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School History And Organisation | The
Parents Association | Religious Instruction |
Enrolment | Parent Teacher
Meetings | Teacher Training | Security |
Management
School History and Organisation
The school was officially opened on Thursday the 31st March
1977 by An Taoiseach, Mr. Liam Cosgrave T.D. and blessed
by Most Rev. Dr. Ryan, Archbishop of Dublin. There were two
teachers and fifty seven children on the opening day. It
was built as a 16 teacher school allowing for four classes
in each grade from Junior Infants to Second Standard.
St. Colmcille's Junior National School has 24 classes catering
for Junior Infants, Senior Infants, First and Second standards.
The Principal teacher is Mr. John Boyle and Mrs. Ita Corduff
is Deputy Principal.
There are 34 teachers on the staff. The average class size
is 30 pupils.
The main school building was refurbished recently providing
a bright modern teaching and learning environment. The Board
of Management has applied to the Department of Education and
Science for permanent classrooms to replace the large number
of prefabricated classrooms currently in use.
The school delivers a varied curriculum as prescribed by the
Dept. of Education and Science.
The following subjects are taught in our school: Religion,
Irish; English; Mathematics; Music; Social Personal and Health
Education; Social, Environmental and Scientific Education;
Visual Arts; Drama; and Physical Education.
Teaching is enhanced by the provision of an extensive programme
of extra curricular activity including Gaelic Games, Indoor
Soccer, Speech and Drama lessons, Recorder and Tin Whistle
lessons, Swimming Instruction, Gymnastics and School Tours.
The development of our ICT resources in recent years bears
testimony to the generosity of parents. Together with a
dedicated computer classroom, each class now has its own
PC, printer
and suitable educational software.
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The Parents Association
The Parents Association is a great support to the school, providing
funds and assistance with special projects : Book week, Christmas
celebrations, playground improvements etc.
The Junior School building is used regularly by the extended
community. Renowned as the venue for the parish Christmas Fair,
the building also hosts the Knocklyon Concert Band's music
lessons and Encore's Speech and Drama classes.
Go to St Colmcille's Primary Parents Association
Religious Instruction
Religious instruction is a fundamental part of the school curriculum.
An awareness of God's presence in the lives of the children
is fostered through the beauty of nature and human experiences.
The programme aims to awaken and develop each child's social
and moral awareness.
As parents we have accepted the responsibility at Baptism
of giving our children a Christian upbringing. Values such
as love, truth, beauty, respect, care, co-operation, honesty
and concern are fostered in the school and integrated into
the education of the pupils. The children are explicitly introduced
to God's presence in their lives through biblical and liturgical
teaching and through the witness of Christian living. The example
of Christian living by parents is of course vital and indispensable
- a child learns what he lives!
The children of Second Class are prepared for the Sacraments
of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.
The wishes of parents are respected fully in the matter of
Religious Instruction and no pupils shall receive or be present
at any Religious Instruction of which their parents disapprove.
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Enrolment
Please be aware that four year old children born after April
were not admitted to this year's Junior Infant classes due
to demand for places. Places for next year will be allocated
in early February. Applications received after December 20th
will automatically be placed on the waiting list.
Parent Teacher Meetings
Parents may consult with their child's teachers regarding progress
on specified dates during the year, usually in November. Children
will go home at 12 noon on these days.
Teacher Training
Many of our teachers give freely of their time to update their
teaching skills in order to help our pupils. The Department
of Education and Science will also provide six days per year
for whole staff training in order to introduce the revised
curriculum. Parents will be advised of these dates and children
will remain at home on these days.
Security
All visitors to the school must use the intercom at the front
entrance. They will be admitted by our secretary. They must
then report to the school office, which is located near the
left corner of the lower hall. Parents and guardians of children
in the eight prefabricated classrooms must also report to the
secretary before entering the prefabs during the school day.
These arrangements ensure children's safety and allow teachers
to work uninterrupted throughout the day.
Management
The Board of Management consists of eight members.
1. Two members appointed by and representatives of the patron.
2. Two members , parents of children enrolled in the school,
elected by parents.
3. The Principal teacher of the school.
4. One other teacher on the staff elected by the staff.
5. Two members of the wider community.
The Board serves a three year term and is responsible for
the general management and day to day maintenance of the school.
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