The core subjects in our curriculum are :
- English
- Gaeilge
- Maths
- SESE [Social Environmental and Scientific Education]
- Music
- Visual Arts
- Drama
- Physical Education
- SPHE [Social Personal and Health Education]
- Religion
Extra Activities
Our school offers a variety of other activities. These include, French, Swimming, Gaelic, Rugby, Athletics, Gymnastics, Dance, tin whistle, violin/fiddle classes.
Our sports programme is underpinned with our close working relationship with St. Brigid’s Club / school partnership programme; we have training / matches during term 1, Gymnastics, Dance, Rugby and games in term 2, swimming, outdoor adventure and athletics in term 3.
Never a dull day here at St. Fiach’s!
Delivering the Curriculum
To enhance our delivery of the curriculum throughout the school year the children benefit from a wide range of outings and activities, as well as in class surprise visitors.
In 2012/13, we enjoyed a number of workshops in Oldcastle library to promote Library month, talks on oral hygiene for the older children by Mary Carr and a series of classes for infants and their parents on ‘Mighty Mouth’, shocking many pupils and children with the high % of hidden sugar in many foods, including baby foods.
We also benefited from a visit from a chiropractor, Rory Murphy, during Science Week, who highlighted the dangers of heavy, one-shouldered bags.These visits also contributed greatly to our aims as a Health Promoting School.
The Green School committee, along with 3rd & 4th class, visited Kells recycling centre in early December, as part of their Green School education programme, culminating in the happy news received in February 2013 that our efforts had been rewarded with our first Green Flag.
3rd – 6th classes enjoyed a trip in March 2013 to the National Concert Hall and St Patrick’s Cathedral as part of the music and visual arts extension programme.
Visits from Mr Frank Smith during Engineers’ Week formed an integral part of our Discovery Primary Science and Maths awards of Excellence, which was granted in May 2013.
Infants also enjoyed a visit from the Fire Brigade in May, as part of the Health and safety programme.
5th & 6th classes participated in an up-cycle sewing workshop in May.
Senior classes also participated in the Crocus project, as part of the outreach programme of Holocaust Ireland, which also featured as part of the Blue Star project, the out-reach programme of the European Movement; our Blue Star flag was award in June 2013. Mrs Mairéad McGuinness MEP, visited the school as part of this programme and her visit was much appreciated by the classes.
We were also delighted with the visit from the Active School representative, who assessed our programme and awarded us the Active Flag in early June 2013.
Details on school tours may be accessed from the photo gallery.
During the school year 2011/12 we had a visit from Dale Treadwell, an environmentalist who delighted the children with his workshop of bugs and insects. This is part of our Green Schools and Discover Primary Science Awards programme. In November,we also paid a visit to the mobile Science Cinema in Oldcastle, which all the children really enjoyed. In February, the Sky Dome was set up in the community centre and was very interesting. In March, we learned about recycling and started our own compost area during a composting workshop. In April, the Fire Brigade Safety Team visited the school. In June, 5th & 6th class were alerted to the dangers of cyberbullying by a member of an Garda Síochána.
Learning Support/Special Needs
All work is closely monitored in class and our support teachers provide extra help for pupils who need it. Since January 2012, we have a special initiative called ‘Lift Off Literacy Station Teaching.’ This is where the class teacher, the Learning Support and Resource Teacher all work together in groups [stations] to provide individual attention to 3 areas of the English curriculum; reading, writing and phonics. This has been rolled out in all classes – Junior Infants – 2nd and everyone is really enjoying it. Some Maths stations are also timetabled at various stages of the curriculum.
St. Fiach’s is an inclusive school and we accommodate children with special needs as best as we can. These children are supported in class by the Resource and Learning Support Teacher but also through activities like our Pyjama Party and Spooky Night Story Telling. The children compose their own story or poem and perform it on the night in front of a supportive audience.
Other events which support all children in the school are the annual Christmas Concert… always a community favourite here in Ballinacree….. Watch out X Factor – here we come!
Policy Documents
Below is a list of policy documents pertaining to St. Fiach’s. These can be accessed by making an appointment to see the Principal or Deputy Principal.
Curricular Policies
- English
- Gaeilge
- Mathematics
- Science
- Geography
- History
- Music
- Visual Arts
- Drama
- SPHE
- P.E
- Religious Education
- ICT
Organisational Plans and Policies
Section 1 – Policies required by legislation
Enrolment Policy, Child Protection Policy, Safety Statement, Code of Behaviour, Anti Bullying Policy [pupils], Adult bullying/sexual harassment.
Code of Behaviour
Anti – bullying policy
Safety statement
Section 2 – Policies supported by National Guidelines
Record Keeping Policy, Attendance Policy, Special Education Policy, Substance Use Policy.
Section 3 – Other Organisational Policies
Critical Incidence Policy, Procedure for administration of medicines, Procedure of Administration & Recording of First Aid, Policy for Supervision & Behaviour during break times, Communications Policy, Homework Policy, Healthy Eating Policy, Special Needs Assistants Policy, Internet – acceptable Use Policy, EPV Day Policy.
Section 4 – Practices & Procedures
Fire Drill, Induction of New Teachers, Memo to Substitute Teachers, Mobile Phone Policy, Allocation of Teaching Duties, Procedures for Referral of pupils for Psychological Assessment, Policy on Work Experience Students, Procedures for reception & dismissal of pupils.
