Castleknock college admissions policy

Call me Al

Hi, I'm trying to find details on the St Vincent's Castleknock college admissions policy.

It isn't on their website, and I can't find it anywhere else online.

Does anyone know where I could see a copy?
Thanks

dickwod1

http://www.castleknockcollege.ie/upload/files/1391422814_Admissions_Policy_Jan_2014.pdf

Call me Al

Thanks for your help but I don't get anything when I open that link.

Orobhsa

03/02/2014
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St Vincent’s Castleknock College
Admissions Policy
1 Introduction
St Vincent’s Castleknock College (also known as ‘Castleknock College’) was founded in
1835 by the Congregation of the Mission (the Vincentians). The Vincentians, named after
the French priest and teacher St Vincent de Paul, remain the College Trustees. The College
motto is Nos autem in nomine Domini.
St Vincent de Paul's charism is best captured in one statement he made: 'God desires first
and foremost the heart...and then the work.'
2 Mission Statement of St Vincent’s Castleknock College
To have a College which is concerned with the development of the
whole person in a Christian atmosphere, which encourages involvement in a balance of
religious, intellectual, cultural and sporting activities; and which promotes the growth of
self-worth and respect for others in the spirit of St Vincent de Paul.
3 The Objectives of St. Vincent’s Castleknock College
• To pursue excellence in all areas of College life, academic, creative, cultural and
sporting;
• To nurture a friendly and caring environment which allows each student to develop
his own natural talents and gifts;
• To recognise the College’s responsibility towards the wider community in
developing a spirit of service; and
• To offer opportunities for the spiritual development of each member of the College
community.
4 The Ethos Statement of St. Vincent’s Castleknock College
The philosophy of St. Vincent de Paul (1581 – 1660), the Patron Saint of Christian charity,
continues to inform and inspire the students, faculty, staff and extended community of St.
Vincent’s Castleknock College. As a Vincentian college, it is committed to following
Vincent de Paul’s philosophy, which emphasises respect for the individual, service to the
needy, human solidarity and adherence to the belief that self giving helps make the world a
better place. The core values are focused on being creative, person-centred, holistic,
collaborative and excellence-seeking. A Vincentian education is always viewed as central to
the Catholic and Vincentian mission.
Vincent de Paul’s philosophy forms the heart of the College’s value system, which is driven
by a passion for education and guided by a simple truth: education is more than career
advancement; it’s about learning how to make a difference in the world. Consequently, our
education encompasses both academic and extra-curricular studies; and is a shared
experience instilling a preferential option for the poor. College students are actively involved
in volunteering for works of charity and social justice including overseas mission
experience. 03/02/2014
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The Vincentian Ethos thrives in a community where young people feel they belong, where
they see real commitment from their teachers, where bonds are built between students and
their peers, where co-operation is placed before competition, and where each student is
regarded as remarkable.
The College’s philosophy, the spirit and values of St. Vincent’s Castleknock College, is the
responsibility of everyone in the College. Both staff and students contribute to its creation
and implementation in the day to day living of our Mission Statement. Its development has
to be promoted and encouraged by living examples and practical action.
A Vincentian Education
Each member of staff at St. Vincent’s Castleknock College also belongs to a wider
community of Vincentian educators around the world. The core values which guide a
Vincentian education are:
Creative: Vincentian education always seeks new or renewed ways to meet changing needs
among the student population while maintaining a clear “sense of the possible”.
Holistic: Vincentian education seeks to respond to the intellectual, spiritual, moral and
affective needs of the students – educates the heart and the mind.
Person-centred: the Vincentian education institution must be one in which all staff and
students are respected and valued.
Integrative: Vincentian education blends the human and the professional: the abstract and
the practical.
Collaborative: Vincentian education seeks to collaborate with, rather than compete with,
other educational institutions.
Excellence: Vincentian education places quality at the centre of its educational activities. It
seeks this excellence in teaching (the instructor must not only be competent but must also be
efficient, dedicated and reveal “all those virtues required of the students”) and in
methodology (the method employed must be active, challenging, competency-based, and
enable the student not only to learn but to enjoy doing so).
Flexible: Vincentian education makes the effort to adapt to the needs of the non-traditional
student.
Focused: Vincentian education is viewed as central to the Vincentian mission of service to
the poor. It strives to integrate this vision into the education process and to keep this vision
alive among all those who share in this common vision.
5 Principles of the Admission Policy
