Parents Key Information
Parental Hand Book
Downloadable booklet of all the key information available listed below on this page.
Handbook for parents 2024.pdfAttendance and Punctuality
ATTENDANCE
In the academy we reward achievement for excellent attendance. Any student who has 100% attendance throughout the year will receive special commendation
Regular attendance at school is essential. If you are going to be absent from school your parents are requested to contact the school before 8.50 am that morning
If you are absent from school and your parents have not contacted the school, they will receive a telephone call or text message on your first day of absence asking for a reason
If your parent/guardian has not provided a valid explanation for your absence then you must bring a note of explanation to your form tutor at registration. This note should include the date, address and parent’s/guardian’s signature. If a note is not brought to the Form Teacher within 3 days of returning to school a pupil will be placed on after school detention
LATE ARRIVAL
It is very important that you are on time for morning registration and Assemblies. This is when you pray with you class and are given important messages about the day ahead.
You must be in school for 8.50am
If a student arrives late twice in one month, without a written explanation from a parent/guardian or arrives persistently late to school without an acceptable reason, the s/he is assigned to after school study
If you are late, ie after registration closes, report to the office, sign the Late Book and if appropriate give a note of explanation to the Receptionist. If you do not hand in a note on the day that you sign in late please take the late slip that you will receive from reception home to be signed by a parent/guardian and return it to reception the following day
Throughout the day you must go to each class punctually
APPOINTMENTS
Pupils are not permitted to leave the school premises during the school day. All medical and dental appointments should, as far as possible, be made outside of school hours.
In the case of an emergency appointment, a parent/carer should contact reception and we will inform your child. Please do not contact your child directly.
Immediately before leaving, pupils should go to reception where a member of the office staff will write your name, time of departure and reason for leaving in the signing out folder.
SIGNING OUT FOLDER
A parent/carer must sign their child out at reception.
When a pupil returns to the school, please write the time of return in the folder.
Students who are given permission to leave school to attend an appointment must be collected by a parent/carer.
Useful Information
Feeling sick
If you become unwell during the school day, you can ask permission to go and see the school nurse. Her office is the Medical Room beside the Assembly Hall.
If she thinks it necessary, the nurse will ring your parent/guardian if you are too unwell to stay in school. You should not contact your parents directly. If the nurse is not available, the Principal or a Vice Principal will give you permission and make arrangements for you to be collected. Before leaving you must sign your name, class, time of leaving and reason for leaving in the book at Reception. Your parent/ guardian must also sign you out when he/she calls to collect you.
Communication with your parents
Assessments
Your parents will receive progress statements and a report giving details of how you are progressing. Your form teacher will also comment on your conduct, uniform, attendance and punctuality. Assessment will take different forms, including class tests, homework and end of year examinations.
Parent Teacher Meetings
In the second term, your parents will have the opportunity to discuss your progress with all your teachers.
Of course, if a problem arises, your parents are encouraged to contact the school at any time.
Free school meals and Uniform Grants
Guardians who are currently in receipt of support for the 2023/24 school year will receive a letter highlighting the need to apply for the 2024/25 school year and the process to do so. All parents/guardians (including new applicants) will be able to apply online from mid June via the EA website. https://www.eani.org.uk/financial-help/free-school-meals-uniform-grants
It is important for all applicants to read and understand what supporting documentation is required for their application. Information on this can be found on the EA website here https://www.eani.org.uk/financial-help/free-school-meals-uniform-grants
Special Diet
Parents/Guardians whose child has a Statement of Special Educational Needs (Stage 5) and requires a special diet should contact the Meals and Uniform Section for a paper application form if they wish to apply under the special diet criterion.
Help Desk
The Free Schools Meals and Uniform Allowance Helpdesk is operated by staff across the EA Free School Meals/Uniform Allowance service. It is available to assist parents and guardians who may have any queries. The Helpdesk operates Monday – Friday from 9am to 4.30pm. The telephone number which should be used for all enquiries is 028 9041 8044.
