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To mark international day of peace a white rose, to represent peace, was passed from classroom to classroom around the whole school. Each student  passing it on declared our wish for peace behind the symbolic gesture.

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Over 60 Selskar students have a personal language profile on display. This has created great curiosity and pride.

The collection of posters is permanently displayed in the EAL language resource room and annually updated and exhibited in the school foyer. Students request copies to bring home to display.

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Parents and Guardians were invited into school for a coffee morning to celebrate Language Day. Staff enjoyed learning phrases in the various languages. 

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Parents and Guardians were invited into school for a coffee morning to celebrate Language Day. Staff enjoyed learning phrases in the various languages. 

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Our home languages collection in our library makes students feel valued to have something in their own language. They are difficult to source but very important. Our parents and guardians especially like it when students bring home books in own languages and older siblings are encouraged to read to younger ones to keep literacy alive in home language and to nurture the connection to it.

Our home languages collection is available on the SORA app.

Students have access to thousands of ebooks, audio books and magazines in over 27 languages.

Books Labelled SOS include:

*Books that reflect the migrant experience

*Books about different countries

*Books in Home Languages

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Here is our dedicated SOS commitee making bookmarks for our library collection!

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Our Junior Cycle students took apart in an afternoon of reading. As a school of sanctuary, we engage in many different activities that raise awareness of and celebrate the different cultures and communities with our school. Each student choose a book from our School of Sanctuary collection in the library and spent the afternoon reading and learning!

Our 5th years students enjoyed the film 'Swimmers'.

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A week celebrating with all those students exempt from the Irish Language in celebrating their neurodiversity. As a result, we learnt about all the different ethnicities around the world . Students also enjoyed mindfullness colouring with some reminders of their native countries.

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Show Racism the Red Card- Stereotyping Activity

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Show Racism the Red Card- Stereotyping Activity

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Our LCA 1 tutor group enjoying learning about Stereotyping while out in our community enjoying a hot chocolate and sweet treat!

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Students made posters and displayed in school and our principal wished students a happy orthadox easter.

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Our student committee has brought some issues to our attention that we are currently working on and/or will take forward to the next academic year.

Induction programme for new students ran by committee leaders. SOS point of contact for new students. September and throughout the year.

Induction pack with stationary, map and school information in various languages.

Numbers on doors.

Social media profile posts from international students.

Focus groups within school.

Focus groups with students from other School of Sanctuary schools to share ideas and information.

Introducing Cricket as an extra-curricular sport.

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A great day was had by all at our multicultural day where we celebrated the 42 different nationalities in our school. Families shared dishes and recipes. Students made presentations about all the different countries with lots of classes getting involved. We had history and geography projects, science classes got involved by researching scientists from the countries. Art classes worked on cultural pieces of art that were displayed on the day. We had some beautiful musical performances. The sense of community on the day was amazing. Everyone really pulled together to make it a wonderful experience and students are already planning for next year.

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Amazing cuisine, information and pride shown today during our Multicultural day! Students, parents and staff had an amazing day and a massive thank you to everyone involved and Ms.Kehoe and Ms.Clarke for organizing ✨#selskarcollege #community #excellenceineducation #talentedstudents #multicultural #aroundtheworld #food 

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After viewing these wonderful paintings in the Arts Cafe, we reached out to the artist and arranged to display the paintings in our school. We made a timetable for tutors to bring class groups up to see them. We also extended invitations for other schools to come in and see them so we could spread awareness of issues faced by refugees. We also offered an opportunity for members of the wider community to come to our school to view these powerful paintings and try spread awareness throughout the community.

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We ran our annual Ethos Day where all students in the school participate in activities that demonstrate our core values of Excllence in Education, Care, Respect, Community and Equality.

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Fifth year students taught some international students a few phrases to help them converse in the Irish language. This allowed them to take part in our annual Irish speaking competition where some students won Easter eggs for their efforts.

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A small group of committee members attended a multicultural day in Bridgetown Community College. A great morning was had by all sharing cultures and dishes from 25 different countries.

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Our school marked Open Book day In February. 5th years watched the movie 'Swimmers' and Junior Cycle students participated in Drop everything and Read, reading the books from our Schools of Sanctuary collection in our library.

Some students prepared for the day by making SOS book marks for suitable books.

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Prayer room was offered to students who were taking part in Ramadan

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Prayer room was offered to students who were taking part in Ramadan

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A Powerpoint about Chinese New Year was presented to all students at Tutor time. They worked out what animal year they were born in.

Two students worked on a display and decorations for our school entrance.

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Our enrollment and transfer forms have been translated into Ukrainian and we are in the process of translating into other languages.

