Additional Information

All staff in St Riaghan’s cover their supervision duties with the help of visiting teachers. 
All staff participate in supervision duties to ensure the safety of all pupils attending the school. 

STAFF DEVELOPMENT 

St Riaghan’s expect and encourage all staff to participate in and avail of any courses that
will enhance the development of skills and promote new ideas. 
Those who engage in professional development share a common purpose of enhancing
their ability to do their work, thus enhancing the delivery of the Primary School Curriculum. 

ROLL BOOKS 
At the beginning of the 2018/2019 school year, we introduced Aladdin into the school.
The Rolla is completed using this system and a pre populated Leabhar Tinreamh Laethúil report is completed monthly. 

TEXTBOOKS 

Teachers attend book display evenings given by all major book suppliers. 
In this way we are given an insight into the new publications on offer, helping us
make a final decision on their suitability before placing an order. 
Ordering is done during July and August to ensure they are all
delivered prior to the commencement of the new school year. 

As per circular in April 2023, parents no longer pay for textbooks or copybooks. 

The main benefit for parents/guardians is that the cost of schoolbooks,
workbooks and copybooks will be borne by the State. Parents/Guardians
will also have peace of mind that their child will have the same schoolbooks,
workbooks and copybooks as all other children and young people in their class.  

An allocation of €80 per child is the current allocation. 

USE OF MOBILE PHONES OR SMART WATCHES 

It is the policy of St Riaghan’s that mobile phones or smart watches are
not brought to school by the children. 
From September 2024, staff use of mobile phones will be limited to the
staff room in order to avoid interruption during teaching time. 

All schools in the Iniskeel Parish are currently trying to encourage parents not to give
their children smart phones until they are in 3rd Year in the Comprehensive.
We are very passionate about this initiative and hopefully most parents
will agree to a local arrangement not to give their children smart phones. 

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES – QUICK GUIDE 

All of St Riaghan’s policies are available on request.
Throughout the school year, you will be made aware of what policies are in the school.
All incoming parents receive the code of behaviour policy.
This needs to be signed and returned to school. Please find Code of Behaviour policy attached. 
Below are a bullet point list of procedures currently in place in St Riaghan’s. 

  • A healthy lunch is recommended.  
  • The exchange and distribution of invitations and gifts is forbidden within
    the school grounds so as to avoid disappointment and hurt among the children of the school.
      
  • The school must be notified of infectious conditions e.g Headlice, Impetigo, Chickenpox etc.
      
  • A written note/WhatsApp message must be sent to the school if a child needs to leave early e.g. dentist appointment. 
     
  • If, for any reason your child is absent from school, an explanatory note must accompany
    him/her on their return, signed and dated by a parent/guardian and clearly stating the
    reason for the absence as it is obligatory for the school to notify the National Education
    Welfare Board (N.E.W.B) of absences.
      
  • School opens at 9.20a.m. and closes at 3p.m. All children enter the school
    with teachers and go straight to their classrooms. The school cannot accept
    responsibility for looking after the children before 9.20a.m. and after 3p.m. 
     
  • Emergency Closures – In the event of an emergency closure
    for inclement weather, the procedure will be as follows: 
  •  
  • Principal will notify parents using WhatsApp service.  
  • In the case of a heating break-down the Principal will notify parents to pick up their child / children.  
  • School information is shared via WhatsApp or in some cases by email. 
     
  • Misbehaviour in class or at play will be noted in the ‘Incident Book’
    and signed by the child. If a child’s name is reported in the incident
    book three times in one week sanctions will follow. 
     
  • If, for any reason money needs to be taken to school,
    e.g. milk, books, tours etc. it should be placed in an
    envelope with the child’s name clearly printed on it.
     
  • In the interest of safety, adults entering the school must
    initially report to the School Secretary.
    If the Secretary is not in the office –
    visitors must report to the Principal. 
     
  • At the request of the Health Service Executive (H.S.E) in the interest
    of your child’s health, the names of children attending the school are
    forwarded for services such as vaccinations, eye sight testing,
    hearing tests and dental examinations in the strictest of confidence.

    On P.E. days, navy jog pants, light blue polo shirts and runners can be worn.
    Children are not expected to wear a tie on these days. Jumpers and ties are
    available to buy from the Parents’ Association – a date will be arranged
    during the summer to allow Parents to purchase these items.