Scoil Iósaf
Baile na Martra
Uimhir Rolla: 13647B
Plean Scoile
Volume 1
School Policy Documents
Let the Rooms be Full of Happiness
Acknowledgements
On January 6th 2014, at a Planning Day, the teaching staff in Scoil Iósaf Ns, Castlemartyr, 1347B, set about the task of redrafting the Policy Documents and Curriculum Statements. They are Jane Flannery, Principal, Elma Wade, Deputy-Principal, Úna McKevitt, Special Duties Post-holder, Ellen O’Neill, Fiona O’Callaghan, Barra Ó Tuama, Eleanor Murphy, Chrys Quirke, Úna O’Brien, Fiona Santry, ( Permanent Staff in descending order of seniority), and Maria Sheehan, Substitute teacher.
A programme of work and a time-frame was agreed. Every Monday afternoon, at CrokePark time, the staff came together to discuss the documents and at that time they crafted and re-crafted them. These times were for discussion. The editing and amending, in effect the work, however, was undertaken by the staff working in pairs over many undocumented hours after school contact time and at night. I feel strongly that this be stated and acknowledged.
Thanks to the Board of Management who read the documents, asked questions and made suggestions and recommendations. The policy documents were placed on the school website where they were accessed by the parent body. Their feedback was invited.
On March 17th2014 I, Jane Flannery, undertook the placing of the entire two Volumes on the website for easy access. The Policy Documents and Curriculum Statements will be available as separate files by title on the website. Access will be restricted by access code made known to all concerned by letter and available by request to the parents of Scoil Iósaf at the school office. Five printed copies will be available, on request, in the school.
Jane Flannery, Príomh Oide, 17/03/2014
Table of Contents
Page
- The School – An Introduction 4
- Booklet for Parents 7
- Enrolment / Admission Policy 16
- Enrolment Form 21
- Code of Behaviour23
- Child Protection Documents 28
- Complaints Procedure 33
- Anti – Bullying Policy / Respect for All 35
- ( Cyber Bullying ) 36
- Administration of Medicine 42
- Health and Safety Policy 44
- A Critical Incident Policy 50
- Substance Misuse Policy 51
- Acceptable Use Policy – AUP Information Technology 53
- Homework Policy 56
The School an Introduction
The original building, when constructed in 1980, consisted of 6 classrooms, office, storage room, large hall with stage. A Kitchen, Staff Room used also as a Resource learning room and storage area are located off the hall. In 2012 a Learning Support Classroom was constructed into the quadrangle – Classroom 7. In 2012 an extension was built as an annex to the front of the original building providing a seventh full-size classroom, Room 8, and a corridor in anticipation of future development.
The community contributed a considerable sum to build a larger hall than that originally provided for in the DES plans and this entitles the community to use of the hall after school hours.
The school is wheelchair accessible. The emergency door at the rear of the hall has a step free entrance. There is a ramp to the rear of the stage; this allows wheelchair access. There is wheelchair access also via the concrete paths from the KilthaPark entrance; up through the front lawn and into the school building via the main door the ground level at the door has been deliberately sloped to allow wheelchair access.
The school is grateful to the parish to Imogeela who donated the orchard attached to the former Parish Priest’s house, located on the Garryvoe road and with a boundary onto the school grounds, to the school. When done this act of generosity doubled the area of the playground.
At a later date, a second Parish field was sold, adjacent to the school, for building development, a strip of ground, given at that time, further increased the area of playing space. This was granted free gratis, under the stewardship of Fr. Broderick PP.
A former outdoor shelter in the playground has been converted into a storage area. There is a garden shed for the gardening equipment and also a paint store.
The playground boasts 2 full-size basketball courts, two soccer pitches, and a sheltered quadrangle.
The school boiler house is located at the rear of the school. The school is heated by natural gas and the gas meter is located at a distance from the school building.
Gates located beside the hall and also on Kiltha Park Road give access to the school playground from the northern and the eastern sides.
