PARENT ESSENTIALS HANDBOOK
Welcome to NAIS Dublin.
We are so pleased that you have chosen to join us at this exciting time and we look forward to an exciting year ahead.
As a school, we are united in our commitment to our School Mission This booklet aims to provide practical information about the sensible shared procedures and understanding which are key to the outworking of our mission
NAIS Dublin champions an ambitious education believing that there are no limits to what our students can achieve for themselves and others It is our sincere wish that you will be able to look back, in years to come, and believe that your time at NAIS Dublin was the best educational decision that you and your family made!
Thank you for coming to the edge, the leading edge
Come to the Edge
“Come to the edge” he said “We can’t, we’re afraid” they responded “Come to the edge” he said “We are alright back here” they said.
“COME TO THE EDGE!” he urged. And they came. And he pushed them. And they flew!
Christopher Logue
OUR MISSION
To be the most forward thinking, technology-enabled educators in the world, using our global reach and world class teachers to create a learning experience like no other.
OUR VISION
To shape a generation of creative and resilient global citizens – a generation that will change our world for the better.
OUR VALUES
At NAIS Dublin, BELONG is more than a word – it is our guiding statement, and it reflects the values that unite us and drive our mission forward The BELONG framework encapsulates our vision for the school and each student’s journey
THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB) LEARNER PROFILE
INQUIRERS
Nord Anglia International School Dublin is an IB Continuum School
We are accredited to deliver the IB Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme.
IB World Schools share a common philosophy a commitment to improve the teaching and learning of a diverse and inclusive community of students by delivering challenging, high quality programmes of international education that share a powerful vision.
*Only schools authorised by the International Baccalaureate can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme or the Careerrelated Programme (CP).
We develop our natural curiosity We acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning. We actively enjoy learning and this love of learning will be sustained throughout our lives
KNOWLEDGEABLE
We explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance In so doing, we acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.
THINKERS
We exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognise and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions
COMMUNICATORS
We understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. We work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others
PRINCIPLED
We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups and communities We take responsibility for our own actions and the consequences that accompany them
OPEN-MINDED
We understand and appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities We are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view and are willing to grow from the experience
CARING
We show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others We have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment.
RISK-TAKERS
We approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies We are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs
BALANCED
We understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others
REFLECTIVE
We give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience We are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development
PRIMARY & SECONDARY SCHOOL DAY
EARLYYEARSAND GRADE1TIMINGS KG3–GRADE1
8:00–8:30am Supervision
8:30-8:50am Registration
8:50–9:35am LearningTime
9:35–9:55am LearningTime
9:55 – 10:20am Break Time
10:20–1120am Lesson
11:20 – 11:50am Lunch-eating
11:50am – 12:25pm Lunch-play
12:25–1:10pm LearningTime
1:10–1:35pm LearningTime
1:35 – 1:55pm Break Time
1:55–2:30pm Lesson
2:45–3:30pm CCAs
UPPER PRIMARY TIMIINGS GRADE 2 - GRADE 5
8:00 – 8:30am Supervision
8:30 - 8:50am Registration
8:50 – 9:35am Lesson 1
9:40 - 10:25am Lesson 2
10:25 - 10:45am Break Time 10:45 - 11:30am Lesson 3 11:30 - 11:50am Lesson 4 11:50am – 12:20pm Lunch 12:20 - 12:45pm Lunch - play 12:45 - 1:55pm Lesson 5 1:55 - 2:40pm Lesson 6 2:45 - 3:30pm Lesson 7
3:30 - 4:30pm CCAs
SECONDARY GRADE 6 - GRADE 12
8:00 – 8:30am Morning Clinics
8:30 - 8:45am Registration (Form Tutor)
8:50 – 9:35am Lesson 1 9:40 – 10:25am Lesson 2
10:25 – 10:45am Break Time 10:45 – 11:30am Lesson 3 11:35am -12:20pm 12:25 - 1:10pm Lesson 4 Lesson 5
1:10 - 1:55pm Lunch Break 1:55 – 2:40pm Lesson 6 2:45 – 3:30pm Lesson 7 3:35 – 4:30pm CCAs
* please note these timings may vary slightly
MAIN POINT OF CONTACT
Built into our ethos and core values is the belief that each student is unique, both as a learner and as an individual, and through our curriculum and pastoral care we aim to recognise this. The role of the Class Teacher and Form Tutor is to foster and build a supportive relationship with each student, getting to know what makes them unique and supporting them on every step of their learning journey
They are responsible for nurturing your child’s personal and social development through our learnt well-being programme, PERMAH Appointments to meet with them can be made directly with the teacher via email. Staff are unable to respond to emails during teaching time and so we politely request that you allow at least 24 hours during the working week for a response to your query Any urgent messages should be given via telephone to the school receptionist
SCHOOL UNIFORM
We encourage students to take pride in their uniform and appearance and they will be supported with this. Please ensure all items are clearly labelled with your child’s name so we can ensure lost items are returned
Essential school uniform items should be obtained from O’Farrell Schoolwear which is a five minute drive from the school campus Please call ahead or make an appointment to arrange a uniform fitting
Parents are advised that only a standard range of sizes are available at the shop and if there is a demand for nonstandard sizes or an exceptional demand for certain sizes then this may result in a situation of non-availability with a lengthy order period.
