Here we've set out the main points of interest and concern which parents have when their child starts school.
We hope you'll find it useful and that it helps both you and your child to settle into school life here in Scoil an Linbh Íosa. We all hope that your child’s first experience of our school will be positive and that it lays a good foundation for many happy years ahead. |
A detailed information pack is sent to all new parents when the child is enrolled and this information can be found here, as well as being free to download here.
A Look at a Typical Day In Junior Infants:
A Look at a Typical Day In Junior Infants:
Junior Infant Information PowerPoint:
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JI Information PPT | |
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Enrolment Forms
The enrolment forms for all new students who wish to attend Scoil an Linbh Íosa for the upcoming new school year ('24/'25) are now available to download here. Copies of these forms are also available in paper form from the administration office. We would ask all parents to hand these completed forms back to the administration office on or prior to the 26th of January to facilitate the prompt processing of all forms. |
School Day
School starts at 9am am. Doors open at 9am. Pupils are supervised at all times. There is a rota for the use of the Yard and Astro at break times. Morning break: 10.40 am - Junior Infants to 2nd (Juniors) 11.10 am - 3rd to 6th (Seniors) Lunch break: 12.40 pm - Junior Infants to 2nd (Juniors) 1.10 pm - 3rd to 6th (Seniors) Hometime: Junior and Senior Infants finish at 1.40 pm. 1st- 6th classes finish at 2.40 pm. |
Uniform
Junior and Senior Infants: Navy tracksuit with school crest (available from office), light blue polo t-shirt, velcro runners. 1st- 6th class: Navy jumper/cardigan with school crest (available from office), navy trousers/skirt, tie (available from office), light blue shirt, dark shoes. School tracksuit and runners to be worn on P.E. days only. Our uniform policy can be found here. |
Attendance & Punctuality
Roll call is before 10am each morning. If your child is going to be late for any reason, please let the class teacher know in advance through the aladdin app. We encourage all parents/guardians to use aladdin to note absences rather than contacting the office. It's important that children are punctual in the mornings and collected on time. The school's attendance policy can be viewed here. |
Absenteeism
Regular attendance is crucial to your child’s progress. Understandably children do get sick from time to time. In accordance to the Welfare Educational Welfare Act, the school has a duty to report any child who has missed 20 days or more in one academic year. The Principal has no discretion in this. Parents/ Guardians are obliged by law to provide a written explanation for their child’s absence. |
Sickness
It is important not to send a sick or infectious child to school as there are vulnerable children and adults in the school who are at risk from exposure. When the Class Teacher or Principal feels that a child is not well enough to be in school, either as a result of becoming sick or following an incident the parents/guardians will be contacted immediately. It is school policy to report all head bangs. |
Appointments
Parent Teacher Meetings occur once a year. The meetings for children in 1st to 6th are held in November. The meetings for children in Junior and Senior infants are held in February. However, if you wish to meet with a Class Teacher, an appointment can be made through the aladdin app or by contacting the office. |
Medical Conditions
Please inform the school about any medical conditions your child has. Administration of Medication Policy can be found here. |
Healthy Eating
We operate a Healthy Eating Policy. See here for more information.
Example of healthy foods allowed:
Foods not allowed:
Friday is treat day. Children are allowed to bring one small treat with them on these days.
Foods allowed on Friday as a treat:
Scoil an Linbh Iosa is a nut-free school. Nuts are strictly forbidden to ensure
the health and safety of children who have allergies.
We operate a Healthy Eating Policy. See here for more information.
Example of healthy foods allowed:
- Water
- Milk
- Juice (unsweetened)
- Sandwich/ bread roll etc.
- Fruit
- Crackers
- Vegetables e.g. carrot sticks
- Cheese
- Popcorn
- Rice cakes
Foods not allowed:
- Yogurt
- Fizzy drinks
- Crisps
- Chewing gum
- Cakes/ Sweet pastries
- Yogurt Frubes
- Nutella/ Chocolate spread/ Peanut butter
Friday is treat day. Children are allowed to bring one small treat with them on these days.
Foods allowed on Friday as a treat:
- Small packet of sweets
- Chocolate bar
- Slice of cake/ cup cake/muffin
Scoil an Linbh Iosa is a nut-free school. Nuts are strictly forbidden to ensure
the health and safety of children who have allergies.
