Annual Board Report 2014-15 Scoil Mochua
1. Management
1.1 Board of Management (BOM)
Our Board for is as follows:
John Brennan (Secretary), Aoife Griffin (Teachers’ Nominee), Fr Patrick Browne
(Chairperson), Josephine Sinnott (Patron’s Nominee), Angela Lawless (Treasurer and Parent
Nominee), Martin Dempsey (Parent Nominee and Safety Officer); Mary FitzGerald, Peter
Kennedy (Community Nominees)
John Brennan was ratified as Designated Liaison Person (DLP) and Miss Aoife Griffin as
Deputy DLP on 8/9/2015.
Meetings
The Board met 6 times this year. The Board building sub-committee met 4 times and the
critical incidence team met once.
Fr Browne and Mr Brennan attended Board training on Interviewing on 26/5/2015
Policies Ratified by BOM 2014-15
Child Protection
AntiBullying Policy
Code of Behaviour
Equality of Access & Participation
Curricular Action Plan
Data Protection
Acceptable Use Policy
Admissions Policy
Critical Incidence Policy
School Improvement Plan Gaeilge
8/9/2014
8/9/2014
8/9/2014
8/9/2014
8/9/2014
27/1/2015
27/1/2015
27/1/2015
27/01/2015
10/3/2015
The school underwent a WSE MLL in from September 15th – 17th 2015. The Board was very
pleased with the Report as it affirmed the excellent work of the staff. A copy of the report is
on display in our reception and is available for down load on our school website
www.oulartns.scoilnet.ie or www.education.ie .
Our finances are certified annually.
Policies to review next year:
 Child Protection
 Anti-Bullying
 Behaviour
 Literacy SSE
 Curriculum Action Plans
 Attendance
 School Tours
 AUP
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Annual Board Report 2014-15 Scoil Mochua



Circ 60/2009
Gaeilge
English
1.2 In School Management
Management of Staff
Mr Kevin Nimmo was appointed this year on a fixed- term contract to replace Miss Corcoran
who is on a career break.
The Principal, Deputy and Special Duties Post Holder meet regularly as part of the In School
Management team. Mr Stuart is the Special duties post holds in the school with responsibility
for a curricular, organisational and pastoral care area. The posts are reviewed annually and
they update staff on their progress at staff meetings.
Miss Griffin’s duties: Numeracy, Enrolment, school transport, Psychological Assessments,
Roll Books, Yard duty, Deputy DLP, Active schools coordinator.
Mr Stuart: Literacy, Health and Safety and Homework Club.
Staff worked an additional 36 hours as per Croke Park Agreement. All hours are accounted
for in Staff Planning Minutes Book.
Curriculum Leadership 2014-15
Literacy
Numeracy
Gaeilge
Science
History/Geography
PE
Visual Arts
Green Flag
Music/Drama
SPHE
Student Council
Mr Stuart
Miss Griffin
Mrs Codd/Mr Brennan
Miss Lenihan
Miss Hanrahan
Miss Griffin
Miss Griffin
Mr McDonald
Mr Brennan
Mr Brennan
Mrs Codd
1.3 Management of Pupils
The BOM are familiar with the school’s code of Behaviour/Anti-bullying policies. All new
entrants’ parents must sign up to both codes before being enrolled in the school.
Scoil Mochua encourages good attendance by presenting pupils who reach 95% attendance
with a certificate of excellent attendance every term whilst also acknowledging those who
reach 100% attendance. Our attendance rate last year was 95.1% : exceeding our target of
95% while 14 pupils missed over twenty days and 10 pupils missed no days. Mr Brennan &
Miss Griffin form the Care Team which meets fortnightly to review unexplained absences.
Other strategies to improve attendance are outlined in our Attendance Policy. Our projected
enrolment for September 1st 2015 is 161.
1.4 Management of relationships with parents and the wider community
The principal attended the Parent Association (PA) AGM and arranged and end of year
meeting with the PA and BOM to discuss progress made by the BOM during the school year.
The Principal meets with the joint Chairpersons of the PA regularly between meetings.
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Annual Board Report 2014-15 Scoil Mochua
BOM agreed reports are made available to the PA and any issues arising from PA meetings
are discussed with the Principal afterwards. There is a constant flow of information between
the two bodies as some of the BOM members attend PA meetings.
The school communicates with the general parent body through a monthly school newsletter,
parish notes and text-a-parent.
The attendance rate at this year’s PT meetings was 100%. We facilitated the Parents this year
over two evenings in November using our Croke Park hours. This allowed every parent at
least 10 minutes with the relevant teacher.
1.5 Management of Resources
Human Resources
The school presently has a full time secretary, cleaner and two Special Needs Assistants. We
employ a part time caretaker to maintain the grounds: grass cutting and shrubbery. Our board
safety officer contracts locally skilled people to carry out minor repairs.
School Building
Minor works completed were:
 The School was painted over the Summer holidays.
 A new tarmac court was laid in February 2015 for the infants.
 One new interactive whiteboard was installed.
 5 new PCs were installed in the GP room.
 Fence was repaired on school perimeter.
 A new flag pole was purchased.
 All old windows will be replaced this summer under the Summer Works Scheme.
 Emergency works will take place in September to improve wheelchair access.
Health and Safety
For Security purposes our Back door is locked daily at 9.40 and Parents are requested buzz in
at the entrance lobby.
Staff complete a Health & Safety checklist quarterly and the data is acted upon by Scoil
Mochua’s H & S postholder Mr Stuart who also carries out a quarterly Risk Assessment on
the whole school grounds.
Our water quality is tested annually by Wexford County Council.
First aid kits were replenished. All staff reverse park. Fire Drills are carried out once a term
and an escape route is on display in all rooms.
Staff received training on First Aid; checking blood sugars and administering glucagon with
syringe.
Morning supervision takes place from 9.10am-9.20am.
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Annual Board Report 2014-15 Scoil Mochua
Outside Tutors
Two hurling coaches trained 1st to 6th on Fridays. Class teachers supervised the sessions. All
parents assisting at Swimming this year were vetted. All school volunteers must be vetted
from September 2015.
ICT



