResponsibility

FirstYear MrRichieWindle

SecondYear MsJacquiNorton

ThirdYear MrJohnO’Keeffe

FourthYear MrPaulFitzgerald

FifthYear MrLesterRyan

SixthYear MrPhillipWalsh

AP 1

House Examinations Coordinator

Subject Choice Coordinator

ICT Coordinator

Data Transfer/Student Induction

Subject Planning/Health and Safety Officer

School Environment/Visual Layout Coordinator/School uniform

Academic Tracking Coordinator

AP 2

School Attendance

Locker and Diary Coordinator/Staffroom Supplies/Staff Welfare

Library Coordinator

Maintenance of Laboratories and Science Equipment

School Attendance

School Policies/Junior Cert Mock Examinations Officer

Examination Fees/Leaving Cert Mock Examinations Officer

Sports/Extra-Curricular Coordinator

Student Council Coordinator/Student Recognition

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Part3-Curriculum

JuniorCycle

TheJuniorCycleisofthreeyearsduration.Pupilstakeabroadrangeofsubjects

inFirstYear,mostbutnotallofwhicharetakentotheendofThirdYear. Atthe

end of First Year some subject choice takes place. The three-year cycle

culminates inthestateJuniorCerti:icateexamination. It isschoolpolicythatas

many pupils as possible take Higher Level options in the Junior Certi:icate

examination.

Thesubjectoptionsavailableareoutlinedbelow:

FirstYear

AllFirstYearswillstudythefollowingsubjects:

• Irish, Technical Graphics, English, Science,Maths, C.S.P.E., History, Religious

Education, Geography, Business Studies, Art, S.P.H.E., Music, Technology,

ConstructionStudiesandPhysicalEducation

Studentswillalsostudyoneofthefollowingsubjects,dependingontheirclass:

• French,Spanish

One period per week will also be assigned to the Form Tutor for Form Class

wherestudentswillfollowaschooldevelopedprogrammeonWellbeing.

SecondYear

AllstudentswillstudythefollowingCoreSubjects:

• Irish,English,Maths,History,Geography,Science,PhysicalEducation,C.S.P.E.,

S.P.H.E.,ReligiousEducation,FrenchorSpanish

SecondYearstudentswillalsoselecttwoofthefollowingsubjects:

• Technical Graphics, Business Studies, Technology, Music, Art, Materials

Technology

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TransitionYear

StKieran’sCollegehasasix-yearcyclethatincludesTransitionYear.Allstudents

areexpectedtoparticipateinthisprogramme.

AllTransitionYearstudentswillstudythefollowingsubjects:

• Irish, Social Studies, English, Religious Education, Maths, Business

Studies, Science, S.P.H.E., Career Guidance, Physical Education,

Computers,DCG/Technology,Crafts,FrenchorSpanish,MusicandArt

Studentswillparticipateinthefollowingmodules:

• Coding, Circuit Training, Home Economics, Public Speaking, Drama, Music

andFilmStudies.

Allstudents inTransitionYearareencouragedtoparticipate intheEnrichment

Programme inwhich students volunteer to get involvedwith local community

organisations. This programme and other activities throughout the year are

designedtodevelopagreaterdegreeofsocialawarenessandenhancethespirit

ofgivingamongstourstudentbody.

Togetherwith all of the above the TY Coordinator,Ms JaneMoran organises a

multitudeofotheractivities,excursions,guestspeakersandotherco-curricular

activitiesaimedattheholisticdevelopmentofourstudents.

SeniorCycle

TheSeniorCycleisofthreeyearsduration.Somesubjectchoiceisentailedinthe

subjects taken by pupils for Transition Year. During Transition Year, students

maketheirsubjectchoiceforFifthYear. Pupilstakesevenacademicsubjectsfor

theLeavingCerti:icate:Irish,English,Mathsandfourothers.

AllFifthandSixthstudentswillstudythefollowingsubjects:

• Irish, English, Maths, Pastoral Religious Education/RSE, Physical Education

andCareerGuidance.

Inaddition,studentswillalsostudyfourofthefollowingsubjects:

• History,Geography,ConstructionStudies,French,Spanish,Physics,

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Chemistry,Biology,Art,Economics,Business,Religion,Design&

CommunicationsGraphics,Music,Accounting,Agricultural

Science,Engineering,HomeEconomics,LCVP,PEandTechnology.

