Coláiste Bhríde, Carnew was established in 1936 to fulfil, support and meet the educational needs of its surrounding environs. Coláiste Bhríde strives to promote the educational requirements of the community it serves. In so doing, it recognizes the contribution of students, parents, staff of the school, statutory bodies and the wider community. Coláiste Bhríde believes that its aims are best achieved in a caring, disciplined and respectful environment. It recognizes the individual rights and responsibilities of the school community. It encourages commitment and shared responsibility working towards the achievement of full potential and the common good. The Mission Statement of Coláiste Bhríde encompasses the pursuit of excellence in all areas of endeavour and the maintenance of an affirmative climate of learning where the individual is enabled to develop and fulfil her/his unique potential. Coláiste Bhríde subscribes to and conforms with the general policy statement of Co. Wicklow V.E.C.
Coiste Gairmoideachais Cho. Chill Mhantáin – Co. Wicklow Vocational Committee
1.1 Co. Wicklow Vocational Education Committee (hereinafter referred to as “the Committee”) endeavours to respond to the educational needs of the community in all its schools. It aims to create and sustain a caring, flexible, supportive and safe environment in which staff and students feel valued, motivated and stimulated in their efforts to grow as human beings and to realise their full potential. The Committee believes that its objectives are best achieved in a safe and secure environment, which, while recognising individual rights and responsibilities, encourages commitment, and shared responsibility for the achievement of excellence and for the common good.
1.2 The Committee acknowledges its statutory obligations with regard to the promotion of good and positive behaviour, attendance and participation in its schools. As such the Committee requires all its schools to develop policies in these areas and in the area of admissions and other areas as may be required from time to time, in cooperation with the relevant educational partners and in line with the policies of the Committee.
1.3 The Committee affirms that each school under its control should preface each of the policies outlined at 1.2 above with the following detail:
- Name, address, telephone, email and website of the school as appropriate.
- Name of the Patron.
- Character/ethos of the school.
- That it is co-educational.
- The provision made for religious instruction.
- The compliment of teachers and other staff.
- That the school is a recognised school under the terms of The Education Act 1998.
- That the school follows the curricula specified by the Department of Education and Science.
- The range of subjects offered, including provision for relationships and sexuality education, special educational needs and support programmes and teachers for students with these needs.
- Whether or not a Transition Year Programme is available in the school and whether or not this programme is compulsory or optional.
- Details regarding the Parents’ Association and the Student Council.
- Details of the school’s dress code.
- Details regarding the school’s times of operation.
- Clubs that are operational in the school.
- The school’s provision of adult and community education programmes.
- That the Board of Management has regard to the principles of a democratic society and that it promotes respect for the diversity of values, beliefs, traditions, language and ways of life in society and that it is accountable to the Committee for upholding such values and principles.
1.4 The Committee acknowledges the following, subject to the functions of the Minister pursuant to section 7 (1) of the Education Act 1998:
- Its responsibility to provide education, through its schools, to students, that is appropriate to their abilities and needs and especially to the abilities and needs of those who have a disability or other special educational needs.
- Its commitment to the development of an appreciation of learning in all its schools.
- Its commitment to the promotion of education as a concept that is advantageous to students and to the community.
- That the issues of school behaviour, attendance and participation should be placed in a community context.
- The right of parents to send their children to a school of the parents’ choice, having regard to the rights of the Committee and the Constitutional rights of all.
- Its obligation to promote equality of access to and participation in education, having regard to the rights of the Committee and the constitutional rights of all.
- Its obligation to promote best practice in teaching methods in all its schools, with regard to the diverse needs of students and the development of skills and competences of teachers.
- Its obligation to promote effective partnership in all its schools.
- Its obligation to provide appropriate guidance and counselling services in all its schools.
- Its obligation to develop students in a moral, spiritual, social and personal way in all its schools.
- The right of parents of students who have not yet reached the age of 18 years (and of students who have reached the age of 18 years) to have access, in the prescribed manner, to records kept by schools under the control of the Committee, relating to the progress of that student in his/her education.
- Its obligation to ensure that an evaluation of the effectiveness of the process, strategy and policy regarding admissions, attendance/participation and behaviour is carried out regularly at all its schools.
- Its obligation to appoint an officer to link with a National Liaison Officer appointed by the Educational Welfare Board.
- That the policies on Admissions, Attendance/Participation and Behaviour have been drafted in accordance with the relevant legislation and statutory requirements.
- That the Board of Management of all schools under the control of the Committee shall ensure that all policies of said school shall form part of the school plan.
1.5 The Committee acknowledges the importance of a positive support system for teachers, subject to the functions of the Minister pursuant to section 7 (1) of the Education Act 1998.
Coláiste Bhríde School Policies
School Mission Statement
Coláiste Bhríde endeavours to provide quality education for all students in a caring, disciplined and respectful environment. We aim to prepare students for life and responsible citizenship and to motivate them towards the achievement of their full potential.
The policies of Coláiste Bhríde endeavour to:
- Ensure compliance with statutory requirements and the policies of Co. Wicklow V.E.C.
- Create an environment which is conductive to achieving the aims of Coláiste Bhríde.
- Provide clearly defined guidelines that are easily understood by pupils, staff and parents.
- Aid all staff in the management of admissions, attendance, participation and behaviour.
- Aid parents with regard to their role in admissions, attendance/participation and behaviour requirements in Coláiste Bhríde.
- Ensure that very high standards are maintained in Coláiste Bhríde.