Company O’Farrell Schoolwear 7, Lenehans
Address
Tel Number
Email Online Shop Opening Hours
Parade, Lr. Kilmacud Road, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin (next door to Stillorgan Village)
+353 1 210 8586
stillorgan@ofarrellschoolwearcom
wwwofarrellschoolwearcom
9:30am to 6:00pm Monday to Saturday
LOWER PRIMARY YEARS (KG3, KG4, KG5, Grade 1)
LOWER PRIMARY SCHOOL UNIFORM
Navy cotton joggers/tracksuit bottoms
Teal crested polo
Velcro trainers/runners with a light-coloured sole
Crested fleece
Crested hoodie (optional)
Early Years crested waterproof jacket
PHE UNIFORM:
SWIMMING UNIFORM (KG4, KG5 & GRADE 1)
Navy swimming trunks or costume
Swimming cap
Swimming bag
PleasenotethatLowerPrimarystudentsdonotchangeforPHE, andthereforedonotneedtopurchaseaPHEuniform
Navy cotton shorts crested (optional)
Crested fleece Crested hoodie
Crested waterproof jacket
Teal crested polo
Navy cotton joggers/ tracksuit bottoms
Navy cotton shorts (optional)
UPPER PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL UNIFORM
GRADES 2 TO 10 UNIFORM
Grey crested trousers / Navy tartan skirt
White crested shirt/ blouse
Navy crested jumper
Puffer crested jacket for Grade 2 – 12
Navy crested gilet (optional)
Black shoes – single colour (not sports trainers)
Grey socks/ Grey knee length socks or tights
School bag
GRADES 11 TO 12 UNIFORM
Beige chinos* or navy tartan skirt
Navy Crested Polo T-Shirt
Navy crested half zip jumper
White Shoes (casual, no other colour)
School bag
*Beigechinosarenotavailableattheuniform shopandcanbepurchasedindependently
Navy crested polo shirt
Navy crested jumper
Navy crested jumper
Grey crested trousers
White crested shirt/blouse
Puffer crested jacket
Beige chinos
Navy tartan skirt
Navy crested gilet
Navy tartan skirt
UPPER PRIMARY AND SECONDARY PHE SCHOOL UNIFORM
GRADES 2 TO 12 PHE UNIFORM
Navy crested shorts
Sports polo shirt
Navy swimming trunks or costume
Rubber soled training shoes
(these must be of a light-coloured sole to prevent marking of the Sports Hall floor)
Tracksuit top
Tracksuit bottoms and/or navy crested leggings
Crested hoodie (optional) only to be worn in PHE lessons or outdoors
White socks
Crested swimming cap
Sports bag
Swimming bag
Navy crested shorts
Crested sports polo shirt
Crested track suit bottoms
Crested navy blue leggings
Crested track suit top
Crested hoodie (optional)
FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY REASONS, THE FOLLOWING RULES APPLY:
No Jewellery
Stud earrings and watches will need to be removed during PHE lessons. If you choose to allow your child to wear earrings to school, please ensure they can remove them independently. If your child has just had their ears pierced, piercings should be covered or removed for PHE lessons The changing rooms are not locked during lessons and therefore any items left in the changing rooms will be at the student’s own risk. If a student is wearing earrings which they cannot remove themselves, they will not be allowed to participate
Eyewear
In some PHE lessons students may need to remove their glasses unless these are protective sportswear glasses.
