Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
2020-2021
Coláiste Bríde First Year Handbook
1
The aim of this booklet is to help you settle into your new school life here at Coláiste Bríde, Clondalkin by introducing you to all
the important people and the school building. We encourage you to read through this booklet with your parent or guardian to help you prepare for your life at Coláiste Bríde
and we look forward to meeting you soon!
t
Welcome to the
school!
2
1. What do you think it will be like at your new
school?___________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
2. What things would you like to find out about your new
school?
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
3. List three things you are looking forward to:
1)_______________________________________
2)_______________________________________
3)_______________________________________
4. List three things you think you might need help with
1)________________________________________
2)________________________________________
3)________________________________________
OSSME COPYRIGHT 09/03 charity
no. 702632 A.t.t. WORKBOOK adapted by Sinead Fahy Educational Psychologist NEPS
3
Contents
Section Page
1. The Friendly Faces You’ll Need to Know 5
2. The Building 11
3. Organising Yourself 15
4. Covid-19 24
5. Digital Literacy 37
6. Minding Yourself 48
7. Parent/Guardian Support 56
4
A welcome from the principal Ms. Kilmartin….
Girls, Fáilte into our Coláiste Bríde family. I wish you every success and blessing as you begin your journey through secondary education. Always remember the most important word in our school is Respect. We ask you to show respect in four ways: * Respect yourself
* Respect each other
* Respect all staff and guests
* Respect our building and the property of others If you show respect you will never be in trouble, it is as simple as that. Get involved in extra-curricular activities, volunteer, do your homework and classwork to the best of your ability and you shall be rewarded. I look forward to getting to know you all and working with you. Remember all our staff are here to help and care for you, never be afraid to come to us.
-Ms Kilmartin
5
1. The Friendly
Faces You’ll Need to Know
6
Ms Kilmartin Principal
Mr McEntegart Deputy Principal
Ms Ronan Deputy Principal
Ms O'Brien Deputy Principal Ms Earley Acting
Deputy Principal
Ms White
First Year Year Head
7
Deputy Principals
Year Head “What a year to start secondary school! I am sure that you have mixed emotions
about starting with us here in Coláiste Bríde. We are delighted to welcome you
to the Coláiste Bríde community and wish you the very best as you embark on this exciting journey. As your Year Head I am here to support, guide and encourage you to be the best version of yourselves. Kindness and respect underpin all our values here in CB. As a team we will help you to settle in and I look forward to seeing you all grow academically, emotionally and socially.
Go n-éirí libh, Ms White”
Tutors On the first morning you will be assigned a ‘Tutor Group’ (For example Rang Aonghus or Rang Cronán). A tutor group is
the group of girls that you will spend most of your classes with in first year. You will also be assigned a ‘tutor’. Your
tutor is a teacher who takes special care of your tutor group. Your tutor will meet your class every day for 10 minutes
after break to monitor your attendance, check your notes and make sure that everything is okay. Your parents can
contact your tutor for any day-to-day problems that arise.
Dear Incoming First Years, I am delighted to welcome you to Coláiste Bríde. For us in CB the start of the academic year is so exciting because we get a new group of students starting on a journey with us and we so look forward to getting to know you all. I truly hope that you are as excited as we are, I'm sure some of you are excited and looking forward to coming here and I know some of you are also a little bit scared, maybe wondering how you will cope, will you fit in? You definitely will! The CB family is fun, friendly and caring. We will help you settle in and make you feel very welcome here. So, don't worry - enjoy wearing the new uniform, the new books, the new school bag and look forward to the fantastic adventure that lies ahead. All the best and see you soon! Ms. Earley (Acting Deputy Principal/First year Deputy)
Mr McEntegart Ms O’Brien Ms Ronan Ms Earley
8
Reception At reception Martina and Bernie help students and communicate with parents. If you lose any of your belongings they will be handed in here. If you are lost, our receptionists will help you find what class you should be in. If you arrive at school late, you must sign the late book at reception. If you need to leave school early for some reason you must have a note from your parents/guardians in your journal which must be signed by your tutor. Bernie or Martina will ring your parents/guardians to confirm this note and you must sign out at reception before you leave.
Special Needs Assistants Special Needs Assistants (SNA) are in the school to give help to pupils who are finding school life difficult. There may be an SNA in some of your classes and they are there to help all the students. They also ensure that any pupil who has difficulty moving between classes gets to their class on time.