There is a school vegetable garden at the east on the school building.
Two large soakpits have been dug to prevent water lodging on the hard playground surface. A twenty meter aqua-drain allows surface rain-water to drain into these soak-pits. The drain and pit nearer the school building were dug in 2010 and the second in 2013.
Scoil Iósaf uses a Roof Rainwater Harvesting System in the toilet cisterns to reduce the consumption of mains water.
Asbestos found in floor-tile glue was removed in April 2009 and at that time all the floor surfaces, with the exception of the maple floor in the hall were replaced. The classroom work spaces are carpeted. There is safety flooring in all wet areas and Marmoleum on the corridors. Safety mats are placed strategically to enhance safety. The maple floor, in the hall, was sanded and restored in April 2010
In July 2009 the school was completely re-wired, to very high specifications. The ceiling insulation was upgraded. CCTV, intruder alarms and fire alarms were installed along with outdoor security lighting.
The heating system was replaced in the summer of 2010 and converted to Natural Gas. The cavity wall was pumped with bead insulation at that time also. Taps were replaced to achieve maximum water conservation. Water conservation was the intention also when cisterns were fitted with Hippo Bags or dual flush cisterns. The hall toilets were upgraded and tiled.
In October 2012 White PVC Double-Glazed windows were fitted in all classroom and corridor areas. In August 2013 9 smaller windows located in the smaller rooms and toilets off the hall were replaced with white PVC double-glazed windows. (Only the 7 windows in the hall structure continue to be aluminium-framed single glazed windows. The BOM has applied for Summer Works Funding to replace these – SWS 2014). The Board received Emergency Works funding in 2013 to tackle some building subsidence problems that became evident in the flat roof, walls, front steps and window sills, particularly on the east wing. These issues have all been repaired.
Scoil Iósaf, the building, is a beautifully functional Primary School building. The campus is large and impressive. The building is in a very good state of repair. This reflects the pride with which the local community, and the Roman Catholic parish of Imogeela ,contribute to its’ maintenence.
January 2014
Scoil Iósaf,
Castlemartyr,
Co. Cork
Telephone: (021) 4667689
Uimhir Rolla: 13647B
“
Let the rooms be full of happiness”
Scoil Iósaf Staff
Principal:Mrs. Jane Flannery
Deputy Principal:Mrs. Elma Wade
Teachers:Mrs. Una McKevitt
Mrs. Ellen O’Neill
Mrs. Fiona O’Callaghan
Mrs. Bernadette O’Brien
Mr. Barra O’Tuama
Ms. Eleanor Murphy
Ms. Chrys Quirke
Ms. Úna O’Brien
Ms. Fiona Santry
Non-Teaching Staff:Ms. Nancy Horgan
Ms. Maria Fleming
Ms. Helen Murphy
Mrs. Eileen McCarthy
Ms. Karen Dowley
School Song.
This is our school, let peace be found here.
May the rooms be full of happiness.
Let love abide, love for one another.
The love of life itself and the love of God.
Our Motto:“Let the Rooms Be Full of Happiness”
Mission Statement.
Scoil Iósaf is a co-educational, Catholic, primary school which strives to provide a well-ordered, caring, happy and secure atmosphere where the intellectual, spiritual, physical, moral and cultural needs of the pupils are identified and addressed.
Scoil Iósaf, baile na Martra.
In September 2013, Scoil Iósaf, through Developing School Status, became an eleven teacher school, eight classroom teachers, a Learning Support Teacher, a Resource Teacher and an Administrative Principal. The school also has ten hours learning support provided in two five hour blocks throughout the week by arrangement with Ballycotton NS & Whitegate NS. Scoil Iósaf is one of two primary schools in the Parish of Imogeela. It was constructed in 1980. We have bright, spacious airy classrooms, carpeted throughout with safety flooring on wet areas. All rooms have ensuite bathrooms. Our campus includes a fantastic sized hall with full stage facilities and amplification system, a large playground area and grass playing field. Current enrolment: 219 pupils. (Sept 2113).
