Our Vision

The ultimate goal of the education that Coláiste Iognáid provides is an effective appreciation of the radical goodness of the world "charged with the grandeur of God" (1). In accordance with the Jesuit tradition, our response to God working in our world is the pursuit of excellence in all things, the Ignatian "magis" (2), as our way of co-operating with God's dynamic creation. This principle is at the heart of all we attempt within the school and is applied to all areas of school like: our aim is to assist in the complete development of each pupil, as an individual personally loved by God. This concept leads to the full growth of the person which in turn leads to action through the use of talents for the good of others and learning what a Christian Faith that does justice means in practice.

Context

In the context of the changing educational circumstances of the late 1980s, both nationally and in Coláiste Iognáid itself, the need for an analysis and exposition of what the school stands for has become increasingly necessary to ensure continuity in school philosophy and outlook. We intend that this Vision Document provide the basis for such continuity. But the Vision Document has a second function also: to provide a sounding board and inspiration to which staff members can occasionally return to gain new insights into the long-term objectives of their work. Bound up in the day-to-day problems and frustrations of teaching, it is necessary now and again to return to a consideration of the broader, longer-term philosophy of what we do. It is hoped that the Vision Document can fulfil this function too. Our vision derives its inspiration from the life and writings of St. Ignatius, specifically the Spiritual Exercises. Motivated by a deeper understanding of God working in our world and His call to share in this work, those who have experience of doing the exercises are engaged in education as a way of promoting the Gospel values.

The philosophy of Coláiste Iognáid and therefore of the Vision Document is rooted in this tradition, while taking full account of the nature of the society in which the school functions. Of necessity, the Vision Document is written at a point in time, but it attempts to capture the underlying philosophy, which should be central to the school at all times.

Perhaps the longest standing and most enduring mark of our school has been its Jesuit presence, with the accompanying outlook and philosophy, which that presence implies. Our vision finds a touchstone in the worldwide involvement of Jesuits in education and the rich traditions associated with their outlook. The most recent expression of the Jesuit philosophy is to be found in the document, "The Characteristics of Jesuit Education (1987)" (hereafter abbreviated CJE). Such sources will continue to ground our vision.

Yet from a situation where the Jesuits once formed the majority of the staff, it is quite conceivable, given current trends that the Jesuit presence may diminish substantially in the years to come. However, this should not materially affect the vision of the school, as this vision, though originating with the Society of Jesus, is shared by the staff as a whole, both Jesuit and lay. We wish it to be shared by the full school community of staff, parents and pupils.

Lastly, the document should be seen not simply as a philosophical extrapolation of what the school as a community has become or is already achieving, but also as an agenda for future achievement.

 

Development

The education, which Coláiste Iognáid provides, is committed both to the pursuit of academic excellence and to preparing the pupils for life. We strive for the formation of the balanced person who will play a fulfilling and responsible role in society at large. To achieve this our education tries to develop the individual talents of all pupils to the fullest extent so that they will learn to think reflectively, logically, and critically, and to communicate effectively. In addition, the imaginative, creative, spiritual and physical dimensions of the pupils are catered for as part of the overall education of the whole person, with particular emphasis on the cultivation of a love of the arts and humanities.

The religious ethos of the school being Roman Catholic, it is important that the religious education of the individual should permeate everything else, promoting a personal relationship with Christ and the importance of prayer and the sacraments. Our religious education encourages the pupils to "see God at work in their life, in the lives of others, and in all of creation; then responding to this discovery through a commitment to service within the community,"(CJE. Par. 63). Though Catholic in its philosophy and outlook, the school welcomes those of other faiths and facilitates and welcomes the participation of non-Catholic chaplains in the religious formation of their members who are pupils in the school.

Care of the pupil, as a unique human being is central to the school's philosophy. Following within the constraints of the educational system, pupil centered rather than curriculum centered. Our education tries to train the character and will of the pupil, developing respect and care for others, both in the immediate school community and in the wider world. It is hoped that the pupils learn to think for them, to be independent, self-disciplined, self-reliant and adaptable. Pupils are encouraged to take responsibility for their own education, to learn how to learn, in short, to be educable.

Our education also tries to deepen the individual pupils' understanding of themselves, thus permitting them to grow and to develop as adequate critical faculties. In tandem with this must be the development of the individual's knowledge of reality and an ability to evaluate it critically.

Our school provides an education which tries to form young men and women who will put their beliefs and attitudes into practice, and it promotes a view of personal talents as gifts to be developed for the good of the human community at large and not merely for personal benefit.

