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PORTUMNA COMMUNITY SCHOOL
Parents/Guardians Update June 2014
Dear Parents / Guardians,
Enclosed please find the following:
• Summer report for your daughter/son (non-exam classes: 1st, 2nd, 5th & LCA)
or results of literacy and numeracy test (incoming 1st years).
• Information about the following:
School improvements in Summer 2014 and other developments.
ePortal and new Portumna C.S. smartphone app.
New Junior Cycle Student Award and School Self Evaluation.
Parents’ Association and Transition Year.
The Online Payment system.
Resource and Photocopying / Printing Fund.
Locker Rental.
Book Rental Scheme – Fees, Dates, Terms and the Book List for 2014-15.
School calendar 2014/2015 including re-opening dates in August.
I hope this further improves communication between school and parents.
Yours sincerely,
Derry Long
Please take the time to read through this information and keep safe.
S UMMER 2014 I MPROVEMENTS
Over the Summer the following works are underway:
•
New fire alarm throughout the school.
•
New classroom created in old building and Staff room refurbished.
•
Survey of Gym roof in preparation for repairs Summer 2015.
•
Upgrading of pitch maintenance equipment.
•
Addition of tennis court markings to outside hard court.
•
The senior girls and senior boys toilets floors will be completely retiled.
•
Replacement water tank in main building.
All these works are in addition to the complete re-equipping of one computer room with modern pc’s
and the re-equipping of the Home Economics room with new cookers done during the school year
just ended. The constant improvements made to the school reflect our commitment to maximising
the opportunities and facilities available to students.
S TAFF CHANGES
We want to wish all the best to Ms. Denise Dorgan (Kelleher) who has moved to a school in
Cork city, much nearer her own home. Ms. Dorgan taught music and religion in the school since
2004 and was always involved in school liturgies and musicals. We wish her every success and
thank her for her work here. The new music teacher will be appointed shortly.
Ms. Fiona Kenny is on a two year career break. She taught Science and Biology. Ms Kenny was
involved with the Science department in the promotion of the Young Scientist competition and in
the breakthrough made this year when several projects made it to the RDS exhibition and were
successful in winning prizes. We know that students are already planning next year’s entries.
Hopefully when we email Ms. Kenny next January we will have more news of Portumna CS
students achieving national awards. Her replacement will be appointed shortly
E P ORTAL
Teachers have been using a computer system called ePortal for several years to upload exam
results and take the roll call. This system will be expanded over the Summer and will record
both student achievement and misbehaviour during the next school year. Parental access will
be made available before Christmas so that parents can see the progress made by their son /
daughter. You will not be able to change data but you will have an up to the minute picture of
your daughter’s or son’s progress. Parents / Guardians are not charged for using this system.
P ORTUMNA CS P HONE A PP
In September or October we hope to launch our own phone app, available for both Android
and iOS smartphones. This will contain key information about the school and over time will
replace the text messaging service. As parents / guardians upgrade mobile phones over the next
two years the vast majority will be using ‘smartphones’. It will be more cost effective for the
school to use notifications to these phones than paying for the text messaging service. Unlike
other schools, parents are not charged for school text messages. Notifications are free to
smartphones.
NEW JUNIOR CYCLE STUDENT AWARD
The First Years who start in August will begin the new English syllabus for the new Junior
Cycle Student Award (JCSA). Other subjects will be phased in up to 2022. Parents/Guardians
will have the opportunity to meet early in September to learn more about this. In the mean
time you can visit www.juniorcycle.ie or to look at the English syllabus www.juniorcycle.ie
and go to Curriculum, subjects.
The timetable for complete introduction of the JCSA:
English will still be introduced in September 2014
Science to be introduced on its own in September 2015
Irish and Business Studies to be introduced in September 2016
Following a review in 2016 a decision on how many/what subjects will be introduced each year
but provisionally: Sept 2017: Art, Craft & Design; Modern Languages
Sept 2018: Home Ec.; Music; Maths; Geography
Sept 2019: History; Technologies; Jewish Studies; R.E.; Classics.
The JCSA will be fully in place by 2022.
S CHOOL S ELF E VALUATION
As part of the school development planning process the school has prepared plans in the
areas of Literacy & Numeracy and in September begins work on Assessment for Learning,
Learning
an approach already widely used in the school which improves student learning from
homework. A School Improvement Plan will be published shortly bringing these strands
together and outlining steps towards implementation and evaluation.
