Welcome to Sandford Parish National School. Here you will find details of the various aspects of our school which we hope will serve as a helpful introduction to the life of our school and as a useful point of reference when required from time to time.

The education, development and welfare of the children is, of course, the main priority of the Board of Management as it continues to provide the best possible environment for all children and works to ensure it meets the varying needs of all children.

In addition, the element of welcome, inclusivity and community is important to us and as such we do hope that your experience, and that of your child, is a positive one.

With best wishes, The Rev’d Sonia Gyles Chairperson.

Board of Management:

The Patron of the school is the Archbishop of Dublin and Glendalough. The school is administered by a Board of Management.

The Board consists of:

• Two direct nominees of the Patron.

• Two parents of children enrolled in the school (one being a mother, the other a father), elected by the general body of parents of children enrolled in the school.

• The Principal Teacher (or Acting Principal Teacher) of the school.

• One other teacher on the staff of the school, elected by vote of the teaching staff.

• Two extra members proposed by the above nominees.

Finance:

The Department of Education and Youth pays the salaries of the teachers and special needs assistants and provides for the running of the school by way of a Capitation Grant and other grants. At Sandford Parish National School, a voluntary contribution is requested from all parents. The Voluntary Contributions and the State Grants cover the cost of the school secretary, heating and lighting, insurance, caretaking, cleaning, the general maintenance of the school, and the provision of teaching materials for the classrooms. The funds are administered by the Board of Management.

School Plan:

Under the terms of the Education Act (1998) the Board must prepare a school plan. In Sandford Parish National School, this plan includes policy statements on issues such as: Curriculum, Admissions, Ethos, ICT, Code of Behaviour, School Library, Extra Curricular Activities and Health and Safety Arrangements (including an anti-bullying policy).

Admissions:

Details regarding admissions procedures are available from the office. Places in the school are offered in accordance with the school admission policy. This document is available on request. Children with additional needs are welcomed to the school provided they meet the admission and school entry requirements. Parents are reminded to apply for places for siblings of children already enrolled as early as possible.

Curriculum:

Sandford Parish National School, like all national schools, follows the curriculum prescribed by the Department of Education and Youth. It is based on the principle that education should be a child-centered experience in which the child is an active participant. The curriculum is laid out in the following areas: Language (English, Irish and Modern Foreign Languages) Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education (STEM) Social and Environmental Education (SEE) ( History and Geography) Arts Education (Visual Arts, Music and Drama) Wellbeing (SPHE and PE)

The Church of Ireland Religious Education Programme is used throughout the school. Roman Catholic children may attend a class leading to First Communion and Confirmation provided after school. In accordance with Rule 69 of the Rules for National Schools parents may withdraw their children from Religious Education classes.

The school has an excellent Information and Technology (ICT) suite, and children are given every opportunity to develop their skills in this area. During their time at Sandford Parish National School, children are offered a wide range of learning, cultural and sporting experiences, which enrich and broaden their education and personal development. Many extra-curricular activities are also available.

Teaching and Learning:

Teaching in classrooms, learning support rooms, the PE hall, computer room etc.is of a structured organised nature. This ensures that the educational experience of the children is appropriate to their age and developmental level. The learning outcomes of the children are therefore enjoyable and are also such that every child achieves his/her potential while at Sandford Parish National School.

Special Educational Needs:

Provision is made for children with special education needs, as defined by the Department of Education and Youth. Special Needs Assistants may be allocated to the school.

Code of Behaviour:

The school has a Code of Behaviour which is made available to all new parents/guardians of children in the school. The Board of Management requires that all parents/guardians read, accept and sign this.

Class Rules

1) Work quietly, listen and take turns to speak clearly.

2) Come on time, be prepared for work and always try to do your best work.

3) Follow instructions from all staff members straight away.

4) Respect other pupils and their property.

6) Help to keep your classroom tidy, clean and attractive.

Out of Class Rules

1) Name calling, bad language, fighting and dangerous play are not allowed.

2) Walk quietly inside school building.

3) Stay in your yard(s). No running in the side passageway.

4) No cycling, skating, blading etc. on the school grounds.

5) Help make the school a happy and attractive place in which to work and play.