AllexaminationsubjectsexceptLCVPareofferedatHigherandOrdinaryLevel.

LCVPisacommonlevelassessedonacontinualassessmentformat.

Assessments

There are four school house examinations each year - Halloween, Christmas,

Easter and Summer. Third and Sixth Years complete Mock Examinations in

February. Both years do not complete Easter examinations and their Summer

examinationsaretheStateExaminations.TransitionYearsareassessedthrough

interviewsandpresentationsthroughouttheyear.

SpecialEducationalNeeds(SEN)

The SEN team coordinates and offers support to teachers of students with

Special EducationalNeeds.The SEN team,madeupof coordinatorMsEadaoin

Maher and two other teachers, along with all resource teachers, support the

studentsacademically,aswellassociallyandpersonally,tofacilitatetheirholistic

education.Theworkiscarriedoutwiththemainstreamteachers,SpecialNeeds

Assistantsandincollaborationwithhomeandexternalagencies.

TheSchoolTimetablewillbedeliveredtoteachersinatimelymannerinadvance

ofthecommencementofanewacademicyear.Timetablesaresubjecttochange

asdeterminedbytheneedsofthestudents.

Part4-SchoolProXile

OpeningTimes

StKieran’sCollegesecondaryschoolof:iceisopenfrom8.30amto4.30pmdaily

duringtheAcademicYear.

• Lessonsbeginat8.50andendat4pmMondaytoThursday.

• Lessonsbeginat8.50andendat1.00onFriday.

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• Eachlessonlastsonehour.

• Breakisfrom10.50to11.00MondaytoFriday.

• Lunchbreakisfrom1.00pmto2.00pmMondaytoFriday.

• TheschoolclosesforstudentholidaysatHalloween,Christmas,February

mid-term,EasterandSummer.

Classes

· It is schoolpolicynot to streamclasses inFirstYear. Classes aredivided into

mixedabilityinconsultationwiththeEntranceAssessmentResults.

·AfterFirstYear,classesinIrishandMathswillbedividedinaccordancewiththe

levelstakenbystudents.Classesinallothersubjectswillbeofmixedability.

·Thegreatestpossiblelevelofchoiceisgiventostudentswhenselectingoptional

subjectsforSecondandFifthYears.Subjectgroupingsarenotpre-determinedby

the school but emerge following an annual consultation process aimed at

satisfyingthegreatestnumberofstudents.

· School Management and the teaching staff also keep under review the

desirability and possibility of introducing new subjects to the school’s

curriculum, subject to the provision and funding by the DES of all necessary

resources.

Books

StudentBooklistsareupdatedeachyearandareavailableontheschoolwebsite.Every effort is made to retain books each year in the interests of keeping:inancial costsdown forparents.Cognisantof this,all subjectoptionsat JuniorCycleusebookletscreatedbytheir teachers inplaceofbooks.Anominal fee ischarged.

Uniform• BlackV-neckedpulloverwithwhitebandinsetonV.

• CollegeCrestonpullover

• Midgreypants,Hopsackmaterial• Lightgreyshirt

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• Collegetie

• CollegeJacket

• Appropriatefootwear(RunnersarenotpermittedexceptforduringP.E.and

games)

• RunnerswithclearsoleswhicharenonmarkingforP.E.class

Studentsareremindedthattheirnameshouldbeclearlymarkedonallitemsof

uniform. The school uniform is available at: Paul’s, High Street, Kilkenny and

Duggan’sMenswear,HighStreet,Kilkenny(exceptforthejacket)

ExtraCurricularActivities

Itishopedthateverystudentwillbeofferedopportunitiestotakepartinextra

curricularactivitiesthatsuitshisaptitudesandinterests.Itisinextracurricular

activitiesthattransformativeleadershipcanbeencouragedanddeveloped.

As a renownedhurling academy, opportunities are available for all students to

wear the black and white with pride. Students are invited and encouraged to

participateinawidevarietyofsportsandotheractivities.Eachyear,theschool

competes in inter-school competitions in Basketball, Hurling, Gaelic Football,

TableTennis,Athletics,Golf,soccer,equestrianandChess.