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Resources collected/compiled were shared with the wwetb Ethos Community of Practice to help other schools which may be beginning their journey but also allow us to collaborate and share resources and ideas.

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Our Schools of Sanctuary journey began in 2023 when some of our staff members visited Bunclody Vocational College. Our colleagues in Bunclody explained about their journey so far and showed our staff members some of the work that had been done in their school and their Schools of Sanctuary board.

After this visit we discussed the possibility of becoming a School of Sanctuary ourselves in our weekly Ethos meeting.

The idea was then brought to all staff at a whole staff meeting.

In September 2023, we began work setting up a small committee of four teachers and two student representatives from each year group. (This number has grown since word has spread)

We met with Tiffy, Schools of Sanctuary coordinator and discussed signing the pledge.

In November 2023 we had a pledge week. Students learned about Sanctuary, migration, refugees and Schools of Sanctuary. Also that week we had ambassadors from Schools of Sanctuary come into our school and speak about their experiences. This was a wonderful opportunity for our students to hear first hand about the difficulties faced by refugees. Staff and students signed the pledge that day.

Later that week we invited parents into our Family Room to explain about Schools of Sanctuary. Parents signed the pledge and some joined our committee.

Since signing the pledge we have been committed to learning about refugees, migration and racism. The committee is also working hard to recognise, educate about and celebrate the various customs, traditions and religious beliefs in the school.

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Students completed a survey to help our School's of Sanctuary committee and our staff identify what nationalities and languages are in the school. We also wanted to learn what customs/traditions/religious days we should celebrate in the school. We also asked questions relating to how often students feel they have opportunities to learn about migration/refugees/other customs and traditions. This was initially completed in a class period however some students were absent on the day and the School of Sanctuary committee members put a lot of effort into encouraging all students to complete the survey. They printed and laminated QR codes and displayed in all classrooms and they spoke to the importance of the survey. The committee hope to resend the survey next year to learn how we have progressed. Data from a survey taught us that we have 50 languages in the school.

42% of students have a good knowledge of 3 or more languages.

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Mission Statement: Teaching and Learning with care and respect where every person matters.

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Mission Statement: Teaching and Learning with care and respect where every person matters.

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Teaching and Learning with care and respect, where every person matters.

Our mission statement is based on the following core values:

Education is a partnership between school, parents, and students with the support of both the local community and WWETB.

Our central purpose is to motivate and support students to achieve their full potential in a caring environment.

The importance and value of each member of the school community is central to every and all decisions made and actions taken.

Within Selskar College, we prioritise courtesy and respect being shown to all partners at all times.

Our school strives to provide a welcoming, secure learning environment which is respectful, caring and stimulating for all members of the school community.

Based on our mission statement, our general aims are:

To provide a caring, safe and respectful environment where students learn, and teachers teach.

To provide a broad-based curriculum which seeks to meet the needs and abilities of each individual student.

To foster and develop each student’s skills, knowledge and self-esteem as well as his/her enthusiasm for learning.

To help students to develop skills for future life and for responsible citizenship.

To promote moral values, self-discipline, and self-respect for themselves and respect for others.

As an ETB school, under the patronage of WWETB, Selskar College is a state, co-educational, multidenominational schools underpinned by the core values of:

Excellence in Education;

Care;

Equality;

Community and

Respect.

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Selskar College is a co-educational, multi-denominational secondary school under the Patronage of Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board.

Our school has a long-established tradition of providing high-quality education at both Post Primary and Post Leaving Certificate level to the people of Wexford Town and the surrounding areas.

Through our Core Values, Excellence in Education, Care, Equality, Community and Respect, we are committed to facilitating a safe, supportive and friendly environment where each student has the opportunity to reach their potential.

The active participation of students in their own learning is a priority at Selskar College. Through our experienced and dedicated staff, we promote a positive and inclusive teaching and learning environment by setting high expectations for each learner.

Our goal is to enable all students to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to become lifelong learners and responsible citizens who contribute positively to society by living out our mission of “Teaching and learning with care and respect where every person matters”.

We aspire to continue collaborating with our existing students, parents and guardians and look forward to meeting and working in partnership with all prospective students, parents and guardians.

Michael Weafer

Principal

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The 3 Furlong made some beautiful peace cranes which we displayed around the Schools of Sanctuary board.

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Postcards were sent home to students celebrating Yalda night. These students also received a watermelon as a symbol of Yalda.

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A powerpoint teaching about the importance of the Winter Solstice in different cultures was shown to students at Tutor.

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The 2 Emerald class and their parents were all invited to the Family Room to celebrate St Nicholas' Day. They students were all given a small present from the school and they held Secret Santa. Evelina brought in a traditional Ukrainian cake.

