Strategies to support your son’s education
To support the school in educating your son
Parents play a huge role in enabling the smooth and effective running of the school, from ensuring punctual arrival of a student in full school uniform to signing the school journal on a weekly basis. Good parental support is invaluable. Such involvement does not have to be time consuming. Good communication is the core of this support.
Some tips for maintaining good communication with the school throughout your son’s secondary education with us:
Contact details – Mobile phone numbers and office/home numbers need to be provided and updated as necessary. In case of emergency, it is also important to let the school have alternative names and numbers (first, second, and third point of contact) in case the first named person cannot be contacted.
Family circumstances – it is important to keep the school informed of changing circumstances – such as a family bereavement, separation, health issues – as this will impact on a student’s behaviour and education. A variety of supports exist in the school to help students, from the watchful eye of teachers in the classroom to counselling services form the Pastoral Care Team.
Parent Teacher Meetings – these occur once a year per year group. (See School Calendar)
Attendance is essential to maintain open communication between home and school.
Journal – signing your son’s journal every week has proved to be best practice and allows parents to be aware of any notes, reports etc. made in relation to your son. For students who have poor organisational skills, parents can use the journal as a tool to help students manage books, copies, homework in for the following school day. The P.E. teachers find it particularly helpful if parents ensure that the complete P.E. kit is packed on the day the students participate in this activity.
School Attendance Strategy
The parents/guardians play an important role in supporting the school’s attendance strategy. Good attendance is essential for promoting an efficient and effective school environment. Since there is a strong correlation between attendance records and results, good attendance is also an important factor in ensuring that the student is working to his full potential.
Punctuality – parents should ensure that students arrive on time to school.
School rules – are included in the following publications
The School Journal
The Parent Pack
The school Website www.stclements.ie
Parents are requested to read the school rules and the consent form in the Parent’s pack must be signed by the student, parent/guardian and returned to the school at the start of each school year.
School Uniform- important that this is checked
Electronic devices– Mobile phones are banned during class time. We would encourage parents not to contact their sons by mobile during school hours. In case of emergency contact the school at 061 315878.
Parental involvement in the school- Parents are welcome to participate in the Parent’s Council or to stand for election for the two positions that are reserved for parents on the Board of management of the College.