Curriculum information

Junior Certificate
Transition Year
Leaving Certificate
Extra-curricular activity
Sport activities
Cultural Plan
Career Guidance
Special Educational Needs

Junior Certificate
The school provides the following subjects at Junior Certificate level: Irish, English, Mathematics, History, Geography, French, Spanish, Science, Business Studies, Art, Music, CSPE.  In first year, students will study ten of these subjects. In second year, two additional subjects (from the same list) are introduced and students will make choices so that they sit nine or ten of these subjects in their Junior Certificate at the end of third year.
It is school policy to teach students at the Higher Level in each subject for as long as possible. In practice, decisions on studying Ordinary Level in Mathematics and English usually take place at the end of first year, while in other subjects decisions are taken in third year.
The junior school also has non-exam programmes in Computer Studies, Religious Knowledge, Social Personal & Health Education, Physical Education and Sport.
The school has an oratory where Mass is celebrated each day. Students have the opportunity of attending a class Mass once each week. Annual in-school class retreats are also held for each year group.

Transition Year
The school provides an optional Transition Year (4th year) programme for a limited number of students on completion of the Junior Certificate examination. Students may apply either to do the Transition Year programme or to continue on the 5th Year. Conditions apply to both choices. Details on the content of the Transition Year programme vary from year to year and can be viewed in accompanying literature.

Leaving Certificate:

The school provides the following subjects at Leaving Certificate level:
Irish, English, Mathematics, History, Geography, French, Spanish, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Business Studies, Art. Students will usually sit seven of these subjects in their Leaving Certificate. Subjects are timetabled from year to year to maximise student choice. As with the junior school, the senior school also has non-exam programmes in Religious Knowledge, Physical Education and Sport.
The school gives importance to co-curricular trips abroad. Each year, outside of term, most students in the school have the opportunity to participate in a trip abroad. All these trips have a language or cultural emphasis and may last from 8 days to 21 days. Full details on trips are usually made available well in advance.

Extra-curricular activity
The school provides a wider range of extra-curricular activity for its students. Each year group have opportunities for a trip abroad. These trips have a language or cultural emphasis and may last up to three weeks. For example, the current plan has a first year Italian trip at end of May; a second year trip to Spain in June and a Transition Year continental trip. Fifth years usually have a language learning trip to Madrid at Easter. They are also involved in the development of Kenyan school link, with a visit there in 2008 or 2009. Sixth year’s may attend an Art trip to Rome or London. The school also occasionally organises a football trip to England during the Christmas break. The school hosts a Monday club (after hours) involving debating, music, chess, film making, which in turn creates other opportunities for young people. Families in the school have the opportunity of hosting overseas students from countries in Europe or South America who are the same age as their sons.

Sport activities
All students participate in the sporting activities in the school. Apart from seeking to achieve a good general level of fitness, the sports period aims to help young people enjoy a range of sports. The school currently fields competitive teams in soccer (under 13, under 14, under 16 and under 18), and would usually expect its teams to qualify for the semi-final stage of cup or league tournaments. The school also encourages cross-country running, orienteering, making good use of the local environment, and basketball. Transition Year students usually undertake a self-defence module. During the winter months the school hires a swimming pool and an indoor hall to facilitate its sports plan.
The school has three astro-pitches and one full-length soccer pitch. A further full-sized pitch, training pitches and changing rooms are currently under construction. The astro-pitches are also available for sports during the break periods.
Parents are encouraged to attend competitive school matches. Each year there is a Sports and Family Day usually on a Sunday in May, which is a big day in the school calendar.

Cultural Plan
Cultural education of students is an important element in the character development role of the school. The school seeks to make its surroundings and atmosphere conducive to heightening the cultural interest of students. It encourages participation in cultural competitions (essays, quizzes, art work, debating etc) and activities, and gives prominence to achievement in these areas. It encourages visits to museums and galleries, as well as cultural trips abroad. Regular visits to the theatre are a standard part of the syllabus. Music and Art form part of the formal junior school curriculum. Apart from competitive sports, after-school activities include participation in debates and film making.
The school hosts international students which helps all students develop an awareness of different cultures and traditions. Apart from individual students from abroad attending Rockbook, there are exchange links with an Italian and an Austrian school, leading to an increased cultural awareness among students. Teachers are encouraged to cover related material in their subject classes when foreign schools are visiting.
There is a strong emphasis on language fluency and each year a comprehensive plan for overseas trips for all class groups is drawn up.
New developments being undertaken at present include the revival of the school choir and a major development of the school library facility. The school also seeks to maintain a high level IT system, providing access to relevant sources and materials. In junior years attention is also given to etiquette issues (e.g. table manners, self presentation issues).

Career Guidance
The school provides a comprehensive guidance system for it students through its mentoring / life-coach system , spiritual guidance opportunities and career guidance. The aim of the school’s career guidance is to assist students with their future study and career choices. This is achieved through comprehensive aptitude assessments on entering senior school, workplace learning experience, personal study development, participation in school-held career-focussed talks, career classes, mock interviews, CAO guidance, personal counselling and ongoing liaison with parents. The student’s mentor also plays a valuable role in helping him to consider appropriate career possibilities.

Supporting special educational needs
In accepting children into the school, Rockbrook will seek to identify the educational and training needs of the student. It is normal school policy to seek to provide for these needs within the classroom setting, bearing in mind that the school’s standard class size allows for this. However, if the school considers that additional resources are required over and above those normally provided by the school, the school will request the Council for Special Educational Needs to provide the resources to meet these needs. It is understood that parents will fully co-operate in this process. The decision on the allocation of these resources will be made by the Department of Education and, depending on their determination, may include: visiting or additional teaching services, a special needs assistant, specialised equipment or furniture, or transport services.