Dear Parents/Guardians,

We hope this letter finds you safe and well. We are writing to you in relation to TY events and updates between now and February midterm.  

We were delighted to welcome back our TY students after the mid-term break following a most successful and busy first term. 

All TY students completed a second work experience block from Monday January 15^th – Friday January 26^th, 2024. Several students have not yet returned their completed work experience diary to Ms. Savage and should do so immediately. The final block of work experience will take place between Monday April 15^th -Monday April 19^th. Once again students will be asked to complete the work experience diary while on placement. 

TY students have a busy term ahead with several exciting activities and workshops, please see below  key dates and activities. Letters in relation to trips will be sent before each trip. 

• Block 3 of work experience Monday April 15^th -Friday April 19^th  2024
• TY Retreats in Botanic Gardens Glasnevin 
• Tuesday April 9th rang 4EConlon
• Wednesday April 10th rang 4JConlon
• Thursday April 11th rang 4Mitche
• Wednesday April 24th rang 4O’Reilly
• Thursday April 25th rang 4McKeon
• Wednesday May 1st rang 4Dalton
• Gaeilge trip to Causey Farm Thursday March 7^th 
• Bay-sports Water Adventure Park Athlone Thursday May 9^th
• Eisht Workshops Tuesday March 12-14^th & March 19^th -21^st
• Abba Flashmob dance workshops March 15^th & 22^nd 
• TY Mock interviews Tuesday April 23^rd 
• Memory Box interviews Monday May 13^th 
• TY Graduation Thursday May 16^th at 18.30

Please find below some key pieces of information we would like to bring to your attention and also to ask for your continued support in these areas. 

TY Volunteering 

On occasion, it is both useful and desirable for TYs to volunteer to perform certain tasks in school and outside of school. Student contribution to the school and wider community can be beneficial in various ways. We would like you to encourage your student to get involved with volunteering when opportunities present themselves in school. Volunteering for activities outside the classroom allows students to give back, increase social skills, learn new skills, explore new interests, challenge themself and boost their CV. This year our TY students have worked with SVP, Special Olympics Ireland , the Knit & Natter group in the Venue and here in school at a wide range of occasions such as in school parent/teacher/student meetings.

Dialann 

We ask that you continue to check the dialann on a daily basis to monitor your son/daughter’s progress in TY. Please initial or sign notes in the comment section to let us know you have received and read them. The pages at the back of the dialann can be used to communicate any absences or any early excuse notes.

TY Points System

Our code of behaviour is a positive one. We place more emphasis on positive behaviour. TY students will receive positive notes (plus points) from teachers for participation, effort, extra-curricular, etc. Students receive negative notes for bad behaviour. Negative notes will result in minus points. It is important that students stay on positive points or they will not be allowed to attend workshops or trips. 

Green Schools

We are making strides with our Green Schools Policy and efforts to reduce the amount of plastic waste used by the school community. All students should have a lunch box and reusable water bottle labelled with their name as single use plastic items are now prohibited in school. We commend all the efforts being made by TY students to date. 

Uniform 

Thank you for your support with the uniform policy. We are very proud of our uniform and the respect our students have for it. It is important that we maintain high standards so can you please ensure that your child wears the correct uniform to school each day. Students are not permitted to wear non-uniform items of clothing. If, for any reason, a student is missing an item from their PE uniform they must wear their usual uniform to school and will be facilitated to change for PE class. If a student arrives to school not in correct uniform they will be sent home to change. 

Homework / Key Assignments 

We are continuing to emphasise the importance of the Dialann for students in recording key assignments. If a student is absent they should consult the information shared on their subject Teams pages.

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams must be checked daily by students as it is the main platform for announcements in relation to work experience, upcoming events, TY workshops, etc.

Punctuality and Attendance 

Assembly starts at 8.40 and students should be arrive from 8.20 to organise their books. Punctuality and attendance lay important foundations for student progress and achievement. Whilst we understand that there will be medical issues arising, we advise that where possible appointments are made outside of school hours. It is imperative that every effort is made for students to attend on a regular basis. If your son/daughter is sick please contact the school and leave a message on Ms.SONeill’s extension before 8:30am or send an email to [email protected] and CC their caomhnóir. Please keep us informed of any planned absences and may we remind you that a written explanation in the Dialann is required when your child returns to school following an absence. Registration is recorded during assembly and any student who does not present will be marked absent on the official register. Students should be in their classrooms prior to 8:40 to ensure that they have time to get their books and materials ready for their classes. Where students are unavoidably late they must sign in via the main office. Students with three lates in a 5 day period will have to work back the time missed before or after school. This time will be scheduled by Ms.O’Neill.

Mobile phones

A reminder that mobile phones must be switched off during the school day. Phones will be confiscated from students if they are switched on. Students are not permitted to contact parent(s)/guardian (s) during the school day via their own phone, this must be done through their Moltóir Ms.O’Neill or the main office. 

Medical Updates

If your son/daughter has any new allergies or medical concerns you feel we need to be aware of, in order to provide best care, please inform us by phone, email or letter.  

Important Dates

Parent Teacher Student Meeting will take place Thursday 14th of March between 4:15pm and 6:45pm. 

Yours sincerely,

Aisling Savage, TY Coordinator, Sarah O’Neill, TY Moltóir, John Mc Carthy, Deputy Principal