St Nathy’s CollegeEst’d 1810Diocesan College – Boys and Girls – under the Trusteeship of the Bishop of Achonry, Dr Brendan Kelly17th September 2015

St Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen

St Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen COLLEGE CHAPEL

St Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen REFECTORY

St Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen SPORTING ACTIVITIES

St Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen SPORTING ACTIVITIES

St Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen NUMERACY INITIATIVES

St Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen LITERACY INITIATIVES

• PRINT-RICH ENVIRONMENT• KEY WORDS• Drop Everything And Read• BOOK REPORTS• READING ROOM

St Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen Young Scientists

Mission Statement St. Nathy’s College was established to

act as a Centre of Learning. We strive to achieve this within a fostered Christian environment which equally provides for the faith and personal development of each student.

All of our school endeavours and activities are directed towards these objectives.

Personnel Year Head:

Mrs Mary Finan Guidance Counsellor:

Mrs Ann Heffron President:

Fr Tomás Surlis

Class Tutors 1A: Mrs O’Brien 1B: Mrs Beirne 1D: Ms Gordon 1J: Ms O’Connor 1K: Ms Kennedy 1M: Ms Jordan 1Y: Mr Howley

TUTORS MAY BE CONTACTED THROUGH THE MAIN OFFICE: 094-9860010

History of the College1810 College established 1886 Industrial School opened under the Sisters of Charity1896 College moves to present location1916 Main College Building opened1933 All-Irish Secondary School opens in Ballaghaderreen

History of the College1935 Vocational Education classes begin1939 New Vocational School opened in Ballaghaderreen1971 Sisters of Mercy take over St Joseph’s Secondary School from Sisters of Charity1984 Official Opening of “B-Block” Extension to St Nathy’s College1995 Amalgamation of St Nathy’s College, St Joseph’s Secondary School & Vocational School.

History of the College1996 Official Opening of “C-Block” Extension2010 Bicentenary of St Nathy’s College

A Proud History – A Bright Future

First Years 2015-2016KEY DATES

PARENT/TEACHER MEETING

THURSDAY 26th NOVEMBER 2015

4:15p.m. to 6:45p.m.

First Years 2016-2017KEY DATESClosing Date for Enrolment:SATURDAY 27th FEBRUARY 2016

Enrolment Information available on the College website: www.stnathys.com

Gospel Values Each one of us is made in the image and likeness of God and we have an eternal destiny.

Guidance Counsellor

Mrs Heffron

Chaplain

Fr Kivlehan

Big Changes:

1. Routine: Timetable – different every day. Longer day.2. Subjects: New and unfamiliar subjects.3. Teachers: 8 or 9 different teachers in the one day.

Big Changes:

4. Classmates: Different students in some of the classes – apart from Tutor Class each morning. 5. Homework: Increased. Some subjects get homework every day, others every other day.

Ten Steps to Success

1. Attendance: to be in school every day, ready for work. 2. Punctuality: to be on time for school and each class.3. Homework: take time and effort to complete all Home Work & Revision.

Ten Steps to Success

4. Determination: to make the right choice – choose to reach their true potential, with God’s help.5. Self-evaluation: to take time to reflect on their experiences and choices.

Ten Steps to Success

6. Respect: for themselves, their teachers, their fellow students and their environment. 7. Good manners: politeness costs nothing and makes one nicer to know. 8. Co-operation: work with their teachers and fellow students for the good of the entire school community.

Ten Steps to Success

9. Participation: get involved in all the activities which are available to them. 10. Willingness to learn and improve: this is key to ‘SUCCESS.’

Moving UpTHE EXPERIENCES OF FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS IN POST-PRIMARY EDUCATION (NCCA Doc)

Most First Years have settled in by the end of the first week, but for a quarter of students it takes about a month. One student in six takes longer than a month to settle in.

Settling In Programme2nd, 9th, 16th & 23rd Sept.

Parents are to encourage their child to participate in extra-curricular activities. This can help them to build new friendships and prevent them becoming isolated.

Some Top Tips Label items of importance!

Schoolbag, Pencil Case, P.E. Gear, School Uniform, Jacket and Shoes.

BREAKFAST! Morning break

doesn’t begin until 10:40 and so it’s important to know how hungry your child will be by then!!

Some Top Tips TIMETABLE!

Go through the timetable with your child. Ask them about the different subjects. Have a copy of their timetable at home, to keep a check on books and copies they might need for the next day. (Double check that their name; subject and class is written on all their copies and folders)

HOMEWORK!

Homework & study should take about 2 hours to complete on average per night.

Spread the workload as much as possible over the week – structure & organisation are key.

Some Top Tips Diary/Locker!

Use the diary, timetable & locker to ensure that you have the right books and homework on the right day.

HOMEWORK!

Homework is more than written work; it often involves reading and learning off.

Get homework done early in the evening and early in the weekend.

Some Top Tips Friends

It’s natural to stick with people you know, but important to make new friends also.

Extra-curricular!

It’s very good to be involved in some extra-curricular activities but not too many!

Some Top Tips SCHOOL BAG!

Schoolbags should not be heavy for the duration of the day: encourage your child to use their locker at school.

9:05; 10:40; 13:20

REST! Young people

need lots of sleep!! Average night’s sleep should be between 8-10 hours.

Support in School STAFF

•Class Tutor; Year Head; Deputy Principal; Principal

•Special Needs Co-Ordinator

•Guidance Counsellor & Chaplain

•Office staff •Caretakers •All members of staff •Pastoral Care Team

Students

•Student Mentors •Student Council •Green Schools

Committee Lunchtime

Activities & Clubs •Many other

extra-curricular opportunities

Get to know your child's teachers.

There is a general assumption that parental involvement slacks off in secondary school. If anything, though, it helps to maintain contact. Teachers often know more about your child's state of mind than you do. This is particularly helpful if your child is going through a rough patch - you might find they withdraw a little and stop talking to you. A chat with a wise teacher can dissolve a lot of emotional knots.

Your child will be exhausted. This is because a)they have to move between classes, so they're just running around a lot more and b)because they have to get to know so many teachers.

Working with your child

Try not to make a “too big a deal” of the beginning of First Year.

Study Skills

Emphasis on study skills. First Year is the beginning of the Junior Cert exam, not Third Year. Encourage your child to keep all their notes, sheets and copies and to file them away.

Working with your child

The tendency is that if it is left, it can be rushed or forgotten.

Study Skills

Go through homework with your child to ensure it has all been done and done correctly (in so far as you can see).

Don’t allow your child to procrastinate e.g. homework in a subject may not be due for a couple of days (because that is when the next class has been timetabled).

Working with your child

Positive encouragement is invaluable: “Do your best and try your best.” Praise what is realistically their best.

Study Skills

Remember!We are all working together to support your child in his/her educational journey.

Working with your child

Seen by young people as a necessary way of communicating.

Social Media

The better the relationship you have with your child around the use of social media and the more you trust them to act responsibly the less worries there will be around its use.

www.stnathys.com

Please keep an eye on the College Website for information and updates.