Dear Parent(s),
By now you will have received your child’s end-of-year school report. Department of Education and Skills Guidelines recommend that all schools provide parents with the results of Standardised Testing in English Reading and Mathematics from 1st to 6th classes. The results of these tests are recorded in the form of a STEN score which you will find in the relevant section of your child’s report.
By now, many parents will be familiar with this system. For your information you will find a link to an explanatory leaflet on our school website or at the following address: http://www.ncca.ie/en/Curriculum_and_Assessment/Parents/Primary/Standardised_Tests/STenEng.pdf which will assist you in interpreting your child’s result. All parents are encouraged to read this leaflet carefully.
While standardised tests are an indication as to your child’s progress they are only measure part of the overall picture that is your child. Many factors can influence how your child performs on any given day. If you have any concerns around your child’s progress or regarding any aspect of his/her report, please do not hesitate to contact us before the holidays and we will be happy to arrange a meeting to clarify any queries you may have.
Parents often ask for ideas as to how they can help their child. Perhaps the most important way in which you can support your child’s learning during the holiday period and throughout the year is to encourage and foster a love of reading. We really cannot over-emphasise the importance of reading for every child. Children’s language and reading abilities are fundamental to their development in all other subjects and so any additional help which they can get is bound to benefit them. The local libraries (Thurles, Templemore and Nenagh) all run Summer Reading Initiatives such as the Summer Reading Tree and we would strongly encourage parents to avail of these if at all possible. At the beginning of every school year pupils who have read for pleasure and availed of such schemes during the holidays are clearly evident and have a head start over others who may not have read during the holidays. Reading skills require practice and the long summer holidays can sometimes cause pupils to regress if they have not read for enjoyment since school finished in June. The libraries contain a huge range of books which cater for all levels, interests and abilities and membership is free for children. There is something there to suit every child so please consider this option if at all possible.
To our 6th class pupils, we express our thanks for the many ways in which you have enriched our lives and our school during your time with us. We wish you every good wish and blessing in secondary school and in the years ahead. This year’s 6th class boys and girls have been a marvellous example to our younger pupils and have left a very proud record for all the 6th classes of the future to emulate! Well done, also, to our many pupils who have excelled in the academic, sporting, musical and dramatic fields throughout the year and been a source of pride to all of us. To any families who are finishing with us we thank you for entrusting your child to us for these very special years and wish you good luck and continued pride in their many achievements.
We also wish to take this opportunity to thank the Chairperson of our Board of Management, Jody Spooner, our School Chaplain, Fr. Everard, Parents’ Representatives Jimmy Chute and Christine Rabbitte, Community Representatives Mairéad Bradshaw and Jimmy Stapleton, Staff Representative Mrs. Slattery for their tireless work on behalf of the school as members the Board of Management. Thanks also to the members of our Parents’ Association led by Chairperson, Marion Kennedy, Secretary, Paula Ryan and Treasurer, Tracey Fitzgerald who have been a marvellous support to us during the year. We also thank our coaches, Michael Ryan, Pallas and Jack Hogan for their commitment and expertise which yielded such rich rewards this year. To our general parent-body, the entire school staff, pupils and all who combine to make our school a unique and special place we are very grateful for your contribution. We particularly acknowledge the many ways in which you, the parents, assist in the work of the school throughout the year. The solid support which you give was exemplified in the amazing work accomplished during our recent volunteer night and on Litter Launch Day last week. (Thanks, also to the pupils, past and present, who assisted on volunteer night and at various events during the year e.g. Sports’ Day, P.E. etc. It is the ultimate tribute to our very special school community that so many would willingly come along to help.) The celebratory barbeque on Litter Launch Day was made possible thanks to the funds raised by your generous response to our used-clothing appeal and other fundraising during the year. We hope to hold another used-clothing collection at the end of September and ask all families to keep this in mind when sorting used clothing at the end of what we hope will be a long, hot summer! We also request that any parents who are finished with a child’s uniform might consider donating it to the school in September as it is very useful to have extra uniforms in the school in the event of a child getting wet etc.
Our school will close for summer holidays on Friday, June 24th and re-open on Thursday, September 1st. We would be very grateful to receive any outstanding book money as soon as possible, please.
As one school year ends we look forward to the challenges and opportunities of the year ahead. We look forward to welcoming all pupils (old and new) and families back in September to embark on another exciting and fulfilling year.
Wishing all families an enjoyable and safe summer holiday.
Yours sincerely,
Kay Ryan and Staff.