Starting school Information

Booklet for Parents of Infants Starting School

Foreword

Fáilte romhat agus roimh do pháiste.

We wish to welcome you warmly to Cullina N. S., a very special "CéadMíle Fáilte" for the families who are joining to us for the first time. The years that your child spends in Infants are the most important years in his/her school life. We will do everything in our power to nurture and care for your child's developing mind, body and spirit.

Starting school will be the first big change in the life of your child. Up to this he/she has felt safe and secure with you in the home and family but now he/she is facing the wider world of classroom and school. This may seem a big step for someone so small but most children manage it without any great fuss or stress, particularly children who have attended a Naíonra or Pre-school.

However, it is also a time when parents and teachers should take special care to ensure that the transition from home to school is as smooth as possible. If the child’s first experience of school is one of happy involvement, a very good foundation will have been laid for fruitful school years ahead.

We know from experience that parents are very anxious to help in any way possible. We have, therefore, included some ideas for the home, which should stimulate your child’s interest and nurture his/her desire to learn more.

With these aims in mind we have put together this little booklet as a general guide for parents. It offers advice and suggestions based on the collective experience of teachers over many years.

We trust you will find it helpful and we look forward to welcoming your child to Cullina.

Le gach dea-ghuí,

Leona Twiss

Board of Management

The Board of Management has legal responsibility for the overall running of Cullina National School. It serves for a term of four years and a new Board was formed in December 2023. The members of the current board are:

Chairperson: Paul Neary

Patron’s Representative: Fr Fergal Ryan

Principal Leona Twiss

Teachers’ Representative: Pat Fitzgerald

Parents’ Representative: Sarah O’Brien

Community Representatives: Derva Ireland/ Proinsias Mac Curtain

We are fortunate to have an excellent Parents’ Association here in Cullina N.S. Membership is open to all parents/guardians of all pupils enrolled. It promotes the interests of the pupils in co-operation with the BOM, principal and staff. Parents as a group have a wide range of talents, abilities and skills that have the potential to enrich and extend the educational opportunities provided for pupils.

Principal:	Leona Twiss
Deputy Principal:	Marie Murphy
Assistant Principals:	Michelle McLaughlin Jemma Doyle Lorraine Counihan
Teachers:
Lisa Stack	Úna Harmon
Siobhán Hayes	Pat Fitzgerald
Alison Sheehan	Sandra Walsh
Elaine McGuire	Kate Fenton
Donall O’Sullivan	Maeve O’Connor
Brónagh Murphy
Special Needs Assistants:
Emma Sheehan	Nora Ferris
Siobhán O Shea	Lisa Murphy
Karen Lucey	Teresa O Donoghue
Lisa Murphy	Sarah Houlihan
Julie Reidy	Kate O Connell
Tomas Straka	Sarah Kelliher
Secretary:	Shelly Teahan
Caretaker:	Mike Coffey
Food Service Operator:	Siobhán Moriarty

Getting Ready for Learning

Children are natural learners. They have an inbuilt curiosity and an eagerness to know more about everything – about themselves, about others and about the world around them. And they learn fast – but only when they are ready and their interest is aroused.

Because they come to us so young, we must guard against putting pressure on them to learn what they are not yet ready for. Demanding too much too soon can have a detrimental effect. At the same time, we must cultivate readiness so that they can get moving as soon as possible.

The rates of progress of children can vary greatly. We try to give them an opportunity to move ahead at their own pace or as near to it as possible.

Our first year in school therefore, is mainly about settling in, relating to others, making friends, feeling happy and gradually getting used to the routine of the school. On the learning side the emphasis is on getting children ready for learning by –

Developing their oral language and expression.
Sharpening their senses, especially seeing, hearing and touching.
Developing physical co-ordination especially of hand and fingers.
Extending their concentration span and getting them to listen attentively.
Learning through play – the most enjoyable and effective way.
Co-operating with the teacher and other children.
Performing tasks by themselves.
Working with others and sharing with them.

Before Your Child Starts......

You should have already filled in an enrolment form and you will have provided Birth Certificate and Baptismal Certificate (if applicable)

You should ensure that your child is as independent as possible.

