St. Cronan’s Junior National School, Brackenstown, Swords, Co. Dublin
St. Cronan’s Junior National School,
Brackenstown, Swords, Co. Dublin.
Intercultural Policy
Introductory Statement
We formulated this policy in conjunction with the Board of Management, Staff and
Parents to cater for the needs of the large number of ‘Newcomer’ students who have
come to our school in the past 5 years.
Rationale
This policy is necessary as our school is growing considerably, leading to an
increasing challenge with regard to the needs of our pupils, parents and teachers. We
feel it is necessary to acknowledge the diversity of our school population, to instil in
our pupils the need to respect difference and to facilitate an intercultural curriculum,
for the following reasons:
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Schools are social and cultural organisations.
At times we experience issues of discrimination, both at school and in the
world.
Enrolment from the international community has been increasing each year
and we have a steady number of children from the Traveller Community
enrolling each year.
There are many ties with interculturalism and curricular areas.
Sometimes we experience problems communicating with parents and children
on a one-to-one basis and through written communications.
Relationship to Characteristic Spirit of the School.
St. Cronan’s J.N.S. is a Catholic School which promotes the principles of equality and
respect in all aspects of education and supports the concept of equal access to full
education for all our pupils. We aim to aid the full and harmonious development of
each child.
St. Cronan’s J.N.S. is an equal opportunity employer. It will employ any member of
the wider community who is suitably qualified regardless of age, marital status, race,
gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, disability or membership of Traveller
community.
Aims
By adopting an Intercultural Approach to Education we hope to:
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Develop in each child a respect for self and for others.
Promote a sense of social responsibility and justice.
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St. Cronan’s Junior National School, Brackenstown, Swords, Co. Dublin
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Develop an appreciation of difference.
Ensure each child feels valued and has a sense of who they are.
Contribute to students’ awareness of their own culture.
Recognise and value the symbolic role of the presence of mother tongues in
the school.
Provide opportunities for communication regardless of mother tongue and
enhance social skills.
Develop a sense of enquiry in our pupils, teachers and parents.
Recognise the value of different cultures in a way that enhances the status of
migrant cultures.
Guidelines
1. School Ethos
Our school ethos is in line with the ethos as set out above under ‘Characteristic Spirit
of the School’. This ethos will underpin all school activity and lay the foundations for
all policies formulated forthwith.
2. Enrolment
Our Enrolment Policy was revised in 2006. We welcome all pupils to enrol in our
school as long as places are available. The school caters for children of different
abilities, cultural backgrounds and religious beliefs. When children whose mother
tongue is not English are enrolled they will be placed in an age-appropriate class.
Access to the school is by strict adherence to our Enrolment Policy, which is
available from the school.
3. Charter of Rights
We have a Charter of Rights on display in the 1st and 2nd Classes. This will be
referred to and discussed with the children at the beginning of the year and regularly
as the need arises. (see Charter of Rights in our Anti-Bullying Policy).
4. Dealing with Racist Incidents
St. Cronan’s J.N.S. promotes the principles of equality and respect in all aspects of
education and supports the concept of equal access to full education for all our pupils.
All racist incidents will be dealt with as are bullying incidents.
For the purpose of this policy, the term ‘racism’ is used to describe any form of
discrimination against a person in the school on the grounds of their cultural
background, skin colour or religious belief. It portrays a belief that some people are
inferior because they belong to a certain ethnic, racial or cultural group. This belief
leads to attitudes of prejudice and discriminatory actions. It reinforces relationships
of unequal power.
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St. Cronan’s Junior National School, Brackenstown, Swords, Co. Dublin
A ‘racist incident’ is defined as an incident where verbal or physical aggression
targets a victim on the basis of his/her colour, religion, ethnicity, including
membership of the Traveller Community. Where the incident is felt by the victim to
be racist it may be defined as a racist incident.
It is hoped that racist incidents will be reduced by reinforcing the following measures:
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Each 1st and 2nd Class teacher will discuss the Charter of Rights at the
beginning of each school year over 5-6 lessons. It will be implemented and
referred to as appropriate throughout the year.
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Correct terms for naming people from various cultural backgrounds will be
modelled by all staff, will be used consistently when discussing such issues
and will be corrected in children who fail to use such terms. Children of
international origin will be referred to as “Newcomer Children”.
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This terminology will be used at the September Induction Meeting for the
parents of newcomer children.
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S.P.H.E. will focus on citizenship, self-esteem and respect and will refer to
such themes as feelings, difference and describing people.
