Castleknock College

Castleknock College Admission Policy

The Governing Body of Castleknock College is committed to an Admission Policy which reflects the spirit and meaning of the Education Act 1998, the Education (Welfare) Act 2000 and the Equal Status Act 2000.

Castleknock College was founded in 1835 by the Vincentian Community. The Vincentians remain the College Trustees. The Mission Statement of the College is reflected in the ethos of the College.

The aim of Castleknock College is to enable each of its pupils to reach full development in a harmonious growth of the whole person. It promotes this aim of integral formation by many varied activities, religious, academic, social, cultural and sporting, which are conducted by means of personal contacts and shared commitments and experienced by the pupils in the context of life within the College.

In this task it recognises that the primary responsibility for the education of children rests with their parents or guardians and seeks to co-operate closely with and to be as helpful as possible to them in the fulfilment of that responsibility.

Castleknock has learned from St. Vincent de Paul the importance of a mild and gentle approach and of easy and friendly relationships. In the rule of life which he wrote for "the little company" the name by which he always referred to his Vincentian followers, he asked them, in a touching phrase, "to live together after the manner of dear friends". They were to be simple and unpretentious, friendly, and informal. He envisaged the relationship of his priests with one another as that of the members of a natural family. Castleknock seeks to inculcate that family spirit in the college; hence the friendly and informal atmosphere.

Castleknock has always kept in mind that school days are not merely a preparation for life, but are part of life, and is concerned that pupils should be happy within its walls. It profoundly believes that an atmosphere of physical well-being and moral and mental content, is necessary for harmonious growth.

The College seeks to promote the spiritual and religious growth of its pupils by creating, as far as possible, a truly Christian atmosphere. It leads them to maturity within the context of the Christian faith, which should inform and colour their lives during their school days and continue to guide their conduct to the end of their lives. Hence it sees education not only as a preparation for life, but for life eternal.

The development of the personality and character of its pupils has always been, and remains, a matter of paramount importance to the College. Personality and character are recognised as providing the basis for life's achievements and support in its vicissitudes.

Castleknock aims to achieve a high academic standard in its pupils. The gifts and talents of the pupils are sensitively assessed in order to enable them to realise their potential and the College expects them to commit themselves to academic achievement commensurate with their abilities. The widest possible range of subjects is provided from which they may choose, with appropriate guidance, those which best satisfy their interests, needs and aspirations. Pupil guidance extends to preparation for a wide range of occupations. This is based on the identification and fostering of the talents of each individual pupil.

The talents of some pupils lie in sport, drama, art or music. Such pupils are likely to find particular satisfaction and self-esteem in the extensive cultural, aesthetic and sporting facilities of the College.

In their relationships with one another the pupils are encouraged to live in a spirit of trust, tolerance and respect. St. Vincent always saw Christ in his neighbour and his approach to the less privileged was one of caring and service. Hence, the College seeks to educate its pupils in their responsibility to the wider community. It is concerned with the removal of injustices in society and the promotion of a more human and humane world.

Mission Statement
To have a College which is concerned with the development of the whole person in a Christian atmosphere, which encourages involvement in a balance of religious, intellectual, cultural and sporting activities; and which promotes the growth of self-worth and respect for others in the spirit of St Vincent de Paul.

Ethos
The Castleknock Ethos is that which could be best interpreted as one in which our College embraces a really caring attitude, of a resourceful, flexible and approachable nature, encapsulating true and patient commitment and exemplary of a Christian and Collegiate atmosphere where social consciousness and reciprocal attitudes are developed and respected.

Implementation
Our ethos, the spirit and belief of Castleknock College, is the responsibility of everyone at the College.. Both staff and boys contribute to its creation and implementation. in the day to day living of our mission statement. Since it rarely emerges by accident or by chance, its development has to be promoted and encouraged by practical means and lines of action.

Hence:
While our goal is for high academic achievement coupled with a strong work ethic, we must all be concerned for the development of each individual's potential, value and self worth. This will primarily be achieved through the expertise, commitment, and positive influence of the teachers.

Spiritual and moral development is not to be seen as the exclusive responsibility of religious education. Each subject offers its own unique opportunities for promoting and consolidating gospel values. Indeed it is very often outside the class hall situations that spiritual and moral values are often communicated.

