A huge thank you to everyone who participated, helped and came to see our singing.

Click any picture to see a larger version.

The survey stage of our ethos self-evaluation has begun!  All parents are asked to please fill in the parent survey online here:  www.surveymonkey.com/s/getnsethosparent

If you prefer to complete the survey on paper, you may do so by completing the form being sent home in all school bags on Wednesday, 18th April 2012, or download and print a copy of the survey here (PDF LINK).  Forms should be returned by post or to the box in the school secretary’s office marked “ETHOS SELF-EVALUATION”.  The deadline for completion by either method is Wednesday, 2nd May 2012.

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey, your responses will help in planning for our school’s future.

Best wishes,

The Ethos Self-Evalution Committee

Lynnea Connolly (Patron Nominee, Board of Management), Sarah Kernaghan (Parents’ Association Committee),

Niamh Mac Cárthaigh (Parents’ Association Committee), Aoife Reilly (Teacher, Senior Infants).

This means that, in conjunction with the Educate Together National Office, we are consulting with parents, pupils, staff and the Board of Management to identify areas for celebration and areas for improvement with regard to the school ethos.

An Ethos Self Evaluation Committee (ESEC) has been established and is currently finalising surveys for all pupils, staff Board members and parents to complete.  Surveys will be sent home in school bags on Wednesday, 18th April and you will be asked to complete your survey on paper or online by Wednesday, 2nd May.

We will then carry out a series of workshops for those who wish to take part, facilitated by the Educate Together National Office. The workshops will provide an opportunity for those who are interested to further explore themes and issues around ethos that have been identified in the surveys.

Parent workshops will take place on Monday, 28th May at 9.30am and on Wednesday, 30th May at 8.00pm in the school and will last for up to an hour and a half – there is no need to sign up in advance, just come along if you wish to. Workshops will also be held for staff, pupils and Board members on Monday, 28th May.

Following the completion of the surveys and workshops, the ESEC will analyse the information collected and compile a report that will be made available to the whole school community and to Educate Together at the start of the 2012/13 school year. It will be used to assess where we are at and to assist in planning, but will not be used to compare us to other schools or for any other purpose.

We would like to sincerely ask you to take part in this process, as the more information we can collect, the better we can plan for our school’s future. All your survey responses will be fully confidential and we would like to hear from you no matter how much or how little you have to say.

We would like to say a special thank you to the members of the Student Council for their help in preparing the pupil surveys.

If you have any queries about the ethos self-evaluation process, please feel free to contact Lynnea by email at lynnea1@yahoo.com.

Best wishes, The Ethos Self Evaluation Committee

Lynnea Connolly (Patron Nominee, Board of Management),  Sarah Kernaghan (Parents’ Association Committee), Niamh Mac Cárthaigh (Parents’ Association Committee), Aoife Reilly (Teacher, Senior Infants).

The Board of Management would appreciate it if all parents/guardians could contact Ruairi Quinn, T.D., Minister for Education directly to reiterate your support for Educate Together Patronage.

We have created a template letter in MS Word, please feel free to amend as you wish.

We hope you enjoy the information on school.

If there’s anything you like, don’t like or if you have any suggestions, please don’t hesitate to tell us!

Thank you for participating.

If you have any comment or would like to get in touch with the PA, please go to the PA website.

For details, please go to the ET website here:

http://www.educatetogether.ie/school-support/2012/02/national-forum-feb2012/

Thank you for your interest.

We are delighted to welcome the children back to school today 1^stSeptember 2010. I’m sure everyone is delighted that they are back. Can we especially welcome the 30 new infants in Naomi’s room and all the new children who have joined us in the other classes.

Heading into our third year now, we have only one new member of staff, Angelina, who will be teaching Learning Support/Resource. She is a very experienced teacher and some of the children already know her as she has previously done some substitute teaching here. Welcome Angelina.

We haven’t heard of any new baby siblings being born over the summer, but I’m sure you’ll keep us informed.

Can we again remind you all of our healthy lunch policy no sweets, crisps or fizzy drinks and the Drop Down only area at the front of the school. This is very important this year especially, as the school bus will be delivering children to school and will need that area to be clear. We would ask for your co-operation please.

The “Lost Property” can be inspected in the Wicklow Room on the first few mornings that you are in for coffee, any clothes remaining by end of September will be given to charity.

Staff meeting on Friday 3^rd Sept early close at 1:30pm. All Junior Infants will be going home at 12.10pm up to Friday the 17^th September.

Items for the wishlist this year include library books and a dishwasher (if there is one going spare). Please remember to donate any old mobile phones your family or friends may be disposing of. We are still trying to save enough for an Interactive Whiteboard and they will be donated to the Jack & Jill Charity.

Anyone who has had a change of address or phone number, please contact Aideen in the office.

Kind regards,
Catherine

Just a few reminders about some ‘good practice’ in the mornings:

• Try to use the drop down zone as drop down only (this is the area directly along the kerb facing the front door).
• Remember that your child’s teacher starts work with the children at 9:10am. For infants this could be integration into social play time, which is very important for them. From 1^st class up, this could be homework correction, or listening to reading.
• While we welcome all parents to the classroom in the mornings, it is important to remember that it is not the appropriate time to engage the teacher in a conversation regarding your child’s progress.  If you need to speak to your child’s teacher, please make an appointment with them for a proper discussion.

Catherine