General Information

ETHOS 

St. Fintan’s N.S. is a Roman Catholic School which aims to promote a happy, safe and friendly learning environment for all; an environment which will encourage each child to fulfil his/her potential in a caring and supportive surrounding. We promote close working relations between teachers, management and parents, all of whom work for the benefit of the children. 

We place a strong emphasis on the relationship between teachers and pupils, which contributes to a hard-working and enjoyable atmosphere. 

Our Catholic Religious ethos finds expression throughout the curriculum, and particularly in our Religious programme which is a fundamental part of the school course (Rule 68, Education Act 1998). Our school and class masses, liturgies and daily prayer are an important part of this programme. Visits to the classes by our priest are a welcomed part of parish and community involvement in the life of our school. 

While the religious practices, teachings, morals and ethics of the school are those of the Catholic Church, the school acknowledges and respects the diverse religious beliefs and ways of life of pupils’ families and the rights of parents in their children’s moral and spiritual upbringing. We recognise that each child is unique with a history and background that is also unique. We uphold the pupils’ right to have access to the entire range of education which the school provides. 

We foster and promote a love of the Irish Language and Gaelic Culture in our school. We encourage participation in the various sporting, musical and dramatic events/activities of a cultural nature which are organised throughout the year. 


GENERAL INFORMATION 

DAILY SCHEDULE 

● Breakfast Club begins at 8.30am. 

● School begins at 9.20 am. Children, except those attending Breakfast Club are not permitted to enter the school building before this time. Supervision is in place on the front yard from 9.00am. 

● Breaks: 11.00 -11.10 am 12.30 - 1.00 pm 

● Junior and Senior Infants are dismissed at 2.00 pm. 

● Other classes are dismissed at 3.00pm. 

● Once children have been dismissed/collected from school they are not permitted to reenter the school premises. 

ALADDIN 

The Aladdin App is our main means of communication with parents. Parents receive a code in order to set up the app when their child is enrolled in the school. This app is also used to record attendance and to make payments. 

ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL 

In the event of a pupil being absent through illness or for any other reason, the class teacher should be informed through the Aladdin App. If it is anticipated that the absence will be of any lengthy duration, the class teacher should be informed via Aladdin as soon as possible. The principal is obliged to forward names of pupils who have been absent for 20 days to the National Education Welfare Board (Education Welfare Act. 2000). When it is necessary for a pupil to leave school early, a note must be sent to the class teacher via Aladdin. Parents/guardians are asked to call personally to the secretary to collect the child and details of all early leavers will be recorded on Aladdin. 

Infants can become upset and confused if there is a change to their routine at home-time. Please inform the teacher in advance if there is to be such a change (e.g. the child might be going to a neighbour’s house, etc). 


LABELING OF PERSONAL ITEMS

Children should have their names on their coats and half-zips, and on other personal property, ie school books, folders, copies, lunch boxes, etc. 

BREAKFAST CLUB 

A free Breakfast Club operates in the school daily. It runs from 8.30am to 9.00am. Children should arrive at Breakfast Club no later than 8.50am.

SCHOOL DINNERS 

Under a scheme, funded by the Dept. of Social Protection, hot school dinners are provided to each pupil. Our current provider is Fresh Today. All children must register with the provider on enrolment. This may be done through the office. To change a lunch order parents log onto www.freshtoday.ie , enter the password they have been given and make the changes. Alternatively they can email changes to info@freshtoday.ie. Snacks are also provided for morning break and drinking water is freely available in the school. 


We operate a Healthy Eating Policy where only one small treat item is allowed on Fridays. Chewing gum and nuts are not permitted in the school. 

NUT FREE ZONE

The school is a nut free zone, therefore nuts are not permitted on the premises.

SCHOOL UNIFORM 

The uniform is as follows:- 

● A half zip top with school crest (available to purchase directly from school) 

● A plain navy tracksuit bottom (strictly no stripes or logos allowed) 

● A light blue polo shirt


Orders for half zips are taken in May of each year.The school keeps a limited number of half zips in stock throughout the year.

Your child’s name must be clearly printed on his/her top in order to avoid confusion over ownership.. 


MOBILE PHONES /ELECTRONIC DEVICES 

The use of mobile phones and electronic devices by pupils is prohibited in school, (see code of behaviour) 

SCHOOL BOOKS 

A book rental scheme operates in the school. Pupils using these books are asked to return them in good condition at the end of the school year.

HEALTH/SAFETY 

● Children who are ill should not be sent to school. 

● Parents are asked that teachers be made aware of any physical disability or allergies which their children might have. 

● Please check your child’s hair regularly for outbreaks of head lice. If there is an outbreak of head lice in a class, all of the parents are informed via Aladdin, and asked to take immediate action to treat infestation. Information on the treatment of head lice is available from the school. 

● Requests for children to remain indoors at break-time should only be made in exceptional circumstances. 

● Parents who collect their children are requested to exercise extreme caution. We ask that the bus areas are kept clear at all times; that the pedestrian crossing is kept clear and that reverse parking be used outside the school. 


ACCIDENT PROCEDURES 

● Minor accidents are treated at school. Parents will be informed and should check the injury when the child comes home. 

● In the event of an accident/child becoming ill, every possible effort will be made to contact the pupil’s parents or the person delegated to take responsibility for the pupil. The school should be notified immediately of changes to contact phone numbers, emails or addresses. 

