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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

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Modern Foreign Languages Subject Information The syllabus in French is a communicative one organised around the needs, expectations and interests which pupils bring to the foreign language classroom. through the above, contributing to pupils' overall personal and social development. French as a Leaving Certificate subject aims to bring students closer to fluency in the French language, as well as developing a good knowledge of literature, culture, geography and national history, in order to provide a context for communication. Senior Cycle French builds on the knowledge acquired for the Junior Certificate. 1/3 Department Members Ms Brady Ms Cullen Ms Moynihan Why Study French? This subject may be a requirement for entry to third level and can be used as a third language for entry to a number of courses. See entry requirements for individual colleges. This subject is a useful foundation for students with an interest in studying French at third level, or considering a career in a French speaking environment or country. What kind of Student would French suit? Anyone with an interest in French culture, history, and language. Students who are considering working in France, Canada, the EU or in the area of international relations in the future. Students who can already speak French and want easy points. ​ Recommendations/Tips ​ It is highly advisable that students spend some time in a country where the target language is spoken. Students who have shown an aptitude for French at Junior Certificate level are encouraged to continue with it in Senior Cycle. A third language is an entry requirement of a number of third level colleges and may be a specific requiremnt for certain courses. Always check individual college and course details for current information. 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 Subject Information The syllabus in Spanish is a communicative one organised around the needs, expectations and interests which pupils bring to the foreign language classroom. through the above, contributing to pupils' overall personal and social development. Spanish as a Leaving Cert subject aims to bring students closer to fluency in the Spanish language, as well as developing a good knowledge of literature, culture, and geography to provide a context for communication. As the second most widely spoken native language, and most widely studied language on the planet, Spanish has widespread use in international business. It also makes travel to Spain, Mexico, and most of South America more accessible. Department Members Ms Mc Guinness Ms Caffrey What kind of Student would Spanish suit? Anyone with an interest in Spanish culture, history, and language. Students interested in travelling the world. Students who are considering working in Spain (or other Hispanic countries) or international relations in the future. ​ Recommendations/Tips Some schools require all their Leaving Certificate students to take a language. If students have the option to choose whether or not to take a language, they should consider it seriously as it may determine the choices available to them when it comes to applying for college. For example, a third language is a requirement of a number of departments in the NUI colleges -- University College Cork (UCC), University College Dublin (UCD), NUI Galway and NUI Maynooth. The phrase, third language, refers to a language other than English and Irish, which, it is presumed, most students already study. Departments in NUI colleges that require students to have a language include or Arts, Humanties, Law, Social Science, Commerce, Medicine and Health Sciences and some other degrees. A third language is not required for engineering or agriculture in these colleges. Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and the University of Limerick require students to have one language -- either Irish or a modern language, while Dublin City University (DCU) and the Institutes of Technology require students to pass Maths and English or Irish. 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 ​ Language Connect: Career Choice in Modern Foreign Languages

Technology Subject Information Junior Cycle Applied Technology aims to develop the students' curiosity of the technological world while integrating the necessary subject knowledge with the disciplinary skills to investigate and solve real-life problems. Leaving Certificate technology provides students with the knowledge and skills associated with technology education. Students apply their knowledge and skills creatively in a design-based approach to solving everyday technological problems, mindful of the impact on natural resources and on the environment. The syllabus comprises core areas of study, which are mandatory, and five optional areas of study, from which students choose two. Department Members Mr Comiskey Mr Keeshan Mr Moran Mr Sheridan Why Study Technology? Given the current accelerated advances in technology, this is a very cutting edge subject. This subject aims to boost a student's ability to apply knowledge and skills to evaluate technology. Technology will help you to solve many of the technological problems you may experience in everyday life. This subject teaches you to think about a problem and then use your knowledge and skills to design a solution to that problem. It will teach you skills in the use of basic tools and equipment. You will also be able to identify many different types of materials and have a basic understanding of electronic circuits and gear systems. Subject Group: Practical These subjects are 'hands-on' and involve working with tools and machinery on physical things like wood, metals and plastic. They may involve designing, planning and building things. Career Sectors This subject builds skills and knowledge that are particularly useful for careers in the following Career Sectors: ​ Art, Craft & Design Construction, Architecture & Property Computers & ICT Media, Film & Publishing Engineering, Manufacturing & Energy Maritime, Fishing & Aquaculture Earth & Environment Biomedical Technologies & Medtech Physics, Mathematics & Space Science Music & Performing Arts ​