Spare Kit
We do not hold any spare PHE kit as the sharing of clothing could pose a health and safety risk
Hair
Hair that is longer than the shoulders must be tied back. This is to ensure it cannot get caught on any objects and does not impair vision. If your child has a long fringe or a hairstyle that causes the hair to fall in front of their face, they should wear a band to prevent this from happening
Illness and Injury
It is presumed that if your child is well enough to be in school then they are well enough to participate in PHE However, if there is a reason why your child cannot actively participate in PHE or swimming, a note addressed to the class or PHE teacher/swimming coach, explaining why they cannot participate in the lesson is required. They should still bring a PHE kit as they can still be involved in the lesson giving feedback or assuming the role of coach.
OTHER REQUIRED ITEMS:
Your child should bring their school bag, school books, coat and water bottle to school each day. For Early Years and Primary students, the school provides all stationery (including pens, pencils and rulers) and books All Secondary students must bring in their own stationery A stationery list will be provided. Optional items include a fruit snack for morning break, a packed lunch, if not having a school lunch, and a snack to eat before the CCA programme commences All uniform, equipment and accessories need to be clearly labelled
BELONGINGS
Primary students will have a peg outside their classroom Items not being used during lessons can be placed in their bag on their peg or in their drawer in the classroom
All secondary students will have a locker Items not being used during lessons should be placed inside the lockers The locker provided will hold the majority of a student’s books and bags These are to be kept tidy at all times; with items placed inside the lockers; not on top or in front. We encourage students to place books that they do not need in their locker. All students must purchase a small padlock (30mm to 50mm) to secure their locker
LOST PROPERTY
If a student finds something that someone has lost, they can hand this in to their Class Teacher or to reception If a student loses something, then they should inform their Class Teacher If it is not found straight away, please ask at the main reception Items with the students name clearly labelled are easy to return to their owners At the end of term any unclaimed items will be donated
ACADEMIC PLATFORMS
Every student’s learning journey is carefully documented on online learning platforms We use these to ensure our students take ownership of their own learning These tools are where they can track their home learning, submit work, seek addition support or extension and set their own targets for improvement.
Parent are encouraged to take interest in these platforms as it is the primary means of communication between school and home.
The Primary School uses Toddle for online and home learning.
Toddle Family App
The Toddle Family app is an important piece of software for our primary parent community. All families are provided with set up and login instructions so that they can connect to their child’s account Once connected, family members will be able to see their child’s learning and work throughout the year. It is through this platform that the reports are also shared with parents In Early Years there is one report in the Summer Regular written feedback is provided for parents through observations on Toddle. In Grades 1 to 5, there is a report in Term 1 and one at the end Term 3
Toddle Student App
The Toddle Student app is an important piece of software for our primary students, particularly those in Grades 1 to 5 It is embedded into our teaching and learning at NAIS Dublin as class teachers and specialists use it to plan and share learning engagements with our students Using this platform, students can upload work and reflections to their online journal and portfolio. Teachers can also document and share student learning on this platform which in turn can be seen by connected family members
The Secondary School uses ManageBac and OneNote.
ManageBac
ManageBac is an important piece of software for Secondary School students as this acts as both the students’ home learning diary and the storage facility for the secondary school curriculum from Grade 6 to 12 Each student has a unique login specific to themselves and these are also linked to parental accounts When assessments are assigned by subject teaching, students will receive the following:
• An email indicating them of the type of assessment, either formative or summative
• The instructions for the tasks that have been set
• The assessment criterion that are being graded
• A due date for the work
All home learning tasks are entered into ManageBac are linked to the unit of study. Students receive feedback on all summative assessment tasks that have been set and this written feedback and level can be found in the student’s gradebook In Grade 10, students use ManageBac to document the progression of their Personal Project In Grades 11 and 12, ManageBac is the communication tool with the IB for all internal assessments, CAS and the Extended Essay.
OneNote
OneNote is a software that the Secondary School uses for online subject content delivery and is part of the Office 365 subscription that all student devices have access to All subjects have their own OneNote pages and content can be delivered here and completed – the software also allows for the constant review of student work at all times.
BREAKTIME
The school has a number of spaces where the children can play at breaktime such as the Climbing Frame, Basketball / Football pitch, and AstroTurf We have also purchased a number of balls, games and toys for the children to play with Any toys or games brought from home may get lost or damaged and so this is discouraged.
