Enrolment
Parents seeking to enrol their child(ren) in St. Patrick’s N.S are requested to complete a Request Enrolment Form. Parents whose children have been accepted for enrolment are requested to return the Enrolment form with an original Birth/Adoption Certificate and Baptismal Certificate. (if appropriate)
Decisions in relation to applications for enrolment are made by the Board of Management in accordance with the school Enrolment Policy and Department guidelines.
Decisions in relation to applications for enrolment are made by the Board of Management in accordance with the school Enrolment Policy and Department guidelines.
Attendance
Under the Education Welfare Act 2000 every child between 6 and 16 is obliged by law to attend school every day on which the school is in operation unless there is a reasonable excuse for not attending.
The school authorities are obliged to notify the National Educational Welfare Board if your child has been absent for 20 days in any school year. The NEWB may then pursue this matter further, which may include a visit from an Educational Welfare Officer.
In the event of a child being absent through illness or for any other reason, the parents should complete a School Absence Record note on the child's return to school. Each family will be given an Absence Record Booklet at the beginning of the year.
If it is anticipated that the absence will be of a lengthy duration, the class teacher should be informed by note as soon as possible.
When it is necessary for a child to leave school early, a note must be sent to the class teacher. Parents/Guardians are asked to call personally to the classroom to collect the child. Any person collecting a child on behalf of the parent/Guardian should present written authorisation with a telephone contact number.
The school authorities are obliged to notify the National Educational Welfare Board if your child has been absent for 20 days in any school year. The NEWB may then pursue this matter further, which may include a visit from an Educational Welfare Officer.
In the event of a child being absent through illness or for any other reason, the parents should complete a School Absence Record note on the child's return to school. Each family will be given an Absence Record Booklet at the beginning of the year.
If it is anticipated that the absence will be of a lengthy duration, the class teacher should be informed by note as soon as possible.
When it is necessary for a child to leave school early, a note must be sent to the class teacher. Parents/Guardians are asked to call personally to the classroom to collect the child. Any person collecting a child on behalf of the parent/Guardian should present written authorisation with a telephone contact number.
Bullying
Bullying in any form, verbal or physical is totally unacceptable. Bullying runs totally against the stated aims of respect, courtesy and consideration.
It is instilled in pupils that nobody has the right to make another feel uncomfortable or suffer by any action or by any use of language. It is essential that anyone, staff member, pupil or parent who suspects that bullying is occurring informs the school authorities immediately. All reports and information received, no matter how trivial, will be acted on with discretion and sensitivity.
An Anti-Bullying Policy, drawn up by the principal and staff in consultation with the Parents Association and approved by the Board of Management, operates in this school. Staff are aware of this and take every precaution to ensure that bullying does not occur.
Most importantly, staff foster a positive atmosphere of inclusiveness and integration to ensure that all children develop a positive attitude to each other.
It is instilled in pupils that nobody has the right to make another feel uncomfortable or suffer by any action or by any use of language. It is essential that anyone, staff member, pupil or parent who suspects that bullying is occurring informs the school authorities immediately. All reports and information received, no matter how trivial, will be acted on with discretion and sensitivity.
An Anti-Bullying Policy, drawn up by the principal and staff in consultation with the Parents Association and approved by the Board of Management, operates in this school. Staff are aware of this and take every precaution to ensure that bullying does not occur.
Most importantly, staff foster a positive atmosphere of inclusiveness and integration to ensure that all children develop a positive attitude to each other.
Health & Safety
Any act which endangers the health, safety or welfare of others will not be tolerated. It is the aim of the school to preserve and promote the health of its pupils.
In cases of infections or contagious conditions, the authorities must be informed. Where necessary, medical advice should be sought as to whether the pupil should be temporarily withdrawn from school.
A first Aid Kit is available in the school. Staff can provide basic First Aid.
In the event of accident or injury to a pupil the staff will take such action as would be exercised by a careful and solicitous parent placed in similar circumstances.
It is important to inform the school of any allergies your child may have to any First Aid cream. The creams we may use are:
Savalon and Arnica.
Fire Drills will be carried out during the school year. In the event of a serious accident occurring, the parents/guardians
concerned will be contacted immediately and professional medical attention sought.
