Scoil Ursula N.S.

Our School Song

This is our school
Let peace be found there
May the rooms be full of happiness
Let love abide
Love for one another
And love of life itself
And the love of God

Everyone knows
That many hands are needed
If you want to build a house
But to build a good school
There’s a very simple rule
What you need isn’t hands but hearts.
So lord. a blessing we ask of You

Everyone is special ad everyone’s
important in Scoil Ursula School
Doesn’t matter at all if you’re big or small
Being fair to each other:
That’s the rule!
So Lord, a blessing we ask of You

Just like the ricer flowing towards the Ocean
We are flowing into God
So let peace be on the way as we live and work today
As we wander in the tracks you have trod
Yes Lord, a blessing we ask of You.

Do Chum glóire Dé
agus onóra na h-Éireann

Lord God, we ask you to bless this Code of Behaviour for Scoil Ursula. Proud of this achievement, we deeply appreciate and value the involvement of the Student Council and all the Pupils, the Parents, all Staff Members and the Board of Management.
May the fruit of this work guide our students to a truly Christian way of living, so that they may use their unique gifts and talents to develop a sense of responsibility towards themselves and others while acting as guardians of our planet.

Our Lady of Hope pray for all
St. Angela pray for all

Saint Ursula
Protect our future


Mission statement

Ursuline Education aims to nurture the development of the pupil in a spiritual, moral and intellectual way, in an atmosphere where difference is respected. A positive climate is used to motivate the pupil. Every effort is made to enhance the child's self esteem and to foster a friendly and supportive atmosphere, conducive to learning.

Scoil Ursula Philosophy and Ethos

Ursuline education strives to nurture a community where Christian values are respected, lived and taught. It is based on the Gospels and the teachings of St. Angela Merici.
Ursuline Education nurtures
Personal relationship with God
Holistic development of each individual
Dignity and uniqueness of each person
Importance of courtesy and kindness
A caring and respectful attitude towards self, others and environment.

The school strives to enable students to
Be aware if God’s unconditional love for them
Know and live their faith
Be active members of their own community and Church
Be aware of others less fortunate than themselves
Be independent of mind in order to stand up for the truth.
Principal and staff :
Maintain traditions of school
Implement Ursuline philosophy
Strive for excellence in teaching and learning
Ensure the centrality of Religious instruction, prayer and liturgy

Commit to professional and personal development
Are flexible and adaptable to changing needs.

Parents:

(Where the word “Parents” is used in this document it is also taken to mean guardians or any other adults who are “in loco parentis”)

Take responsibility as primary educators
Become aware of the philosophy and ethos of the school.
Support the philosophy and ethos
Are active partners in their children’s education
Maintain good communication with the school

Students

Are active participants in their learning and religious development
Strive to reach academic and creative potential
Develop self-discipline and leadership
Are responsible guardians of the planet
Love their cultural heritage and respect cultural differences
Develop creativity in leisure-time
Are active in the service of others





Trustees

With the principal
Maintain the ethos
Support the Religious and Educational enterprise
Have ultimate responsibility for property and finance
Monitor overall policy

Board of Management

Implements the ethos
Is responsible for the administration and maintenance of the school
Maintains standards in teaching and learning
Upholds the discipline of the school

Wider Community

Good relations with Church and Local Community are fostered

Code of Behaviour
In devising the code, consideration has been given to the particular needs and circumstances of this school. The aim is to ensure that the individuality of each child is accommodated while acknowledging the right of each child to education in a relatively disruptive free environment.
Every effort will be made by all members of staff to adopt a positive approach to the question of behaviour in the school. The code offers a framework within which positive techniques of motivation and encouragement are utilised by the teachers.
The school places greater emphasis on rewards than on sanctions in the belief that this will, in the long run, develop their innate moral compass.
It is agreed that a high standard of behaviour requires a strong sense of community within the school and a high level of co-operation among staff, pupils and parents.
The involvement of the pupils in the formulation of the Code of Behaviour empowers them to take ownership of its implementation.

The overall responsibility for behaviour within the school rests with the B.O.M. The Principal is responsible for in school management of behaviour. Each teacher has responsibility for the maintenance of discipline within his/her classroom while sharing a common responsibility for good order within the school premises.
The school recognises the diversity that exists between children: educational, behavioural and cultural, addressing the need to accommodate these differences in an ever-changing society.
In consultation with parents and the learning support team, a child may be referred for assessment. Support services within the wider community may be accessed e.g. National Educational Psychological Service, the HSE and Community Care Services.
In the belief that the most effective schools tend to be those with the best relationships with parents, every effort will be made by the Principal and staff to ensure that parents are kept well informed.

