Assumption Secondary School
School Prospectus
General
Information
Assumption Secondary School is
a Catholic Voluntary Secondary
school under the trusteeship of
the Religious Sisters of Charity.
The school is managed by a Board
of Management which includes
representatives of the Trustees,
members elected by the teaching
staff and members elected by the
Parents. The Principal acts as
Secretary to the Board.
Mission Statement
We endeavour to educate young women in an inclusive,
caring, Christian atmosphere of respect for self, others and the
environment.
We value freedom, equality and security and strive to promote
the growth of positive thinking, self-worth and justice.
Principal:
Colette Dunne
Deputy Principal:
Helen Taylor
Raiteas Misean
Deanaimid ar ndicheall ogmhna a oiliuint in atmasfear deachroioch, aireamhach agus Chriostuil, le meas orthu fein, ar
dhaoine eile agus ar an dtimpeallacht.
Ta ardmheas againn ar saoirse, ionannas agus slandaileacht
agus deanaimid sar-iarracht smaoineamh dearfach, fein-mheas
agus coir a fhorbairt inar ndaltai uilig.
School Ethos
The Code
ASSUMPTION SECONDARY SCHOOL
Assumption Secondary School
is a Catholic day school for girls
established in 1962 by the Religious
Sisters of Charity (previously known
as the Irish Sisters of Charity), a
congregation founded by Mary
Aikenhead.
The motto of the school is “Caritas
Christi Urget Nos” which means
“The Love of Christ urges us on”.
The school aims to educate the
whole person and to stimulate
growth, creativity and caring.
The school, while Catholic in ethos,
accommodates diversity and strives
to create an environment which
is welcoming, safe, caring and
aesthetically pleasing.
“Caritas Christi
Urget Nos”
“The love of Christ urges us on”
CODE OF DISCIPLINE
This code of behaviour forms the basis for our school rules.
CARING
RESPECT
TRUST
RESPONSIBILITY
TOLERANCE
JUSTICE
HONESTY
“A positive rapport between students and teachers, and clearly
established behavioural expectations, were evident in all
classrooms visited.”
WSE Report
“We strive to create an environment which is welcoming, safe,
caring and aesthetically pleasing”
Learning in action at Assumption Secondary School
College
Curriculum
Students at Assumption Secondary
School
follow
the
curricular
programme set down by the
Department of Education and
Science. The courses are divided
into Junior and Senior Cycle with an
optional Transition Year after Junior
Certificate.
“The curriculum in Assumption
Secondary School strives to provide
as broad a range of subjects as
possible”
WSE Report
Junior Cycle
Students follow a set curriculum which leads to the Junior
Certificate at the end of three years. After the Junior Certificate
Examination, we offer an optional Transition Year.
Transition Year
After Junior Cycle, students are given the option of doing a
transition year where they follow a diverse programme. This
programme is not examination based and is geared towards:
•
promoting maturity and developing independent study
habits.
•
providing a foundation for Leaving Certificate, an insight into
working life and a career focus.
•
developing skills and experiential learning.
•
encouraging the use of learning environments other than the
classroom.
“Transition Year (in Assumption Secondary School) has a varied,
interesting, well-planned and well-documented programme.”
WSE Report
Senior Cycle
Senior Cycle consists of 5th and 6th Years at the end of which
students sit the Leaving Certificate.
Junior Cycle
The core curriculum which is taken by each student for the first
three years consists of English, Irish, Mathematics, History,
Geography, a Modern Language, Religious Education,
Physical Education, Computer Studies, Civic, Social & Political
Education and Social, Personal & Health Education. Drama is
also offered to 1st Years.
Students choose option subjects from a range which may
include Science, Business Studies, Art, Music, Home
Economics and Technology.
Transition Year
Transition Year is an optional course in which students have
new opportunities to develop themselves socially, personally
and academically. A lot of emphasis is placed on confidencebuilding, so students are encouraged to experiment with new
subjects and activities in a protected environment.
