Resources

The School Journal is a source of vital information for parents and pupils and includes dates for Holidays, advice on study preparation, space for your son to record his weekly homework and a section in each week for Parent-Teacher communication and Absence Explanation. It is advisable to check the Journal weekly to make sure your son is keeping you fully in the picture.

School opens at 8:00am each school day and school office hours are 8:30 to 4:30pm, telephone 0214501653. An attendance/punctuality monitoring system operates in the college and pupils are issued with an identity card similar in size and appearance to a credit card. First Year students go straight to their classrooms and swipe in in the First Year building. Other pupils swipe in on one of four scanners located near the main school entrances. The time of arrival is then recorded in the main office. Students, other than First Years, may wait in the old canteen, new canteen, social areas and some classrooms. New pupils are issued with cards and given appropriate instruction in how to use this system. The card costs €10 per pupil. Damaged or lost cards can be replaced also at a cost of €10.

If a pupil is absent for any reason, a parent must phone the relevant Year Head before 9:15 a.m. In addition, an absence note must be written in the College Diary. The note must specify the dates of, and reason for the absence to comply with the requirements of the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB). A pupil who returns to school without a note of explanation may not be allowed to go to class until his parent/guardian has been contacted. No student may leave his class during the school day without permission from his Subject Teacher. First Year students should be collected by a parent and must sign out with the First Year Head.

A pupil seeking permission to leave school during school hours for a medical appointment, etc, must present a note of explanation to the Year Head before 8.45am. The note must be written in the appropriate part of his College Diary. He must sign out at the main office before he leaves the school premises and sign in again on his return at the same point. First Year students should follow the same procedure with their Year Head.

The uniform consists of the following: College blazer, mid-grey trousers, white shirt, College tie, grey v-neck pullover (optional), black leather shoes, black, waterproof outer jacket with College crest. The jacket is in addition to and not a substitute for the College blazer. The supplier of the uniform is John Cronin, Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork.

Runners may not be worn in any part of the school except the Gym during PE classes. ‘Hoodies’ are not acceptable within the College grounds at any time and will be confiscated and held in the school until the end of term/half term at which time they will be returned to the pupil, or until collected by a parent/guardian.

Hair must be kept short and tidy but not tightly cropped. Bleaching and dying of hair is not permissible and beards, moustaches and stubble are not acceptable. Jewellery must not be worn. Earrings are not acceptable, even if covered by a plaster. Pupils in breach of this policy may be excluded from school until the matter has been addressed.

Useful Tip: Two ties can help you to avoid morning panic!

Each pupil is expected to be well behaved, well mannered and orderly at all times, to show respect for teachers, staff and other pupils, to respect the grounds and buildings, and to maintain and enhance the good reputation of the College.

First Year classrooms are situated in a building a little distance from the main building and therefore First Years stay in the same room for most subjects, moving only for labs, music, PE or if they wish to get a hot meal during the lunchtime break. The First Year building has its own hall, toilets and yard and the First Year Head maintains a continuous presence in the building. First Years thus have a full year to get used to CBC. In 2012 CBC moved to teacher-based classrooms. This means that the students in the main part of the school move to new classrooms for each subject. Thus, good locker management is vital.

Breakfast is available as are hot meals and lighter options for lunch, except Wednesdays as the school day finishes at 1pm. Microwaves are available for students to heat up food.

Each boy rents a locker for the year at a cost of €20. Each pupil brings his own lock. It is suggested that a spare key be kept, in a pencil-case for example or that a combination lock be used. At the end of each academic year all lockers must, for hygiene reasons, be emptied.

Rucksacks need to put up with a lot of punishment. It is worthwhile investing in a good quality robust bag.

Mobile phones

Mobile phones must be switched off during all class periods. First, Second and Third Year pupils must leave their phones in their lockers for the duration of the school day. If a pupil needs to use his phone urgently, he must first get permission from his Year Head. Teachers may confiscate phones if they deem them to be causing a distraction. Confiscated phones will be held in the school for one week and then returned to the pupil on application to the Principal.

Each pupil must have a copy of the College Diary in school every day and take it home in the evening.

Assemblies

Year Group Assemblies are held six times a year. They are addressed by the Principal, Deputy Principal, Year Head and invited speakers. As well as a general review, topics addressed include Diet and Exercise, Study Skills, Health and Safety, Anti-Bullying Policy.