To best promote and foster the religious growth and development of the boys, opportunity for prayer, celebration of the sacraments, retreats and meaningful liturgies must be provided through the school year.

Everyone within the College community must know that they " belong" to the Castleknock Family, and we must ensure that our visitors and new members experience a warm welcome and are cared for properly.

Our relationships with one another are based upon the recognition of the dignity and of the uniqueness of each individual and are conducted in a spirit of loyalty, understanding, and support.

All members of staff must recognise their pastoral responsibly towards one another and towards the boys. The pastoral-care programme and work of the chaplaincy must be an integral part of our school-life, helping us to identify and promote the gifts and needs of each person in the school community.

So as to ensure that our students recognise their Christian and social responsibility, opportunities must be given to them to voice their opinion on social issues, to study the social teaching of the Church, and to work with the under-privileged in our society. This will enable them to be grateful for all they have received, form their conscience in line with the gospel values and hopefully in later life to champion the cause of the poor in a truly Christian way.

We in the College recognise parents as the primary educators. Parents who decide to apply for a place for their boy in the College should be aware of the character, aims, mission statement and ethos of the College. While this does not preclude a person from another faith from attending the College it is important that a parent should be aware that in sending their son to the College they have decided to send him to a Catholic school. The College respects diversity of tradition, values, beliefs, languages and ways of life in a more pluralist society. This is balanced with the aims and objectives of a Catholic education. Where a non-catholic parent accepts a place for his boy in the College that parent is also undertaking to provide religious instruction for his own child. That service does not exist in the College.

The College is sited in one linear building running East-West, a recently opened new wing linking Cregan House (previously known as the Senior school) with McNamara House. Classrooms are located on all three floors of the newly restored buildings with a lift to cater for students and visitors who are less-abled or who have spacial needs. Specialist rooms include science laboratories, music teaching and practice rooms, art rooms and computer rooms. The 19th century Chapel and pipe organ have also recently been restored, as has the College Concert Hall. The College is situated on seventy-acres of mature grounds which includes 10 sports pitches, a Gymnasium and separate weights gym.

Fee-paying

Castleknock College is a fee-paying secondary school in the voluntary sector. The current fee is available from the Administrator's Office. The College operates within the regulations laid down, from time to time by the Department of Education and Science.

The College follows the curricular programmes prescribed by the DES, which may be amended from time to time, in accordance with Sections 9 and 30 of the Education Act 1998.

Type of School

Castleknock College is a Voluntary Catholic Secondary School under the trusteeship of the Congregation of the Missions, more commonly known as the Vincentians. It is a fee-paying school which prepares students for the DES Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate programmes.

Management

The College has a Governing Body whose members are nominated by the Vincentian Province. The Governing Body includes members of the Vincentian Community, pastmen, parents, teachers and others with relevant expertise.

The Governing Body delegates the management of the College to its executive i.e the Headmaster, Prefect of Studies and Administrator. The Provincial Council delegates the role of ensuring the College is governed according to the Catholic ethos to the President of the College. The President also acts as representative of the trustees on the ground.

Each year group in the College has its own Parents' Core Group. These are charged with maintaining positive channels of communications between home and College. They consist of volunteer parents. The combination of these Core Groups is the Parents' Association of Castleknock College.

The students have a Student Council. This body has its own constitution and is facilitated by a member of the teaching staff. There is also a system of College Prefects who are appointed by the Headmaster, having consulted with the staff and students of senior years.

Curriculum

The Junior Certificate subjects are: Irish, English, Mathematics, History, Geography, Science, Social, Personal and Health Education, Civic Social and Political Education, Art, Music, French, Spanish, German, Business Studies. The College also provides Religious Education, Computer Education and Physical Education.

All students do Transition Year (4th Year). Subjects are the same as for Leaving Certificate with extra activities including Fencing, First Aid, Driving Awareness, Media Studies, Public Speaking, Environmental Studies, Enterprise, Computer Studies, Year (4th Year).

For Leaving Certificate the subjects are Irish, English, Mathematics, History and Geography, Art, Music, French, Spanish, German, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Agricultural Science, Applied Mathematics, Business, Economics, Accounting, Religion and Design and Communication Graphics. Classes are also provided in Religious Education.

