Punctuality
Morning Assembly takes place at 8:48 a.m. with rollcall at 8:50 a.m. Students should be in school no later than 8:45 a.m. Students who are late must have a note signed by a parent.
Student Journal
All students will have a Student Journal. As it is a valuable channel of communication between home and school, we would like parents to sign this book once a week. Please check it regularly for notes from teachers. Parents are requested to read the School Rules and Policies with their children. Parents are also requested to sign the Personal page to verify signatures. Record Books are required in each class and must be kept carefully. Lost Record Books must be replaced immediately and paid for by the student. Cost of replacement is €10.
School Books
Please ensure all books are well covered at the beginning of the school year.
Student Absence
It is vital that students attend school each day.
Notes explaining absences should be written in the record book and shown to their Year Head on return to school. Parents are asked to inform the school by telephone if students are absent from school for more than two consecutive days.
Under the Education Welfare Act 2000 the school is required to record and account for student absences and report regularly to the Education Welfare Board (NEWB). Parents may receive communication from the school alerting them to total number of days missed, when there is cause for concern.
Doctors/Dental, etc., appointments during School Hours
As far as possible, appointments, medical and other, should be made outside of class and
examination time. When absolutely necessary, the procedure is as follows:
• Permission to Leave note signed by parent in the school journal and by Year Head at morning Assembly.
• Sign out at the Office when leaving and be collected by parent/guardian.
• Sign back in at Office on return to school.
Physical Education
All students are expected to participate in Physical Education Class unless relevant medical certification is supplied. The school does not have specific requirements for P.E. clothing but recommends Navy Track Suits/Shorts and Polo Shirts available from any shop. Non marking runners are also required for the Gym.
Medical Emergencies in school
It is school policy to take all students to a local doctor. Parents will be notified immediately.
Communication via E-mail and Text
We would be grateful if you would provide your e-mail address as it would provide another means of communication between school and home. It is vital that you inform the school if you have changed your mobile / contact numbers or indeed your address We also use a system for texting messages regarding school events, i.e. parent/teacher meetings, early closures, etc., directly to parents mobile phone numbers. If you do not wish to be contacted by this means, please let the school know.
Jewellery
Students are only permitted to wear a stud earring in each earlobe and a watch. No other items of jewellery are allowed. This is not intended to inhibit students or make them feel unhappy. It is instead designed to avoid any confrontation in regard to certain items of jewellery. Your co-operation in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Chewing Gum
Chewing of gum is forbidden in Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine. Students found chewing gum may be asked to clean up Chewing Gum or put on Detention and/or parents contacted.
Mobile Phones / MP3 Players
Mobile phones are not permitted to be turned on in school. Mobile phones found on in school will be returned only to a Parent from the School Office. We guarantee that we will accommodate urgent messages and phone calls, e.g., a student who misses a bus or a lift home, forgets lunch, money, or is feeling ill should be encouraged to come to the office and phone home. MP3 Players are not permitted in school and may be confiscated.
Lockers
All students will be issued a locker at the start of the school year. Lockers should be closed and locked at all times. The school cannot be responsible for items that go missing from lockers. All valuables should be handed into the school office for safe keeping during the school day. Please encourage students to use their lockers wisely. Combination numbers may be changed if necessary.
Public Toilets
Students are requested not to congregate at the Public Toilet facilities, across the road from the school. We would ask parents to discuss this matter with their sons/daughters.
Students who drive to school – See the Policy in the Student Journal
Additional academic requirements
A number of personal items will be required by students which are not covered by the Book Scheme: Calculators, Mathematical Tables, Science Practical Manuals, Hardback Copies, Dictionaries, Folders for photocopies, etc. Please do not purchase these until the teachers specify them in September.
Please note that Junior & Leaving Certificate students will have a number of additional school costs spread throughout the year as follows: Past Examination Papers in the first term, Mock Examination fees in January and State Examination fees in February/March. These will amount to approximately €250. Repeat Leaving Certificate and Examination fees are considerably higher.
School Car Park
For Health and Safety reasons parents who drive students to school are asked to drop them off in the public car park across the road, i.e. use of the school car park is not permitted except for emergencies.
Procedure for addressing problems or concerns
In the course of a student’s time in school, various problems may arise. We have support structures in place to assist students and we have confidence that the majority of students feel comfortable in approaching a member of staff for assistance. In some cases however, it necessary to bring the problem to the attention of the Principal or Deputy Principal, and Parents / Guardians should feel free to do so. A telephone call will ensure an appointment, and any problem may be discussed and dealt with confidentially.