Organisation of Classes in School:

Children are normally enrolled in the September following their fourth birthday and usually spend eight years in Primary School. When it is necessary to divide a class, the division is made by age, not by ability. Where possible, every effort will be made to maintain gender balance. When classes are divided, teachers use group teaching methods and follow the appropriate curriculum for each class group.

Absence from School:

All parents/guardians are requested to send in a written note with their child following an absence from school. Children will not be allowed to leave school during official school time to attend, for example a doctor or dentist unless they present a note from their parents to that effect or unless they are picked up from school by a parent/guardian.

Chronic and unexplained attendance will be investigated by the Education Welfare Board. Please be advised that where a child is (a) absent for more than 20 school days or (b) taken out school during term time for holiday purposes the Principal is legally obliged to report these absences to the Education Welfare Board.

Homework:

Homework is set for Monday to Thursday nights. Children take varying amounts of time to complete homework, but the following are guidelines for the approximate amount of time pupils in each class should take:

Junior Infants: 10 minutes (mainly oral)

Senior Infants: 20 minutes (written and oral)

1st/2nd Class: 30 minutes (written and oral)

3rd/4th Class: 45 minutes (written and oral)

5th/6th class: 60 minutes (written and oral)

Pupils, particularly those in junior classes, may need guidance or advice about their homework and it is desirable for parents/guardians to hear their oral work. However, parents/guardians, or older sisters or brothers, should not do homework for the children. If a child has consistent difficulties with homework or always takes much longer than the suggested time above, parents should contact the class teacher. From 1st to 6th class, homework is recorded in a homework diary. This should be signed by a parent/guardian each day. It is best if homework is done at a specific time and place each day and that a parent or other adult is on hand to offer advice and encouragement where needed. If homework is not done or not completed for any reason, a written excuse must be provided the next day.

Starting School:

Children are accepted for enrolment in the August/September following their fourth birthday. Prior to September, parents of incoming children are invited to the school to meet the teacher and the Principal and to see the classroom. Parents are reminded to apply for places for siblings of children already enrolled as early as possible.

In the first week of school formal education may seem light, but children are learning an enormous amount in an informal way, and this is a particularly vital time for their social development. They will be tired at the end of the morning, and it is important that they have adequate time to rest at home. When in school a child will be part of a group of up to 30 children, and it is helpful if children come to school with some basic skills, for example, knowing how to fasten their coats and trousers. It also helps if they are given snacks for breaks in containers which they can open and close themselves.

Children may sometimes be unsettled for the first few days when they arrive in school. While it is appreciated that it may be difficult to leave an upset child, children usually become distracted by new activities, therefore parents are asked not to delay unduly in the classroom when bringing their children to school.

School Times:

The official school times are 8.30am - 2.10pm.

Class times are as follows:

Junior and Senior Infants: 8.30am - 1.10pm

1st Class - 6th Class: 8.30am. - 2.10pm

The last day of each term is a half-day for children and on these days school finishes at 12 noon.

Day-to-Day School Life:

The school opens at 8.30am when all children are admitted to their classrooms. All children should be in attendance as near to 8.30am as possible as informal teaching begins at 8.30am Any children arriving after 8.50am are late and must report to the office.

It is important that all children are organised for work. To that end all children should have stationery appropriate to their age and class.

The state curriculum is taught in SPNS. On P.E. days (advised early in the academic year) all children must wear a tracksuit, or shorts and t-shirt and runners. Insurance does not cover children who are not suitably attired. On all other days, children should wear practical clothes.

Children are assessed annually from 1st to 6th Class using recognised standardised tests. At time of going to print it is Government policy that these assessments be conducted in May or June. Teachers engage in informal assessment of the children throughout the school year. This assessment may be of an oral or written nature.

All children should bring a healthy lunch to school. See section on Healthy Eating.

Health and Safety at School:

Each class teacher should be kept informed of any difficulty or illness, which may affect a child's performance or behaviour. It is essential that the school has telephone numbers where a parent, guardian or other responsible adult can be contacted in an emergency. The East Coast Area Health Board offers a free range of health services to Primary School children. Parental permission is sought before these checks take place.

