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Ballymahon Vocational
School, County Longford |
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Back to Second level Schools |
| Contact Details |
| Principal: |
Ms Teresa Victory |
| Address : |
Ballymahon Vocational School,
County Longford |
| Telephone : |
+353 (0)90 6432211 |
| Fax : |
+353 (0)90 6438792 |
| Email : |
balvoc@unison.ie |
| Second
Level : |
Junior
and Leaving Certificate |
| PLC
Courses : |
Applied
Science - Food, Childcare, Horticulture and
Secretarial / Business Studies and Nursing
Studies |
| Courses Running September 2007 |
- BASIC DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY Wed 14th Nov 7 00 – 9 00 (4 weeks) Cost €45
- COMPUTERS (Level 1) Wed 10th Oct 7.00 – 9.00pm (6 weeks) Cost €90
- INTERNET / EMAIL Wed 10th Oct 7 00 – 9 00 (3 weeks) Cost €45
- FLOWER ARRANGING Wed 10 th Oct 7 00 – 9 00 (6 weeks) Cost €95
- FIRST AID / SAFETY Wed 10 th Oct 7 00 – 9 00 (6weeks) Cost €75
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Find out more about our PLC Courses |
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Introduction |
A developing Modern Curriculum
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Ms Teresa Victory
Principal |
In Ballymahon Vocational School we maintain
a caring environment, where our students are
encouraged to achieve the best they can in
a wide variety of areas. We are a small school,
so we can know our students well and cater
for their individual needs. We consider communication
between the home and school to be vital for
the students well-being. Our students are
well prepared for their examinations. This
is done in an atmosphere that places an emphasis
on co-operation, dedication and a sense of
personal responsibility. A wide range of extra-curricular
activities provides variety, and opportunities
to excel outside the classroom.
After the Leaving Certificate some of our
students seek entry directly to the world
of work. These students will have been well
prepared for apprenticeships and training,
and will find easy access to the workplaces
of our thriving economy. They will have the
opportunity to become the skilled and well-paid
plumbers, carpenters, hairdressers, secretaries,
electricians etc. of the future.
However, nowadays, the majority of our Leaving
Certificate Students (some 80% of Leaving
Certificate class of 2004) 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. Nowadays,
our curriculum also prepares our students
well 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. Last year,
for example, former pupils of Ballymahon Vocational
School, graduating from Universities and Institutes
of Technology, included two Primary School
teachers and a Medical Doctor.
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. |
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Second Level Programmes
The following outlines the curriculum provision
offered in Ballymahon Vocational School at
Junior Cycle and Senior Cycle. |
- 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.
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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.
Guidance Service
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 Communication
Good home-school communication is vital for
the students' progress and well-being. Parents
can contact the school at any time, in relation
to their child's progress. Following the Departments
of Education guidelines, we hold three Parent/Teacher
meetings in the Year.
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. 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.
Pupil of the Year
This award is sponsored by the Bank of Ireland
and is presented at the Leaving Certificate
Graduation Mass.
Extra Curricular Activities
Sports Hall
The hall is allocated to classes during lunchtime
to play basketball, badminton, indoor hockey
and football.
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’ team and the current
manager, Mr Gerard Belton, teaches in our
school.
Ladies’ Football
We have developed a Ladies’ Football
Team under the guidance of Ms Mary Burke,
County Longford GAA.
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Swimming
Each year we bring First and Second Year girls
swimming to Athlone Regional Sports Centre
for a period of six weeks.
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.
Since the inception of the St. Patrick’s
Day Parade in Ballymahon, we have been involved
by entering a float. In 2003 our theme was
“Education in 2050” and we represented
many different cultures.
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. |
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