STUDENT PROSPECTUS. ASHFIELD College No. 1 Leaving Certificate School in Ireland - Irish Times League Tables 2013

Transcription

1 THE IRISH TIMES League Tables Top Points Courses: Ashfield College Top Feeder School: Ashfield College Best Grinds School: Ashfield College STUDENT PROSPECTUS 5th Year, 6th Year & Repeat Leaving Certificate Programmes Ashfield College, Main Street, Templeogue, Dublin 6W Ireland & South Great George s Street, Dublin 2, Ireland ASHFIELD College No. 1 Leaving Certificate School in Ireland - Irish Times League Tables 2013 Tel: +353 (0) info@ashfieldcollege.ie

2 Contents Welcome 2 Why Ashfield College? 4 Superb Facilities 6 Programmes 8 Our Staff 10 Other Information 12 Additional Programmes 14

3 Welcome to Ashfield College Great teaching is the first, and one of the most important steps on the road to a successful Leaving Certificate Dear Student, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for considering Ashfield College s Leaving Certificate preparatory programmes for the forthcoming academic year. Ashfield is home to a team of some of the most exceptional teachers in Ireland, a group of talented and inspiring communicators who have unrivalled expertise in guiding students through the Leaving Certificate examination process. They are as serious about your Leaving Certificate success as you are. I have particularly fond memories of my own time here as a student, and owe a very large debt of gratitude to the wonderful teachers who provided the very best tuition and support when I was enrolled from 1990 to In preparing for my Leaving Certificate, I learned that a truly inspiring teacher can make any concept interesting, and that great teaching is the first, and one of the most important steps on the road to a successful Leaving Certificate examination experience. Please don t hesitate to contact me, or any other member of our team should you require assistance or further information. Yours faithfully, At Ashfield College, we don t believe in overcrowded, anonymous classes. Dear Student, Ashfield College has a long and proud tradition of preparing students for the daunting challenge posed by the Leaving Certificate. This tradition of excellence continues to the present day. We believe that a combination of expert teaching and excellent class notes, focused on the skills needed to excel in the Leaving Certificate, are amongst the secrets to success. At Ashfield College, we don t believe in overcrowded, anonymous classes. Instead, we have created a quiet haven for effective study far from the distractions of the city centre, one where you will be valued as an individual, with your own specific needs and requirements. We have developed best-in-class online resources and exceptional study notes to help you achieve the very best results possible next June. I look forward to seeing you this September! Philip Burke Chief Executive John Winters Principal

4 WHY STUDY AT Ashfield? Ashfield College has a long and proud tradition of preparing students for success in the Leaving Certificate. This tradition of excellence continues to the present day with Ashfield College topping the Irish Times 2013 School League Tables across all three categories including; Number 1 Feeder School to Universities and Number 1 School for High Points. We believe that a combination of expert teaching and excellent class notes, focused on the skills required to excel in the Leaving Certificate, are among the secrets to our success. We pride ourselves on providing excellent tuition in a supportive and safe environment. Our teaching methods and class size promote classroom interaction and provide individual attention for every student. Our ethos is to provide the very best of resources, from the exceptional teaching standards and the excellent facilities to our in-house guidance services and our renowned study manuals, written by our teachers for each subject. you simply wish to broaden your opportunities when it comes to 3rd level courses, we ll help you achieve your full potential in the Leaving Certificate. John Kilroy, History and Classical Studies I particularly value Ashfield s learning materials and manuals provided to the students for each subject. I have found these tools to be invaluable inside and outside of the classroom. Megan Gilmer Class of Whether you are looking to achieve top marks in your Leaving Certificate for options such as veterinary or medicine, or Matt Whelan Irish

5 SUPERB FACILITIES RECEPTION Deirdre Bohan ensures every student is welcomed into school in the morning and provides support and encouragement throughout the year. Ashfield College is located in Templeogue, South Dublin, away from the distractions of the city centre, but with convenient access to much of Dublin and surrounding counties. Our purpose-built premises contain comfortable, spacious classrooms, a canteen and specialised teaching rooms for Music, Science, Art and Design & Communication Graphics and is surrounded by beautiful landscaped gardens, making Ashfield College the perfect location for your education. I love it here in Ashfield. It is obvious that the teachers enjoy what they are doing. They want to teach and the students want to learn. I have met some really amazing people here and I love my classes. Moving to Ashfield is the best decision I have ever made. Thank you to everyone here. You have made learning a pleasure not a chore. Hazel Tierney, Class of Science Laboratory For students studying Chemistry, Biology and Physics, access to a fully-equipped Science Lab is integral to success. The Science laboratory has been constructed to the highest industry standards and is equipped with the latest equipment and resources. Computer Lab A fully-equipped computer room is available to students for educational and career research purposes at designated times in the school day. The Computer Room is also used for both Music and Design & Communications Graphics. Music Room Ashfield College has a music room equipped with instruments including a digital keyboard. Students are given designated practice times outside of class if they wish to practice their chosen instruments. State-of-the-art multimedia computers assist students in the music technology element of the current syllabus. Canteen For the convenience of our students, Ashfield College provides a subsidised canteen where students can meet and socialise during breaktimes. Students may also bring their own lunch and consume in the canteen. Study Hall Study time is an intrinsic part of every student s daily schedule, and compulsory study periods are built into each student s timetable. In addition to the compulsory study periods, supervised study is available in the evenings up until 8 p.m. Online Resources Ashfield Colleges E-Learning platform, Moodle offers students a wealth of online resources which they can utilise at home or from our computer room. Students may avail of recorded online lectures and extra resources aimed at maximising the students potential in the Leaving Certificate.

