Letters - Information

A selection of standard letters and school information for the current school year will be listed on these pages.

Check this page for additional copies of general correspondence.


School Self-Evaluation - Literacy

St.Mary's conducted school self-evaluation in literacy during the 2012/13 and 2013/14 school years, this report was presented to the Board of Management in June 2014. Staff, pupils and parents were surveyed, focus groups were held and standardised tests were analysed. The following is a summary of this report


Strengths:


Teachers' Practice

1. There are strong positive staff relationships and collegiality. Dedicated, talented and enthusiastic teachers work collaboratively with support staff for the benefit of all pupils.

2. A strong knowledge base has been developed in the areas of Learning Support / Resource Teaching and Special Class Teaching.

3. Previous inspection reports commented favourably on the standards of literacy in general in the school. It was also observed that good discipline and work ethic was evident.


Learning Experience


1. The school is well resourced for literacy and has built up a solid bank of teaching materials aimed at improving literacy including reading cards, comprehension materials and second reading schemes. Each classroom has an extensive library. ICT is used effectively, interactive whiteboards are used in all learning spaces, a pupil learning portal is in development.

2. Each teacher aims to provide a print rich learning environment.

3. There is good support for children with learning difficulties.

4. Regular access to local facilities such as Monaghan Branch Library and Monaghan Museum enriches pupils' learning experience.


Learner Outcomes


1. There is an expectation of excellent standards of work and behaviour from all pupils.

2. All new entrants are screened to evaluate their learning needs.

3. Standardised Test Results and pupil profiles (including self-penned) are used to define differentiated work for individual pupils.


Priorities for improvement: Literacy


1. To continue to aim for all pupils to maintain / improve their Standardised Test scores and to continue to track the progress of individual pupils.

2. To motivate and inspire reluctant readers to become habitual and confident readers.

3. To ensure all assigned pupil reading at home is monitored by parents by the use of Reading Records/ homework journal.


Reading

is to the mind what exercise is to the body.

Required Actions:


` 1. The introduction of a 'power hour' a Literacy Hour - pupils in each class to be grouped to cover four different aspects of literacy through the station teaching model or similar.

2. To develop greater interest in reading - Ten minutes of 'free reading time' is to be held daily.

3. Pupils to keep a scrapbook of written samples as they move through the school to show continuity and change over time (to begin with current 2nd Class).

4. All pupils (2nd - 6th) will use a free writing copy in addition to their creative writing copy to help them further develop their creative writing skills.

5. Parents will be encouraged to read to their children / with their children at home.

6. School events such as a Reading Month, World Book Day,Writing Festival etc. will be used to promote literacy.


How Can a Parent / Guardian Promote Literacy at Home?


All parents/guardians should encourage their child to develop the habit of reading.

This can be achieved by:

1. Listening to your son's homework reading from school (Mon - Thur).

2. Asking him about his reading, checking does he understand new words, check to see does he understand the story.

3. Reading part of the story to him, take an interest in his reading.

4. Signing his journal to show you've listened to his reading.

5. Modelling good habits in relation to reading. Read in front of your child, show him that you read too.

6. Limiting screen time. Every minute engaged watching television, on a computer and/or games console or mobile phone is time lost to your child's progress in literacy.

7. Having fun. Join the Monaghan Branch library, there are many books available and best of all, it's free.

Literacy initiatives such as station teaching and differentiated group work are in place all classes. All reading materials are being assessed and graded to multiple reading levels using the Reading Recovery method. It is planned to assign every child to their reading level and to provide them with reading material appropriate to this level.

Scoil Mhuire Muineachán                      School Improvement Plan
- Literacy

1.0       Summaryof Strengths

Learner Experience

1.1       The school is well
resourced for literacy - solid bank of teaching materials including reading
cards, comprehension materials and second reading schemes. Each classroom has
an extensive library. ICT is used effectively, interactive whiteboards are used
in all learning spaces; a pupil learning portal is in development.

1.2       Each teacher aims to provide a print rich learning environment.

1.3       There is good support for children with learning difficulties.

1.4       Regular access to local facilities such as Monaghan Branch Library and Monaghan Museum enriches pupils'
learning experience.

Learner Outcomes

1.5       There is an expectation of excellent standards of work and behaviour from all pupils.

1.6       All new entrants are screened to evaluate their learning needs.

1.7       Standardised Test Results and pupil profiles (including self-penned) are used to define
differentiated work for individual pupils.

