Information for Parents of New Infants
 

 

 Tel: 064-6642598 / 064-6642300
 e-mail:  [email protected]

 SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT

In St. John’s National School we wish to create a nurturing co-educational environment based on Catholic values.  We welcome students from all nationalities. All our students are encouraged to develop to their full potential and gifts: academic, social, creative, spiritual, moral and cultural.

It is an all-inclusive school where everyone belongs, where diversity is celebrated while developing the individual’self-respect and respect for others. It is a school where successes are acknowledged and where mistakes are seen not as failures but as learning opportunities.

The school values the contribution of all, the students, the teachers, the parents and the wider community.  Our students are encouraged to value their role in their local, national, European and global community.

Some Essential Information

 

1. School opening 2021:

 Tuesday, 31st August at 9.20a.m.

Junior Infant pupils will go home at 12.00 noon from

Tuesday, August 31st – Friday, September 10th. 

From Monday, September 13th  Junior Infants will go home at 2.00p.m.

 2. The uniform for St. John’s N.S. is as follows:   

• Grey crested jumper.
• Navy crested tracksuit.
• Blue shirt to be worn with jumper/blue polo shirt to be worn with tracksuit on P.E. days.
• Grey trousers (boys and girls), grey skirt, and grey pinafore.
• Grey/ black tights for girls.
• Dark shoes/ boots to be worn with uniform (strictly no ugg boots).
• Regular runners to be worn with tracksuit on P.E. days.

3. Lunches Policy:

A healthy lunch policy is in operation in the school. From our observations, a sandwich, a drink and a piece of fruit are adequate. Crisps are strictly forbidden. Drinks should be brought in plastic, re-usable containers – glass bottles are not allowed.

St. John’s N.S. is a Green School operating on the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle. In line with this policy, children are asked to bring home paper waste. Organic waste, such as fruit peels are recycled within the school.

In the interests of safety children should remain seated while eating and drinking. If a child forgets his/ her lunch it can be left with the secretary who will then deliver it to the child’s classroom.

Also, please ensure that your child is provided with a lunch they can eat independently and which is not so cumbersome as to unduly affect their playtime. Children should also be able to open/ close lunchboxes independently.

4. Some simple tips on starting School:

Once your children have started school your support and encouragement can play a vital part in building their confidence and developing their skills.

Here are some basic hints from experienced teachers and parents to help your Junior Infants through the first weeks of school:

• Leave your child in their class line – do not linger.
• Always collect your child on time.
• Clearly mark your child’s name on all their belongings; a colourful identifying mark on coats is a good idea also.
• Buy school bags big enough to fit large size infant books.
• Make sure your child is able to put on/ take off coats and put items in and out of their school bag.
• Give some thought to lunches, make sure your child has a lunch box they can open and close.
• If you are worried or need some further information the Junior Infants teacher works in her classroom from 2 – 3p.m. each day. She is available at this time to meet parents who wish to speak to her on an appointment basis. A formal parent/teacher meeting also takes place during the school year and a full written report is given to all parents/ guardians at the end of the school year.

Children take time to adapt to school life and routine, do not expect too much too soon. Talk to them about how their day went and allow them to respond in their own way.

5. School Curriculum:

St. John’s N.S. follows the core curriculum in Junior Infants.  This includes:

• Reading
• Writing
• Maths
• Irish
• Religion
• Physical Education
• Visual Arts
• SPHE
• SESE
• Music

In Junior Infants we also hope to achieve the following:

• Oral language development
• Physical co-ordination
• Concentration
• Co-operation
• Ability to perform tasks
• Ability to listen
• Ability to work with others
• Acceptance of general order
• Development of social skills

Further information on the school curriculum is available on www.ncca.ie 

INTO Booklet – Tips for Parents

The INTO have recently published a booklet entitled ‘Your Child in the Primary School – Tips for Parents’.  It includes very help hints and tips on how to prepare for your child’s first year at school.  You can read the booklet by clicking on this link.  http://www.into.ie/ROI/Publications/TipsforParents/2017_Tips_Eng.pdf

Our School Motto