Teams enter Business Quiz Competitions, Inter-School Debate Competitions,

StudentEnterpriseAwards, theYoungScientists’Competition, theYoungSocial

Innovators Initiative andAnGaisceAwards.The schoolhasbegun to stageone

drama production each year. There is a choir andmusic ensemble run by the

Music Dept. Students regularly participate in cultural and educational outings.

There areover40 teachers taking extra curricular activities in the school each

year.Forafulllistofextracurricularactivities,seetheschoolwebsite:

Study

St.Kieran’sCollegehasaproudacademic recordandpupils are encouraged to

developstudypatternsandaroutinethatwillallowthemtoful:iltheirpotential

intheirtimewithus.After-schoolstudyfacilitiesaffordspupils,especiallythose

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in the :inal year of their Leaving Certi:icate and Junior Cycle courses, the

opportunitytoworkinasupervisedstudyfacilityafterschool.

The Study hall is a spacious room, dedicated for purpose that runs along an

entire top :loorof the schoolbuilding. It allowspupils from2nd,3rdand5th

year to work in a supervised environment conducive to study and is a

tremendous asset for the school to have. If there is an excess of demand for

places,preferenceisgiventothestudentsintheexamclasses.

A separate supervised sixth year study facility is available in the College

Canteen/Refectory.

Studycommencesat4.15pmonMonday,Tuesday,WednesdayandThursdayand

runs until 6.45 pm. There is also a study session on Friday afternoon from

1.30pmto4.00pm. Thereisachargeforstudywhichcanbeorganisedthrough

theof:ice.

First Years may avail of supervised study in Hall 33 which starts at 4.15 and

:inishedat5.45MondaytoThursday.Studybeginsat1.30onFridayuntil3.00.

Part5-CreatingACaringCommunity

MissionandEthosStatement

St Kieran’s College, as Ireland's oldest all-boys Catholic Secondary School,

continues its founding aim of the pursuit of real excellence in education and

formation,inthelightoftheGospel,soastoallowallourstudentstorealisethe

fullnessoftheirpotential.

Academically,spiritually,physicallyandemotionallyourstudentsareencouraged

to strive for all that is possible in the relentless pursuit of perfecting their

individualgiftsandtalents.

Insodoingtheybringtolifethejoyintendedbyourmotto,“HiemsTransiit”,for

themselves, those they loveand thecommunitywhere theywill live, serveand

lead.

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ReligiousEducation

Religious Education is central to the curriculum. Religious Education is

scheduled for three classperiodsperweek foreachyeargroupat JuniorCycle

andtwoclassperiodsatSeniorCycle.

InkeepingwiththespiritofinclusivenessofCatholiceducationasoutlinedinthe

school’s RE policy, boys of non-Christian faith may be excused attendance at

sacramentalcelebrations.AllboysmustparticipateinJuniorCycleREclassesas

prescribedbytheNCCANationalCurriculum.

Liturgies

Throughout the school year we hold many prayerful liturgies in order to

celebratetogetherasacommunityandtomarkspecialoccasionsinthelivesof

ourstudents.Someofourliturgiesareoutlinedbelow:

• September-BeginningofschoolyearMass.

• NovemberService/prayersforthedead.

• Adventliturgies.

• December-ChristmasCarolServiceinCollegeChapel.

• March-StKieran’sDay.

• Lentenceremonies.

• May-EndofYearMass.

• May-GraduationMass

Pupilsareencouragedtoplayanactiveroleintheliturgicalcalendarandasked

to serve asMinisters of the Eucharist and theWord. Students of all faiths and

noneareincludedinReligiousEducation,schoolcelebrationsandliturgies.

Cairdeas

Each year approximately thirty of our Fifth Year students take part in the

Cairdeasprogramme.EachFifthYearisassignedapproximately:ivestudentsto

lookafterandmonitor.Theymeeteachoftheirstudentsontheir:irstdayandat

regular intervals throughout the year particularly during the :irst term. This

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assistsgreatlywiththeinductionprocessofstudentstransitioningfromprimary

tosecondaryschool.FormoreinformationonourCairdeasprogramme.

Retreats

Everyyearallstudentsgettheopportunitytogoonretreat.Theaimofthedayis

toallowstudentsachancetorelax,bewithfriendsandtimetore:lect.Thisdayis

availabletoallstudents.Formoreinformationontheseretreats.

