Parent-Teacher Association Meeting

The first Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) will take place on Wednesday, 27th September at 19.30.  The main agenda item is to prepare for the Annual General Meeting that will take place in October.

 

Coffee Morning

Many thanks to all the parents who made lovely things for the Coffee Morning this last week.  Also, sincere thanks to everyone who organised and attended the event.

 

Contact Details

A record of all contact details for each family will be sent home this week.  We’d kindly ask every family to ensure the details are accurate and return the form, even if everything is correct, as soon as possible.  Once the forms are all returned, we will issue phone lists to each class which will be helpful for planning playdates and birthday parties.

 

Hurling drills with first class

 

Facebook Page

If you haven’t already, please consider liking and following the school Facebook page which can be found at www.facebook.com/KETNS/.  Parents are also invited to join the closed group at www.facebook.com/groups/KETNSParents/.

 

Story time in junior Infants

 

Board of Management Minutes

Included in this newsletter are the minutes from the last Board of Management meeting.  The Board of Management is made up of volunteers including parents, teachers and community members and is responsible for the ongoing management of the school.

 

 

Knocknacarra Educate Together NS – Board of Management Meeting – 7th September 2017, 20.00

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

Apologies: Waqas Khawaja (male parent nominee)

Louise chaired the meeting.

June Minutes

The minutes from June were agreed.

Principal’s Report

Enrolment

  • There are currently 104 pupils enrolled.

Staffing

  • Margaret Wright was appointed as a permanent member of staff. Eileen Duffy was appointed to the developing post.  Eileen is a shared teacher based in our school but working in Barna NS in the mornings.
  • Our SNA allocation remained the same.
  • As a developing school, we will be granted an additional 3 hours support teaching per week in addition to our current allocation. This will be sanctioned at the end of October but “back-dated” to the beginning of the year.
  • A rota for supervision has been agreed.

Building Concerns

  • A serious leak reappeared from the pipes above one of the ground floor toilets. It has been repaired.
  • The car park is extremely crowded. It might be beneficial to ask the PTA to investigate carpooling and “walking bus” options.
  • No further update from the Department has been received regarding relocating.
  • Our current premises had a fire safety cert completed before we occupied it.

Curriculum

  • This year the staff will write the ICT Cross-Curricular and Learn Together curriculum plans.  In Spring, work will begin on the SESE (History, Geography and Science) Plan.

Policies

  • A revised policy on Health and Safety is ready for ratification in September.

Misc. Events/Information

  • A Breakfast Club has been started and open to all children enrolled in the school beginning at 8.00.
  • A number of new afterschool clubs will begin next week. Interest is high for all activities.  New clubs for athletics and GAA skills are being offered.
  • The staff, both teachers and SNAs, will choose personal professional development goals for the year.

Financial Report

The budget has been set out for the year.

PTA Report

After the PTA AGM when officers are chosen, the Board will invite the PTA for a joint meeting in November.

Building Update

Louise will make contact with the Department to make enquiries.

Health and Safety Policy

The revised policy was ratified.