Parents of Leaving Certs. will receive a letter advising them of a survey for school selfevaluation purposes. Please follow the instructions in the letter and return as soon as
convenient - this will enable us to plan for the future and further improve the school.
P ARENTS ’ A SSOCIATION
The Parents’ Association has had a busy year and there will be no let-up in the Summer as a new
constitution is being prepared. They are also planning a Careers Evening in the October and will
be looking for parents and past students to act as interviewers for mock interviews
with
current students.
There may be a need for parents willing to act as mentors for school teams next year: as you
know Portumna CS is economical with sending teachers to mentor teams at matches. We
usually only send one teacher and it would be useful to have further support on the side-line. If
you might be available and willing to help support sport in the school without it impacting on
teaching and learning then please give your name to any member of the Parents’ Association.
T RANSITION Y EAR 2014/2015
There has been a huge uptake of TY this year and parents will be met in early September
for a briefing on activities and budget planning. Students will travel to Delphi in September
and a musical is pencilled in for December. A further trip with educational value will take
place later in the year. Gaisce is compulsory for all TY students. Training in First Aid as
well as Film and I.T. are also included. The usual academic subjects will be supplied and
students will have guidance on Careers and Personal Development.
O NLINE P AYMENT S YSTEM
The school moved successfully to an online payment system in July 2013 and this
was well supported by the vast majority of parents/guardians.
For all payments for 2014/2015
2014/2015 the Online Payment system must be usedusedwe cannot handle cash in school and the time lost in banking cash is time lost to
promoting the core business of the school, education.
To use the system, please go to our website, www.portumnacs.com
www.portumnacs.com,
and click the ‘Pay Now’ button (with Easy Payments Plus). If you already have
an account you then select the appropriate payment being made and complete the
payment.
Print and keep your receipt.
The school gets a copy of all receipts
automatically. If you are new to the school simply set up an account using your
email address.
For bus transport to matches next year students will be required to show their receipt
to avail of the €7 subsidised cost. Those with no receipt will have to pay €10.
€10
Receipts may be sought for all other events where a payment is necessary:
this is to ensure that the system is fair and fairly applied to all.
For the online payment system you can use a credit or debit card and there are no
transaction charges for parents / guardians (this is unlike other schools where
parents pay a transaction charge). Detailed information is available on school
website.
R ESOURCE (& P RINTING ) F UND
The Resource Fund is used for Sports & Leisure Activities and Extra Curricular
activities
enjoyed
by
our
students.
It
also
helps
to
pay
for
the
new
Printing/Copying
Printing/Copying system for students and for the free credit each student gets.
Every student benefits from this and every family should contribute.
Every family is expected to contribute:
€40 for one student / €70 for two or more students
– responding to difficult circumstances for families the school reduced both
contributions by €10 in 2011.
It would be greatly appreciated if you would make your contribution as early as
possible using the online system. I realise that families may find it difficult to meet
this cost in the current economic situation but the fee can be met through
instalment payments as well.
B OOK R ENTAL S CHEME F EES
The Book Rental scheme operates on a flat fee basis which averages out the cost
over the five/six years of a student’s time in school.
The fees for the book rental
scheme remain the same this year (except TY):
First Year
€60 - Part 1
Second Year
€60 - Part 2
Third Year
€60 - Part 3
Transition Year
€50 (reduced)
Fifth Year
€70 + deposit of €50 *
Sixth Year
€60
Junior Cert
Senior Cycle
* Deposit given back after Leaving Cert only when all rented books are returned in good condition by 24th June, 2016
If you are unhappy with the Book Rental Scheme please note that it is not
compulsory and you can source school books independently.
A list of books used in school is supplied.
B OOK R ENTAL S CHEME D ATES
All Students must have their books organised before the
school term begins i.e. during Book Week (dates below).
Pay the correct fee using the online payment system before Book Week
and bring the Receipt on the day to collect the books.
Mon. 11th August
from 10.30 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 3.30 pm
for the I NCOMING 1
st
Y EARS only along with
their brothers/sisters already in the school.
For all other students:
Tuesday 12th and Thursday 14th Aug.
from 10.30 am to 1 pm and
2 pm to 3.30 pm.
Please Note:
Book room closed on Wed. 13th – Leaving Cert Results day.
B OOK R ENTAL S CHEME T ERMS
Students renting books must adhere to the following:
•
Rented books are to be covered and kept in good condition –
Please note:
Any book returned in a poor condition will have to be
paid for in full by the parent/guardian.
•
Students must write their name on each book on or inside the cover
(that way, if a book is misplaced and found it can be returned to its owner).