Recent Refurbishments
2 New Classrooms built – 2012
PVC Double-Glazed windows (Except Hall) 2012 & 2013
Water Conservation Grant – 2010
Natural Gas Heating - 2010
Rainwater Harvesting - 2010
Electrical and Mechanical Refurbishment - 2008
C.C.T.V. & Intruder Alarm - 2009
Fire-alarm Secure Access Control - 2009
Intercom System- 2009
Cavity Wall Insulation - 2009
High Spec Ceiling Insulation -2008
O.P.W. Asbestos Removal - 2007
Complete re-decoration and floor covering. 2007 & 2010
School Schedule
A RomanCatholicSchool (which is established with the Minister for Education) aims at promoting the full and harmonious development of all aspects of the person of the pupil; intellectual, physical, cultural, moral and spiritual, including a living relationship with God and with other people. The school models and promotes a philosophy of life inspired by belief in God and in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Catholic school provides Religious education for the pupils in accordance with the doctrines, practices and tradition of the Roman Catholic Church and promotes the formation of the pupils in the Catholic Faith.
Board of Management.
The patron of the school is the Bishop of Cloyne & Emly Dr. William Crean. The Board of management is composed of: Two members appointed by, and representative of, the Patron – Fr. Cogan and David Fleming. Two parents representatives – one mother, one father – Rose Hayes and Carey Joyce. The Principal, Jane Flannery and another teacher Elma Wade. Two member’s representative of the wider community – Anne Taylor and David O’Keeffe.
The Chairman of the Board, nominated by the patron, is charged with direct management of the school. Responsibility for the school lies within the Board of Management. A Board serves 4 years. The current Board took office in 2011
Parents Association
In Scoil Iósaf there is an active and co-operative Parents Association. The Parents Association works for the betterment of education, leisure and the environment of the school. It helps financially with school requirements and co-operates with management and staff. The Parents Association organises some annual events for the children’s enjoyment – Halloween Bingo, Santa’s visit, Sports Day, and help with Swimming, First Communion, Grandparents’ Day & Daffodil Day.
The Parents Association meets on the first Tuesday of each month. All are welcome.
School Hours:
9.10am–2.50pm; Junior & Senior Infants finish at 1.50pm
The children are supervised from 9.00am.
Breaks: 11.10am – 11.20am and 12.50pm – 1.20pm
Break time is spent in the school playground, weather permitting. Break-time is intended for eating, drinking and using toilet facilities. The children are allowed 10 minutes to eat lunch in their classrooms before going into the playground. They remain in their classrooms if it is wet. Children cannot remain unsupervised in their classrooms during lunchtime. Please do not make such a request. (Extreme exceptions must be arranged through the Principal)
Punctuality is expected.
Regular attendance is very important. The school is governed by the Education Welfare Act 2000. If a child is absent for 20 days or more in a school year the School Welfare Officer must be notified by the Principal. Each day of non-attendance must be accounted for, in writing or verbally, by a parent or guardian. This is done by means of a school attendance form returned to the School Office or a note recorded in the school Homework Journal. The school actively fosters an attitude whereby:“The children come to school, on time, every day and stay for the whole day.”
The school would prefer if children are not taken out of school during term time for family holidays. If this is unavoidable, please be courteous and inform the Class Teacher and the Principal. School holidays are governed by the standardised school year as agreed with the Dept. of Education & Skills. A school calendar is sent to each home in June with details of the following school year – This is also posted on the Website
Promotion of Pupils.
Scoil Iósaf is governed by Rule 64 of the Rules for National Schools in the promotion of pupils. The Primary Curriculum is an eight year programme, including a two year infant cycle followed by six years in standards First to Sixth with children progressing to the next grade at the end of each school year. Children should only repeat a year for educational reasons. Rule 64 is further clarified by Circulars 10/67 and 11/01 (
Division of Classes.
