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Classroom Teachers: |
The classroom teacher is the first and most frequent contact person
for each student and is often the best placed person to have a sense of
a student's well-being. Not only do they instruct pupils in the course
content of a particular subject but they work to ensure that each
pupil is enabled to derive the maximum benefit from the class, develop a
good pattern of study and homework and reach the highest standard of
attainment that each girl is capable of achieving.
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Class Tutor: |
Each class has a tutor - a designated teacher who takes a special
interest in the appointed class.
He/she aims to create a
well motivated, happy class group, where each member is cherished and
where standards of work, conduct and responsibility are striving towards
excellence.
As well as
monitoring attendance and behaviour, the class tutor also takes a
pastoral interest in each girl and as far as possible tries to be aware
of the general welfare and progress of each student in the class. Each
girl’s class tutor is a source of immediate support and especially so
for 1st year students as they make the transition from
primary to secondary school.
In the relationship of
trust and respect that develops between class tutor and class
there is an opportunity for individual or general concerns and
difficulties to be discussed and dealt with. Class tutors will also
consult as necessary with each
subject teacher to alleviate any source of difficulty.
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Year Head: |
The classes that belong to a particular year group are under the care of
a Year Head who has a vital function of leading, co-ordinating and
inspiring the students of the designated year group. Year heads
also monitor student progress and behaviour in their year group as well as the general welfare of each individual.
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Prefects: |
Sixth Year students are elected as Prefects and their duties include the
welfare of other students with each prefect taking a special interest in
a particular class.
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Meitheal Leaders: |
Meitheal is a peer-support, anti-bullying programme run by our 6th.Years to help our 1st.
Years. The Meitheal leaders are 6th.Year
students selected through interviews with the Wexford Meitheal Alliance
at the end of 5th.Year. During their summer holidays those selected
spend a week, along with leaders from other Wexford schools, training to
deal with situations that might arise at school.
When school starts, the Meitheal role is to look after the incoming 1st.Year students by fostering friendships with and among the 1st.Years so
as to reduce the likelihood of bullying occurrences as well as providing
other valuable support.
The programme aims to tackle difficulties at an early stage, to build
self-confidence and a sense of responsibility for others. Meitheal aims
to make school a better place in which to learn.
The leaders are supported in their work by weekly meetings facilitated
by a staff co-ordinator.
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Learning
Support/
Resource
Teaching |
The school has a Learning
Support teacher and a Resource teacher. Students with special
educational needs are welcome. Mercy education is committed to
holistic development and to the achievement of the full potential of
each student. All teachers aim to prepare students by academic and
practical training for adult living and to promote in them a
co-operative spirit so that they can make a constructive
contribution to society. |
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Home
School
Liaison: |
The home and school are the primary and secondary educators of students.
As such it is vital that communication between home and school are of a
high standard. As part of the Home School Liaison programme, the school
will continue to monitor absenteeism and ring/contact home re.
unreported absences or students’ well-being. Formal meetings between parents/guardians and teachers
take place on an annual basis. These meetings give parents/guardians and
teachers an opportunity to review each girl’s overall progress in
school. Subject teachers will also be only too pleased to meet
parents/guardians on an appointment basis throughout the year should the
need arise.
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Chaplain: |
In co-operation with the Principal and R.E. teachers our Chaplain - Fr.
Joe McGrath organises and develops pastoral contact
with the students. |
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Guidance Counsellors: |
The school Counsellors are responsible for the planning and
implementation of the school guidance programme. They provide support to
pupils in connection with their educational, social and personal
development and adjustment. During an interview, counsellors
create a confidential atmosphere, in which the student can have
the confidence to seek advice. What is told to the counsellor is
confidential except when what is heard is thought to be of harm to the
student or any other person.The students may request the
counselling themselves or may be referred by parents and/or teachers.
As well as personal interviews Counsellors also take formal classes with
students to give career information. In the process the
Counsellors guide pupils
to make their own career choices based on self-understanding and self
-knowledge.
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All of the people listed above are good listeners, they care for the
pupils in their charge and they will often be able to solve a student's
problem quickly.
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The Breakfast Club: |
Our canteen provides two services for students.
The Breakfast Club opens daily from 8.00 - 8.45am. and provides
cereal, tea and toast free of charge to any student who arrives in school
extra early in the morning. This service is especially
designed for country girls who have to leave home very early to catch a
bus or a lift.
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Lunch: |
Hot and cold lunches are available daily at a reasonable charge. A
sample menu can be seen on the Facilities page of
this website.
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Lockers: |
Lockers are available to every student for the safe-keeping of
books and personal property. Students must provide their own lock.
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Principal
and
Deputy Principal: |
Lastly, but by no means least, the Principal and Deputy Principal
operate an open door policy for all students.
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