Bernie Martina
9
The Learning Support Department The Learning Support Department is here to help any pupil who is having difficulty with their subjects. If you do not do Irish or French in school because you have Language Exemptions, you will have classes in the Learning Support Department when the other pupils have language class.
The Guidance Department The Guidance Team is here to help with any other difficulties you might have with school life. They will do their best to help with any worries you might have about starting school in Coláiste Bríde. They also give great advice about choosing subjects and careers.
Head Girls The head girls in our school are 6th year students who were nominated by the students and teacher to act as representatives for the student body. The three girls will become familiar faces to you over the year, speaking at ceremonies, attending various activities, and helping you navigate your first year in our school.
“To the incoming first years, our names are Heather, Eniola & Liepa and we are the head girl team for the school year of
2020/21. We want to give you a very warm welcome to Coláiste Bríde! We know you must be feeling very confused with many mixed emotions about starting secondary school and we are so sorry to hear that you missed your physical graduation from
Ms Coughlan Ms Comerford Ms Doyle
Ms Fallon Ms Carson Ms Deane
10
primary school but we promise you that your teachers are doing everything they can to make your transition to secondary school as smooth as possible. We hope you have amazing experiences during the next five/six years you will spend here. Our advice is just to take every opportunity you are given with open arms and make the most out of your time here, it will fly by. If you ever
need any help with anything, we are always here!! We can’t wait to meet you all soon.
Welcome to the CB family!”
@CBheadgirls
Cairdeas Mentors
Fifth year students will also be assigned to your class on the first day to help you out if you get lost or need help with your
locker. These fifth-year students are known as ‘Mentors’.
The Learning Hub The Learning Hub is an initiative led by students who are passionate about learning. It is a
place where all students, of any ability can come and engage with one another, and help each other learn how to learn. Sessions take place on Mondays and Wednesdays at lunchtime in the study hall and everyone is welcome to come along. At the learning Hub we always have something going on. From student presentations to speed orals, every student can find something that benefits them. We often have student teach meets where learning leaders present on various topic, and anyone who is struggling with homework can come and get help from their fellow students.
Through various presentations given by learning leaders, students can gain insights on different study methods and essential skills to succeed in their academics and learning. The learning Hub provides a safe space for students to voice their concerns and issues regarding learning, workload, and wellbeing with other students. There’s always an opportunity to make new friends and to listen to interesting points of views. Learning Leaders welcome all students especially First Years who are making the transition into Secondary school. All First Year students are met with a friendly face and last year two First Year students loved the Hub so much they got really involved and became Learning Leaders.
Hope this little piece gave you an insight into the Learning Hub and what happens there. All the Learning Leaders are looking forward to welcoming you there at the start of the new school year.
Eniola Deputy Head Girl
Liepa - Deputy Deputy Head Girl
Heather Head Girl
Eniola - Deputy Deputy Head Girl
Heather – Head Girl Deputy Head Girl
11
2. The School Building
12
Ground Floor:
• Classrooms G1,G2,G13,G14, Must use the Front stairs. • Classrooms G3,G4,G11,G12 Must use the Middle stairs.
• Classrooms G5/6,G7,G8,G9,G10, Must use the Back stairs.
• All practical rooms, Music room and gym must use stairs in GPA
Ye
ar
He
ad
Off
ice
13
• Classrooms M1,M2,M13,M14, Must use the Front stairs. • Classrooms M3,M4,M11,M12 Must use the Middle stairs. • Classrooms M5,M6,M7,M8,Sacred space Must use the Back stairs.
• Classrooms T1,T2,T13,T14, Must use the Front stairs.
• Classrooms T3,T4,T11,T12 Must use the Middle stairs.
• Classrooms T5,T6,T7,T8,T9,10 Must use the Back stairs.
14
Room Numbers:
Each classroom has a letter and number on the door, for example G10.
• The letter tells us what floor the classroom is on.
The ground floor is G. Practical Subjects, History and Geography are on the
ground floor.
The middle floor is M. Maths, Business and Religion classes are on the middle
floor.
The top floor is T. All language classes are on the top floor.
• The number tells us which room it is.
G10 is on the ground floor and it is room number 10.
