Welcome to a new Year - Letter to Parents/Guardians 03/09/10

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:51:55 PST

Letter from Principal sent home 3rd September, 2010 including consent form re Data Protection of student information and Student 24 hour Personal Accident Insurance (€8 for 24 hour cover for 365 days).

welcome back

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:51:30 PST

2^nd September, 2010.

Dear Parents/Guardians,
Welcome back to another school year. I hope that you had a pleasant summer and that the return to school has gone smoothly for you and your child/children. As the new term begins, the staff and I are looking forward to working closely with you all for another year. A good start is very important in ensuring that your child has a productive and fulfilling year in school. Ensuring that your child has a proper diet, gets sufficient sleep and takes plenty of exercise contribute greatly to his/her readiness and capacity to learn from the outset of the year. In addition, all students should establish a proper study regime at this point, completing homework to the highest standard and ensuring that all deadlines for project work are met.

Congratulations to our 2010 Leaving Cert Class, our staff and Parents/Guardians on a very good set of results. Many students are embarking on further study in a wide range of 3^rd level institutions while a small number have gone into apprenticeships or into the world of work. We wish them the best of luck in whatever path they choose. Our Junior Certificate results will be available on Wednesday 15^th September in the school.

Over the next four weeks, all 1^st Year classes will participate in a Retreat facilitated by the school Chaplain. Much of the content of the retreat will deal with the transition from Primary to Secondary school and will help assist with “settling in” issues. All 1^st Year Religion classes will be busy preparing for the traditional welcoming Mass which takes place at the end of September, date to be finalised.

Supervised study commences week commencing 6^th September. All queries to Mr. Sheerin at the school.

Our Community/Adult Education Autumn 2010 brochure is available on our website www.ashcom.ie with details of classes and enrolment and also in our local library. Classes commence from Monday 27^th September. If you have any queries please contact the Adult Education office on 01 8353007.

Please find enclosed a consent form which you are asked to complete and return to the main office by Monday 13^th September, 2010. This form has been issued by the Department of Education & Skills and relates to the personal data which is collected by the Department on your child. The form will be retained by the school. Full information regarding this is available on our school website in an article entitled “Data Protection”.

The school website www.ashcom.ie is updated on a weekly basis. Please check this regularly for news, change of dates, calendar information etc.

Below I have included the top ten tips for ensuring success for your child in Ashbourne Community School this year. Please read carefully and spend some time discussing these with your child.
Yours sincerely,

Aine O’Sullivan,
Principal.

The school journal will keep you fully informed of your child’s progress. Check and sign the journal each week. Read the information in the front section of the journal with your child. This information is particular to our school and informs you of the most important policies and practices. Please sign all the relevant sections of the journal.
Attendance and Punctuality
A note must be written in the school journal in the event of your child being absent or late for any reason. This year we will continue with the texting service which advises you of your child’s absences immediately. Please notify the school of any changes in contact numbers, addresses etc. so that our database can be kept up to date. All students should be in school at 8.40 am in order to be on time for tutorial at 8.50 (except on Tuesdays when they should be in school by 9.40 at the latest).
Communication
When you have a general concern regarding your child, it is important that you contact the Year Head in the first instance, rather than leaving the issue to develop further.
Parent-Subject Teacher Communication
If you wish to meet any of your son’s/daughter’s subject teachers, you are asked to make an appointment by contacting the school office. An appointment system ensures that classes are not left unsupervised. Any concerns or complaints should always be discussed in the first instance with the relevant subject teacher.
Homework Policy
Please familiarise yourself with the policy guidelines as set out in the school journal on page 18. If your child fails to complete the homework assignments within the recommended time span on a regular basis, parents are requested to let the tutor know. It is best if this issue is dealt with early in the year. We strongly recommend that students should not engage in part time work during the school term.
Uniform policy – see page 6 & 7 of journal
Students who come to school without being in full uniform will be asked to return home. Long hair should be tied back for health and safety reasons. We would urge parents/ guardians to use the school shop when buying the uniform as all proceeds raised in this venture go directly back into the school for your child’s benefit. Check the school website for opening times.
Health and Safety
All students driving to school must comply with the law and have a full driving licence or if on a provisional be accompanied by someone with a full licence for the required length of time. At all times, students should drive in a safe manner appropriate to a very busy school environment. The vehicle must not be parked in either staff parking areas to the side or rear of the school building. The vehicle must not be moved during the school day and under no circumstances should other students be transported on school grounds.
Mobile Phones – see journal page 9.
Our purpose is to create the best learning environment for all of our students. Phones must be switched off. Confiscated phones can only be collected by Parents/Guardians from the main office. Ashbourne Community School cannot accept liability for loss of or damage to any item of personal property.
Monitor your child’s use of Internet Social Networking Sites. Cyber bullying can be part of our children’s lives.
Insurance
The PTA is offering a 24 hour Personal Accident Insurance Scheme. We strongly urge you to avail of this scheme (form available to download below) particularly if your son or daughter is involved in extracurricular activities. You will get maximum cover (24 hours x 365 days of the year) by availing of this insurance for €8.00 – see the article “Personal Accident Insurance” on our website www.ashcom.ie. While Community schools are owned by the Minister of Education and are therefore indemnified by the State, in the event of an accident, while involved in a school activity, a student is not automatically covered. If interested , please return the form and money in an envelope marked Student Insurance to the main office by Friday 1^st October (cheques to be made payable to Ashbourne PTA, cash is also accepted).

