Library

The JCSP School Librarian

Here in New Cross College all our students have access to a warm and welcoming, high quality library run by a professionally qualified librarian. The New Cross College Library is a JCSP Project Library, We are open before school, at lunchtime and after school and students have timetabled weekly library classes. All our students are given the opportunity to borrow books, read on a regular basis and to participate in library based literacy and numeracy based projects.

We run library-based classes aimed at improving students’ Literacy and Numeracy skills. As in all of the JCSP Libraries reading and writing skills are developed, reading habits nurtured and the information skills needed to navigate and participate in society are practised during our weekly library classes. We regularly organise reading initiatives, author visits, book clubs, storytelling, maths games, debates, poet and artist visits and much more. We use a computerised programme called Accelerated Reader to monitor our junior students’ progression in reading and comprehension, direct them to suitable books and to challenge them to improve their reading levels. We also often hold events and activities for parents, staff and groups from the local community.

Our library is a dynamic space in an equally dynamic school and has quickly become the heart of the school where our students choose to come in their free time.

Our senior school were treated to a performance “Innit” by Colette Forde. A fantastic one woman show on the world of teenage mental health.

New Cross College Erasmus & Projects Success

We are delighted to announce that we have been successful in our application to take part in 3 Erasmus + Projects beginning this school year. New Cross College will participate in 3 new KA229 European Interschool Partnership Projects, within the Erasmus + Program.

The projects are entitled:

Digistories of Generation Z
Bright Careers
Our Earth, Our Home (which we will be coordinating).

The first project, “Digistories of Generation Z”, will take place in partnership with schools in 5 other European countries: Romania, the coordinating country, Turkey, Bulgaria, Spain and Italy. The project aims to improve students’ digital skills by creating videos and presentations on various topics of current interest using programs such as Word, Publisher, Powerpoint, Vimeo, Zeemaps etc. The project activities will focus on several subthemes such as: social inclusion, literature, innovative practices in a digital age and will support intercultural dialogue, continuing the efforts to introduce students to what national and European culture means.

The second project “Bright Careers” will take place in partnership with 4 other European countries: Romania, the coordinating country, Turkey, Spain and Portugal. The project encourages students to make personality based careers decisions. This will enable our students to choose a career that will make them happy throughout their working lives. The project includes 5 learning – teaching – training activities. These include careers fairs, interview technique workshops and work experience modules.

The third project “Our Earth, Our Home” will take place in partnership with 5 other European countries: New Cross College will be representing Ireland as the coordinating country, Turkey, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania and Italy. The project will highlight the importance of caring for our planet and strive to develop a sense of belonging to a common European space. Students will work together to promote European cultural heritage and develop social skills by working in multicultural teams using care for our Earth as a link. The project will also promote English and the development of the European dimension of schools.

These projects are available to New Cross College students aged between 14 and 18. They provide our students with a wonderful opportunity to discover and develop new skills whilst working in partnership with their European peers. These projects also allow our students to discover new cultures, experience different educational systems, develop team working skills and create friendships whilst visiting other European countries.

Our students organised a Kris Kindle & video call with our European Counterparts that we will be visiting soon:

Readathon

Every year our school Librarian hosts a 24hr Readathon to fundraise for the school. Students pack a sleeping bag & pillow and arrive at the library all set to stay awake for the night. We taking it in shifts to read starting at 9am and lasting for 24hrs. When they are finished their turn reading they can play board games, listen to music and enjoy spending time with friends! This has always proven to be the highlight of the year for the majority of our students.

Dave's Jungle

Dave takes individual classes or groups of around 30 students and explains how the animals hunt, how they perceive the world, how they use their senses, eat and catch their prey. The students then have the unique experience of handling and touching a crocodile, tarantulas, scorpions, snakes and large lizards. This is offered as part of Science Week. We also invite some students from our local primary schools to participate.