The College endeavours to keep parents/guardians informed of a pupil's progress by means of Christmas and Summer Reports and annual Parent-Teacher meetings. Parents/guardians are welcome to phone or make an appointment to see the Year Head, Deputy Principal or Principal to discuss a pupil's progress.

Parent Teacher Meetings

The schedule for P/T meetings is posted in the College Diary and the school calendar and you will receive a letter from the school listing all of your son's teachers. Meetings take place from 4.15 to 6.45 pm. These meetings are intended to be brief – please limit your conversations to approximately 5 minutes. If you want to have a longer discussion it is advisable to arrange a phone call or a meeting.

Useful Tips:

• Come Early: Teachers are generally organised in alphabetical order with Year Heads in the new canteen.
• Be familiar with the names of your son's teachers (use the letter sent out prior to the meetings).
• Find out which teachers teach most classes within the year as these will be the busiest on the day.
• Tea and Coffee are normally available in the hall.

Dates for Parent/Teacher meetings for 2015-2016:

      • Sixth Year: October 19th 2015 4:15-6:45pm
      • Fifth Year: November 12th 2015 4:15-6:45pm
      • Fourth Year: November 23rd 2015 4:15-6:45pm
      • Third Year: January 12th 2016 4:15-6:45pm
      • Second Year: January 18th 2016 4:15-6:45pm
      • First Year: February 2nd 2016 4:15-6:45pm

In CBC, the role of the Pastoral Care Team is to promote the moral, spiritual, social and personal development of students in consultation with their parents. The Pastoral Care Team is composed of The Pastoral Care Coordinator and the Care Team made up of a member of school management, the guidance counsellor, chaplain and resource teachers. A personal, confidential counselling service is available to all students with the aim of giving support to students  to face up to the many problems of adjustment and  identity, while providing a caring environment  in which they can talk openly and  honestly. Teachers, students and parents will be able to alert the Care Team of any concerns they have relating to individual students. The Care Team is timetabled to meet on a weekly basis. Pupils are given an adhesive label to put on their journals each September with the names of the Pastoral Care team for the coming year.

Team for 2015/2016:  Mr Seamus Bruton,,  Mr  Pól Ó Seanacháin,  Mr Simon Kelleher, Ms Teresa Kelly and Ms Lorna Mulvany.

The CBC Parents Council is the representative body of parents in the college. The Parents council seeks to contribute towards our children’s enjoyable and successful life in education in a spirit of co-operation with all the educational partners. The council is elected from parent volunteers each year at the Annual General Meeting and meets monthly. Its role is advisory and consultative, providing a home-school link and helping the school to provide wider opportunities for the involvement of parents generally. Your participation in the parent council is vital to ensure its continued success.
The AGM is usually held in October. A guest speaker addresses the AGM on various topics such as internet safety, parenting issues and drugs awareness.

The council organises a number of events during the academic year:

• A drugs awareness workshop is held every year and is open to 2nd Year students and parents. The course is run over two nights and parents and students work in separate groups. This is an informative and highly recommended workshop.
• A two–evening parenting course entitled 'Raising Boys for Fathers' is run every year and is facilitated by HeadsUp, Rehab's Youth Suicide prevention project. The course, developed for fathers and men who play a significant role in the lives of teenage boys, offers useful skills to develop and maintain close relationships.
• A Careers Exhibition is organised by the parent council in association with the Guidance and Counselling department in the college every 2 years for pupils in 4th, 5th & 6th Year. Representatives from a number of Third Level institutions and professional bodies attend as well as practitioners from a number of different professions and areas of business.

Parents with expertise or experience in various fields of employment are essential to the success of this event and are encouraged to offer their services.

There is a vibrant student council in CBC.

The Student Council is part of the democratic process in the school, with students being elected by their peers. The Student Council has many roles; highlighting issues of concern to the general student body and to the school management, involvement in a number of charitable activities as well as reviewing school policies that affect the student body. The school Captain and Vice Captain are usually head of the Student Council and chair the meetings.

The Meitheal Youth Leadership programme was introduced in 1992.  Currently 20 Cork schools participate and students in TY apply for places, usually 10, on the 5th Year Meitheal team and undergo an interview process by Scala , who run the programme. Students undergo 4 days of intensive training during which they learn how to identify needs in their school and how to respond  to  them  in a practical way.

The following sports and activities are directly catered for within the school.