In cases of infections or contagious conditions, the authorities must be informed. Where necessary, medical advice should be sought as to whether the pupil should be temporarily withdrawn from school.
A first Aid Kit is available in the school. Staff can provide basic First Aid.
In the event of accident or injury to a pupil the staff will take such action as would be exercised by a careful and solicitous parent placed in similar circumstances.
It is important to inform the school of any allergies your child may have to any First Aid cream. The creams we may use are:
Savalon and Arnica.
Fire Drills will be carried out during the school year. In the event of a serious accident occurring, the parents/guardians
concerned will be contacted immediately and professional medical attention sought.
Rewards and sanctions
The school believes that greater emphasis should be placed on rewards rather than sanctions in order to influence and encourage proper behaviour. Proper behaviour will be recognised and suitably rewarded at the discretion of the individual teacher.
The overall responsibility for discipline in the school rests with the principal. Each teacher is responsible for discipline in his/her own classroom while sharing a common responsibility for good order and behaviour within the premises. Pupils will be referred to the principal for serious misconduct or for repeated incidents of minor misbehaviour. However, most infringements of school rules are of a minor nature requiring on the spot, simple, remedial action.
The following are strategies to be used to show disapproval of unacceptable behaviour:
A. Reasoning with pupil
B. Reprimand (including advice on how to improve)
C. Temporary separation from peers, friends, others
D. Withholding privileges
E. Detention during break
F. Prescribing additional work
G. Referral to the principal
H. Communication with parents
I. Suspension (temporary)
Under section 29 of the Education Act 1998 parents have the right to Appeal Decisions made by the Board of Management in relation to suspensions. Parents will be informed of their rights should it arise.
The overall responsibility for discipline in the school rests with the principal. Each teacher is responsible for discipline in his/her own classroom while sharing a common responsibility for good order and behaviour within the premises. Pupils will be referred to the principal for serious misconduct or for repeated incidents of minor misbehaviour. However, most infringements of school rules are of a minor nature requiring on the spot, simple, remedial action.
The following are strategies to be used to show disapproval of unacceptable behaviour:
A. Reasoning with pupil
B. Reprimand (including advice on how to improve)
C. Temporary separation from peers, friends, others
D. Withholding privileges
E. Detention during break
F. Prescribing additional work
G. Referral to the principal
H. Communication with parents
I. Suspension (temporary)
Under section 29 of the Education Act 1998 parents have the right to Appeal Decisions made by the Board of Management in relation to suspensions. Parents will be informed of their rights should it arise.
In class behaviour
Pupils are required to be in class in good time and possess the required books, copies, pens, pencils etc. Pupils should not borrow, as it is both unfair to other pupils and disruptive to the class in general. Pupils must present work neatly, to the best of their ability and in accordance with the teacher’s instructions. Pupils' behaviour should at all times be such as to allow learning without disruption.
Behaviour on Trips and Outings
On such occasions, pupils are made aware that they are representatives of the school and must behave in an exemplary manner, complying without question, with the directions of the person in charge. Full school rules remain in force while participating in such outings.
Care of property
Pupils are responsible for their own belongings and property. Pupils are expected to show respect for their own property, school property and the property of others. Pupils should not bring unnecessary articles of value into school, to avoid loss of same.
The Board of Management does not accept responsibility for the children’s property.
The Board of Management does not accept responsibility for the children’s property.
School Uniform
It is important that each child comes to school neat and tidy. We are proud of our school uniform which reflects the individuality of our school and offers to all children a common form of dress. School uniforms should be worn on each school day except on special occasions. For P.E. navy tracksuit bottoms, a sky blue t-shirt, a navy sweat shirt and runners should be worn.
In the interest of Health and Safety we request that jewellery is not worn to school.
Girl’s uniform Boy's uniform
Navy, trousers/pinafore/skirt Navy trousers
Light blue t-shirt Light blue t-shirt
Navy jumper with Crest Navy jumper with Crest
Extreme hairstyles are not permitted. Children should have their names on their coats, jumpers and other personal property.
School uniforms can be bought in Joan's Fashions, Main Street, Ballyconnell.
In the interest of Health and Safety we request that jewellery is not worn to school.
