1styrs. Sept 2015- Survey
Summary ofResponses
- How do you feel the first few weeks have gone?
It has been a big change for my daughter starting secondary and I would like to say a huge thank you to each and every one of the staff for making her new journey a good one
A lot of confusion with timetables in the first week caused a lot of stress, given 3 timetables and not knowing where they should actually be as 2 of the timetables had different classroom numbers. Once sorted everything ok
Found it difficult not knowing many people
I don't think enough has been done to help first years get used to the big change from sixth,they feel out of place and find it hard to settle especially at lunch time, they feel they have nowhere to go and their lunch is coming home and not been eaten
My daughter is having a good time
Accessing lockers is difficult
My son loves the school and all his teachers – it is going very well
Had to adjust with new friends but getting on well
All staff and students great
Meitheal team excellent
Teachers and staff are kind
Finds new routines difficult
Much bigger school than primary and getting used to it
- Has anything particularly impressed you about our school?
The Meitheal leaders are a great help
Everything impresses me everyone is on hand at any time you may ring or call
Good structure and routine, great policy on homework. First year mass was lovely with credit to the choir in such a short time together
The extra choice of subjects
The 1st years are made to feel very welcome in the school everybody wants to help and there is a very good feeling in the school
How helpful senior students have been to first years
Organisation of students into their own base area
The overall way the 1st years were looked after and the transition period made so easy for them
Half day on Friday & friendliness of older pupils
The first year new building and the equipment in science and woodwork rooms
My son feels very welcome and has settled in great thanks to the staff and pupils
The nice way children have been introduced to the school
That the staff and Principal really care about the students and do their best for them Also the Eportal and schoolwise systems are a fantastic idea for the students and parents.
Lovely staff
Impressed that all 1st Years can sample all optional subjects prior to making their choice
Friendliness and approachability
Variety of subjects available and the modern approach is impressive
I feel my child has been made feel very welcome in her first weeks. Might have been even more beneficial to have had another day before the rest of the school started back. She got lost a few times and missed 1st break due to having to go her locker. Maybe the children should be given a little advice on how to arrange time better. When is best to go to lockers etc.
Positivity and equality
All students look happy and content going into school and coming home
I am impressed with the way both teachers and students have helped my daughter to settle. She is so happy and careful going to school. There seems to be great help available for them.
Class tutor and Meitheal group
I am delighted to see that even when my child was struggling with a test the teacher took her aside and read out the questions
The one way system is a good idea. And I've heard from my daughter that the teachers are considerate and really nice
General atmosphere and buzz there, plus the activities
Very well run school with some very good teachers
I am very impressed as to how easy the transition from primary school to secondary school has been for my son
No evidence whatsoever of bullying and excellent structures in place for the first years to be guided by the Meitheal leaders
The new wing for the first years
Football pitch
The school has a good web site and text system
- What concerns, if any, do you have and what do you feel the school can do to address them?
As you are well aware traffic outside the school is frightening, but I so often witness students walking out in front of cars and lorries, please address the dangers of this to students especially in front of lorries as the pedestrian cannot be seen by the lorry driver, it’s scary to watch as no student on the Royal Oak side of crossing ever go up to use the crossing. Perhaps push the council for ramps as this may also slow traffic
Pupil is getting used to number of subjects and if all homework was on schoolwise this would make it easier for the pupils who may not get down all the homework or who may already be involved in school sports
School Jackets. Weather getting colder jackets need to be worn
Crowding large number of students between 1st and 3rd year
Lockers little bit busy and can cause panic trying to get to classes
I was shocked to discover that there were snacks for sale in the school shop,all the hard work that the children done in primary school has been wiped out
I am not quite sure my daughter knows how to study (revise). Homework is not an issue
Lack of storage for bags/sports bags and difficulty getting to locker on the 11 o'clock break---
The pace of teaching in some subjects is a lot faster than primary school and because there are some new subjects also it would help if in these first few weeks that the pace was a little slower and more explanation given if necessary
I wish the students could wear their PE clothes to school on the day they have PE,the school bag is very heavy & it’s not easy to bring another bag also especially when they have to walk to get a bus
There are lots of little groups in first year and if you are not part of that group you are different and feel isolated. You can’t make girls get on with each other but the basics of how to treat all people should be taught because the girls need to respect each other’s differences. This should be taught at home but in some cases it is not
There is no time to eat anything at break
Lockers if time was taken to show students how to arrange them before they actually start school
No real concerns, but would the school consider having an informal meet and greet day during the summer for incoming 1st years. Spend the day getting to know other students and the lay out of the school and the school rules. I think it would help make the children less nervous and more relaxed for the first day in September
The teachers need to be more understanding that not all students get the information first time and some students may need to have instructions or password details repeated
Would be better if they got a little more time between classes for using lockers just seems to be a lot of rushing
The lockers seem to be a problem and traffic outside but I don't think the school can do much about these until they get more classrooms
- How would you describe how your son/daughter approaches their homework and revision after school?
