Dungarvan CBS

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The Dungarvan CBS is a secondary school in the coastal town of Dungarvan. It was founded in 1807 and is the third oldest Christian Brothers School in the world. Student population: approx: four-hundred. The pricipal is Ann Prendergast. It maintains a website. [1]. According to this website:

Dungarvan CBS lies on the idyllic Atlantic coast of the south of Ireland. Dungarvan is the administrative centre of County Waterford. It is a thriving industrial centre. The town's Irish name means "Garbhan's fort". Saint Garbhan founded a church here in the seventh century. The town lies on the N25 road (European route E30), which connects Cork, Waterford and Rosslare Europort. The expansion of the school has coincided with the growth of the town.

Contents 1 Green-Schools 2 Student Council 3 Tuck Shop 4 Junior Cycle 5 Transition Year 6 PLC Course 7 Future

[edit] Green-Schools

The school has been registered for the Green-Schools from February 2008, with TY Brian Casey as the school's Green-Schools Coordinator.

[edit] Student Council

Dungarvan CBS also operates a successful, newly reformed student council. This council voices student's opinions and has helped with putting clocks in classrooms to putting up campaign posters to proposing registration for the Green-Schools. TY Brian Casey is also the PR Officer.

[edit] Tuck Shop

The school operates a lucrative tuck shop at lunch time, although this has caused controversy, due to the some would say unhealthy selection on offer. Also controversial is the selling of Capri-Sun, owned by Coca-Cola: there are a plethora of criticisms of Coca-Cola.

[edit] Junior Cycle

Website content:

Nine subjects are studied by all students to Junior Certificate Level: Irish, English, Mathematics, History, Geography, Science, Business Studies, CSPE and Religious Education. Two further subjects are chosen, one from each of the following combinations:French/German/Technology and Technical Graphics/Technology/Art. Thus students are examined in eleven subjects at the Junior Cert. examination. SPHE is a non Exam subject. Students also attend computer classes.There is also a strong emphasis on P.E and Lunch Time activities.

While the school has recently acquired a full-time PE (Physical Education) teacher, the vast majority of students believe that there is, as point of fact, no emphasis on 'Lunch Time Activities', with the Dungarvan CBS Computer Room rarely open during lunch-time.

[edit] Transition Year

The CBS branch offers a Transition Year programme. The high-light of this Year, most say, is the annual trip to London (3rd - 6th April in 2008). However, students have at times condemned the programme for lack of activities, with too much emphasis on academic aspects, many TYs agree. In 2007/2008, TYs have attended the 2007 National Ploughing Championships in Carlow, two plays and undergone a basic First-Aid course. According to the Dungarvan CBS's website:

Transition Year is marked by a dynamism which few schools can match. There is a judicious mix of the academic and practical. Subjects include Irish, English, French, German,Engineering, Maths, Computers, Business Studies, Art, Drama, Science, Political Studies,European Studies, Home Economics, Community Service,Communications, Video Production, Music and Enterprise Projects. There is strong emphasis on learning by experience. The annual trip to London stems from the drama class and takes in a show in West End. The work experience programme and project work further enhance the attractiveness of the year.

[edit] PLC Course

A PLC (Post Leaving Cert)course is offered in computers. Website quote:

The school has a hugely successful PLC course.This is an excellent launch pad for further career development. Large numbers are participating-testimony to its success.

[edit] Future

Amalgamation with other schools does not look likely in the near future, certainly not for the next decade. The school is often deemed inferior to the neighbouring Ard Scoil, a few hundred metres away from the school, but the school is improving. Whiteboards will phaseout blackboards over the next few years. Student numbers are increasing, and the future looks favourable for this small spirited school.