Introduction
Section 9 of the Education Act makes it mandatory for a school to "establish and maintain an admissions policy which provides maximum accessibility to the school" Section 15 (2)(d) of the Act requires a Board of Management to "publish ... the policy of the school concerning admission to and participation in the school, including the policy of the school relating to the expulsion and suspension of students and admission to and participation by students with disabilities or who have other education needs ..."

Mission Statement
Coláiste Chríost Rí is an evolving Christian community committed to Catholic education; we pursue academic and sporting excellence within a unique Gaelic culture and tradition, our Curriculum maintains a creative balance between preparation for the workplace and development of the person.

Management
Coláiste Chríost Rí is managed by a Board of management which is committed to the successful implementation of recent education legislation, in particular the Education Act 1998, the Education (Welfare) Act 2000 and the Equal Status Act 2000. The Board fully subscribes to the underlying principles of the legislation: partnership, accountability, transparency, inclusion, respect for diversity, parental choice and equality.

The legacy of Edmund Rice, and by extension, the Gospel, challenges our school to be inclusive, to be especially mindful of those with special needs. It also challenges our school to be truly a resource for the local community, to be mindful of local needs and to focus on the importance of value-based, Christian education in the Catholic tradition.

The characteristic spirit of this school is built on these values and principles and provides the contact for the mission of the school, the school plan, its operating policies and the day-to-day work of the school which includes the financial and teaching resources of the school provided by the Department of Education & Science grants, teacher allocation, voluntary contributions from the parents, including registration fees are used to cover miscellaneous expenses such as administration of applications and tests etc and Fund-raising.

Coláiste Chríost Rí is a voluntary secondary school which operates within the regulations laid down by the Department of Education & Science, following the curricular programmes prescribed by the said Department and which may be amended from time to time in accordance with Sections 9 and 30 of the Education Act 1998.

Management is committed to a policy of continuous review and updating of procedures and practices to the benefit of the whole school community.

Application Procedures
Decisions in relation to Admissions are made by the Board of Management. The Manager and a Coiste Iontrála act on behalf of the Board in dealing with the day to day operation of the school's admission procedures. An Admissions Policy exists and is applied when considering applications (see below).

Application Form and Prospectus for admissions may be obtained from the school office during normal working hours or at the Information Evening which is usually held in November preceeding entry.

The deadline for applications will be December 1st of the year preceding entry. Properly completed Application Forms must be accompanied by an original copy of the prospective student's Birth Certificate and a Passport-type photograph.

Note: Secondary school students must be aged at least 12 on 1st January in the calendar year following the child's entry into First Year.

The receipt of properly completed Application Forms will be acknowledged by December 8th. It will either confirm the offer of a place, or allocate a number on a waiting list, and applicants will be asked to confirm (in writing) acceptance of the place offered by December 15th. In the event of these significant dates falling on a weekend, applications collected in the school postbox at the opening of school on the following school working day will be considered as having been submitted on time.

A series of standardised tests is administered to successful candidates by the Guidance and Counselling Department in Spring of the year of entry. Notification of dates, venue and times of these assessments is issued with the Prospectus and in the Offer Letter.

The Board of Management welcomes students with disabilities and special educational needs. In order to put in place suitable support programmes and resources for such entrants, access to past reports and test results will be required. For this reason a Release of Information Consent Form will be forwarded to parents and guardians of entrants with the Offer Letter.

Provision of Key Information by Parents.

• Pupil's Name, Age/DOB, Address and Passport Photograph.
• Parent's/Guardians' names/address/telephone number.
• Emergency Contact Numbers.
• Details of medical conditions.
• Any disabilities or special educational needs.
• Religion.
• Previous schools attended.
• Reasons for transfer if applicable.
• Any other relevant information.

This documentation will allow us to apply to the Department of Education and Science and other bodies for appropriate support and resources.

Transfers From Other Second-Level Schools
Applications can also be made by students seeking to transfer from other second-level schools at any time subject to:

• The schools Admissions Policy.
• The school being satisfied with the reasons for transfer.
• The school regarding the move as being in the best interest of the student.
• Advice of the Educational Welfare Officer if appropriate.

The Board of Management reserves the right, in exceptional circumstances, to refuse an application for admission. In such a case, parents or guardians will have the right to appeal under Section 29(1)(c) of the Education Act 1998.

Entry Policy
We endeavour to make a place available to any boy who genuinely wishes to attend our school and urge students not to apply if their application is not genuine as it can result in others being disappointed.

Coláiste Chríost Rí does not operate a waiting list or enrolment list. Instead, it allocates a quota of places to each of our feeder schools based on the average number of students who accepted places from each school over the previous three years.

Each application is considered and pupils are selected to fill each quota according to a number of criteria:

• At present this favours families who currently have or previously had boys in our school.
• Next to be offered places are those whose fathers or uncles have attended.
• After this selection we allocate the remaining places of each quota on the basis of proximity/convenience to our school, and finally (should some of the quota still remain unfilled), by recourse to a lottery.

Assessment is not permitted in the allocation of places but we do evaluate pupils for the purpose of arranging class groupings once places have been allocated and accepted.

Students should inform their Primary School teacher or Principal of their interest in Coláiste Chríost Rí when the time comes and make sure that an application form is obtained.

Code of Behaviour
The Code of Behaviour (separate document) was revised in a partnership project in 2005.

Curriculum
The curriculum includes Junior Certificate, Leaving Certificate, Transition Year option and indicating they have read and accept Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme.

The School Day
The School day officially begins at 8.30 a.m. and ends at 3.15 p.m. Lunch-break from 12.35-1.15 (40 minutes). Pupils (1st Year to 5th Years) remain within the confines of the school for the duration of the lunch-break. Permission to leave the school during this time is subject to the approval of Management.

The School office is open from 8.10a.m. to 3.45p.m.

General Information
For all Coláiste Chríost Rí contact details, telephone numbers, email addresses, etc. click here

Games - sports played - Hurling, Gaelic Football, Together with wide variety of ports as part of the PE programme the following are played competitively by the school - Hurling, football, golf, athletics, mountain running, cross country, orienteering.

Facilities - List
Include standard classrooms, science labs, computer rooms, hall, video room, guidance and counselling offices, video editing suite, materials technology wood and metalwork rooms, prayer room, technical graphics rooms, library, music room, art room and sports field.

General
Name of Principal - Dr. Tomás Ó Caoimh
Name of Deputy Principal - Mr. Liam O Broin

Board of Management members (Names Only)
Br. Denis Minehane.(Chairman)
Ms. Elaine Foley.
Ms. Mary Scriven.
Ms. Anne Marie Murphy O'Donovan.
Mr. George Mills.
Mr. Seán Martin.
Mr. Micheál de Faoite.
Secretary to the Board: Dr. Tomás Ó Caoimh.

All correspondence to the Board of Management on College business should be sent to the Secretary to the Board.

Please use the links below to browse through the Coláiste Chríost Rí policies ...