Children attending national schools are entitled to free dental care, which is available at dental clinics, the nearest one to Sandford Parish National School is at the Health Centre in Baggot Street Hospital. Tel. 01 6681577

Nits and headlice are a recurring problem for children of school age. In the event of an outbreak in the school, parents are notified and asked to check and treat their child's/children's hair if necessary. It is also advisable for parents to check their child's/children's hair on a regular basis.

Children are supervised by school staff during their breaks and a responsible attitude towards their own safety and the safety of others is encouraged in the pupils. The school insurance policy covers the legal liability of the School Management for accidents to the children. In addition, all children enrolled in the school are insured against personal accident.

Bicycle racks are provided, and it is important that all cycles brought to the school are kept locked. School insurance does not cover the theft of bicycles or other property left on the school premises.

Under the Tobacco (Health Promotion and Protection) Regulation 1990, smoking is prohibited in primary schools, including the school yard. Vaping is also prohibited.

If unusual circumstances require that a child has a mobile phone in school, it must be turned off during official school hours.

Lunch Breaks:

The children have two breaks in the day. A rota of teachers is organised so that the children are supervised during these breaks.

Dublin Corporation supplies milk free of charge. If parents provide their children with lunch, they are urged to consider its nutritional value. The following items are not recommended in school: Chocolate of any description, sweets, jellies, biscuits, crisps, cakes, buns and sweet muffins, winders and similar sweetened fruit leather, unhealthy cereal bars, ‘sports’/fizzy drinks. Chewing gum is prohibited in school. Yoghurts are not encouraged for the younger children. Please see Healthy Eating Policy for further information.

Library:

Each classroom has its own library of reference books and fiction. Activities and projects appropriate to the age groups are devised to develop information skills and to foster reading for pleasure. The school operates a central lending library. This library has a good selection of modern fiction and reference books. Reading is highly valued and is promoted throughout the school.

School Books:

The Department of Education and Youth provide a grant for School Books to all primary schools.

Parent Teacher Association:

A Parent Teacher Association (PTA) was established at Sandford Parish NS in 1986.

Its main aims are:

• To promote the further education of members in matters related to parenting, child development and education.

• To provide a forum for members to meet socially and for members to discuss matters of general concern but not particular matters relating to individuals.

• To elect representatives to the County Committee of the National Parents Council (NPC) and to liaise with this Committee.

• To provide a support base for the development of projects and activities of advantage to the school and the members.

All parents and teachers are encouraged to join the PTA and to participate in its activities. These are enjoyable and informative and provide an opportunity from time to time to assist the school through fundraising for a specific purpose.

Home-School Liaison:

Parents are encouraged to visit the class teacher informally during the year to discuss their child's progress and to get to know the teacher; such contact is mutually beneficial. It is important not to delay your visit until a problem emerges. If a lengthy discussion is desired, parents are advised to make an appointment to see the teacher before or after school. This also gives the teacher an opportunity to assess and consider the child's work and behaviour before the meeting. At Parent Teacher meetings a specific time is set aside for each family to discuss in detail their child's progress with the class teacher. This is an important opportunity for parents to talk to teachers, and they are asked to make every effort to attend these meetings. School reports are issued once a year at the end of June.

Information concerning school matters are distributed by way of the pupils and using the Aladdin system and email. Holiday lists and details of extra- curricular activities for the year are normally issued in September. Please ensure that the office has up-to-date mobile numbers for Parents/Guardians. It is vital that at least 2 additional contact numbers be provided for emergency purposes.

Sports Day:

A sports day is held in May or June of each year in the grounds of a local secondary school. Each child in the school participates in the sports on that day. Individual and team activities are the events of the day.

Photographs:

A professional photographer visits the school each year and makes available for purchase individual, family and class photographs.

Second Level Schools:

Parents should contact a second level school in good time with a view to enrolling their children. Some second level schools offer a limited number of scholarships, which cover all or part of the school fees. Details should be sought from the second level schools. Prospective pupils must be 12 years of age by the 31st of August of the year they enter post-primary school.

Several grants are available to assist Protestant parents in sending their children to Protestant secondary schools. Eligibility is calculated by a means test. Further details from: Grants Secretary, Secondary Education Committee, 5 Belgrave Road, Dublin 6