Birthdays
In adherence with our Healthy Eating Policy please do not send party food to school. We would also ask you not to issue party invitations on the school grounds. This is to avoid a child feeling ‘left out’. Activities organised in school involve all children being treated fairly and issuing selective invitations is contrary to this. This also applies to Christmas cards, gifts, holiday souvenirs and Holy Communion or Confirmation cards and presents. |
Green Schools
Children are encouraged to walk to school, especially on W.O.W (Walk on Wednesday) and W.O.F (Walk on Friday). Please supply your child with a lunch box and avoid wrappers where possible. If children have wrappers they will be asked to take them home. Compost bins are provided for fruit waste. |
Parent Teacher Association
The PTA is a significant invaluable part of our school community. They meet in the school on the first Wednesday of the month. This is a great way to get involved in your child’s school, introduce new ideas, make friends and help develop Scoil an Linbh Íosa. See here for more detailed information on the PTA. |
Homework Information
Children in every class are given homework on Monday to Thursday, which must be completed according to the Class Teacher’s instructions. It is important to maintain a good homework routine at home: regular time and space with no distractions. Time guidelines:
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Voluntary Contributions
The cost of heating, lighting, cleaning, insuring and securing a school of this size far exceeds the capitation grant provided by the Department of Education and Science annually. In order to help meet this shortfall the Board of Management are forced to appeal to the generosity of our Parents in the form of fund raising activities and voluntary contributions. Your support in this matter is greatly appreciated. |
Booklists
Class booklists are published in Term 3 each year. These include the text books required for your child’s new class and the cost of Art Materials, photocopying and supplementary resources. Children with particular educational needs may receive an individual booklist. The school appreciates that these requisites are expensive and it makes every effort to keep the cost of the booklist to a minimum. |
Special Education Needs
Scoil an Linbh Íosa is an inclusive school. We follow the NEPS guidelines in our approach to supporting children with additional educational needs. The Special Educational Needs Team works closely with the class teachers in identifying, monitoring and supporting children with SEN. This may involve in-class support, withdrawal in a small group or individual attention (or a combination). All children are regularly screened through the administration of standardised and observational tests. Parental consultation and support is a vital aspect of our learning support programme. If you have any concerns in this area please talk with the class teacher. Scoil an Linbh Iosa has three Assisted Learning Classes for children with Autism. The children have access to a purpose built facility, with such resources as a sensory room, occupational therapy space and a kitchen. Interaction between mainstream classes and ALC is fostered. |
Junior Day
For the first two weeks Junior Infants will have a shorter school day (9.00 – 12 noon). They will only need a small healthy lunch. New Infants are usually very tired when they start school first, so please help them by making sure they go to bed early. From the middle of September the Junior Infants will be in school for the full Infant day (9.00 – 1.40 pm). Parents will be informed of exact dates when the school calendar is decided. Please ensure you are on time in the morning and in the afternoon. Your child’s ability to separate from you will be enhanced if they know you will be there on time. |
Going Home
At home time the teacher will lead the children to the school door and they will be handed over to the relevant carer, one by one. Please wait until your child comes to the top of the line before coming forward to receive them. Inform the school in writing about who is to collect your child. The school must also be informed in writing of any changes to the collection routine. |
Independence
HELP YOUR CHILD TO BE INDEPENDENT by training him/her:
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Ways to you can help your child to grow:
- Give your child time, spend time together.
- Talk to your child and encourage him/her.
- Listen attentively to your child.
- Read and enjoy stories together. Talk about the story.
- Repeat Nursery Rhymes.
- Identify colours and shapes.
- Provide paper, crayons and paints for colouring and scribbling.
- Provide jigsaws, lego, play dough etc.
- Help him/her to cut out using safe scissors.
- Allow sand and water play.
- Have fun together.
- Praise his/her efforts at every opportunity.
- Avoid criticism
Close Contact
The school is in close contact with all of the local playschools in the Prosperous area. The Junior Infant teachers visit the playschools and invite the playschools to visit them in our school. This allows the children to begin to familiarise themselves with their new school environment. |
Curriculum Subjects
In 1999 a revised curriculum was introduced into Irish Primary Schools.
The Primary School Curriculum consists of 6 curricular areas and these are further divided into 11 subjects. See ncca.ie for further details.
Your child will be studying the following:
The curriculum aims to ensure that all children are provided with learning opportunities that recognise and celebrate their uniqueness, develop their full potential and prepare them to meet the challenges of the 21st century. The focus is on the child as a learner.
Scoil an Linbh Íosa is a Catholic School. We teach the Grow In Love and Alive-O programmes.
In 1999 a revised curriculum was introduced into Irish Primary Schools.
The Primary School Curriculum consists of 6 curricular areas and these are further divided into 11 subjects. See ncca.ie for further details.
Your child will be studying the following:
- Language: Gaeilge & English
- Mathematics
- Social, Environmental & Scientific Education (S.E.S.E.): History, Geography & Science
- Arts Education: Music, Visual Arts and Drama
- Physical Education (P.E.)
- Social, Personal and Health Education (S.P.H.E.)
The curriculum aims to ensure that all children are provided with learning opportunities that recognise and celebrate their uniqueness, develop their full potential and prepare them to meet the challenges of the 21st century. The focus is on the child as a learner.
Scoil an Linbh Íosa is a Catholic School. We teach the Grow In Love and Alive-O programmes.
After School
A number of After School Activities take place in the school. These include Playball in the Junior classes, basketball, football, art and drama. Some activities are free, while others are offered at a small fee. |
School Website & Newsletter
This website is updated regularly with school news and updates, as well as class blogs (see menu above), which provide a great insight into the work your child's class is completing. The school also has it's own Twitter account, Facebook page and YouTube account. School news and updates will be given in the school newsletter which is issued once every half term. Occasionally notes with specific information are sent home. You may have to check the bag. |
Complaints Procedure
The school adheres to the INTO complaints procedure. The procedure facilitates the resolution of difficulties, where they may arise, in an agreed and fair manner. It is set out in five stages, Stage 1 being where the parent approaches the class teacher with a view to resolving the complaint. The procedure can be found here. |