Additional Information

·      PATphonics programme  in Second and/or Third Class

·        Cursive handwriting is taught from  Second Class

2.0       Areas Requiring Improvement

2.1 Standardised test results.

2.2       Motivate reluctant readers to become habitual and confident readers.

2.3       Encourage parental involvement with their child's reading

3.0       Improvement Targets

3.1       To continue to aim for all pupils to maintain / improve their standardised test scores and to continue
to track the progress of individual pupils.

3.2       To motivate and inspire reluctant readers to become habitual and confident readers.

3.3       To ensure all assigned pupil reading at home is monitored by parents by the use of Reading Records/
homework journal.

4.0       Required Actions

4.1       The introduction of a 'power hour' a Literacy Hour - pupils in each class to be grouped to cover four different aspects of literacy through
the station teaching model or similar. This will be timetabled.

4.2       Reading Recovery - Two staff members to train in Reading Recovery Programme in order to employ this methodology to aid pupils with
significant difficulties as per programme targets / recommendations.

4.3       To develop greater interest in reading / habitual reading - ten minutes of DEAR  'free reading time' is to be held daily under
the supervision of class teacher.

4.3       Pupils to keep a scrapbook of written samples as they move through the school to show continuity
and change over time (to begin with current 2nd Class).

4.4       Pupils will use a free writing copy in addition to their creative writing copy to help
them further develop their creative writing skills.

4.5       Parents will be
encouraged to read to their children / with their children at home.

4.6       School events such as a Reading Month, World Book Day, Writing Festival etc. will be used to promote
literacy.

4.7  Source and introduce new readingmaterials for reading at home.

5.0       Persons Responsible

5.1       All staff.

5.2       Reading Recovery trained teachers.

5.3       Parents through parental involvement.

6.0       Timeframe for Action

6.1       Introduction of Station Teaching in class groups - term one.

6.2       Designation of October as a Reading Month -promotion of same in school.

6.2       Introduction of new Read at Home reading cards - all classes.

6.3       Monitoring of reading in the home through signed sheets.

6.4       School Newsletter - Tips for Reading with your child - term one.

6.5       Parent / Teacher Meetings (November) - Opportunity to promote reading with parents.

6.6       Writing Festival to be held every February.

6.7       Promotion of events to celebrate World Book Day in March.

6.8       Promotion of reading - Teachers to model reading - read aloud to class on a regular basis.

7.0       Success Criteria

7.1       Greater engagement in reading among all pupils - attitudinal change - pupil survey.

7.2       Improvement in standardised test results.

7.3       Greater parental awareness and involvement in child's learning - parental survey

7.4       Improvement in pupils' engagement in literacy- Teacher survey

8.0       Review Dates

8.1       Review of Station Teaching - December 2014, March 2015 and June 2015

8.2       Review and expansion of School Improvement Plan - January 2015 and June 2015


Additional Information - School Improvement Plan

Oral Language

To assess pupils using the Drumcondra Profiles, in order to establish a baseline.

·    
To introduce an oral language programme/ programmes which to challenge entire pupil cohort.

       
Pupils to participate in debating. Senior pupils to enter Primary Debating Ireland competitions in conjunction with Monaghan Education Centre.

Reading

Developthe pupils' appreciation, reading fluency and pleasure through the use of a wider diversity of reading material.

·        
Increase variety and genres of reading materials for middle & senior classes in the school library.

·Continue with our current Paired Reading programme.

Develop a range of reading comprehension strategies.

·        
Aim to continue to support all pupils, including both those in need of learning support, and exceptionally able pupils through differentiation and project work
etc.

Examine means to support parents in developing their child's literacy skills.

·        
Reading
Initiatives to encourage reading - Paired reading, DEAR, and visits to Library.

·        
DEAR
Reading - 10 minutes daily in all classes (free reading)

Writing

Promote all writing through the use of a free writing copy.

·        
Continue to develop drafting and redrafting skills at all class levels.

·        
Provide
an audience for pupils' writing with Writing Festival

·        
Review current spelling programme in all classes.

Resource Management

·        
Introduction of new reading materials in all class groups. (e..g comprehension boxes, reading cards, new reading texts)

·        
Continue to maintain and expand all class libraries.

·        
Develop a new central library as funds may allow.

·        
Promotion of sale of books in school.

·        
Development of a 'Book Bank' to allow parents to donate books to school.

Professional Development -Literacy

ReadingRecovery training in Monaghan Education Centre for two staff members.

Principal and Deputy Principal to attend SSE training.

Promotion of  literacy related training among all staff.

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