The school also encourages an understanding of the need for justice as a necessary concomitant of one's commitment to Christ, and promotes the attainment of justice in society. It also provides pupils with the "opportunities for contact with the poor and for service with them," (CJE. Par. 89).

In general, we promote an attitude to society which is positive and constructive, while never being blind to its faults. As an extension of the need for selflessness which is encouraged in the pupils, our education also promotes respect and concern for the proper use of the environment in which the pupils live, whether within the school itself, or in the world at large.

Because of the specific location and tradition of Coláiste Iognáid, there is cultivation in the pupil of a love of heritage, specifically a love of things Irish, with a special commitment to the Irish language, in order to integrate this heritage with the world in which the pupils live.

 Coláiste Iognáid is a community of Jesuit and lay staff members, parents, pupils and past pupils. The staff forms the central community responsible for implementing the aspirations of our vision.

United by a common vision with common goals, teachers and administrators try to share ideas and experiences in order to discover the principles and methods that will provide the most effective implementation of our vision. In order to remain effective as educators, all need to take advantage of opportunities for continuing education and continued personal development, and so staff development is a feature of our school. As a team, the staff aims to exemplify a structure that promotes community through collaboration, participation in and support for the various aspects and programs in the school, as well as endeavouring to instill the pursuit of excellence among the pupils.

In general therefore, the tension between our vision and the time-bound present provides the essential challenge and source of energy to improve and strive for better things. Much of what we state as our vision is present; much will have to be developed collaboratively.

Footnotes:

1.         Gerard Manley Hopkins, S.J. Poem “God’s Grandeur”

2.                   Repeatedly, St. Ignatius insisted on the “magis” - more. His constant concern was for

3.                    greater service of God through a closer following of Christ and that concern flowed

4.                    into all the apostolic works of his first companions. The concrete response to God

5.                  must be to do everything “for greater glory of God......A.M.D.G.”(CJE. Para. 105).

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The Present

Coláíste Íognáíd is a non-fee paying co-educational secondary school, comprising Jesuit and lay staff and catering for a broad spectrum of social and academic intake. We have a three-form entry. One form offers education through Irish and all three forms offer mixed ability teaching.

Curriculum

In the three-year Junior cycle all pupils follow the Junior Certificate syllabus in the core of Irish, English, Maths, French, Commerce, Science, Geography, History, and Civics, as well as Religion and P.E. There also options to study Home Economics, Mechanical Drawing, Art, Music and German.

Transition year follows Junior Cert and comprises a selection of courses designed within the school and taught as modules. The subjects take are as follows: Accounting, Art Design & Craft, Career Guidance, Computers, English (in 4 modules - media studies, modern fiction, drama, creative writing), French, Gaeilge, Geography, German, History, Home Economics, Home Maintenance, Mathematics, Music, P.E., Religious Education, Science, and Social Studies.

In the two-year Senior cycle pupils prepare for the Leaving Certificate. In addition to Religion, pupils study Irish, English, Maths, French and a choice of three from Chemistry, Accountancy, German, Art, Physics, Geography, Economics, Music, Biology, History, Business Organisation and Home Economics.

Extra Curricular Activities

To provide a well-rounded formation, extra curricular activities are an essential element in the education provided in Coláíste Íognáíd. Staff, parents and former pupils undertake these activities voluntarily and the astounding generosity cannot be quantified. It is expected that each pupil will participate in at least one of the very varied activities provided.

As circumstances allow, we provide the following sports: rowing, Gaelic football, rugby, hockey, soccer, basketball, golf, tennis, swimming and  mountaineering. We also encourage various clubs and cultural activities such as debating (Irish and English), drama, social action, orchestra, computer and mini-companies.

In many of our extra-curricular activities we enter city, provincial and national competitions like Slogadh, Feile, Scoil Dramaiochta, Feis Ceoil na hEireann, School/Industries Link, Concern debates, Aer Lingues debates and Young Scientist Competition, golf and the various blitz cup and league fixtures and regattas.

We produce a public musical/drama and magazine each year. The orchestra gives an annual concert and we welcome visiting musicians and drama groups to perform for the school. Our Hall is in regular use by outside groups, thus providing contact with cultural entertainment events of the City of Galway.