Students are kept busy with the many aspects of the course:
Work Experience, Community Service, Computers, Drama,
Technology, Business and Enterprise, Public Speaking and
Music as well as the more traditional subjects. All students
take the core subjects of English, Irish, Maths, Science,
Home Economics, P.E., Religion, Languages, Environmental
Studies, History and SPHE. In addition, students are offered
a variety of short courses which vary from year to year. These
may include: Law, Grooming and Deportment, Interview Skills,
Road Safety.
“This school has an excellent
T.Y. programme”
WSE Report
Assessment is by means of a Portfolio of the student’s work
as well as standard testing in some subjects.
“The existence of a Student Awards scheme for each year group plays an important
role in motivating students to strive to achieve their potential”
WSE Report
“Learning through discovery at Assumption Secondary School”
Senior Cycle
During 5th and 6th Year students study for the Leaving Certificate.
Each student studies the core subjects of English, Irish,
Mathematics and Religious Education. Students also choose
option subjects from a range which may include; Accounting,
Art, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Geography, History, Home
Economics, A Modern European Language, Physics. Students
also do modules in Careers, Social, Personal & Health Education
and Physical Education.
TAP
The Trinity Access Programme is strongly committed to ensuring
an increase in participation at third level from those schools
linked to the programme. Assumption Secondary School is one
of 20 designated second level schools that have this link. TAP
works directly, through a range of activities and workshops, to
increase awareness around subject selection and educational
progression opportunities in Trinity and elsewhere. Some of the
activities which the school participates in are:
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Achievement Award Programme
Student Shadowing Day Programme
TAP. Summer School
Take 5 Summer School — where students get the opportunity
to attend 5 colleges for a week during the summer.
Multi-media TAP. Newsletter Project
School Visits
Computer Clubhouse
Honours Maths Revision Programme
Medical Day
Public Speaking Competition
This programme has enabled a number of students to enter third
level education through their HEAR (Higher Education Access
Route) and TAP Foundation Course.
“A wide range of extra-curricular activities are available to students. These include
sporting, cultural, musical and artistic dimensions”
WSE Report
“A variety of teaching methodologies were observed including both
traditional and innovative styles”
WSE Report
Supports for Students
Students are supported in a variety of ways. The school has a Resource Room
where students who have Special Needs can receive individual attention from
Learning Support Teachers and Special Needs Assistants. A “Stay in School”
programme takes place one morning each week and some adults, sourced by
the HSCL co-ordinator, do “Paired Reading” with individual students.
Access to 3rd level education is made somewhat easier by the existence of a
Trinity Access Programme.
A Tutor is assigned to each class at Junior Cycle level. This teacher takes
the class for SPHE and if possible, an academic subject. This system creates
a sense of security for the students. The school also has a ‘Buddy’ system
whereby each student is linked with a senior student who endeavours to help
them settle in.
Research shows that a good study routine leads to good results. The school
provides facilities for After School Study from 4pm—6pm every Monday,
Tuesday and Thursday. Teachers supervise these study periods and students
are actively encouraged to develop good study and homework skills. Study
skills is also part of the SPHE programme
Special Education Needs
Assumption School is an inclusive school which seeks to optimise the teaching
and learning so that all students, no matter what their difficulty, are enabled to
acquire personal, social and academic skills, participate fully in school life, and
to achieve success.
Whilst the main stream teachers have responsibility for the teaching and
learning within the classroom, several teachers have additional qualifications
in learning support who can offer more specialised support when needed. Such
support can be offered on an individual, small-group or whole-class basis.
Special Needs Assistants (SNA) offer other support to individual students and
are an important part of the learning support team.
Oratory
The school has a Prayer Room which is available to individual students
throughout the school day. Teachers of R.E. sometimes use this room for prayer
or meditation sessions. We in Assumption are very conscious of the diversity of
religious beliefs within the school community and our intention is to ensure that
this centre of peace within a busy school is a place of prayer for people of all
religious beliefs. In this way we hope to reinforce the inclusivity of our ethos.
Guidance & Counselling
“The BOM is very supportive of
the school’s efforts to provide a
caring environment informed by
Catholic values”
“The school welcomes students with
diverse religious beliefs”
WSE Report
The Guidance Counsellor at Assumption Secondary School views the
development of positive self-esteem as essential for students. The Counsellor
works with all year groups and is involved in classroom activities, one to one
Counselling, career planning, assessment of educational and vocational
abilities, alongside other related supports.