Click Here for more details on each extracurricular activity.

• Rugby
• Debating Society
• Charitable Activities
• Basketball
• Chess
• Tennis
• Gaelic Football
• Hurling
• Indoor/Outdoor Soccer
• Quiz Competitions
• School Magazine
• Athletics
• Cricket
• Pitch & Putt
• Computers
• Educational Tours
• Young Scientist
• Choir/Orchestra
• Drama

The college also supports students who represent the school in the following activities:

• Golf
• Sailing
• Rowing
• Swimming
• Table-Tennis
• Orienteering
• Equestrian

Students are required to wear full uniform or school sports gear for school representative activities unless otherwise specified.

Sports gear for representative teams is arranged through the organising teacher.

Debating

The Debating Society meets at 3.30pm every Friday in Room 5. Students from 1st to 6th Year are welcome to attend. There are opportunities to compete in a variety of competitions during the year. A student-run committee organises weekly debates and is elected by the Society members annually. First Year coaching starts in October and is held once a week. More details are available from the Society Patron Mr. David Lordon or Coach Mr. Trevor Hussey.

Rugby

Rugby is the primary sport: CBC has a rich history in the sport having won 28 Munster Schools’ Senior Cups (last in 2009) and has also contributed richly to Munster, Ireland and British and Irish Lions representative sides. All boys in the college are actively encouraged from First Year up to play the sport and beginners are most welcome. Shorts, jersey, socks, boots and gum shield are required and all training takes place in Landsdowne.

1st Year

First Year training takes place on Mondays for all students during class games 2.00pm–3.30pm and Wednesdays after school from 1.00pm to 3.00pm approximately. Training takes place on Saturdays and games are played against Dublin, Limerick and Cork schools throughout the season. The season has traditionally culminated with a tour to France at Easter time. The emphasis in 1stYear is on fun, skills development and participation. Plans are in place for a First Year Rugby Tour this academic year.

2nd Year

Second Years play at U15 level and participate in the McCarthy Cup as well as playing in the Munster Club Leagues. The emphasis in 2nd Year is on player development and preparing a squad for the Junior Cup. Training is after school on Mondays, 3:45 to 5:30pm, Wednesdays, 1:15 to 3:30 pm and Fridays, 3:45 to 5:30pm from September to April. Matches take place on Wednesdays only.

3rd Year

The main emphasis in Third Year is the Munster Junior Cup at ‘A’ Level and the Kidney Cup at ‘B’ level. The squad trains on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school, 3:45 to 5:30pm with games on Saturdays as well as regular strength and conditioning sessions. They play a comprehensive season of 'friendly' matches prior to the Junior Cup. Matches take place on Saturdays.

4th Year

This year group participates in the Bowen Shield before Christmas as well as a Munster Clubs league. Some players from this group progress to the Senior Squad after Christmas, while a few younger members are still eligible to play at Junior Level. Training is after school on Mondays, 3:45 to 5:30pm, Wednesdays, 1:15 to 3:30 pm and Fridays, 3:45 to 5:30pm from September to April. Matches take place on Wednesdays only.

5th and6th Year

This group formulates the Senior Squad. They train Tues and Thurs 3:45 to 5:30pm and Sat 9:00 to 11:30am, comprising both pitch and gym sessions as well as following a comprehensive fixtures schedule. Some players graduate to Munster and Irish Schools’ representative sides. After Christmas they play in the Munster Schools Senior Cup as well as the Barry Cup for ‘B’ players. Matches take place on Saturdays.

Contact Names

      • U14 –Mr Peter Melia
      • U15 –Mr Adam Clarke
      • Junior –Mr Tom Crowe
      • Bowen Shield –Mr Russell Foley
      • Senior –Mr Neil Lucey

Training Facilities

The schools’ rugby pitches are in Lansdowne, a 5-minute walk from the college . Changing rooms with showers are located on site. A limited number of car parking spaces are available. We also have gym and weights facilities on the main school campus as well as an all-weather floodlit Astro Turf pitch.

Athletics -Cross Country/Track and Field

Interested students should contact Mr D. Lyons. Cross Country competitions take place in December, January and February at the CIT Invitational, Cork Schools and Munster Schools competitions, respectively. Track and Field competitions take place in May, at the Cork Schools and Munster Schools competitions, respectively.