FOOD AT SCHOOL
The school’s focus on health and well-being extends to the food service provided on site All food is planned to ensure that meals are nutritionally balanced, and these are prepared freshly on site using local and seasonal produce Our lunch service is provided by Cliff Catering
Where possible, we will work with families to support medical dietary requirements Please ensure you have highlighted any food allergies on your child’s medical form.
Snacks
For all students, the school will provide a complimentary fruit snack at morning break If your child is staying at school to attend a CCA they may bring a healthy snack to eat In keeping with our healthy eating ethos, we ask that parents do not pack sweets or fizzy drinks In addition to this, snacks will be available to purchase in school.
Lunch
The lunch menu will be planned out in advance to enable you to talk this through with your child There is a hot meal service which includes a vegetarian option and salad bar. For dessert, students will have a choice of fruit, yoghurt or dessert of the day. Students who do not wish to have school lunches can bring a packed lunch For school outings or trips, students who have opted for the lunch service will be given a packed lunch
Please note, we are a nut and sesame seed aware school and that this extends to products containing nuts such as Nutella
BUS SERVICE
If you wish to use the bus service, please contact the transport provider at info@ccscoachireie to make the necessary transport arrangements for your child(ren) Please also copy the school in the email (transport@naisdublincom) The bus company will issue an invoice to parents
All school buses are fitted with seatbelts and students are required to wear them at all times Children will be registered as they get on the bus and then escorted off the bus by a member of staff and brought into school through the main entrance.
There are two departure times for buses after school; Bus One at 3:30pm and Bus Two at 4:30pm Once your child’s CCA programme has been booked for the term, the correct bus service will be booked for their journey home If your child is unwell and not going to be on the bus, please inform the bus company before 7:00am via email at info@ccscoachire.ie (please also copy the school in the email transport@naisdublincom) and their Class Teacher
DROP-OFF
Access to the school and its drop-off areas is primarily through the main gate in the South County Business Park
The school gate and barrier will remain open for vehicle access during peak times There are dedicated, marked drop-off areas for all parents. In addition to this, there is a gated entrance to the school from the Westwood Club Car Park. This is a pedestrian gate and will be open during peak times
The school is open from 8:00am and provides supervision until registration
If your child is in KG3, KG4, or KG5, you may accompany your child to their classroom to help them settle before registration We politely request that you leave at 8:25am to allow learning to start promptly. For all other year groups, we encourage the children to walk up to their classrooms independently, ready to start registration at 8:30am.
Safety is of paramount importance, particularly when students are entering or leaving the school premises We request that you are vigilant when driving in the car park and when parking Outside of peak times, the barrier to the main gate will be closed with a security camera in operation
Vehicle access to the site can be gained through the intercom to reception
COLLECTION
Prior to school starting, Early Years and Primary families will receive a map from your child’s teacher, indicating the collection point Secondary students will all go out the main doors at reception
For safety reasons, we are unable to let primary students go home with anyone else unless you have previously notified the Class Teacher If your child is going home with another adult, please email the Class Teacher the day before to notify them of the change in home time arrangements. Any last-minute changes should be communicated via telephone to the school receptionist who will pass on the information
If you have a child in Grade 4 or 5 and you would like them to make their own way home or to leave the school site at the end of the day, you will need to request this formally from the Head of Primary in writing This document is retained
WHAT IF I AM COLLECTING MY CHILD AND I AM RUNNING LATE?
