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School Information |
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Introduction
Scoil Chaoimhín Naofa or St. Kevin’s N. S. is a catholic primary school under the patronage of the Archdiocese of Armagh which has served the community of Philipstown at its present location since 1954. It is sometimes referred to as ‘the school at the crossroads’. There are currently five mainstream class teachers, two Special Education Teachers, two Special Needs Assistants and one secretary on the staff.
Mission Statement
All staff endeavour to create and sustain a happy and contented learning environment within which our pupils may grow and develop into individuals who will be prepared for the next stage of their education.
School Opening and Closing times
School opens at 9.00 a.m. for all children. Children are supervised in the yard before school begins from 8.50 a.m. Pupils should not be left on school grounds unattended by parents/guardians prior to this. Junior and Senior Infant classes finish at 1.40pm, with all other classes finishing at 2.40pm. Please collect children promptly as they may fret if you are late. Please let the class teacher know in writing of any special collection arrangements. Junior and Senior infant children must be collected from their class teacher by their parents/guardian or other adult nominated by the parents. The Junior & Senior Infant teachers must be notified of any changes of escort.
Uniform
The school uniform must be worn at all times. It consists of a wine coloured jumper or cardigan, grey skirt or trousers, grey shirt or blouse, wine tie and grey or wine coloured socks or tights. Clothes should be ordered in June for September. Short-sleeved polo shirts, grey or white are to be worn under tracksuits. These are available from Dunnes Stores or Penneys. The school crest is optional. Please ensure that all clothing likely to be removed e.g. jumpers, coats, hats etc. is labelled with your child's name.
If your child has any toilet problems please let the teacher know. In the event of a toilet accident the parent/guardian will be notified to come to the school to collect the pupil. For younger children we do not recommend trousers with clasps or belts which may be difficult to open. Shoes should have Velcro fastenings until the child is able to tie his/her own shoelaces.
If your child has any toilet problems please let the teacher know. In the event of a toilet accident the parent/guardian will be notified to come to the school to collect the pupil. For younger children we do not recommend trousers with clasps or belts which may be difficult to open. Shoes should have Velcro fastenings until the child is able to tie his/her own shoelaces.
Road Safety when Collecting children
Parents/guardians are asked to park on the school side of the road, in front of St. Kevin's Hall or in the Community Centre car park. No pupil is to cross the road unaccompanied. At home time, parents/guardians should walk to the school gate and collect their children from that point. Children should remain on school grounds until they are collected. If your child is permitted to walk or cycle home independently, please inform the teacher in writing at the start of the school year.
Breaks
There are two breaks during the day, a short one from 10.50a.m. to 11.00a.m. and a longer break from 12.30p.m. to 1.00p.m. We try to ensure that no child feels lonely or left out, and to this end we recommend that older brothers, sisters and friends do not monopolise the younger children's playtime which may restrict them in forming peer attachments. Each class grouping has its own specific play area.
Lunches
The school operates a healthy eating policy. Children are encouraged to bring a balanced lunch to school e.g. rolls or sandwiches, fruit and vegetables, water or unsweetened fruit juice in a reusable plastic bottle. Sweets, fizzy drinks, crisps are strictly not allowed. Children are permitted to bring plain homemade scones or buns on Fridays only. Parents should consult the safefood.eu website for guidelines and suggestions on healthy lunches that are appropriate for the age and dietary requirements of your child.
Curriculum
The Revised Primary School Curriculum, which was introduced in 1999, is designed to prepare our pupils for secondary school and adult life.
It recognises the uniqueness of the child, while at the same time enabling him/her to take a full part in our modern society of the 21st century.
Our society demands that our citizens are competent in literacy and numeracy and this is reflected in the way these areas are taught in primary schools. There is a heavy emphasis on oral, reading and written skills in literacy while in numeracy the approach is through activity and discovery methods. Thus, the emphasis is less on rote learning (learning off by heart) but more towards a curriculum which seeks to deepen the child's understanding of new ideas and concepts.
Our pupils are also made aware of our proud Irish identity, language and heritage through the teaching of Gaeilge, History and Geography. At the same time our role within the E.U. and the way it has influenced our society is also explored.
