General Information
St. Patrick’s National School is a Catholic primary school under the patronage of the Bishop of Meath.
School Hours
9.20am – 2.00pm (Junior and Senior Infants)
9.20am – 3.00pm (1st – 6th Class)
Safety
Children are asked to enter and leave the school by the main gates or pedestrian gates.
Pupils are asked to walk their bicycles while on school grounds. Dogs are not permitted on the premises but can be left at the designated poles outside the front wall of the school car park.
When crossing the main street wait until Alison, our Traffic Warden, has brought all traffic to a stop before you cross. Always cross the main street where she is working.
Entry to the School
The gates open from at 9.10 a.m. each morning to cater for pupils and staff. They remain open until 9:30 a.m.
At 9:30 a.m. both gates close and anyone wishing to enter the school after that time enters via the front door.
Anyone arriving late or needing to enter the school during the school day goes to the front door and use the buzzer.
All visits are by appointment only. All visitors explain their business at reception. If visitors are going to any classroom or other part of the school building they must sign their names in the visitor’s book.
Pupils Leaving School Early
Parents/guardians calling during the day to take pupils home early for any reason must report to the secretary’s office and record the reason for taking pupils out early.
Absences
If a child is absent from school for any reason, a note of explanation should be given to the class teacher on the child’s return. If a child is absent for a total of 20 days or more during the school year, the school is obliged to notify the National Education Welfare Board.
Enrolment
Parents should complete an application for enrolment form and include a birth certificate and baptismal certificate if relevant with their application. Completing an application for enrolment form does not entitle the child to a place in the school. Each year, the principal on behalf of the Board, sets a closing date for applications, usually in February, and once the date is reached places are offered to qualified applicants. In the event that there are more applicants than there are places, the Board will allocate the places as per the enrolment policy. See full policy under Policies.
Mission Statement
St. Patrick’s N.S. is a co-educational, Catholic, primary school where we strive to promote the holistic education of every child in a warm, caring, happy and well ordered atmosphere where the intellectual, spiritual, physical, moral and cultural needs of the pupils are identified and catered for.
We aim to encourage each child:
– To become a responsible, caring member of society.
– To get the very best out of themselves and discover their talents by engaging in a broad and balanced range of curricular and extra-curricular experiences.
– To value the principles of justice and mutual respect embracing all denominations and cultures.
– To develop a lifelong love of learning.
– To participate in democratic decision-making at a whole-school level.
The spirit of the school is encapsulated in the dedication, commitment and hard work of the pupils, parents and staff.