policieslist

Policies

General Regulations

Punctuality and Attendance
School begins at 9.15 a.m. The Board of Management does not accept responsibility for the supervision of children before or after school hours.

Absenteeism
A note of explanation should be sent to the Class Teacher if a child id absent from school. A note is also required when pupils wish to leave school during school hours.

In Term Holidays
We ask that, if possible, you do not take children on holiday during the school year. Punctuality and regular attendance at school is vital to your child’s progress. The Education Welfare Act demands that the School Authorities notify the Education Welfare Officer if any pupil is absent for 20 days or more in a school year.

Tipp-ex

Tipp-ex is forbidden in the school.

Emergencies

It is sometimes necessary to contact a parent during school hours because of illness or accident. Parents are therefore asked to ensure that the office has a second telephone number for emergencies in the event of a parent not being at home

Visits to the School

Parents are always welcome at St. Anne’s. To be assured of quality time and so that arrangements can be made for supervision of other children in class, please contact school in advance for an appointment (Telephone 046/9023039).

All visitors to the school are asked to report to the Secretary’s Office.If there is any further information you require please do not hesitate to contact the school.

School Code of Behaviour

In St. Anne’s it is our aim to create a happy, secure and caring environment where the children will develop and learn to their full potential.Our Code of Behaviour is based on respect for others on the common good and on training in self-discipline.

We aim:

To protect every pupil’s right to benefit fully from primary education.
To help pupils acquire a high standard of social behaviour.
To develop in our pupils a sense of pride in themselves and in their school.
To maintain good order and safety throughout the school day, including break-times,
sports activities and all movements between classes.

Your child may be prevented from learning effectively by the following:

In the classroom.
Disturbance such as talking out of turn, passing notes, interfering with another’s property, lack of punctuality, answering back rudely, not completing assigned work.

In the school yard.
Name calling, leaving the yard without permission, bad language, hitting, tripping, pushing, pulling, victimising other children, bullying, throwing litter on the ground.

In the school building.
Running, shouting, vandalism, litter.

All pupils are required to line up promptly and in an orderly manner at the end of breaks. During inclement weather pupils stay in their classrooms for breaks. They must observe implicitly any directions given by teachers and safety procedures must be followed at all times. For reasons of safety and to minimise accidents pupils are required to move about the school in an orderly manner.

The school places greater emphasis on rewards than on sanctions. To encourage each child to behave and to co-operate fully with regulations we emphasise positive action.Verbal praise and encouragement is used as much as possible. The school Code of Behaviour is consistent throughout the school, e.g. stars for individuals and groups, specials privileges, rewards.Pupils in senior classes share as much as possible in maintaining the Code of Behaviour of the school.School duties are assigned.

It is accepted that there is need for sanctions to show disapproval of unacceptable attitudes and behaviour. The procedure is as follows:

Reason with the child.
Reprimand (including giving advice on how to improve.
Temporary separation from peers, friends or others.
Loss of privileges.
Referral to Principal.
Communication with parents.
Suspension (temporary – in extreme cases)

Teachers keep written records of all instances of serious misbehaviour as well as a record of improvements in the behaviour of disruptive pupils. Before resorting to serious sanctions e.g. suspension, the normal channels of communications between school and parents will be pursued. Parents will be involved at an early stage, rather than as a last resort.

If the parents do not give an undertaking that the pupil will behave in an acceptable manner in the future, or if behaviour does not improve, a report on the case will be sent to the Chairperson of the Board of Management. With you full co-operation in undertaking that your child will behave in an acceptable manner, St. Anne’s will ensure that he /she will reach full potential, physically, emotionally, socially and mentally.

Please right click on the link to download the form and complete to acknowledge that you have received a copy of the School Code of Behaviour, and return to your child's class teacher on his/her first day at school.

Code of Behaviour

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Anti Bullying Policy

Summary of Anti-Bullying Policy

Bullying is repeated aggression, verbal, psychological or physical conducted by an individual or group against others.

Examples of bullying:

Physical Acts: Tripping, kicking, punching etc.
Verbal Acts: Name calling, racist comments, teasing, ridiculing, and spreading rumours, threats of physical harm.
Extortion of money or favours.
Isolating.
Nasty messages – texting or e-mailing, or sending a note.
Suggestive, provocative or intimidating gestures.

Who is at risk?

There is no typical ‘bully’ and not typical ‘victim’, but children who are perceived to be different can be at risk. However, everyone is capable of being a bully or being bullied.

