The Role Of The Parent

Sports Days, Fundraising events, Celebrations, Concerts, Green Schools and Science events – these are days when all parents are invited to the school. We try to give plenty of notice and an open invitation is usually extended to all members of family, relatives and the wider community.

It is in the interests of students, parents and teachers that good relations should exist between home and school. The teachers are willing to discuss any problems which may arise from time to time. With mutual respect and goodwill, most problems can be resolved readily.

A parent who wishes to make a complaint must arrange a meeting with the class teacher with a view to resolving the complaint.  If the matter is not resolved, the parent must arrange a meeting with the principal and subsequently with the Chairperson of the Board of Management.

Homework is assigned on Monday-Thursday by the class teacher. We value the importance of homework to develop each child’s sense of independence and to reinforce concepts learned in school. Homework should be checked and journals should be signed each day by a parent/guardian. Teachers give guidance each year on ways in which parents can best be involved in helping their children with homework. Parents can assist children at every class level by checking for quality in written work, listening to reading and testing spellings and tables.

Children need a quiet place, free from distractions such as TV. They should spend approximately the following amount of time at homework:

Junior and Senior Infants – 15 mins                       1st – 2nd classes – 30 mins

3rd – 4th classes – 45 mins                                       5th – 6th classes – 1 hour

When children are involved in project work or are engaged in a particularly enjoyable activity, they may wish to spend longer than the recommended time at homework. This will be at the parent’s discretion.

Establishing Routines:  We recommend that a good routine is established on school nights which involves an adequate amount of sleep. This becomes more important as the child gets older, as they can easily fall into the habit of staying up later. Children who have sufficient sleep cope far better with the demands of a school day. Exercise and fresh air are also key components of a healthy lifestyle and a school-day routine that involves sport or outdoor play will lead to a healthier child. The use of television or films and computers games should be only a small part of a busy day. It is also extremely important to ensure that children watch age-appropriate television and films and play age-appropriate computer games.