If you are running late, rest assured we will supervise your child until you arrive. Any student (KG3 to Grade 5) that has not been collected 10 minutes after the end of the school day will automatically go to After School Care There may be a charge for this service, depending on the circumstances and length of time your child was supervised
EARLY DEPARTURE
Students needing to leave school early for medical or dental appointments, music examinations, etc MUST:
• provide an email to their Class Teacher and/or Form Tutor and reception@naisdublincom to
• obtain permission to leave the premises
• report to the main reception at departure time and sign out
• be collected from the main reception by a parent or guardian
• sign in at main reception on return (if applicable)
• where possible, students should be collected between 12:00 and 1:30pm
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Good attendance and time-keeping are essential components of high achievement We expect a minimum attendance average of 90% throughout the school year However, there may be unavoidable reasons for a student to be absent from school apart from illness Sustained learning is important and so parents are asked to avoid arranging holidays during term time In all cases of proposed absence during term time, parents must seek permission from their respective Head of School via the Class Teacher and/or Form Tutor at least ten days before the proposed absence Where permission is not sought absences will be recorded as unauthorised
Students are expected and required to arrive on time for registration (8:30am) and lessons This is part of taking personal responsibility for their own learning and academic development. Please ensure that they arrive at school in good time. If a student arrives at school after the close of registration, they must sign in at the main reception If your child is on the school bus and this is delayed, Class Teachers and Form Tutors will be informed, and this will not be marked as late in the register If students are repeatedly late for school or lessons this will be discussed with the Class Teacher and/or Form Tutor, and Head of School and parents and a solution sought. Repeated instances of unauthorised absence may call into question the student’s future attendance at the school
The law in Ireland requires NAIS Dublin, and all educational establishments, to ensure all students attend lessons and that absence is monitored. The legislation governing school attendance in Ireland is the Education (Welfare) Act 2000. Schools in Ireland are obliged to keep a register of the students attending school
Schools must also maintain attendance records for all students and inform TUSLA - Child and Family Agency, educational welfare services, if a child is absent for more than 20 days in a school year for children aged 6 - 16. At NAIS Dublin, we send a bi-annual register of students with more than 20 days of absence to the Alternative Education Assessment and Registration Service (AEARS) in January and June of each year
ILLNESS
If your child is unwell and therefore not going to be at school, please e-mail their Class Teacher and/or Form Tutor and reception@naisdublincom no later than 8:00am to inform them of the absence Any unexplained absences will be followed up by the Class Teacher/Form Tutor, or receptionist.
We have strict guidelines relating to illness and appropriate return to school. These guidelines follow the HSE recommended period of absence from school following infectious illnesses in students
ILLNESS DURING THE SCHOOL DAY
The School Matron and Class teacher/ Form Tutor are the first points of contact in terms of the physical wellbeing of the students within school When a student is taken unwell in school, the School Matron will assess them and decide on the best course of action Students who are unwell should not be sent to school. Where students need off-site (doctor or hospital) medical care, parents will be contacted by the School Matron to make the relevant arrangements. In emergency cases where contact cannot be established, the Principal will make a decision in conjunction with the matron as to the best course of action, in line with school policy
The School Matron is responsible for coordinating between all government bodies, visiting physicians, health care providers and parents This includes immunisations and other forms of preventative medicine (such as information on healthy eating). Parents with children with special medical needs should meet with the School Matron to discuss any special provision required. This includes chronic illness, congenital conditions or transient medical issues such as a broken limb
The School Matron can administer over the counter medication with consent from parents Any medication to be administered during the school day will need permission by the parent/guardian by phone or email No medication is to be self-administered without parental permission and qualified staff supervision. A signed parental waiver accompanied by a doctor’s note are required to indemnify designated school first aiders with regard to the well-intentioned discharge of their duties in the administration of medication and first aid
A child with a fever will be excluded from school if they have a temperature of 38 degrees celsius or more When temperature reducing medicine is given the parent will be requested to collect their child from the school Children can return to school after 24 hours of normal temperature, subject to professional medical advice.
Parents are responsible for maintaining their correct contact information via the Parent App as this will be used to contact them in the event of any medical matters.
CO-CURRICULAR
ACTIVITIES (CCAs)
We offer a diverse range of co-curricular activities (CCAs) throughout each of the three school terms, such as sport, STEAM activities, performing arts and special interest clubs. Most of our activities are led by the staff here at NAIS Dublin but we also have some external providers who take some specialist CCAs, like Taekwondo for example, which may carry an additional charge Any activity with an additional charge needs to be paid in full at the start of the term and there are no refunds for missed sessions unless the provider/school need to cancel on a certain date.
A full list of activities will be available at the beginning of each term and sign up will be via SchoolsBuddy, our specialised software that helps us to allocate students to their activities. To avoid disappointment students are encouraged to select more than one activity on a given day during the sign-up phase as some activities fill up and are sometimes oversubscribed By indicating a second preference, students are choosing a back-up in case they are not allocated their first choice. Failure to choose a back up could lead to disappointment.
Once sign-up is complete, parents will receive a confirmation email via SchoolsBuddy letting them know which activities their child(ren) is/are successfully registered for Once confirmation emails have been sent, students will not be able to switch activities and therefore by signing up, they are making a commitment to attend their activity for the duration of the term Some sporting and performing arts CCAs may require a trial or audition in order to ascertain a student’s suitability to the activity, such as international sporting trips, expeditions or school productions. These types of activities require dedication in attending training/rehearsals and should only be applied for if the student can commit for the duration
CCAs will run after school Monday through Thursday from 2:30pm to 3:30pm for students in KG3 to Grade 1 and from 3:30pm to 4:30pm for students in Grades 2 to 12
Students will either make their own way home at this time, get picked up or take the late bus, which will depart school at 4:30pm.