Basketball

Basketball training takes place in the school hall Mondays and Tuesdays from 3:30 to 4:30pm. Students from 3rd to 6th Year train from September to the end of December and 1st and 2nd Year students train from January to May. Interested students should contact Mr D. Wallace and Mr T. Crowe.

Soccer

Training takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 5/5:30pm at Lansdowne or Collins Barracks depending on availability/weather. Training for 4th and 5th Years is from September to the end of December and from January to May for 1st and 2nd Years. Interested students should contact Mr. S. Hogan.

Tennis

Training takes place in Douglas Lawn Tennis Club and training days vary depending on court availability. The school enters the Munster Schools Tennis competition each year at U14, U16 and U19 level. Trials for the teams are held from October to December where teams of 4 and 2 substitutes are picked for each level. Knowledge and experience of the rules of competition are necessary but all students are welcome to try out for the teams. Students must have their own racket and if interested should contact Ms M. Carroll.

Hurling

Training is flexible and depends on what competition is on each week but in general training times for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Years are Tues and Thurs 3:50 to 5pm and for 4th and 5th Years, Tues, Thurs, and Fri 3:50 to 5:30pm and for 6th Years Mon, Thurs and Fri 3:50 to 5:30pm. Training takes place in the Army Barracks and a helmet, hurley and shorts and jersey are required. Most of the games are played on Fridays. Teams are not specific to year groups and there are U14, U15, U16 and Senior teams in the college. This year, CBC will also participate in the Harty Cup. Contact person is Mr Donal O’Mahony.

Rowing

The college liaises with Cork Boat Club, Blackrock, and are in the process of building a stronger relationship with the club. In general, 1st Year students are encouraged to join a rowing club and most CBC rowers are members of Cork Boat Club and affiliated to the CBC rowing club. Every year, CBC enters crews into the Schools Regatta in April and in the 2013/2014 academic year CBC had 4 First places. A CBC boat, Certa Bonum Certanum, is kept at Cork Boat Club and is used for school events. Last year, CBC took part in a number of events, including the Henley Regatta in England. Contact person is Jane O’Connell.

Chess

Chess training takes place for 1st Years at lunch time from 1:30 to 2pm on Thursdays in the Art Room. Contact persons are Ms Long and Ms Quinn.

Science

The Junior Science Club for 1st Year students meets on Mondays from 3:45pm to 4:30pm in the J.S Lab. For the purpose of taking part in the BT Young Scientist and Sci- Fest competitions, students from all years meet for 2 hours per week in the J.S Lab. Interested students should contact Mr David O'Connell.

Sports Gear

The school’s colours are red, yellow and black jerseys, white shorts and red, yellow and black socks. All rugby gear is available for purchase in the school in September. Gumshields are mandatory for all players.

Useful Tip: If your son plays on a rugby team, 2 sets of kit can be useful so that you have a chance to clean the dirty gear if he has to play the following day.

Sports Day is held in May, generally in UCC or CIT for all CBC students including the Junior School. Track and field activities are held with prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in all events. This is one of the few activities that involves the whole school community and is generally one of the highlights of the school year.

Background

The Zambia Immersion Programme was first established in CBC in 2003. The programme has been run every two years in the school since then. The aim of the Immersion Programme is "to increase the desire and capacity of students and wider school communities from the Edmund Rice Network to act in solidarity with others for a more just world". Most of the time spent in Zambia is centred on social outreach and reflection on experience.

Application Process

Interested students complete a research project on an aspect of Zambia during the summer holidays after Transition Year. Students are selected by interview.

Preparation

Preparation includes personal and faith development, skills for reflecting on experience through journaling, development education, and preparation for the social outreach role. The team also participate in various fund-raising activities to support projects run by the Christian Brothers in Zambia.

In Zambia

Typically, four teachers accompany eight Fifth Year students to Mufulira, in Northern Zambia. The team travels to Zambia when school finishes in early June, for a period of two to three weeks. There they live with a community of Christian Brothers, work with people in the 'Murundu Development Centre' and visit children and young people in orphanages and local schools.

Follow-up

An important part of the programme is de-briefing and evaluation on return. Students are facilitated in presenting their experiences to their school community and encouraged to use their experience in a positive way at home in Ireland.

Junior Certificate Cycle

Pupils in the Junior Cycle are offered the following range of subjects:

Mathematics, English, Irish, French, German, Latin, Science, History, Geography, Business Studies, Religious Education, Civil, Social and Political Education, Computer Studies, Music and Musicianship Art, S.P.H.E. and P.E.