The Revised Primary School Curriculum highlights the important part each pupil has to play in protecting our world. The Science, Environmental Studies Education (S.E.S.E.) programme nurtures a greater understanding of and a greater need to preserve our environment.
Social Personal Health Education (S.P.H.E.) promotes greater self-esteem and independence within our pupils. 'Stay Safe' and 'Walk Tall' are key teaching programmes which seek to foster within each pupil good decision making skills which are necessary for a healthy, safe and well balanced lifestyle.
It recognises the uniqueness of the child, while at the same time enabling him/her to take a full part in our modern society of the 21st century.
Our society demands that our citizens are competent in literacy and numeracy and this is reflected in the way these areas are taught in primary schools. There is a heavy emphasis on oral, reading and written skills in literacy while in numeracy the approach is through activity and discovery methods. Thus, the emphasis is less on rote learning (learning off by heart) but more towards a curriculum which seeks to deepen the child's understanding of new ideas and concepts.
Our pupils are also made aware of our proud Irish identity, language and heritage through the teaching of Gaeilge, History and Geography. At the same time our role within the E.U. and the way it has influenced our society is also explored.
The Revised Primary School Curriculum highlights the important part each pupil has to play in protecting our world. The Science, Environmental Studies Education (S.E.S.E.) programme nurtures a greater understanding of and a greater need to preserve our environment.
Social Personal Health Education (S.P.H.E.) promotes greater self-esteem and independence within our pupils. 'Stay Safe' and 'Walk Tall' are key teaching programmes which seek to foster within each pupil good decision making skills which are necessary for a healthy, safe and well balanced lifestyle.
Books and Stationary
The school operates a Book Rental Scheme. Please cover all books and copies and encourage your child to keep them in good condition. Rental books should be covered in clear covering and clearly labelled. For infant classes, pencils, crayons and all other materials are supplied by the class teacher and kept at school. They are not required to have a pencil case. Older children must supply their own pens, pencils, rulers and colouring pencils as per the stationery list issued by the class teacher prior to the summer holidays. Children are permitted to leave books not needed for homework in their classroom.
Homework
Children will as a rule, be given homework from Monday - Thursday with none at weekends. Homework will consist of written, reading and learning activities designed to consolidate your child’s class work.
>Junior and Senior Infants: homework should last no longer than 30 minutes.
>1st, 2nd and 3rd class: homework should last no longer than 45 minutes.
>4th, 5th and 6th class: homework should last no longer than 1 hour.
If your child is having persistent difficulties in completing assigned homework or doing so within these times, please make an appointment to see the teacher.
In the event of homework not being completed an explanatory note should be sent in to your child's teacher. Parents/guardians have an important role in assisting and supporting their children with their homework. All homework diaries and weekly tests should be signed by a parent/guardian. In the event that your child receives a homework pass, this entitles them to no written homework. Reading and learning homework must still be completed.
>Junior and Senior Infants: homework should last no longer than 30 minutes.
>1st, 2nd and 3rd class: homework should last no longer than 45 minutes.
>4th, 5th and 6th class: homework should last no longer than 1 hour.
If your child is having persistent difficulties in completing assigned homework or doing so within these times, please make an appointment to see the teacher.
In the event of homework not being completed an explanatory note should be sent in to your child's teacher. Parents/guardians have an important role in assisting and supporting their children with their homework. All homework diaries and weekly tests should be signed by a parent/guardian. In the event that your child receives a homework pass, this entitles them to no written homework. Reading and learning homework must still be completed.
Notes Home
Please check your child’s bag/homework diary regularly as they may contain notes for parents/guardians.
Textaparent is also used for communicating messages from school to home
Textaparent is also used for communicating messages from school to home
Assessment
Informal assessment
Informal assessment will be continually made by your child's teacher, e.g. spelling tests each Friday, in-class observation, self-assessment methods, pupil-teacher conferencing. Informal maths assessments take place once a term.
Children are assessed in all subjects prior to the annual Parent/Teacher meetings and at the end of the School Year.
Formal assessment
In March/April each year, the Special Education Teachers administer a screening test to all Senior Infant pupils to help determine if it will be necessary for your child to receive additional support. Standardised tests for literacy and numeracy are administered to all pupils from 1st to 6th Class in late May or early June. The results of these tests will be communicated to parents via the formal written reports which are sent home to parents at the end of the summer term.