Check out our virtual tours of the school here!
https://vimeo.com/433943381 https://vimeo.com/433944306 https://vimeo.com/433944625
15
3. Organising Yourself
16
Your First Day at Coláiste Bríde
What you need to bring:
• School bag
• Pencil case with pens and pencils
• Notebook
• Small lunch to eat at break time
• Hand Sanitiser
• Mask
Classes begin at 8.40am but it is recommended that you be in school at
8.20am.
8.40 am 8.20am am
17
Uniform
This is what you will wear every day in Coláiste Bríde. You will wear your PE Uniform on the days
you have PE.
Navy Jumper
with crest
Navy Long Socks Black Shoes
Skirt
Tie White shirt
18
School Journal
You will receive a school journal on your first day. This is the most
important book you have in school. You must always carry it with you.
You use it to record all the homework you get, and any notes your
parents/guardians need to send into school. If you need to go to the
bathroom, your teacher will sign your journal with the date and time
that you left the class and the time you returned.
There is also lots of helpful information and resources in your journal.
Your teachers can stamp your journal as a reward for good work,
participation in extracurricular activities and good attendance. Once
you have a reward sheet fully stamped in your journal you will receive a
Well-Done Card in the post.
If you lose your journal you will have to pay for a new one.
19
Homework No one likes too much of it but it is just one of those things that you have to
do! The more organised you are, the less amount of time you will have to spend
doing it.
In first year, you may start to get a lot more homework than you have been
used to. Teachers may be stricter about getting it done and handed in on time
too.
Why is homework important? Homework is important because it shows
the teacher whether you have understood the work or not. It also means that
you can cover more work than the time allowed by a lesson in school.
Questions to ask.... You need to make sure that you really understand all
the rules about homework. Here are some questions you could ask your tutor.
You can add a few more of your own if you like.
1. How long will I be expected to spend on homework each night?
________________________________________________
2. How will I know what to do? __________________________
3. How long will I have to complete it? ____________________________
4. What will happen if I forget to do it or forget to bring it in?
____________________________________________
5. What should I do if I find the homework is too difficult?
________________________________________________________
OSSME COPYRIGHT 09/03 charity no. 702632 A.t.t. WORKBOOK adapted by Sinead Fahy Educational Psychologist NEPS
20
Timetable
• You will receive a timetable during your first week in
Coláiste Bríde.
21
Here is a blank copy of a timetable. You could rewrite your timetable into this one and hang it in your locker.
Time Monday Tuesday Time Wednesday Thursday Friday
8.40 8.40
9.40 9.40
10.40 BREAK BREAK 10.40 BREAK BREAK BREAK
11.00 TUTOR TUTOR 11.00 TUTOR TUTOR TUTOR
11.10 11.20
12.10 12.20
1.10 LUNCH LUNCH 1.20 LUNCH LUNCH
1.35 1.45
2.35 2.45
22
Rules
All the school rules are outlined in your journal. You and your parents will sign
these rules each year, as a promise that you will not break them. There will
always be consequences for breaking the rules. It is not only important to know
what the rules are but also what will happen if you do not follow them.
Apologising
If you do break a rule, it is usually a good idea to admit that you got it wrong
and to say sorry. It might be useful to practise apologising. Look at the
scenarios on the next page. In each one a rule has been broken. With a
partner take it in turns to be the annoyed teacher and the pupil who says
sorry. It can be hard to keep your cool if you’re being told off. Try to
remember things will only get worse if you get angry!
Write down as many secondary school rules as you know:
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
What might happen if you break the rules?
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
23
What should you do in these situations?
1. You have not done your homework because you didn’t write
the instructions down properly......
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
2. A teacher tells you off for talking in class, but you were just answering
your classmate’s question....
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
3. You have forgotten a textbook you need for that lesson......
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
4. The teacher sees you chewing gum in her lesson and isn’t
happy....
