Board of Managment | Religious Tuition | School Patron | Fundraising

Board of Management

Rossa Ó Snodaigh – Chairperson
Seosamh Mac Muirí
Colm Ó Muirgeáin – Treasurer
Attracta Gallagher
Betty Ní Dhuigneáin
Owen Leonard
Sin̩ad Torsney РPrincipal
Máiréad Ní Ghonalaigh – Secretary

Religious Tuition

Gaelscoil Chluainín is a catholic ethos school. We use the book ‘Beo Go Deo’ to teach christianity to the children. The children are prepared for the sacraments; first communion and Conformation in the school. No child with a letter from their parents stating so need to attend religion class. Children of non-religious/non-catholic parents are already being accomodated thus.

School Patron

An Foras Pátruntachta is the patron of Gaelscoil Chluainín.

An Foras Pátruntachta is an independant patron body. they are patrons to multi-denomintional, inter-denominational, nondenominational, cathoic and Protestant Gaelscoileanna .

An Foras Pátruntachta was established in order to provide Gaelscoileanna with a Patron who had all the requisite knowledge of their particular ethos available to them in Irish.

The present Chairman of An Foras Pátrúntachta is Dónal ó Conaill

In order for each Gaelscoil under the patronage of An foras to succeed in it’s aims Irish Language aims, The Irish Language policy below is followed by these schools.

The Education Act 1998 sec. 15

1. It shall be the duty of a board to manage the school on behalf of the patron and for the benefit of the students and their parents and to provide or to cause to be provided an appropriate education for each student at the school for which the board has responsibility.

2. A board shall perform the functions conferred on it and on a school by this Act and in carrying out its functions the board shall –

-Do so in accordance with the policies determined by the minister from time to time

-Uphold, and be accountable to the patron for so upholding, the characteristic spirit of the school as determined by the cultural, educational, moral, religious, social, linguistic and spiritual values and traditions which inform and are characteristic of the objectives and conduct of the school and at all times sat in accordance with any acts of the Oireachtas or instrument made there under, deed, charter, articles of management or other such instrument relating to the establishment or operation of the school.

-Consult with and keep the patron informed of decisions and proposals of the board.

Irish Language Medium School

1. An Irish medium language school is a school where Irish is –

The Language 1 of the school

The business and communicative language of the school

The teaching and learning language in every subject except English

The language of the teachers

The language of the pupils

The language of all aspects of school life

2. Irish will be spoken always in the school playground, school bus, on school trips and during after school activities

Immersion Education

1. Immersion education is the system of education of the school. This means that pupils are immersed in Irish from their first day in school. The teacher will speak Irish only to the pupils from the beginning. Years in the infant classes are therefore very important.

2. Pupils must achieve a satisfactory standard as soon as possible. With this policy the pupils will grasp the language easily and naturally.

Teaching

1. Pre-reading, pre-writing and pre maths skills will be taught through Irish only. As laid down in the revised curriculum reading in the language 1will be taught first to the pupils. Every subject on the curriculum except English will be taught through the medium of Irish.

2. Every meaning, explanation and definition of words, terms etc. will be given through the medium of Irish in every subject except for English

3. It is understood that when pupils are being prepared for the Sacraments it is done through Irish and that the ceremony will be carried out through Irish on the day.

4. The Learning Support Teacher and Resource Teacher will do their work through Irish except where English is the subject being taught.

Communication

1. 1. It is the policy of the Gaelscoil that Irish is the language of communication among pupils in the playground. The vocabulary of the playground should be taught to the pupils as soon as possible and should be revised regularly and at the beginning of each term. (A copy should be given to parents).

2. It is by good example and good practice that pupils will accept the Irish language policy. Teachers and school staff should be heard using Irish among themselves at all times, in the classroom, in the yard, to the pupils and to visitors to the school.

School Administration

1. The school secretary will be fluent in Irish and speak it to the teachers, pupils and parents where possible. It is expected that classroom assistants will have Irish and that they will speak it to the pupils, teachers, parents and to each other. In circumstances where they are not fluent they should never speak English in front of children. Every employee is a member of staff and they have a duty to use Irish always and in no way undermine the characteristic spirit of the school.

2. The use of Irish as a spoken language is a central part of the Code of Behaviour. Encouragement and enticement is the most desirable way of promoting Irish in the school. Use the following strategies Encouragement, praise, prizes, enticements, rewards. In situations where these means are not successful the steps as outlined in the Code of Behaviour will be followed.

3. A vocabulary of common terms used in school notes and notices to parents will be made available to them. Notes and notices will be available in Irish or bilingually.

4. The Board of Management shall inform visitors on official business to the school that it wishes them to use Irish in so far as possible.

Parents / Guardians.

- It is essential that parents have a committed interest in Irish. Parents shall be interviewed before registration of the children so that the Irish ethos and respect for it is explained to them and share their outlook and that of the Board of Management concerning Irish. It is expected that they have a sincere commitment to the language.

- Before a child is registered as a pupil in the Gaelscoil parents/guardians will sign a contract accepting the Irish Language policy

· Accepting the Code of Behaviour

· Promising to explain the policies to their children

· Recognising and accepting the sanctions that will be imposed as outlined

Parents can help and support the work of the school as follows -

· Improve their Irish by attending classes,

· Speak Irish always in the school environs especially when leaving and collecting children,

· Encourage children to speak Irish to each other at home, in the car, on the phone, at parties, and during extra curricular activities.

· Speak to the children why they attend an all-Irish speaking school and about its advantages.

· Support the regulations concerning the speaking of Irish in the school

· Use Irish whenever possible – birthday invitations, birthday cards, Christmas and thank you cards etc.

· The Parents Committee should operate through the medium of Irish in so far as possible.

· Irish should be the language of communication, business, and socially among parents in so far as possible in the school environs.

· Parents views should be sought when the Language policy is being drafted and revised and parents should be provided with a copy after it is sanctioned by the Patron/Board.

Board of Management.

One of the Special Duty Posts in the school shall include responsibility for the development of Irish in the school. It will be the duty of this teacher in consultation with the principal and the Board to draft a plan for sanction by the Board which should be reviewed regularly. Suggestions from the parents committee should be considered also.

Communication with the Department of Education and Science, Department of Health and the County Council shall be through Irish. The Board of Management shall operate through Irish. The Board of Management and the Parents Committee shall organiseactivities to create an Irish environment for pupils, parents – eg. Classes, music, dancing, crafts, youth club, games etc.,

5. The school shall take part in Irish competitions and festivals.

6. As part of the principal’s report at Board of management meetings theprincipal should report on the progress in Irish in the school.

7. The Board of Management should respond to parents needs by ensuring thatthey participate in their children’s education and participate in the promotion of the school and the Irish Language e.g. encourage Irish Classes, talks regarding the use of Irish at home, encouraging and promoting and workingfor the Language.

8. Encourage teachers to develop their standard of Irish by attending courses,

9. Review the Irish Language policy.

10. The Board of Management, the principal, the staff should play their part in ensuring that the Irish Language policy of the school is followed.

The Committee organises 2-3 fund raising events per year and our account with the Bank of Ireland, Manorhamilton is open to accept donations.

All schools under the patronage of An foras pátrúntachta has Charitable Status. Any donations made will be tax exempt.

Fundraising

The Committee organises 2-3 fund raising events per year and our account with the Bank of Ireland, Manorhamilton is open to accept donations. All schools under the patronage of An foras pátrúntachta have Charitable Status. Any donations made will be tax exempt.

If you would like to help, please contact the Parent’s Committee.