Willow Park First Year Parents’ Night 2 nd September 2013

Parents’ Night 2 nd September 2013 Welcome Purpose of Meeting Aim of First Year Organisation and Structures Communication/Procedures Events Bullying & General Rules Setting of Classes for 2014

Purpose of Meeting Open Communication Lines Information Letting you know what we say to your sons

Aim of First Year BE THE BEST THAT YOU CAN BE Academically Spiritually Morally Socially At Sports Culturally

Organisation and Structures Principal – Mr. McGuire Deputy Principal –Mr. Rogan Pastoral Care Team – 4 Teachers Liturgical Co-Ordinator - Mr. Liddy Spiritual Director - Fr. O’Brolachain SEN Department - Ms. Ryan Lost Property - Mrs. Jennings

Organisation and Structures Tutors – St. Aidan’s – Mr. McAree St. Brendan’s – Mme. Boissel St. Colm’s – Mrs. Jennings St. Declan’s – Mr. Liddy St. John’s – Ms. Phelan St. Kevin’s – Ms Smith St. Mark’s – Mrs. Tuite St. Paul’s – Mrs. Culhane

Organisation and Structures Subjects Taught During Normal School Day – Irish – English – Maths – Religion – History – Geography – Art – Latin/Business – Physical Education – Science – French – Spanish – Literacy – SPHE – Social Personal, Health Education – CSPE – Civic Social Political Education – ICT

Organisation and Structures Class starts at 8:35am - Aim to be in by 8:25am First Break - 10:45am - Small Nutritious Healthy Snack Lunch Break - 12:45pm - Substantial Healthy Lunch End of Day - 3:10pm - Small snack before games and after Boys should organise themselves so that they only have the books for each segment of three classes. Timetable inside locker helps with this. Tutors will guide them through their organisation of locker and day-to-day needs

Organisation and Structures Morning Activities:  Mass – Lenten Period  German – Thursday – 7:50am  Orchestra – Wednesday 7:45am  Choir –Tuesday 7:50am  Music Appreciation – Friday 7:50am  Swimming – To be confirmed

Organisation and Structures After School Classes/Activities:  Rugby – Monday/Wednesday/Saturday  Cross Country & Athletics – Tuesday & Thursday  Basketball – Tuesday & Thursday  Table Tennis – Tuesday & Thursday  Willow Wheelers - Sunday  Y-Not Club – Thursday 4pm  Water Polo – To be confirmed

Organisation and Structures Optional Classes/Activities: Extra Charge  Woodwork – Thursday Afternoon  Technical Graphics – Thursday Afternoon  Music Lessons – By arrangement (Open morning 7:50am – Wednesday 4 th September)  Tennis – Saturday Afternoons

Communication & Procedures Communication:  Insight  Office 365 (VLE)  Reflective Diary & Progress Cards  School Diary  Christmas & Summer Reports  Newsletters  Website -  Phone  -  Appointment

Communication & Procedure Procedure to contact member of staff/pupil: In the event of requiring to contact the Principal, the Deputy Principal, a Tutor, a Teacher or Your Son. Please ring Reception (Maeve) to leave message and they will respond as soon as possible. Please make yourself known to reception before approaching First Year areas.

Communication & Procedure Procedure to inform school of absence: In the event of absence please phone reception ( ) or This should be followed up with a note on return to school.

Events First Year Family Mass Class Retreats Orientation Day Carol Service Reconciliation Services Bully Awareness Mornings Catholic Schools Week French Day Seachtain na Gaeilge 100 Mile Cycle Bereavement Service Founder’s Day Geography Trip Green Flag Initiative Songs In The Park Art Exhibition Graduation Mass Academic Awards Weekly Whole School Assemblies

Bullying and General Rules School Motto BE THERE BE CARING BE TRUTHFUL Every student in Willow Park First Year is entitled to an education free from fear and intimidation. Bullying is not tolerated in Willow park

Bullying and General Rules Bullying Verbal Physical Exclusion Social Media and Phone

Bullying and General Rules General Rules: Arrive on time and prepared for class. Be respectful to all and their property. Full uniform to be worn at all times - No hoodies or runners to be worn to class. Phones are to be stored in lockers for the duration of the school day. Good behaviour is expected from all pupils to and from home - DART, Bus, Local Shops. Students are not permitted to leave the grounds at anytime once they enter the grounds.

Awareness of your Sons’ Activity Outside of School Time Important to know where your son is at all times Large groups assembling in Blackrock, St. Helen’s Wood, DART, Bus. Saturday and Sunday afternoons – Important to keep in regular contact throughout the day/evening. They can get to different areas of Dublin very quickly and be home before you realise.

Setting of Classes for nd Year Blackrock College: Weighting of marks for all subjects is 1/3 of Christmas result and 2/3 Summer result. All students are then placed in order from top to bottom in all subjects except History, Geography and Religion. Religion (although an exam subject) is set alphabetically. History and Geography are set from the Science marks. – Rationale:  History and Geography are shared with Science with regard to timetabling in order to allow for a more extensive subject choice.  History and Geography are taught as mixed ability subjects, as is the case in the majority of the schools in the country.

Parents’ Night 2 nd September 2013 Thank you Enjoy the Year