This article is from page 32 of the 2007-12-11 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 32 JPG
STAFF and students at St Joseph’s Training Centre have been reflect- ing on another year of academic achievement.
Thirty students graduated from University College Cork with a di- ploma in youth & community studies. They completed the two-year course, which was facilitated by the National Association of Traveller Centres. The eraduation group was made up of members of the settled and Traveller community, among them two former students of St Joseph’s, Bernie Mc- Donagh and John Sweeney Jnr.
A spokesman for the centre said staff were delighted with the achieve-
ments of all those who graduated. “We are very proud of two of our ex-students who sailed through the course with flying colours. Bernie McDonagh and John Sweeney Jnr were down in Cork to receive their Diploma certificates.”
He added, *“The centre was delight- ed to be able to assist Bernie and John in their studies by providing some support hours for assignments and coursework projects.”
St Joseph’s Training Centre offered The Leaving Certificate Applied for the second time in September 2006.
Located in the Gort Road Industrial Estate, St Joseph’s training centre has developed over the years into a high- ly active and diverse learning envi-
ronment. While most of those who attend St Joseph’s are members of the Traveller community, this year’s crop of graduates included members of the settled community.
Fifteen members of the Traveller community are half-way through the second year of the two-year pro- gramme. The class group comprises of adult men and women and some teenage boys and girls.
The subjects covered include graphics and construction studies, craft and design, visual art, engineer- ing, social studies, hair and beauty, information and communication technology, Irish, mathematics and TSUN KoMCIRELO BL ote
Other programmes on offer include
a comprehensive array of FETAC courses, with one group of students aiming towards a full cert in FETAC Level 4. The coppercraft program at the centre is currently involved with the Cork City Museum making cop- per wall hangings that reflect the Traveller way of life and culture.
The centre enjoys close links with the Cork City Museum. Earlier this year a group from St Joseph’s gave a demonstration at the museum as part of the Cork Lifelong Learning Roeaye)
The spokesperson added, “We at St Joseph’s Training centre are proud of our links with the wider community and enjoy getting involved in local and national initiatives.”