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St. Cronan’s is a safe place for our children. The children will be encouraged
to talk about any incidences, which threaten their sense of security.
5. Home-School Links / Parental Involvement
It is appreciated that healthy home-school links are central to all children attending
the school. It is particularly important that the school forges very good home-school
links with our newcomer children.
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All parents can approach the class teacher with regard to any concerns they
have. Parents are requested to make an appointment to facilitate an adequate
discussion of their concerns.
In the school corridor a display featuring a world map, flags and photographs
of all nationalities attending our school and ‘hello’ in many languages,
welcomes visitors and pupils of all nationalities to our school. An
International Calendar highlighting world celebrations also adds to the
welcoming environment.
It has come to our attention that not all parents understand the notices that are sent
home to parents. There are also other procedures that need clarification. To deal with
these problems the following measures are now being taken.
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An induction meeting will be held in September between the Principal, the
Language Support Teacher/s and the parents of newcomer children. This will
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St. Cronan’s Junior National School, Brackenstown, Swords, Co. Dublin
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help to ensure that parents understand the role of the school, the expectations
of the school and the expected role of parents.
Each class teacher and language support teacher will meet with the parents of
newcomer children at the parent/teacher meeting to reinforce a build on the
above.
All teachers have parent/teacher report forms that use symbols to help the
parents to understand how their child is faring at school.
The School Enrolment form has been translated into Russian and Polish.
The School Information Booklet has been translated into Russian and Polish.
Booklets containing information on the Irish education system are available in
Russian, Polish, Czech, Arabic, Romanian, Albanian, French and Croatian.
These booklets will be available from the school at all times, distributed at the
September Induction Meeting for infant parents and when a child joins our
school. Other key notes/notices will be translated as deemed necessary.
We hope to have this Newcomer Information form translated into Russian and
Polish by September 2008.
Parents are notified about early closing times and school holidays through
notes home and clear signs on windows and doors.
Language support teachers are available to meet newcomer parents on an
informal basis in the mornings between 9.00 – 915 a.m.
The office staff always endeavour to clarify forms and procedures in the
school.
Where possible another parent who speaks the same language will be found to
help a parent.
6. Integration of Parents and Pupils
To encourage more parents to become involved in the school curriculum and to
integrate newcomer children the following activities/procedures have become our
policy.
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“One World Day / Week” will be held each year in the Summer.
This will involve ….
 Children making flags of the various nationalities within their class.
 Dressing up in the national costume/sports shirts of their
countries/counties of origins.
 Parents bring in interesting artefacts from their country of origin and
discuss with class.
 The teacher/volunteer parent reading a story/poem, singing a song
and/or introducing music from various countries represented in the
class.
 The teacher/volunteer parent discussing education, food, family life,
festivals, etc. of various countries with older pupils.
 Holding a music or dance event highlighting a particular culture.
 Integrating the Olympics and World Cup soccer themes/events on
appropriate years.
 The teacher exploring different cultures through art/drama activities
and games.
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St. Cronan’s Junior National School, Brackenstown, Swords, Co. Dublin
 Providing resources/ideas for teachers to help put the above into
action.
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On World Book Day parents/teachers will read stories/legends from different
countries.
Older children attending Language Support groups will do a project on their
country of origin. This will be shared within the group and the class. Parental
input will be an important part of these projects.
We have a newcomer information form, which enables teachers to gain extra
information about the child’s cultural background including useful words from
their language.
Newcomer parents are encouraged to join the Parents Association, which
holds meetings monthly on Mondays. It is hoped that they will help with
fundraising events and possibly bring new events, which promote integration
in the school.
All parents are encouraged to attend M.I.S.T. meetings for Senior Infant
children.
All parents are encouraged to help with Shared Reading in the classrooms.
All parents are encouraged to help on school outings.
All parents are encouraged to attend the Christmas Concert and help with
costumes.
Including an intercultural theme in the annual Christmas concert in December.
For example Christmas songs from different countries/dances from different
countries.
All parents are encouraged to attend various shows performed in the
classroom.
All parents are invited in to view class projects.
Day to day communication between parents and teachers is encouraged. For
example helping with queries as the children leave the school at home-time.
Teachers are made aware of various religious festivals so that they can be
acknowledged in the classroom without retracting from the dominance of the
Catholic ethos.
Teachers actively welcome newcomer children when they start school. Each
teacher has a checklist of information they could gather about a child coming
to school (See NCCA Intercultural Guidelines, pg. 35). They are also
provided with guidelines by the Language Co-Ordinator in September.
