Is ar scáth a chéile a mhairimid.
Parents Association
Scoil Chóca Naofa is lucky to have a very active Parents Association. The committee is very involved in school activities and provides invaluable support in very practical ways. We are always looking for new members to join.
The new officers for 2015/16 were elected at the first meeting of our new Parents Association on Tuesday 10/11/2015.
Chairperson: Emma McManus Vice Chairperson: Claire Deane
Secretary: Deirdre Stack Vice Sec: Jennifer Keogh
Treasurer: Suzy Norris Vice Treas: Paula Gallway
PRO: Heidi Jermyn, Amy McGrath and GeeBee Alli
Meetings take place every second Tuesday of the month at 7.30 in the Staff Room and new parents are most welcome. Children love telling about their mums and dads being at a meeting in the staff room.
Parents nominees for the new Board of Management 2015-2019 are:
Maria Panza Connaughton and Fergus McGrath.
Parental Involvement
Scoil Chóca Naofa believes that a partnership between parents/guardians and the school is of great benefit to the children. The Parents Association plays a very active part in helping the school to provide the best education and facilities possible to our pupils.
We appreciate the many parents who volunteer to help around the school in a wide variety of tasks. These tasks include helping with gardening, green flag activities, art and craft, knitting, Coding, Sport, sponsorship and many other activities.
The Typical School Day
The school day begins at 9am. The girls line up with their class in the yard and the teacher comes to collect them.
The short break is at 10.30am. to 10.45am.
Lunch break is from 12.30 pm. to 1.00pm.
Junior and Senior Infants finish school at 1.40pm.
All other classes finish at 2.40pm.
The School Uniform
Grey Trousers / Skirt / Pinafore
Royal Blue Cardigan / Jumper
Light Blue Blouse / Shirt
Red Tie
Sensible shoes to allow children to participate in playground games.
On PE days and other days designated by class teacher, School Tracksuit, (available in Books and Gifts, opposite Scoil Dara) light blue polo shirt and runners must be worn. Navy shorts and polo shirt may be worn in the warmer weather.
The Curriculum
The primary curriculum covers six main subject areas, some of which are further sub-divided into subjects. These are Language (Gaeilge and English), Mathematics, Social, Environmental and Scientific Education (History, Geography and Science), Arts Education (Visual Arts, Music and Drama) and Social, Personal and Health Education.
LANGUAGE CURRICULUM:
1. English
The English curriculum is structured to offer children a total language experience in which oral language, reading and writing are fully integrated.
2. An Ghaeilge
Cumarsáid agus usáid na teanga mar theanga bheo an dá ghné is suntasaí den churaclam Gaeilge.
3. EAL
Children who do not have English as their first Language or who have a diagnosed Specific Learning Disabilities, receive extra help with English either in class or out of class. As Irish is a very vibrant part of our Curriculum we encourage ALL children to participate in ORAL IRISH – songs, poems, dramas, etc.
MATHEMATICS
The five strands in the maths curriculum are number, algebra, shape and space, measures and data. There is some really interesting info for parents on teaching maths on the NCCA website.
SESE
Science
The four strands of the science curriculum are living things, energy and forces, materials and environmental awareness.
History
Emphasis on local history and a focus on the skills of the historian.
Geography
The three strands are human environments, natural environments and environmental awareness and care.
THE ARTS
Music
The three strands are listening / responding, performing and composing.
All our students from First Class to Sixth Class learn the Recorder, and play at the school recital at the end of the year. many of them also show off their talents during Seachtain na Gaeilge. Louise Kaiser, our recorder teacher, unfortunately has left us this year, but we expect to have a new teacher by Mid Term.
Fifth and Sixth classes participate in the biannual National Children’s Choir. We are very honoured to have the conductor of the Kildare Regional Choir working in our school – Ms Máire Ní Loinn. This year will be our first venture in the Peace Proms and we will perform in the RDS early next 2016.
Carol Somers, our piano teacher visits the school two days a week and parents are amazed year after year by the progress their children make.
Visual Arts
The six strands are drawing, paint, print, clay, construction, fabric and fibre. Scoil Chóca was the first school in Kildare to host an exhibition in Kildare Arts Centre where our Brown Bull of Cooley made a lasting impression. We participate in the Artist for a Day programme and have twice received a bursary from Kildare Arts to support school projects.
Drama
Drama is a very important aspect of addressing the curriculum- allowing our students to express themselves in may different ways and helping them with confidence and communication.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
The children of Scoil Chóca Naofa participate in a diverse PE programme which includes Irish dancing, modern dance, swimming, Athletics, Gymnastics, Team Games (Camogie, basketball, badminton, football). Voted ‘Most Active School’ the school provides for many innovative experiences for your child – Desk to 1 K, 2K and 5K, WOW (Walk on Wednesdays – a walk to school initiative), etc. A really well equipped hall and a large playing pitch provide not only facilities for school events but also for community activities – Gaa Kilcock use our field weekly for under age Camogie training.
Ann Kelly, our dancing teacher of many years, has left us this year; but not without introducing us to a very able replacement. Children from Junior Infants to 4th do Irish Dancing – this year we hope to extend lessons to 5th and 6th classes.
Aquatics is also part of the Primary school Curriculum – children have been going to the college pool in Maynooth for the last number of years. As many of you know that pool has now closed, but Ms Diggin is exploring other options and aquatics will continue for the children in 3rd and 4th classes in Term 2.
SOCIAL PERSONAL AND HEALTH EDUCATION (SPHE)
Children learn about valuing themselves and others through experiencing a positive school climate and atmosphere. It includes RSE (Relationships and Sexuality Education).
Religion
Scoil Chóca is a Catholic school in the charism of Nano Nagle, the founder of the Presentation Sisters. Grow in Love, the new religion programme is currently being introduced (Junior and Senior Infants) and with the older Alive-O programme provides a menu of topics which leads the children’s faith development. Preparation for the sacraments of Penance, Eucharist and Confirmation is undertaken in 2nd and 6th classes with the parish community. Scoil Chóca welcomes children of all faiths
For more information on the primary curriculum, please visit NCCA Curriculum Online.
Your Child’s Education
The NCCA has developed a series of videos entitled The What, Why and How of Children’s Learning in Primary School. By presenting the learning stories of five children, these videos provide parents with insights into children’s experiences with the Primary School Curriculum.
The online videos show how parents can support their child’s learning at home before going to school, during primary school, and in getting ready for post-primary school.
For more information, click here.
The Education System
The Department of Education and Science website contains information on the Irish education system and the various programmes available.
For more information, click here.
Internet Safety
Young people are using the Internet to make friends, play games, download music and do homework. As parents the most important thing you can do to reduce the online risks is to engage with this digital lifestyle.
Webwise provides Internet safety information, advice and tools to parents teachers and students. They can be accessed at www.webwise.ie
Webwise 10 Top Tips for parents
- Discover the Internet together.
- Agree with your child rules for Internet use.
- Encourage your child to be careful when disclosing personal information.
- Talk about the risks associated with meeting online friends.
- Teach your child that not all information on the Internet is correct.
- Remember that it is not always their fault if they come across inappropriate content on the web.
- Report online material that you think may be illegal to appropriate authorities (e.g www.hotline.ie)
- Encourage respect for others (e.g posting comments on Bebo, Facebook,Twitter etc)
- Know your child’s Internet use.
- Remember that the positives outweigh the negative aspects of the Internet.
