Fáilte
As we prepare to embark upon a new school year I would like to extend a heartfelt 'Welcome' to all our students and families and hope that everyone had a relaxing and enjoyable summer with friends and loved ones. For our students returning to school, it is a time filled with anticipation and excitement as they prepare to reacquaint themselves with friends, to develop new relationships, and to enter the next level. For students new to Scoil Naomh Eltin, or entering school for the first time, this is a very special time indeed. We welcome you.
Inevitably, the excitement and bustle of school opening in September will give way to more comfortable and established routines as we progress through the autumn months and beyond. During this time, and throughout the year, we will continue to maintain our strong focus on academic excellence. This is our core purpose as a caring and compassionate school and it is reflected through the unwavering efforts of our excellent staff who work with our students and families every day of the year.
To the school staff I would like to extend a heartfelt 'Welcome'. I welcome new staff members, Ms Moore (School Secretary), Ms Thuillier (6thclass teacher), Ms Roberts (4thclass teacher ), Ms Dowling (1stclass teacher), Ms Harte (Senior Infant teacher), Ms Wycherley (SEN teacher), Ms Twohig (substitute SEN teacher), and Ms Sheehan (substitute SNA). We all have an important role to play in the success of our students and I look forward to working closely with you throughout the 2019/2020 school year to ensure that this is an exciting, fulfilling and rewarding year for all of our students. As partners, we share the responsibility for our children’s success and I want you to know that we will do our very best to carry out our responsibilities. We ask that you guide and support your child’s learning by ensuring that he/she:
1) Attends school daily and arrives on time, ready for the day. The school opens to receive students from 9.00 am. Students are supervised from this time. The school bell will ring at 9.10 am. Your child should line up with his/her class at this time.
Parents/Guardians can you please collect your child on time each day also.
2) Completes all homework assignments given by teachers
3) Reads daily to develop a love for reading and to improve literacy skills
4) Shares school experiences with you so that you are aware of his/her school life
5) Knows that you expect him/her to work in school and at home
6) Understands that on wet days each child goes straight to class on arrival at school.
Junior Infant Parents
At this stage your child has settled well in the school and should now be ready to line up in the morning with the other students.
Can all infants be in school therefore to line up when the bell rings at 9.10 am.
Can I also ask parents to leave your child walk in with his/her teacher and support staff.
If you wish to speak with teacher then please do so in the afternoon at collection time or by appointment in the school office on 021 4774040.
Junior Infant Information meeting
As parents/guardians of Junior Infant students you will be invited to an information session with both Junior Infant teachers in the coming weeks. At this meeting you will become familiar with the Junior Infant Programme and you will receive an information leaflet from your child’s teacher. If you are unable to attend please do not worry as all parents/guardians will be given a copy of this leaflet on the following day.
Uniforms
The students are looking very smart in their uniforms as the year begins. Please ensure that your child wears correct uniform or tracksuit as per schedule. You will be updated on this on a regular basis via Aladdin.
Supervision
Please be informed that the school gates are open early in the morning to allow for staff access only.
Students however, are only allowed on the premises from 9.00 am and are supervised from this time.
Attendance
Please be advised that school attendance is monitored by the National Educational Welfare Board. If your child is absent from school please notify the school of the reason for absence by phone or via a note to teacher on his/her return. Otherwise the absence will be marked unexplained. As per Department of Education and Skills regulations the school attendance roll call is taken each day at 10am. If your child is not in school at this time they will be marked absent. Equally if your child is in school at the normal time but leaves for an appointment and is not present at 10am, then they will be marked absent.
Healthy Eating
Scoil Naomh Eltin continues to maintain its “Health Promoting School Status”. Please support the school in maintaining this by giving your child healthy lunches and reserving treats if necessary to each Friday.
Allergies
Please do not send nuts of any type in your child’s lunchbox as there is a student with a serious nut allergy in the school.
PARKING
Please be aware at all times of young students on the school grounds if you are driving through.
There are two vehicle exit gates on the school grounds.
The first gate is on your left just after the entrance gate and leads out to Ballinacubby.
The second is the exit gate to Roseabbey Park road.
Please use the Ballinacubby exit if possible as this limits the amount of traffic on the school grounds.
Please reserve the drop off zones for students from Junior and Senior Infants if possible.
If your child is in a more senior class please drop your child at the school gate.
There is full pedestrian access to the school building from the entrance gate.
If you are driving through the school and not using drop off zones please do not delay as this causes problems with traffic management.
Please do not park in the disabled access parking areas. There are students in the school who need access to these.
Please do not double park at any time on the school grounds.
The staff car park is reserved for school staff. Please do not enter this area at any time.
I am honoured to serve as principal of Scoil Naomh Eltin. It is a privilege to be a part of a community where parents, teachers and students care for each other and strive to build positive relationships that support academic and social growth.
If you have any concerns or questions at any time please do not hesitate to discuss with your child’s teacher or with myself. Appointments may be made at the school office or on 021 4774040.
Kind regards and sincere thanks
Susan O’Hanrahan
Príomhoide