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
OSSME COPYRIGHT 09/03 charity no. 702632 A.t.t. WORKBOOK adapted by Sinead Fahy Educational Psychologist NEPS
24
4. Covid- 19
25
Feelings about Return to School If you are feeling worried, nervous or anxious about returning to school or COVID-19 or anything related to it, the counsellors are available to help you. If you are feeling concerned about returning to school, talk to someone about it - your parents, your friends, a helpline - talking helps. Any worries are completely natural. The Guidance Counsellors will be available to provide support for you if you are experiencing any difficulties about catching up with your schoolwork or about your health or the health of others. Online Training The Department of Education has provided online training for school students and staff on the prevention of COVID-19 in school communities. This is a requirement for all and a system will be in place to ensure that this has been watched and understood by you. This webpage will be updated regularly with new videos coming online. https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/dd7fb-induction-training-for-reopening-schools/t Top Tip: The Video is about 30 minutes long so sit back with a cup of tea or go for a walk and put your headphones on
Instructional Videos: At present, we are directing our staff, students and parents to view all safety videos on proper protocols on the HSE website. However, our fantastic Head Girls and Prefects will be making instructional videos on the following items and what they will look specifically in Coláiste Bríde. There will be videos shown to staff, and students during lessons and extended tutor times. These videos will be made available on our school website to be watched again. Parents may also like to watch these videos to see what protocols we have in place.
26
The main, but not all, of the symptoms of COVID-19 are: 1. Temperature 2. Cough 3. Loss of taste or smell 4. Shortness of breath Minor symptoms include: 1. Feeling tired 2. Aches and Pains 3. Headaches 4. Sore throat 5. Diarrhea If you develop any of these symptoms or begin to feel unwell you should not come to
school and instead should follow the steps outlined in the next question.
Very important also: You will need to restrict your movements for 14 days if you live
with someone who has symptoms of coronavirus, but you feel well.
Please see the following link for more information.
https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/managing-coronavirus-at-home/if-you-live-
with-someone-who-has-coronavirus.html)
Students in the High Risk or Very High Risk Groups The link below contains a list that shows what a high-risk or very high risk person is: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/people-at-higher-risk.html If you are a person in the high-risk category, your parent/guardian or you if you are over 18 must contact your Year Head to let them know. Any student in the high risk or very high risk category cannot return to the school without discussing their condition with the Year Head or Principal first. This is to ensure your safety. If you believe you may be at
Symptoms
27
risk you should discuss this with your GP in the first instance and ask their advice. Any student who does identify in our very high risk category must have supporting documentation from their GP/consultant. We await for instruction on how to support our very high risk students remotely.
Very high risk groups (extremely vulnerable) The list of people in very high risk groups include people who:
• are over 70 years of age - even if you're fit and well
• have had an organ transplant
• are undergoing active chemotherapy for cancer
• are having radical radiotherapy for lung cancer
• have cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma who are at
any stage of treatment
• are having immunotherapy or other continuing antibody treatments for cancer
• are having other targeted cancer treatments which can affect the immune system
• have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last 6 months, or who are still taking
immunosuppression drugs
• severe respiratory conditions including cystic fibrosis, Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, severe
asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, lung fibrosis, interstitial lung disease and severe COPD
• have a condition that means you have a very high risk of getting infections (such as SCID,
homozygous sickle cell) are taking medicine that makes you much more likely to get infections (such as high doses of steroids or immunosuppression therapies)
• have a serious heart condition and you're pregnant
Physical Distancing Outside of School
It is essential that you practice physical distancing while outside of school and on your
way to and from school.
Any action outside of school which is not in keeping with HSE guidelines on Covid
prevention has the potential to put everyone in our school community at risk -
examples include so called “house parties”, travel to particular countries etc.
Once you come to school you also have a responsibility to ensure that you behave
appropriately outside of school - we want to KEEP COVID OUT OF OUR SCHOOL.
When should I not come to school? If you experience any symptoms of COVID-19 you must stay at home and contact your GP (doctor) immediately and follow the HSE guidelines for self-isolation. Do not attend School if you have been identified by the HSE as a close contact of a person confirmed to have COVID-19 and follow the HSE guidelines on restricted movement. If you develop symptoms in school you must bring this to the attention to your teacher Year Head Principal/Deputy Principal promptly. In line with Government requirements, any student who has been or is planning on
travelling to a country that is NOT on the Government's green travel list of approved
28
travel countries, should not attend school for any reason for at least 14 days after they
return to Ireland, and instead are required to self-isolate during this period.
Please see the following link for the most up to date list of countries. We are insisting
on this in the interest of the health and safety of our whole school community. Any
student who is found to not be following these requirements, will be referred to their
year head, deputy principal or principal where appropriate actions will be taken.