School Rules

General:
School hours:

9.05 a.m class begins for all pupils
2.30 p.m class ends 1st—6th class
1.30 p.m class ends Junior and Senior Infants.

1. School BOM will not accept responsibility for pupils:
(a) Arriving before opening time 8.50 am
(b) Remaining after closing time 2.30pm
(Except for school based activities.)
(c) Going to and from the bus.

2. School bell to be responded to promptly at all times.

3. Notification from parents is required when a pupil
A. wishes to leave during school hours.
B. where a child has been late.

4. Absences

A written note is obligatory for absences. Pupils, who are absent 20 days or more in the one school year, must be reported to the National Educational Welfare Board. Reports of absences are returned each school term to National Educational Welfare Board.

5. Healthy lunches are advised. Junk food is discouraged. Chewing gum, crisps, fizzy drinks and glass bottles are not permitted.

6. Healthy lifestyle— We encourage Walking On Wednesday and whenever possible. For those who cycle to school cycling is not allowed in the school grounds and all bicycles must be locked.

7. Parking is strictly forbidden by law on the white zig zag markings on either side of the “School Keep Clear” sign. Parking is also prohibited in the bus bay.

8. In the interests of safety, children are not allowed to use the “Staff Entrance gate” i.e. the main gate of the school. The pedestrian lane should always be used. The Staff Parking Area is for staff only or adults on business with the Principal

9. All children are obliged to wear the full school Uniform except on designated PE days when the PE uniform is worn.

10. All children’s belongings: uniforms, coats etc. must have nametags on them.

11. In the interests of safety and hygiene, sensible, sturdy footwear must be worn. Runners allowed only on P.E. days.

12. On the school enrolment form each parent is requested to indicate the procedure to be followed should your child become ill at school. If this procedure should change at any time please notify the class teacher immediately. It is vital to update personal details, e.g. addresses and phone numbers when necessary.

13. Mobile phones & other electronic equipment are strictly prohibited.

Behaviour

1. Refined behaviour is expected at all times, e.g.
speaking politely using words/phrases such as
please, thank you, sorry, excuse me, pardon etc.
Show good manners always towards other children
and adults.
2. Honesty is encouraged at all times.
3. Inappropriate language will not be tolerated.
4. Children are expected to show consideration at
all times, and to conduct themselves appropriately
when involved in school related activities e.g.
games, extra curricular activities, cultural excursion
and any other school linked events.
5. Bullying of any kind will not be tolerated: see
school policy, cf page 10
6. Children who travel to school by bus
are expected to queue, to board and alight
in an orderly way. Courtesy is expected toward
the driver and other passengers.
7. Children must never cross the road without the
assistance of the traffic warden, who must
be obeyed and respected at all times.
8. Each pupil is expected to attend school daily and to be punctual.

Within the school building

Children must respect their teachers and be attentive and co-operate in class. Good manners, courtesy, and politeness are essential at all times towards teachers, visitors and fellow pupils.
A child must not disrupt class work by negative or attention seeking behaviour.
School property i.e. Building, PE equipment, technical equipment, furniture, books etc. must be treated with due care and respect. If deliberate damage is caused to any of the above by a pupil, repair of replacement costs will have to be borne by the parents. Pupils must not damage, take without consent or steal property of another pupil.
Children must co—operate with and take correction from all members of the school staff.
Children are encouraged to walk in single file on the stairs and to move around the school building in an orderly manner.

Playgrounds:

During break-times, designated play areas are supervised consistently on a rote-basis by teachers. Children must leave the school buildings at break times except on wet days. On those wet days children are supervised in the classrooms by the teachers on duty. The Buddy System takes place with the Infants. All other children occupy themselves with board games and appropriate activities. All children without exception must go to the playground during break time, weather permitting.

Each class has a designated play area and must play within that particular space only.

No fighting, kicking or rough play is allowed

Children must not throw litter. It is essential for pupils to keep the school grounds tidy and use the bins provided in keeping with our Green School Code.

No child is permitted to leave the school grounds without permission under any circumstances.


Children are forbidden to climb on walls, roofs,
drain-pipes, gates, railings and due care must be taken wherever there are steps.