PRIVATE MUSIC TUITION
The NAIS Dublin Music Academy offers students a fully comprehensive music tuition programme including piano, voice, strings, woodwind, brass and percussion Students of all levels wishing to pursue private study will have the opportunity to work with talented instructors to develop their skills.
We offer private instrument lessons for students in KG5 to Grade 12. For primary students lessons take place during the school day or after school Secondary music lessons are available after school only All lessons are offered on an individual basis and at an additional cost Every effort and care will be taken to ensure crucial lessons are not missed The private lessons will be offered on a rotating and flexible timetable.
AFTER SCHOOL CARE
The After School Care service is held in the classroom beside the LunchBox This starts from 3:30pm and is available to children from KG3 to Grade 5. Early Years and Grade 1 students must register for a CCA from 2:30pm-3:30pm should you wish for your child to remain supervised upon dismissal.
This service must be pre-booked at the beginning of each term and is chargeable at a set fee. After School Care is available until 6:00pm, Monday - Thursday and 5:00pm on Fridays If a child is not collected by this time, staff will try to contact the parents, then next of kin and will notify the Head of School A late fee per child may be charged at the Head of School’s discretion
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR STUDENTS
On the way to and from NAIS Dublin, students will:
Look smart and tidy
Be mindful of others
Be courteous and helpful to other people
Behave sensibly at all times
Try to help others behave sensibly
Set a positive example for younger students to follow
In the classroom, students will:
Hand work in on time
Try their best to learn
Bring to the lesson all they need to learn
Follow all instructions
Respect other people and their property
Listen to other students and teachers
Not chew gum, which is strictly forbidden
In our corridors, students will:
Wear the correct uniform
Not run or shout
Keep to the right
Be courteous to other people
Greet their peers, guests and staff with the relevant respectful greeting
Hold the doors
Set a positive example for younger students to follow
For lessons, students will:
Bring textbooks, stationery, exercise books and homework
Bring PHE kit to PHE lessons
Bring necessary equipment for practical lessons
Keep mobiles and electrical equipment in lockers
Use personal devices such as mobile phones,
Smart watches and iPads in lessons only if specifically requested by a teacher
At break times and lunchtime, students will:
Behave sensibly
Treat the building with respect
Line up quietly while waiting to buy food
Allow other people to enjoy their games without interference
Treat other people’s belongings with respect
Always put litter in a bin and encourage others to do the same
Set a positive example for younger students to follow
AGREEMENT
At NAIS Dublin, we want to work with students, parents and staff to create a school environment that ensures teaching and learning is of the highest quality, where students enjoy the classroom experience and feel intellectually challenged and stimulated We believe in the importance of equipping students with the values and skills that will help their development and learning for life We want to build self-esteem and confidence and create opportunities where students, parents and staff know that they are valued We are convinced that this can happen when parents, students and staff agree to work together in partnership. An acceptance of a place at NAIS Dublin assumes assent to all partnerships
Parent expectations:
Ensure that your child attends regularly, on time, properly equipped and in full school uniform
Respectfully make the school aware of any concerns which might affect your child’s education and welfare throughout the correct channels.
Support the school’s policies and behaviour expectations
Support your child with their Home Learning.
Attend Parent-Teacher Consultations
Students will:
Attend the school regularly and be on time
Wear full school uniform and take pride in their appearance
Work to the best of their ability
Be polite, helpful and respectful to others and the environment
NAIS Dublin will:
Make the school a safe and secure environment where effective learning can take place.
Ensure that your child flourishes as a valued member of the community
Develop independent children in thought and action.
Provide opportunities for student voice and leadership
Provide a balanced curriculum which follows the International Baccalaureate programme.
Ensure your child achieves high standards of work and behaviour
Inform you of any concerns with regards to your child’s work or behaviour
Communicate with you regularly to ensure you are involved in your child’s learning and progress
Set and monitor Home Learning.
