At Castletroy College, we are committed to providing the best possible educational experience for all our students. We want to keep you informed about an exciting and significant development in Irish education: the Senior Cycle Redevelopment. This national initiative aims to enhance the learning experience for students in their final years of secondary school, making it more engaging, relevant, and better preparing them for their future pathways, whether that be further education, training, or employment.
What is the Senior Cycle Redevelopment?
The Senior Cycle Redevelopment is a multi-year programme of change being introduced by the Department of Education. It is not about completely overhauling the Leaving Certificate, but rather about evolving and enriching it to meet the diverse needs and aspirations of today's students. The key goals include:
- Increased Student Choice and Flexibility: Offering a broader range of subjects and learning experiences to cater to individual interests and talents.
- Enhanced Teaching and Learning: Moving towards more active and student-centered approaches, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity.
- New Assessment Methods: Introducing a wider variety of assessment methods beyond the traditional terminal exam, recognizing different forms of learning and skills.
- Stronger Connections to Further Education and Employment: Ensuring the Senior Cycle equips students with the skills and knowledge needed for their next steps.
- Wellbeing at the Core: Placing a greater emphasis on student wellbeing and holistic development.
What does this mean for your child?
Over the coming years, you will see gradual but positive changes being introduced. These may include:
- New and revised subjects: Offering students more options to explore their passions.
- Short courses: Providing opportunities for deeper dives into specific areas of interest.
- Different ways of demonstrating learning: With a greater emphasis on continuous assessment and project-based work alongside traditional exams.
- Increased focus on key skills: Such as communication, collaboration, digital literacy, and critical thinking, which are essential for success in the 21st century.
Our Commitment:
We are actively engaging with the Senior Cycle Redevelopment and are committed to implementing these changes in a way that best benefits our students. We will ensure a smooth transition and will keep you informed every step of the way through:
- School newsletters and updates.
- Information evenings and parent meetings.
- Updates on our school website.
We believe these changes will lead to a more dynamic and rewarding Senior Cycle experience for our students, empowering them to reach their full potential. We are excited about the opportunities this redevelopment presents and look forward to working in partnership with you to support your child's journey through their senior years.
Fifth Year Information Night Presentation
Parent Information Pack