Spiritual Care

The Department of Religious Education considers the spiritual welfare of our students as paramount. Apart from religious studies students gain an awareness of the problems of others and engage in a variety of projects, which benefit charitable organisations.
The Concern Fast has been running for 15 years in our college and invariably there is an excellent response. This year's fast raised over €7,000 - an excellent achievement.

Christmas each year is a time for considering those less privileged than ourselves. Each year a number of hampers are delivered to families in need in the Athlone area. Apart from charitable concerns students also attend carefully planned retreats.

Junior students attend retreats within the college while senior students travel to an external venue where they have the opportunity to reflect and relax with each other during their final years of post primary education.


Pastoral Care
Pastoral care is a vital cog in the school life of Athlone Community College and is the concern of all members of staff. It underlines all relationships within the school community. As a pastoral care school, we endeavor to care for all members. The pastoral care team meet once a week to look at different aspects of school life and to identify any students who may need a listening ear. The team consists of Deputy Principal, Home school liaison officer, Religious Education Coordinator, Career Guidance Counsellor, Year Head, Staff rep and the Chaplin whom is also the pastoral care coordinator. The team is involved with many activities within the college.
They work closely with the school's PRO in organizing the Honours Board where our students achievements are recognized, and have introduced a "Special Merit Award" whereby students are acknowledged for doing extraordinary deeds. A pro-active stance with regard to bullying has been adopted and with that in mind, and"Anti-Bullying Week" was organized to raise awareness of this issue and to highlight the support structures we have in the school.


Career Guidance
Career Guidance is no longer a luxury service. It is vital that students receive up to date advice on courses and careers. Athlone Community College has two full-time Career Guidance teachers who are available to all students.

The Careers Department organize:
Visits to Third Level Colleges, Up to date Careers Notice Board, Advice on subject choice, Aptitude Tests in Third Year and Individual Appointments at Senior Level.

Home School Liaison
Ms. Margaret Egan, Home School Liaison Office, encourages family support for the young student by visiting the homes of all the first year students during their first year in the College.


A cared for student is a happy student
There is no doubt that a healthy bond between home and school is beneficial for the smooth running of any educational experience. Athlone Community College like all schools relies greatly on the steadfast support of parents. Success hinges on the close ties between home and school.

The HSCL scheme recognizes the family as the major influence in supporting the performance of their child and Athlone Community College is constantly looking at ways to support parents/guardians with this important challenge.

The support offered to date and availed of by parents/guardians has been by way of a variety of two hour morning classes for a six week duration on various topics of interest such as:

- Colour me Beautiful
- Stained Glass Work
- English for non-native speaking parents
- Flower arranging
- Computer Studies
- Decoupage
- Parenting Skills
- ART


Home visits are an on-going part of the Home/School project as is a Student/Parent Support System offering help in a professional way to ensure that "school life" experience of students is supported and sustained in a way that empowers the student to have an enjoyable, educational experience.

A breakfast Club exists for the benefit of any student who arrives in early - between 8.15am and 8.50am "Light lunch" treats are available twice weekly.


Home/School Liaison has been developed even further with the establishment of evening home-work classes where the students can avail of assistance while completing their homework while having a filled bread roll plus a juice. The extra-curriular areas of Drama, Board Games and Art group students are all accommodated with food support to sustain energy levels and encourage learning.

The Home/School scheme seeks to promote a partnership between school and parents to enhance the holistic development of the child.
An oasis of peace. The quiet solitude of the College Oratory brings calm to the worried soul.