19th August 2016
Dear Parents/Guardians,
It’s nearly time to go back to school. We enjoyed a lovely day on Wednesday with our Leaving Cert students being rewarded for their hard work with excellent results. It was great to see them so happy & appreciative. Congratulations to all the students, their families & their teachers.
Calendar & Dates
| Monday 29th August |
First Years, Leaving & Junior Cert. students return 9.10am - 3.45pm Student Enrichment Programme for Leaving Cert Students. |
| Tuesday 30th September | Second, Fifth & Transition Year students return |
| Oct. Mid-term break | 31st October - 4th November inclusive |
| Christmas Holidays | School closes 22nd December. Re-opens 9th January 2017 |
| Feb. Mid-term break | 20th - 24th February inclusive |
| Easter Holidays | School closes 10th April. Re-opens 24th April |
Dates for parent teacher meetings, training days & any discretionary days will be confirmed in the new term.
Book Rental Scheme
Thanks to funding from the Dept. of Education & the Parents’ Association, we intend to operate the book rental scheme again this year. The fee includes book rental, school diary, SPHE book & locker key. No books can be issued without payment. Separately, workbooks & materials for subjects such as Music, Art & the T4 subjects may be purchased from the relevant teacher in September. If buying a new calculator, students are advised to purchase a Casio Fx-83ES.
| 1st & 2nd Years | Books can be collected on payment of €100 annual fee on Thursday 25th August. |
| 3rd & 5th Years | Books can be collected on payment of €100 annual fee on Wednesday 24th August. |
| 6th Years | Books can be collected on payment of €100 annual fee on Monday 29th August. |
School Policies
The policies of the school including the Code of Good Behaviour, Anti Bullying Policy, Homework Policy, Admissions Policy etc. are available on www.glenamaddycs.ie. The school community are asked to familiarise themselves with these policies as they govern the running of the school.
School Uniform
The school uniform is available from Dympna McDermott, Glenamaddy. The school jacket is optional & may be ordered there. Students wear black leather shoes. Pumps, keds, runners etc. are not allowed. Girls wear the school skirt or navy school pants. Skirts are to be worn on or below the knee. Students wear a white top & any colour shorts for P.E class.
Pad Initiative
In a new ICT initiative, our First & Second Year students have the option of using iPads as a learning tool and as a book repository. Living in an ever-changing ICT world we want our students to be life-long, independent learners, prepared for jobs or questions that don’t yet exist. Students will be offered the opportunity to gain qualifications & certification in type writing & ICS Skills/ECDL.
Student Enrichment Programme - Personal & Social Awareness Week
All Leaving Cert students will undertake a Student Enrichment Day & Differential Aptitude Tests (DATs) on Monday 29th August in preparation for the year of study & exams ahead. Student Enrichment (www.studentenrichment.ie.) focusses on study skills, exam technique & motivation. Our Career Guidance Counsellor will conduct the computerised DATs so as to help students identify their strengths & talents. The fee for both is €15 per student.
The Pastoral Care Team in association with the Parents’ Association is organising a Personal & Social Awareness Week for students in the new term with speakers on anti-bullying, substance abuse, health issues, road safety & social media usage. If you have any query please do not hesitate to contact our Chaplain, Ms O’Flanagan.
Personal Development courses, talks and retreats etc. organised by the school are seen as an integral part of the curriculum & all students are expected to participate.
Code of Good Behaviour - Come to School
We ask parents to read the Code of Good Behaviour with their children. The Code, when signed, forms a contract for good conduct with the school. For our code to work the support & cooperation of parents, staff & students is vital. Students will be rewarded for good behaviour & sanctioned for misbehaviour.
- Students are not allowed down town before or during school. Parents are asked to drop their children at the school only. Buses drop off students at the school only.
- Students are asked to respect the local cemetery & Church/Convent grounds.
- Please do not allow your son or daughter drive to school. The school cannot take responsibility for students driving to or from school or giving lifts to other students.
- Evening Detention will take place on Friday evening in order to deter disruptive behaviour & encourage positive behaviour.
- Students are expected to attend school every day. As a general rule there are no free days or half days. If there is no school due to an emergency we will text you. Please call if you ever have any doubt.
The School Journal - Absence Notes
Please use the School Journal as a means for communication between the school & home. The absence & lateness slips may be required by the National Education Welfare Board. We ask parents to come to reception to sign out their child if they are going home early. Students must have a note from their parents/guardian or signed permission from their Yearhead. Phone calls between students & parents during the school day should be through the office & not by mobile phone.
Business/Computer Fetac Level 5 Course
Would you like to join our Fetac Level 5 Business/Secretarial course incorporating Computers, iPads, Accounting, Marketing & Communications? Tuition times & days are flexible & we cater for all levels. Please contact the school for details.
If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact us. Best wishes for the new school year.
Yours sincerely,
______________
James Duignan
Principal
Chairperson’s Welcome
The parents association are delighted to be associated with GCS and we are always made feel that we are a very important cog in the wheel that makes this school what it is. The school itself is only a building but it’s the combination of Management lead by Mr Duignan, the staff and the students that make this place a real community. I encourage you to be part of all our activities as it is the key to supporting each other for our children in our school, working together as parents.
Howard Simpson.
Role of Parents
Since parents are the primary educators, it is essential that their responsibilities to their children extend to their involvement in the education process. Research has shown that children’s achievement at school is importantly related to the degree if interest shown at home. Parents and teachers should act as partners in the education process.
