On Saturday 9 April, Mary Immaculate College Thurles (MIC Thurles) will welcome prospective students and parents to the campus for the MIC Thurles Student Experience Day. This is a must attend event for those interested in pursuing a career in post-primary teaching.
The event (10am-2 pm) will provide second-level students, students who are currently in further education programmes and mature students the opportunity to take a taster lecture in Mathematics, Accounting, Business Studies, Religious Studies and Gaeilge – the five subjects currently offered at MIC Thurles. While a concurrent session for parents on what to expect of the transition to third-level will also take place. Tours of the campus, including accommodation options, by current students is another key feature of the day.
According to Dr Finn Ó Murchú, Head of School of Education (Post-Primary) at MIC Thurles: "The Student Experience Day is the perfect opportunity to find out about the various subject combinations, the range of curricular and extra-curricular resources on offer, undergraduate entrance scholarships, alternative routes to college for mature and Further Education students. It also offers a chance to learn more about the MIC Elite Sports Scholarship Scheme, CAO Points Concession Scheme and Entrance Scholarships."
MIC Thurles, which has seen a near trebling of student numbers to close to 500 since its incorporation by MIC in 2016, offers five concurrent teacher education programmes, of four-year duration. Students can choose from a number of subject combinations in the areas of Gaeilge, Mathematics, Business Studies, Religious Studies, and Accounting. These concurrent teacher education programmes are structured so that the school placement and education components are included in each year of the programme. All programmes at the College are accredited and recognised by the Teaching Council and graduates are qualified to teach to honours Leaving Certificate level after completion of their degree.
According to Dessie Hutchinson, second-year BA in Education Business Studies and Religious Studies student and Waterford Senior Hurler star: "There is a real family feel to the College with everyone pulling in the one direction. Classes are small and we all know each other and help each other out. Lecturers can meet you on a one-to-one and there is a great atmosphere here on the MIC Thurles campus. The thing is everyone here walks around with their head up!"
The College has enjoyed strong growth in student numbers in recent times, attracting many students achieving over 600 points in their Leaving Certificate exams, and is finalising ambitious campus plans for development in the coming 20 years that will place MIC Thurles at the heart of life in Thurles and provide an enhanced and rounded student experience.
According to Róisín Byrne third-year BA in Education, Mathematics and Gaeilge student: "At MIC Thurles you can choose to study a range of arts subjects alongside education, with a focus on school placement that allows all the theory to be put into practice. School placement gives an invaluable, authentic insight into the life of a post-primary teacher. Lecturers are approachable and have high expectations of their students. All of the programmes available at MIC Thurles spark motivation and encourage lifelong learning. MIC Thurles will nurture and appreciate you as a student teacher, it is an environment where education is highly regarded and encourages you to develop as a person and as a professional."
Registration for this event is essential. Register now at www.mic.ie/CAO