Sport in Virginia College Physical Education and Future Leaders Programme Virginia College has a proud sporting tradition and was selected as the first school in Cavan to offer Leaving Certificate Physical Education as an exam subject. We are also one of the first schools to run the TY GAA Future Leaders programme which is very current in the use of e-portfolio and certified modules. At Junior cycle level all students undertake the physical education short course and are assessed on this as part of their Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement. 1/2 Sport Facilities In recent times we have refurbished our sports hall floor, revamped our fitness suite as well as new soccer goals for outside and erecting ball stop nets on our sports field. Our Sports Development Committee have been an integral part of these enhancements along with McEvoy’s Supervalu and Donoghues Coaches. We are enjoying these enhanced facilities and providing sporting opportunities for all our students. ​ We are extremely lucky to have many students and teachers representing their clubs, county, province, and country in their sporting area. We are also very proud to say that many teachers get involved with extra-curricular Sport, fostering great relationships with students as a result. Basketball Virginia College made basketball history in being the first school to win three consecutive All-Ireland titles progressing from grade C, B and A respectively. Our school has been competing at the highest division, (‘A’ for girls and ‘B’ for boys) winning numerous North-East Regional titles each year, including our senior boys last year. Our main sporting highlight last year was our U16 girls being crowned All-Ireland ‘A’ League champions following on from their U-15 All-Ireland ‘A’ National Cup title the previous year. To add to this tremendous accolade, coach, and teacher Miss Ní Chearra was recognised as Basketball Ireland School’s Female Coach of the Year 2020 for her successes. We also had all four of our junior boys’ and girls' teams through to the North-East Regional finals but unfortunately, we never got playing last year due to COVID-19. GAA In boys and girls Gaelic football, we compete in Ulster Colleges competitions having previously won Ulster and All-Ireland titles in Vocational Schools competitions. Last year our senior boys team won the Markey Cup Ulster title and only missed out on a place in the All-Ireland final by a single point. Similarly, our U16 girls won the Ulster C title and were busy training for an All-Ireland semi-final when COVID-19 restrictions cancelled the competition. At local level last year, our senior and u16 boys’ teams won their respective County Championships and u14’s were awaiting their final. Soccer We compete in soccer at regional and ulster level. In the past few years, we have had representatives on the Ulster School’s soccer team and the Irish team, with one of our current students gaining the Ireland captain’s armband last year. Handball We compete in Ulster School’s One-Wall handball annually and have had two ulster team titles in recent years. We host regional and ulster one-wall competitions due to the uniqueness of having four courts. Last year two of our students won the U15 School’s All-Ireland Doubles title in 40x20 handball which was a fantastic achievement. Athletics In athletics, annually, we compete in two cross-country championships and the County Track and Field Championships. As a school we have a large degree of success and have been the holders of the ‘Best Overall School’ trophy at County athletics for the last number of years. ​ We compete in County and Ulster Athletics with a large degree of success and have been the holders of the County Schools Athletic Championship for a few years. We also have had a Junior World Champion in para-powerlifting and at present we have many students and teachers representing their clubs, county, province, and country in GAA, Rugby, Soccer, Karate, Powerlifting and Basketball. Sports Development Committee Our Sports Development Committee have been an integral part of these enhancements along with our main sponsors Donoghues Coaches, Mc Evoy’s Supervalu and Riverfront Hotel. We are enjoying these enhanced facilities and providing sporting opportunities for all our students. ​

Coding Subject Information Coding (Computer science) is present in every aspect of modern society. Correctly-functioning software systems allow airplanes to fly from one city to another; give out money at the ATM and diagnose the level of glucose in your blood. Fundamental understanding of how computer hardware and software operate and relate to everyday life is an increasingly important area of learning for students. Problem solving and computational thinking skills are developed in this course as students build and create software projects using their own ideas and imagination. The course looks to build on any coding skills that primary students might have acquired while offering insight into possible future studies in computer science and software engineering. ​ In Virginia College we are currently offering a short course consisting of 100 hours at Junior Cycle. Leaving Certificate Computer science is the study of computing and algorithmic processes. Leaving Certificate Computer Science includes how programming and computational thinking can be applied to the solution of problems, and how computing technology impacts the world around us. Virginia College are offering Computer Science as an optional subject at Senior Cycle. Department Members Mr Keeshan Mr Moran Ms Uí Fhearghail

School Ethos Our School Motto is: Tús Feasa Fiafraí - (Knowledge begins with questions) What is Ethos? Ethos is a term used to describe the beliefs, values and practices underpinning the life of our school. Our Ethos Virginia College is a state, co-educational multi-denominational school underpinned by the core values of: ​ Excellence in Education Care Equality Community Respect

Past Student Declarations What Our Students Say I still remember my first day in Virginia College. I will never forget the fear of the unknown and the excitement of what was yet to come. Little did I know that the unknown would introduce me to the most amazing 5 years of my academic life. In this place I have met my close friends who I still engage with to this day. I was inspired by many teachers that I will never forget in my life. Looking back on first year, I really did not know how my life will switch 180 degrees while entering the school's main doors. I will miss walking through the school halls and seeing everyone. I felt very safe in Virginia and that would not have been possible without all of the teachers and the staff. I will look back very fondly during my time in this school, and I hope that the future years of Virginia will remain as positive as they were for me. Malwina is currently studying nursing in Trinity College ​ — Malwina Lukaszewicz, Leaving Cert 2022

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Latest News Apr 17 School Transport Scheme 2024/25 Feb 9 Cookery Demonstration - Neven Maguire Feb 2 Help Us Go Green Jan 30 Senior Cycle Information Evening Dec 18, 2023 Christmas Jumper Day Dec 18, 2023 Christmas Carol Singing View All/Older News Items