Take a look at the exciting things happening the week of 24-30th November 2014
For more photos – see our Gallery Section
Watch this video to see highlights of events from all over the country during College Awareness Week 2014
24th November – Monday
Launching College Awareness Week today (Monday) with the help of staff and students from Riversdale Community College and Blakestown Community School, Blanchardstown, as well as AIB Youth Ambassador Colm Cooper, Tánaiste Joan Burton said, ‘I am delighted to launch College Awareness Week and to help highlight the options that are available to students if they are considering progressing to further education.’
Limerick College of Further Education – 24th November

Minister for Education and Skills Jan O’Sullivan being welcomed to LCFE by Director Pat Maunsell Monday 24 November to launch College Awareness Week.
25th November – Tuesday
Health Sciences Speed Meet TCD
This student led event will take place in Trinity College and focus on the health science courses on offer within the university. 4th 5th and 6th year students will have the chance to attend talks given by trinity undergrads about their courses as well as a chance to ask questions at a speed meet. This gives secondary level students a chance to meet college students with relevant advice and experience and to visit Trinity’s historic campus.
Course represented will be:
Medicine, Dental Science, Nursing, Midwifery, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Radiation Therapy & Clinical Speech and Language studies.
https://www.collegeaware.ie/events/health-sciences-speed-meet-tcd
‘The Sky’s the Limit’ balloon release to launch College Awareness Week
Watch their inspirational video and see their collage of images from their balloon release activity.
Organised by Amy Doherty, Old Bawn Community School
26th November – Wednesday
Star Pupil Traveller Access Seminar
This seminar is for members of the Traveller community who are taking part in the Star Pupil Access to Education and Work Experience Programme. These students are currently in 5th and 6th year of mainstream second-level schools in Co. Kerry.
The event will give students an opportunity to learn about the programmes that are available in IT Tralee and also give 6th years the opportunity to fill in their CAO applications online. Students can come in on the night with one or both parents/guardians. It will give new students and their parents the opportunity to meet the Third-level Traveller Access Officer and also the other students and parents that are already on the Star Pupil Programme. They will also meet members of ITT staff. Parents/guardians and students will also be able to ask questions on the night about Star Pupil and programmes at ITT.
This College Awareness Week event will take place in Room T107 in the Business and IT Building, North Campus on Wednesday 26th November 2014 from 7pm-9pm. http://ow.ly/EPcnW
27th November – Thursday
Celebrity Job Shadow Day – With Dr Rhona Mahony, Master of the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street

Dr. Rhona Mahony, Master of the National Maternity Hospital, Holles St, pictured with Robyn Hanrahan, 5th year student at Donahies Community School Donaghmede. Robyn spent a day shadowing Dr Mahony at work in the hospital as part of College Awareness aWeek.
Here is a College Awareness Week interview podcast – Ryan Tubridy with Dr Rhona Mahony and Robyn Hanrahan (click here to listen)
“Break on Through to the other side!”
Check out this unique in Cork called “Break on Through to the other side!” to be held at Terence MacSwiney Community College. This event would not be your typical ‘careers fare’ or information stand type event but a more interactive and fun event for parents and perhaps senior cycle students to showcase college and career opportunities. https://www.collegeaware.ie/events/break-side
Supports for Students with Disabilities in School and College – Maynooth University
As part of College Awareness Week, the Disability Office at Maynooth University is organising an event for students, parents and teachers who want to know more about supports that can benefit students with disabilities in school and college.
Over 5% of our students at Maynooth University have a disability, and we have developed a wide range of supports that are very effective in meeting the academic support needs of students with disabilities. The event we are running will provide practical information on how students are supported in college, advice for students on managing their academic workloads, and an assistive technology workshop where students will be introduced to a range of technologies to support their learning. Staff from the Disability Office will share their experience of supporting students with disabilities, and will provide practical advice on how students can become more effective learners in school and college.
Mentoring videos & DVD from St Angela’s College in Sligo
We would like to thank the staff of St Angela’s College in Sligo for creating unique videos which can be shared with students around Ireland, to help them understand the educational pathways which lecturers (and the President of St Angelas!) have taken, as well as some of the memorable times they had in college playing sport, making friends and becoming more confident!
Here are a few samples, however you can contact Carol Gallagher, Access Schools Programme Co-ordinator if you wish to see more inspiring videos email: cgallagher@stangelas.nuigalway.ie
Dr Anne Taheny, President, St Angela’s College, Sligo
Carol Gallagher, Access Schools Programme Co-ordinator
Ronan McArt, Lecturer, St. Angela’s College, Sligo
28th November – Friday
Graduation ceremony for students from 12 participating primary schools – Dublin (TCD)
Colm Cooper will be at Trinity to pass out certificates to primary school children in a graduation ceremony.

Kerry footballer and AIB Youth Ambassador with primary school students ‘graduating’ from Trinity today. All part of College Awareness Week
School of Health & Social Sciences Showcase Sessions – Tralee, Co Kerry
For all post Junior Certificate students, parents and Career Guidance Counsellors. These sessions will showcase the work of present IT Tralee students and give a taster of what future students will be studying’ Music, Drama, Sociology, Childcare, Social Law. The purpose of the day is to give secondary school students, parents and Career Guidance Counsellors a window on what Social Care, Youth and Community Work and Early Childhood Care and Education students do and to assist Leaving Certificate students in CAO planning.
Poster Competition and Exhibition- DIT Grangegorman
The Local Education Committee Dublin 7 have organised an online College Awareness Poster competition for primary and secondary school students. An exhibition of the posters will be held in the reception area of Rathdown House, DIT, Grangegorman Lower, Dublin 7 from 24th to 28th November. Prize giving will take place on campus on Friday 28th.

The reasons why the second years from St Joseph’s Secondary School Stanhope St (who visited us today for a “meet your new DIT campus!” tour) want to go to college
PULSE – Your Creative Future – Cavan Institute
PULSE – Your Creative Future is an event bringing industry and education together for an energetic day of creativity and enterprise, hosted by Cavan Institute and Honeycomb – Creative Works. Come along to hear from industry leaders in the fields of visual communication, interactive media, games, film and music. Learn how to plan for your future in a series of panel discussions and check out our exhibition showcasing career possibilities in the creative industries. The only boundary is your imagination. http://thehoneycomb.net/events/pulse
29th November – Saturday
Come to the Blessington Library and meet Trinity Teddy! – Blessington Library, Co Wicklow
Come along and meet Trinity Teddy! You are never too young to start dreaming about college! Story time in Blessington Library will take a new twist on Saturday, November 29th. The children and their parents will be read a book which takes them on a childrens’ tour of Trinity College. They will also meet charming Trinity Teddy. Finally, the students will design their own college i.d cards, complete with a self-portrait and the name of the course which they would like to study when they grow-up! Who says you need to take the 65 bus all the way to Trinity College…..a taste of Trinity, and college life in general, will be brought to the community in Blessington.
Here are some photos from this unique and special event.

Margaret, Librarian in Blessington Library, with children who made graduation hats and enjoyed storytime about Trinity Teddy