A Special Place for Special People

Welcome to St. Michael's. It is important to realise that not all students enrolled in our college have the same advantages. This is because our college is a special institution catering for students with individual physical challenges. We love and care for all our students equally, but some of you require more assistance than others.

You will already have been assigned your house, and so your House Co-ordinator is the person you should go to for assistance when necessary. However, self-reliance is key and we ask that you remember this at all times.

Able to Do Great Things

You have probably already noticed that we do not use the word "disabled" to refer to our students – it is most unfair to label any student this way especially when each one of us has abilities that students in other schools will never acquire! How many so-called "able" students can write with their feet or mouth? How many can get to the top of a set of steps in a wheelchair? No, we must always think of ourselves in positive terms so that we can achieve positive outcomes. We are all capable of doing extraordinary things and achieving greatness. 

Guidelines

All colleges have rules and we are no exception. General good behaviour and consideration of others is expected of everyone and that includes all staff members. But at St Michael's we have certain guidelines that other schools do not need. I am referring to those requirements that help ensure we do not misunderstand each other and miss out on fulfilling our potential. A few of these guidelines are listed below.

     Classes:

• If you cannot attend class for any reason – physical or otherwise – you must inform your co-ordinator who will pass this information on to your class teacher.
• If you need to leave a class for any reason, you need not discuss the reason with the teacher at the time, but you must later complete a form detailing the reason for your being excused.
• Those of you who do not attend class in person but by video link must also make sure the teachers know if you cannot tune in to the lesson. 

     Meals:

• It is your responsibility to let the kitchen know of any changes your doctor says you will be needing to your dietary menu.
• Although many of you have special meal requirements and at all times you have the right to eat alone in your own room, we encourage you to make the effort to visit the canteen for meals as often as possible.

     Sports:

• As you know we are very proud of our sporting achievements at St. Michael's. Two of our ex-students have won medals at the Para-olympics. But is not just winning that we are proud of – participation and effort are just as important as medals. We strongly encourage you to become involved in sport at St. Michael's. Note that the same guidelines apply to your sports classes as to your regular classes.
• If you cannot partake physically at sport, you can still take sport as a subject thanks to the latest Wi-Fi technology linked to our computer lab. You can actually play sports with other students at the college who do not play on the field.

Welcome Ceremony

Unless you have special permission not to attend today's Welcome Ceremony, we expect you to be there in Gabriel Hall at 2.p.m. this afternoon sharp. We cannot start without you so please do not be late for this your first assembly. Your places have all been reserved and the introduction to your teachers is always a rewarding experience. These wonderful people have been hand-picked for their skills with the differently abled, and, as you will soon find out, a good number of them are just like you!

After the ceremony, which includes a film about the college's beginnings and past and recent history, we will be able to meet each other in person and get to know each other for the first time. It is at these informal sessions that the bonds of life-long friendships are often forged. So be willing to mix and mingle!        

Day One

Today being Sunday, the first day of the new semester begins tomorrow at 9.00 a.m. Don't forget to bring the appropriate textbook to class. Check this with the timetable for your House, since not all of you will be studying the same subject at the same time.

If you have any questions about procedures for Week One, please direct them to your House Co-ordinator. Their residential rooms are listed below:

Consultations by appointment only.

Questions 1 – 7

Answer the questions below with a short word, phrase or number from the reading passage.

NOTE: use NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.