Informal assessment will be continually made by your child's teacher, e.g. spelling tests each Friday, in-class observation, self-assessment methods, pupil-teacher conferencing. Informal maths assessments take place once a term.
Children are assessed in all subjects prior to the annual Parent/Teacher meetings and at the end of the School Year.
Formal assessment
In March/April each year, the Special Education Teachers administer a screening test to all Senior Infant pupils to help determine if it will be necessary for your child to receive additional support. Standardised tests for literacy and numeracy are administered to all pupils from 1st to 6th Class in late May or early June. The results of these tests will be communicated to parents via the formal written reports which are sent home to parents at the end of the summer term.
Attendance
A good level of attendance at school is essential to help children reach their full potential. The Education Welfare Act 2000 requires that the school Principal inform the National Education Welfare Board of a child who is absent for more than 20 days in any one school year. If a child has been absent from school, the Act requires parents/guardians to inform the principal of the reasons for the absence. Parents are obliged to send in an explanatory note explaining their child's absence.
As part of attendance tracking, we record pupils who are late to school or who leave early for any reason. Parents must inform teachers if they are collecting their child during the school day and the reason for this absence.
As part of attendance tracking, we record pupils who are late to school or who leave early for any reason. Parents must inform teachers if they are collecting their child during the school day and the reason for this absence.
Parent/Teacher Meetings
Every year during the first term Parent/Teacher meetings are held over two afternoons after the school day has ended. These provide a formal opportunity for discussing each child's progress. The dates will be notified via the school calendar and parents will receive an allocated time slot from their child’s class teacher approximately 10 days in advance of the meetings taking place. Please do not hesitate to make an appointment with your class teacher at any time, if you are concerned about your child’s progress at school.
P.E.
P.E. usually takes place on either Wednesday or Friday. On occasions when external coaches are visiting the school, it may be necessary to hold P.E. lessons on a different day of the week. Individual class teachers will notify children of their allocated day. Children should wear their tracksuits on this day. Some of the senior classes may also be required to wear tracksuits on other days e.g. for Gaelic Football - Cumann na mBunscoil competitions. Children will be notified of this verbally by their class teacher. As part of our Active Schools Flag initiative, children are permitted to wear runners to school every day so that they can complete their daily exercise activities.
Head Lice and Other Safety Issues
Head lice can be a problem from time to time in the school and is very difficult to eradicate unless all parents/guardians tackle it equally. Please take time to inspect your children’s heads weekly and if you do discover a problem please inform us so that we can raise the issue generally with all the parents/guardians and inform class teachers so that they can be especially vigilant.
Children should not be sent to school if they are unwell. It is better to err on the side of caution as a warm classroom full of children will invariably make the condition worse and any infection will spread easily to others.
Presently, the Health Service Executive (H.S.E.) carry out free hearing, eyesight checks through the schools. They always send home a consent form asking parents/guardians whether or not they wish to avail of this service. Checks are done on a H.S.E. directed schedule which is designed to ensure that all children are offered each service at least once during their primary school years. Hearing and eyesight tests are held in the school and are preliminary in nature. If the nurse conducting the tests suspects a problem, they will then send a letter home regarding the need for more detailed investigation.
Children should not be sent to school if they are unwell. It is better to err on the side of caution as a warm classroom full of children will invariably make the condition worse and any infection will spread easily to others.
Presently, the Health Service Executive (H.S.E.) carry out free hearing, eyesight checks through the schools. They always send home a consent form asking parents/guardians whether or not they wish to avail of this service. Checks are done on a H.S.E. directed schedule which is designed to ensure that all children are offered each service at least once during their primary school years. Hearing and eyesight tests are held in the school and are preliminary in nature. If the nurse conducting the tests suspects a problem, they will then send a letter home regarding the need for more detailed investigation.
Policy on 1st Holy Communion and Confirmation cards and gifts
In recent years, parents/guardians agreed that a maximum of €5 should be given to classmates in both 1st Holy Communion and Confirmation Cards. No cards and gifts should be exchanged before, during or after these ceremonies