• The Board of Management of St Vincent’s Castleknock College is committed to an
Admission Policy which reflects the spirit and meaning of the Education Act 1998,
the Education (Welfare) Act 2000 and the Equal Status Act 2000.
• Castleknock College recognises parents as the primary educators of their children. 03/02/2014
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• Castleknock College aims to achieve the highest academic standard in its students.
The gifts and talents of the students are recognised and developed in order to
enable them to realise their potential. The College expects them to commit
themselves to academic achievement commensurate with their abilities. The widest
possible range of subjects is provided from which they may choose, with appropriate
guidance, those which best satisfy their interests, needs and aspirations. Student
guidance extends to preparation for a wide range of third level courses and
occupations. This is based on the identification and fostering of the talents of each
individual student.
• Parents who decide to apply for a place for their son in the College should be aware
of the character, aims, Mission Statement and ethos of the College. While this does
not preclude a person from another faith from attending the College, it is important
that a parent should be aware that in sending their son to the College they have
decided to send him to a Catholic school. The College respects diversity of tradition,
values, beliefs, languages and ways of life in a more pluralist society. This is
balanced with the aims and objectives of a Catholic education. Where non-Catholic
parents accept a place for their student in the College those parents are also
undertaking to provide religious instruction for their own child. That service is not
provided in the College.
• Castleknock College is a fee-paying secondary school in the voluntary sector. The
current annual fee structure is available from the Administrator's Office. There are
various methods of payment to facilitate our parents. Arrangement for the payment
of fees must be made before registration at the start of each academic year (August).
In order to retain a place in the College all students’ fees must be paid by the due
date. Otherwise the place may be forfeited.
• The College operates within the regulations laid down, from time to time, by the
Department of Education and Skills (DES).
6 Right of Admission
The right of admission to a place in the College rests with the Board of Management. In
making its decision to admit a student to the College, the Board may have due regard to:
• the suitability of the student to the full school curriculum;
• his ability to adhere to the Code of Behaviour and the ethos of Castleknock College;
• the health and safety of all staff and students;
• any reports from the Headmaster which the Board deems relevant to the
application.
Although every effort will be made to meet the needs of every student, parents should
understand that the College may not be in a position to accommodate those needs in all
circumstances. The Board will act in the best interest of all the students and staff of the
College and according to the principles of natural justice.
7 Priority in creating the list of those who may be admitted
Castleknock College will normally admit a maximum of 100 students each year, making four
classes each with 25 students. However, the Board may decide to admit more than 100
students in 1st year depending on circumstances. Castleknock College has an open
admissions policy. 03/02/2014
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• Priority will be given to brothers of students already in the school or brothers of
students who completed sixth year in previous years.
• Places will be given to the student who (along with his parents) is most in sympathy
with the ethos of the College.
• All other things being equal, places will be allocated to those whose application form
arrives earliest.
• The Board aims to have a mix of students from the urban and rural hinterlands of the
College.
8 Application Form
Under Department of Education & Skills rules secondary school students must be
aged 12 years on the 1st January in the calendar year following the student’s entry.
An application form is available on the College website www.castleknockcollege.ie or from
reception (Telephone: 01-8213051).
This form should be completed and returned to the Admissions Officer. Applications must
be accompanied by
• an original copy of the student’s Birth Certificate which will be returned
immediately,
• the latest primary school report,
• any other reports of relevance,
• the application fee.
The closing date for applications is 31st May in the year before the student will enter the
College (i.e. before the student completes fifth class).
Late applications will only be considered under special circumstances.
9 Procedure for entry into First Year
i. Parents must lodge a fully completed application form together with the stated
application fee. The deadline is May 31st of the year before entry. Parents are
required to furnish the latest primary school report, any relevant educational or
psychological report on the student relating to any disabilities or special
educational needs or any medical condition. Parents are asked to allow the
Headmaster, if he sees fit, to contact the Principal of the primary school to
enquire about the student.
ii. Parents and their sons will be invited to visit the College for the Open Evening
which will be notified in advance and advertised through our feeder schools and
