General Information

SCHOOL UNIFORM

The school uniform consists of:

Grey trousers/skirt/pinafore

White shirt

Crested blue jumper*

Crested blue tracksuit*

Please ensure that all clothes likely to be removed i.e. jumpers, coats, hats, scarves, gloves etc. are clearly labelled with your child’s name, as many children possess similar items.

Parent/Guardians are advised to ensure that their children wear appropriate footwear to school.

The school uniform is worn from Monday to Friday. The school tracksuit is worn on Fridays, PE days and other specified occasions.

(*Crested items can be purchased in Cahill’s, Carrigaline.)

SCHOOL DAY & ATTENDANCE

School opens at 8:30 a.m. to receive students. No responsibility is accepted for pupils arriving before that time.

Classes begin at 8:50 a.m.

Small break between 10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Lunch break between 12:45 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.

Classes for Junior/Senior Infants finish at 1:30 p.m.

Classes for Rang 1 – Rang 6 finish at 2:30 p.m.

We strongly advise all parents/guardians that their children attend every day. In order to comply with the Education Welfare act 2000, the school must record a reason for each pupil’s individual absences. All absences require a note explaining why a pupil was absent. This note can be a handwritten note or you can email the school. All notes are retained in our pupil files and may be inspected by personnel from the National Educational Welfare Board. A phone call to the school or a note in the homework journal is not acceptable on this occasion. All children who miss 20 days during the school year will be reported to the above body who in turn may contact you directly. Also, for safety reasons, all children being collected early from school need a note and have to be signed out by an adult in the office.

PARKING/DROPPING AT SCHOOL

Please be aware an unofficial one way system operates outside the school in the mornings and evenings. However, this has no legal standing and you are asked to co-operate with local road users and residents as you come and go.

We would also ask that you be mindful of staff arriving at work in the mornings and are encouraged to drop and go as you deliver your children in the mornings. The school will be open from 8.30 am every morning and this leaves a twenty minute period for drop offs so as to avoid congestion. All children will be supervised by staff during this morning period. If the weather is wet all children will remain under supervision in the main school building.

In the afternoon you are asked to arrive as close to collection times as possible. If parking is not available you are asked not to leave your car unattended.

HOMEWORK

Homework is given on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays but not on a Friday. Children from 1st to 6th class have a homework journal which should be signed each night by their parent/guardian. If a child has any difficulty with his/her homework, please note it in the homework journal as the class teacher checks the journal daily. The journal is a good way to communicate simple messages to the class teacher and vice versa.

HOME/SCHOOL COMMUNICATION

We believe that, in order to function efficiently, there must be at all times good communications between the school and the children’s homes. This will be done via letters/notes and/or school website and/or text message. If we have to close the school for exceptional reasons e.g. severe weather conditions, we will also contact Parents/Guardians via Text-a-Parent to inform them.

Formal Parent-Teacher Meetings will take place in November for Rang 1-6 and February for Junior/Senior Infants. During this discussion the class teacher will explain the child’s progress at school. School Reports are sent home in June. If parents wish, a follow up meeting can be arranged. At all times parents are encouraged to contact the school if they have any queries.

As always, your child’s education and welfare is our primary concern. At times you may wish to speak to your child’s class teacher or to myself and you are always most welcome to do so. However we would like you to keep in mind that we have classes to attend to all day and unless it is a very quick word you are advised to make an appointment if you wish to discuss any issue in detail.

COMPLAINTS

Please let us know immediately if you have concerns or complaints. The sooner the school knows, the sooner we can take measures regarding any problem, put matters right, offer solutions and reassurance. Initially any concerns or complaints should be discussed with your child’s class teacher who is best placed to deal with any problems arising. Please also see complaints policy on our website.

DISCIPLINE IN SCHOOL

While the school policy is readily available from the office/school website, we place a major emphasis on children being well behaved and respecting of all at school. All children have the right to be happy in school and we endeavour that children learn in a calm, orderly environment.

HEALTHY EATING/SCHOOL LUNCHES

We are a healthy eating promoting school. Children are encouraged to eat a healthy and wholesome lunch each day. Crisps, big bars, fizzy drinks and chewing gum are not allowed. We would also like to make people aware that we have pupils with nut allergies in the school. We would ask in the interest of safety that pupils do not bring whole nuts to school.

Please ensure that children’s food & drinks are taken to school in suitable containers. Children who eat yoghurts at school are asked to bring their own spoon. In order to maintain a litter- free environment, children must eat their lunch in the classroom before going outside to play. All lunch litter is to be taken home.

We would also like to add that the children are encouraged by their teachers to wash their hands before and after eating times. Hand sanitizing lotion is also available in every class but you may also wish to include this in your child’s school bag.

MEDICINE/SUPPORTING CHILDREN WITH MEDICAL CONDITIONS

If your child requires medicine to be administered during the school day, including self-administered medication such as an inhaler, a form, available from the school office, must be completed and accompany the medicine.

Children with serious medical conditions/allergies will need a care plan. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to keep the school informed so that the correct health and safety procedures are put in place.

MOBILE PHONES/VALUABLES

The use of mobile phones is not permitted in the school at any time throughout the school day. If a child is found in possession or using a mobile phone, the phone will be confiscated & given to their parents at the end of the school day.

Children should not bring any valuables, such as jewellery or electronic games, into school. The school will not take responsibility for any items brought into school. Toys and teddies are not permitted.

PUPIL PERSONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE

As you are aware all children in the school are covered by Pupil Accident Insurance, which cost €6.40 and was paid with your child’s school fees. I would like to remind you that this insurance provides cover for all school activities, extends outside school hours and includes weekends and holiday periods.