History

ABOUT OUR SCHOOL

Our school was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1929 and is now under the trusteeship of CEIST. Originally a girls boarding and day school, it became co-educational in 1977. Building developments have taken place over the years and most recently include a conference centre and a light filled atrium. The school aims to assist the moral, social and academic developments of the student in a Catholic context and is a leader in the field of education for the local community.

SCHOOL PLAN

The school plan for Scoil Sheosaimh has been guided by the School Development Planning Initiative in consultation with all the partners involved in the school i.e. the Board of Management, Staff, Parents and Students.

In drafting this plan the school is cognisant of relevant legislation i.e.
The Education Act 1998
The Education Welfare Act 2000
The Equal Status Act 2000
The Teaching Council Act 2001
Equality Act 2004 (included as Appendices)
Epsen Act 2004
Data Protection Acts 1988+2003
Responsibility Act 2005
Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005
The Ombudsman for Children Act 2002

The School Plan governs the organisation and thinking of the school and is an evolving document. The Plan comprises both public and restricted sections of this website. It covers areas such as school context, organisation, policies, annual reports, student information, school support and lifelong learning, school news and events and school calendar.

The school plan is reviewed by the Board of Management. The school plan was ratified on 12 September 2011. Public Policies can be found in school policies section above, all other polices can be accessed by members of the Board of Management and staff through Google Drive.

SCOIL SHEOSAIMH - OVERVIEW

St Joseph’s Secondary School is a voluntary secondary school. The school was founded in 1929 by the Sisters of Mercy. The school is located in Spanish point on the picturesque sea coast of West Clare. The school is fortunate to be surrounded by plenty green space (see map attached).

CEIST are the trustees of the school but have vested the management of the school in a Board of Management. The Board of Management is comprised of four nominees of the Trustees; two parent representatives and two teacher nominees. The philosophy of the school is to encourage co-operation between all the partners in education as well as developing close links with the local community. The school has long been recognised as a centre of academic excellence and more recently has developed an adult education programme and a third level programme.

ST JOSEPH'S SECONDARY SCHOOL – A BRIEF HISTORY

On March 19^th 1929 – the feast of St Joseph – Sea View House, Spanish Point was purchased by the Sisters of Mercy.
Captain Ellis who owned considerable property in the area was anxious to dispose of Sea View House before he left for Dublin.

Though the deed of purchase was signed on March 19^th the nuns did not take up residence until July 1^stthat year.
Stables and coach house were transformed into a school building with three classrooms.

A secondary school was opened in September 4^th 1929. Forty pupils enrolled and this was the nucleus of St Joseph’s Secondary School, Spanish Point.

The programme of the Dept of Education followed.

A few years later the school was inadequate so St Joseph’s hall was opened near the Convent and it served as classrooms and Chapel.

1931 Boarding school opened
1942 Reconstruction of Woodbine Cottage for Science and Domestic Science
1958 New school built on present site
1969 First male teachers on staff
1971 Extension to school
1978 Closure of Boarding School
1979 Golden Jubilee of Mercy Order in Spanish Point
1985 Metalwork and Woodwork added to curriculum
1988 Introduction of the Board of Management
1991 Opening of Technical Block
1993 3-classroom extension with social area
1996 6-classroom extension with dressing rooms
1997 Introduction of PLC
1999 70^th Anniversary
2002 Introduction of BTEI
2002 First Third Level Course in Spanish Point
2004 Opening of Áras Chaitriona – Conference Centre
2010 Reconstruction of Atrium, classrooms, Science Labs and Home Economics room

BOARD OF MANAGEMENT

The Board of Management manages the school on behalf of the trustees CEIST and according to statutory and Department of Education & Skills guidelines. The trustees, parents and staff are represented on the board. MEMBERS: Con O'Donoghue(Chairperson) Martina Crowe, Anne McNamara, Gary Carroll, Mary Cleary, Marian Treacy, Christina Downes, Joseph Coghlan. Board Secretary is Paul Reidy.

ADVISORY BOARD

The Board of Management of St Joseph’s Secondary School Spanish Point has appointed an advisory Board to assist with curriculum related matters. The Board is comprised of 10 members and is a representative of the main curricular areas within the school. The Board of Studies meets once per year or more frequently if the need arises.

PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION

The Parents’ Association represents the interests of the parents. It elects officers at the September AGM. Through the Association parents are kept informed of developments within the school community and the broader educational issues affecting all partners in the education process. The Parents’ Association is closely involved in policy formation and plays a major role in fundraising. MEMBERS: Chairperson-Joanne O'Donoghue, Secretary Michelle Healy, Treasurer David Punch. the Parents council can be contacted by emailing the school.

STUDENT COUNCIL

The Student Council of St. Joseph's school was re-established in 1999. It gives a voice to all students, and provides a forum for them to discuss any issues which may concern them. The Student Council is comprised of two representatives from each class 1st --6th year, including T.Y. and L.C.A. These representatives are elected by their classmates each year. A teacher will be responsible for the Student Council. The teacher in charge is Ms O'Connor.

SCHOOL FACILITIES

• IT conference facility/hub for video conferencing
• 2 football pitches
• 2 basketball courts
• Indoor hall
• Access to swimming pool, indoor basketball court and golf course
• Supervised Study Programme
• Sacred space
• Library
• Atrium/recreational area
• Newly refurbished classroom and labs

ASD UNIT

In the coming year the school will open a 2 classroom ASD Unit.

Teenagers with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in West Clare can look forward to receiving second level education near their homes when a purpose-built ASD unit is constructed at St Joseph’s.

The new development in Spanish Point will allow for the integration of pupils with Autism into mainstream education.