HOME-SCHOOL LINKS POLICY

It is recognised by the parents, teachers and Board of Management of Portlaoise C.B.S.  that the parents are the primary educators of the child. Good home-school links contribute greatly to the quality of education received by the child. To establish these links an open, cordial relationship should exist between parents and teachers which recognises and values the respective roles of each.

Aims:

To facilitate a communicative relationship between teachers and parents to the benefit of our pupils.

Communications

Formal Parent-Teacher meetings will be held every year as per school calendar where each parent may have a private meeting with their child’s teacher(s). The meetings will be held during the hours laid down by the DES. Where parents are unable to attend at this time, they are encouraged to make an alternative appointment with the Year Head at a mutually suitable time.

The school also encourages periodical informal meetings between teachers and parents which may be initiated by either party as they see fit.

Parents will be encouraged to be familiar with the work being done by their child in school and to be aware of what homework is being done. A formal school report will be issued twice yearly.

Information on school activities will be communicated to parents through periodic letters, bulletins and their sons school journal during the year.

In accordance with the Educational Welfare Act (2000), explanations on pupil absences must be telephoned to the school office that day and followed up with a note in their sons school journal.        

Parents’ Association      

The school recognises the benefits of an active parents’ association. The association may communicate with the school through meetings between the chairperson/secretary and the principal/deputy principal, particularly after a Parents’ Association, general or committee meetings. At B.O.M. meetings during the year, one item on the agenda as required will be the parents’ representatives’ report which allows for two-way communication between the board and parent body. Parent Association support in the provision of resources, financial support and assistance in extra-curricular areas is welcome and appreciated.

Roles and Responsibilities  

It is important that all partners in the school community be aware of the parameters of their own and others’ respective roles and responsibilities. The school ethos must be upheld at all times. The ethos is defined by the Trustee. The school is Catholic voluntary all boys secondary school, child-centred, non-discriminatory and democratic. Consequently, respect for the partners – children, parents, staff and management – must be shown at all times.

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