Parents’ Courses:

• English Language Classes
• Parenting Teenagers Course
• Strengthening Families
• Peep Programme
• Swimming Classes
• Gym Classes and Aqua aerobics
• Christmas Crafts
• Computers
• Drug and Alcohol Awareness
• Healthy Eating
• Beauty and Literacy Course
• Jewellery Making and Literacy Course
• Internet Safety

Science for Fun:

Background:

The primary goal is to present Science to pupils in an enjoyable way.  The hope is to emphasise the importance of language while developing scientific concepts and skills.

Science for Fun involves Transition Year students training as facilitators for a Schools Partnership Science for Fun programme.  The secondary school students   prepare experiments based on the four strands of the primary curriculum. Through the use of ICT, hands on experiments and preparation of resources, the Transition year students deliver an exciting programme to the primary pupils. 

This initiative aims to:

• Create a partnership where TY students become educators and develop many skills through delivery of the programme.
• Give pupils an opportunity to experience hands on science activities.
• Give primary pupils the opportunity to visit a secondary school science laboratory.

Maths for Fun:

Maths for Fun is offered to J.C.S.P. classes in First and Second year .

This initiative aims to:

• Assist teachers in the challenge of making Maths ‘fun’.
• Give students the opportunity to experience Maths as ‘fun’.
• Give students the opportunity to focus on addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and fractions in the non-threatening setting of playing a card game or a board game.
• Give students practice at mental arithmetic.
• Allow students practice skills such as telling the time.
• Improve social skills e.g. taking turns, accepting defeat etc.

Paired Reading:

This project is run in collaboration with the Mercy Primary School and their H.S.C.L. Coordinator.

It targets First and/or Second year J.C.S.P. students and its aim is to build student confidence about reading and to raise overall confidence and self esteem.

Students are given training in Paired Reading and are encouraged by their English teacher. They read books with the children in Senior Infants or First Class. At the end of each week’s session two students read and act out a story for the class using story sacks.

Tuam Library supports this initiative by providing books. The Mercy and St. Patrick’s primary schools provide the story sacks.

 The initiative ends with the presentation of Paired Reading certificates, exchange of gifts and a celebration.

‘Drop everything and Read’-D.E.A.R.

This literacy initiative aims to raise the profile of reading and to encourage a lifelong love of reading for pleasure. It also aims to build student confidence and self-esteem.

The target groups chosen are First and Second Years as interest in reading tends to decrease in these age groups.

Each day, at a time selected by the teacher(s), students are instructed to ‘drop everything and read’. The length of time is at the discretion of the teacher. Tuam Library supports this initiative by providing suitable books which they lend to the school .Students may also take in a book from home. All students should have a book which they can read for pleasure with them in all classes as they may be invited to ‘drop everything and read’. Teachers are also encouraged to join in the spirit of the initiative by reading for pleasure alongside their students.

D.E.A.R. certificates are presented to students at the conclusion of this initiative.