Dear parent(s)/guardian(s),
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 ever, deeply proud of the consistent efforts of our students towards reaching their potential and we wish our Third and Sixth Year students the very best for the forthcoming State Exams.
We also want to pay a special tribute to our staff, whose professionalism and dedication are a source of great pride for us.
Planning for the 2025 -2026 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 2025-2026 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.
Junior & Senior Cycle Book Scheme 2025-2026
As you may be aware, the Book Scheme for Junior Cycle students in place for the current school year has been extended to include all students for the 2025-2026 school 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.
The expansion of the scheme to include all students is very welcome news and will remove a significant back to school cost for 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.
Anything not provided for under the scheme will be included on the usual Book and Equipment lists which will issue during the summer holidays.
Guidance for parents issued by the Department of Education about the scheme is available here.
Student Direct Costs 2025-2026
Information about Student Direct Costs for 2025-2026, including the breakdown of the costs and the payment link will issue in the coming weeks.
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 2025-2026 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.
- See below a number of examples of footwear we have seen in the most recent academic year that are not acceptable either for PE or for the regular school uniform:
Our Uniform Policy is available on our website.
End of Year Assessment & Reports – 1st, 2nd, TY & 5th Year
Assessments for students in First, Second and Fifth Year have been taking place this week.
End of year reports for 1st, 2nd, TY and 5th Year students will be available on Compass in mid-June.
State Exams – 3rd and 6th Year
For 3rd and 6th year students, state exams begin on Wednesday, 4th June 2025.
Timetables for the state exams are available below.
As is customary, breakfast will be served for all 3rd and 6th Year students on the morning of their first exam from 08.30 and we trust you will join us in wishing all students the very best with their exams.
Fun Run Fundraiser
Thank you all most sincerely for your support of our recent fundraiser.
The payment link for contributions on Way2Pay remains open.
Cineáltas - National Action Plan on Bullying
As you will be aware, the Department of Education has been rolling out a new national action plan to tackle bullying called Cineáltas.
This involves new Anti-Bullying Procedures for schools, which replace the procedures from 2013.
In line with the new guidelines and action plan, we are in the process of updating our Anti-Bullying Policy. As part of this review, we are conducting surveys to obtain the input of all members of the school community. A link to the survey for parents is included below.
We deeply appreciate your time in completing this survey and working alongside the entire school community to ensure that all children can feel safe and secure in school.
The survey will remain open for responses until Sunday, 8th June 2025.
Home-Based Summer Programme 2025
The Department of Education’s Summer Programme for children with complex special educational needs is now open for registration.
If you believe your child is eligible for the programme but have not heard from the school in relation to the programme, please contact the Main Office before Wednesday, 4th June 2025.
20th Anniversary
As you know, this September marks the 20th Anniversary of the school’s opening.
We look forward to a range of activities and events in the new academic year to celebrate this important milestone in the life of our community.
A reminder that our 20th Anniversary Fourth Whole School Photograph remains available to order from Tempest Photography using the link previously issued via Compass.
Planning for 2025-2026
The 2025-2026 school year will commence from Wednesday 20th August 2025 for 6th year students, with all other year groups returning over the subsequent few days. We will let you know about specific dates and times for each year group during the summer holidays.
Once again, we deeply appreciate your help and support this year.
Colm Connolly
Deputy Principal
Donna Kelly
Deputy Principal
John McCarthy
Deputy Principal