The Guidance Counsellor works with all senior students on an individual
basis working on study plans, college applications and access programme
applications. A drop-in guidance service for all of our students past and present
is also provided.
Pastoral Care
The Pastoral Care team consists of Counsellor, Year Heads, Tutors and Buddies
and is led by the Chaplain. Whilst all members of staff have a duty of care to
each student, this team brings together all the support services of the school.
The role of the chaplain is to be a ‘faith presence’ in the school. By working
closely with staff, students and the local parish community, the chaplain develops
and nurtures the school as a faith community—a place where students and
staff learn to respect each other, forgive each other and reconcile difference in
a Christian way. The chaplain is available to accompany each one on their faith
journey, and to offer support to each member of the school community.
Sports & Cultural Activities
Assumption Secondary School offers a wide range of activities and all students are encouraged to involve
themselves as fully as possible in the life of the school. We believe that education, in its truest sense, should
aim to develop the whole person. Consequently, involvement in these activities is seen as an integral part
of the holistic education which we endeavour to provide. The school has excellent facilities that include
outdoor Basketball and Tennis Courts, a Sports Hall, a Library and a Music Room. Cultural activities
include Drama, Choir, Library, La na Gaeilge, School Shows and Educational Trips. Sports activities include
Camogie, Basketball, Athletics and a variety of other sporting activities from time to time.
“The evaluation team commends the selfless involvement of many teachers in the school who support,
organise and run extra-curricular and co-curricular activities.”
WSE Report
Student Representative Council
The Student Representative Council (SRC) provides a means of communication between the students,
staff and management. The Council discusses issues of concern raised by the students and brings their
concerns and suggested solutions to the notice of Management. The SRC also organises fund-raising
events, thus raising awareness and funds for various charities.
Chaired by the Head and Deputy Head Girl, the Student Representative Council is comprised of elected
representatives from each year and the senior prefects. It is a valuable resource for management, staff
and students.
“The establishment of the Student Council has been a most positive step
towards an inclusive approach to school management.”
WSE Report
The Green School
Green-Schools is an international environmental education programme that promotes and acknowledges
long-term whole school action for the environment. The aim of Green-Schools is to increase students’
awareness of environmental issues and to transfer this knowledge into positive environmental action in
the school and also in the wider environment. Schools that successfully implement the programme are
awarded the prestigious Green-Flag. Assumption School is a committed participant in the Green-Schools
Programme and flies its Green Flag with pride.
Links with Parents
Assumption Secondary School appreciates the involvement of
Parents in the school and to this end has a dedicated Home School
Community Liaison (HSCL) Co-ordinator who seeks to involve
parents in their daughters’ education and in the development of
partnership in our school. The. HSCL co-ordinator visits parents
in their home and, through the organising of classes, courses,
meetings and “drop-ins”, seeks to create a parent-friendly
environment in the school.
Newsletter
The school communicates with Parents through a Newsletter,
which is sent home three times a year. This keeps parents informed
of the busy school schedules and of our achievements.
Meetings
Parent-Teacher meetings are held for each year group. These
meetings are brought to the attention of the parents by text and
through the newsletters. Parents/Guardians are strongly advised
to attend these meetings.
There are various functions and meetings during the year and
parents/guardians will be notified of such meetings. Some take
place in the evening. The following is a sample of what can take
place during the year:
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Information Evening for Parents of incoming 1st Yrs.
Options Evening for Parents of incoming 1st Yrs.
Information Evening for Parents of incoming 5th Yrs.
Information Evening for parents interested in Transition Year
Open Day
Graduation Evening for Transition Year Students
Graduation Evening for Leaving Certificate Students
Awards Ceremony
“Schools that successfully implement the Green Schools Programme
are awarded the prestigious Green-Flag.”
Assumption Secondary School
Kilnamanagh Road
Walkinstown
Dublin 12
Schools.ie
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Tel:
01 45 07 017
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