Fundraising will focus on upkeep of hardware and provision of suitable software.
Scoil Mochua regularly updates parents through its website
www.oulartns.scoilnet.ie
Five new PCs and one Interactive Whiteboard were purchased. It is hoped to replace
another IWB next year and to purchase extra I-Pads and PCs.
Curricular Resources
At the beginning of the School year Capitation was spent on books to restock the Book
Rental Scheme, purchase Art & Craft provisions for the year and replenish office supplies.
Continued focus was on ICT, Special Education and provision of novel sets in English.
Further investment has been made in Infant Education for the implementation of the Aistear
Programme and Ready, Set, Go Maths. The PA has been supportive financially also making
financial contributions towards school trips and acquisition of Resources.
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Annual Board Report 2014-15 Scoil Mochua
2. Teaching and Learning
2.1 Gaeilge
Ag tus na bliana na spriocanna a bhi againn ná:
Sprioc
1.
2.
3.
Gaeilge a mhuineadh
ar maidin.
Athbhreithniu ar an
bplean Gaeilge.
Dul chun cinn sa
Ghaeilge a scriobh as
Gaeilge sa Thuaraisc
ag Deireadh na bliana
Cen Fath

Nios deacra e a mhuineadh
nios deanai sa la.

Cabhru leis na muinteoiri
tacu obair leis na paisti nach
ndeanann Gaeilge.

Chun focloir/struchtuir o na
deich teamai a shoileiru.

An teanga a chothu sa bhaile
Ce
Gach rang
Cathain
I mbliana

Priomhoide agus
foireann scoile
Gach muinteoir
T1/T2

T3

Rinneamar athbhreithniu ar an nGaeilge i mbliana agus ta an SIP thios.
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Annual Board Report 2014-15 Scoil Mochua
OUR SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN

Summary of main strengths as
identified in last SSE (February
2015):


Summary of main areas
requiring improvement as
identified in last SSE:



Improvement targets (related to
pupils’ achievement)



Required actions (related to
teaching and learning that will
help to achieve the targets)





