Dear Parents,
As our new school year fast approaches, I would like to highlight some day to day important things to note for the academic year ahead.
Class time:
Class starts at 9am promptly. Please have your child in school on time every morning. Should you wish to speak with your child’s class teacher we ask that you make an appointment where possible so as not to disrupt class time. However, if your concern requires you to speak immediately with your child’s class teacher about a particular matter, I would like to remind you to try and do so before 9am. Parents who have children in older classes from 1st-6th Class can use their child’s homework journal to make a note to the class teacher should you not be able to speak to the teacher face to face.
I would kindly ask that parents refrain from having negative conversations about any member of our school community or the school on social media accounts or Whatsapp forums. Any messages and comments if disclosed are treated in the same way as written communication formally addressed to the school.
Please note the Junior School finishing times:
Junior Infants:1.45pm (12 noon for the first week only)
Senior Infants:2.45pm
1st-6th Class:3pm
Car Park:
Due to some serious health & safety concerns both the Senior & Junior school have to restrict the volume of cars entering the school campus. Please note that there is no access during the following times: before 9.15am and between 12.30 & 2pm /3.45pm & 4.30pm each day. We ask that you use some of the spaces available outside the school gates and walk your child safely inside the school. If your child is old enough he/she can use the pedestrian crossing where our lollipop lady is there to ensure he/she cross the road safely. We will be monitoring staff cars only entering the car park and would really appreciate your co-operation on this. It is imperative that we all adhere to this for the health & safety of all our pupils on campus.
School Behaviour:
You have all been sent our MPJS School Code of Behaviour and Anti-bullying policy last June. I would like to remind new parents to read through this with your child before the school year starts so as they have an understanding of what is expected of them. New parents to the school will be asked to sign a parents declaration form stating that you have read the Code of Behaviour fully with your child. The declaration forms will be kept on your child’s file. Existing parents are also reminded to go through this with your child to refresh their memory after the summer break.
Our School we will not tolerate continuous disruptive behaviour in any form. It is important that we are consistent in the positive message we are getting across about general school behaviour to ensure each child attends MPJS each day feeling happy, safe and secure in their learning environment. It is imperative that we have parental co-operation at all times.
Starting from next week the Junior School will be working on a whole school ‘Anti- bullying and Friendship week’ in each class.
School Uniform:
Pupils are expected to attend school each day in their full school uniform including their school blazer from 3rd Class upwards. Our school tracksuit can be worn on designated days for PE for pupils from Junior -2nd Class.
3rd-6th Class are asked to bring in their PE gear and can change in school.
If your child is playing Rugby please ensure they have their gum guard at all times on training days.
Mobile Phones:
We would like to remind parents of older pupils that mobile phones are not allowed in the Junior School. Please do not send your child/ children to school with mobile phones or other electronic devices. If mobile phones are absolutely necessary for the safe passage of older e.g 4th -6th Class Junior School pupils to and from school, parents must support the policy of phones being stored in a locked cabinet in the school office during the school day.
Our Morning Run:
We encourage as many pupils as possible to be in for 8.45am to partake in our early morning run. This has proven to be very beneficial for the children before their school day starts. As you are aware, we are an active school and aim to encourage as much physical activity throughout the school day where possible.
School Assembly:
We have a whole school assembly every Friday morning at 9am in the School Hall. Each class participates in a weekly talent spot and general school announcements are made. Should you have time we would encourage you to drop in to keep up to date with various happenings in the Junior School.
Parents Committee:
Our very dedicated Parents Committee have done some tremendous work in our school to further enhance the children’s enjoyment of everyday life in MPJS. They are an incredibly supportive group who go above and beyond to organise various events in our school. If you are a new parent to the school and would like to get involved, please don’t hesitate to ask for more details.
School Communication:
I am delighted to inform you that we have a new school website.
You will be able to keep up to date on the class news section of the website as this will be regularly updated by your child’s class teacher going forward. Our website will be going live over the next week or two and we will send an email to all parents when it’s live so you can familiarise yourself with it. A lot of hard work has been put into this over the summer to ensure it’s ready for use. We are very excited to present this to you all very soon.
Important Dates:
We will be sending out an event list next week that contains important dates for you to note.
Please note that swimming for 3rd -6th Class starts Monday the 2nd of September. Junior Infants to 2nd Class will do their swimming lessons after Christmas.
Here’s to a fun filled year ahead with lots of learning.
Yours Sincerely,
Lisa Kenna.
Principal