Embedded Files
The Board of Management of SJSS
The Board of Management (BOM) assumes a pivotal role in overseeing the school's administration and governance. Its responsibilities encompass policy development, financial management, staffing, curriculum planning, facility maintenance, and community engagement. The board is charged with formulating and implementing policies related to curriculum, discipline, health, and safety. Financially, it manages budgeting, planning, and resource allocation, emphasizing transparency and accountability. Staffing responsibilities include overseeing appointments, contracts, and professional development. The board contributes to curriculum development, supports educational initiatives, and ensures school facilities provide a safe learning environment. It fosters positive relationships with parents and the community, involving them in the educational process. Legal compliance, strategic planning, conflict resolution, and performance evaluation fall within the board's purview. Comprising representatives from our patron, parents, teachers, and the local community, the board collaborates to enhance the school's functioning and development. Emphasizing the best interests of students, the board aims to cultivate a positive and supportive learning environment. Effective communication with stakeholders is paramount, keeping the school community informed about crucial developments. In essence, the board of management serves as a cornerstone for the school's holistic growth, ensuring adherence to regulations, fostering community ties, and maintaining a focus on student welfare and educational excellence.
Daragh Nealon (Principal) Secretary to the Board
Liz Murphy
Parent Nominee to the Board
David Clarke
Parent Nominee to the Board
Collette Cleary
Parent Nominee to the Board
Maggie Lynch
Parent Nominee to the Board
Ciaran McCormac
Parent Nominee to the Board
Roisin McGowan
Teacher Nominee to the Board
Emer Kiely
Teacher Nominee to the Board
Susan Duffy
Chairperson of the Board
The BOM Meets throughout the Academic Year
The school's board of management oversees administration and governance. It develops policies, manages finances, hires staff, plans curriculum, maintains facilities, and engages with the community. The board ensures legal compliance, strategic planning, and conflict resolution. It fosters positive relationships with parents and the community, involving them in the educational process. The board prioritises student welfare and educational excellence, aiming to create a positive and supportive learning environment. Effective communication with stakeholders is crucial to keep the school community informed. The current BOM sits from 2024 - 2029 and meets throughout the academic year.
BOM Meetings 2024 - 2025
23/08/24
21/10/24
28/11/24
20/01/25
25/02/25
07/04/25
17/06/25
Governance & Stability
CEIST offers a range of supports to its schools, including staff seminars, workshops, retreats, and presentations tailored to specific needs. These services include staff reflection days, exploring themes like Catholic identity, spirituality, and the CEIST Charter. Training is provided for School Boards of Management and Finance Committees, while parents are engaged through association meetings and AGMs. CEIST also supports policy reviews, addressing areas like faith development, pastoral care, and SEN. Ethos Committees receive guidance, and tailored services for students include speeches at graduations and awards nights. Additionally, CEIST organizes prayer services and workshops on prayer practices such as Lectio Divina, emphasizing spiritual growth and the liturgical calendar.
The EDUCENA Foundation ensures that the property and facilities of CEIST schools are managed effectively, securing them for Catholic education. It plays a key role in approving building works, capital expenditures, and other property-related matters. The foundation adheres to its mission of fostering the congregations' religious, missionary, and charitable purposes, and has supported SJSS in organising further parking spaces on the convent grounds for its staff.
The Finance Subcommittee of the Board of Management at St. Joseph's Secondary School (SJSS) recognizes that sound financial management is critical to sustaining the school's mission and ensuring long-term viability. Through effective budgeting, forecasting, and expenditure monitoring, SJSS can align its financial resources with educational priorities, supporting teaching excellence and student success. Transparent financial practices build trust and accountability among stakeholders, including parents, staff, and the wider community, while compliance with Department of Education regulations underscores the school’s commitment to governance standards. Accurate financial data supports strategic planning, enabling informed decisions about investments and initiatives. Efficient resource utilization maximizes impact on learning and operations, enhancing the school’s reputation for fiscal responsibility and educational quality. By demonstrating prudent stewardship of public and community funds, the subcommittee ensures SJSS remains financially stable and sustainable, ready to meet the needs of current and future generations of students.
Policy Development
Effective school leadership requires constantly reviewing and improving policies. This ensures our school operates in a secure, compliant, and efficient manner, aligning with legal and regulatory standards. Regular reviews also guarantee policies reflect the changing needs of students, staff, and parents. Our BOM believe that clear, up-to-date policies empower staff to make sound decisions and contribute to a better school. The BOM oversees regular reviews of ploicies and these consistent updates show commitment to continuous improvement, fostering a positive school environment. Accessible and clear policies improve communication and transparency. Regularly reviewing specific policies, like behavior or safeguarding, offers additional benefits like ensuring student safety and addressing behavioral issues.