6 PROGRAMMES The Leaving Certificate Programme is recognised by all Universities in Ireland, the UK and many other countries worldwide. Consequently students may apply for any course in these countries, subject to achieving the requisite standard. Our Guidance Counsellor will assist students through the college admission process. The Leaving Certificate is a two year programme. Repeat Leaving Certificate students may complete the programme in one year. Generally students choose six subjects from the list available. English, Mathematics and Irish are compulsory unless the student has sought exemption. Subjects Ashfield College offers a wide range of subjects Accounting Agricultural Science Applied Maths Arabic Art Biology (including Practicals) Business Chemistry (including Practicals) Classical Studies D& CG Economics English French Geography German History Home Economics (inc Practicals) Irish Italian Mathematics Music (Listening & Composing ) Physics (including Practicals) Religious Education Spanish Ashfield College made it possible for me to study my ideal combination of subjects Daniel McGinley, Class of th Year Leaving Certificate A solid 5th year is the foundation for a successful Leaving Certificate. For this reason 5th Year students are introduced to the Leaving Certificate syllabus and the effective work practices required in the Leaving Cert. During the 5th year, students cover 75% of the Leaving Cert syllabi, which will provide an invaluable foundation for the 6th Year. Students are monitored academically with regular testing and continuous assessment in all subjects. Choosing the right combination of subjects is the key to opening up opportunities at 3rd level and the students future career. We offer a wide choice of subjects and we build our timetable around our students, which means that you get to choose your ideal combination of subjects. We will offer guidance regarding subjects which will offer you the maximum potential points and fulfil the metrication requirements of 3rd level education. 5th Year students are encouraged to participate in extra curricular activities designed to develop leadership skills and promote teamwork and a sense of community. Activities 5th year students have enjoyed include careers talks from leading industry figures, 5-a-side soccer, trips to the theatre and art galleries, debating, the publication of a student newsletter and the annual 5th year excursion. 6th Year & Repeat Leaving Certificate 6th Year students will cover the Leaving Cert syllabus in full in the 6th Year. 6th Year students will receive 3 or 4 hours of expert tuition in each Leaving Cert subject weekly and provide exclusive study manuals, written by our teachers, for each subject. Ashfield College uses the Learning Management System Moodle as an extra resources for students, providing a platform to deliver recorded revision classes and additional learning resources to our students. Ashfield College provides full student support and guidance throughout the CAO and UCAS application process. Our in-house Guidance Counsellor ensures that each student is offered regular individual advice and direction on a one-to-one basis with regards to subject choice and 3rd level course options as well as attending careers talks from Universities, Government Organisations and representatives from key industry sectors. Continuous Assessment & Examinations Monthly assessments are carried out in each subject allowing students to review their progress with their mentor. Official school tests are carried out in October, at Christmas and at Easter. 6th Year students complete a full mock examination in all subjects. 5th Year students sit school exams in October, at Christmas, at Easter and in May. * The subjects listed above are offered subject to demand

7 OUR STAFF TEACHER NAME SUBJECT STAT OF STudents IMAGINE HAVING TEACHERS THIS GOOD EVERY DAY TEACHER NAME SUBJECT 70% OF STudents get B1 or Above Anne Scully, Biology & Home Economics Ashfield College s teachers are highly qualified and vastly experienced in preparing students for the Leaving Certificate. They combine a genuine love of their subjects with a proven trackrecord of success in second level State examinations. Many are published authors of Leaving Certificate text books and many have had experience as Leaving Certificate assistant examiners. Each teacher has created superb class-notes covering the entire syllabus, including A1 solutions to exam questions and subject specific exam technique, all of which is vital for Leaving Certificate Exam success. Matt Whelan Irish John Kilroy HISTORY Jennifer Skelly English LOTS OF WORK TO BE DONE ON THIS SHOT Abdul Razzak Hosain Arabic Mary Muldoon German Anne Scully BIOLOGY Exceptional teachers are integral to Leaving Certificate success. At Ashfield, we recruit only the very best teachers in Ireland. All are highly qualified, many have been Leaving Cert Examiners themselves and are published authors in their chosen subject. Our teachers consistently achieve excellent results for their students. John Winters, Principal Philip Curry Business I never left a class without understanding it. If I had questions the teachers would always give up their time to help me and explain everything clearly. I am absolutely delighted with my results Michelle Chisvo, Medical Student, UK, 600 Points Leaving Certificate 2013 I went to Ashfield College to increase my points and I got them! The teachers were really helpful and approachable. I was so happy there. I can t speak highly enough about Ashfield College. Sophie Wann, UCD School of Veterinary Medicine 585 Points Leaving Certificate 2013 John Winters Maths & PHYSICS

