Ms Teresa Victory Principal

Nowadays, the majority of our Leaving Certificate Students  seek and achieve third level places in the Institutes of Technology and the Universities. We have a well established tradition of students entering engineering courses where they achieve highly and go on to successful and rewarding careers. Our curriculum also prepares our students for entry to courses in Business, Science, Medicine and the Arts. These changes are reflected in the third level choices made by our students over the last number of years. Former pupils of Ballymahon Vocational School include school teachers and a medical Doctor.

After the Leaving Certificate some of our students seek entry directly to the world of work. Our Leaving Certificate Applied programme (as well as the normal leaving certificate) will ensure that students are well prepared for apprenticeships and training, and will find easy access to the workplaces of our economy. They will have the opportunity to become the skilled and well-paid plumbers, carpenters, hairdressers, secretaries, electricians etc. of the future.

These pages will tell you much about the school, but it can't give a complete picture. The change from Primary to Secondary school can be daunting. If you are considering your choices, and you want to know more, please contact us.

• Junior Cycle:
  
• The following Junior Certificate subjects are available at Higher, Ordinary and Foundation levels (where applicable): Gaeilge, English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Wood Technology, Home Economics, Metalwork, French, Business Studies, Technical Graphics, Music, CSPE, Art and SPHE. Non-exam subjects: Religion, Computer Studies and Physical Education, Choir and Guidance.
  
  
• Senior Cycle:
  The following Leaving Certificate subjects are available at Higher, Ordinary and Foundation levels (where applicable): Gaeilge, English, Maths, Physics and Chemistry, Biology, Geography, History, French, Business, Accounting, Technical Drawing, Construction Studies, Engineering, Home Economics (Social and Scientific). Non-exam subjects: Physical Education, Religion and Guidance.
• The following subjects are taken in the Leaving Cert Applied Programme:
  English and Communications, Graphics and Construction Studies, Mathematical Applications, Gaeilge, French, Social Education, Vocational Preparation and Guidance, Agriculture / Horticulture, Engineering, Leisure and Recreation, Information Technology and Art.
  
  

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Additional Information

Pastoral Care
Pastoral Care is a central feature of school policy. We endeavour to cater for the moral, psychological, social and emotional needs of all the students. This is administered through a network of Year Heads who take special responsibility for the personal welfare of students under their care as a group and on an individual basis. We also have a qualified Counselling Service for our students on an individual basis to deal with particular issues confidentially.

Learning Support
Following consultation with primary school teachers and initial school assessment, pupils requiring resource help are allocated a number of special classes each week depending on need and resources available.

Career Guidance Service
Career Guidance Service is provided at the school in the form of timetabled guidance classes for Leaving Cert, Vocational Preparation Module for LCAP, Vocational Preparation module for PLC, one-to-one guidance and counselling for final year students, and personal counselling for individuals as required

Home-School Liaison Programme
The Home-School Liaison Programme provides a means of communication between parents and teachers. The Home-School Liaison Officer will work with Parents to understand and enhance individual needs and situations. Parents can contact the officer at any time, in relation to their child's progress.


Supervised Evening Study
We give our students the option of Supervised Evening Study in the school from 4.15 pm until 6.00 pm. This is available from Monday to Thursday only. This is self-financing and will only take place if there are enough students available to cover the costs.

Parent Teacher Meetings
Following the Department of Education guidelines, we hold three Parent / Teacher meetings in the year.

School Uniform
Students are obliged to wear the complete school uniform at all times when in school and involved in school related activities. The uniform consists of a grey polo shirt, maroon jumper, grey slacks or skirt and navy school fleece and jacket. These are all available locally and failure to comply with the Uniform Policy is seen as a breach of school rules.

Book Scheme
The school operates the Department of Education & Science Book Allowance Scheme. All prescribed textbooks and stationery requirements are stocked in the school book shop. We also offer a second-hand book service, whereby students can return books and obtain credit against their new books. Other students can then purchase second-hand books and save money.


Extra Curricular Activities

Sports Hall
The hall is allocated to classes during lunchtime to play basketball, badminton, indoor hockey and football.

Pantomime
Every second year most of the students get involved in a school musical which takes place in the school gym. Rehearsals take place outside of the class time and combines drama and music.

Gaelic Football
We play Gaelic football at all levels and have been very successful at local, Leinster and even National levels. We have a number of students each year on the County Longford Vocational Schools’

Ladies’ Football
We have developed a Ladies’ Football Team under the guidance of Mr James Galvin


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Home Garden
Each year our junior students take part in the Home / Garden competition whereby they are given seeds and encouraged to cultivate a small garden. The winners are presented with a prize each year.

Gaeltacht Scholarships
Each year in conjunction with County Longford VEC, we offer two Gaeltacht scholarships to Fourth Year students.

French Scholarships
We also offer two scholarships to Fourth Year students to attend a French College.

Green Schools Project
In 2003 our school started on the road towards achieving a Green Flag. We have our logo and in 2004 we achieved our goal by receiving a Green Flag for our school. We celebrated this launch in October 2004. Our aim is to have a litter-free school and develop a positive approach to recycling and environmental issues.

School Tours
During each school year, we bring our students in small groups on educational tours. Every 2 / 3 years we organise a foreign trip for 4 / 5 days. Each year as part of the physical education programme, an outdoors event is organised for 2 / 3 days, where participants engage in activities such as canoeing, abseiling, mountain climbing, etc.

Involvement with Local Community
Local industry provides work experience for LCA and PLC Programmes. Past pupils come to the school as guest speakers and share their experiences from the workplace and industry.

Our Sports Hall is used after school by many local clubs and organisations. The VEC’s Youthreach Programme participants use the hall during designated school hours.

Boys and girls who join our school will be joining a school where responsibility, self-reliance and initiative are valued. They will have the opportunity to embark on five enjoyable and productive years and can expect to be well prepared and qualified for the next phase of their lives.