The majority of parents surveyed felt that Gaeilge was
set at the right level of difficulty for their child.
There is a high standard of Gaeilge in the school as
evident when pupils transfer to secondary.
A Print rich environment of Gaeilge throughout the
school.
More information for parents about what’s being taught.
Consistency in the teaching of the ten themes
throughout the school.
To further develop a whole school approach to the
teaching of the Ten Gaeilge themes tied to the school
calendar.
To outline a menu of struchtuir and focloir to be taught
for each theme for each class level.
To build a print rich environment for Gaeilge
throughout the school.
To publish a booklet linking each theme with the
expected learning outcomes in terms of struchtuir and
focloir for each year group.
To share this information with the parents.
To agree a whole school approach tying each theme to a
month of the year.
To build a Print rich environment of Gaeilge throughout
the school in addition to the classrooms.
First three targets: Mr Brennan
Fourth target: Mrs Codd.
Persons responsible
SEPT 2015 – JUNE 2017
Timeframe for action

Success criteria / measurable
outcomes



A consistent, calendar bound, approach to teaching the
Ten themes as in evidence in teacher C Miosiuils &
Yearly Plans.
Positive feedback from parents evident in survey.
A print rich environment that stimulates comhra among
the pupils as observed by staff.
SEPT 2018
Review dates
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Annual Board Report 2014-15 Scoil Mochua
2.2 English
Literacy action plans for 2013-14 - as part of our School Improvement Plan- were:
OUR LITERACY SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN 2013-2014
Summary of main strengths
as identified in last SSE on
(specify date):
Summary of main areas
requiring improvement as
identified in last SSE:




Teacher’s long and short term planning.
Pupils’ engagement in their learning
Overall management of pupils
A well-resourced pupil learning environment

Further focus on Assessment for Learning using
SALF (Self-Assessment & Learning Folders)
Roll out of a Shared Reading Programme from
infants to 6th in Oct/Nov to improve reading
skills and involve parents using Oxford Reading
Tree.
Discrete teaching of Comprehension strategies
to improve pupil comprehension.



Improvement targets (related
to pupils’ achievement)




Required actions (related to
teaching and learning that
will help to achieve the
targets)



Persons responsible

In MAY 2013 60% of our pupils (1st - 6th)
scored above the 50th Percentile in Vocabulary.
(Drumcondra English) We aim to increase that
to 61%
In MAY 2013 61% of our pupils (1st - 6th)
scored above the 50th Percentile in
Comprehension. (Drumcondra English) We aim
to increase that to 62%
Pupils and parents responding positively to new
programmes introduced as garnered from
questionnaires.
Input into SALF at least once a month by
pupils.
Minimum of 3 pages read by pupil & Parent 5
nights/week over 8 weeks.
Comprehension strategies taught discretely by
teachers using designated big books at least
20mins/week.



SALF – CLASS TEACHERS/MR BRENNAN
SHARED READING – CLASS TEACHERS/MR
STUART
COMP STRATS – CLASS TEACHERS/MISS
GRIFFIN
SEPT 2013 – JUNE 2014
Timeframe for action

Success criteria / measurable
outcomes



A 1% move of pupils into the 50th Percentile
plus range annually in Vocab and
comprehension scores respectively in
Drumcondra English.
Pupils and parents responding positively to new
programmes introduced as garnered from
questionnaires.
SHARED READING – JANUARY 2014
SALF/COMP STRATS - JUNE 2014
Review dates
7
Vocab
Inc from 60% - 63%
Comp
Inc from 61% - 69%
Annual Board Report 2014-15 Scoil Mochua

The following recommendation was made as part of the WSE:
In English, to progress the pupils’ oral skills further, the teachers should ensure a consistent,
schoolwide focus on developing their ability to express opinions and engage with the views
of others.
It is advised that the school expand assessment-for-learning approaches so as to
differentiate learning activities at each class level, including provision for more able learners.
These areas will form the basis for our SSE in Literacy next year. Support from PDST has
been sought.
Ongoing Action Plans in Literacy.
Action
Why
Who/When
Resources
To teach 5hrs of literacy
per week (1st – 6th ) and
4hrs (SI/JI)
To teach Peer Tutoring
programme for 6 weeks
To comply with
circular 56/11
All Classes
ongoing
To improve RA
All classes
T2
Team teaching in all
classes
To allow for
differentiated learning
and reduced ratios
To encourage Reading
for pleasure &
Information
To help pupils develop
organisational & study
skills
To encourage Reading
for pleasure &
Information
Good handwriting aids
spelling
To blend
independent/teacher
directed work.
To blend high
order/low order skills.
To ensure all Genres
are taught
To improve writing
performance &
creativity
To improve writing
and see work
published.
To move away from
commercialised
schemes and to
encourage novel
reading.
To internalizes
rhythmic patterns and
All classes
ongoing
Discretionary
time; SESE;
Drama
Sails Series;
folders
Post Holder
SET
Timetabled library slots
Continuation of
homework club
To run a Readathon for
1 week before Easter
Break
Continuation of cursive
writing programme
Station teaching
Continuation of two
writing genres per term
Free writing sessions
Use of Blog on School
Website
To use novels
To learn 3 poems
Monitored
by
Principal

