Address:	Virginia Co. Cavan
Contact:	Ms Karen Fitzpatrick, Principal
	(Mr Joe Fulton), Deputy Principal
Phone:	(049) 8547050
Email	info@virginiacollege.ie

Unique origins
Virginia College, first established in 1962, was the culmination of a unique voluntary effort. It was built by Virginia Agricultural Show Society, eight of whose members mortgaged their holdings to provide the money necessary for its construction. Its cost £19,000 to build and was handed over to Co. Cavan V.E.C. for £5,000.

Expansion
The original school was intended to accommodate 100 students. A large extension to cater for 300 students was opened in 1988. This virtually provided a new school with the provision of 11 new rooms being added to the original five permanent classrooms in the original building. A canteen was added in 1997. This was built entirely the Parents Association and funded by all families in the school.

Current enrolment exceeds 520 and a further major extension [3,000 sq. metres] will go to construction in Summer 2004.This will double the size of the existing school.

New extension
The accompanying computerised image shows the proposed extension. It will include 17 new classrooms – specialist and general- as well as a full size Sports Hall, Library, and enlarged Canteen. In addition the school’s external playing facilities will be developed.

Location
Virginia College is located in Virginia along the panoramic shores of Lough Ramor adjacent to the Park Hotel and nearby Golf Course and Forest.

School Aims
As a school we aim to prepare our students for work, further education and life. We expect and encourage the highest academic standards as well as placing a strong emphasis on developing the whole person. Our school is organised on traditional cour values as expressed in our aims.

1. To have consistently high expectations and to help students perform well in external examinations.
2. To help develop students as caring, responsible and participating members of society.
3. To help all student grow in self-worth through experiencing success in some aspects to the wider curriculum.
4. To involve and foster good relationships with parents and the wider community in the education of students.
5. To provide an ordered learning environment which encourages positive discipline.
6. To help students to develop their academic, physical, emotional, spiritual and career potential.

Programmes
Virginia College offers the:
• Junior Certificate Programme
• Established Leaving Certificate Programme
• Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme
• Leaving Certificate Applied Programme

Subject Range
Core examination subjects at Junior Cycle are Irish, English, Mathematics, Religious Education, Science, History, Geography and Civics. The vast majority also study French. Classes are mainly organised on a mixed ability basis.

Optional subjects include Music, Art, Woodwork, Business, Home Economics, Technical Graphics and Metalwork. First year students sample each of these before deciding on their final options in late January.

Senior Cycle Optional subjects include French, History, Geography, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Business, Home Economics, Art, Construction Studies, Technical Drawing and Engineering.

Extra- curricular activities
These mainly include:
• Sports – particularly Gaelic football, basketball and soccer.
• School Musical
• Concern Debates
• Magazine
• Tours
• Student Council & Prefect System
• Gaisce Awards
• Charity Fundraising

Anti-Bullying Programme
The school operates a well organised programme established in consultation with the North Eastern Health Board, teachers, parents and students. Senior prefects act as mentors to First Year students.