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Social Personal Health Education Subject Information This 100 hour SPHE short course builds on the Junior Cycle Social, Personal and Health Education Framework which SPHE teachers currently use to plan their SPHE programme in junior cycle. By choosing to include this short course in the school’s Wellbeing programme in junior cycle, students have a dedicated space and time to learn about themselves, caring for themselves and others and making informed decisions for their health and wellbeing. There are four strands, each one focusing on learning in different but related areas of social, personal and health education: Who am I?, Minding myself and others, Team up, and My mental health. The learning outcomes provide a clear focus for student learning as well as teacher planning. There is particular emphasis on the importance of student agency and engagement in the learning process as key to learning in the affective domain. ​ Wellbeing in junior cycle is about young people feeling confident, happy, healthy ad connected. The short course in SPHE provides learning opportunities which will help to develop these attributes thereby contributing significantly to the school’s wellbeing programme in junior cycle. ​

Student Council “ Comhairle na ndaltaí” The student council is democratically elected in the school. It seeks to provide a channel of communication between students, management, staff and parents and represents the views of the student body on matters of concern to them. Student council members also get the opportunity to develop communication and leadership skills. ​ The student council was founded in Virginia College in 2002. A previous council did exist for a period in the early 1990’s. ​ The student council is a representative structure for students, only through which they can be involved in the affairs of the school, working in partnership with school management, staff and parents for the benefit of the school and its students: ​ The council consists of twenty-two members including a chairperson, secretary, assistant secretary, finance officer and a P.R representative. A member of staff acts as a liaison officer. The council runs from September to May each year. Student council meetings are held twice a month or when the need arises. Advanced notification is given on the student council notice board and through the intercom system It is the role of the chairperson to call meetings. Student council members are required to attend all meetings. Minutes recorded and minute book kept. All attendance must be recorded. Student Council members represent the student body and are expected to act as good role models for the student population. ​

View our full video Explore site STUDENT LOGIN STAFF LOGIN Explore site Welcome to Virginia College WELCOME TO VIRGINIA COLLEGE Tús Feasa Fiafraí Faithful to our motto, Virginia College is committed to providing quality teaching in a safe and positive learning environment. Whilst fostering academic and personal achievement, we aim to nurture an educational community of informed, responsible and caring for an ever-changing world. View our Principal's welcome DECLARATIONS FROM PAST STUDENTS "Some of the happiest memories I am lucky to have come from my 6 years spent at Virginia College. It is here that my friendships flourished, my confidence grew and my education advanced." - Niamh Sheridan View more Declarations

Extra-curricular Activities

Parents Association - Parents' Association Projects < Back to PA Plans are in place to organise the raffle for Virginia College school musical in November 2023. ‘PATI Programme’ – ‘Parenting the Tech - Savvy Child’ is partially funded by the PA. Organised the ‘Uniform Swap’ event. Contributed to ‘Anti-Bullying’ talks. Funded a talk for parents’ and guardians on the role of devices in the life of a teenager, delivered by Richard Hogan. Provided support and prizes for the ‘Virginia College Talent Show’. Presented talks for Parents’ on ‘Open Evening’.

Business Studies Subject Information The specification for junior cycle business studies focuses on improving students' understanding of the business environment and on developing skills for life, work and further study through the three inter-connected strands: Personal finance, Enterprise and Our economy. Leaving Certificate business creates an awareness of the importance of business activity and develops a positive and ethical attitude towards enterprise. The learning experiences in business develop students’ critical thinking, creative and organisational skills while enhancing literacy and numeracy skills using real-life examples. Business provides students with a learning foundation for a wide range of careers in business, marketing, law, enterprise and management. Department Members Mr Mc Cormack Ms Flynn Why Study Business? Business is not specifically required for entry into any third level course but it would certainly be beneficial for candidates who might be interested in courses or careers in the area of finance, enterprise, law and communications. What kind of Student would Business suit? Business will suit a candidate who is interested in current affairs and listens to the news, reads the papers and stays alert to what is happening in the general business world. While there is a fair share of learning of key concepts the ability to apply these concepts in everyday life will be the difference between passing the subject and getting a good mark. While the business concepts are easy to understand, it will be important to show that you can apply the concept to everyday business life. This subject suits someone who has an organised mind and likes to answer questions in bullet points, rather than in long essay format. This subject would be useful to anyone thinking of starting his or her own business in the future. ​ Tips The subject is suited to students who are willing to work hard and caters for all abilities. It is not necessary for students to have studied Junior Certificate Business Studies, but this would be a help. Not necessary to write long essays, answers are presented in bullet points. Course content is factual and requires a lot of learning, containing only a few mathematical elements. Ideally, students would have an interest in business and current affairs and would have an up to date knowledge of economic environment. An organised and consistent attitude to homework and study would be essential in this subject. Subject Group: Business These subjects teach the skills and knowledge needed to understand how business works. Career Sectors This subject builds skills and knowledge that are particularly useful for careers in the following Career Sectors: ​ Advertising, Marketing & Public Relations Business Management & Human Resources Government, Politics & EU Clerical & Administration Music & Performing Arts Fashion & Beauty Banking & Financial Services Tourism & Hospitality Law & Legal Leisure, Sport & Fitness ​

Gaeilge Subject Information Junior Cycle Irish builds upon the language developed during primary education. The learner's vocabulary is both reinforced and enriched at this stage and the language skills (listening, speaking, reading, spoken interaction and writing) are further developed. Leaving Certificate Irish builds on the language skills developed during Junior Cycle. Language skills are further developed towards enabling the learner to take an active part in the bilingual society in which we live in today in Ireland. Students are encouraged to develop and share their views on a range of topics. The learner is also prepared during Senior Cycle for further study in or through Irish. 1/2 Department Members Ms Caffrey Ms Ní Chearra Ms Fulton Ms Uí Fhearghail Ms Mulligan Ms Reilly MS Cosgrove What kind of Student would Irish suit? Studying Irish suits students who liked the language at Junior Cycle, who are interested in speaking the language and like to listen to Irish on the radio and television. With 40% of the exam mark now going for the oral interview, a student really needs to like speaking the language to do well in this subject. ​ Recommendations/Tips ​ It is highly advisable that students spend some time in the Gaeltacht where the language is spoken. A bit of work at higher-level Irish can reap handsome rewards. It had a huge honours rate last year, approx 70 per cent of higher level candidates achieved a H4 or above. Gaeilge also boasts a very low failure rate at higher level. Last year, almost 23 per cent of students were awarded a H1 or H2. Subject Group: Humanities These subjects explore the ways in which humans live and communicate in the world. Human life is examined by looking at our past, our present and into our future. These subjects help people to express themselves clearly and develop their reasoning ability. Career Sectors This subject builds skills and knowledge that are particularly useful for careers in the following Career Sectors: ​ Business Management & Human Resources Government, Politics & EU Education & Teaching Banking & Financial Services Tourism & Hospitality Media, Film & Publishing Sales, Retail & Purchasing Transport & Logistics History, Culture & Languages ​