Mr Stuart

Principal

2nd – 6th
ongoing
Post Holder;
Mobile Library
Mr Stuart

Targeted
pupils
ongoing
All classes
1 week
Volunteering
teachers
Post Holder
Prizes
Mr Stuart

Mr Stuart

All classes
ongoing
All classes
ongoing
Scheme
Principal

Comp boxes,
Stiles, Free
Writing Prompts
SET, Laptops,
IWB
Guidelines
Principal

Mr Stuart

Free writing
copies; Prim Ed
resource.
School website
Principal

Principal

At least 3 Novel
sets per class.
Mr Stuart

School Anthology
(TBC)
Mr Stuart

1st – 6th
ongoing
1st – 6th
ongoing
All classes
1 per month
at least
1st – 6th
All classes
ongoing
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Annual Board Report 2014-15 Scoil Mochua
One discrete Oral
Language lesson per
week (see below)
Book Club
Shared Reading
Teach Comprehension
Strategies discretely
improve memorization
skills
To develop Oral Lang
strand
And improve VOCAB
To encourage Reading
for pleasure &
Information and homeschool links
To encourage home
school links Oct 8
weeks
To improve pupil
comprehension
All Classes
All Classes
All Classes
All Classes
English policy;
Chatterbox series
PDST
Setanta Catalogue
Mr Stuart

Secretary

Oxford Reading
Tree Scheme
Mr Stuart
B Bridges books
PDST Booklet
Mr Stuart


Table 1: REPORT OF AGGREGATE STANDARDISED TEST RESULTS in ENGLISH READING
Number of students in second, fourth and sixth classes whose scores on a standardised test of
English reading fall within the following ranges in respect of tests undertaken in May 2015:
Class
STen
1
STen
2
STen
3
STen
4
STen
5
STen
6
STen
7
Second
class
Fourth
class
Sixth
class
Test administered: Drumcondra Reading Test
9
STen
8
STen
9
STen
10
Numbers
of pupils
excluded
from test
Total
enrolment
in class
Annual Board Report 2014-15 Scoil Mochua
2.3 Maths
Numeracy action plans for 2015-2016 as part of our School Improvement Plan- were:
OUR SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN


Summary of main strengths
as identified in last SSE
(February 2014):
Summary of main areas
requiring improvement as
identified in last SSE:



Improvement targets
(related to pupils’
achievement)








Required actions (related to
teaching and learning that
will help to achieve the
targets)
Persons responsible



One hr of G Allocation to be set aside for J Infants Maths Stations.
5 I-Pad Minis to be purchased by April.
Remove textbook from Junior/Senior Infants next year and purchase Ready, Set,
Go Maths manual and concrete materials.
Homework to consist of 2-4 Qs per night without workbook/textbook next year.
Information sheet to be provided to parents next September by class teachers on
topics to be covered for Term 1.
Maths talk for parents to be arranged during Maths week.
CPD on teaching Measures next year.
Using Linear, Area, Set models when teaching Fractions & Decimals






J Infants LS: Mrs Codd and Miss.
IPads: Mrs Codd
Homework/Info Sheets: relevant class teachers.
Maths talk: Mr Brennan & Miss Griffin.
Concrete materials: Miss Griffin.
CPD: Mr Brennan & Miss Griffin.



The majority of our pupils like Maths.
The majority of parents are able to assist their child with homework always
and pupils agree that it is set at the right level.

The majority of parents feel that Maths is taught at the right level of
difficulty for their child.

All teachers inform pupils of learning objectives and this is verified by
pupils.

All Planning is guided by long and short term plans.

Concrete materials are used in all classes and are preferred by pupils over
textbooks

Assessment For Learning and Differentiation is in evidence from a variety of
sources.

Teachers use the IWB/laptops and computers for Maths. This is confirmed in
pupil findings.

Problem Solving and Mental Maths are part of every lesson.

