St. Josephs Cbs Drogheda

Our School

St. Josephs is a Catholic Secondary School under the Trusteeship of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust.
The Five Key Elements of an ERST School are:-
1. Nurturing faith, Christian spirituality and Gospel-based values;
2. Promoting partnership in the school community;
3. Excelling in teaching and learning;
4. Creating a caring school community;
5. Inspiring transformational leadership

Our School's Mission Statement

Our school recognises that each pupil who enrols in our school is unique and has different gifts as well as different needs.
It is our wish that our pupils will leave us with enhanced self-confidence and with life skills and attitudes which will enable them to lead lives satisfying to themselves and which may contribute to the betterment of society.
We recognise that a pupil's development is closely linked to a good self image and so we strive to present the school's total curriculum in such a manner as to allow all to realise their full potential.
We see ourselves as working in partnership with parents to develop the gifts and to meet the needs of all.
We regard our school as an educational establishment with a Christian community characterised by care and justice

Our School Campus

The present modern complex was opened in 1990 replacing a building which had served the town of Drogheda since 1858. Our present enrolment of 650 boys is the largest in the history of the school.
Our school is large enough to provide a wide ranging curriculum and to cater for all students. Yet, it is small enough to retain a family atmosphere. Our Class Tutor and Personal and Social Education system ensure that each student is supported as an individual within the traditional academic structure of the school

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Facilities offered by our School

A full Guidance and Counselling service is available to all students and their parents.
The Services of a Trained Chaplain
The Lets Educate Programme (LETS)
The Knowledge Through Enterprise Programme (KEY)
Special Needs Education
Homework Club
• Language Laboratory
A Book Lending scheme for Junior Certificate students.
• Computer Room
• Science Laboratories
• Art Room
• Woodwork and Technical Graphics Room
• Demonstration Room
• Canteen
• Specialist Subject Rooms e.g. Religion Room, Geography Room
• Fully equipped Gymnasium
• Playing Pitches, Basketball and Tennis Courts and facilities for athletics.
• Fully equipped Library

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The LET Programme

The Let Programme (Lets Educate Together) is a project jointly delivered by Young Enterprise Northern Ireland and Junior Achievement Ireland and was established in response to the problem of students leaving mainstream education early. The programme was launched in October 2004 targeting young people aged between 12-13 years old who attend a series of 3 residentials combining enterprise modules and outdoor activities and introduces them to the basic entrepreneurial skills, giving them a broader perspective on what is enterprise. Because it involves schools north and south of the border the programme also promotes peace and reconciliation between young people from both communities in Northern Ireland and the border counties of the Republic of Ireland
St. Joseph’s was chosen to take part in this programme during this year (2008 - 09) and ten students from First Year have been spending a series of three-day residentials with participants from two other schools. They meet the other students three times in the year and as well as being involved in outdoor activities, they have been engaged in completing modules in enterprise training, budgeting, and environment protection.
During their period of residency, students will participate in a series of programmes that will focus on:

Peace and reconciliation with an emphasis on creating an understanding of different cultures
Learning communication skills
Exploring the environment and how a respect for the environment impacts on the economy
Business start up and the role of small business
Personal finance and budgeting

For further details about joining the LET Programme for next year please contact Ms Flood

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The KEY Programme

The KEY (Knowledge through Enterprise for Youth) Programme was launched in 1999 to encourage personal development and enterprise skills among young people aged 14-16 years of age in Northern Ireland and the border counties of the Republic of Ireland. The programme is a partnership between Young Enterprise Northern Ireland and Junior Achievement Ireland, who have joint management of the programme, and is funded by the International Fund for Ireland. Since its inception, and particularly over the past year, more students now benefit from the programme. There are now 3 camps held throughout the school year, reaching 900 students each year.
Since September 2005, twelve second year students from St. Joseph’s have been taking part in the Key Programme. They are- Jonathan Dunphy, Ciaran clinton, Jake McCabe, Niall McCabe, Cillian O'Gara, Barry McQuaile, Richard Hoey, Brendan Shields, Christopher Levins, Shane O'Brien, Charlie McAuley and Stephen O'Connor. They have just completed their third residential in the Share Centre, Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh where they were accompanied by Ms. Flood. Students from two Northern Irish schools and one from the Republic are working together over four residential programmes. They are involved in outdoor activities and also learn C.V. preparation, partake in mock interviews and set up a mini company. The students are continually assessed on their development and are in with a chance to win a trip to Canada.

If you are interested in being part of this project next year please contact Ms Flood.

St Josephs has a vibrant caring and inclusive approach to its students with special educational needs. Our resource class with approximately ten pupils follows the mainstream Junior Certificate Curriculum. The low pupil teacher ration enables each teacher to be aware of the strength and needs of the individual pupil. The learning support teacher identifies pupils with literacy and numeracy problems and withdraws them for appropriate remediation. The special needs assistant supports all students with special educational needs. Parents are partners and are actively encouraged to participate in all aspects of their child’s education.

St Josephs is continuing to provide an after school homework club for Third Year students. The Junior Certificate is the first state examination the students face and any help in preparing for this important exam is welcome.
The club is held twice a week between 400 and 600 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. It is staffed by teacher Ms Murray and parent Ms McKenna who is the Assistant a Tutor. The first part of the club is dedicated to homework and tutors are available to assist the students with their various subjects. Special attention is paid to English and maths. The students can ask for help when they need it.
Refreshments are supplied during a break and afterwards there is a recreational period where football is the choice of most.
These activities are essential to the development of the social and other skills as well as building self esteem and team spirit in the group. The number of places is limited however and there is always a great demand . Enrolment is free for the selected students.

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