Green List:
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/8868e-view-the-covid-19-travel-advice-list/
What to expect if you develop symptoms of Covid 19 during the school day? If you develop Covid 19 symptoms, inform your teacher directly. Your teacher will ask you to put on a mask and apply hand sanitiser. You will be brought to an isolation room where your teacher will inform the front office of what is going on. This is just a small room where you can wait. A qualified first aid staff member will greet you and ask you a few questions. Your parents/guardians will be contacted immediately. You should avoid touching other people, surfaces and objects on your way to the isolation room. If you are well enough to go home, a family member must come and collect you. Once home you will need to call your doctor by phone and follow the HSE guidelines for Self Isolation. In line with government guidance, you must not use public transport to get home. You
must be collected by a nominated adult.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/48037-dealing-with-a-suspected-case-of-covid-19-
covid-19-response-plan-for-safe-reopening-of-schools/
Because of the importance of following these protocols, is it so important that we are
able to contact parents/guardians in the event that you present with symptoms during
the school day.
It is necessary and vital that we have contact numbers for at least 2 adults for each
student. Where applicable the two adults should be parents/guardians, however other
family members can be nominated as a second contact person once they can be
contacted during the school day and in a position to collect your daughter from school.
29
Hand Hygiene: You need to regularly clean and sanitise hands. Hand sanitiser will be found in every classroom and across the school building in main shared spaces. You are responsible to: Use hand sanitiser on arrival to each classroom before sitting down. You must ensure your hands are sanitized or washed in the following circumstances: · before and after eating and preparing food · after coughing or sneezing · after using the toilet · where hands are dirty · before and after wearing gloves · before and after being on public transport · before leaving home · when arriving/leaving the school /other sites · after each class · after touching potentially contaminated surfaces · if in contact with someone displaying any COVID-19 symptoms
In the interest of hand hygiene, students should not share any equipment, water bottles, or food with each other. In relation to lunches, students must use their own lunch boxes and wash them thoroughly each evening before coming to school the next day. When signing in and out of reception students must also use their own pens. Water taps are still going to be available. We will be supplying a hand sanitising unit at these taps. Students must use them and socially distance when queuing. Our school vending machine will still be in use. We have introduced contactless payment options at the machines. There will be sanitising wipes at the machine. Students must use them.
Hygiene
30
Face Coverings/Masks When everyone wears a mask we protect each other, our school and our families. A mask is worn, not to protect yourself but to reduce transmission of Covid 19, thus protecting others. Masks must be worn in Colaiste Bride when on the move in the corridor and during lessons. A video tutorial on how to wear face coverings/masks properly can be found here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/aac74c-guidance-on-safe-use-of-face-coverings/ When moving around the building mask must be worn with or without a visor. Zip lock bags must also be brought into school so students can dispose of their face covering at the end of the school day. Disposable face masks will also be available in packs of 3 from the vending machine in
the GPA.
Extra Cleaning: At the end of every class, the desk you have been sitting at must be cleaned. Students
will be asked to help facilitate this process at the end of class by wiping down your
desks and other desk with a sanitizer wipe. Remember the better the job you do, the
safe you are making our school for everyone in our community and their families
Uniform Students will still be required to wear their normal school uniform to school everyday as per the uniform guidelines in their school journal. However, on the days where students have physical education (P.E) they are allowed to wear their P.E clothing into school for the entire day and will not be required to change during the day. Students are encouraged where need to bring necessary hygiene items with them to freshen up after their P.E lessons, e.g. deodorant, water wipes, sanitiser, towel, etc.
Let’s increase our distance and decrease our interactions
What does this mean? Keep a safe distance when you can
and Try not to get close to more people then you need too
31
Physical Distancing
To make our school as safe and healthy as possible we are asking all students to work
together to limit contact and the possible spread of Covid 19:
Trying our best to stay 2 meters away from each other in social areas.
By socialising and eating outdoors where the risk is significantly reduced.
No shaking hands, hugs, or any physical contact with friends and peers.
No sharing pens, markers or supplies with each other. It is important that you have
your own supply of all stationary that you need.
No sharing of food or water bottles.
Use your own pen when signing in and out of reception.
When in mixed classes for elective/choice subjects you will be seated beside other
girls from your rang.
Classrooms
The classrooms are set up in such a way that desks are all 1 meter apart (shoulder to
shoulder).
Junior Cycle classes will be Student based rooms.
Leaving cert classes will be circulate as normal.
It is very important that you do not move or rearrange desks or chairs.
It may be the case that there is not enough room for all students to attend class.
Interactions
32
Student will go to an overflow area to engage with the lesson online.