Girl’s uniform Boy's uniform
Navy, trousers/pinafore/skirt Navy trousers
Light blue t-shirt Light blue t-shirt
Navy jumper with Crest Navy jumper with Crest
Extreme hairstyles are not permitted. Children should have their names on their coats, jumpers and other personal property.
School uniforms can be bought in Joan's Fashions, Main Street, Ballyconnell.
Healthy Lunches
Surveys have shown that children’s lunches are often very unhealthy and not adequate because they tend to be low in fibre and high in sugar.
The school has a healthy lunch policy. As part of our involvement in D.E.I.S., the children in our school are provided with a healthy school lunch, free of charge. This is in line with our healthy lunch policy, and our health promoting school initiative. You may supplement your child’s lunch by including healthy snacks and / or healthy sandwiches or drinks, if you feel your child may still be hungry in school after they have eaten the lunch provided.
Chewing gum and crisps are not allowed in the school.
The school has a healthy lunch policy. As part of our involvement in D.E.I.S., the children in our school are provided with a healthy school lunch, free of charge. This is in line with our healthy lunch policy, and our health promoting school initiative. You may supplement your child’s lunch by including healthy snacks and / or healthy sandwiches or drinks, if you feel your child may still be hungry in school after they have eaten the lunch provided.
Chewing gum and crisps are not allowed in the school.
Charities
The school supports one or two charities each year. Numerous charities make applications to the school each year. Subscriptions made to these are voluntary.
School Library
Our school is equipped with a large stock of suitably graded reading material according to the pupil’s interests, abilities & needs.
This is augmented annually by new purchases. Parents wishing to donate new or second hand books in good condition to our school library should contact us here in school and their donations will be gratefully accepted.
This is augmented annually by new purchases. Parents wishing to donate new or second hand books in good condition to our school library should contact us here in school and their donations will be gratefully accepted.
Religious Formations
1. Parents have a key role to play in the religious formation of their children. They are asked to follow the Religion programme from the child’s book, and help with the Religion copy or workbook when it is sent home.
2. The pupils receive the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion when they are in Second Class and they receive
Confirmation when they are in Sixth Class. The preparation of the children for sacraments is a shared responsibility for pupils,
teachers, parents and parish clergy.
3. On certain occasions throughout the school year, the children may participate in prayer services or a class Mass.
2. The pupils receive the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion when they are in Second Class and they receive
Confirmation when they are in Sixth Class. The preparation of the children for sacraments is a shared responsibility for pupils,
teachers, parents and parish clergy.
3. On certain occasions throughout the school year, the children may participate in prayer services or a class Mass.
Homework
Pupils are given homework with the aims of reinforcing class work, allowing and encouraging the child to work independently and fostering good work habits.
Each teacher decides on the amount of work suitable for each class/pupil. The emphasis is always on quality not quantity.
A homework diary is issued by the school. Please use it to check given tasks are completed, to record problems and to daily sign.
Homework offers an opportunity to parents to fulfil in a particular way their role as primary educators of their children.
Each teacher decides on the amount of work suitable for each class/pupil. The emphasis is always on quality not quantity.
A homework diary is issued by the school. Please use it to check given tasks are completed, to record problems and to daily sign.
Homework offers an opportunity to parents to fulfil in a particular way their role as primary educators of their children.
Book rental Scheme
A School Book Rental Scheme is operated within the school by the Principal and staff to facilitate parents in the provision of school textbooks. Through this scheme all necessary textbooks will be provided by the school for an annual rental charge. Workbooks or any other books which are written on or coloured in and therefore cannot be used by another pupil must be purchased outright.
An annual fee will also be charged in respect of Art materials, standardised testing and photocopying.
An annual fee will also be charged in respect of Art materials, standardised testing and photocopying.
Handwriting
From Junior Infants, the children are taught the basic steps of a joined script style. While readiness is a factor, it is to be hoped that most pupils will be using a joined script by the end of Sixth Class.
Pupils Assessment
Pupil assessment is continuous and can be described under the following headings:
- Continuous informal / formal assessment is practised by the teaching staff
- Formal Standardised tests
- Continuous pupil observation and assessment
- Verbal / non verbal tests
Learning Support
The learning-support service is designed to help all pupils achieve basic literacy & numeracy by the time they complete their primary education. We have 10 hours per week of learning support in our school.
