We support our pupils to be successful in secondary school, working closely with external partners to support transition, behaviour, attendance and progression beyond school.
This includes the following services:
- Home School Liaison
- School Completion Programme
- Behaviour for Learning Support
- Guidance Support
- Chaplaincy
HOME SCHOOL LIAISON CO-ORDINATOR (HSCL)
The Home School Community Liaison Co-ordinator supports parents and guardians to improve educational outcomes for our students. In Mount Seskin Community College from September, this teacher is Ms. Avril Buttimer. She meets with parents and guardians in our school for meetings, for courses and she also visits the homes of our students to support both students and their parent/guardian. The HSCL links with parents during student transition into 1st year and at other key points during students’ time in Mount Seskin CC. Parents are also represented on the Parents Association, this parent group work with the HSCL on aspects of the school, a new phase of this will begin shortly.
HSCL Mobile: 085 8796092
Email: AvrilButtimer@ddletb.ie
SCHOOL COMPLETION
SCP provides a broad range of programmes and supports to enable students to attend school and to actively engage in their education.
SCP Outcomes
- Improved Attendance
- Improved Participation
- Improved Retention
Supports and programmes which are on offer here in MSCC
- Breakfast Club
- Lunch Clubs
- Afterschool Club (Wednesday)
- One to one mentoring
- Group Work
- Mid-term, Christmas & Summer Trips
SCP project Worker Maria McArdle maria.mccardle@scp.ie
SCP coordinator Domhnall Costigan domhnall.costigan@scp.ie.
BEHAVIOUR FOR LEARNING SUPPORT (BFL)
The Skills Room is an additional support available in MSCC where a full-time Behaviour for Learning teacher works with students to help them to achieve their potential and succeed in school. In the Skills Room, students have the opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to allow them to have a more positive experience of school.
The teacher works with identified students, individually or in small groups, on Behaviour for Learning programmes that are designed to meet their social, emotional, wellbeing and behavioural and academic needs.
The teacher also works with full class groups, particularly with first year students on the Ready, Steady, Learn programme to help them to become familiar with school expectations in their new school setting.
BFL contact email: lornaoneill@ddletb.ie
GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT
At Mount Seskin Community College we take a whole school approach to Guidance with students beginning their orientation to career and further education from first year through various programmes both curricular and extra- curricular. All Junior Cycle Classes follow a guidance programme through their well bring class time. At Junior Cycle we run Business in the Community as a fun activity which exposes students to life choices and shows them the financial implications of various educational decisions.
We provide one to one support for students and also group work for various needs such as anxiety, social skills and to encourage students to form a positive relationship with their school. These are often run in conjunction with our active School Completion Programme.
We endeavour to provide supports to all students around decision making and transitional points by providing Aptitude Testing, parents information evenings, talks to students by senior cycle and past pupils and our annual Career Speed Dating Event.
At Senior Cycle we provide three programmes Leaving Cert Applied, Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme and the Traditional Leaving Cert. We provide all of our senior cycle students with the opportunity to take part in work experience and we provide after school classes for fifth and sixth year through the ACE Programme with TUD and Power to Progress Programme in conjunction with Zurich and UCD. All of our fifth years have this year been provided with laptops through the Power to Progress Programme.
We believe our approach to Guidance has been extremely successful placing us at the top of the league tables amongst the Tallaght West Schools annually for the transfer to third level education and as one of the top schools in the greater Tallaght area.
CHAPLAINCY
As a Designated Community College, we have a provision for School Chaplaincy. Our Chaplain, Paddy Doyle works collaboratively with all members of the team, and leads spiritual guidance in MSCC. The chaplain is available to students, families and the wider community, including the following:
- Our Chaplain is a member of the Student Support Team (formerly CARE team) focussed on student wellbeing, triangulating support provided across the school including chaplaincy, HSCL, BFL, SCP, Year Head, Tutor, teacher & leader support and where relevant, external referrals.
- The Chaplain provides an important link between home and school, to support in any situation. This can take include welcoming and getting to know new families, supporting through times of loss or engaging in restorative practice.
- The Chaplain represents the school community in the local parish and other local religious communities, building links across faiths.
- As a teacher, the Chaplain is a member of the Religious Education Department and is involved in the delivery of the R.E. National Curriculum along with other members of the Religious Education Team.
Key events through the year include:
- Welcome Ceremony for new students & families (Autumn)
- Remembrance Ceremony (Autumn)
- Graduation (Summer)
- Fundraising & social outreach (Throughout)
Please email patrickdoyle@ddletb.ie if you wish to get in touch with our Chaplain, Paddy Doyle.