Student Enrolment
A robust and inclusive Admissions Policy is crucial for schools to ensure fair, equitable, and high-quality education for all students. Such a policy enables equitable access by removing barriers that may disadvantage certain groups, fostering a diverse and inclusive school environment where students from various backgrounds feel a sense of belonging. Diversity enhances academic performance and social development as students learn from each other’s perspectives, developing critical thinking and a broader worldview. An inclusive admissions policy also prepares students for a multicultural society, equipping them with skills to navigate an interconnected world. This approach aligns with school and community values, promoting equity and social justice by actively supporting marginalized groups. Inclusivity in admissions strengthens community relationships and attracts a wide range of talented students, enriching the academic environment. Ultimately, this policy reflects the school’s dedication to fostering a vibrant, supportive learning community that prepares students for global success.
Child Protection & Safeguarding
SJSS adheres to child protection regulations outlined in the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools (revised 2023) document by the Department of Education. These regulations are designed to protect children from abuse and neglect and promote their well-being. The BOM appoint a Designated Liaison Person (DLP) to coordinate child protection concerns and work with Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. All school staff are mandated reporters, obligated by law to report any concerns to the DLP. Information sharing with Tusla must comply with data protection regulations. Regular staff training is crucial for recognizing signs of abuse, and schools must develop and maintain a Child Safeguarding Statement outlining their policies. The principal presents a Child Protection Oversight Report at each BOM meeting summarising activities and incidents, and concerns are reported to Tusla through the secure Tusla Portal.
A trained DLP or Deputy DLP will always be available, receiving specialized and ongoing training. A comprehensive staff training program will address recognizing abuse, mandatory reporting, and responding to student disclosures, complemented by regular updates. Vulnerable students will be supported through individualized plans and multidisciplinary collaboration and lead by the Student Support Team. Parental involvement will be fostered via open communication channels. Confidentiality will be balanced with mandatory reporting through clear guidelines and training. Continuous improvement will be ensured through regular reviews, feedback mechanisms, and collaborative efforts among management, staff, students, and parents.
Anti-Bullying Procedures
SJSS has put various Anti-Bullying Procedures in place to creatine a positive school environment. Our procedures address key areas like prevention, investigation, and resolution. These include awareness campaigns, providing support for students experiencing bullying, and working with parents to ensure a safe and inclusive learning environment for all. Our procedures emphasise restoring relationships between those involved, rather than solely focusing on corrective interventions and sanctions.
05. Anti - Bullying Activities.pdfHealth Saftey & Welfare
As a Senior Leadership Team and a Board of Management , ensuring the health and safety of students and staff is a top priority, vital for fostering a thriving learning environment. This involves regularly assessing and addressing hazards, from physical risks like tripping hazards to implementing robust emergency procedures. Staff and students receive training on safety topics, including accident prevention and emergency response, while fostering a culture where reporting hazards and near misses is encouraged. Monitoring safety performance, such as tracking incidents and revising policies, ensures continuous improvement. Involving the school community through committees or drills instills ownership and responsibility. A comprehensive health and safety risk assessment, particularly in Ireland's regulated context, is essential. It identifies risks in diverse school activities, enabling targeted strategies to mitigate dangers, such as physical hazards in labs or cybersecurity threats. Such assessments ensure legal compliance, resource allocation, and emergency readiness, promoting a secure environment for teaching and learning. By prioritizing safety, schools can support the well-being of students and staff, allowing them to focus on their educational goals in a secure, supportive setting. This holistic approach integrates safety into the educational framework, ensuring that every individual’s mental and physical health is safeguarded. Our BOM is committed to helping our school meet their compliance obligations and create a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.
As such we have partnered with The ArkHQ for all of our Health & Saftey Planning, Training & Evaluation. Together we are preparing a Safe School Action Plan. The ArkHQ is a company that provides compliance programs and training for schools in the UK and Ireland. They specialize in helping schools manage their compliance needs, such as safeguarding, health and safety, and data protection. ArkHQ is supporting our school community through a range of services, including:
Compliance management: ArkHQ can help schools develop and implement a comprehensive compliance management system.
Training: ArkHQ offers a variety of training courses on compliance topics, such as safeguarding, health and safety, and data protection.
Support: ArkHQ provides ongoing support to schools, including answering questions and providing advice.