● 24-hour insurance cover is available under a personal accident insurance scheme. Details of this scheme are circulated each year in September. 


HOME/SCHOOL COMMUNICATION 

Frequent communication is of vital importance in developing and nurturing co-operation between home and school. 

CODE OF BEHAVIOUR 

Our Code of Behaviour is available to read on our website. Parents are asked to study the Code of Behaviour and discuss it with their children. School Rules are kept to a minimum and are devised with regard for the health, safety and welfare of all members of the school community. 

ANTI-BULLYING

Every pupil has the right to enjoy his/her time in St. Fintan’s N.S. Unkind actions or remarks will not be tolerated. Pupils are encouraged to support each other by reporting all instances of bullying. Copies of the School Rules and Anti-Bullying Code are available from the school and on our website. 


THE PRIMARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM 

The curriculum is presented in seven areas, some of which are further sub-divided into subjects – Language (Gaeilge and English) Mathematics, Social, Environmental and Scientific Education (History, Geography and Science) Arts Education (Visual Arts, Music and Drama) Physical Education, Social, Personal and Health Education and Religious Education 


HOMEWORK 

Homework is generally given every night from Monday to Thursday. Teachers will use their professional discretion in allocating homework. 

In the Infant classes the emphasis will be on developing reading skills and fostering a love of reading. 

Ideally homework will contain a balance between reading tasks, learning tasks and in the middle and senior classes in particular, written tasks. 

Parents should provide appropriate conditions for homework – a quiet time and space, a suitable work surface, etc. In the case of a child having difficulties with homework, parents should consult with the teacher. 

Teachers will consult with parents where homework is proving to be a problem or where homework is not satisfactory. 

AUTISM CLASS

A state of the art autism class opened in September 2023 for children with a diagnosis of autism. This room caters for 6 children and has a designated teacher and 2 SNAs.


PARENTS’ COUNCIL 

The Parents’ Council holds its AGM early in the new school year. All parents/guardians of children attending Taghmon N.S. are deemed to be members. Parents are encouraged to get involved in the council and to attend the meetings. 

BOARD OF MANAGEMENT 

The Board of Management is the school’s managing body of persons nominated by the Patron (Bishop of Ferns) and recognised by the Minister of Education and Science. The Board of Management is charged with the direct governance of the school, i.e. responsibility for management, administration, appointment of teachers and all financial matters pertaining to the school. There are eight members of the Board of Management:

A Board of Management serves for a 4 year term.

The current Board members are:

Derek Kent (Chairperson) 

Geraldine Doyle (Principal) 

Antoinette Fitzsimons (Teachers’ Nominee) 

Fr. R. Mc Guire (Patron’s Nominee) 

Sharon Carroll (Community Rep.) 

Francis Roche (Community Rep.) 

Ricky Banville (Parents’ Rep.) 

Edwina O'Connor (Parents’ Rep) 


SPORT / ACTIVITIES

Our school has a great tradition in sporting activities, in particular hurling, football, rounders and handball. We enter the Mini-Sevens hurling/football and camogie each year and join with Carroreigh to compete in the Rackard League competition. The school participates in the Schools’ Athletics Competition, winning many titles over the years. We also participate in the Schools’ Debating Competition. We were awarded the Active School Flag in 2019/2020.


ICT 

St. Fintan's NS recognises the importance that technology plays in today's world. Therefore, technology and computer skills are given a high priority in St. Fintan’s N.S. All classrooms are equipped with state of the art interactive boards. These modern interactive panels aid teachers in providing the best teaching and learning opportunities for our students. We have a small number of laptops available for individual student use. We also have a set of 40 iPads which all classes are timetabled for throughout the year. Project work, creative writing and a variety of educational games are some of the activities that are undertaken using our ipads. While completing project work in particular, pupils develop their presentation and communication skills. Such IT  resources are used to provide each pupil with the best experience possible through teaching and learning. 

We also recognise the importance of keeping safe when using technology. This is firmly embedded in our teaching of the SPHE curriculum. There are some great tips for keeping safe online at www.webwise.ie Online content in the school is filtered by PDST and is suitable for primary school pupils. The school also engages with Zeeko annually who deliver highly interactive and informative programmes, to improve student safety online and with technology. They provide invaluable training to parents, students and teachers. 

STAFF 

Mr. Willie Cleary (Principal). 

Teachers

Ms. Tanya Murphy (Deputy Principal) 

Ms. Paula Gondard                            Mrs. Sinéad Murphy 

Ms. Annaleigh Hore                           Ms. Antoinette Fitzsimons  

Ms. Neasa Fitzgerald                        Mr. Trevor Doran 

Ms. Áine Shannon                             Ms. Rebecca Kinsella

Ms. Rachel Walsh                             Ms. Linda Casey

Ms. Alicia McCormack                       Ms. Áine Kinsella

Ms. Saoirse Laffan (part-time).          Mr. Cormac McGrath

Ms. Emma Ambrose. 

Special Needs Assistants 

Ms. Jeannette Kelly                          Ms. Elaine Hogan                            

Mr. Brian Durack                              Ms. Nóirín O'Toole

Ms. Sheena Fewer                          Ms. Meadbh Wickham

Ms. Siobhan Reville                         Mr. Noel Martin

Ms. Meghan Donnelly. 

School Secretary Mrs. Mai Gaynor 

Caretaker Mr. Charles Doyle 

Cleaner Mrs. Christine Doyle