The School Day
Our school attendance policy encourages children to attend school regularly and punctually. The school day starts at 9 a.m. and pupils are requiredto be at the school no later than 8.55a.m. Junior and Senior Infants should be collected promptly at 1.40 p.m. to avoid disruption to remaining classes. All other pupils should be collected at 2.40 p.m.
- Morning supervision of the yard is from 8.45am. Please be aware that children on the school grounds before this time are unsupervised.
- Reasons for pupil absences must be communicated in writing and will be retained by the school. On return to school the child should give a written note to the class teacher which contains the child’s name, the dates of absence and reasons for absence.
- No child is allowed to leave the school unaccompanied (to visit the doctor, dentist etc). Pupils /parents should inform staff of appointments etc. which may lead to a child’s absence.
- Breaks – the morning break lasts for ten minutes (11.00 – 11.10 a.m.) and lunch break lasts for half an hour (12.30 – 1.00 p.m.) Children are allowed time to eat lunch in the classroom and are not allowed to bring wrappers, cartons etc to the yard.
Return to School Parental Declaration Form
Please find a link below to the Return to School Parental Declaration Form.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScvHw6YZObqncoTwK2fU-HIj7qIGjkwviJ9ax-EOqkotGeT5g/viewform?usp=sf_link
School Uniform
- Broadford & Kilbane Crested half zip tracksuit top (ONLY available online from ksport.ie)
- Plain navy tracksuit pants (ONLY available online from ksport.ie)
- Sky Blue polo shirt, short or long sleeved (available from ANY good clothing store)
- Plain navy shorts-Optional-(available from ANY good clothing store)
- Old over-sized long sleeved t-shirt for arts & crafts
- Self adhesive tied shoes (most practical until children have learned to tie their laces)
- School bags should be big enough to fit A4 size.
- (Slippers are no longer required)
Please Note: Pupils will be expected to dress/undress themselves for games and P.E.
First Aid and Accidents
In accordance with our school accident/injury policy, minor accidents/injuries are initially looked after by the teacher on yard duty. If deemed necessary, the child will be taken to the office where first aid will be performed. No medicines are administered but cuts are cleaned with anti-septic wipes and bandages/plasters applied if deemed appropriate. Plastic gloves are used to reduce infection when treating cuts. Parents are notified and children are advised to show/tell parents. In the case of more serious accidents/injuries parents are contacted immediately. The child is kept under intense observation until parents arrive, with the emphasis on making the child as comfortable and settled as possible.
Homework
Homework is given from Monday to Thursday in order to reinforce what the child learns during the day. It is designed to be achievable – providing an opportunity to practice work already done. It helps to develop a child’s concentration skills as well as a good work ethic. Children are expected to do their homework to the best of their ability – no more, no less.
Homework provides a link between teacher and parent. Parents are encouraged to help their children with homework by:
- Providing them with a suitable place and time to do homework
- Preventing interruptions and distractions
- Providing help or further explanation only when the child has difficulty
Healthy Eating Policy
Lunch is an important meal for school going children. To promote healthy nutrition, Broadford & Kilbane NS implements a policy regarding school lunches and snacks. As we are all well aware, a healthy diet leads to a healthy body and mind and so we ask you to encourage a healthy lunch right from the start.
These items are suggested:
Meat (chicken, turkey, ham, beef etc.)
Fish (salmon, tuna etc.)
Cheese
Milk, yoghurts
Water,
Fruit (oranges/ satsumas,(peeled), apples, pears, plums, bananas, grapes etc.)
Vegetables (carrots, cucumber, celery, lettuce etc.)
These items are discouraged:
Fizzy drinks
Fruit Juices
Crisps
Peanuts
Sweets
Chocolate
Biscuits
A healthy packed lunch might contain, for example, bread or an alternative, a savoury filling which provides protein, a suitable drink and some fruit and/ or vegetables.
Pupils are encouraged to take their time to eat their lunch and to eat as much of it as possible. All uneaten lunches will be sent home with the exception of fruit which will be composted. Plastic bottles and cartons will be washed and recycled.
Health and Hygiene
Your child shares a room daily with a large number of children. For this reason particular attention should be paid to health and hygiene.
- Children who are sick should not be sent to school
- You should check your child’s hair regularly for head lice. If found please treat the hair immediately and contact the school.
Code of Behaviour
We aim to create a positive learning environment that encourages and reinforces good behaviour. Parents can co-operate with the school by encouraging their children to understand the need for school rules. The school rules can be summed up as 6 main points:
- Treat everyone and everything with Respect/Be nice
- Do your best
- Be tidy
- Be safe
- Walk
- Listen
A high level of co-operation and open communication is seen as an important factor in encouraging positive behaviour in the school. Parents are encouraged to talk in confidence to teachers about any significant developments in a child’s life, in the past or present, which may affect the child’s behaviour.
Bullying
Our school does not tolerate or condone bullying of any form or at any level of the school community. Bullying may be defined as repeated acts of aggression, which may be verbal, psychological or physical conducted by an individual or group against others.All members of the school community have a role to play in the prevention of bullying.
The school staff foster an atmosphere of friendship, respect and tolerance. Children’s self-esteem is developed through celebrating individual differences, achievements, acknowledging and rewarding good behaviour and manners, and providing opportunities for success throughout the curriculum and school.
Teachers help pupils to develop empathy by discussing feelings and trying to put themselves in the place of others. Relationships with pupils are based on mutual respect and trust so that the pupils have confidence in the school staff. Teachers are vigilant, respond sensitively and caringly to pupils who disclose incidents of bullying and investigate all disclosed incidents of bullying.
Internet Safety
Occasionally children will be allowed use the computers under the teacher’ supervision to view educational websites. In line with current best practice, the Department’s filtering system ensures no inappropriate material is downloaded.
Visitors/Guest Speakers
All visitors to the school will have to be ‘buzzed-in’ by either the school secretary, the school principal or a staff member. Visitors will be met at the door and taken to the office where their query will be dealt with.
Children Travelling in Staff Cars
On some occasions it may be necessary for pupils to travel in a car belonging to a member of staff e.g. if it is raining and the children need to go or be collected from the church. No child will be carried alone in a car at any time.