Fealeside Senior Traveller Training Centre

Curriculum Provision

Abbeyfeale Education Centre provides adults with the opportunity to access continuous education programmes within the context of a lifelong learning environment.

A Back to Education Initiative is run in the Fealeside Education Centre that provides FETAC Certification in ICT and Digital Photography. This operates on a part time basis.

A full time FETAC programme is also on offer in the Fealeside Education Centre that provides FETAC Certification to level 3.

Subject Areas include
Communications and Media Awareness, Childcare, Crafts,
Study Skills Support. Irish, Spanish Food and Nutrition,
Preparation for Work. Literacy Support, Maths, Computer Literacy.

We also provide a 2 year Leaving Certificate Applied Programme in the Centre.(LCA)

LCA Subjects:

Spanish
Social Ed & Health
Voc Prep & Guidance
Personal Reflection
English/
Media Awareness/
Drama
Office Admin & Customer Care
Practical
Achievement
Maths
Hair & Beauty
ICT
Art & Visual Ed.

Work Experience

All Learners on our full time programmes participate in a supervised work experience in the Abbeyfeale area.

Extra Curricular Activities include the following:

Career Mentoring,
Extensive Summer Programme,
Guest Speakers,
Dance Classes,
Health and Personal Development Programmes.
Arts and Crafts,
Fundraising Events,
Mini Enterprise Programme,
Field and Educational Trips
Open Days.

Learning Supports

The Fealeside Centre operates within the national framework of Senior Traveller Training Centres which of its nature focuses primarily on the lifelong learning process of Traveller students who are educationally and socially disadvantaged in the Abbeyfeale and surrounding areas. One to one Literacy & Numeracy support is provided on the Full time Fetac programme. Study Skills Support is also provided to Learners to on the LCA 1 and LCA 2 programmes.

Monitoring Progress & Achievement

Regular feedback from; Staff, Student Council and Board of Management assist in the ongoing evaluation of the work of the Centre, including the academic curriculum and personal development needs of students in the Centre.
Individual Learning Plans are introduced to the students on enrolment by the teachers and Directors. Student evaluations are assessed periodically by the teachers so the needs of the students can be adhered to as much as possible.

Guidance Counselling

The Centre Advocate, Annemarie Garahee, attends the Centre on a weekly basis to talk with the students in relation to work experience and related issues. She has built up a very good working relationship with local perspective employers within the Abbeyfeale and nearby areas and has, as a result of her hard work and enthusiasm, obtained employment and further education opportunities for a number of students that have completed their courses in the Centre.
Counselling is funded through the Guidance & Counselling services of Co. Limerick VEC and from the Traveller Health Unit. It is available to students in the Fealeside Centre on a one to one basis to accommodate intensive work which provides acute counselling to women within the centre who are experiencing severe emotional difficulties. Group sessions are also facilitated by the counsellor throughout the year.

Emotional Issues identified are
" Separation
" Domestic Violence
" Attempted suicide
" Self Harm

The following quotes serve to give an insight into their experiences of this counselling service.
"It is nice to know that help is at hand...And that it is confidential"

Pastoral Care

Canon John O'Shea is the local Priest in the town of Abbeyfeale. Canon O'Shea sits on the BOM of the Fealeside Centre and Sr Delia Curtin is a nun in the local convent in the area and is also a member of the BOM.
Both Canon O'Shea and Sr Delia would know all of the students on a personal level They would have contact with the local community when visiting people at home or calling in to the local schools were the students' children would attend.
The Centre holds a Christmas Mass every year, which is celebrated by Canon O'Shea.
The students participate in the Mass and organise the hymns that are sung at the event, with the help of Sr. Delia who plays the music. This is a real joint effort by the Students, Staff, Canon O'Shea and Sr. Delia and is always something the students look forward to and enjoy every Christmas.

[St. Catherine's Carlow] [St. Joseph's Ennis] [St. Finbarr's Blackpool] [St. Fiachra's Letterkenny] [St. Joseph's Finglas] [Cara Park Coolock] [St. Oliver's Clondalkin] [St. Basil's Tallaght]
[Sandy Road Galway] [Madonna House Ballinasloe] [Ballygar Galway] [St. Brendan's Loughrea] [St. Benin's Tuam] [St Anne's Killarney] [St. Canice's Portlaoise] [St. Joseph's Carrick-on-Shannon] [Fealeside Abbeyfeale] [Riverside Rathkeale] [St. Mel's Longford] [Tara Dundalk]
[St. Catherine's Ballina] [Navan] [Birr] [St. Colmcille's Tullamore] [Roscommon]
[Youth Dev Proj Thurles] [Shannon Bank Athlone] [Mullingar] [Ross Youth New Ross]
[St. Kieran's Bray] [Centre of Education Wicklow]
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