St.Pat's or Mary I?

pbffan

I'm sure this has been discussed on here at some stage in the past, but I'm unable to find any threads on it. Basically I've decided I'd like to go for Primary Teaching next year and would just like to get feedback from current/ex students of each school. I was at the Mary I open day today, and will be attending the St.Pat's one later on in the year, but I'd still get a bit more info, your own personal experience with the college and that sort of thing.

I'm not restricting myself to just those two colleges, any info on Marino or Froebel would also be much appreciated

Cheers

readystudypass

Did you find the Mary I thread? It's stuck in the UL forum as a sticky. Don't know if there's any information of use to you in there though. It runs to over 100 pages. You could use search to look for 'primary teaching' or another appropriate term.

Grace16

Well i'm in my first year of Pats now and am LOVING it!! There is a good bit of work like lectures but i think it's the same with all primary school colleges. The people are all so nice and friendly and even if i don't know somebody most will still smile walking by. Last week was Freshers week and the su put on so many events like a graffiti party,the freshers ball,mystery bus tour and an all day thing in the cat and cage. I was so nervous about going in because i didn't know anybody but now i have some really good friends. The su are so approachable and keep in touch by the college email all the time. Personaly i'm so happy that i came here and wouldn't go back to change it. Today there was a small concert from an american jazz group who were amazing. Definitely go to the open day to see what it's like.

BrenosBolts91

St.Pats.

Nuff said.

dambarude

Feel free to ask questions about Mary I in our sticky. Either that or ask here/PM me.

patmustard2

St Pats!!:D Mary I=Mary dry!

DDC1990

Obviously the Mary I crew will say Mary I, and the Pats crew will say pats.

Im in 2nd year in St.Pats. It truely unreal! You'll have the time of your life.

I made my judgement on St. Pats or Mary I on the open day if im honest.

The Mary I open day was lackluster, poorly organized and all I seemed to get from it was the "Catholic Ethos" of the college. Now this years open day may have been different, so dont judge it on that open day.

St. Pats in comparison was amazing. Colourful, helpful and friendly. Students led us around the whole college and gave us all the advice. One student leading the tour, chatted to me the whole way around as if he knew me for years. Thats pats down to the ground. Going up i knew nobody... now I have friends in every year. You chat to everyone, and the place is like a family. I'll actually be working for the open day this year, so hopefully i'll meet ya unknowingly and ensure that you'll enjoy the place.

p.s The most important thing perhaps is the inspectors on teaching practice. I have friends in Mary I who love the college, but hated teaching practice. One lad was nearly driven to tears by the inspector who slated his lesson. St. Pats on the other hand appear to have helpful, polite and knowledgable inspectors who want to see you PASS not fail! They help you along, no matter how bad the lesson was and advise you for the future.

In one word... PATS

dambarude

DDC1990 wrote: »

Obviously the Mary I crew will say Mary I, and the Pats crew will say pats.

While what we say may guide you OP, don't make up your mind solely on what you read here.

DDC1990 wrote: »

The Mary I open day was lackluster, poorly organized and all I seemed to get from it was the "Catholic Ethos" of the college. Now this years open day may have been different, so dont judge it on that open day.

I wasn't involved with the running of any open day. However I can say that the college has changed immensely since the new TARA building opened, and I'd hope that would have meant this year's open day was better. I won't lie, one of the most noticeable features of the older part of the college, and certain staff is the Catholic ethos that you speak of. But in reality it doesn't affect college life to any extent at all. If you're one to be annoyed by the mere mention of religion, Catholicism in particular, there are times that you will be annoyed. But IMO they are few and far between. 92% of primary schools are under Catholic patronage, so if this involvement annoys you in college you're more than likely going to be annoyed in the long-term as well.

DDC1990 wrote: »

p.s They [inspectors] help you along, no matter how bad the lesson was and advise you for the future.

The majority of supervisors in Mary I are like this too. It's the few that aren't that get mentioned all the time though, and that's something I'm guilty of doing myself. Supervisors aside, Teaching practice (TP) is pretty stressful, but most of the stress isn't related to your supervisor but rather preparation and controlling crazy kids;).I'd hazard a guess that Pat's has it's own portion of less-than-helpful TP supervisors too?

DDC1990

dambarude wrote: »

While what we say may guide you OP, don't make up your mind solely on what you read here.

I wasn't involved with the running of any open day. However I can say that the college has changed immensely since the new TARA building opened, and I'd hope that would have meant this year's open day was better. I won't lie, one of the most noticeable features of the older part of the college, and certain staff is the Catholic ethos that you speak of. But in reality it doesn't affect college life to any extent at all. If you're one to be annoyed by the mere mention of religion, Catholicism in particular, there are times that you will be annoyed. But IMO they are few and far between. 92% of primary schools are under Catholic patronage, so if this involvement annoys you in college you're more than likely going to be annoyed in the long-term as well.

The majority of supervisors in Mary I are like this too. It's the few that aren't that get mentioned all the time though, and that's something I'm guilty of doing myself. Supervisors aside, Teaching practice (TP) is pretty stressful, but most of the stress isn't related to your supervisor but rather preparation and controlling crazy kids;).I'd hazard a guess that Pat's has it's own portion of less-than-helpful TP supervisors too?

This is it to be honest, no matter what college you choose im sure you'll be delighted with it. I've mentioned only a few benifits of St. Pats, there are many more. But my friends also love Mary I. Its whateve clicks with yourself.

p.s Just to clear up I wasn't annoyed by the mention of Catholic Ethos, it just seemed to be the focus of the whole open day. Whereas the focus of the St. Pats open Day was on the students.

dambarude

DDC1990 wrote: »

p.s Just to clear up I wasn't annoyed by the mention of Catholic Ethos, it just seemed to be the focus of the whole open day.

Really? I never attended an open day in the college, but I'm very surprised to hear that. Who in particular was putting the focus on it?

DDC1990

Well there was 4 individual speakers to students in a big lecture hall.

Each of them Including the President (and perhaps the Dean?) mentioned it plenty of times during their 30 minute speaches. I fully accept that it is a catholic college, as is St. Pats... but it was mentioned once by the President on the St. Pats open day that Religion is taught in the college, and that it is important to the college.

dambarude

Thanks for the info.