Welcome to you all

1. Welcome to you all

3. Parents … School is a life altering experience …. Young people have only one chance • When students see home and school at one they feel secure and are less likely to react negatively to school • Secondary school is a new beginning

4. What we know … • Parent support is one of the most powerful aids to student success and well-being in school 80% vs 10% So everyday home routines matter, everyday home-grown messages matter

5. And the most important message to watch out for… • I can’t do this...I’m no good at this … • I can’t do this now so how can I learn how to do it? What would it be like if I made more of an effort? • Creating a ‘can do’ attitude. Students must experience success and it must be recognised so first praise the effort, then the achievement

6. Secondary school - Anxiety • From most senior to most junior • Larger school • Many teachers – different styles • Many new subjects • More responsibility – “pull up your own socks” • Growing up – independence, new friendships • Progressing to stand still • First months critical

7. Secondary schoolMaking progress … • Everyday Routines – classwork & home work /study ….. reading • Homework Journal - the more you make of it … • E-Portal • Microsoft Office • Catching up on work missed during absence

8. Code of Conduct -Basic Rule – do your very best and let others do the same • Punctuality • Uniform • Notes to excuse absences etc. • Books and copies • Homework / class work • Good manners • Respect for oneself and all the school community

9. Respect for Others • No excuse for Bullying – no excuse accepted by the school. • New Dept Procedures … all schools must!!! • Cyber Bullying ! • I’m sure …

10. Key Points Sept 2017 • 430 plus students and will continue to rise • 37 Teachers • Chaplain, • Secretary & Caretakers • Special Needs Assistants • Easy access – building, corridors etc. • Big Changes in building

11. School Week • Start at 9.00 am every morning – students should be in 10 mins before • Finish at 3-50, Monday to Thursday • Finish 3-05 on Friday ?? • Morning break • Lunch – ALL students must stay in school

12. Junior Cert. Curriculum CORE SUBJECTS OPTIONAL SUBJECTS • Irish Technical Graphics • English Music • Maths Art • History Business Studies • Geography Technology • Science • French/German • RE • CSPE *** • SPHE • PE • Computers

13. NCCA Fact Sheets • www.ncca.ie • Junior Cert Fact Sheets • Useful info re all subjects • www.jct.ie • www.juniorcycle.ie

14. Learning Support • Trained Learning Support teachers • Language Support teachers • Psychological reports used to understand the needs of the student combined with entrance test results and experiences in class to determine need for Resource • LS students may drop one or two subjects, usually Irish and/or foreign language • ASD Unit – 2in operation

15. Arrangement of Classes • Equal mixed-ability classes • In 2nd yr Irish, and Maths are set at the same times to allow movement of students.

16. Academic Performance • Tests per year- Oct mid-term, Christmas, Feb mid-term, Easter and Summer • Homework and study skills training • E-Portal - online reports • Irish Independent reports shows Knockbeg at no1 in Carlow and Laois in 2018 and on average for last 10 years based on Leaving Cert results

17. Extra-Curricular Activities – Lunchtimes • All students involved in one or more activity • Non-sport • Quizzes • Debating • Young Scientist • Student Council- elected by students • Tours, trips • John Paul Awards • Board games • Band/Choir • Maths Club

18. Extra-Curricular – Sport • Hurling • Football • Basketball • Athletics • Swimming • Badminton • Golf • Rugby • Soccer

19. School Uniform • Grey trousers • Grey shirt • School tie • Blue school jumper • Dark coloured shoes • Formal school Jacket • Neat and tidy appearance

20. School Canteen Healthy Eating Policy • Food served at morning break • Lunch - hot food, fresh rolls & wraps, soup, fruit etc.. • After school • Bring your own • Canteen will be open in the mornings if enough interest

21. Pastoral Care • Class Teacher • Class Tutor • Year head • Guidance Counsellor • Chaplain • Care Team • Meitheal Team • Student Council • Parents

22. Other Support Structures • Evening Study – 1hr 30 mins every day • Holiday Breaks Study

23. Costs that occur • €120 annual contribution – includes 24 hr personal insurance, photo copying, phone calls, letters etc.. • 1st yr Book Rental €150 • Mocks • Transition Year fees • Exam fees to Department of Education, 3rd Year and in 6thyear • Supervised study after school (optional) Payment on Line ??

24. Future developments – Building Project well underway • Complete refurbishment of existing buildings • New Specialist Classrooms etc. • Language Lab • Science Rooms • Technology Room • DCG & Computer labs • New Sports Hall • New Double ASD Unit

25. Enrolment details • Enrolment Forms Student PPS No. & Birth Cert Address arrangements re contacting Mob Number re Texts Particular Details BUS Transport – Online application www.buseireann.ie – school transport Other private buses in operation Parents organise this option themselves

26. Draft Calendar 18/19 • August Registration – Last week in Aug Books – Mon 27th. Welcome prayer service – P/DP/Fr. Dunphy/Yr. Head/Class Teachers • Lockers, TT, etc. Afternoon with Meitheal team • 1st day – No bus available • 1st Year Liturgy - Mid Sept -During School Hr s • MID-TERM BREAK Mon Oct 28th/ Fri Nov 1st • CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS Fri Dec 20th/ Fri Jan 3rd • 1st Yr Parent Teacher Meeting Feb 2019 • MID-TERM BREAK Feb 2019 Mon Feb 17th/ Fri Feb 21st • EASTER HOLIDAYS Mon Apr 16th/ Fri Apr 17th • Summer Hols Last day Fri May 29th

27. Home School Contact • Schools Texting Service • E portal • Web www.knockbegcollege.ie • Email knockbegcollege@eircom.net • 059 9142127

28. Parents Council • Voice for Parents • Policy Development • Support for school activities • New Members please!!