Children must obey the bell promptly, freeze in their own `space bubble’ and file up quietly in alphabetical order according to their class.


Homework:
It is the policy of the school to assign homework on a regular basis.
Parents are strongly encouraged to take an active interest in their child’s homework.
Parents should sign homework each night if requested by class teacher.
Homework assignments should be done with due care and effort.

Rewards and Sanctions
In our school we adopt many positive strategies to promote good behaviour and sustain the harmonious atmosphere in our school. These strategies include giving pupils a voice in the decision-making processes in the school via Students Council, Green School’s committee and the SPHE programme. We use a clear system of acknowledging and
rewarding good behaviour. Children are aware of sanctions and consequences for misbehaviour.

Systems of rewards in Scoil Ursula:

Merit Awards.
Commendations.
Certificates of Achievements.
Golden Time.
Homework passes.
In class reward systems.

1. In general each class teacher will resolve class problems as they arise. A child with Special Needs will be subject to the school code of behaviour and will be treated with compassion and understanding. A child will be sent to the Principal for serious breeches of discipline or continuous instances of disruptive behaviour. Parents will be informed of such instances when necessary.

2. The following sanctions for unacceptable behaviour may be implemented at a teacher’s discretion. Initial correction for misbehaviour will be a warning.

(a) Reasoning with the pupil.
(b) Reprimand
(c)Temporary separation from peers, friends or others.
(d) Loss of privileges
(e) Extra work
(f) Referral to Principal
(g) Communication with parents and guardians.

Scoil Ursula however prides itself on the high standards of behaviour maintained. The Staff and the extended school community will continue to strive to maintain these standards into the future.

Suspension and Expulsion.
The decision to suspend a pupil requires serious
grounds such as:
* The pupil’s behaviour has had a seriously
detrimental effect on the education of other
pupils.
* The pupil continued presence in the school at
this time constitutes a threat to safety.
* The pupil is responsible for serious damage to
property.

A single incident of serious misconduct may be grounds for suspension ref
Ref: Page 72 Guidelines to the code of behaviour .

A proposal to expel a pupil requires serious grounds such as that:
* The pupil’s behaviour is a persistent cause
significant disruption to the learning of others or
to the teaching process.
* The pupil’s continued presence in the school
constitutes a real and significant threat to safety.
Where expulsion is considered, school authorities have tried a series of other interventions and believe they have exhausted all possibilities for changing the pupil’s behaviour.
Before serious sanctions such as suspension or expulsion are used, the normal channels of communication between school and parents will be utilitised.
For gross misbehaviour or repeated instances of serious misbehaviour, suspension may be considered. Parents concerned will be invited to come to the school to discuss their child’s case. Aggressive, threatening or violent behaviour towards a teacher or pupil will be regarded as serious or gross misbehaviour.
Rules for National Schools:
Rule 130 (5)
“ Where the Board of Management deems it necessary to deal with continuously disruptive pupils or with a serious breach of discipline, by authorising the Chairperson or Principal to exclude a pupil from school, the maximum initial period of such exclusion shall be three school days. A special decision of the Board of Management is necessary to authorise a further period of exclusion to a maximum of 10 school days to allow for consultation with the pupil and or pupils’ parents or guardians. In exceptional circumstances the Board of Management may authorise a further period of exclusion in order to enable the matter to be reviewed”.
Parent / Teacher Communication

1. For general information notices or newsletters are issued to parents through the children. Text-a-parent is used for important messages and reminders and further information can be obtained from the website. ( www.scoilursula.com). It is important that you check your child’s schoolbag regularly for notes.

2. Parent—teacher meetings are held early in 2nd term. It is important that you attend these to keep in touch with your child’s progress. It is also important that your child sees you are interested in his/her progress in school.

3. If your child is experiencing a particular problem it is essential that you communicate this to the teacher. Family stress caused by an illness, a new baby, a bereavement, or a separation may result in the child becoming disruptive or withdrawn in school. It is unfair to expect the teacher to deal with a child who is upset if she/he does not know there is a problem. Letting the teacher know will allow her to help your child to cope and to make allowances for that distress.

4. Making an appointment: if you feel your child has a problem arrange an appointment with the teacher.
To avoid disruption in class, parents are asked not to arrive unexpectedly at the classroom door, or to telephone the teacher during class lessens. A message may be left with the school secretary. An appointment may be made so that the teacher can give you full attention.

