Subject: More sad news.....Hi Everyone,
Well, I must say this week has been stormy from Hurricane Ophelia to our disappointment at not moving into our new school building this weekend. Then, this afternoon we received news that our appeal to keep two teachers has been refused on the grounds that our appeal did not warrant the allocation of an additional post under Circular 0017/2017. The letter also states that the Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
The number of pupils who were enrolled in our school on 30th September 2017 did not meet the required 177 or 182 to keep one or two teachers respectively. Therefore we have to let two teachers go at the end of next week.
This will result in us splitting our Infant Classes as follows:
The other classes will remain as they are. While the teachers of the Infant Classes will work together and have all Senior Infants only / all Junior Infants only together for certain lessons we will have to change the base classes to have the above numbers. Next week we will decide the new classes based on criteria of age, ability, social skills, friendships, special educational needs and as soon as we have drawn up the new classes we will talk with all parents concerned.
In the meantime, I have spoken with our Chairperson Francis Fullen and we will be asking for your help to highlight our need for another teacher.
Regarding moving to our new school building we hope to have news on Monday as to when the new date will be. Much of our furniture/resources is stored in removal company's container and we're operating with very limited supplies. Depending on weather forecast we may take children out for a day walking along the Dodder.
I must say our staff have been fantastic this week with packing and teaching and keeping spirits high throughout and not letting the hits get them down at all. Mind you the refusal to our appeal was devastating for everyone today.
Have a good weekend everyone and I hope to have some good news on Monday/Tuesday re moving into new building and I'll definitely have some news on how you can help us to highlight our need for another teacher.
I just know next week is going to be a better one for our school!
Very best regards,
Collette
Collette Dunne: Principal: Firhouse Educate Together N.S. Telephone: 01 4061010
Well, I must say this week has been stormy from Hurricane Ophelia to our disappointment at not moving into our new school building this weekend. Then, this afternoon we received news that our appeal to keep two teachers has been refused on the grounds that our appeal did not warrant the allocation of an additional post under Circular 0017/2017. The letter also states that the Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
The number of pupils who were enrolled in our school on 30th September 2017 did not meet the required 177 or 182 to keep one or two teachers respectively. Therefore we have to let two teachers go at the end of next week.
This will result in us splitting our Infant Classes as follows:
- 1 Junior Infant Class with 30 children
- 1 Split Junior / Senior Infant Class with 27 children
- 1 Senior Infant Class with 32 children including
The other classes will remain as they are. While the teachers of the Infant Classes will work together and have all Senior Infants only / all Junior Infants only together for certain lessons we will have to change the base classes to have the above numbers. Next week we will decide the new classes based on criteria of age, ability, social skills, friendships, special educational needs and as soon as we have drawn up the new classes we will talk with all parents concerned.
In the meantime, I have spoken with our Chairperson Francis Fullen and we will be asking for your help to highlight our need for another teacher.
Regarding moving to our new school building we hope to have news on Monday as to when the new date will be. Much of our furniture/resources is stored in removal company's container and we're operating with very limited supplies. Depending on weather forecast we may take children out for a day walking along the Dodder.
I must say our staff have been fantastic this week with packing and teaching and keeping spirits high throughout and not letting the hits get them down at all. Mind you the refusal to our appeal was devastating for everyone today.
Have a good weekend everyone and I hope to have some good news on Monday/Tuesday re moving into new building and I'll definitely have some news on how you can help us to highlight our need for another teacher.
I just know next week is going to be a better one for our school!
Very best regards,
Collette
Collette Dunne: Principal: Firhouse Educate Together N.S. Telephone: 01 4061010
