19th August 2016
Dear Parents/Guardians,
It’s nearly time to go back to school. We enjoyed a lovely day on Wednesday with our Leaving Cert students being rewarded for their hard work with excellent results. It was great to see them so happy & appreciative. Congratulations to all the students, their families & their teachers.
Calendar & Dates
| Monday 29th August |
First Years, Leaving & Junior Cert. students return 9.10am - 3.45pm Student Enrichment Programme for Leaving Cert Students. |
| Tuesday 30th September | Second, Fifth & Transition Year students return |
| Oct. Mid-term break | 31st October - 4th November inclusive |
| Christmas Holidays | School closes 22nd December. Re-opens 9th January 2017 |
| Feb. Mid-term break | 20th - 24th February inclusive |
| Easter Holidays | School closes 10th April. Re-opens 24th April |
Dates for parent teacher meetings, training days & any discretionary days will be confirmed in the new term.
Book Rental Scheme
Thanks to funding from the Dept. of Education & the Parents’ Association, we intend to operate the book rental scheme again this year. The fee includes book rental, school diary, SPHE book & locker key. No books can be issued without payment. Separately, workbooks & materials for subjects such as Music, Art & the T4 subjects may be purchased from the relevant teacher in September. If buying a new calculator, students are advised to purchase a Casio Fx-83ES.
| 1st & 2nd Years | Books can be collected on payment of €100 annual fee on Thursday 25th August. |
| 3rd & 5th Years | Books can be collected on payment of €100 annual fee on Wednesday 24th August. |
| 6th Years | Books can be collected on payment of €100 annual fee on Monday 29th August. |
School Policies
The policies of the school including the Code of Good Behaviour, Anti Bullying Policy, Homework Policy, Admissions Policy etc. are available on www.glenamaddycs.ie. The school community are asked to familiarise themselves with these policies as they govern the running of the school.
School Uniform
The school uniform is available from Dympna McDermott, Glenamaddy. The school jacket is optional & may be ordered there. Students wear black leather shoes. Pumps, keds, runners etc. are not allowed. Girls wear the school skirt or navy school pants. Skirts are to be worn on or below the knee. Students wear a white top & any colour shorts for P.E class.
Pad Initiative
In a new ICT initiative, our First & Second Year students have the option of using iPads as a learning tool and as a book repository. Living in an ever-changing ICT world we want our students to be life-long, independent learners, prepared for jobs or questions that don’t yet exist. Students will be offered the opportunity to gain qualifications & certification in type writing & ICS Skills/ECDL.
Student Enrichment Programme - Personal & Social Awareness Week
All Leaving Cert students will undertake a Student Enrichment Day & Differential Aptitude Tests (DATs) on Monday 29th August in preparation for the year of study & exams ahead. Student Enrichment (www.studentenrichment.ie.) focusses on study skills, exam technique & motivation. Our Career Guidance Counsellor will conduct the computerised DATs so as to help students identify their strengths & talents. The fee for both is €15 per student.
The Pastoral Care Team in association with the Parents’ Association is organising a Personal & Social Awareness Week for students in the new term with speakers on anti-bullying, substance abuse, health issues, road safety & social media usage. If you have any query please do not hesitate to contact our Chaplain, Ms O’Flanagan.
Personal Development courses, talks and retreats etc. organised by the school are seen as an integral part of the curriculum & all students are expected to participate.
Code of Good Behaviour - Come to School
We ask parents to read the Code of Good Behaviour with their children. The Code, when signed, forms a contract for good conduct with the school. For our code to work the support & cooperation of parents, staff & students is vital. Students will be rewarded for good behaviour & sanctioned for misbehaviour.
- Students are not allowed down town before or during school. Parents are asked to drop their children at the school only. Buses drop off students at the school only.
- Students are asked to respect the local cemetery & Church/Convent grounds.
- Please do not allow your son or daughter drive to school. The school cannot take responsibility for students driving to or from school or giving lifts to other students.
- Evening Detention will take place on Friday evening in order to deter disruptive behaviour & encourage positive behaviour.
- Students are expected to attend school every day. As a general rule there are no free days or half days. If there is no school due to an emergency we will text you. Please call if you ever have any doubt.
The School Journal - Absence Notes
Please use the School Journal as a means for communication between the school & home. The absence & lateness slips may be required by the National Education Welfare Board. We ask parents to come to reception to sign out their child if they are going home early. Students must have a note from their parents/guardian or signed permission from their Yearhead. Phone calls between students & parents during the school day should be through the office & not by mobile phone.
Business/Computer Fetac Level 5 Course
Would you like to join our Fetac Level 5 Business/Secretarial course incorporating Computers, iPads, Accounting, Marketing & Communications? Tuition times & days are flexible & we cater for all levels. Please contact the school for details.
If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact us. Best wishes for the new school year.
Yours sincerely,
______________
James Duignan
Principal