Historical background
 |
Mr SEAN
STAKELUM
Director |
When set up, the aim of the Centre was “to
help Travellers develop to their full potential,
to break the cycle of illiteracy and social
deprivation in which they are trapped and
to enable them to become self-reliant and
self-supporting members of society”,
While there have been improvements and changes
of emphasis over the years, the basic objective
remains the same.
The most significant change of emphasis over
the years has been on education, which now
is given an equal, if not greater, importance
with skills training. Formal recognition was
given to this change of emphasis in 2001 when
the Centre changed its name to St Mel’s
Education and Training Centre.
Student Population
The centre is approved to cater for 30 participants.
Curriculum
The Centre offers training modules from the
Further Education and Training Awards Council
as the main part of its curriculum. These
modules are usually Foundation Level standard,
but many students also progress to Level One
standard. The training modules offered are
as follows:
Communications, Caring for Children, Child
Development and Play, Food and Cookery, Food
and Nutrition, Consumer Awareness, Computer
Literacy, Health Related Fitness, Craft: Wood,
Craft: Textiles, Engineering Workshop Processes,
Horticulture, Mathematics, Personal Effectiveness,
Personal Care and Presentation, Transnational
Experience, Work Experience.
Non-FETAC: Technology, Hairdressing, Stained
Glasswork.
The Centre also offers Junior Certificate
subjects to those who have made the necessary
progression. The subjects are as follows:
Woodwork, Metalwork, English, History, Geography,
Irish, Home Economics, Technical Graphics,
Classical Studies and CSPE. At Leaving Certificate
level, English and Classical Studies are on
offer.
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Learning Support
An important support is the guidance counselling
and psychological service provided by Jacqueline
Farrell, consisting of 2 hours weekly throughout
the year.
Extra Curricular
Activities
A number of educational / recreational trips
are organised each year, including 2 trips
to Athlone, a shopping trip to Dublin in December
and a trip to the seaside in summer.
As there is an abiding interest in football
among the travelling community, football and
sporting activities are provided for students
in the centre each week. St Mel’s has
always recognised the importance of football
amongst travellers and has done much locally
to support travellers’ football and leisure
over the years. The year 2001 saw the completion
of the St Mel’s sponsored Community Youth
Training Programme, the biggest sports related
initiative undertaken by the centre. This
was a training programme for 6 / 8 young travellers
(other than training centre students) who
were engaged in the building of a pavilion
/ community centre and the development of
a playing pitch. The scheme employed a supervisor
and 2 craftsmen who, as well as building the
premises, imparted construction skills to
the young trainees. It was a FÁS supported
scheme, which lasted for 2 years. The official
opening of the amenity took place in June
2002.
The preparation of students for employment
has always been a priority in the Centre and
the existence of a Community Employment Scheme
bears this out. The scheme, which now employs
only six participants, provides an Ironing
Service for the public, produces a newsletter
each week for the travelling community and
maintains the Centre. The scheme participants
are mainly successful students from the Centre
who have completed the course.
Recent renovations have seen significant improvements
to the heating in the Centre, as well as a
major refurbishment of the kitchen and canteen
area and of the bathroom and toilet facilities.
Awards Ceremonies
held
The official re-opening following the major
renovations took place in October 2003 and
was performed by the Minister for Education
& Science, Mr Noel Dempsey, T.D. The occasion
was used to present our successful students
with their FETAC and Leaving Certificates.
In 2004 the presentation of Junior, Leaving
and FETAC Certificates was made by Ms. Josephine
O'Donnell C.E.O, Co. Longford Vocational Education Committee, with
members fo the board of management in attendance. |