DATA PROTECTION - DES STUDENT DETAILS

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:19:02 PST

Notice to Parents, Guardians and Students aged 18 years and over, on how the personal data of students enrolled at this post primary school as at 30^th September, is returned to the Department of Education and Skills, to primarily secure teaching posts and core funding; and how these data are processed fairly and in compliance with the Data Protection Acts 1988 to 2003.

Adult Education Brochure

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:18:13 PST

The NEW AUTUMN 2010 ADULT EDUCATION BROCHURE available to download in Microsoft Word and PDF format

rwtest

Sat, 14 Aug 2010 17:40:49 PST

Booklists 2010-2011

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 22:14:36 PST

Up-to-date booklists for 20010/11 school year. Download as PDF file.

Calendar 2010-2011

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:37:33 PST

Student calendar 2010/11 - showing important dates and closures throughout the academic year.

Grants (Guidance)

Wed, 26 May 2010 10:30:57 PST

Information on Funding and Grants for 3rd level study in 2010:

Given that the grant awarding authorities are experiencing significant increased demand for grants, which in the 2009/10 academic year resulted in significant delays in the processing of grant applications in some areas, we want to encourage students to submit their 2010/11 Student Grant Application, as early as possible before the closing date of 31 August 2010.
We would highlight that students do not need to wait until they have accepted a place in college to apply for a student grant.

3rd Level Funding (20k Euros) For NCI (Guidance)

Wed, 05 May 2010 10:53:54 PST

"Change Your Life Education Fund" National College of Ireland offer 20k Euros in funding...

Some Smart Study Skills (Guidance)

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 14:08:25 PST

Some basic tips from the Guidance Department on effective study and learning

PACCS Report

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 12:48:32 PST

Report from 26th PACCS Annual Conference held on 5th/6th March in Tipperary Institute, Thurles.

Thinking of Studying Medicine in Ireland or N. Ireland in 2011?(Guidance)

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 10:42:06 PST

Students who intend to study medicine in the Republic of Ireland will now be required to take the HPAT aptitude test.

Current news from PTA- April 2010

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 11:14:09 PST

Uptodate news from the PTA...April 2010

Is Studying in the UK an Option?(Guidance)

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 10:09:40 PST

Are you considering applying to study in a 3rd level institution in the UK ?

Important CAO Dates! (Guidance)

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 09:24:07 PST

1st May - closing date for late applications

5TH May - Online Change of Mind Facility becomes available

(open until July 1st)

Uniform Shop Opening Times

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 09:19:15 PST

Details of Opening Times for the School Uniform Shop

5th Year Student Eileen O'Sullivan scoops Texaco Art Award

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 17:57:41 PST

Swim Team Successes

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 12:25:14 PST

Congratulations to the Ashbourne Community School Swim team....

School Musical

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 09:10:35 PST

Ashbourne students bring the house down with “Our House”

EASTER STUDY

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:05:28 PST