The Principal determines the formation of classes and the allocation of classes among teaching staff. In Scoil Iósaf when a class must be divided age and gender balance will be the deciding factor. The older boys and girls, by two(initially), will go to the higher level class grouping. Friendships, ability or personal preferences are not considerations in the division of classes. The division rule has been amended to avoid the same children being placed in the
lower division more than twice. The Principal will implement this policy on behalf of the Board of Management. This policy may be reviewed from time to time as the Board of Management decides.
Curriculam +
The Curriculum at Scoil Iósaf is determined by The Revised New Curriculum 1999. All eleven subjects. Gaeilge, English, Maths, SPHE, Science, Geography, History, PE, Visual Arts and Drama are taught. As a Catholic school time is also given to the teaching of Religion. Alive –O is the programme used. The school frequently adopts whole-school collaboration. The staff co-operate to promote whole-school activities. These include Assembly, Paired-Reading, Quizzes, Active School Week and whole-school subject exploration. The school is open to modular pursuits such as Swimming, Irish Dancing, Hurling, Gaelic Football, Athletics, Cricket, Gymnastics, Basketball and School Performance. Parental support when needed is always forthcoming for such activities.
The School Playground
In the playground the children play with their own peer groups within specified zones. Each playtime is supervised by two adults. Our playground arrangements are intended to promote harmony and enable manageable supervision. They are in keeping with our motto “Let the rooms be full of happiness”.
Home – School Links.
Parent/Teacher meetings: Scoil Iósaf fully embraces the good practice of annual parent-teacher meetings. These meetings will take place in the first term. Strengths and weaknesses will have been established, by that time, and ample time remains of the school year to effect changes. If a parent is unable to attend at a formal parent-teacher meeting then an appointment time, suitable and convenient, to both parties must be arranged.
School Reports are sent to parents at the end of the school year. Standardised Assessment Tests are administered in English, Maths and Spelling in May/June each year. The results, in writing, are given to parents. Senior Infants are administered the M.I.S.T. every February.
Information: Short messages are sent to the parents by text message – each family supplies one mobile number & must notify the school if that number changes. For other information, notices, letters or newsletters are issued to the parents through the children. Children are encouraged to keep these in their Homework Journals. It is school policy to give such notices to the eldest members of each family.
Homework Journal: The homework Journal, used from Senior Infants - Sixth class is regularly used to send information. This is a cost effective way of spreading information. Parents are expected to sign the Journal each evening.
Parental Support: Scoil Iósaf actively encourages parents to support the school in many aspects of school life. The school needs the support of parents, from time to time, with transport and supervision. Parents who have particular skills and talents to share with the school are encouraged and welcomed to do so.
Parent/Teacher contact: The staff of Scoil Iósaf recognise their obligation to meet and discuss issues that may arise with parents. Informal contact before and after the school day, to trade information, has always been part and parcel of the Irish Primary school system and, where appropriate, will continue to be so. However, in the interest of fairness to all parties, an appointment system must be adhered to in order to facilitate more serious discussions. The agenda of such a discussion must also be made known in advance, to allow for consideration, research and preparation.
Party Invitations / Cards/ Presents.
Party Invitations have no place in schools. They are never given out during school hours or on the school premises. Talk of forthcoming parties must be kept “low-key”. There is no present giving among pupils. Christmas cards? The staff would prefer if this practice stopped please.
Homework
It is the policy of Scoil Iósaf to give homework on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday evenings to all classes. Homework is both written and oral, especially reading aloud for younger children. Homework often includes Rote/Memory work. i.e. tables, poetry, rhymes and prayers. Homework should be age appropriate. Work on the learning of spellings should be carried out as a written activity, for sound educational reasons. Differences in assignments and expectations should reasonably allow for ability differences within a class group. It is school policy to use Homework Journals from Senior Infants onwards to log homework. These should be monitored by parents and serve as a useful point of communication between home and school. Please sign the Homework Journal each evening.