On second hand books make sure to cross out the previous name.
name
•
Students must not hig
highlig
hlight sections or write notes in the rented
text books.
books
•
Rented books must be kept in the student’s locker when not in use
(they are not to be left on bag racks).
Students are responsible for the books rented to them.
them
Students may be excluded from the Book Rental Scheme for failing to
keep these conditions.
•
Rented text books must be signed back in on time and in good condition at end
of the school year for 1st year books and after the State exams for Junior &
Leaving Certs (end of 3rd week in June).
•
Failure to return books on time will result in the parents/guardians having
to pay for the outstanding books as the school will have to order replacement
books in time for Book Week.
•
Junior Certs that do not return the rented books after their exams will not be
allowed to rent books for the Senior Cycle.
Cycle
•
Book Deposits paid in 5th year will only be refunded if ALL of the rented
books are returned in good condition and on time after the Leaving Cert
exams the following year (end of 3rd week in June).
•
The Book Rental scheme operates on a flat fee basis which averages out the
cost over the 5/6 years of a student’s time in school. The scheme may need to
be adjusted from time to time.
L OCKER R ENTAL FOR A LL S TUDENTS
A locker is provided for every student to alleviate the problem of the weight of books that
students carry around the school during the day. Students are to use these lockers and not
leave any books or copies around the school e.g. on bag racks. Only by keeping books securely
in lockers will parents/guardians avoid replacement cost of lost books.
All students must have their own padlock in time for the first
day of term. The padlock has to have a shackle (the U-shaped
piece that locks into the body of the lock) measuring 6.4mm.
Pictured opposite is a suitable lock and this is the actual size
that is required. If a student brings an unsuitable lock they will
be asked to change it.
A flat RENTAL FEE of €10 will be charged for each locker and
this is to be paid using the Online Payment system with a
receipt brought on the first day of term when students are
assigned their new locker.
S CHOOL C ALENDAR 2014—2015
The school calendar for next year is available online on the school website already:
go to www.portumnacs.com and click on calendar.
You may like to follow us on Twitter to get regular news updates from school.
For your convenience the main calendar dates are reproduced here:
SCHOOL RE-OPENS:
Tuesday, 26th August for First, Sixth Yrs
and LCA2 (Leaving Cert Applied 2) - Full day
Wednesday, 27th August for Second & Third Years - Full day
Thursday, 28th August for Fifth Years, T.Y. and
the Special Class - Full day
Once school has reopened for a year group they attend every day after that.
OCTOBER 2014 MID-TERM BREAK
All schools will close from Mon., 27th October to Fri., 31st October, 2014 inclusive.
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS 2014
All schools will close on Fri., 19th December, 2014, which will be the final day
of the school term.
All schools will re-open on Mon., 5th January, 2015.
FEBRUARY 2015 MID-TERM BREAK
Post-primary schools will close from Mon., 16th Feb., to Fri. 20th Feb., 2015 inclusive.
EASTER HOLIDAYS 2015
All schools will close on Friday, 27th March, 2015, which will be the final day
of the school term. All schools will re-open on Monday, 13th April, 2015.
SUMMER HOLIDAYS
These start at 3.50 p.m. on Friday, 29th May, 2015.
PARENT TEACHER MEETINGS (PTM):
Thursday, 2nd October for 6th Years and LCA2
Monday, 13th October for 3rd Years
Tuesday, 4th November for 5th Year & TY
Tuesday, 3rd February, 2015 for 1st Years
Wednesday, 25th February, 2015 for 2nd Years
All meetings commence in the gym at 4.15 pm and conclude at 6.45 pm.
The latest arrival time for parents is 6.15 pm.
Please note that school finishes 15 minutes early every day there is a PTM (buses available
at usual time) and that there is no evening study on the evening of a meeting.
STAFF MEETINGS:
There will be two hour staff meetings after school frequently during the year.
To facilitate this Evening Study may be moved to rooms O & P.
WORK EXPERIENCE
T.Y. work experience weeks are from Mon. 20th October to Fri. 24th October, 2014,
and Mon. 23rd February to Fri. 27th February, 2015, inclusive.
5th Year work experience week is Mon. 9th February to Fri. 13th February, inclusive.
Students and their parents should ensure that students choose activities
that engage students in career areas of interest to them.
MOCKS 2015
The mocks or trial exams or pre exams will take place both before and after February
mid-term 2015 in order to ensure students have an experience closer to the
real thing and that they can revise over midterm.