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*Please see two new notes at the bottom of this Home Page in relation to the school closures of January 2021.*
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Letter From Principal
Principal's Welcome
St Patrick’s Boys’ National School was established in 1894. It is a vibrant, welcoming and supportive environment, located in the heart of Drumcondra on the DCU St Patrick’s Campus. While we are a Catholic school, and operate under the patronage of the Archdiocese of Dublin, we are inclusive and welcome all faiths and traditions. We are a vertical school, housed in two buildings, catering for pupils from Junior Infants to 6th class, along with two Special Language classes.
Our school community includes almost 500 children, 29 teachers, 8 Special Needs Assistants, our Speech and Language Therapist, Secretary and Caretaker. We are also fortunate to have an active Board of Management and a wonderfully supportive parent body, represented by our hard-working Parents’ Association.
For parents of children with special educational needs
NCSE have created a dedicated phone line for parents to get advice and support from SENOs. The SENO will provide support and advice to parents and where relevant provide specific resources e.g. behaviour strategies, NEPS well-being resources. If necessary parents can book a subsequent appointment with the SENO assigned to their child’s school. This new phone number is 01 603 3456 (from Monday 11 January).
For students who might be moving between schools in September 2021, SENOs will undertake structured engagement with relevant students and their families. This engagement will involve advice and support on transition strategies appropriate to the student, along with support in securing a school placement where required.
SENOs will continue to provide a series of webinars for parents of students with special education needs starting primary school in September 2021.
The NCSE has a Visiting Teacher service which provides direct support to children who are blind/visually impaired and deaf/hard of hearing and their teachers. Visiting Teachers continue to be available to provide advice and support to parents, students and teachers during this period of remote teaching and learning. Visiting Teachers will undertake structured engagement with the families of students to whom they currently provide support to. This engagement will involve an initial check in with advice on available supports and resources. In particular, the Visiting Teacher will provide support on the use of assistive technology in the home. The Visiting Teacher will agree a programme of regular engagement with the student and family as required and will remain available to respond to emerging queries over the course of remote teaching and learning. Contact details for visiting teachers are available at https://ncse.ie/vt_contact_
details. If parents experience difficulties contacting their Visiting Teacher they should call 01 603 3200. NCSE will also be releasing a brand new suite of short videos for parents. Topics will include managing behaviour; establishing positive routines; building in movement breaks etc.
NCSE will also be updating and enhancing its range of resources for parents available at https://ncse.ie/parent-
resources many of which were created with specific reference to remote teaching and learning.
Dear Parents/Guardians,
The Government announced on 6th of January 2021 that schools will remain closed for the month of January. While we are disappointed that school will remain closed, we recognise that the country is in the midst of a public health emergency. A three week period of remote learning commences on Monday, 11th January.
A remote learning experience will be delivered, using Seesaw from Infants to 3rd class, and Google Classroom from 4th to 6th class. The school recognises that remote learning presents many challenges for families. Work will be assigned, and we encourage families to do what is possible in the context of their own circumstances. Our communications are not intended to overwhelm, but rather provide guidance.
You will appreciate that the approach taken by Junior Infant classes will be different to that taken by a teacher of 6th class, and teachers will let you know the plan that will take place with their class.
Please contact the class teacher or school (secretary@saintpats.ie) if you encounter difficulties. Families that require a device for home learning should contact the school.
Please contact the class teacher or school (secretary@saintpats.ie) if you encounter difficulties. Families that require a device for home learning should contact the school.
I wish the school community well in the coming weeks, and we look forward to the safe return to school on 1st February.
Kind regards,
Natasha Bassett
(Principal)
(Principal)