This will be happen on a rotation bases so that for the majority of your lessons you will
be in your class
At the end of every class, the desk you have been sitting at must be cleaned by wiping
down your desks chair with a sanitizer wipe.
PE class – Please wear in your PE uniform as no changing rooms open.
Lunch Time Procedures for Students In order to reduce interactions, we will have designated and staggered times for lunch and break time.
1st, 3rd and 5th years will always be on lunch and break at the same time. 2nd, 4th and 5th years will always be on lunch and break at the same time.
There will be designated areas in the school building indoors where students must have their lunch and break times
33
Lockers
No student will have access to a locker for this academic year. Therefore, all students
are encouraged where possible to keep your school books at home for and download
your books onto your device – laptop, tablet, phone. Each textbook you buy will have a
unique code inside it that will allow you to download the book. This is not a necessity
but a recommendation to save carrying around large quantities of books. You will also
need to bring in earphones into school every day. This is for use in a remote learning
area s for online learning during the day at any point. The school cannot provide
earphones for you due to restrictions on sharing equipment. Your earphones must be
labelled with your name on them. These earphones must be wired as wireless
earphones will not connect via bluetooth to our computers.
Levels and years
• 1st year tutor classes will be on top floor
Remote Learning Areas
• When a classroom is ‘full’ students will be moved by rotation to over flow area. • Here they will be supervised while they use a device to access the class online. • All classroom will be equipped with webcams to allows this to happen • Students will be encouraged to use their own devices to access class. • Top and middle floor class overflow to Canteen • Bottom floor classes to GPA
School Environment
34
Sanitisers
Sanitisers will be placed inside the door of every classroom. When students enter the classroom you must ensure all student correctly sanitise their hands. They will also be a number on each corridor and in other spaces such as the GPA and the Canteen. A number of mobile sanitiser stations will also be set up. Each toilet will also have them. Please use them correctly. Entry and Exit of Building Only students and staff will be allowed in without appointment. Staff will have cards to permit them entry through front door. Entry through the main front door or back door. Students will be permitted to exit the building through any door. Preferably you will through your closest exit as per evacuation protocol. Parents will only be permitted in via an appointment.
COVID19 Signage Throughout the school there will be signage in place to ensure best practice is followed.
There will a number of digital signs that will change to deliver messages to staff and students. One of these will be place in the staffroom for staff announcements. Teachers will be required to understand each sign and explain them to their students.
35
This year in Coláiste Bríde we have introduced a flow system. It is not possible to introduce a one-way movement system around our school for students and staff. However in order to avoid unnecessary congestion in certain spots in our school, particular our stairs, all students whose next lesson is in a classroom on another floor, will be requested to walk to the nearest stairs and use them to move up and down the different levels. This may mean altering the route that they would normally have taken. It is extremely important they follow this system to reduce congestion and therefore increasing the risk of spreading the virus. When moving around the building mask must be worn with or without a visor. Moving around the building We will NOT have a one-way systems or student based classrooms. With full consideration we feel we can move around school in a safe manner. When moving everyone must wear a mask with or without a visor. Respect each other at all times and avoid unnecessary contact with other students Moving between classes When moving to a class on the same floor you must go directly to that classroom and line up neatly. If changing floor/level you MUST GO TO NEAREST STAIRS. This means possibly a different route then in previous years in school. You are also encouraged to use fire exits and walk to class outside the building.
Flow
36
Public Transport to and from School We understand and appreciate that many of our students use public transport to get to school – most notably buses. In light of restrictions on numbers allowed on buses, we are encouraging students to consider now walking or cycling to school where possible. Students who must take the bus should continue taking earlier buses than usual in the morning to ensure they can get to school on time. Students should also make provisions for after school since there will be a considerable demand for buses as all our commuting students all gather to get the same bus. Students should be aware of social distancing while waiting at bus stops also Using a car to get to and from school We appreciate that a lot of students from different households may share a private car to and from school. We understand with the latest guidance on having to wear face coverings in cars in this instance, that more students may now be taking private cars. We wish to discourage parents and guardians were possibly from clogging up our school driveway for an ease of flow. Our school gate will be closed from 8:15am for all car uses, except our staff. Cars should not stop abruptly in the road. Students should not be disembarking for cars at great speed without checking if it is safe to do. We encourage parents to drop off their children at a safe location as far away from the school as possible. .
