Back to School Information for Parents/Guardians

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Dear Parents/Guardians,

As we prepare for our return to school it is important to note the following:

Use of Journal

  • Each student is required to have their school journal with them every day. One journal is provided free of charge; however, any replacements must be purchased.

  • The journal is used by students to record requests to use the toilet, and it also serves as a communication tool between parents/guardians and the school. Parents/guardians can use the journal to explain a student’s absence or lateness. Alternatively, they may contact the school through VSWare or by leaving a voicemail.

Timetable: 

  • Each student will receive a timetable, which should be either written into or attached inside their journal.
  • Parents/guardians can also view their child’s timetable at any time through the VSWare app.

School Day: 

Classes begin each day at 8:55am. Students are encouraged to arrive by 8:45am to allow time to prepare and organise their belongings.

The first break or “small break” takes place at 10:55am. Students may bring their own snack or avail of food and drink provided by the school. Please note that no student is permitted to leave the school grounds during this short break.

The second break, or “big break,” runs from 1:05pm to 1:45pm. First Years must remain on school premises and are expected to use the yard or canteen during this time. Students in 2nd–6th Year may leave the school grounds if they wish, or alternatively remain in the canteen. Those leaving the premises must ensure they return on time for the 1:45pm bell.

School ends at 3:45pm each day, except on Wednesdays when it finishes earlier at 1:05pm. If the school needs to close at any other time, parents/guardians will be notified directly.

Lateness: 

If your child is late for school it is their responsibility to get a note from parents/guardians in their journal or on VSWare or contact the school office.

When a student arrives late they should go to their classroom, knock on the door, apologise and show the teacher your note from your parents.

If a student arrives to school late 3 times in the same term with no explanation, the student will receive a Wednesday detention.

– If a student continues to arrive to school late then further sanctions may apply:
– Suspension
Communication: 
  • Our school uses the VSWare app to share information specific to your child. Through the app, you will receive push notifications with important updates such as attendance records, term reports, and other relevant information.
  • Parents/guardians can also use VSWare to send Vmails (similar to emails) to your child’s year head/teachers and to update their child’s attendance in advance if they will be late or have an upcoming appointment
  • The school will also use the VSWare app to send notifications relevant to the entire school community, such as early closures or weather warnings.
  • You can also contact the school directly via e-mail and phone, go to www.northmonastery.ie/contact for details.

 

Toilet Breaks: 

  • •Toilets will be closed for the first and last ten minutes of every class.
    •You must get your journal signed to have permission to use the toilet.
    •No Journal – No Toilet during class time.
    •Only toilets next to sports hall to be used during breaks.
    •If you are caught in the toilet without your journal signed you may be sent home.

 

Uniform: 
    • Shirt, jumper, grey pants, black type footwear
    • No hoodies or half zips
    • PE – School tracksuit only on PE days. You can come in wearing the school tracksuit on PE days.

 

School bag: 

  • All students are expected to have a school bag every day.

    Students who do not have a school bag are required to give an explanation via:

    •The school journals
    •VSware/Vmail
    •Phone call to the main office

    If a student arrives in school without his school bag and no explanation has been made, the office will contact home to arrange for:

    •The student to return home to get his school bag
    •The parent to drop his school bag to the school

    If a student continues to arrive in school with no uniform then further sanctions will apply:

    •Wednesday detention
    •Suspension

 

Leave School Early 

  • If your child needs to leave school early provide the Year Head/Deputy Principal/Principal with a note or contact via VSWare or contact the school directly.
  • Your child cannot leave the school premises until they have been given permission to leave by Year Head/Deputy Principal and/or Principal
  • Go to the main office to sign out

No Phone Zone

  • North Monastery Co-educational Secondary School is a no phone campus, therefore each student must make use of their Yondr pouch; provided by the school.
  • General Expectations:
    •All students must keep their phones in a Yondr pouch during the school day.
    •Students must carry a Yondr pouch even if they do not bring a phone.
    •Big Break Rules:
    •Off-campus during big break: Students may unlock their Yondr pouch and use their phone.
    •On-campus during big break: Phones must remain in the Yondr pouch.
    •No Phone at School:
    •A note from parents is required if a student does not bring a phone.
    •No phone and no note = Wednesday detention.
    •No Yondr Pouch at School:
    •Student must turn off phone and leave it in the main office for the day.
    •Three times in one term without a pouch = Wednesday detention.
    •Repeated offenses = further sanctions, including suspension.

Checklist for every class: 

  • •School Bag
  • •Journal
  • •Books
  • •Copies
  • •Pens/Pencil Case
  • •Yondr