in the local press.
iii. All prospective student applicants will be invited to visit the College for an Open
Day. This purpose of this day is for prospective students to experience the
academic and sports facilities of the College; meet some of the teaching staff and
current students and meet other prospective students of their own age in a relaxed
atmosphere.
iv. Parents and student applicants are invited to the College for private interview by
a senior member of the College community.
v. In the context of the Mission and Ethos statements of the College, a discussion
will take place at interview on the prospective match of the talents and aptitudes
of the student with these statements. Parents are also invited to discuss their
willingness to support in practice the Mission and Ethos statements.] 03/02/2014
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vi. A list of the student applicants who have satisfied the criteria, based on the order
of priority set out above, is prepared and presented to the Board for approval.
vii. Parents of successful applicants are notified by post that their son has been
offered a place in the College.
viii. On acceptance of an offer of a place a non-refundable deposit is required to be
paid to the College.
ix. All prospective students must complete a series of assessments at the College
which are used to assign each person to a class, study subjects and level.
x. The College will apply to the Department of Education and Skills (DES) for the
resources to support any student whose reports warrant an application.
xi. Parents of students who are not being offered a place will be notified by post.
They may be offered a place on the waiting list which will be dealt with in
sequential order.
xii. Prior to commencement in First Year, the parents of each student must sign an
undertaking that their son will abide by the Castleknock College Code of
Behaviour.
10 Application for Admission to a year other than First Year
Applications made for places in other years (2nd to 6th) will be assessed on a case-by-case
basis. The application procedure is as follows:
i. Parents must lodge a fully completed application form together with the stated
application fee.
ii. Parents must submit their son’s most recent school report from his present school
as well as any educational or psychological report or other reports which may be
relevant to the application.
iii. The Headmaster (or a delegated senior member of the College community)
interviews the student and parents. In the context of the Mission and Ethos
statements of the College a discussion takes place at interview on the prospective
match of the talents and aptitudes of the student with these statements. Parents are
also invited to discuss their willingness to support the Mission and Ethos
statements in practice.
iv. The Headmaster makes a recommendation to the Board which may offer a place
to an applicant who has satisfied the entry criteria provided:
• there is space for the student applicant in the relevant year;
• the student and his parents subscribe to the Mission and Ethos statements of
the College;
• the student has made sufficient progress in his current or former schools to
permit him to cope with the normal demands of the College’s academic
programme;
• the student's behaviour and participation in his previous school(s)
demonstrates that he is compatible with the mission and ethos of the College;
• the Board is satisfied with the reasons for the student’s transfer from the other
school.
v. The Board of Management may refuse an application in circumstances where it is
concerned that the admission of the applicant student would:
• have a negative impact on the common good of the College; 03/02/2014
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• be a risk to the health and safety of others in the College;
• conflict with the College’s ability to cater for the individual needs of the
applicant student. (for example: if the student has special needs such that,
even with additional resources available from the Department of Education &
Science, the school cannot meet such needs and/or provide the student with
an appropriate education.)
vi. If the application is successful, parents of a student transferring from another
school will be required to pay the appropriate fee prior to admission to the
College.
vii. A transferring student may be required to complete a series of assessments at the
College which will be used to assign the student to a class, study subjects and
level.
viii. Prior to commencement in the College the parents and the student must sign an
undertaking that the student will abide by the Castleknock College Code of
Behaviour.
11 Appeal
Please note that in accordance with Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 parents have
a right to appeal a refusal by the Board of Management of a school to enrol a
student. An appeal to the Department of Education and Science must be made within
42 calendar days from the date that the decision of the Board of Management was
notified to the parents/guardians.
The Appeal Form is available through the College or from the DES website
www.education.ie

Call me Al

Thank you very much!

Codpeas

Call me Al wrote: »

Thank you very much!

From my kids school newsletter:

Castleknock College
St. Vincent’s Castleknock College will hold an Open Night on Thursday 12th March for parents and prospective students for all years.
The night will commence at 7.00pm.
Contact 821-3051 for further details.