1. St. Mary’s Primary School P5, P6, P7 Parents’ Information September 2015

2. School Procedures Dinner money-£2.30 per day, paid on Monday morning in a sealed envelope. Pupil registration 8.45 am - after this a child is marked late. Each pupil must have a completed emergency contact form. If you change address or telephone number, please contact the office and let us know. School fund-£20 per year per child or £30 per family. Please ensure your child brings a bottle of water to school each day.

3. Home - School Partnership We value open communication between school and home. It is very important that children see there is a positive relationship. If there are any problems or questions, please make an appointment to see the class teacher in the first instance. PTA would welcome new members. Fund raising important in present economic climate.

4. Home school communication Newsletters. School text message. School website. Reading record. Speak to your child’s teacher on request through the office. Homework books. Telephone the school. Send a note to your child’s teacher.

5. School Rules/Expectations Arrive to school on time. No sweets, chewing gum, fizzy drinks etc. Mobile phones are not allowed in school. Earrings and jewellery are discouraged. The school uniform must be worn at all times (sporting activities). Any form of bullying will not be tolerated-parents will be informed. (Cyber bullying; internet/ mobile phones.) Children are discouraged from taking money or items of value to school. Ask for help if needed.

6. Self Esteem and Positive Behaviour We use the Weekly Merit reward scheme throughout Key Stage 2. Individual classroom rules are established with the children and children are reminded of the school rules during assembly. Credit is given for both work and behaviour in and around the school. Playground Buddies. School Council and ECO Council.

7. BandCurricul um Level ColourPrimary 1 Primary 2 Primary 3 Primary 4 Primary 5 Primary 6 Primary 7 1Working Towards Level 1 PINK 2Working Towards Level 1 RED 3Working Towards Level 1 YELLO W 4Working Towards Level 1 BLUE 5Working Within Level 1 GREEN 6Working Towards Level 2 ORANG E 7Working Towards Level 2 TURQ- UOISE Progressive Reading Bands at St Mary’s

8. BandCurricul um Level ColourPrimary 1 Primary 2 Primary 3 Primary 4 Primary 5 Primary 6 Primary 7 8Working Within Level 2 PURPL E 9Working Within Level 2 GOLD 10Working Towards Level 3 WHITE 11Working Within Level 3 LIME 12Working Within Level 3 Towards Level 4 BEIGE (CM 10) 13Working Towards Level 4 DARK PINK (CM 11) Progressive Reading Bands at St Mary’s

9. Homework Pupils should be able to complete their homework independently and should be encouraged to read the instructions before beginning the activity. Presentation is very important, homeworks should always be given a title and date. Parents or guardians need to sign the completed homework activities each night and check their diary.

10. Homework Homework Nights-Monday to Thursday Every Night-Reading (parents/guardians need to listen to their child read each night and question them on what they have just read.) Please note: A Reading book will not be sent home if the previous book has not been returned to school. (A cost of £5 will be charged for mislaid books) Spellings (test book needs to be signed and returned each week.) At Regular intervals Revise number facts, especially multiplication tables.

11. Homework Primary 5 One written homework each night, maths or English and occasionally, geography or science. Primary 6 & 7 Maths written homework each night and usually one other.

12. Curriculum Language and Literacy Mathematics and Numeracy The Arts The World Around Us (science, history & geography) Personal Development and Mutual Understanding Physical Education

13. Curriculum Personal Development and Mutual Understanding concentrates on the development of children’s: knowledge; attitudes; skills; relationships; behaviour that can be utilised in and outside the classroom; thinking skills and personal capabilities; emotional awareness; values; and life skills.

14. Extra Curricular Activities Netball/Table Tennis - Fridays 2.15pm-3.45pm (children not collected on time will be escorted back to school) Gaelic Football -Tuesdays 2.45-3.45pm and Fridays 2pm–3.30pm Soccer - Girls and Boys – Wednesdays 2.45-3.45pm and Fridays 2pm – 3.30pm African Drums, Violin, Choir, Brass, Guitar Fabulous Food Club, Art and Craft, Bowls, board games -Fridays 2pm – 2.45pm Cross Country Gardening Club Fun Fit – Mondays 2.45pm – 3.45pm Irish Dancing - Tuesdays 2.45pm-3.45pm Gymnastics - Wednesday 2.45pm-3.45pm Drama-Thursdays 2.45pm-3.45pm

15. Policies available at www.stmarysbanbridge.com Homework Child Protection Anti-Bullying Policy Positive Behaviour Policy Health and Safety Policy Special Needs Policy Pastoral Care Policy Internet Safety Policy A Parent’s Guide to Facebook Parental Complaint Policy

16. Child Protection Please enter the school building at reception. Report to office. Children are not allowed to open the entrance doors for adults. Adults must not use children's toilets. If your child is leaving school for an appointment obtain a permission slip from the office. If your child is absent from school please inform the teacher in writing regarding that absence.

17. School Safeguarding Team Mr O’Hagan Mr Martin Mrs Flanagan Mrs Henry Mrs Byrne (BoG) Canon L Stevenson (BoG)

18. Children's Safety Car Park - please avoid using. Use St Therese Car Park and Reilly Street. Please take care when using St Therese Car Park – children moving around. Please take care when crossing Scarva Road. Children tend to follow adults rather than wait on green light. Internet safety – Facebook, texting, internet use. Internet Safety Policy and Facebook Guide-available on school website.

19. Assessment – CBA/CATs InCAS have been replaced by CBA Computer Based Assessment (NINA & NILA). Suspended for this year due to various problems. CATs – learning styles/overall picture of child. A computer based diagnostic assessment Pupils will begin to sit the assessments in October Reporting to parents Thursday 22 nd & Monday 26 th October at Parent/Teacher meetings.

20. P6/P7 Post-Primary Transfer Test Two different test formats AQE/CEA Test (Banbridge Academy) and PPTC GL Assessment (Newry Schools) P6 parents should discuss with their child’s P6 teacher whether their child is capable of sitting the tests. NFER, PIM, PIE, CATs results should help inform your decision. Additional information will be made available to P6 parents at transfer meeting on 19 November 2015.

21. P7 Post-Primary Transfer Test AQE/CEA (Banbridge Academy) Test Dates Saturday 7 November 2015 Saturday 21 November 2015 Saturday 28 November 2015

22. Post-Primary Transfer Test PPTC Assessment (Newry Schools) Test Dates Saturday 14 November 2015 Saturday 5 December 2015- Supplementary Test Paper.

23. Post-Primary Transfer Attend Open Nights - discuss with your child Transfer Booklet will be sent home from school Transfer form completed at home and returned to school- make at least 3 choices No parent/teacher transfer meetings as in previous years. DENI have removed funding for this.