HOME LEARNING
Home learning can support students in developing their self-management skills. Home learning is any work or activity a learner does outside lesson time. Teachers will assign home learning with the aim of instilling work habits, promoting independent learning and consolidating learning
Home Learning has a variety of purposes These include:
helping a student to take responsibility for organising their own work giving opportunities for them to work independently consolidating and developing understanding preparing for future class work extending the time available for learning supporting the home/school relationship
As teachers, we will ensure that the work set is meaningful and relevant and that if forms an integral part of their learning. Students must make sure that they hand their work in on time and that, as with class work, they take pride in it and complete it to the best of their ability Students should have their Academic Platforms with them at all times to record their assignments
PYP students have home learning activities shared via the Unit of Inquiry Overviews at the beginning of each unit
MYP students can expect one 20-30 minute home learning activity per subject every two weeks. Students can expect to have a one week due date for assignments, allowing them toplan their tasks around co-curricular activities and other commitments
DP students can expect 30 minutes of home learning per subject per week with a one week due date for assignments also Home learning may increase prior to examination periods or test weeks Teachers will share the home learning activity on ManageBac; this is accessible to students and parents. Students are encouraged to keep a personal planner/diary of home learning tasks.
THE INTERNET
To ensure a safe environment for your child we operate the following Internet Agreement.
Students agree to use the Internet for constructive educational purposes.
Students will not visit sites which are offensive, illegal or defamatory (filters are in place to preclude this as much as possible)
Students will observe rules and laws of copyright and plagiarism as per school policy; academic honesty is an integral part of education
Students will be fair with the network, refraining from time-consuming downloads of large files.
Students will not give out personal details about home, the school, addresses or telephone numbers.
Students should report to a member of staff any information they come across that makes them feel uncomfortable
All parents will be invited to consult the Acceptable Use of IT Policy and sign the respective agreement
SETTING THE RIGHT STANDARDS
The central focus of NAIS Dublin is on the development of an effective learning culture. This starts with the actions of the teacher: well-prepared, well-crafted and well-organised lessons; consistent feedback; high expectations, and sympathetic guidance with authentic praise for achievement. All members of staff are responsible for maintaining a calm, caring and disciplined atmosphere about the school Staff supervise students in and out of the classrooms by meeting and greeting at the door and taking responsibility for checking behaviour on the school site generally. Classes begin with students placing bags in lockers and having necessary equipment on the desk The uniform needs to be perfect Exemplary standards of behaviour are expected from our students and our teachers maintain the standards we expect.
Sanctions are used to remind students about patterns of acceptable behaviour We believe that self-discipline is best; however sometimes this needs to be supported by imposed discipline and appropriate sanctions
‘Time-out’ for reflection at break and/or lunch time may be used for minor misdemeanours
In rare cases, we use a range of exclusions from school together with consultations with parents for the most serious actions of misconduct Under no circumstances do we accept unruly or violent behaviour
The Positive Behaviour Policy is available to view on the Parent App.
The flow chart below shows how we use a clear staged approach to challenging behaviour that disrupts the learning of others. All incidents are recorded by teachers using an electronic ‘Referral’ system This enables us to monitor patterns of behaviour across the school
Stage 1
Class Teacher/Form Tutor
Stage 2
Head of Department (HOD) or Curriculum Coordinator (PYP, MYP, DP Coordinator)
Class Teachers/Form Tutors to refer student to HOD if problem persists Class Teachers/Form Tutors to monitor the overall number of referrals and will look for behaviour patterns Appropriate support implemented by HOD (if the issue is in one subject) or Class Teacher/Form Tutor (if issue is across a range of subjects) Parents must be notified at Stage 2
Stage 3
Assistant Heads of School
HODs or Curriculum Coordinators will refer to Assistant Heads if there is a continuation in behaviour issues after Stage 2 and a meeting will be set up between all stakeholders to ensure a pathway to correcting the issues behaviour is constructed
Stage 4
Head of School
Assistant Heads will refer to the Head of School if Stages 1 -3 have been unsuccessful in addressing the behaviour issues
PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
As a school we are focused on the celebration of all cultures and societies We pride ourselves on our openness and willingness to celebrate all cultural communities in our school
At NAIS Dublin we have a commitment to the holistic development of every student and throughout the school we explore age appropriate topics like the harmful effects of bullying and how to prevent it, healthy lifestyles, dealing with stress and emotions, friendships and relationships, global issues, the environment, human and animal rights, managing money, dealing with racism and prejudice, becoming a responsible citizen and becoming an independent learner Much of this takes place embedded in curriculum and core time
BULLYING
We encourage our students to be proactive, resilient and open-minded in their daily lives However, we remain vigilant in order to pre-empt unacceptable behaviour from becoming bullying Bullying is targeted, ongoing behaviour that hurts someone else. This could be verbal, physical or take place through social media or the Internet and will not be tolerated at NAIS Dublin in any form whatsoever If your child feels that they are a victim of bullying, or if they observe incidents involving others, please to inform a member of staff immediately
The Anti-Bullying Policy is available to view on the Parent App
SAFEGUARDING
An additional tier to our pastoral care is the Safeguarding Team, led by the Principal who is the Designated Liaison Person for the school. Safeguarding meetings are strictly confidential and aim to place a ‘Team Around Child’ (TAC) to support vulnerable young people who may be experiencing certain difficulties beyond their learning in the classroom
If you have any questions about pastoral care in the Senior School, please contact your respective Head of School
HOUSES
We want all students at our school to feel part of the NAIS Dublin community and this extends across the age phases To support this the school has established four Houses, named after prominent Irish citizens.
