P2 Information
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. There is a charge for this (optional) service. Parents will be informed of the details at the start of the school year.
Subjects to be studied are as follows:
Core Curriculum
The core subjects in P2 are English, Maths and Irish. Each subject is divided up into different strand units, which are covered throughout the academic year. The Strands for each subject remain the same from K1 all the way through P2. They will get more complex as the child progesses ad the child builds on what he has learnt the previous year.
English
The English academic year consists of developing the following key strands using the common strand units of oral development, reading and writing:
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Receptiveness to language e.g. being able to recognise and recite rhymes, learning to internalise reading, using context to understand reading
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Competence and confidence in using language e.g. being able to talk about the past, present and future, reading for pleasure, creative writing
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Developing cognitive ability through language e.g. developing interests and attitudes and the ability to think and question
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Emotional and imaginative development through language e.g. exploration of wide variety of text and being able to maintain an interest
Maths
The Mathematics curriculum consists of the following strands:
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Number e.g. counting, comparing and ordering numbers up to 199. Using the calendar and addition and subtraction with regrouping.
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Algebra e.g. extending and using patterns. Being able to count on a hundred square or a timeline.
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Space and Shape e.g. being able to recognise, draw, sort and compare 2D and 3D shapes.
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Measures e.g. Length, area, weight and capacity. Telling the time and using money.
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Data e.g. Sort, classify and represent material on simple charts and tables.
Irish*
For the Non-Irish students there is a course of ESL or US Studies while Irish class is taking place
The Irish curriculum consists of the following strands:
- Listening e.g. listening to a tape and carrying out tasks in their workbooks as instructed
- Talking e.g. asking and answering questions through games and role play
- Reading e.g. Reading Irish Noun Labels (an Clar ban) in their environment, reading what they have written
- Writing e.g. filling in blanks, labeling pictures
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
Homework
In P2 the children get homework four times a week. They are expected to spend 35-40 minutes completing this.
Assessment
In P2 the children will have formal tests at Christmas and summer in English, Irish and Maths. These are used to determine how much the child has understood and retained over the term or academic year.
They are also given a spelling test every week of spellings that they have learnt over that week.
The children will also be given diagnostic assessments, such as the SWIST spelling test which determines a spelling age for each child. The Drumcondra Reading and Comprehension test and the SIGMAT Maths test. These tests are used to pinpoint any difficulties that a child may have so that he or she can receive help in that specific area of difficulty.
Additional Subjects covered in P2 are as follows:
Religious Education, S.E.S.E., S.P.H.E, Music, Drama, Games/PE, Arts and Crafts, Physical Education, Painting, Computer Project Work, European Languages: French, German, or Spanish.
Projects
We also do a number of projects over the school year, e.g. My family tradition, Flat Stanley and each child will research and complete their own personal project on, for example, An Ancient Civilization.
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 developing computer skills. The class takes place in one of the computer laboratories with a specialist primary school computer studies teacher.
Library
Each class has Library Class once a week. Books may be borrowed at this class and returned the following week.
A child by arrangement can use the library for research purposes.
Sports
Tennis
Tennis coaching is open to all children from P2 - P6. Competitions and leagues are organized throughout the year.
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.
Extra-curricular Activities
Orchestra
There is a Preparatory Department Orchestra open to children of all ages who are able to play a musical instrument.
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 Books Required
St Andrew's supplies all copybooks and art materials. Pupils in P2 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
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