Language Support Co-Ordinator making him/herself available to help
newcomer parents.
Open day is usually held in March. All children and their parents are invited.
All parents are included in the drawing up of school policies when necessary /
relevant.
7. Language Acquisition
When international parents enrol their child in the school, details will be taken of the
mother tongue of the child. The following good practice will take place.
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Children should continue to use their mother tongue at home.
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St. Cronan’s Junior National School, Brackenstown, Swords, Co. Dublin
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Children will be given a settling in period before they are requested to
participate in all oral language activities in the class.
Children of the same mother tongue are free to converse in this language
during the school day.
Children will be encouraged to teach the class some basic words from their
native language (e.g. hello, thank you, please, goodbye). This will only be
requested when the teacher deems the child ready.
English classes will be given where possible by the Learning Support /
Language Support Teachers where time allows. Newly enrolled children
experiencing English language difficulties will be given intensive, structured
lessons.
All world festivals as relevant to our pupil population will be accepted and
acknowledged when possible by the school community. All teachers have access to
Multifaith (Multicultural) calendars, which explain some of the major festivals and
celebrations. There are also many relevant books, information files and worksheets
available in the Language Support Room. It is acknowledged that it may take several
years for teachers to learn subtleties of such celebrations.
The school is in the process of sourcing dual language books for newcomer children.
8. Homework.
In as far as is possible all children will get the same homework. Exceptions will be
made for newly enrolled children experiencing language difficulties. In such cases the
homework will be matched to the ability of the child. As much support as is possible
will be sought from the parents to facilitate maximum learning of the child.
Once the newcomer children have attained a proficient level of English, they will be
requested to attempt the homework as set out for that particular class.
The Language Support Teacher will liase with class teachers about any homework
problems the child may be experiencing and will help when possible.
Language Support Teachers regularly send home language work completed by the
newcomer children so that the parents are aware of the work they are doing and can
discuss / develop it with them.
9. Attendance / Punctuality
The attendance issues as presented in the Education Welfare Act (2000) will be
brought to the attention of all parents in an explanatory letter in September. Absences
are monitored by the Attendance Representative of the school.
All parents are encouraged to drop off and collect children at the appropriate times.
Teachers keep a record of children who are collected late and send a letter home after
3 late collections.
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St. Cronan’s Junior National School, Brackenstown, Swords, Co. Dublin
10. School Information booklet.
Our school booklet is issued to all parents when their child starts school. It has been
translated into Polish and Russian. Newcomer parents also receive a general booklet
explaining the Irish Primary School Education System when appropriate. This is
available in Arabic, Romanian, Portuguese, Albanian, Czech, Croatian, French,
Russian, Polish and English. We consider the booklet an essential reference book for
parents as it contains information about:
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Our background
Our vision, mission ethos.
Our Board of Management
The structure of school management.
Our Parents Association.
Our Discipline Policy and disciplinary difficulties.
The school day and the school year.
Punctuality and attendance.
Access to the school.
Traffic.
Early home going.
School uniforms and jewellery
Mobile phones / games
Health and hygiene
Homework
Retention of pupils
Parent – teacher contact / appointment
Appointments with principals.
Staff meetings
Television
Preparing your child for school
Special needs and learning support.
Educational assessment.
Intercultural education.
The first day at school
Home-school communication
Curricular subjects
Extra curricular activities
Money matters
Emergency closing.
This booklet is updated regularly as is information on the school website.
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St. Cronan’s Junior National School, Brackenstown, Swords, Co. Dublin
11. Induction of New Pupils
It is our policy to place new pupils in age appropriate classes, regardless of e.g.
linguistic ability in English. When a newcomer parent/child arrives at the school they
are introduced to the class teacher and the language co-ordinator. The Deputy
Principal will show the child around the school. We hope this will alleviate some
anxiety felt by both the parents and the pupil. Parents will also be asked if the child
knows anybody in the school. If they already know a child in the class, the new child
will be put sitting beside him/her or another child of the same nationality for the
initial induction period. If the known child is in a different class, every effort will be
made for the new child to meet his/her friend during yard time or break time if
deemed necessary.
Teachers actively welcome newcomer children when they start school. Each teacher
has information on how to induct a newcomer child into the class. The newcomer
parent is asked to complete a newcomer information form which will provide
information which will help welcome the child into the class, e.g. correct
pronunciation of name, key words from their first language. This will be translated
into Russian and Polish soon. The teacher also specifically requests each child to
make an effort to help the new child settle in.
