Kindergarten 2 (K2)
Contact Number/Process
If you wish to contact your child's Teacher you should phone the School. Your message will be passed to the Teacher concerned who will in turn contact you.
Contact
St. Andrew's College
Booterstown Avenue
Blackrock
Co Dublin
Ireland
TELEPHONE - 353-1-288-2785
FAX - 353-1-283-1627
E-MAIL - information@st-andrews.ie
Length of School Day
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday - 8.50am - 3.00pm
Wednesday - 8.50am - 1.00pm
Break Times
Monday - Friday - 11.15am - 11.35am and 1.15pm - 1.50pm
Lunches
A hot lunch is provided. Lunch tickets can be purchased in advance from Reception at 11.00 am on any day. If they wish, students may bring their own lunches and snacks. Salad boxes are also available in the autumn and summer terms. Milk, orange juice and cocoa are available during mid-morning break. There is a charge for this (optional) service. Parents will be informed of the details at the start of the school year.
Subjects that are studied are as follows:
Core Subjects
English
The English curriculum is divided into four strands:
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Receptiveness to language
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Competence and confidence in using language
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Developing cognitive abilities through language
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Emotional and imaginative development through language
Each of the strands is divided into three strand units comprising of oral language, reading and writing.
Mathematics
The Maths curriculum provides opportunities for the child to explore the nature of mathematics and to acquire the knowledge, concepts and skills required for everyday living and for use in other subject areas.
The Mathematics curriculum comprises five strands:
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Number
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Algebra
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Shape and Space
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Measures
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Data
The childs mathematical development at this early stage calls for a lot of practical experience. The experience of manipulating and using objects is essential for developing a deep understanding of maths.
SPHE (Social, Personal and Health Education)
SPHE fosters the personal development, health and well being of the child and helps to create and maintain supportive relationships and to become an active and responsible citizen in society.
The SPHE curriculum comprises three strands:
SESE (Social, Environmental and Scientific Education)
History
History gives children a knowledge of past human experiences at family, local, national and international levels.
Content in History for infant classes is confined in two strands:
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Myself and my family (through which the child will begin to explore aspects of his/her own past and that of their family)
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Story (in which the child will encounter elements from the lives of a range of people in the past)
Geography
Geography at infant level develops the childs understanding and appreciation of the world in which he/she lives.
The content of the geography curriculum is presented in three strands:
Science
Science enhances the childs knowledge and understanding of themselves and the world in which they live.
Its four strands are:
Irish*
The emphasis at this early stage is oral language. It is developed through the use of class lessons, both orally and through the use of the CD which accompanies the text book. Children learn through songs, rhymes, role play and drama.
For the Non-Irish students there is a course of ESL or US Studies while Irish class is taking place
For a detailed outline of the Irish Programme in St. Andrew's College, Preparatory Department, please see the Irish Curriculum heading on the general Prep School page
*Department of Education and Science regulations regarding exemption from the study of Irish
Exemption may be granted:
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To students whose primary education up to the age of eleven was received in Northern Ireland or outside Ireland
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To students who were previously enrolled as recognised students in a primary or second level school who are being re-enrolled after a period spent abroad, providing that at least three years have elapsed since the previous enrollment in the State and the student is at least 11 years of age on re-enrollment
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To students who have a specific learning disability
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To students from abroad who have no understanding of English
Assessment
The Middle Infant Screening Test (MIST) is administered when the children are five years eight months or more.
The aims of the MIST are:
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To give a profile of class performance
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To screen out children who are the lowest 20 to 25 percent of their peer group in reading and writing
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To pinpoint significant difficulties and confusions which are contributing to poor reading and writing
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To yield information on which to base a follow-up programme
Assessment is a continuous process in K2. It ranges from classroom observation to teacher designed tests and tasks.
Additional Subjects
Bible Story, Nature Study, Music, Drama, Games/PE, Arts/Crafts/Painting, Computer, European Language: French/German/Spanish
European Language Programme
Pupils may choose to study French, German or Spanish. Classes are taught by native speakers. In order to achieve continuity we recommend that a child remain with the language which he/she chooses initially to study.
ESL - English as a Second Language
This facility is provided for the benefit of students whose first language is not English. Five classes per week are normally scheduled.
Introduction to Computers
One class per week concentrating on the rudiments of computer skills. The class takes place in one of the computer laboratories with a specialist primary school computer studies teacher.
Extra-curricular Activities
Swimming
The children are transported to Newpark Swimming Pool by coach. They must be collected directly from the pool, as there is no return coach to the School.
Ballet
Classical Ballet classes take place on Wednesday afternoons in the Junior Hall where there are regulation ballet barres, wooden floor and piano. If they so wish, children are prepared for examinations of the Royal Academy of Dancing. They also take part in musicals and other shows. A facility known as 'ballet-sit' exists whereby a child staying on for this extra-curricular activity may avail of a supervised study period.
Irish Dancing
Irish Dancing classes take place one afternoon per week. If they so wish, the children are prepared for examinations and feiseanna. Enjoyment of Irish Dancing and music are the essential ingredients of this activity. Irish Dancing takes place in the Junior Hall.
Debating Society
The Debating Society is open to all children who have a point of view to express. Using formal debating rules, the debates aim to assist the child to argue coherently a particular point of view on a given subject. A great variety of subjects is debated throughout the year.
Chess club
A very popular activity - open to all. Students are taught the basics of chess and are encouraged to take part in competitions.
Prep
For younger brothers and sisters of Secondary Department students we provide supervision between 3.00 and 3.50 pm so that they can go home together.
Supplies and Book Required
St Andrew's supplies all copybooks and art materials. Pupils in K2 will be given the books that they need and parents will be billed during the school year. Pupils need to provide pens, pencils, erasers and a schoolbag for carrying school books. We would also recommend a separate bag for carrying Sports Gear.
School Uniform
Girls
School Blazer
Grey Skirt
White or grey blouse
Grey V neck pullover
School tie
Navy anorak or raincoat
Black leather shoes
White/grey knee socks or tights
Boys
School Blazer
Mid-grey trousers
White or grey shirt
Grey V neck pullover
School tie
Navy anorak or raincoat
Black leather shoes
Grey socks
Sports Uniform
White Shorts
White T- shirt
Navy Tracksuit
Sport socks
Runners
OFFICIAL STOCKISTS - ARNOTTS, HENRY STREET, DUBLIN 1
(Uniforms TEL (01) 805 0413)
A second-hand uniform sale is organised annually in June by the Parent Teacher Association (PTA). Arnotts visit the school annually in June for one day and set up shop in the school for that day.
Fortnightly Bulletin
An information bulletin is sent to parents every fortnight. It includes details of current events and activities in the Preparatory Department.
Reports
Written reports are issued at the end of each Term.
Lost Property
To inquire about or retrieve items of lost property, pupils should refer to their class teacher or check at the Lost Property Office in the Dining Hall at the following times:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
8.15am - 8.30am
1.30pm - 1.45pm
Wednesday
8.15am - 8.30am
1.00pm - 1.15pm