Part6-PromotingPartnership

All the stakeholders are invited and expected to take a full part in school life.

Structuresareinplacetoaccommodateandencouragecommunicationbetween

allstakeholders.

TheBoardofManagement

TheBoardofManagementmeetregularlytodirectandguidetheschoolandplan

foritsfutureandtoensureonadaytodaybasisthattheschoolfunctionsasis

intendedtodoso.Throughschoolmanagement,theBoardensuresthatallvoices

withinthecommunityareheard.

SeniorManagementTeam

The Senior Management Team direct and guide the school in day to day

operationstoensurethatthemissionandethosoftheschoolisful:illedandthat

allpartners,parents,students,staffwithintheschoolcommunityaresupported

intheirworkatalltimes,

Parents

TheParents’Associationmeetregularlywithschoolmanagementandcanmeet

teachersatformalparentteachermeetings.ParentTeacherMeetingstakeplace

foreachyeargroup.

Parentswillbe suppliedwith fourassessment reportsperyearandare free to

meet with, telephone or e-mail any member of the teaching staff, Year Head,

DeputyPrincipalsandPrincipal.

Students

The students of the school elect a Student Council. Two representatives are

electedfromeachyeargroup.Thesixthyearselectthe:iverepresentativesand

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overseetherunningofthecouncil.MrJoeKavanaghisassignedteachertoliaise

with the Council and attend Council meetings. The Deputy Principal, Mr Liam

Smith is committed to engagewith the Council and to formally reply to issues

raised.ItisintendedthattheStudentCouncilbeinvitedtoaddresstheBoardof

Managementonanannualbasis.

Teachers

Teachersworkwithstudentsonadailybasisandareencouragedtocontinueto

forgecloselinksandgoodworkingrelationshipswiththeirparents,management

and the Board of Management. Staff Meetings take place at regular intervals

throughouttheschoolyear.

Part7-SchoolSelfEvaluation

StKieran’sCollegehasbeenengagedintheprocessofSchoolSelfEvaluationfor

manyyearsanddevelopsannualtargets.

Part8-PolicyFramework

TheBoardofManagement (BOM)hasrati:iedall thesepolicies. Eachpolicy is

reviewed and updated on an on going basis following consultation with the

various stakeholder groups – students, parents and staff. Eachpolicyhas been

prepared inaccordancewith the requirementsof theDepartmentofEducation

andSkills (DES).Anumberof policies are formally reviewedevery year at the

requestoftheBOM.

In thepolicydevelopmentandplanningprocess, StKieran’sCollege recognises

its responsibilities to itsTrustees, and to thenational legislative framework. In

thislatterregard,particularattentionmustbepaidtothefollowing:

• Safety,HealthandWelfareatWorkActs,1989and2005• EducationAct,1998• Education(MiscellaneousProvisions)Act,2007• EmploymentEqualityActs,1998-2004• Education(Welfare)Act,2000• TeachingCouncilAct,2001• EqualStatusActs,2000-2008• EducationforPersonswithSpecialEducationalNeedsAct,2004• VettingActs,2012and2016

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• ChildrenFirstAct2017• GDPR2018

Additionally,theschoolseekstoupholdandimplementallagreementsmadeat

nationallevelbetweenthepartnersineducationi.e.DES,JointManagerialBody

(JMB), the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland (ASTI), representative

bodiesofparentsandstudents.

The school is also mindful of recommended best practice as outlined in

inspectionreportsissuedbytheDES.Todate,inspectionshavebeencarriedout

inthefollowingsubjectareas:

• A Whole-School Evaluation: Management, Leadership, Learning was

conductedin2009,2017.

• Various Subject Department Inspections have been carried out on a

regularbasisinrecentyears.

• AnIncidentalInspection–March13th2017.

• P.E.FollowUpInspection-March23rd2018.

• AWhole-SchoolEvaluationFollowUpInspection-April4th2019.

TheBOMof StKieran’s College commits itself to the principle of inclusiveness

withregardstotheprovisionofmainstreameducationforall(exceptwheresuch

provisionwouldhaveaseriouslydetrimentaleffectontheprovisionofservices

to other students), respect for diversity and encouraging students to develop

theirideasandvalues.

The development of the school plan is a shared responsibility of students,

parents,staff,theSeniorManagementTeamandtheBoardofManagement.

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