Guidelines for Parents/ Guardians

The INTO has published an article that gives parents an understanding of the modern primary school and how it works. Its full of useful tips from how to make life more manageable for the junior infant, school life, healthy eating, help with uniforms and books, bullying, homework etc.

Please download your free publication here Tips_for_Parents

St Mary’s National School

Parents/Guardians have a huge role to play in their children’s education. Parents/Guardians should value education highly and should strive to generate a positive attitude to learning and to school. By showing interest in their school activities and by praising their efforts, parents/guardians can instil a positive attitude which will stand to their child in education for years to come.

1. The school day is from 9:30 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. Infants finish at 2:10 p.m. For the first three weeks of the school year Junior Infants go home at 12.15 pm. The school authorities will be responsible for the safety and welfare of pupils, while on school property, during school hours only. The full co-operation of parents/guardians is expected.

2. Telephone calls or visits to the school, on school business, should be made during school hours. The school telephone numbers are 056-7724290 or 056 – 7724633

3. A written explanation of absence from school is required by teachers from parents/guardians on the child’s return to school.

4. It is important that parents/guardians assist the teacher by ensuring that their child understands the expected behaviour within the school.

5. Parents/Guardians are asked to acquaint themselves with each child’s work and study requirements, so that the child gains maximum benefit. Pupils are expected to work to the best of their ability. Homework, written and/or verbal is given four days a week, Friday is usually excluded. The approximate time spent doing homework should be as follows:

Junior Infants: Up to 10 minutes

Senior Infants: Up to 15 minutes

First Class: Up to 30 minutes

Second Class: Up to 30 minutes

Third Class: Up to 40 minutes

Fourth Class: Up to 40 minutes

Fifth Class: Up to 50 minutes

Sixth Class: Up to 50 minutes

6. Parents/Guardians will be informed of a child’s continuous misbehaviour, and will be expected to help improve their behaviour.

7. Damage to school property, and /or that of other children, is the responsibility of the parents/guardians of the child.

8. Parents/Guardians, if informed of unacceptable unsociable behaviour by their child, are requested to make every effort to explain to their child that such behaviour is unacceptable, and will not be tolerated in school.

9. In line with the school’s healthy Lunch Policy, Parents/Guardians are encouraged to provide healthy lunches, e.g. sandwiches, fruit, etc., for their children, as a healthy diet is of vital importance to growing children.

10. Messages from parents/guardians to the teacher should be conveyed through the child’s homework journal or notebook.

11. Appointments to meet with the teacher should be made through the child’s homework journal or notebook, or by telephoning the school office.

12. The following procedure must be followed by any parent/guardian who wishes to make a complaint

a) Make an appointment to speak with the teacher concerned.

b) Make an appointment to speak with the principal in the presence of the teacher concerned if unhappy with the first meeting.

c) If still unhappy with the outcome parents/guardians may write to the secretary of the Board of Management, giving details of the complaint.

The Board of Management of St. Mary’s National School, Thomastown, sanctioned the Guidelines For Parents/Guardians on the 26^th February 2010.