It would help greatly if he/she is able to –

Button and unbutton his/her coat and hang it up.
Use the toilet without help and manage buttons.
As regards personal hygiene and cleanliness. Your child should know to flush the toilet and wash his/her hands, without having to be told.
Use a hanky or tissue when necessary.
Share toys with others and “take turns”.
Tidy up and put away his/her belongings.
Remain contentedly for a few hours out of the home environment in the care of a relation, other parent etc. If a child has had this experience, then separation from their parents when they start school will not cause them any great anxiety.

Preparing for the ‘Big Day’

The child’s first day at school is a day to remember for the rest of his/her life. You can help to make it a really happy one for them.

Tell them about school beforehand and talk about it as a happy place where there will be a big welcome for them, and they will meet new friends.
Don’t use school or the teacher as a threat.
If you feel it would help, you could take them for a stroll to the Infant classroom and play area on an afternoon during June when the other children have gone home. He/she can browse around and become familiar with his/her new environment.
Children like to have a new uniform and a new bag when they begin. This can help them to identify more readily with the school and other children.
Please purchase a bag big enough to fit a an a4 folder.
The School Uniform
The school uniform is very important for the image of the school as it reinforces your child’s association with the school.
All pupils enrolled in Cullina National School should be dressed in full school uniform.
These uniforms and tracksuits are available from ‘Place of Clothing’, The Square, Killorglin. Parents who wish to buy their uniforms in other retail outlets must ensure that the colour matches the official uniform. Please note that all uniforms must have a School Crest. All items of clothing and belongings must be clearly labelled.

The Big Day

Please be positive with your child in preparing him/her for school. Explain what will happen with teacher, other children, breaks, sitting down, tidy-up time, home time etc. On arrival the teacher will show your child where to hang a coat and leave a lunch box.

Coming in…

When you arrive at the classroom, be as casual as you can. He/she will meet the teacher and the other children and will be shown his/her chair. Try not to delay in the classroom and leave with as little fuss as possible. Most children even if initially upset soon become distracted by their new surroundings and settle down.

Hot Lunches

The school will provide a hot lunch every day to your child. Please send a drink and a healthy snack each day for the first break. Your child is welcome to opt out of this hot meal option if they would prefer to eat a packed lunch from home. Further details are provided on your Carambola leaflet.

Going Home

All junior Infants go home at 1:40pm. However, up until Friday September 5^th Junior Infants will go home at 12:00 noon.

Where and How to Drop and Collect

Week one children may be brought directly to and collected directly from the classroom.

Week two children may be brought directly to the classroom and collected at the gate.

Week three it is hoped that children can be dropped and collected at the school gate.

Please Note.

Be sure to collect your child on time. Children can become very upset if they feel they are forgotten.
If at any time the collecting routine must be changed ensure you tell the child and the teacher.

Handling the Upset Child

Despite the best efforts of both teacher and parents a small number of children will still become upset. If your child happens to be one of them don’t panic. Patience and perseverance can work wonders.

A Word of Advice

Trust the teacher. He/she is experienced and resourceful.
Try not to show any outward signs of your own distress. Sometimes the parents are more upset than the child.
Try to be firm from the start. Even if a child is upset you must insist that they stay. Invariably children settle quickly after the parents have left.
Children need plenty of rest after the effort and excitement of a day at school. You should ensure that they get to bed early and have a good night’s sleep.

Homework

Homework for Junior Infants for any given week is set out on Monday and placed in the child’s A4 size homework folder. In this way if a child is absent parents can catch up on the work. This homework folder is also used as a means of communication between teacher and parents. Important messages are sent to parents via the Aladdin app and emails.

Books and stationery

The school will purchase all the schoolbooks for each child in Primary School for September 2025. Please purchase the stationery suggested by the teacher.

School Bags

Schoolbags should be large enough to accommodate schoolbooks, lunchboxes, etc. Roller bags might be useful.

Toys

We do not allow children bring toys into school. The school itself has an adequate supply and we cannot be responsible for items brought in by individual children.

Invitations / Cards

It is school policy that invitations to birthday parties, Christmas cards, etc. are not distributed on the school premises, out of consideration for non-receivers.