This programme ensures that a pupil who has completed the Junior Cycle will have all avenues of career development open to him.

First Year students have a choice between Latin, Art and Music.

In 2nd Year they then need to choose 2 subjects from the 3 listed below.

• • Latin/ Art
  • French
  • German

After 1st Year, Music can be taken as an extra subject outside of school hours, usually before the school day commences.

Transition Year

Transition Year in Christian Brothers College provides students with an opportunity to lay solid foundations for their Leaving Certificate whilst also providing them with an opportunity to mature. Firstly, the year is about inculcating a sense of core values in the students and by the time they finish Transition Year it is hoped that they have a good moral compass or a simple sense of what is right and wrong. The year is also about challenging themselves, trying new things and embracing change. Another focus is personal maturity in the context of improving communication skills and self confidence. The year also develops social maturity by creating an awareness of the world outside of the school and improving the students' people skills. The programme involves modules on leadership, decision making, renewable energies, personal finance and enterprise and key life skills such as certification in first aid, safe driving, iWorks and a cookery course. Transition Year affords plenty of opportunity for travel with two tours offered to the students, a ski trip for the more active students and an educational tour which is full of exciting activities and events.

The Gaisce, the Presidential award, is another key component of the year. The bronze award challenges the students in three key areas – personal skill, community involvement and physical recreation. The students must commit to doing one hour per week in each of these areas over a 13-week period. The award culminates with the students doing a 35km hike over the Kerry Way and an over-night stay in Kenmare. The award encompasses all that is good about Transition Year in that it

challenges the students and it makes them  make a commitment over a long period of time.

TY is compulsory in CBC. In May an Open Night for TY parents is held in the school. The evening may also be of help to parents of incoming TY students as a means of learning about what the coming year has to offer for their sons.

The work experience component of TY is usually scheduled to coincide with the 2 weeks of orals for the LC.

Leaving Certificate Cycle

Leaving Cert Subjects are selected in Transition Year (TY).

It is vital that the decision regarding subject choice be given a lot of thought as it will have implications for your son's future Third Level and Career Choice. CBC offers many exam subjects in the Leaving Cert cycle and each student must take seven subjects. Students are advised to choose subjects which give a good balance, or mix, in order to keep as many options as possible open regarding their future career. You can help your son to make the wisest choice if you keep in mind that entry into many courses and careers from the Leaving Cert depends, very often, on the standard of the result achieved, rather than the subjects taken.

To help your son make up his mind, ask the following questions:

1. 1. What subjects is he most interested in?
   2. Which subjects is he likely to succeed most in?
   3. What subjects does he actually need to do the course he wants to follow at Third Level?
   4. Identify people he can ask to help him with his decision such as teachers, family members and friends

To help your son decide what subjects to take, you should look at what careers or Third Level course he thinks he will follow after school. Write these down and put the entry requirements next to them. This will give you a fair idea of what subjects he should be picking.

Students must take:

English, Irish, Maths

Students will have to choose between: French or German

The following subjects are to be ranked in order of preference:

Accounting, Art, Applied Maths, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Economics, Geography, History, Physics

This will be used to generate lines of choices to give as many students as possible their optimum preference. The aim is to give every student all of their choices but sometimes this is not possible.

A choice that gives a lot of options is:

English, Irish, Maths, Foreign Language, Chemistry, Physics

Another subject from those on offer such as:

Business, History, Biology

Careers Guidance

Mr. Pól Ó Seanacháin works with all classes but primarily with the Senior Cycle within the school. In the educational and vocational area, speakers from colleges and agencies visit the school and give detailed information regarding courses and future careers. Fifth Year students attend Careers Exhibitions as part of the careers programme. Tests such as the Careers Interest Inventory (CII) are given to the students to help highlight career interests. Guest speakers are invited to the school on a regular basis to help the students explore the wide variety of choices now available to them. Advice on study
methods and time management are discussed and explored with students. Leaving Certificate students all meet with the Guidance Counsellor on an individual basis to discuss future courses in a wide range of third level institutions. Classes are given weekly to the Leaving Certificate classes to inform and arrange visits to Careers Exhibitions, Open Days and Speakers. The CAO is explained in detail to all Leaving Certificate students, including practice runs on the CAO Demo model and CAO updates are given to the students. A formal presentation on the CAO process is given to parents and this has proved to be extremely informative and useful. Students applying for courses which require interviews are taken in small groups to practice and receive information on the importance of planning and preparation before interviews and how best to perform.