Structures

1.         THE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT: -

The Board of Management was established in 1980 to provide realistic involvement of the staff and parents in the overall management of Coláiste Iognáid. The board of Management, which is appointed by the Jesuit Provincial, comprises two nominees of the Jesuit Provincial, three elected staff nominees - two lay and one Jesuit - and two elected parent nominees. It is responsible for the curriculum, finances, staffing and facilities of the school. It carries out its function according to the agreed Articles (of Appendix 1). The Board is responsible to the Jesuit Provincial and is the ultimate authority in the school. The Headmaster, as the Executive Secretary of the Board, is responsible for the ordinary day-to-day running of the school and acts as ‘Bainisteoir’ in relation to the Department of Education. The Board procedure often makes use of Sub-Committees and so gains the expertise of relevant qualified persons from the wider community to assist in its management functions.

2.         THE ACADEMIC COUNCIL: -

Our education provides for both the pursuit of academic excellence and for preparing pupils for life. Acting as an ongoing consultative forum the Academic Council, elected by the staff, has the responsibility to advise on academic standards in the school, it provides advice and research on curriculum development and acts in a complementary capacity to the regular plenary staff meetings.

3.     CHAPLAINCY AND GUIDANCE COUNSELLING: -

Fostering the development of the pupils’ unique talents and qualities is central to our education. The full-time Jesuit Chaplain and the Guidance Counsellor provide a comprehensive service, focussing on the overall personal development of each pupil.

Pastoral Group: The Headmaster, Vice-Principal, Guidance Counsellor and Chaplain form the Pastoral Care group, and in co-operation with class tutors, they try to ensure that each pupil’s needs are recognized and that some response is provided.

 

4.         PLANT FACILITIES: -

In addition to normal classroom accommodation, our school is equipped with a laboratory for each of the three sciences, a Woodwork room, Home Economics room, Art room, a large Library with the services of a part-time librarian, a computer room, a video studio, a music room, a gym cum hall with full stage facilities, a second indoor facility in the Columban Hall, a boat house, and an outdoor basketball court, a playing area to be developed in the near future and of course a Prayer room.

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Our Future

Many aspects of our vision need to be explicated in the daily life of the school. A vision would fail if it did not challenge and encourage a greater inspiration and implementation must be constantly reviewed and new steps need to be taken, as circumstances demand if the vision is to be vibrant. Our commitment to Irish has always been great and continues to be so. There are two aspects to this commitment. We wish to cultivate a love and appreciation of all that is best in our heritage and in Ireland today. We also have a specific commitment to the Irish language. Though these are closely connected and overlap, the emphases differ. We educate our students to know and appreciate their own history, literature, music, art, drama, folklore, dance and traditions. We would like to see them develop "mortas cinne", a healthy pride in being Irish and to get to know all the traditions in the country, North and South.

The challenges immediately before us include:

The Comhairle Ghaeilge:

The Comhairle Ghaeilge, a subcommittee of the Board of Management, will have to be re-modelled to ensure the promotion of the Irish dimension and the Irish language in the school, and in particular, in the Scoil Gaeilge.

Social Action:

We wish to encourage an understanding of the need for justice as a necessary concomitant of a pupil's commitment to Christ. It is envisaged that we develop the social consciousness of our students through practical experience and critical reflection.

Links:

Interactions with the broader society provide rich educational resources and experiences for our school and the following links must play an essential and increasing part in our education:

Jesuit links with the broader apostolates of the Society need to be more formal to ensure a continuity of the Jesuit influence and vision in the school, as Jesuit members of staff will be fewer in the future. This may be achieved through seminars, talks, and literature provided through our Jesuit contacts.

Cultural links with many groups and organizations are important; for instance contact with the Gaeltacht and the summer colleges, Writers in School and Drama for Schools groups, tours abroad and in Northern Ireland, being twinned with Coleraine Academical Institution, various subject field-trips and guest speakers. Many of these contacts exist in seminal form and will need stronger ties with the school community as well as with individuals.

Vocational links with Schools/Industry Link Scheme, mini companies, factory visits, career conventions and so forth, provide necessary viewpoints for the transition from school to the workplace. With greater opportunities for education and employment abroad, a more widely based program will be needed.

Staff and Parent Development:

The school forms a community and is committed to the development not only of the pupils as our primary concern, but also to staff and parents development. We must continue to encourage further professional expertise, both on an individual and a group level, among the staff. Membership of professional associations is encouraged and the attendance at seminars and workshops is facilitated where possible.

We are providing a range of courses for parents and are anxious to increase this service. While several parent groups are already of great service to the school in raising funds and helping to organize extra-curricular activities, we are anxious to formalize their involvement  in the life of the school through, for example, a Parents' Council.

Past pupils continue to contribute to the school by support and sponsorship. We need to develop more effective procedures to facilitate their contact with the school and be involved in the interaction between the school and broader society locally, nationally, and indeed internationally.

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