Care of Hair

Parents are asked to check their child’s hair regularly for outbreaks of head lice. If there is an outbreak of head lice in a class, all parents of pupils in that class are informed by text and asked to take immediate action to treat the infestation. Girls with long hair should have it tied up.

Further Information.

The school uses the Aladdin Schools software service for administrative purposes and will give you secure access to messages from the school and to details of your child’s attendance, test results, reports cards etc via secure login from the Aladdin Connect App. You will be provided with a secure log in for this App.
All parents are provided with a copy of the school calendar outlining the school closures, at the beginning of the school year. Where unplanned closures occur, parents are informed by an Aladdin App notice.
The school day begins for all classes at 9:00 a.m.

School finishes for Junior and Senior Infants at 1:40 p.m.

School finishes for all other classes at 2:40p.m.

Supervision is not provided before starting time or after closing time.

Break times are from 10.50 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and from 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

A birth certificate and baptismal certificate (where appropriate) should be provided at enrolment which will be photocopied and returned.
All enquiries about school transport should be addressed to Bus Eireann, School Transport Department,Tralee.buseireann.ie
Sick children – When children are sick in school, parents/guardians will be contacted. The school will always err on the side of caution in this matter. When children are sick at home and cannot come to school an explanatory note can be submitted through the Aladdin App – it is not necessary to contact the school by phone for short periods of absence.
Unforeseen School Closures
- In the event of the school being closed for some unforeseen event e.g. inclement weather, power outage, etc. every effort will be made by the school to contact all parents/guardians by text giving as much notice as possible.

Custody / Separation Policy

The BOM and staff of the school encourage parents experiencing separation to come and speak confidentially to the principal and / or teachers. It is our aim to handle such matters with sensitivity and compassion and ultimately our primary concern is for the well-being and overall development of the child. When the child spends time in two homes it is requested that the school be provided with both sets of emergency/contact numbers. Regarding the collection of children from school, it is requested that the school be informed of any changes in the collection arrangements by note. It is school policy to offer the option of separate parent/teacher meetings, if so desired. It is assumed that when we wish to communicate with parents regarding their child, the parent contacted (i.e. the parent with whom the child primarily resides) will inform the other parent of meetings, arrangements, etc. Special arrangements for separate communication can be accommodated. In the absence of a custody arrangement, both parents will be treated as equal partners in terms of parenting rights and responsibilities. The school cannot be asked to withhold a child from either parent, in the absence of a custody arrangement or court order. The BOM and staff of Cullina National School will always endeavour to deal sensitively and caringly with children experiencing separation.

Procedures for Reporting allegations of Child Abuse

(See Child Safeguarding Statement)

The Board of Management of Cullina National School follows the procedures as outlined in Children’s First Guidelines and the guidelines issued by the Department of Education. The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) appointed by the BOM is Ms. Leona Twiss. The deputy DLP is Mrs Marie Murphy. If any parent is concerned about a pupil in the school, they should in the first instance contact the DLP.

Relationship and Sexuality Education

In circular 2/95 issued by the Department of Education and Skills the minister requested all schools to introduce Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) as part of the curriculum. In the 1999 curriculum RSE was included in Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE). The content of the schools SPHE programme includes a wide range of topics such as healthy eating, alcohol, drugs, environmental issues, safety and social responsibility as well as RSE. RSE will be taught in accordance with the Department’s directives and within the Philosophy framework of the school. The teaching methods used in the school are child centred and reflect the age and stage development of each child. If parents are concerned about the more sensitive aspects of the programme, they are welcome to visit the school to examine the content of the programme and discuss their concerns with the principal. Following this meeting if parents wish to have their child/ren withdrawn when sensitive issues are being taught, they are requested to submit this in writing to the Principal. Efforts will be made by the school, using the resourced it has, to accommodate these children by providing supervision within another classroom.

The ‘What, Why and How of Children’s Learning in Primary School’ is a DVD for parents about the Primary School Curriculum which can be accessed at www.ncca.ie The DVD provides information for parents about what children learn in school, why they learn with the curriculum and how they learn through different teaching methodologies. In Cullina National School efforts are made to ensure children experience success regularly. There is a focus on quality learning for all. Emphasis is placed on identifying children with learning difficulties early and putting an effective intervention programme in place, in consultation with parents.