42% - no reminders needed
50% - requires some occasional monitoring
8% - requires constant and careful monitoring
So far I am very impressed with my daughters progress regarding her homework and study and long may it last as it makes life so much easier
Never a homework lover but really trying this year, I just walk in and check but generally head down getting on with it
There is a lot of homework in some subjects on weekday nights and it might be helpful for pupils to have more homework at the weekend. This would ease the pressure during the week when a lot of pupils are involved in after school sports or other activities. It would also allow parents who work in the evening to have more input into how homework is being managed , completed etc. as above homework could be on schoolwise
We look forward to meeting all the staff in coming years while our daughter grows up and hopefully becomes a credit to both the school and her family.
My daughter has needed some extra help with maths homework in explaining the concept and how to solve the problem
We as parents, are very pleased with how our daughter has settled in
It is difficult to keep up with the amount of homework it will take time to get in to a routine and not to panic
My child is finding it difficult and does require help with homework
Homework is the first thing she does once she gets home but is supported if needed
Regularly ask/check in to see if there are problems with homework without the need for constant monitoring
The teacher needs to make sure that the students understand how to do the homework that they have been given
I am delighted with the school, thanks to everyone
School Response
Many thanks to you all forthe very honest and useful comments about how our new 1st yrs. have experienced school so far. Thank you for taking the time to give us your opinions –all of which we appreciate. We will do our very best to address those areas we can control and improve.
Our survey results show a hugely positive reaction to the first few weeks of school. Your responses confirm our own sense of how well our new 1styrs. have a settled into PDLSB. Our new 1styrs. are an excellent group of students who have impressed us with their attitude, kindness, respect and ability; we look forward to their progress over the years ahead.We thank our new students and parents for choosing our school and giving us the opportunity to work with this group for the next 5 – 6 years.We believethat if the school and home work closely together over the next years and create a strong focus on everyday school routines of classwork and homework and revision that these new 1st yrs. can achieve outstanding results.As in previous years we are particularly pleased with the way our Meitheal programme has again helped 1styrs. settle in tothe school.
Re Lockers – this should improve as students become more familiar with routines; the school has more locker space in the new extension and 1styrs. can also use their base classrooms to leave books etc. aside.However all students will be reminded to be very careful of others when accessing lockers at breaks and lunch and end of school times. We have also just recently added new bag storage space for gear bags etc. that should help reduce difficulties.
Re Homework – homework is very important and should be given on a nightly / regular basis and also at weekends. School policy is that nightly homework/revision should be a minimum of 2hrs for 1st yrs. The school will introduce a homework study skills programme for 1st yrs.after the Oct midterm which will give guidance on how to do homework and revision. The homework club can also help in this regard and runs each Monday & Wednesday 4 – 4.55.
Re Subject Sampling – it is highly beneficial for students to get a chance to sample from a wide range of subjects before they have to decide which to keep up with to Junior Cert and beyond. Please remember that the NCCA has very useful factsheets on all subjects at Sampling will finish before Xmas when students will be given the chance to select 3 subjects to bring to the Junior Cert exams in 3yrs time.
Re School Lunch Routines –we have allowed 1styrs. an additional 10mins to start lunch break earlier to allow them become familiar with the lunch time routines and this will continue for all of 1st yr. 1st yrs. also have their own exclusive area of the school playing grounds at break and lunch time until they feel more confident about the school in general.
Re School Traffic– This is undoubtedly a major concern for us. There is significant traffic congestion in and about the school each day and we will continue to remind students and all others in the car park to be careful. We are currently working with both the Dept. of Education and Carlow County Council towards some alleviation of traffic congestion in and about the school. We strongly encourage all students to get to school before 8.45 each morning as to leave it any later often results in lateness due to heavy road traffic.
School Text & EPortal – Eportal is a fantastic home school communication system re student progress and we advise all parents to become familiar with its use. Unique login codes are available for all students through the school office.The school text system is a very cost effective means of reminding parents of ongoing school details so please make sure we have the correct mob number to text to you.
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Our school has recently completed a School Self Evaluation process and there is a summary report on our website We have identified some key improvement areas that we are going to address over the next three years. These improvement areas will become the focus of a School Improvement Plan that we are presently putting together.
Many thanks to all for your good wishes and support and on the basis of the first few weeks we can all certainly look forward to great progress ahead for our new 1st yrs.
Gerard Watchorn Principal Oct ‘15