The College has a library with a qualified librarian, wide collection of books and research resources including Internet search facilities. Students have access at designated times to two fully equipped Computer Rooms. The Guidance Office provides a guidance and counselling service. For students who require extra assistance from time to time, a Learning Support department and a special needs teacher is available.

There is a wide range of extra-curricular activities. This is best seen on the other pages. Music lessons are offered on a range of instruments.

School Day

Class begins at 08.40 each day and ends at 15.45 on each day except Wednesday when class ends at 12.55. The College is open for 167 days in the school year. A parent-teacher meeting is offered once a year for each year.

Application Forms

An application form is attached. This should be completed and returned to the Admissions Officer. Places begin to be allocated up to two years before the date of entry. Parents should not therefore delay an application beyond the end of fourth class in Primary School. Applications must be accompanied by a Birth Certificate, latest school report and registration fee.

The College takes due cognizance of DES regulations on enrolment, and the legislation as stated in the Education Act 1998, the Education (Welfare) Act 2000 and the Equal Status Act 2000 in implementing its Admissions Policy.

Admissions - Procedure for Entry

The right of admission rests with the Headmaster acting on behalf of the Board. A parent may make an appeal to the Board if he/she feels that a decision has been unfair.

Previous family connectons - sons/grandsons of pastmen; younger brothers.

While there is no automatic right of entry for sons of members of staff, entry to the College is the norm for sons of staff members.

While there is no automatic right of entry for younger brothers, entry to the College is the norm for brothers of current or past students in good standing with the College.

While there is no automatic right of entry for sons of pastmen, entry to the College is the norm for sons of a pastman in good standing with the College

While there is no automatic right of entry for grandsons of pastmen, entry to the College is the norm for grandsons of a pastman in good standing with the College.

While there is no automatic right of entry for close relations of the Vincentian Community, entry to the College is the norm for close relations of Vincentians.

In all the above circumstances, priority will be granted on the first allocation of places.

ENTRIES INTO FIRST YEAR

1. Parents lodge a fully completed application together with the stated fee. Ideally this application should arrive during the child's 4th Class.
2. Parents have an opportunity to visit the College for the Open Evening which is advertised in the local press.
3. Boys have an opportunity to visit the College for the Open Day. All boys on the application list are invited.
4. Parents are required to furnish the latest primary school report; any relevant educational or psychological report on the boy relating to any disabilities or special educational needs or any medical condition. The College will apply to the Department of Education and Science for the resources to support any boy whose previous report warrants such an application.
5. Parents and boys are invited to the College for interview.
6. In the light of the College Mission Statement a discussion takes place at interview on the prospective match of the talents and aptitudes of the boy with that Statement. Parents are invited to discuss their willingness to support in practice the Mission Statement.
7. A list of the students who have satisfied the criteria listed above is prepared based on date order of application subject to the provisions listed in (8) below.
8. Places are allocated in the first instance as follows:

ENTRIES TO A YEAR OTHER THAN FIRST YEAR.

Applications made for places in other years will be assessed on a case by case basis. The procedure will be:

1. Application form plus stated fee.
2. Most recent report from present school plus any educational or psychological report.
3. The Headmaster interviews the boy and parents.
4. The Headmaster may allocate a place to a suitable student provided (a) there is a space for that student; (b) that the boy and his parents subscribe to the Mission Statement (c) that the boy has made sufficient progress to permit him to cope with the normal demands of the College academic programme (d) that the boy's behaviour and participation in his previous school gives evidence that he is compatible with the requirements of the College (e) that he is satisfied with the reasons for the boy transferring from the other school.
5. The Headmaster may, if he wishes, refer the application to the Governing Body in circumstances where he is concerned that the admission of the applicant student would have a negative impact on the common good of the College or be a risk to the health and safety of others in the College or that the College is not equipped to cater for the needs of the applicant student.
6. A student transferring from another school will be required to pay a half-year's fee in advance of entry.
7. The Headmaster will assign the student to a class, subjects and levels.

APPEALS
Under the Education Act 1998, Section 29, parents have a right to appeal a refusal by a school to enroll a student.

FEES
Castleknock College is a fee-paying school. In order to retain a place in the College the boy's fees must be paid by the due date, otherwise the place will be forfeited.