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Secondary School observation: St. Enda’s is a voluntary secondary school and is situated on Threadneedle road and has extensive grounds consisting of two gaelic/hurling pitches and one soccer pitch. The school looks out on Galway bay making for a very positive and healthy learning environment. Upon entering the building it was immediately noticed that the school was designed to be student centred. The study hall, drama hall and the corridors are all brightly coloured with the walls covered in notice boards displaying student achievements and important information. The secretary’s office is located close to the front entrance and thus accessible to students, teachers and parents alike with the principal’s office next door. At the start of every school year the members of staff are given a handbook in which is detailed the aim, history and mission statement of the school, lists of all members of staff, their posts and extension numbers since the school has an internal phone system where each classroom is accessible by the office or another teacher and vice versa. Also included in this handbook are the school’s accident policy, emergency plan, code of behaviour and disciplinary procedures. Finally you will find the school calendar and timetable, the school’s academic programme and the roles of the chaplain, tutors, and year heads with added guidelines for teachers. This handbook provides for a detailed description of how the school runs and the rules to follow to maintain an effective teaching environment. Each year is divided into one class containing the most academic students and then 3-4 classes of mixed ability. Each student is responsible for his/her own equipment (books, copies, stationary) and is expected to have the necessary items for each class.
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