School Uniform
School blazer must be worn at all times;
School clip-on tie must at all times including on the journey to and from school;
Long-sleeved blue school blouse/shirt. Short sleeved blue shirt/blouse may be worn in September, May and June;
School V-neck jumper;
Plain black leather shoes (trainers are not permitted);
Either:
Navy pleated, knee-length skirt (school regulation only and worn correctly; not modified) with navy tights. Navy socks (ankle/trainer/sports socks are not permitted) may be worn in September, May and June;
Or
Plain black trousers (regular-fit, worn correctly so that the hem sits neatly on the shoe; skinny trousers are not permitted). Trousers should be worn with plain black socks (ankle/trainer/sports socks are not permitted);
If a scarf is worn, only the school scarf is acceptable;
Navy jacket with the school crest may be worn over, not instead of, the blazer; no other outdoor garment, such as hooded tops, will be permitted;
Hair accessories should be in keeping with the school uniform.
Make-up: Make-up should not be worn. Students should not wear false tan, eye make-up, acrylic/gel nails, nail polish, false eyelashes or eyelash extensions.
Hair Styles: Hair should be clean, neat and tidy. Only natural hair colours are permitted. Speedlines, tracks and other partially-shaved styles are not permitted.
Jewellery: One pair of stud earrings, one in each ear lobe (due to health and safety regulations, no hoops or drop earrings permitted). No other facial or body piercings are permitted.
Please ensure that your child’s name will be clearly marked on all items of uniform including their PE kit.
P.E. Uniform and Stockists
PE Uniform
School crested football shirt, shorts and socks are essential items of PE uniform;
Trainers, football boots, swimwear and mouth guards to be worn when required.
*Other Academy-branded sportswear items such as kitbags and hooded tops are optional.
**Academy-branded navy leggings/tracksuit bottoms may be worn in KS4 & 5 only.
PACK 1 - St. Patricks Academy Dungannon.pdfPACK 2 - St. Patricks Academy Dungannon.pdf
O'Neills
Closing date for order: 12th July 2024
Delivery to school: Late August
https://www.oneills.com/uk_en/shop-by-team/education/schools/st-patricks-academy-dungannon.html
Education Authority Music Tuition (Reminder)
If you indicated an interest when completing the registration form for the EA Music Service (weekly instrumental tuition), please see a reminder below of the cost for the tuition and key dates.
The cost of instrumental lessons for the academic year 2024- 2025:
Weekly individual lesson- 20 minutes- £11 per lesson (total cost- £363)
Weekly individual lesson- 15 minutes- £8.25 per lesson (total cost- £272.25)
Students should receive 33 lessons in the academic year.
A 50% deposit of the total cost is required by the 30 August 2024 to secure your child’s place for EA tuition (£181.50 for lessons lasting 20 minutes or £136 for lessons lasting 15 minutes).
Full payment must be received by 30 September 2024.
Payment can only be made via the student’s sQuid account. This will be set up in June.
Lessons will commence in September for those whose payment has been received.
Guitar Tuition with Mr Matt McGlinn (private tutor)
Mr Matt McGlinn offers weekly 20 minutes individual guitar lessons costing £12.50 per lesson.
Payment is made directly to the tutor. Mr McGlinn will issue a contract detailing the payment plans available.
*Please note*
A requirement of receiving EA music tuition is to attend Academy Orchestra rehearsals on Thursdays from 3.30pm-4.20pm. A rehearsal schedule will be issued in September 2024.
Locker Rental (2024-2025)
The School is able to offer a limited number of Year 8 – 10 pupils the option of renting a locker for the 2024/25 academic year for a non-refundable fee of £10.00. Lockers will be allocated on a first come first served basis, therefore to secure one for your child, payment should be made via sQuid. The “Locker Rental 2024/2025” offer is available in your trips and offers account. Once payment has been made, please forward the reply slip below to the Finance and Administration office. If you have any queries or experience any difficulties with sQuid, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs J Quinn (School Business Manager).
Lockers 2024-2025.pdf