IN PICTURES: Coláiste Mhuire Thurles celebrate their students at PLC award ceremony

Congrats to Nursing Studies student Zoe Lanphier who was presented the Norma Kelly Award by Mr Seamus Hoyne (TUS, Thurles Campus)

On Friday, May 12, Coláiste Mhuire Co-Ed held its Further Education Post Leaving Cert Graduation in TUS (Thurles Campus).

Deputy Principal Clare Wallace welcomed the graduates and their families and keynote speaker Seamus Hoyne, TUS. Guests also included Jean Forbes Cooke (TUS, Thurles Campus), Ann McBride (TUS, Thurles Campus), Olivia Kennedy-Murphy (Tipperary ETB), Dr Noel Colleran (Tipperary ETB) and TD Jackie Cahill.

Clare highlighted our school motto is “Rath as Saothar - Success through Effort.”

This year, over 70 students attended our courses in Early Learning & Care (Childcare), Business, Health Care Support, Animal Care, Nursing Studies and Art at QQI level 5 and level 6.

As a Post Leaving Cert and Further Education provider, we endeavour to develop skills such as entrepreneurship, innovation, communication, information technology, independence etc.

Keynote speaker Seamus Hoyne congratulated all graduates and spoke of the variety of opportunities available to learners.

He spoke of the collaboration of CMCO and TUS in providing a college of the future.

We continue to network with all the relevant stakeholders at national and local levels to improve the learning experience of our students.

Local businesses are very supportive when it comes to taking our students on work experience, and we appreciate this.

We are especially grateful to TUS for extending its facilities to our students this year. This has greatly enhanced the experience of our students.

We here at CMCO pride ourselves on the quality of delivery of programs while also being very mindful of how necessary the personal touch and the word of encouragement is to our learners daily.

Awards were presented to Art, Animal Care, Business, Early Learning & Care, Health Care and Nursing Students.

Special awards presented on the day were as follows:

• Art and Design Student of the Year Level 5 – Jade Schofield
• Animal Care Student of the Year Level 5 –Jackie Wakefield
• Business Student of the Year Level 5 – Marian Wade
• Childcare Student of the Year Level 5 – Courtney Watson
• Health Care Student of the Year Level 5 –Natasha Quinlan
• Nursing Student of the Year Level 5 – Ciara Lyons
• Childcare - Student of the Year Level 6 – Sheena Hassett
• PLC Student of the Year – Sheena Hassett
• Norma Kelly Award - Zoe Lanphier

We wish to congratulate all our students on their achievements.

We are currently enrolling for September, offering a range of PLC courses, including those mentioned above.

This certification allows our students of all ages to enter employment or progress to Higher Education.

The awards are recognised both nationally and internationally.

Fully embracing our community responsibilities, we work with TUS and are delighted that the university hosts our students on their campus.

Students completing their leaving certificate may be unsure of their next step, and a PLC course offers the opportunity to decide on a course of study while gaining a qualification.

On completion of a one-year QQI level 5 students can gain up to 390 CAO points. They can also progress through the Higher Education Links Scheme, which provides progression from QQI courses directly to Universities and Colleges.

While completing the year, students have time to find out more about their strengths, likes and identify areas they would like to work on.

They are in a better position following the course to decide on their future career path. Students who have secured a college place can decide to defer their place to do a PLC course.

This will allow them to hone their skills such as ICT, time management and self-directed learning.

It is proven that students who have completed a PLC have much better outcomes in Higher Education than those progressing directly from Leaving Cert.

The timetable also allows students to work during the year, and this can also be of huge benefit.

Students can apply for a SUSI grant for PLC, and they will continue to receive it if they progress to Higher Education.

The advantages of doing a Further Education PLC course are very comprehensive for both students and parents:

• Students are making a more informed choice about what they want to do in Higher Education.
• Students gain transferable life and college skills which carry them into further study and beyond.
• Mature students are supported to achieve their potential to be capable, competent and independent learners.
• Students learn valuable ICT skills. Students learn how to present a project/coursework at Higher Education standard
• Students develop both technical and practical skills for an industry-recognised qualification.
• Further Education. PLC courses are a great option for early school leavers and for adults returning to education, as well as using it as an alternative route to Higher Education.
• Students are provided with practical and theoretical information for their chosen vocational area, which may lead to employment or progression in education.