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Grammar 2018/19. PARENTS EVENING. EXPECTATIONS. To create a Positive Learning Environment in school and at home. Grammar boys should feel happy, healthy and believe they can achieve their academic and co curricular potential. Attention: Attendance!!.
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Grammar 2018/19 PARENTS EVENING
EXPECTATIONS To create a Positive Learning Environment in school and at home. Grammar boys should feel happy, healthy and believe they can achieve their academic and co curricular potential.
Attention: Attendance!! • Come to school every day. And be on time. 8.40 start so boys should be in class at 8.35! • All absences and lates must be communicated via Flexibuzz. • Boys will not be allowed to leave school unless a Flexibuzz comes in before 8am. For emergencies please ring reception. • If pupils are unwell they should go to reception who will then ring parents. • Sanctions for lates and unautorized absences.
Attention: Appearance!! • Full school uniform must always be worn. • Appropriate school shoes should be worn – not black runners or canvas shoes. • No Hoodies………. At all. (not even school one). • Black coat. • A tie if no jumper. • Hair must be kept tidy.
Attention: Attitude!! • Boys should be sensitive in the language they use and how they interact with each other. We don’t know what is happening in other people’s lives. Ask for help if needed. • They must respect their form rooms, lockers, respect their corridor and respect their school. If we do this we will respect ourselves. • ALL boys are expected to behave appropriately both in class and around the school. Any boy who interrupts the teaching and learning of others will be sanctioned - from notes home, phonecalls home, detention and removal. If this is happening to your son it means he is not doing what he should be doing and he needs to change. Every teacher in the school wants the best for your son but if your son does not buy into that then we will ensure his behaviour does not affect the rest of the group.
Attention: Accountability • No mobile phones will be allowed in class. At break times and in the ref, boys will be asked to put phones away. Together we will promote social interaction. • Locker keys – get a copy cut. • Put name on books, uniform, kit. • Keep journal updated, used and signed.
Attention: Adults – what can you do? • Please encourage them to Get out of their comfort zone. Challenge themselves, academically, physically, socially and emotionally. • We need to encourage them to believe in themselves. They will have studied the subjects, completed the homework and will be more than ready for the exam. • Encourage them to do their best and really focus on the idea of effort rather than the idea of results. If they are focused on grades and they don’t achieve, they can become frustrated, stressed and that can affect their performance. If they work hard, follow instruction and work on their mistakes the grades will become consistent and improve. • Do not worry: yes the junior certificate is an important time but things need to be kept in balance. It is a stepping stone getting you from where you are now to where you want to go. Talk to your sons and encourage them to look out for others in their class or year group that are experiencing stress or worry. There is never a problem that cannot be managed. Encourage them to focus on their immediate concerns … “the here and now, English essay, Art project, and not the far off idea of the exam”.
Where are they studying? It is good to have a fixed spot whether in the School or at home that is associated in the mind with productive work. There is the option of after school study in the library if they don’t have a quiet area at home. Ways to get them started studying Physically start: Homework or writing up notes. It helps to start with a Subject you like, move on to less favoured areas and then finish with a favoured topic to maintain interest. They should use their school journal to record homework. I would encourage you to check their son’s journal once a week and sign it. When are they studying Although everyone body clock is different. Your ability to focus deteriorates as the day progresses. Get it done early in the evening and then you can relax at night time before you go to sleep. A tired brain is unproductive Getting seven to eight hours sleep is also important.
Don’t be afraid to ask them what have they just learned? After a study session • Encourage them to spend five/ten minutes at the end of a session reviewing what has been covered. It will help retention and make the next day’s classes more productive. • This year will go by so quick AND the students who get the most out of the year are those that seize the day, work hard, and take responsibility for their learning. • Never give up. There will be times in the year when they may feel that they have hit a blank wall. We need to encourage them never to give up. • They need to pay attention to their health and lifestyle. They need to have interests whether sporting or otherwise that allow them to unwind. Regular exercise whether walking, swimming, team sports along with a good diet will clear the mind; boost concentration, energy and mood and reduce stress.
Preparation: 2.5 – 3 hours a night Supervised Study: Library 3.50 – 5.15. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday Get rid of the Phone!!!!
Attention: A collaborative Approach • The college and the home should work very closely during the year. • Please use Flexi buzz, College Website, Parents Association, VS Ware for communication. • We have asked the boys to invite you to share their journal with them. It will be a working document. Pleasemonitor it daily, weekly. • Ask your son what he is studing and ask him about his journal. He will expect this.
Attention: Approach to Junior Certificate: • 8 1/2 weeks until the October Midterm – time to set the pattern of work. • 5 1/2 Midterm review. • 7 weeks from Midterm to Christmas house exams. • 4 weeks from Christmas to P.T.M. (Jan28th) • 13 weeks to Easter. • 6 weeks from Easter to State Exams. • Grammar students will receive their report in March, date (tbc) instead of end of year. End of year report from Form tutor in June.
Key Dates • October 25th – Study Skills • Early November – application forms for reasonable accommodation for Junior Certificate. • February – application for Junior Certificate and fee. • April/ May - Subjects will have deadlines for coursework.
March Each subject teacher will provide pupils with a comment focusing on what they need to do to improve in advance of the Junior Certificate. They will also receive a document outlining the levels their teacher recommends they take each subject at.They must confirm these and it must be signed by a parent and returned to the School. In school they will then fill in and sign a form which is returned to the DES which outlines each subject they are taking and the level with which they will sit the exam. Students must thoroughly review this form to ensure that all subjects are listed and the appropriate level is chosen. On the day of Junior Cert examinations students cannot change their level so they must give serious consideration to the process in March. Between March and June in exceptional circumstances only a letter can be sent to the department requesting a change in level however this is for exceptions only so serious thought should be given to the form in March to avoid this situation.
Attention: Adventures Something for you and your son to think about: After Christmas the boys will be choosing their Trips for TY - there will be parent information night for this. Also at a similar time the Tutor will be organising their Syntax form trips which take place fist week back – Sept 2019. This along with other possible payments may take managing!
IT Notice E Books and Textbooks: Once processed the ebook will be available on the PublisherApp. Books delivered to the college this week and will be distributed. Ipads: Make sure there is a hard case on your device with Lable and Name. Ipad code of behaviour is on College website. FlexiBuzz: Remain a member of whole school parents for access to absence forms. No Hand written notes. Remove from Rudiments group and join grammar group. Codes on website. Webwise.ie: Staying safe online
Classroom Based Assessments – Key Dates for 2018/2019 English Latest date for The Collection of the Student’s Texts: Friday 30th November 2018 Window for completion of Assessment Task: Monday 3rd – Friday 7th December Business Studies Period during which students complete Business Presentation: Monday 12th November – Friday 7th December 2018 Window for completion of the Assessment Task: Monday 10th – Friday 14th December 2018 Science Period during which students complete Science in Society Investigation: Friday 7th December 2018 – Friday 25th January 2019 Window for completion of the Assessment Task: Monday 28th January – Friday 1st February 2019
Contact details: • Colin McCarthy, Grammar Year Head • Telephone: 01 8586618 (direct line) • Email: cmccarthy@belvederecollege.ie Lets have a great year