Loreto Secondary School

1. Loreto Secondary School

2. Loreto Identity • 18 Loreto Schools in Ireland • Loreto Education Trust • Loreto Philosophy of Education • Catholic Voluntary Secondary School – other faiths are recognised and welcome • 940 students

3. School Structure • Board of Management: • 4 Trustee nominees • 2 parent representatives • 2 teacher representatives • New Board in Oct 2012 • Principal – Mrs Susan Kenny • Deputy Principal – Ms Nora Friel • Parents Association • Student Council

4. Spiritual Development • School Oratory • School Mass • Carol Service • St. Michael’s Ceremony • Retreats 1st year, TY, 6th year • Penitential Service • Benediction • Stations of the Cross • Leaving Cert Mass

5. Subjects • Core Subjects: Irish, English, Maths, History, Geography, Science, Religion, SPHE, Computers • French or Spanish • Two of the following subjects Business Studies, Home Economics, Music, Art

6. Religious Education • Junior Cycle: follow the Department syllabus. Open to all faiths and no faith. • Senior Cycle – school syllabus • All students are expected to participate in RE classes • Students who withdraw – study their own faith or a philosophical text at this time.

7. SPHE • Social, Personal and Health Education is a compulsory subject for all JC students • The topics covered in First Year include: Communication – verbal & non-verbal Relationships - Friendship Puberty – emotional, physical, mental and social change

8. School Journal • Every student must have a school journal • Available in school on the first day • Communication between School & Home • Signed each week by parent/guardian • Notes for absences, dental /medical appointments etc • Contains a copy of the Code of Behaviour

9. Procedures • Subject Teacher • Note in the Journal • Class Tutor • Year Head • Deputy Principal • Principal • Contact parents

10. Tutorial System • Each class has a Tutor • The Tutor normally teaches the class for one subject. • The tutor meets the class every Tuesday for 20 minutes • The journal is checked • Tutor talks to the class

11. Education Welfare Act 2000 • The Education Welfare Act 2000 obliges the school to record all absences • A note of explanation is required for each absence/appointment • Notes are collected by the Class Tutor during Tutorial Class each week

12. Swipe Card • Swipe Card costs €10 • Photo taken on first day • Student must swipe before 9.05 each morning • A student is not allowed to leave the school once they come in • It is the responsibility of each student to register her attendance using the swipe card

13. Swipe Card • A text message is sent informing a parent / guardian if their daughter has not swiped in • ‘NAME’ has not registered her attendance today. If this is unexpected, please contact the office at 0749121850 • Students may pin in their number if they have forgotten or lost their swipe card.

14. Appointment • The Deputy Principal will sign the note in the Lobby before 9.10 • The student must go to the front office at the appointed time – she will not be called • Student waits for collection • Student presents note to Monica in the front office and then swipes out • Students can not be called over the intercom if they forget to come to the front office

15. Leaving school during the day • When a student becomes unwell at school • she must inform a member of staff • the Deputy Principal will make contact the Parent/Guardian • she must be collected from Reception and swipe out in the main office

16. General Information • Students remain on the premises for lunch • Money and valuables must be kept on the person at all times • Please put your daughters name on all items of clothing, especially her jacket, books, etc.

17. Mobile Phones • Students may not use their phone between 9.05 and 3.40 • If a phone is seen or rings it will be confiscated and returned to a parent/guardian at 3.40 on the 1st offence • It is kept for 1 week on the 2nd offence • Parents are asked • not to request the return of the phone as it undermines school policy. • not to text or ring their daughter during school hours.

18. Sanctions • Lunchtime detention - lateness/homework • On report – poor classroom behaviour • Attendance record – not attending class • Evening detention – a number of minor offences, truancy, etc. • Suspension – repeat offences • Expulsion – serious breach of discipline

19. School Calendar 2011-2012 • Terms are fixed • Oct mid-term: 29th Oct – 2nd Nov • Christmas: 21st Dec – 7th Jan • Feb mid-term: 11th Feb – 15th Feb • Easter: 25th Mar -16th Apr • 18th March and 6th May – students at home • Check website www.loretoletterkenny.ie

20. School Uniform • Brown uniform skirt/trousers (tailored) • Shale coloured blouse • Brown uniform jumper with school crest • Brown shoes (Brown runners are not acceptable) • Plain dark brown jacket • Available in County Seat • PE Runners, track suit , T shirt, towel, etc

21. School Contribution School Contribution€80 this includes the cost of • Personal Accident Insurance • Photocopying, Resource Materials, Postage • Student Journal Additional costs • Locker €5 • Swipe Card €10 • Home Economics €25 • Art €25

22. Sport • Basketball • Soccer • Gaelic • Athletics • Swimming

23. Groups • Healthy Schools • Justice & Peace • Legion of Mary • Environmental Group • Student Council

24. Fun Activities • Jump For Joy/Fun Raise 4 Kids • Halloween Horrors • Funanza • Walk in Glenveagh • Talent Show

25. Achievements • Students are recognised at our Senior and Junior Awards Ceremony each year. • Academic success • Attendance, • Extra curricular activities • Sport

26. College Awards • 2011 Leaving Certificate students have received the following college awards • University College Dublin – 6 students • Trinity College – 3 students • All Ireland Scholarship – 3 students • NUI Maynooth – 2 students

27. Finally • Contact details may only be changed by a parent/guardian i.e. mobile number • Letter in June with the booklist and the school calendar • Please contact Bus Eireann for school transport before 27th April

28. Loreto Secondary School