Some Important Areas of Early Learning

First Steps in Reading

Ability to read is the foundation for all future progress in our school system. However, learning to read is a gradual process and a lot of preparatory work must be done before a child is introduced to his/her first reader.

We very deliberately do not rush or push children into reading. We get them ready for it over an extended period. Reading is something to be enjoyed. It should never start as a chore for the small child.

How You can Help..

Have attractive colourful books in the home.
Read a variety of stories from time to time. They will get to associate these wonderful tales with books and reading.
You must convey to them gradually that books are precious things. They must be minded and handled carefully and put away safely.
Look at the pictures and talk to about what they say.
Read nursery rhymes.
Remember that the teacher as a professional is the best judge of what rate of progress is best suited to each child.
Sing the alphabet song with your child.

Understanding Maths - How You can Help..

Associating certain numbers with particular things – two hands, four wheels, five fingers etc.
Counting – one, two, three, four, etc.
Colours – black, white, red, green, etc.
Prepositions (telling position) and their opposites:over/under,before/after, inside/outside etc.
Matching/Sorting – objects of the same size/colour/texture/shape etc.
Odd One Out – difference in size/colour etc.
During your ordinary daily routine in the home, in the shop, in the neighbourhood you should use suitable opportunities to casually introduce the maths vocabulary referred to above. E.g. How many cakes? The glass is full/empty. We turn left at the lights.

The child gets to understand Maths best by handling and investigating and using real objects. This has been the natural method of learning since a baby. It allows the child to do the learning.

You could display the numbers 1 – 5 at home.

Gaeilge

All children enjoy learning another language besides their own language. They have no difficulty in picking it up because it fascinates them as another code of communication.

Getting Ready for Writing

Making letters on paper is not easy for the small child. They must learn to hold the pencil properly and make regular shapes. Hand and finger muscles are only gradually developing at this stage.

You Can Help…

Your child will be learning to write lower case letters initially so it would be helpful if you could put your child’s name written this way perhaps on the bedroom door.
Your child must develop the ability to get the hand and eye working together. This is very important. Try manipulating toys like:

(a) Jigsaws, Lego, beads to thread etc

(b)Play-dough (Marla) to make shapes

(d)Sheets of paper that can cut up with a safe scissors

When your child begins to use a pencil make sure that it is held correctly at the start. It will be difficult to change later.
Your child may be making capital letters at home even before coming to school. This is fine. But when they start making lower case letters at school you should try to get them to discontinue the capitals and practise the new system.
Don’t discourage left-handedness. If that is the definite natural inclination, don’t attempt to change it.

Other Areas of the Curriculum

The child in Junior Infants learns rapidly through interaction with other areas of the curriculum Art & Craft, P.E., Music, Nature, Religious Education.

Social skills are very important. We always encourage good manners, addressing staff properly and being courteous to fellow students. It is important to encourage your child to play with others at school also encourage mixing rather than being dependent on one friend only. Rough behaviour is totally discouraged in the playground.

Teacher and Parent

If there is something that you would like to discuss you can arrange to meet the teacher between 1:40 p.m. and 2:40 p.m. There will be a formal Parent/Teacher meeting in November.

Afterschool Club

There is an afterschool club run independently from the school by Brookview Childcare who will provide a fun, safe, and engaging environment for children after school each day. The club runs until 6:30 p.m. every weekday, and our wonderful staff organise a variety of enjoyable activities, from arts and crafts to sports and games, ensuring that the children have a great time while being well cared for.

Amy’s After School Sports Thursday & Friday

Fun age-appropriate games for all classes. Great way to get children active for an hour afterschool with their class. Emphasis in building their fundamental movement skills in a fun, friendly and safe environment. For more information, please contact Amy in 0877842829 or email her on aimzfoley21@hotmail.com

Some useful websites:

National Education Welfare Board www.newb.ie

www.helpmykidlearn.ie

Department website at www.irlgov.ie/educ

National Council for Curriculum & Assessment www.ncca.ie