Parent-Teacher Association Meeting

The PTA selected new officers for this year as well as discussed future plans at their recent meeting.  The minutes can be found at the end of this newsletter.  The minutes of the last Board of Management meeting are also included as well.

 

Parent-Teacher Meetings

Parent-teacher meetings will take place on Wednesday, 29th November and Thursday, 30th November.  Sign-up sheets for appointments will be posted on your child’s classroom door beginning Thursday morning.

 

Meeting Regarding the Anti-Bullying Policy

All parents are invited to come to a meeting on Wednesday, 22nd November at 19.30.  There will be a short presentation about the school’s Code of Behaviour and Anti-Bullying Policy.  There will be a chance for those in attendance to ask questions after the presentation.  As always, if this doesn’t suit, please feel free to make an appointment with your child’s class teacher or Matt to discuss this policy or any areas of concern.

 

Healthy Eating

Parents are reminded that the school has a healthy eating policy.  Please ensure your child has healthy items in his or her lunchbox.  We’re delighted to see most children have very healthy, interesting lunches.  As agreed by the parents and staff, children are not allowed to bring sweets, biscuits, chocolate, crisps or fizzy drinks.  Many thanks for your cooperation.

 

Workshop for Parents

The Parent-Teacher Association has arranged for an Anti-Bullying Workshop for parents.  It will be delivered by a representative of the National Parents’ Council, Cliona Sheehan on Wednesday, 29th November at 19.30.  All are welcome.  Many thanks to the PTA for arranging this opportunity.

 

Future Accommodation

We received confirmation from the Department of Education that we will be relocating to the current Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh, just off the Cappagh Road, in the near future.  We await further information from the Department regarding the timeline for the relocation, and we will inform parents as soon as possible.

 

Open Evening

An Open Evening for prospective parents will take place on Monday, 27th November from 18.30 to 20.00.

 

Second Class learned about pitch and made small pan flutes.

KETNS PTA Meeting Minutes

8th November 2017

7:30 pm at the School

 

Attended by: Karolina, Gosia, Clare, Matt, Vivienne, Trish, Karen, Celine, Natasha, Bertrand, Janesca, Juratha

Apologies: Diana, Maggie

The meeting was chaired by vice-chairwoman Trish Darcy

 

Agenda

  1. New PTA Officers
  2. Pot Luck
  3. Guest Teachers
  4. Anti-Bullying Workshop
  5. Charity

Proceedings

  1. The new set of PTA officers were elected for the school year 2017-2018

    Chairwoman Karolina Sexton
    Vice-Chairwoman                             Trish Darcy
    Secretary                                          Clare Taylor King
    Treasurer                                          Karen Rogan
    National Parents Council                   Karen Rogan
    Junior Infants Class Representative    Bertrand Huvé
    Senior infants Class Representative    Clare Taylor King
    First Class Representative.                 Gosia Michalak-Marchi
    Second Class Representative              Trish Darcy

  2. The annual Pot Luck will be hosted in the Áras Community Centre on Dr. Mannix Road on the 21st December. Every class will be asked to bring a dish to the event.

Junior Infants: Are asked to bring in prepared fruit.
Senior Infants: Are asked to bring in a sweet dish.
1st Class: Are asked to bring in a savoury dish.
2nd Class: Are asked to bring in a savoury dish.

  1. The money raised from our Spring Fair is allocated to inviting guest teachers who provide a wonderful opportunity for the children to experience a unique class. There will be more classes offered this year too.
  2. On November 29th there will be a free Anti-Bullying Workshop. All parents are welcome to attend. It will start at 7:30pm in the school.
  3. There has been a discussion amongst parents about creating an awareness of those in need. We will investigate possible beneficiaries and organise something for December.

The next PTA meeting will partly be a joint meeting with the Board of Management.  The date and time will be confirmed soon.
All parents are welcome to attend. You are not obliged to attend every meeting. Just whenever you can or when you would like to come.

Knocknacarra Educate Together NS

Board of Management Meeting

9th November 2017, 20.00

Present: Louise Shields (chairperson and patron nominee), Maggie Hall (patron nominee), Lynn Morgans (female parent nominee nominee), Waqas Khawaja (male parent nominee), Paul Adams (community nominee), Áine Ní Chuinneagáin (teacher nominee) and Matt Wallen (principal and secretary)

Apologies: Elaine Keane (community nominee)

Louise chaired the meeting.

 

September Minutes

The minutes from October were agreed.

Principal’s Report

Enrolment

  • There are currently 105 pupils enrolled.

Staffing

  • A substitute has been employed to fill a new SNA vacancy.
  • Ann will become full-time. A new SNA vacancy (0.58) will be filled using normal recruitment processes.
  • Eileen was appointed on a permanent basis.
  • We will receive an additional 3 hours per week for our special education allocation.
  • An application for appeal regarding our special education allocation has also been submitted.

Health and Safety

  • A whole-school fire drill was held and went well on the 20th

Attendance

  • The attendance is good, though slightly lower than last year. The attendance year-to-date is 95%.

Building Concerns

  • The Department confirmed to Educate Together that we will be moving to the current Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh building in the future. We are following up on a timeframe as well as what work might be required on the new premises.

Policies

  • A draft Equality of Access and Participation Policy is ready for consideration.

Misc. Events/Information

  • The PTA made popcorn balls and sold them in aid of Cope. We raised just over €100.
  • We had a dental technician visit the infant classes.
  • 1st and 2nd class will be visiting the Aquarium as part of Science Week.
  • Mícheál Curtin will return to present drama lessons through Irish later this month.
  • An Open Evening will take place on the 23rd November for prospective parents to visit the school.
  • Parent-Teacher Meetings will take place on the 29th and 30th
  • Because of the school closure due to Storm Ophelia, the picture day was rescheduled for this Monday, 13th
  • Several staff members attended the funeral of Martin O’Grady, a parent in the school who passed away. A donation was made on behalf of the school and Board to the Lifeboats.
  • Ciara attended a two-day workshop on Managing Challenging Behaviours and Developing Social Skills for Children.
  • Matt and Margaret will attend a seminar on the Stay Safe programme.

Financial Report

The 2016-2017 accounts will be sent for certification.  Budget targets are being met.  Rental income is low at present because the invoices were only sent out recently.

PTA Report

The PTA chose officers for the new school year.  Plans regarding special activities for pupils as well as the end-of-term assembly/potluck were discussed.  The PTA Committee will join the Board at the next meeting.

Equality of Access and Participation Policy

This new policy was discussed and ratified.

Exterior Lighting

Matt will liaise with the landlord to ensure the lights in the car park are working properly.