Holy Family School For The Deaf Cabra

Donate

Boarding

After School Sports & Activities

Activities

Both Boarding Campus work closely through the year with Deaf Sports Ireland (DSI) to provide a wide range of sporting activities. Exercise and training is a great way to boost self-confidence. It not only enhances student’s physical wellbeing but also mentally, spiritually and socially. Basketball, swimming and football are part of their scheduled weekly activities, with all Boarders having an input and choice into the activities provided. Boarders are encouraged to join Inspire Fitness Centre, Deaf Village Ireland, from the age of 16 years, here they can avail of a wide range of classes, for example, boxercise, Futsal. They are also encouraged to engage in local community activities, for example, Hip Hop and horse riding

Triathlon

In conjunction with Deaf Sports Ireland, we train during the year towards an end of year triathlon. Triathlon training is a great way to boost self-confidence. It not only enhances students physical wellbeing but also mentally, spiritually and socially. The boarders do six week training blocks of cycling, swimming and running. Boarders are also encouraged to eat a healthy and well-balanced diet.

Phoenix Park

Within walking distance of the Boarding Campus, the park boasts a variety of cycling, running and walking paths which the boarders use to full advantage, with appropriate supervision.

The Phoenix Park is over 700 hectares in area and is the largest enclosed park in any European city. The park is home to a large herd of fallow deer, Dublin Zoo an Áras an Uachtaráin – home of the President of Ireland, as well as the American Ambassador’s residence.

Fun Stuff

A fully qualified art teacher delivers art classes to mixed junior and senior groups every Wednesday. Classes are delivered on an hourly basis in a colourful and fully equipped art room. Children participating in the classes are encouraged to give feedback about what they produce creatively, and they have creative input for future classes. These sessions are fun, sociable and interactive, with the central focus being FUN. All art work produced is then displayed throughout both Boarding Campuses.

Both Boarding Campuses work with Irish Deaf Youth Association (IDYA) to deliver a fun and interactive youth club. This is run twice a week to facilitate junior and senior boarders. Activities range from outings to interactive games and socials.

Mixed socials are actively encouraged with events alternating between the boys and girls Campuses, for example, movie nights, annual trips to Bord Gáis Theatre, discos and trips to restaurants. Seasonal socials are organised at Halloween, Christmas, Valentines, Easter, and a ‘welcome back to Boarding’ event takes place at the start of the school year. Social activities are also held with the Irish Deaf Youth Association and Irish Deaf Teens.

Family Day is run in conjunction with the Parent/Teacher meetings at each school. This provides an opportunity for parents to meet with Keyworkers and to contribute to their child’s care plan.

An annual Family Fun Day takes place in the last school term before the summer holidays, alternating between the two Campuses.

Drama classes are run twice a week on campus with a qualified drama teacher with the Boarders delivering two productions a year. These classes are designed to engage the Boarders in all aspects of production from acting, stage-design, script writing and costume production.

Basketball

A Deaf Sports Ireland (DSI) coach facilitates basketball lessons every Monday in the Edmond Rice Hall on St. Joseph’s Campus. Children of different ages are at different levels of the game so these hourly sessions are broken up into a mixed junior and senior group. A strong passion and commitment has grown among the Boarders for this sport and there is a keen interest for the game. Boarders can avail of the Edmond Rice Hall on various days throughout the week to practice their technique and skills without their coach being present.

Yoga / Self-Care

In the boarding we actively teach the children from a young age to look after their mental health as well as their physical health. It is important for their emotional wellbeing that they learn how to regulate themselves and learn to breathe right so they can deal with stress and anxiety. Yoga also builds up muscle strength and helps corret posture.

Tae Kwondo

St. Joseph’s currently have six Boarders attending Grand Master Howards Tae-Kwondo Dojang twice a week in Cabra. Transportation and supervision is provided by the Boarding team. The boys have competed in two championships this year in Cork and Dublin, bringing home gold, silver and bronze medals in their sparring and patterns. Boys participate in grading’s to achieve their different levels of belts, on an on-going basis. Classes not only perfect the martial art but offer focus and discipline with a strong emphasis on mutual respect.

Arts & Crafts

A fully qualified art teacher delivers art classes to mixed junior and senior groups every Wednesday on St. Marys Campus. Classes are delivered on an hourly basis in a colourful and fully equipped art room. Children participating in the classes are encouraged to give feedback about what they produce creatively, and they have creative input for future classes. These sessions are fun, sociable and interactive, the central focus being FUN. All art work produced is then displayed throughout both Boarding Campuses.

Socials

Parent’s Day is run in conjunction with the Parent/Teacher meetings at each school. This provides an opportunity for parents to meet with Keyworkers and to contribute to their child’s care plan.

An annual Family Fun Day takes place in the last school term before the summer holidays, alternating between the two Campuses.