Introduction
Our school is a community where pupils, parents and teachers collaborate and work in partnership for the children. When parents decide to send their children to our school, they are entering a relationship that has a shared sense of purpose and mutual respect.
In keeping with the principles of education, our school is democratically run. A Board of Management runs it and the involvement of parents is sought and encouraged both at Board and Parent Association level.
Respect for professional role of the teacher and a statutory responsibility of the Principal, Patron and the Board of Management is always an important consideration.
Parents are invited to become involved in the school in many ways and at many levels, for example:
- School bodies – Board of Management, Parents Association, various school committees
- Attending Parent-Teacher Meetings
- Fundraising
Parents are kept informed of school activities through the school newsletter and are invited to attend many school activities e.g. sports day, concerts, etc.
The Parents Association
Muire na Mainistreach has a long established Parents Association.
The aims of the Association are:
- To adopt a programme of activities, that will promote the involvement of parents in the operation of the school, in consultation with the Principal.
- To foster educational partnership between home and school for the benefit of the children.
- To represent parents interests.
- To provide support for teachers.
- To assist members who have difficulties.
- To promote the development of the school and its amenities.
- To advise the Principal or the Board on matters relating to the school.
Benefits of Parental Involvement
- Parental involvement actively supports and encourages the child’s learning.
- It promotes good parent/teacher relationships and a better level of understanding between home and school.
- It enhances communication, trust and respect between parents and teachers
- Parental involvement allows children to see that school is an extension of home and therefore fosters the idea of the “school family”
- Parental involvement provides the opportunity of making lifelong friends
How to get involved
- Attend meetings, which are convened by the various school bodies at the beginning of each school year.
- Make an appointment to speak with your child’s teacher to discuss any concerns, which you might have from time to time.
- Take an active interest in your child’s progress through examining his homework and his school journals.
- The happiness, welfare and safety of our children are our primary concern.
- Respect for the teachers in their professional capacity is essential.
- Discipline remains the responsibility of the teacher.
- In order to minimize disruption of classroom work, prior appointments are necessary if you wish to speak to the class teacher. These appointments may be made through the school secretary or by note to the teacher.
The following are some general guidelines for parents:
- Show an interest in, and concern, for your child’s education.
- Being over-ambitious and putting undue pressure on the child is undesirable.
- Avoid comparing your child with other children at home, in class or in the neighbourhood.
- Review the use of television and computer games.
- Praise and encouragement is the cornerstone of successful relations between parent/teacher and children.
- Problems, which affect your child’s progress at school, should always be discussed with the class teacher or with the Principal.