Policy Documents & Forms

Homework is given to reinforce that which is taught in school.

• In general there should be a balance of learning work, reading and written work.
• At infant level, children should have reading and reading related activities only.
• Homework should take approximately:
  • 1st – 2nd class – 20/25 minutes
  • 3rd – 4th class – 40/45 minutes
  • 5th – 6th class – 60 minutes.
• Homework is aimed at the class in general and should be completed in the required time. If a child is struggling parents should be discerning enough to know when to stop, as to continue only causes stress and defeats the purpose of the exercise.
• Children are not assigned homework at weekends.
• Parents are encouraged to read with/to children in junior classes.
• Children in Senior Classes are encouraged to read library books.
• Workbooks are intended mainly as an aid to learning and for reinforcement. They are used at the teachers’ discretion and may or may not be filled in or completed during the year.

Parents and children are encouraged to discuss school activities together. This develops both the children’s oral language and school links. It is recommended that homework would be completed in so far as is possible and that after school activities realistically should not interfere with it.

Homework Journals

Journals should be signed by parents every night, once parents are satisfied that their child has completed her homework to the best of her ability.

We have successfully introduced a Healthy Eating Policy in the school and we have found that healthier eating habits help improve the children’s attention in class and attendance has also improved.

Children must bring their lunches in a lunch box / container and bring home wrappers, bottles. Popcorn is permitted only in containers (no wrappers / bags).

The girls are allowed to bring a small treat on Fridays only.

We encourage –

• Fresh fruit and vegetables for small break:
  • apples, oranges, nectarines, mandarins, bananas, peaches, pears, plums, carrot sticks, cucumber, peppers and salad.
• Dried fruit:
  • Raisins, sultanas and seeds (e.g. pumpkin & sesame)
• Brown bread, baps, wraps, rolls, crackers, scones, pitta bread, bread sticks, sandwiches (with fresh meat such as ham, chicken, salmon, sardines, tuna, sweetcorn, salad, egg, cheese).
• Cheese, pasta, hummus & hard boiled eggs.
• Yoghurts (for junior / senior infants no “Frubes”), little yoghurt drinks with friendly bacteria (preferably on the non-chocolate variety)
• Drink, water, soups & juices, smoothies

We also encourage the children to drink water throughout the day.

We discourage / ask children not to bring –

• Chocolate, chocolate spread, biscuits, cakes, buns, bars & cereal bars (as they have a high sugar content), lollipops, fruit winders, sweets & chewing gum.
• Processed meat, “Dairylea Lunchables”, etc. as these are lower in iron and have a greater salt content.