First Year Students – Induction
First Year students receive a formal induction on their first day in the college. This comprises some time spent with the management of the college, an initial meeting with their mentors and time spent with their SPHE teacher.
The Mentors/Lasallian Leaders are senior students who have applied for the position and have been trained by the college in conjunction with the HSE. Each mentor is assigned a small group of First Year students with whom the mentor meets on a regular basis, particularly in the early days and weeks and helps the students iron out any teething problems they may be having.
The mentors report to a senior teacher with Assistant Principal status who helps them with their work and who can liaise with Class/Form teachers, Head of Year and other support structures within the college if there are any concerns about a student.
The time spent with the SPHE teachers is specifically targeted at encouraging the students to understand the new structures they face at second level, to address any questions or concerns the students may have and to encourage all students to focus on the positives of this significant forward step in their education and to embrace it. Some “Icebreaker” games are played that facilitate the integration of new students into their classes and to help them get to know some of the new faces they will meet on this first day.