Dear parent(s)/guardian(s),
We trust all members of the school community are enjoying the summer break.
Junior Cycle exams have now finished. Very well done to all outgoing Third Year students on their achievements.
We wish the Class of 2026 well for the remainder of their exams, which continue until Tuesday 23rd June.
As another school year comes to a close, we want to take this opportunity to thank you once again for your continued support and cooperation.
We are, as always, deeply proud of the consistent effort of our students towards reaching their potential, of their hard work and effort and of their kindness and compassion.
We also want to pay a special tribute to our staff, whose dedication, care and professionalism are second to none.
Planning for the 2026-2027 school year is well advanced at this stage and we ask that you please read the information below carefully to ensure we are all in the best position possible to make the 2026-2027 school year as successful as possible for all concerned.
To those of you who will be joining the Ratoath College community for the first time in the new academic year, we are looking forward to welcoming you.
Please see below some important updates, including:
- Summer Reports for 1st, 2nd, TY & 5th Year students.
- Student Direct Costs for 2026-2027
- Back to school dates and draft calendar for 2026-2027
Summer Reports – 1st Year, 2nd Year, TY & 5th Year
Summer Reports for students in First, Second, TY & Fifth Year are now available on Compass.
Book Scheme 2026-2027
As you may be aware, the Department of Education & Youth Book Scheme for all students will continue for the 2026-2027 academic year.
The scheme provides all required books and a specified list of everyday school equipment for all students free of charge. Books are made available to students on the same basis as with our book rental scheme but without the usual cost to parents.
Alongside textbooks, the scheme also covers core classroom resources that students need for school including:
- Dialann
- 12 copies
- 1 display A4 plastic folder
- 1 plastic zip A4 folder/carry case
- Maths formulae & tables/log book
- Scientific calculator
- Dictionaries
Note that equipment covered by the scheme (eg copies/folders etc) will be distributed to students at the beginning of the school year and that the scheme does not cover replacements for this type of equipment during the course of the school year.
Later in the summer, students beginning First Year and Fifth Year will receive appointments to collect their books during the week beginning Monday 24th August.
Student Direct Costs 2026-2027
A Way2Pay payment link for student direct costs will be issued later this week.
The breakdown of these costs for 2026-2027 is included below. They have been agreed by our Board of Management and approved by LMETB. This money funds, for example, 24 hour student insurance, lockers, extra-curricular costs, as well as a wide range of teaching, learning and assessment materials and activities. See below for a full breakdown of costs by year group.
We are acutely aware that many of our families will be experiencing challenging financial circumstances that will make it difficult for them to pay the student direct costs for next year. If you find yourself in this situation, please make contact with the school in confidence as soon as possible.
Payments can only be made using our online payment provider, Way2Pay.
You can choose to pay the full amount for each child now, or to pay in instalments using the payment schedule below.
Note that certain subjects have curricular elements that require students to take part in off-site activities, such as Leaving Cert Geography, Biology and PE. These costs are not included in the breakdown below as they don’t apply to all students. Where such costs exist, they will be advised by the relevant subject teacher and collected via Way2Pay close to the time of the trip/activity.
For Transition Year, the cost of all trips and activities are included in the costs listed below.
Click/tap the button below for the full breakdown of student direct costs by year group:
Students Not Returning
A reminder that, if your child is not returning to the school in September, please let us know as soon as possible by contacting the Main Office if you have not already done so.
Uniforms
Uniforms are available from SchoolUniformsDirect.ie and Blondelles.
For incoming first year students, visit the First Year 2026-2027 page on our website for more information on uniforms and uniform fittings.
As we head into the summer months and where you may be purchasing new or replacement uniform items, we would ask you to take particular note of the following reminders about the school uniform:
- Only the crested school jacket may be worn to and from school. No other jackets are permitted.
- School shoes must be plain black leather only. No other colours or materials are acceptable.
- Runners for PE must be athletic/sports runners. Casual footwear or runner boots are not acceptable.
Our Uniform Policy is available on our website.
Calendar & Return to school - August 2026
The 2026-2027 school year will commence from Thursday 27th August 2026 for 6th year students, with all other year groups returning over the subsequent few days. The 2026-27 school will end on Friday, 4th June 2027 and the 2027 State Exams will begin on Wednesday 9th June 2027.
See specific dates and times below:
The draft calendar for the school year is available below.
Please note: This calendar has been produced to assist in forward planning and is subject to change. During the school year, only the school calendar on Compass should be relied upon as accurate.
Please note the following dates of school holidays and closures for 2026-27:
- September 2026 – Thursday 24th – Friday 25th – School Closed
- October 2026 – Monday 26th – Friday 30th – Mid-Term Break
- December 2026 – Monday 7th – School Closed
- December 2026 – Tuesday 15th – School Closed (Staff Training)
- December 2026/January 2027 – Wednesday 23rd December 2026 – Tuesday 5th January 2027 – Christmas Break
- January 2027 – Monday 28th – School Closed (Staff Training)
- February 2027 – Monday 1st – School Closed (Public Holiday)
- February 2027 – Monday 15th – Friday 19th – Mid-Term Break
- March 2027 – Wednesday 17th – School Closed (Public Holiday)
- March/April 2027 – Monday 22nd March – Friday 2nd April 2027: Easter Break
- May 2027 – Monday 3rd – Tuesday 4th – School Closed
- June 2027 – Friday 4th – School ends at 12.30. Summer Holidays begin.
Once again, we deeply appreciate your help and support over the last academic year. We wish all members of the school community a happy and safe summer break and we look forward to welcoming students back in August.
Yours faithfully,
Colm Connolly
Deputy Principal
Donna Kelly
Deputy Principal
John McCarthy
Deputy Principal