Travel to/from school
37
5.Digital Literacy
38
We use various online platforms to pass on work and information to students and parents. These will be particularly important this year when you may have to work from home
occasionally. As we are a Microsoft school, many of the sites we use are Microsoft and you will receive login details for the Microsoft Office 365 package as soon as you start with us.
Many of these platforms will be unfamiliar to you but you will have the opportunity to learn how to use them in class. You will use all the following programmes. It would be beneficial to
read through this information to allow you to recognise the names:
Name Use Microsoft 365 A group of Microsoft programmes that you
will have access to when you start. You need a login and password that the school will provide you with. This login will allow you access to all the following Microsoft sites.
Microsoft Outlook Send and receive emails Microsoft Teams A virtual ‘classroom’ -You will be put into to
your classes here and your teachers can assign work, resources, tests, and host online classes here.
Microsoft Word Creating documents
Microsoft PowerPoint Creating slideshow presentations VSWare Your parents will receive a username and
password to log in to your VSWare account. Your parents can access your attendance records and school reports here.
The following pages are a quick guide on how to use some of the above programmes. You will not need to read them until you receive your log in
details, but they are a very useful resource to have.
39
Microsoft Teams
40
41
42
These resources are all taken from the Microsoft website here:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/downloadable-guides-6bd3eb82-0a0f-43cc-a4d2-c9f4e7ebdf39#ID0EDBAAA=Students
The following resources are also in place to help you use Teams:
https://vimeo.com/403294714 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/student-help-center-395ab230-55bf-44c6-b265-
e832d729b694?ui=en-us&rs=en-us&ad=us
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/true-teamwork-in-microsoft-teams-c724a033-
092c-4ccd-96af-286a29a0757e
43
Microsoft Word
44
These resources are all available here:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/write-great-papers-with-microsoft-word-52cc22e6-7a7a-4fd9-834d-fb6521451af1#ID0EAACAAA=Cool_stuff
We would encourage all parents and guardians to read the following document on online safety:
https://www.colaistebride.com/uploads/documents/Parents/Internet_Safety_booklet.pdf
45
VSWare
To log in: You will receive a username and password from the school. You can use this to login on the school website www.colaistebride.com on the VSware tab indicated here in red:
46
47
These resources are available online here:
https://vsware.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Parents-guide-to-VSware..pdf
With further information available on the VSWare website:
https://support.vsware.ie/parents-guide-to-vsware
Check out page 11 of the Learning Tab in your Journal for some online etiquette tips!
48
5. Minding Yourself
49
Ms. Kelly has created two relaxing guided meditation sessions for you. Check them out here!
https://vimeo.com/411364370 https://vimeo.com/colaistebride/review/413174999/ce40479808
50
51
52
Tips and Advice from Senior Students
• In the canteen the queues move quickly so decide on your order before you join the queue.
• The canteen provides delicious and healthy food for a reasonable price.
• Get involved in our extracurricular activities such as sports or debating to
make friends.
• Use the homework club to get your homework done before you go home!
• If you are eating your lunch in the corridor, make sure your bag is tidy and out of the way of people trying to walk by.
• Keep your locker clean and tidy – it makes organising your books so much easier!
53
• If you are having difficulty remembering what you need for each class try using different coloured folders, elastics bands or stickers on your books for each subject – that way you can easily find everything you need.
• Don’t worry about making friends – remember there are lots of girls feeling the same way as you! You will meet plenty of new girls who you will get on well with!
54
A Quick Quiz on Life in Coláiste Bríde
1. On what floors would you find the Learning Support rooms in Coláiste Bríde?
2. What time does school start?
3. What time do we recommend you be in school at?
4. What colour shoes must you wear with your uniform?
5. List the names of the two receptionists in our school.
6. What time is breaktime on a Friday?
7. What is the advice given for pupils who are eating their lunch in the corridor?
8. What do the letters SNA stand for? 9. What is the main hall in the school called? G___ ___ 10. Which floor of the school can the room M4 be found?
Remember that everyone is here to help you – contact any teacher or your class mentors if you are having difficulties with
any aspect of school life!
55
6. Parent/Guardian Support
56
57
58
General Enquiries [email protected] VSware Issues [email protected]
Student Email Issues [email protected] 1st Year Year Head [email protected]
SEN Department [email protected] [email protected]
[email protected] Guidance Department [email protected]
