Our Vision:

“All students achieving their personal best.”

Our Shared Vision is a 'living document' and is reflected in everyday practice.

Our Mission:

To provide quality learning for all our students.

Together we will ensure that our children are "learning today for a better tomorrow"

Our School Values:

“Students who are able to make the ‘right' choices.”

We want our students to

Core Values

We want to offer a safe, supportive and caring environment to all our students, as well as challenge them to reach for their ‘personal best’.

We want to build and enhance their self-esteem.

We want them to develop a love of learning and to be optimistic (‘can do’ learners) in all they do.

We want them to care for and be respectful of each other, adults, their school and their environment.

We want all involved in the school to treat people, as they would wish to be treated.

We want them to respect traditional values such as effort, application and perseverance as they work towards gaining the skills of basic literacy and numeracy, ‘Learning how to learn’ skills and information technology .

Our Core Teaching Beliefs

1
We will provide safe physical and emotional environments for all students and staff.

Indicators:
Playground and classrooms will meet the Health and Safety requirements.
Attendance will be monitored daily.
The school rules will reflect a zero tolerance to violence or bullying.
Behaviour management systems will effectively deal with both inappropriate and appropriate behaviours.
We will develop safe practice guidelines for staff, which will cover physical and emotional safety.
Outside agencies, specifically the Health Board and Garda Siochána will be called upon to support pupil needs when intervention is deemed necessary.
The Health and Safety policy will ensure safe and legal practice is maintained.

2.

All children irrespective of cultural, economic, and/or learning needs will be valued, and will have equal opportunities to become active learners.

Indicators:
Praise and recognition, e.g. verbal, stickers, certificates, will be given for pupil progress, participation and attitude.
Programmes will be provided, for children with special needs and/or differing abilities.
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3.

Because learning does not occur in isolation, effective partnerships between parents/caregivers, community and school are paramount, and will be fostered.

Indicators:
Open door policy actively promoted
Visitors to the school acknowledged and welcomed
Parents consulted regarding changes
An active Parents’ Association
Parent –teacher meetings held annually
School newsletters home every term.
Parents involved in IEPs
Team approach, utilising community support, to problem solving
Parents’ support acknowledged informally and formally e.g. end of year celebration day
Teachers communicate regularly with parents and community agencies.

4.

4. Students will be encouraged to achieve excellence in all areas of learning

Indicators.
Children's needs will be the first consideration in planning.
Individual learning styles will be taken into consideration.
Self assessment will be fostered as this is pivotal to identifying learner needs.
Teachers will be sensitive to the time required by individuals to achieve excellence.
Teachers will be aware of their own responsibility in regard to modelling excellence.
Excellence in effort, attitude and outcome will be rewarded via the Behaviour Management Plan.

5.

Students will be encouraged to accept responsibility for their behaviour and learning, with the view of becoming a positive member of the community.

Indicators:
All children and staff will be aware of the school rules, and these will be actively promoted.
Children will accept ownership of and responsibility for choices regarding behaviour.
Children will be involved in social skills programmes e.g. SPHE programmes.
Children will accept positions of responsibility within the school – litter managers, class captains, announcers at concerts etc.
Children will accept responsibility for personal and school property, including homework.
Responsibility towards others will be promoted through circle time, buddy classes, peer tutoring, and whole school sport.

6.

We will foster the development of the whole person.

Indicators:
We will honour every child and value their uniqueness.
We will support children in recognising their learning styles.
Teaching strategies will take learning styles into account.
Teaching programmes will be based on need.
We will develop and encourage individual strengths through classroom programmes and teacher praise and encouragement.
We will provide opportunities to participate in cultural, sporting and extension activities.
Support will be provided for children with special needs.

8.

Just as we value the development of the whole person in our students, so we value the ongoing development of staff and support will be provided to ensure staff are informed and confident in their delivery of the curriculum.

Indicators:

Individual strengths and interests will be encouraged and utilised.

Up to date resources will be provided for teachers and children.
Personal as well as professional growth of staff will be encouraged.

Teachers will up skill themselves by: - attending workshops, courses and meetings - accepting a personal responsibility towards professional development.

Teachers share their area of expertise at staff meetings by presenting suitable activities and ideas for resources.