Teacher designed tests are used to assess learning.

Station teaching and CPD were the top two items listed as “things that work
well”.

The majority of pupils work in pairs or groups.

The top four items liked by pupils in our school were: using concrete
materials; teacher explanation; IT and Station teaching.

17% of parents requested more information about the methods and the
content of the School’s Maths curriculum.

34% of parents listed Problem solving as their child’s weakest area.

17% of parents listed Measure as their child’s weakest area.

Pupils and teachers favour reduced use of textbooks.

Pupils favoured keeping homework to 2-4 questions per night.

Teachers requested ICT tablets from infants to First.

Infant teacher requested having at least one Maths Station in infants.
One session of Maths Stations in Junior Infants
Use of I-Pads From Junior Infants to First
Remove textbook from Junior Infants to First with focus on Ready, Set, Go
Maths in Infants.
Homework to consist of 2-4 Qs per night without workbook/textbook
Information to parents on content taught and methods used in our school.
CPD on teaching Measures next year.
Use of concrete materials throughout the school.
Continued focus on Problem solving and mental maths.
SEPT 2014 – JUNE 2015
Timeframe for action
10







X


Annual Board Report 2014-15 Scoil Mochua

We presently have 60% of our pupils over the 50th Percentile. We aim to increase
that to 62% in Sigma T Maths.
66%
over
50th
overall.

We presently have 25% of our pupils over the 50th Percentile at Word Problems.
We aim to increase that to 30% in Sigma T Maths.
38%
over
the 50th
overall.

Pupils and parents responding positively to new programmes introduced.


JANUARY 2015
JUNE 2015
Success criteria /
measurable outcomes

Review dates
The following recommendation was made as part of the WSE:
In Mathematics, in line with the school’s improvement plan, it is recommended that an active,
problem-solving approach to Mathematics be further developed.
An active problem-solving approach was work shopped at a staff meeting in Term two and
has been introduced across the school from 1st – 6th classes. Our work on problem solving has
been successful both qualitatively and quantitatively.
An end of year review of our SIP was conducted by Miss Griffin and will be published next
September. Some ideas emerging include:



CPD in measures
More concrete materials for measures; Shape & Space; Time & Money
More i-pads and supporting apps.
Table 4: REPORT OF AGGREGATE STANDARDISED TEST RESULTS in MATHEMATICS.
Number of students in second, fourth and sixth classes whose scores on a standardised test of
Mathematics fall within the following ranges in respect of tests undertaken in May 2013:
Class
STen
1
STen
2
STen
3
STen
4
STen
5
STen
6
Second
class
Fourth
class
Sixth
class
Test administered: Sigma-T Maths Test
11
STen
7
STen
8
STen
9
STen
10
Numbers
of pupils
excluded
from test
Total
enrolment
in class
Annual Board Report 2014-15 Scoil Mochua
2.4 SESE
Green Flag
Scoil Mochua is working towards its 5th Green Flag for Biodiversity. Mr McDonald is our
Green Schools co-ordinator.
The long term aim is to link SESE thematically.
Science:
What?
To teach Science this year as per Science Plan
Year One
Human Life/Myself
Environment al Awareness/Caring for my Locality
Magnetism & Electricity
Forces
Property & Characteristics of Materials
Rationale
To ensure all
strand units are
covered and
repetition is
minimised
Who/When?
All teachers
This Year
Resources
School Plan
Science Space
Monitored By
Miss Lenihan

To create a resource boxes for each class level to support
the teaching of each strand. These boxes are to include:

Photocopiable Masters

Laminated Workcards

Relevant equipment (excluding consumables)
To support the
teaching of each
strand
Miss Lenihan
Mr Brennan
Secretarial
support
Miss Lenihan

To keep a library of resource books, DVDs and cd-roms in
the resource area
To support the
teaching of each
strand
Miss Lenihan
By end of
year
E learning
plan
Miss Lenihan

By end of
year
History:
What?
To teach Programme as per
agreed two year cycle.
Year One
Rationale
To ensure all aspects of
Prescribed curriculum
are covered.
Who/When
3rd – 6th
This Year
Resources
Two year
planner
Monitored by
Miss Hanrahan

To monitor the Artefacts
museum
As prescribed in
curriculum
Miss Hanrahan
By end of T1
Space
Budget
Miss Hanrahan

