Wishing everyone in our school community a great Summer. The girls have achieved so much this year. Well done to 6th class as they move forward and welcome to our incoming infants.

Certificates for school achievements and dedication will be issued at the September assembly along with the formation of our goals for the year.

Remember; school reopens Thursday 29th August at 9.10am.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

♦ New School Jerseys: A huge ‘Míle Buíochas’ to our very kind sponsors Hi Spec Engineering for kindly donating a full set of new jerseys for our school with the school crest. We are very lucky to have such a dedicated Parents Association who have worked hard to ensure that this wish has been ticked off the wish list! Check out our new jerseys on the school website!

♦ National Ploughing Championships: Acting upon the advice from An Garda Síochana, we will be closed from Tuesday, 17^th September to Thursday 19^th inclusive. School will reopen on Friday 20^th September at 9.10am. This is for health and safety reasons due to the large volumes of traffic expected along the school route.

♦ School Uniform:  The foot health of the girls in SML is important to us, and we are aware that many families in the school find it financially challenging to meet the pressure which is being placed upon them to purchase expensive runners/shoes throughout the school year in a bid to keep up with latest trends. For the new school year, we would ask that all girls wear plain black shoes/ boots, which is in keeping with the current guidelines around uniform. Runners may be worn on PE days or designated days.  This decision to enact the guidelines has been reached in conjunction with the Parents and the children themselves. I hope that it is something which will support the girls and you the parents and guardians.

♦. 6^th class: We wish all the girls in 6^th class every luck and success as they begin the next chapter in their lives. You have been truly amazing ladies- keep shining brightly in your new school!

♦ Book bills 2019-2020: If you wish to order your books through the school, you must pay before the holidays. Otherwise you will need to purchase books yourself over the Summer.

♦ Changes to details: Can you please let Fiona know if there will be any changes over the Summer to your home address or phone numbers please to ensure that correspondence will be received if necessary.

♦ Lost and Found Box: Please check the box if your child is missing a coat/ hat etc. Anything left in the box will be donated to Charity. If you have any old uniforms/tracksuits, we would gladly accept them here in the school for other children who may need them.

♦ Farewell: We say goodbye and thanks to Ms. Coe and Mr. Timmins who are leaving this year. We wish you both every success and hope that you will come back to visit!

♦Good Luck: Wishing Laura in Senior Infants the very best of luck as she prepares to represent Ireland in the European Gymnastics Competition in Hungary. Well done to all the Community game winners and all those entering a variety of competitions over the Summer. We are very proud of you!

♦ Reminder: School will close on Friday, 28^th June at 12 noon for the Summer holidays.

♦ Thanks: Thank you to our school family for making 2018-2019 such a great year. There have been many changes in SML over the past few years and months. Your support, commitment and trust has been truly remarkable. I wish you all a very happy and enjoyable Summer filled with sunshine and fun J See you all on Thursday 29^th August @ 9.10am.

Signed:

_________________

Marie Coen (Principal)

Teaching Staff for 2019-2020

Junior Infants (St. Brigid’s Building): Ms. Delia Ryan

Senior Infants (Room 4): Ms. Eileen Dillon (on maternity leave) Ms. Ann Marie Wall to cover

Senior Infants (Room 5): To be announced in August/September

First Class (St. Brigid’s Building): Mrs. Caroline O’ Callaghan

Second Class (Room 1): Ms. Marianne Cullen (currently Mr. Timmins Class)

Second Class (Room 2): Ms. Rebecca Kennedy (currently Ms. Turtles Class)

Third Class (Room 6): Ms. Ita Finnerty

Fourth Class (Room 3): Ms Ann Murphy

Fifth Class (Room 7): Ms. Aisling Madden

Sixth Class (Room 8): Mr. Jack O’ Flaherty

Special Education Teacher: Ms. Juliana Garahy

Special Education Teacher: To be announced

Special Education Teacher (E.A.L): Ms. Marie Turtle

Shared Special Education Teacher: Ms. Aileen Doyle

Shared Special Education Teacher: Ms. Louise Kinsella

Special Needs Assistant: Ms. Regina Canavan

All of the above teachers are subject to change in their class positioning. Any changes to teachers will be communicated to you in August.

Policy: Distribution of Students procedure.

Introduction

Scoil Mhuire Lourdes is committed to enabling and supporting each child to recognise their gifts and to achieve their full potential, while at the same time preparing them to become caring and active members of society. This policy is the product of whole-staff, Board of Management and parental collaboration in Scoil Mhuire Lourdes.

Rationale

In the interest of providing the best education for all students, this procedural document ensures that distribution of students is achieved in a fair and open way facilitating optimum outcomes for the whole school community.

Aims and Objectives of this Policy

• To provide a framework that is efficient in the smooth running of the school when distributing students to classes
• To outline the criteria on which children are selected to be placed in mixed or straight classes
• To maximise the learning opportunity for the girls through prudent student distribution

Framework for the splitting of classes

At the time of planning the classes for the coming year, the Principal will look at the overall numbers and take account of the Allocation of Teachers (DES circular) for Scoil Mhuire Lourdes. This is usually published in January each year and reflects any changes to the pupil/teacher ratio in the previous Budget. An appeal will be lodged, if there are grounds.

Pending an appeal, the Principal will decide how best to organise classes with a view to providing the best educational opportunities for all children (Circular 16/73). The Principal will explore all options and class combinations in collaboration with the teaching staff.

The principal has overall responsibility for grouping or splitting a class where numbers would otherwise be too big or too small in one class. The DES’ objective is that class size should be as equitable as possible across all class levels. However, the teacher will ensure that each pupil in each class, will be working on the set of skills from the national curriculum for the correct class.

Criteria for placing children in particular class groups

We group the children to maximise the learning outcomes for each child. When dividing a class into groups, to be placed in separate classes, there are certain criteria to be taken into consideration:

• Children joining the school in Junior Infants are distributed into classes so that there is a fair distribution of:
  • Numbers in the class
  • Age
  • English as an Additional Language Need (as informed by parents)

There will also be opportunity for station teaching in core subjects, particularly in Junior class levels. The divided class will be given daily opportunity to come together. The learning support team will support the class teacher using strategies and methodologies such as parallel / team teaching and differentiation.

• In subsequent years, effort is made to ensure fair distribution as set out above, but also the fair distribution of:
  • Academic ability
  • Personality types and characteristics

This means it is not always possible to keep friends together but the teachers of each class are consulted with on these issues and much work will go into the planning stage of the arrangement prior to the summer holidays and beyond. Classes that have been split will reunite daily to play together on the playground during breaks so they can maintain existing friendships as well as make new friends in the new group. This increases their circle of friends and their abilities to form new friendships.

This decision will lie ultimately with the Principal, who must consider the needs of every child in the class and thoroughly explore all groupings with middle-management and teachers. Consultation with children or parents will not be entered into, the decision is final.

Roles and Responsibilities

All teachers, under the guidance of the Principal, participate in and contribute to the implementation of effective and equitable student distribution.

Parents and Guardians inform the school of Special Educational Needs that their daughter may have/ which may come to light as the children progresses through the school. Parents and Guardians support the school’s decision regarding student distribution and class allocation.

Success Criteria:

The school evaluates the success of the procedure al document through:

• Participation of all staff
• Smooth running of classes
• Feedback from all staff
• Student Satisfaction
• Parental Satisfaction

Signed:            _____________________

Marie Coen

Date:              June 2019

A huge thank you to Hi Spec Engineering for generously sponsoring a full set of school jerseys for our girls. The student council picked the design with the PA kindly organising their production. The ladies are thrilled with them and look forward to wearing them proudly representing the school.