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Each class took 15 minutes out of their usual class time and dedicated it to doing some work around migration. A lot of classes picked an activity from the "Tight spaces" publication. others had class discussions, walking debates etc.

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A Powerpoint explaining about Bodhi day was shown to all classes during Tutor. Buddhist students were given the opportunity to go to the library during an afternoon class to partake in quiet meditation.

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Geography week was celebrated at the end of November. The Geography department displayed posters with information about different countries and cultures around the school.

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Schools of Sanctuary Ambassadors visited the school and spoke at assemblies where students learned about some of the experiences and challenges faced by refugees. Students and staff signed the pledge which has been displayed on our Schools of Sanctuary board.

Students took part in kahoot and blooket quizzes based on what they have learned so far about migration and refugees.

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The 1 Yeats class visited The Presentation for their Multicultural day

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The 1 Yeats class visited The Presentation for their Multicultural day

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Students enjoyed learning about different cultures and trying foods from various countries. Thank you to The Presentation for sharing this experience with us.

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English language classes have been offered to support parents and guardians. Posters were made to advertise in English, Russian, Ukrainian and Arabic.

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English language classes have been offered to support parents and guardians. Posters were made to advertise in English, Russian, Ukrainian and Arabic.

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English Language Classes 📚

A fantastic opportunity for parents/guardians to get involved at Selskar College. 

#community #excellenceineducation

WWETB Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board

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Yesterday 2 Emerald students and their parents celebrated St Nicholas Day. Students received selection boxes and exchanged secret Santa gifts 🎅🎁
Thanks to Evelina who brought in a traditional...

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JCSP Celebration 🎉 

Students, staff, parents and guardians had a memorable morning packed full of entertainment at the JCSP Celebration on Friday last.

Students performed a variety of music,...

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School newsletter translated into various languages

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School newsletter translated into various languages

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Selskar Social 🎉

Our school Newsletter 📰

Welcome to the first edition of the Selskar Social, which is available in several languages.

Thank you to Ms O’ Leary, Mr Barry and our Student Voice...

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Students learning the definition of Sanctuary in different languages.

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Students learning the definition of Sanctuary in different languages.

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Library Research 📚

Ms Quinn with some Selskar College students looking up “sanctuary” in Ukrainian, Arabic and English dictionaries.

#excellenceineducation #community #respect #care #equality...

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School of Sanctuary 🏫

This week has been a very special week for the Selskar College community as our school became a ‘School of Sanctuary’

On Monday we held a “Drop everything and learn about...

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The 1 Yeats class visited The Presentation School's multi cultural day.

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The 1 Yeats class visited The Presentation School's multi cultural day.

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This week we celebrated our multicultural school community.

Our first year Multi Belief and Values (IMBV) class visited the Wexford Presentation multicultural day. 

Parents, guardians and students...

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Our speed greeting afternoon  with 2nd and 5th years

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Our speed greeting afternoon  with 2nd and 5th years

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Selskar College Language Celebration 🎉 

It was amazing to listen to Selskar College students greet eachother in a range of different languages such as... | By Selskar College | Facebook

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Selskar College Language Celebration 🎉 

It was amazing to listen to Selskar College students greet eachother in a range of different languages such as...

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Selskar College Languages Celebration 🎉 

We are a multilingual community at Selskar College! Earlier this week we celebrated all the languages we speak.  

From a French breakfast with some mots de...

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As we embarked on our school of Sanctuary journey, some second year students looked up the definition of the word sanctuary in Ukrainian, Arabic and English.

The 2Cobalt explored the experience of migration through the wordless picture book "The Arrival" by Amy Tan.

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Drop everything and learn about Sanctuary

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Drop everything and learn about Sanctuary

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The Schools of Sanctuary staff team presented a workshop to the whole school on 20/11/23. We explained what Sanctuary means and students watched videos about migration and refugees, completed activities and participated in class discussion around these topics.

Students took part in Kahoot and Blooket quizzes based on the powerpoint in Tutor during the week.

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15/11/23 Some parents met in our Family Room to learn about Schools of Sanctuary.

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Some of our students visited the local arts center to view the My Memories exhibit by Heba Haj Habo. This is a series of powerful paintings reflecting the artist's feelings and observations of her voyage from Syria to Greece from age 10 to 13. Heba writes about her work “I packed many memories and stories into each picture to make a whole. Too many memories to put just one on a page. I want to let my paintings have a voice and tell the story. Hope.”

The above painting is titled Sleeping Sitting up.

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We celebrated European Day of languages. Students created profiles with their photos and languages spoken and we displayed them in the school. We held a quiz and awarded prizes to the above students.

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Some of our Hindu students worked on a display board and PowerPoint explaining all about Diwali The Festival of Light. The PowerPoint at was shown to all classes during Tutor.