College Entry Requirements

1. Students must matriculate in order to get into a Third Level College (meet their entry requirements).

Matriculation is the minimum academic qualification needed to get into a particular College. The requirements for the NUI universities vary from those in the IT sector.

2. Course Requirements/ Subject Requirements

Once the Matriculation requirements are met, students will have to look at each course they are thinking of doing to see what the exact requirements are. The NUI colleges are UCC, UCD, NUIG, NUIM & RCSI.

You can check the exact requirements on the various college websites or prospectus. There are links to these websites from the CBC website, in the careers section. Keep in mind the option of studying abroad, particularly the UK. There are now great opportunities to study further afield in Europe, through English.

It is the responsibility of each student to verify the entry requirements to the College or course in which they are interested. Since the Leaving Certificate cycle is three years, it is important to remember that course requirements can change so it is important to keep up to date on entry requirements. It is advisable to aim far higher than the points required for a particular course.

3. Points

The points received in the Leaving Certificate Exam are allocated on the basis of the best six results received in the exam. If a student is sitting more than six, they will still only be awarded the total from the best six.

Even if a student passes six subjects, but does not meet the specific entry requirements they will not be able to go to their institution of choice.

Points must be achieved in one sitting. A student cannot carry points over from one sitting of the exam to another.

Entry to courses is competitive, students who achieve the highest points will get into a course first and the institution will work its way down the list until all the places are filled.

The number of points required for a course is not decided in advance by the colleges, but it varies from year to year depending on demand.

The Leaving Certificate exam is the terminal state exam students will sit and is the entry point for careers in Public and Civil service.

The Leaving Certificate requires a great deal of work over an extended period of time. As well as picking subjects he is interested in, your son will have to keep his interest in these subjects over a three-year period. With this in mind he should try to pick the subjects that he is most interested in. He should discuss his academic potential with his individual subject teachers regarding whether or not he will be suitable to follow a particular course.

CAO

The CAO (Central Applications Office) is an organisation which is responsible for managing student applications to University and Colleges when they are in 6th Year.

Almost all of the colleges in Ireland submit what courses they are going to offer in the following year to the CAO. The CAO then processes applications on behalf of these colleges to ensure that students get to go to the colleges they prefer.

Students may choose from the entire range of courses mentioned in the CAO Handbook. All of the courses are categorised either as 'Level 6/Level 7' or 'Level 8'. These levels are part of the National Framework of Qualifications which goes from Level 1 to Level 10.

Students may apply for up to 10 courses in each of the above categories, a total of 20 courses, listing courses in order of preference.

Once the CAO processes the choices of every applicant, together with the Colleges, they decide what level of points to attach to a course each year. These points are based on the demand for the course and the level of academic requirements. The points are made known in August each year and a few days later the CAO offers places to students. CAO  application commences in February each year. CBC holds an information session for parents.

Useful Tip:

It is worth visiting college Open Days where you can get many useful tips and advice about your son selecting the right course.

All classrooms in CBC have a PC, projector and screen or interactive whiteboard. In addition, the IT Lab has a full set of iPads which Transition Year pupils use to prepare for their iWorks qualification.

While a pupil’s home is the best place to study, for pupils who, for one reason or another, find it difficult to study at home supervised study is provided after school each day. It is supervised by teachers for both Third and Sixth Years from 3.45 p.m. to 5.45 p.m. each day (1:30 to 4:30 on Wednesdays). The evening session, available to Sixth Year pupils only, runs from 6.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. Application forms are distributed at the beginning of the school year. The cost for the year is on average €350, payable in full when registering in September. It is not possible to sign up later in the year. Extra sessions are organized, at no extra cost, when justified by the demand. Pupils receive advice on study techniques and habits, strict discipline is enforced and distractions are kept to a minimum. To minimize disruption, pupils must arrive on time - latecomers are not admitted. In addition, pupils who wish to leave early (to catch a bus, for example) must have a note in their journal. A flexible approach is practised and pupils are not required to attend on any particular day. A record of attendance is kept and each day the homework journals of the pupils who are present are stamped accordingly. It is important that you check your son's journal regularly to monitor attendance. Some pupils may attend once or twice a week early in the year, more often as the year progresses while others attend every day. Any queries you have on the matter should be addressed to the office or to Mr Vincent Murray or Mr Roger O’Mahony.