5 Subsequent to an appointment- if a problem cannot be resolved between parent and teacher, he /she should consult with the Principal with a view to resolving it.

6 If the problem is still unresolved the parent should raise the matter with the Chairperson of the Board of Management.


Scoil Ursula Anti-Bullying Policy

The school acknowledges the right of each member of the school community to enjoy school in a safe and secure environment.

Definition of Bullying

Bullying is repeated aggression, verbal, psychological or physical conducted by an individual or group against others.

Isolated incidents of aggressive behaviour, which should not be condoned, can scarcely be described as bullying. Any form of threatening behaviour is unacceptable. If children are being bullied teachers must be told so that the matter can be dealt with accordingly. As the bully and the victim both need help, it is important that, if your child is one or the other, you as parents/guardians support us, in our efforts to deal with the problem.

Types of bullying include

Physical aggression, damage to property, extortion, intimidation, isolation, name calling, threatening words, insulting remarks or comments either personal or about one’ s family, threatening gestures or looks, deliberately spoiling games on others, name calling of bright or conscientious children as well as children who have learning difficulties.

Sanctions will be imposed for bullying.

Those who perpetrate the bullying will be deprived of privileges and hopefully this will lead to an improvement in behaviour. Where this does not result, Suspension may have to be imposed. While we are not responsible for children on their way to and from school, where bullying often occurs we will endeavour to ensure that children realize that bullying is unacceptable at any time.

Countering Bullying in Scoil Ursula

1 Scoil Ethos: Besides the spiritual development of the child we nurture in each child RESPECT for herself/himself, companions, those in authority and the environment. We see the positive development of self-esteem as an important means to this end and we strive to provide opportunities to develop a positive sense of self-worth and respect. We aim, in our school to raise the self-esteem of our pupils by:

(a) reminding each child of his/her own uniqueness, dignity and the personal love of God for every individual.

(b) Encouraging each child to develop and recognise the talents and gifts unique to each one. Affirming the child with praise and leading them to recognise and appreciate good qualities in one another.

(c) Disrespect to self or others and unacceptable behaviour to others will not be tolerated.

(d) Involving children in activities where teamwork, tolerance, interdependence and responsibility are nurtured e.g. games, art, competitions, projects, drama, etc.

(e) Leading by good example.

2. Raising awareness of bullying:

Bullying is an unacceptable form of behaviour with school management, teachers, pupils and parents/ guardians. Our staff will be watchful and willing to discuss problems relating to bullying regularly at Staff Meetings. Children will be made aware that bullying is unacceptable behaviour in Scoil Ursula. The subject will be highlighted through the curriculum, especially in the Religious and also through Drama, Art, P.E. SPHE(Social, Personal and Health Education).

3. Supervision
Teachers supervise communal areas consistently on a rote-basis during break times. The non-teaching staff and our traffic warden are encouraged to play a positive role in assisting us by reporting any incidents of bullying witnessed by an appropriate member of staff and informing the principal. Teachers who from their observations in the course of performing playground duties or from their own classroom situations suspect incidents of bullying should alert all teachers of their concerns.

4 Reporting

All reports of bullying, no matter how trivial will be noted, investigated and dealt with by teachers. It will be made clear to all children in our school that when they report incidents of bullying they are not telling tales but are behaving responsibly. In this way pupils gain confidence in “telling” any incident of bullying at school. This is to be reported to the teacher or the Principal. Each
teacher, including the Principal will keep a written record of all instances of a bullying nature.

5 Record Keeping
This is to be reported to the teacher or the Principal. Each
teacher, including the Principal will keep a written record of all instances of a bullying nature.

6 Evaluation of school policy on bullying.
We will evaluate the effectiveness of our School policy on an ongoing basis and update and modify when necessary.

Saint Angela
Watch over the days of your Youth
SaintII ask you to please try to bring them up with love, with a gentle and kindly hand- (Teaching of St. Angela)

Saint Ursula
- protect our Future
Children learn what they live.
If children live with criticism they learn to condemn.
If they live with hostility they learn to fight.
If they live with ridicule they learn to be shy.
If they live with shame they learn to feel guilty.
If they live with tolerance they learn to be patient.
If they live with encouragement they learn to have confidence.
If they live with praise they learn to
appreciate.
If they live with fairness they learn what justice is.
If they live with approval they learn to like themselves.
If they live with acceptance and friendship they learn to find love with God in the world.

Rath Dé oraibh agus ar bhur gclann uilig