Dealing with alleged bullying incidents:

This school encourages a culture of telling, children are asked to report any incidents of bullying to an adult.
All I incidents of bullying will be thoroughly investigated by the class teacher.
Parents are also asked to inform the class teacher of any reports of bullying in the school, that they might hear of. The class teacher will then investigate it.
If the teacher believed bullying has occurred he/she will record the incident in the ‘notebook’ in the office and inform the Principal.
A letter will go home to the parents of both the bully and the victim.
If there is a recurrence, parents of both the victim and bully will be requested to come to the school separately and meet and meet with the class teacher and the care team.
If the bullying persists, it will be reported to the Board of Management.

This school has a zero tolerance policy towards bullying.

Healthy Eating Policy

We ask that children bring a healthy lunch to school each day. Please ensure that children have a sandwich and at least one piece of fruit. We recommend a treat on a Friday such as:a muffin, a bun or little cake, a cereal bar, a biscuit or two. Crisps (and other crisp-like foods), chewing gum, sticky bars/fruit winders, lollipops and fizzy drinks are banned.

Mobile Phone Policy

Mobile Phones: In the interest of health and safety, mobile phones are banned for the pupils of the school. In case of emergency, pupils will be accommodated on the school telephone.

School Charter against Racism

Every Child in this school has the right to:

Feel safe from mocking, threats and verbal abuse.
Be called by his / her own name.
Be themselves and to be treated equally regardless of appearance, race, colour gender or religion.
Be included in all school activities and have friends.
Have his / her beliefs and personal belongings respected.
A good education without prejudice in a clean healthy environment.
Give expression to his / her own opinions and feelings.
Use and develop his / her own talents.
Be listened to.
Have his / her privacy, secrecy and confidences respected.

Equality of Oppurtunity

Part 1V. Section 21 (2) of Education Act (1998) The Equal Status Act 2000

Introductory Statement: The whole staff of St. Anne’s Primary School was involved in formulating this policy in April 2007

Rationale: To comply with current legislation and to endorse the Mission Statement.
Aims: To promote a sense of respect and fairness among all staff, pupils, management, parents and the school community at large.

Guidelines:
There is equality of access to this school for all pupils, e.g. children with special needs, children of different religious denominations, cultural backgrounds as outlined in the School Enrolment Policy.

There is equality of opportunity for all pupils in the curriculum. Boys and girls are treated equally. Minority cultures are treated with the same respect as other pupils and are welcome and assisted in their integration in the community. Every effort is made to ensure that all children get equal amounts of time and quality interaction with the teacher by careful time tabling and in-class management structures. There is equality of opportunity for the children in school life. All pupils are given roles and responsibility in the school according to age and capabilities. (Senior girls and boys prepare recycling materials, litter teams are led by 5th / 6th class pupils, etc.)

Our resources are of equal appeal to boys and girls, children with special needs, children from other cultural backgrounds, this is reflected in textbook selection, software, library, jigsaws and games. Teachers are given equal status. There is no discrimination on the grounds of gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, race, disability or membership of the Traveller community. Parents are given equal status. All parents are treated with respect and are not discriminated against on the grounds of gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, race, disability or membership of the Traveller community.

Roles and Responsibilities

Principal – ensure implementation of policy and heighten awareness of equality of opportunity.
Class Teacher – abide by policy and co-operate with its implementation.
Learning Support and Special Needs Teachers – as above.
Special Needs Assistants – as above
Ancillary staff – as above.
Parents – as above.
Pupils – co-operate with the policy and develop a sense of respect and understanding on the concept of equality.
B.O.M. – to support the equality ethos.

Success Criteria

We judge the success of the policy by observation and feedback from pupils, staff, parents, management and wider community.

Date for implementation: This policy is current practice.
Date for review: As necessary.
Ratification and communication: This policy was ratified by the Board of Management on 2/10/07

Homework Policy

Homework is an integral part of school life.

It is a form of revision of work done in school: it helps to consolidate work done in school.
It fosters initiative and develops independent learning skills.
It develops a habit of study, which is so important later in Second and Third Level.
It is a link between school and home, strengthening the educational partnership between parents and teachers.

To make the most of homework, arrange a time for your child to do their homework. Check and sign notebook. If possible have your child do their homework at a table in a quiet atmosphere (turn off the television!!) Homework is given four nights each week Monday to Thursday.

A general guideline for time spent on homework is:

Infants and Senior Infants 15mins
1st and 2nd Classes 15 - 30mins
3rd and 4th Classes 30 - 45mins
5th and 6th Classes 45 - 60mins

Headlice

Note is sent to inform parents/ guardians of problems.
Parents / Guardians are asked to check their child’s hair on a regular basis and treat hair if necessary.
Children with long hair are advised to have it tied back during school hours.
If child continues to come to school with head lice, parents will be contacted.

Text a Parent Facility

From time to time the school will text parents to remind them of upcoming events, such as staff meetings, if you would like to avail of this facility, please right click on the link to download the form and return to your child's class teacher on his/her first day at school

Text a Parent