A well-organized Fire Drill is vital for enhancing safety in our scvhool, ensuring students and staff are prepared for emergencies. Regular practice refines evacuation procedures, enabling swift, coordinated responses and reducing the risk of injury or fatalities during an actual fire. Fire drills also identify potential hazards and improve communication between staff, students, and emergency responders. By preparing everyone to respond calmly and effectively, these drills instill peace of mind, reducing anxiety during emergencies. Key steps for effective drills include careful planning, clear instruction on evacuation routes, practical execution, and post-drill evaluations to identify areas for improvement. Conducting quarterly drills, ensures readiness and compliance with safety standards.
School Meals
At SJSS, we're committed to providing our students with the best possible learning environment. A key part of that is ensuring our students have access to nutritious meals. Through the School Meals Programme, we're partnering with Glanmore Foods to offer a variety of healthy meal options. These include hot meals, sandwiches, and salads, all made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. We're also able to cater to different dietary needs, such as gluten-free and vegetarian options.
To determine the number of meals needed each day, we consider factors such as total student enrollment, eligibility for free or reduced-price meals, historical participation rates, and special events or days with higher attendance. By carefully planning and working with Glanmore Foods, we're able to provide our students with the fuel they need to succeed.
Junior Cycle & Senior Cycle Book Scheme
1st Year letter June Update.docx.pdfThe SJSS Board of Management is committed to the successful implementation of the Junior and Senior Cycle Book Schemes. We will allocate grant funding to ensure every student has access to essential schoolbooks and resources.
By collaborating closely with our teaching staff, we will meticulously select books that align with the Junior and Senior Cycle curricula and cater to our students' diverse needs. To optimize efficiency and cost-effectiveness, we will establish strong relationships with reputable book suppliers.
We will establish clear guidelines for book distribution, care, and return, fostering a sense of responsibility among our students. Transparent communication with parents is paramount, keeping them informed about the scheme's progress and addressing any concerns. Regular review and data analysis will enable us to continually assess the scheme's impact and make necessary adjustments. Through these comprehensive measures, we aim to maximize the benefits of the Junior Cycle Book Scheme for our students and their families.
SJSS partnered with Bookhaven in 2024. Bookhaven, a family-owned Irish business, is a go-to destination for school supplies and educational materials. With multiple locations across Ireland, including Dublin, Naas, and Ashbourne, they offer a wide range of products, from essential schoolbooks and workbooks to educational toys and stationery. Their online store provides convenient shopping options for parents and students nationwide. Bookhaven is dedicated to providing high-quality products and exceptional customer service, making them a reliable resource for all your educational needs.
Working with Stakeholders
Parents' information evenings play a vital role in fostering strong relationships between post-primary schools and their stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and the wider school community. These events build trust and transparency by providing a platform for open communication and sharing updates, policies, and goals. They encourage parental involvement by highlighting ways to support students’ learning and wellbeing, while also promoting a deeper understanding of the curriculum, school policies, and key transition periods. By facilitating better communication, schools can address concerns, clarify expectations, and resolve misunderstandings, strengthening the bond between the school and its community. Additionally, these evenings provide an opportunity for parents to interact with staff and other stakeholders, share feedback, and feel valued as active participants in the educational process. Ultimately, they create a collaborative environment that benefits students academically, socially, and emotionally.
Our annual school open night is a crucial event for SJSS. It offers a platform to showcase the school's distinctive character, highlighting its modern facilities, dedicated staff, and rich extracurricular programs. By providing a glimpse into daily school life, open nights can captivate prospective students and their families, leaving a lasting impression. This event fosters a sense of community and transparency. Parents and students can interact with teachers, current pupils, and school leadership, gaining firsthand insights into the school's values and educational philosophy. By addressing questions and concerns, open nights build trust and confidence, reinforcing the school's commitment to providing a high-quality education. Our open night significantly enhances the school's reputation, attracting a diverse and talented student body and it serves as a powerful marketing tool.
Summer Communiqué 2024.docx.pdfCopy of Highlights from 2024.docxQuarterly newsletters sent home to parents can significantly enhance a school community. By providing regular updates, these newsletters foster open communication and build trust between the school and parents. They can encourage parent involvement by highlighting events, volunteer opportunities, and tips for supporting student learning at home. Furthermore, newsletters can celebrate student successes, promote school values, and build school spirit, ultimately contributing to a positive school culture.
Our Home-School Community Liaison (HSCL) coordinator plays a vital role in our school. By building strong relationships with parents, guardians, and students, our HSCL fosters trust and open communication. They actively engage parents in their children's education, providing support and guidance. Additionally, HSCLs collaborate with community organizations to provide extra support and resources to families. They identify students who may need additional assistance and connect them with appropriate services. HSCLs also contribute to the school's DEIS Action Plan, ensuring that the needs of disadvantaged students are met. Furthermore, they assist students in transitioning between educational stages. They also organise, promote and deliver several successful parents classes at our school
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