8 OTHER INFORMATION In my role at Ashfield College, I assist students and support their learning in the college. Every student needs to feel valued and happy in order to reach their full academic potential. At Ashfield College each student is valued as an individual. As Student Liaison Officer I am always available to meet students to discuss any problems and to help find a quick and purposeful solution. Our students are content and successful, thanks to continuous academic and personal support, helping them every step of the way. Bronwen Daly Student Liaison Officer Host Families Ashfield College is delighted to assist students who require living accommodation during term-time. Our Accommodation Officer manages and maintains an extensive database of Host Families, who offer high quality, safe accommodation within easy walking distance of the school. Each host family is vetted by our Accommodation Officer. Once approved by the school, students will be provided with a selection of Host Families for consideration. Attendance & Punctuality At Ashfield College we believe that consistent attendance and punctuality are essential for academic success. Student attendance is monitored for each lesson by our Attendance Officers who will inform parents / guardians of all absences. Anti-Bullying Policy Statement Ashfield College strives to provide a warm and welcoming environment where students and academic staff work positively and harmoniously together. All students have the freedom to do their work, and study without having to suffer bullying or intimidation. Bullying will not be tolerated. The College s antibullying policy is rigorously enforced. Timetables Lessons begin at 9 a.m. and run until 6.30 p.m. depending on individual subject selection. Student timetables include supervised mandatory study on a daily basis. Supervised study is available for all students until 8 p.m. I ve enjoyed everything the school has to offer; the small number of students per class, the friendly atmosphere, subject focus and the professionalism of the teachers. If you are looking for a school to help you achieve your very best, Ashfield is the place for you. And, like me, you might just make some life-long friends along the way! Christo Pretorius, Class of

9 ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMES PM Evening & Weekend Grinds Our Evening & Weekend Grind Classes afford students the opportunity to supplement and enhance their studies in subjects they find to be most challenging. Mirroring our day school our highly qualified and approachable teachers distribute quality, insightful notes bringing structure and focus to each subject, whilst truly engaging the student in small manageable classes. We offer 22 grind subjects including Leaving Certificate, Junior Certificate and 5th Year Programmes. Each grind class is 1 hour and fifteen minutes in duration and is delivered once per week by our subject experts, many of whom have been Leaving Cert Examiners themselves and are published authors in their chosen field. Fees for each subject include exceptional study notes written by our expert teachers. Students may join evening and weekend classes at any time during the academic year, subject to availability. +1 SAT +1 Extra Subjects Ashfield College offers students who are registered in other schools, the opportunity to study one of a number of extra subjects that they may not have studied previously. The entire syllabus is completed in one year. Studying an extra subject allows external students the opportunity to study a subject that holds particular interest to them and which may not be available in their school and, furthermore, offers valuable options when it comes to CAO points. Extra subjects are scheduled from 5 pm to 6.30pm twice weekly, in order to accommodate school timetables. - Applied Maths - Business - Classical Studies - Design & Communication Graphics - German - Italian - Spanish Revision Courses Strategically scheduled during the school holidays at Christmas, Easter and just prior to the Leaving and Junior Cert exams in May, Ashfield College Revision Courses build student confidence and provide subject-specific, exam-focused notes and guidance in advance of the Leaving and Junior Certificate exams. Ashfield Colleges offers 17 Leaving Certificate and 7 Junior Certificate Subjects in the Revision Programme as well as Oral Preparation Courses in French,Spanish and Irish. Ashfield College Teachers are some of the best Leaving Certificate teachers in the country. Many are Leaving Certificate examiners themselves and their overriding objective is to teach students how to succeed in the state exams. Our teachers will put you in the examiners chair and explain how the marking scheme works for their subject. They will show you how you can lose points unnecessarily or gain points easily and what is really expected of you. HPAT Many students who attend Ashfield College wish to pursue Medicine as a career. Ashfield College provides our students with exceptional HPAT Preparation Courses throughout the year. Over the past few years there has been much discussion on the HPAT exam. Our HPAT tutors will demystify this exam with common sense straightforward exam strategies. Ashfield College has an unrivalled record of success, and more than 30 years experience in preparing students for examination excellence. Our HPAT preparatory programme offers you the chance to prepare for the HPAT in the best, most focused and effective way possible. In order to succeed in the HPAT students must have immaculate techniques in deciphering patterns, processing information and indeed determining the correct answer. It is for this reason I can confidently say that the HPAT course provided by Ashfield College equipped me with the techniques and know-how to confidently undergo the exam. The friendly nature of the teacher made asking questions easy and infact, to cement our understanding, he encouraged it. The importance of the HPAT can t be stressed enough and if you truly wish to be as well equipped as possible Ashfield College provides the best course. Hugh McCarthy, Class of