Every student from KG3 upwards will be placed in a House, with siblings allocated the same House. These are:
Considered by many to be Ireland’s national composer, Turlough O’Carolan was a blind early Irish harper, composer and singer whose great fame is due to his gift for melodic composition
In the Bantry Bay area of West Cork, Ireland in the early 1800s, Ellen Hutchins was a field botanist who specialised in seaweeds, lichens, mosses and liverworts She discovered a great many plants ‘new to science’ and ‘new to Ireland’
A Cubist painter and stained-glass artist, Evie Hone was born in Dublin in 1894, was one of the original abstract painters in Irish Art History.
Ernest Henry Shackleton from County Kildare, Ireland was a polar explorer who led three expeditions to the Antarctic. He is one of the principal figures of the period known as the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration
CURRICULUM HANDBOOKS
Curriculum handbooks are available on the Parent App outlining everything you need to know about what your child will learn and how you will be informed of their progress
SERVICE LEARNING
Ask students to volunteer and they will hesitate. Tell them they are needed and they will come running.
Kurt Hahn
It is said the International Baccalaureate Programme educates the head, the heart and the hand.
The School’s Mission and the aims of the International Baccalaureate and Learner Profile certainly emphasise this holistic aim NAIS Dublin is thus committed to service learning To underpin this, the school has a dedicated Head of Service Learning. This involves engaging the school community, in a structured and phased way, to serving others on a local, national and global scale In addition to developing interpersonal and leadership skills, service learning also assists in fostering a sense of meaning and purpose to academic learning Coming into contact with and learning about people whose life experiences and views of the world are different calls into question one’s own world view.
A student’s prior way of thinking can be challenged by service learning and thus it also strengthens one’s critical thinking and problem-solving skills which are both vital to building resilience and solving modernday dilemmas Service learning aligns perfectly with the school’s approach to the teaching of the pillars of sustained well-being which will be infused throughout the curriculum
If parents feel they can contribute meaningfully to the school’s developing service learning initiatives, they should contact the CAS Coordinator
COMMUNICATION
Strong partnerships between home and school are essential as we support our students to realise their potential. We value and place importance of effective communication to parents about their individual children and the school community.
NAIS DUBLIN PARENT APP
The Parent App has been designed to hold all important information in one place, so it is easy for parents to access The app can be downloaded via the app store (NAIS Dublin) Parents will have access to an evolving calendar of events and a weekly e-newsletter informing them of school updates.
We will use the contact information submitted on your child’s application form. Parents are asked to keep the school informed of any changes to their address, telephone or email contact details. To notify us of any changes please complete the change request form on the Parent App and inform the class or Class Tutor of any changes as soon as possible
PARENT-TEACHER CONTACT
The Parent App is not a substitute for human interaction and where possible we prefer to discuss any queries you may have in person. This allows for an open and transparent relationship between school and home To discuss any matters, please email your child’s Class Teacher/ Form Tutor
CHATTERBOX CAFÉ
Chatterbox Café is the parent café, located in the main reception of the school This is a place for parents to meet either before or after drop-off and pick up. As an international school in Ireland, we are aware that for some families, moving to a new country brings new opportunities. Chatterbox Café provides a location for you to meet other parents and connect
CLASS REPRESENTATIVES
Each class has a Parent Representative who will contact you when your family joins the school. Their role is to help and support you in your transition.
WEBSITE
Our website hosts all current information, news, gallery, and calendar.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Stay connected with NAIS Dublin no matter where you are Follow us on social media to keep informed of all the latest events with lots of photos and videos of our school and students