Monitored
By
Miss
Hanrahan

Geography:
What?
Rationale
Who/When?
Resources
To draw up an inventory of
resources available for geography
e.g. photographs, maps, atlases,
globes, wall charts, posters..
To designate a centralized storage
area.
To revise two year plan for
Geography
To teach Geog as per year One
Project T2 on a non-European
country
So teachers will know
what class appropriate
Resources are available.
Miss Hanrahan
T3
Budget
outlay
To ensure ease of access
Miss Hanrahan
T3
Mr Brennan
Miss Hanrahan
T1
2nd – 6th
T2
Geography Area
To ensure all strand units
are covered.
To ensure whole school
consistency
12
Geog Plan
IT Room
IWB
Mobile Library
Miss
Hanrahan
Mr Brennan

Miss
Hanrahan


Annual Board Report 2014-15 Scoil Mochua
2.5 Social Personal and Health Education. (SPHE)
What?
1.
2.
3.
To teach SPHE
Programme as per
agreed Policy
YEAR 1 (see
below)
To teach RSE
(Taking Care of
My Body) lessons
in April.
To teach Stay Safe
in January/February
Rationale
Who/When?
Resources
Monitored
by
Mr Brennan
To ensure
consistency of
approach
All class teachers
ongoing
Making the
Links
Walk Tall
RSE Manual

So Parents can be
informed beforehand
and topic is taught
wholeschool
As part of Child
Protection
recommendations
All class teachers
DVD
Lesson Plans
Mr Brennan

All Class
teachers
Stay Safe
manual
Mr Brennan

2.6 PE
What?
1.
2.
To revise PE
inventory
To block teach
certain strands.
(see table below)
3.
Active Schools Flag


Rationale
So staff know what is
available.
To share resources
and ensure certain
strands are covered.
Who/when?
Miss Griffin
T1
All class teachers
ongoing
Resources
PE Shed
Monitored by
Miss Griffin

Timetable
Miss Griffin

To encourage healthy
lifestyle
Miss Griffin
Present File
IT Support
Miss Griffin

As part of a Be Active Campaign an after school PE lesson was taught by parents
every Wednesday from January, under supervision, to 1st & 2nd classes. The campaign
was co-ordinated by Miss Griffin.
5th & 6th received rugby coaching from Ross Barber for 6 weeks.
2.7 Arts Education.
Music:
The tin whistle was taught from 2nd to 6th this year. Pupils sang regularly in Church. The
school runs a weekly Music Club with Mr Stuart, Miss Lenihan, Mr Nimmo and Mrs Codd.
Next year the school will focus on the Composing Strand.
What?
To teach tin whistle
To participate in Christmas Carol
Service the Church in December
To review Composing Strand
Rationale
Pupils will learn to play an
instrument.
So pupils will experience
performance before a large
audience
To ensure progression
throughout the classes
By When/Who?
T1
2nd – 6th
All teachers
Monitored by
Mr Brennan

Mr Brennan

T3
Mr Brennan
Mr Brennan
x
Visual Arts:
Art Resources are located centrally in a dedicated Art Prefab.
What?
Rationale
Who?When?
To ensure that Art Room has an adequate supply of
Materials at all times.
To ensure all strand units are
covered.
Miss Griffin
13
Monitored
by
Miss Griffin

Annual Board Report 2014-15 Scoil Mochua
To block teach Art
To share resources and ensure
certain strands are covered.
End of
September
Miss Griffin
Sept/NovDec
Miss Griffin

Drama:
What?
Rationale
To review suggested content for Drama
throughout the classes.
To link aspects of Drama lesson with discrete
Oral Language
A Christmas Pageant in December in the church
To aid and inform teacher
planning
To create time for formal
Oral Language instruction
Opportunity for all pupils to
experience performance
before an audience.
To celebrate Christmas
Who?By
When
Mr Brennan
Monitored by
Mr Brennan
x
All classes
ongoing
All classes
Mr Stuart

