Meet the newest students of Gaelcholáiste Chéitinn
Gaelcholáiste Chéitinn is an Irish-language, post-primary co-educational school within the CTI school cluster. It is situated in the CTI building on the Mall. It was established in 2004 to provide the option of second level education through the medium of Irish for the students of the Clonmel area. We currently have 156 students enrolled in the school. The school is named in honour of Seathrún Céitinn and the values which he embodied – a love of learning and of Gaelic Ireland.
In Gaelcholáiste Chéitinn, we offer a broad range of subjects at both Junior and Senior Cycle and a comprehensive array of extra-curricular activities. Supervised study is also available to all students in all year groups. As a school community, we endeavour, with the active involvement of teachers, students and parents, to provide a positive and stimulating environment in which each student may develop as a whole person. We strive to foster in all our students a respect for themselves and for others, for their culture and the Irish language and an appreciation of their responsibilities as members of the community to which they belong.
Many of our students come from the Gaelscoileanna in Clonmel and Carrick on Suir, but an increasing number of students come from English-language primary schools in the area. We are both happy and proud that our students have achieved excellent results over the years in the Leaving Certificate. Here in Gaelcholáiste Chéitinn we pride ourselves on a year-on-year average of over 90% of our students progressing to third level education. They attain a place on a vast array of courses in Universities, Colleges and Institutes of Technology while some choose the path of apprenticeships.
In Gaelcholáiste Chéitinn, Transition Year is a compulsory year. This year plays a vital role in the educational success of our students. They follow a stimulating and challenging programme of educational activities and project work for the year. Our emphasis during the year is on holistic growth – the growth of the whole person. We also focus on encouraging students to take greater responsibility for their own learning.
Students are given the opportunity to sample new subjects, and work experience and assignments enable them to develop a whole range of new practical and personal skills. The value of Transition Year can be seen in the increased maturity, competence and self-confidence of the students. Participating in our Transition Year Programme is an excellent opportunity for our students to immerse themselves in the richness of spoken Irish in its natural context. Thus, it is an ideal preparation for Senior Cycle.
Education through the medium of Irish, or immersion education has many advantages for the students who choose that path. The Baker Report of 2003 highlights a number of advantages; it is best practise to learn the language itself; it makes it easier to learn other languages; it increases abilities in creativity, communication and analytical thinking; it creates an individual with greater self esteem and self awareness; and creates individuals that appreciate other cultures. As Irish became an official language of the EU in 2005, it also provides greater job opportunities to those that are proficient in the language.
For the last 2 years, school and learning have changed dramatically from what everyone was previously accustomed to. In the last week, as students returned to school, they were unanimous that they much preferred to be in school than online! Our students in Gaelcholáiste Chéitinn said they could not wait to return – to their friends especially but also to their school. They said they missed being here and were delighted to be back. Hopefully that same positive attitude will be in abundance as we move through the new school year.
Táimid an-sásta a bheith thar n-ais ar scoil leis na daltaí os ár gcomhair. Táimid an-bhuíoch de na daoine a bhunaigh an scoil iontach seo agus táimid ag tnúth leis an todhchaí le fuinneamh, le spiorad agus le creideamh sa mhéid a dhéanaimid.