Pupils will be selected for supplementary teaching in accordance with D.E.S. guidelines which are outlined in our Learning Support Policy. This selection process will follow administration, scoring and interpretation of the standardised screening tests.
The nature of intervention to be provided for each pupil will be determined following consultation with the principal and class teacher. Emphasis will be placed on early intervention and prevention programmes.
Pupils will be monitored and have their learning targets reviewed on an on-going basis. The results of these will be communicated to parents regularly. Diagnostic assessments may be carried out on pupils who have been identified as experiencing low achievement or learning difficulties and referral to outside agencies may take place.
Pupils will be selected for supplementary teaching in accordance with D.E.S. guidelines which are outlined in our Learning Support Policy. This selection process will follow administration, scoring and interpretation of the standardised screening tests.
The nature of intervention to be provided for each pupil will be determined following consultation with the principal and class teacher. Emphasis will be placed on early intervention and prevention programmes.
Pupils will be monitored and have their learning targets reviewed on an on-going basis. The results of these will be communicated to parents regularly. Diagnostic assessments may be carried out on pupils who have been identified as experiencing low achievement or learning difficulties and referral to outside agencies may take place.
Group Teaching
Progress in all subjects varies from child to child and consequently your child may be grouped in class with children of similar ability.
The child’s rate of progress rather that his/her ranks in the class is the primary consideration.
The child’s rate of progress rather that his/her ranks in the class is the primary consideration.
Role of parent
Parents play a crucial role in shaping the attitudes in children which produce good behaviour in school.
The majority of parents take their responsibility with regard to standards of behaviour of their children seriously. Parents should appreciate the need to provide their children with firm guidance and positive models of behaviour. The school can more easily implement the behaviour and discipline if it receives the active support of the parents.
Parents can co-operate by encouraging their children to abide by the school rules and by visiting the school when requested to do so by the principal or members of staff and by ensuring that homework is allocated due time and effort by their child.
To avoid disruption to classes, parents wishing to contact a member of staff must contact the school outside class times to make an appointment.
Parents should inform the class teacher of any circumstances which might affect a pupil’s behaviour or academic performance.
The majority of parents take their responsibility with regard to standards of behaviour of their children seriously. Parents should appreciate the need to provide their children with firm guidance and positive models of behaviour. The school can more easily implement the behaviour and discipline if it receives the active support of the parents.
Parents can co-operate by encouraging their children to abide by the school rules and by visiting the school when requested to do so by the principal or members of staff and by ensuring that homework is allocated due time and effort by their child.
To avoid disruption to classes, parents wishing to contact a member of staff must contact the school outside class times to make an appointment.
Parents should inform the class teacher of any circumstances which might affect a pupil’s behaviour or academic performance.
Parent / Teacher Meetings & Reports
In accordance with the Dept. of Education Guidelines one Parent / Teacher meeting is held annually to discuss pupils’ progress. A second Parent / Teacher meeting is held during school hours at the request of parents. Staff are always available by appointment to meet a parent where necessary. At the end of the school year a formal report of a pupil’s progress is forwarded to parents / guardians.
Child Safeguarding Statement
Our Child Safeguarding Statement can be accessed by clicking the link below.
| child_safeguarding_statement.docx |
Complaints Procedure
It is in the interests of pupils, parents and teachers that good relations should exist between home and school.
The teachers are willing to discuss any problems which may arise from time to time. With mutual respect and goodwill, most problems can be resolved readily.
1. A parent who wishes to make a complaint should meet the class teacher with a view to resolving the complaint.
2. If the matter is not resolved, the parent should meet with the principal.
3. If the complaint is still not resolved, parents should meet with the Chairperson of the Board of Management.
The teachers are willing to discuss any problems which may arise from time to time. With mutual respect and goodwill, most problems can be resolved readily.
1. A parent who wishes to make a complaint should meet the class teacher with a view to resolving the complaint.
2. If the matter is not resolved, the parent should meet with the principal.
3. If the complaint is still not resolved, parents should meet with the Chairperson of the Board of Management.
Inspection of Documents / Policy Statements
Copies of the schools Anti-Bullying, Child Protection, Enrolment, Homework and Discipline Policy Statements are available in the school for inspection by any parent / guardian. Please contact the Principal to arrange an appointment to view these documents if you wish to do so.