All Staff

2.8 Religion:
Fr Browne, the school Chaplin, visited the school regularly and Christmas was celebrated
with a Christmas Pageant in the Church. Pupils celebrated Communion, Confession and
confirmation this year. Prayer is a feature of school life.
2.9 Planning
Staff use a fortnightly planning template that will be gathered monthly as a record of short
term planning. Fortnightly plans are also stored digitally centrally in the schools server. This
year teachers agreed a standardised Template for Yearly Plans. Fortnightly plans state the
learning intentions which allows for Assessment for Learning. Pupils use SALF (Self Assessment and Learning folders) to manage their learning.
2.10 Assessment and Reporting
 Standardised tests were used to monitor pupil progress in English and Maths in May.
This information and school performance generally was relayed to parents through the
end of year school report which was posted mid-June. The information gathered was
also used inform progress in Literacy, Numeracy and where to target General
Allocation Support for next year.
 Formal Parent teacher meetings were held in November over two evenings.
 JI were assessed using the BIAP and a letter sounds sheet from Jolly Phonics
Assessment. SI was assessed using Jolly Phonics Assessment. This was the full
version it - all 42 sounds and the other section tested their WRA -word reading age
and their SRA - sentence reading age.
 All staff used a school designed booklet this year to record daily pupil progress and
informal assessments and observations. Staff also used the Aladdin database for
record keeping.
 To further emphasise the importance of Assessment for Learning, all classes agreed to
use portfolios for work samples to allow pupil to gauge their progress.
3. Support for Pupils
 The Principal and Deputy met with Educational Psychologist regular to prioritise
candidates for assessment/observation. Miss AnnaMarie Cullen is our NEPS
Psychologist.
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Annual Board Report 2014-15 Scoil Mochua


Special Education Team (SET) meetings were held at least once a term with Principal,
L Support teacher and Resource teacher to monitor progress of Resource pupils,
General Allocation caseload and to target purchasing of resources. The YARC (York
Assessment of Reading Comprehension diagnostic was purchased as recommended
from the WSE.
Special Needs Assistant provision was reviewed by the SENO last May.

Learning support and Resource Teaching was a balance between withdrawal and in
class support in literacy. In Class support took place in all classes for literacy and
numeracy.

The Principal and met with representatives from local Secondary schools to ensure
ease of transition of 6th class pupils to second level. Special Needs pupils were taken
to their transferring Secondary schools by SET staff to ease transition.

Any new candidates for General Allocation hours are first subject to Stage One/Class
Support unless there is a more urgent need. Scoil Mochua had 5 extra general
Allocation hours this year. This time was used to focus on Senior Infants.

The Care Needs team met weekly to identify unexplained absences and vulnerable
pupils.

All pupils received a talk on Road Safety from the RSA and pupils from 4th – 6th
received a talk on Internet Safety as did any parent who was interested.

All staff committed to 2hours of Professional Development as part of Haddington
road hours. This will be extended to 4 hours next year.
Professional Development included:
Mata Sa Rang for 3rd & 4th 9 (5 wks)
Gordon Wollard – ‘The extra Lesson’ on
crossing the mid-plane Oct 13th / Jan 12th
SSE seminar in Dublin on October 14th
SESS training on Speech & Language
“Language & Communications” on
November 12th
INTO Education Conference on 14th
November
INTO online course on leadership skills
Athletics and Reinforcing Numeracy
through PE” on 25th November 4.30 –
7.00p.m.
INTO seminar on Professional Issues for
School Leaders on 27th November. School
Evaluation; Fitness to teach; Conditions of
Employment
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Annual Board Report 2014-15 Scoil Mochua
Anti-bullying PDST in-service on 2nd
December
Active Flag Training on 4th December from
3.00 – 5.00p.m.
First Aid on 5th January (6 hours)
Workshop on Assessment at Wexford
Education Centre on 13th January from 7.30
– 9.30p.m.
Workshop on Dyslexia on 10th February
4.30-6.30
Elklam Speech and Language Development
Course
Phonological Awareness Workshop (2
Hours
Introduction to Wellbeing at Wexford
Education Centre from 4.30 – 6.30p.m. on
24th March.
CPSMA training on interviewing on 26th
May.
Working with parents – AISTEAR
Workshop for teachers 19/01/2015 (2 hrs)
“Zippy’s Friends” Programme 26/5/15
Lego Course (2 hrs)
Mr Brennan
Miss Griffin
All staff
Summer Course for EPV Days
Scratch
Problem Solving
Literacy in 1st/2nd
Science
Outdoor learning
Numeracy in Infant Ed
Use of tablets for literacy & Numeracy
Maths for 5th & 6th class
Literacy for 3rd & 4th
1st & 2nd Class Education
Learning outside
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