Membership of the Parents Association
Our committee is elected every two years and is made up of two parent/legal guardian representatives from each feeder national school area. Officers are elected from this committee – Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, PRO etc. The biannual general meeting is normally held in September and is advertised via school and parish newsletters and in the local newspapers. The current committee and their contact details have already been issued to you and are available on the school website. We would strongly encourage all parents to attend our general meetings and engage with their local representatives.
Meetings
Our meetings are held every three to four weeks during school-terms. The Principal Mr Duignan, is invited to attend for a specific period of each meeting during which he provides an update on school matters generally. This also presents an opportunity for the PA to raise any issues which have been brought to our attention and to engage constructively on educational and student related matters requiring the input of parents.
Activities
In recent years, much time and energy was devoted to the campaign to secure the new school. Currently the PA is focusing its attention on a range of activities and events to support the students and staff in maximising the benefit for all of the magnificent facilities now available. Some examples of events and activities are as follows;
- Policy Reviews and School Jackets – Members are invited and included to review school policies, more recently, the new antibullying policy as well as a preview of the new school jackets.
- School Mass – Members are invited to assist with and participate in the school mass held at the start of the school-year annually.
- Enrolment Night – The Chairperson provided some general information on the role and responsibilities of the PA for parents of prospective first year students at the enrolment night held in the school. Committee members also assisted the night with the tours, refreshments, etc.
- School Musical – Committee members assist with general arrangements,, raffle, refreshments etc.
- Ranganna na Gaeilge – In a joint initiative with the school, the PA provides funding towards Irish classes held after school and which are available to students, parents and the wider school community. It is felt that support in this area is crucial given the percentage allocation of marks in the State Examinations to the Oral component of the Gaeilge exam.
- Seminars/Information Nights & Days – A number of seminars, information nights/days and motivation and reassurance talks for students have been facilitated for by past pupils of the school and also Mr Declan Coyle.
- Fundraising – The PA id funded annually through a church-gate collection which is normally held in December. An average of €2,000 has been collected in this way in recent years. Core PA expenses are funded from this revenue. However, in the main, the funds collected are used to support the school ‘Student Fund’. Funding had been provided for:
v Ranganna na Gaeilge
v Refurbishment of Library
v Book Rental Scheme
v Mock Exam Stationary
v Sets of Classroom Books
v Transition Years
- Expenses associated with student extra-curricular activity for which no State funding is provided to Music/Sport Departments.
It is with your generosity and support that we successfully held a major fundraiser ‘Loop de Loop’ on the 6th October, 2013. Despite the clement weather, a large attendance from far and wide came and dusted off their helmets, oiled their bikes, stretched their legs and took part in the 10km walk and various cycling distances including 15km, 20km and 40km.
It was also to the generosity of our many sponsors that made the day possible and finally a very special word of thanks to Mr Duignan and staff, Howard Simpson, Brendan Ward and Nigel Cassidy, and to all the students who raised money through sponsorship cards, we say a big thank you. As a result, we had great pleasure in handing over €6,500 on the enrolment night.
- Upcoming Projects – It is hoped to run ‘Loop de Loop’ in October 2014 and a Bake Sale with the Church-gate collection.
General
The Parents Association enjoys an excellent relationship with the students, Principal, staff and Board of Management of Glenamaddy Community School. We are anxious that parents’ views continue to be listened to and represented as partners in education. Please contact us for more information or you can visit the school website at www.glenamaddycs.ie
Howard Simpson Ann Gunning John Collins Fiona Mannion
Chairman Secretary Treasurer PRO
Glenamaddy Community School, Glenamaddy, Co. Galway, Ireland.
Telephone +353 (0) 94 96 59315
Fax +353 (0) 94 96 59354
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Points discussd at the December meeting of the Parents Association
1. DVD sales from "Back to the 80's" musical amount €550. Members agreed to donate €100 of this amount to the Transition Year fund. Our association would like to thank most sincerely the TY students/teachers for co-ordinating the sale and distribution of the DVD'S. The association would also like to thank Sunshine Videos Williamstown for recording this production.
2. Following our recent Church Gate collections in December the total amount collected was €1,994.15. Thanks to members and parents involved and thank you to everybody who contributed.
The Parent's Association would like to take this opportunity in wishing you all a very Happy New Year, and thank you for your continued support.
GLENAMADDY COMMUNITY SCHOOL PARENTS ASSOCIATION
11th DECEMBER 2012
A meeting of the Parents Association took place on 11th Dec and the following items were discussed:
1. The Church Gate Collections for the catchment areas of Glenamaddy, Williamstown, Ballymoe, Glinsk, Clonberne and Kilkerrin will take place on the 15th & 16th December.
2. Past, Present & Future talks organized by the Parents Association in conjunction with James Duignan, Principal will be held in the coming weeks.
3. Margarita Boyle, Marie Barlow, Howard Simpson and Declan Coyle have been invited
to speak to sixth year students in the school. The theme for these talks will be MOTIVATION & REASSURANCE. More information in the next issue.
3. DVD’s of this years musical, Back To The 80’s, are now on sale at a cost of €12. This is a fundraiser for the Parents Association in association with Sunshine Video Productions. DVD’s can be ordered from Parent Association representative in your area. All monies collected from the sales will be regenerated back into various projects in the school.
4. The schools Anti Bullying policy is due to be reviewed after Christmas. Ann Gunning, Secretary, has been nominated to represent the Parent's Association at this review, along with the Principal and staff members.