The class teacher is also supported by the Language Support Teacher assigned to the
class
12. Resources
As part of our Intercultural Policy textbooks are selected with due consideration to the
intercultural component.
A wide range of resources are available in the Language Support Room. (see
resource lists attached). These include:
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Books about the lives of children from different cultures / religions.
Tales from different countries.
Books / games and toys which aid the development of themes from the
Integrate Ireland Language & Training Programme.
Dolls from different countries.
Artefacts from different countries are being resourced gradually.
Pictures and flags which depict images from various countries for display
purposes.
Files containing information on all the countries from which the children hail
from including useful phrases from different countries.
Files and workbooks containing worksheets suitable for all the themes from
the Integrate Ireland Language & Training Programme.
Files containing poems, stories, games, drama and art ideas.
CD Rom ‘Become a World Explorer’
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St. Cronan’s Junior National School, Brackenstown, Swords, Co. Dublin
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CD’s with songs from different countries.
Each class teacher has a world map.
The internet is used under the supervision of teachers to gather information for
projects on different countries festivities etc.
During One World Week relevant books are made available from the local library.
13. Staff Development
In September each class teacher is given an information pack, which will help induct
newcomer children into their class. The Language Co-ordinator also meets with the
Language Support Teachers to explain the I.I.L.T. documents and programme.
General advice is given about methods and resources also.
Many teachers have attended courses provided by I.I.L.T. and are encouraged to
attend courses and conferences dealing with E.S.L. and Interculturalism. The
Language Co-ordinator reports back to the principal and staff on courses / relevant
information she has obtained from such courses.
Language Support teachers provide advice and support to class teachers.
Teachers have access to the resources listed under the previous heading.
14. Special Needs.
After one year at school any child identified as needing a psychological assessment
will be referred to the N.E.P.S. psychologist. Priority will be given to children with
the most severe needs.
Curriculum
All children have access to all areas of the curriculum. Parents have the right to
absent their child from religious education. No child will be eliminated from
activities, competitions or projects due to their race or religious belief.
Teachers are encouraged to acknowledge special celebrations of different world
religions relevant to their class, e.g. Diwali in October or Chinese New Year. We
have an Inter Faith calendar on display in the corridor and in the staffroom. Parents
from other religious backgrounds are also a great resource. The Catholic ethos of the
school will always be to the foreground as we celebrate diversity in our school.
As new policies are revised and drawn up an intercultural component will be
included.
Each Language Support Teacher keeps records of their pupils progress referring to the
English Language Proficiency Benchmarks. These records are passed on each year to
the next Language Support Teacher.
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St. Cronan’s Junior National School, Brackenstown, Swords, Co. Dublin
Success Criteria
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We will deem this policy successful if the following criteria is fulfilled:
An improvement in school attendance and punctuality in Traveller and
Newcomer Children.
An increase in the number of parents (particularly Traveller and Newcomer
parents) attending parent teacher meetings / parent association meetings /
school meetings / school social events.
Newcomer Children experiencing English language difficulties receive the
appropriate language support.
The school community experiences a welcoming supportive and inclusive
learning environment, which fosters the development of self-esteem and the
full potential of each child.
Roles and Responsibility
It is the overall responsibility of the principal to ensure that teachers are aware of the
Intercultural Policy.
The Language Co-ordinator will have specific duties for the implementation of the
policy.
Mentors will bring the policy to the notice of newly qualified teachers at their
inaugural meeting.
The Parents Association will ensure that Newcomer Parents are made aware of the
role and function of the association and will encourage their participation by giving a
talk at the Newcomer Parent Meeting held in September.
Timeframe for Implementation
The decisions as laid out in this policy take effect from 1 May 2008.
It is expected that the policy will be completed and ready for implementation by April
2008.
Timeframe for Review
The policy will be reviewed annually and at staff meetings as required.
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St. Cronan’s Junior National School, Brackenstown, Swords, Co. Dublin
Responsibility for Review
The Language Co-ordinator will ensure each staff member has a copy of the policy
prior to the review date.
Teachers will be given an opportunity to present their views on the policy at a staff
meeting.
The secretary of the Parent’s Association will be given a copy of the policy for
presentation at the next Parent Association meeting.
Ratification and Communication.
This policy will be presented to the Board of Management in March 2008. It will be
made available to the Parents Association in April 2008.
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