Assessment of Need

Using a battery of tests, which include screening tests, diagnostic tests, psychological assessments and information from parents, a committee consisting of the Principal, Deputy Principal, Guidance Counsellor and Learning Support Teacher will assess the special needs of students upon entry to the school. Reassessment and re-evaluation with teacher observation and parental consultation will be an ongoing process.

Special Needs Provision

Priority will be given to students performing at or below the 10th percentile on standardized tests of literacy and numeracy as outlined in 'Inclusion of Students with Special Educational Needs, Post Primary Guidelines, Dept of Education & Science 2007.

A reduced curriculum may be designed for students whose special educational needs would make access to a full curriculum very difficult. In that event, an Individual Educational Programme (I.E.P.) can be established tailored to that student's needs. This decision would be made following consultation with the NEPS psychologist, Principal, Deputy Principal, Learning Support/Special Needs teacher, Guidance Counselor, class teacher, class tutor, parents and student.

Learning support and extra tuition may be provided to the student by withdrawal during the timetabled class for the subject following consultation with pupil, parents and subject teacher. In the case of a student for whom an I. E.P. has been devised, extra tuition may be provided during the timetabled class for subject(s) which are no longer part of his curriculum e.g. science in the case of some students or a language in the case of others.

Role of Resource Teacher

Based on a detailed report outlining the student's individual needs, the resource teacher

• Meets with parents to discuss most beneficial use of these hours
• Liaises with all subject teachers of the particular student and discusses the work that will take place in the Resource time.
• Withdraws a student from class at the most suitable times. Resource hours can be used before commencement of the school day, during breaks or after school time if this is more suitable.
• Creates an individual plan for each student and keeps a daily record of time spent in resource and work undertaken. Parents are entitled to see this plan and details at all times.

Role of Learning Support Teacher/Coordinator

• Assesses all new students from First year or any new addition to the Special Needs Document, using an individual assessment ( Neale Analysis). This assessment takes approximately 40 minutes per student individually and assesses the student's comprehension and reading accuracy. This assessment is carried out in early September.
• Assesses all students for Learning Support from First to Third year who have a report by an Educational Psychologist
• Meets with the Education Psychologist and parents, organises the assessment, and evaluates all the assessments with the parents and the Psychologist.
• Meets with all new students who will be commencing in Learning Support classes and their parents and discusses an Educational Plan.
• Liaises with teachers.
• Organises all the accommodations for the Junior Certificate students. All forms filled out with parental consent.
• Organises an Educational Psychologist to come to the school and assess all Fifth year students who will be applying for accommodation in their Leaving Cert.
• Organises the Accommodation applications for Leaving Certificate Pupils who are sitting their Leaving Cert.
• Exam Practice organised for Junior and Leaving Certificate in relation to the accommodation they have received e.g. Tape recorder or laptop. Organise that both students from Leaving Cert. and Junior Cert. will have use of their accommodation in their Pre's e.g. Reader. This is organised with the Deputy Principal.

The work carried out in Learning Support classes is generally as follows;

• Comprehension work
• Reading skills
• Spelling skills
• Free writing
• Study skills
• Subject work
• Organisation skills
• Numerical work (where possible)
• All students who have attended Learning Support will be assessed at the end of the academic year to see what progress they have made and what plans should be made for the following year. Meetings are organised either personally or by phone to parents with this information.

A number of tours are organised every year. The First Year rugby tour has visited France and Manchester in recent years. A separate Junior Tour is open to Second Year pupils and they visited Italy in 2015. The Transition Year Ski trip is always popular. In 2015, students travelled to Switzerland during February mid-term. A separate TY tour group spent a week in New York at Easter. TY students have the options of skiing in Norway in February 2016 and a trip to Washington D.C. at Easter 2016. The tours offer the boys the opportunity to learn a lot about another culture and themselves.

Leaving Certificate students may obtain parking permits which allow them to park their car in the school area, space permitting.

Only Sixth Years with a full driving licence will be granted parking permits. Such pupils are expected to be conscious at all times of the CBC parking regulations and of their responsibilities as drivers. Lapses in this regard will result in the temporary or permanent exclusion of their vehicles from CBC property.

A side gate allows pedestrian access from Patrick's hill for students.