School begins at 09.00. Children are not allowed inside the school building before this time.
Breaks: 10.50-11.00
12.45 - 13.15
Junior and Senior Infants are dismissed at 13.40
Other classes are dismissed at 14.40
Once children have been dismissed/collected from school they are not permitted to re- enter the school premises.
Absence from School In the event of a pupil being absent through illness or for any other reason, the class teacher should be informed by note on the pupil’s return to school. If it is anticipated that the absence will be of any lengthy duration, the class teacher should be informed by note as soon as possible. The principal is obliged to forward names of pupils who have been absent for 20 days to the National Education Welfare Board (Education Welfare Act. 2000)
When it is necessary for a pupil to leave school early, a note must be sent to the class teacher. Parents/guardians are asked to call personally to the secretary to collect the child and must sign the child out.
Infants can become upset and confused if there is a change to their routine at home-time. Please inform the teacher if there is such a change (e.g. the child might be going to a neighbour’s house, etc).
Children should have their names on their coats and school jumpers, and on other personal property, ie school books, folders, copies, lunch boxes, etc.
Parents will receive newsletters and other notices with regard to school matters and events. Encourage your child to deliver notes immediately and check each evening at homework time to see if there is a note from the school.
School Lunches Under a scheme, funded by the Dept. of Social Protection, school lunches are provided to each pupil. Our current provider is Fresh Today. To change lunch order parents log onto www.freshtoday.ie , enter the password they are given and make the changes. Alternatively they can email changes to info@freshtoday.ie. The school lunch packs are brought home by the pupils each day to recycle the packaging. Chewing gum is not allowed in school.
School Uniform Please note that each pupil from 1st to 6th classes is required to wear full school uniform. To facilitate the new Aistear program for infants, which involves daily play and activities, infants are asked to wear school jumper, polo shirt and plain navy tracksuits bottoms each day. Uniforms should be worn on all days except on the day timetabled for class P.E. On P.E. days children must wear grey/white polo type shirt school jumper, navy tracksuit bottom.
BOYS: Grey shirt, tie (wine coloured with silver stripes), wine coloured v-neck jumper, grey trousers, GIRLS: Grey shirt, tie (wine coloured with silver stripes), wine coloured v-neck jumper, wine coloured socks/tights, grey skirt, pinafore or grey trousers.
School Uniform is available in Shaws (Wexford) and Funges (Gorey)
It is School Policy for all children to wear the school uniform for the Sacrament of Confirmation
N.B. If pupils are involved in matches or other activity during or after school on a non P.E. day, they must wear their uniform and bring the appropriate change of clothing.
Mobile Phones / Electronic Devices The use of Mobile Phones and electronic devices by pupils is prohibited in school.
School Books A book rental scheme is operated in the school. Pupils using these books are asked to return them at the end of the year in good condition.
HEALTH/SAFETY
Children who are ill should not be sent to school.
Parents are asked that teachers be made aware of any physical disability or allergies which their children might have.
Please check your child’s hair regularly for outbreaks of head lice. If there is an outbreak of head lice in a class, all parents of pupils in that class are informed by note, and asked to take immediate action to treat infestation. Information on the treatment of head lice is available from the school.
Requests for children to remain indoors at break-time should only be made in exceptional circumstances.
Parents who collect their children are requested to exercise extreme caution when entering/exiting/turning in the car - park.
Accident Procedures
Minor accidents are treated at school. Parents will be informed and should check the injury when the child comes home.
In the event of an accident/child becoming ill, every possible effort will be made to contact the pupil’s parents or the person delegated to take responsibility for the pupil. The school should be notified immediately of changes of phone numbers or addresses.
24-hour cover is available under a personal accident insurance scheme. Details of this scheme are circulated in September.
HOME/SCHOOL COMMUNICATION Frequent communication is of vital importance in developing and nurturing co-operation between home and school.
Individual consultation: This occurs when a parent has asked for an interview with a teacher or has been invited to visit the school to exchange information or to discuss matters of concern. A note to the class teacher requesting such an appointment is always essential. A suitable time will be arranged.
Parent/teacher meetings are held during the first term.
Meetings are held in connection with preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Holy Communion and Confirmation.
Teachers and parents may communicate by means of writing notes (in the pupils’ homework notebooks where in use).
School Reports are issued in June.
Newsletters are issued at least twice a term.
CODE OF DISCIPLINE Parents are asked to study the Code of Discipline, discuss it with their children and sign an Acceptance Form. Copies of the Code of Discipline will be distributed early in the new school year. School Rules – School Rules are kept to a minimum and are devised with regard for the health, safety and welfare of all members of the school community. Anti-Bullying Code – Every pupil has the right to enjoy his/her time in Ballaghkeene N.S. Unkind actions or remarks will not be tolerated. Pupils are encouraged to support each other by reporting all instances of bullying. Copies of the School Rules and Anti-Bullying Code are available from the school.
THE PRIMARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM The curriculum is presented in seven subject areas, some of which are further sub-divided into subjects –
Language (Gaeilge and English)
Mathematics
Social, Environmental and Scientific Education (History, Geography and Science)
Arts Education (Visual Arts, Music and Drama)
Physical Education
Social, Personal and Health Education
Religious Education
HOMEWORK Homework is generally given every night from Monday to Thursday. Teachers will use their professional discretion in allocating homework. In the Infant classes the emphasis will be on developing reading skills and fostering a love of reading. Ideally homework will contain a balance between reading tasks, learning tasks and, in the middle and senior classes in particular, written tasks. Parents should provide appropriate conditions for homework – a quiet time and place, a suitable work surface, etc. In the case of a child having difficulties with homework, parents should consult with the teacher. Teachers will consult with parents where homework is proving to be a problem or where homework is not satisfactory. A copy of the school Homework Policy is available from the school.
HOMEWORK CLUB A Homework Club is available to all pupils from 3rd-6th classes each Tuesday and Thursday. Homework club runs from 2.40 to 3.30 and is free of charge
CLUB WEDNESDAYS A variety of different clubs will take place each Wednesday from 2.40- 3.30pm. Tin whistle, Lego, French lessons, Table Quiz etc are some of the activities which take place. Training for school hurling/camogie/football teams will normally take at this time also.
PARENTS’ COUNCIL The Parents’ Council holds its AGM early in the new school year. All parents/guardians of children attending Ballaghkeene N.S. are deemed to be members. Parents are encouraged to get involved in the council and to attend the meetings. A copy of the Constitution of the Parents’ Council may be obtained from the Secretary.
ICT Technology and computer skills are given a high priority in Ballaghkeene N.S. Each classroom is equipped with an Interactive Whiteboard/ Projector or Touchscreen TV, teacher’s laptop and printer with wireless broadband connection. A lap top trolley complete with 18 laptops all with wireless broadband connection is available for class groups to work on. These are utilized on a daily basis, particularly in the older classes. We also have a set of iPads which are available for groups or classes to use.
SPORT/ACTIVITIES Our school has a great tradition in sporting activities, in particular hurling and camogie. We enter the Mini-Sevens hurling/football and camogie each year, and have won several finals in the past. The Ballagh join with Oulart to compete in the Rackard League. We also enter both the Pioneer and Credit Union Table Quizzes annually and have won the regional events in both on many occasions.
SCHOOL PLAYING FIELD Ballaghkeene N.S. boasts an excellent school playing field, where all the games listed in the curriculum can be played. Development of the field was a huge initiative supported by the whole community and we are immensely proud of the facility.