Preparatory Department

 

The Preparatory Department is managed by
the Head of the Preparatory Department, Ms. Jacquie Campbell

Ms. Jacquie Campbell

 

The Preparatory Department caters for children between the ages of four and twelve. At present there are approximately 270 children in the school.  The class structure comprises junior infants class, senior infants class, and first - sixth classes. 

Staff currently consists of a Principal and 32 teachers including native speakers of European languages, specialist sports, computer, art, music and drama teachers along with a full-time Special Needs teacher who identifies and helps children who may have learning difficulties.

The curriculum is based on the revised National Curriculum for Primary Schools augmented by a wide range of extra-curricular activities. The Final Year of the Preparatory Department Course is specially designed to prepare pupils for transition to the Secondary Department. This transition takes place at the age of 11/12 years.

 

General Preparatory Department Information

 

Supplies and Books Required
All pupils will receive booklists.  A basic set of stationery items will be required as well.

 

Fortnightly Bulletin
Every fortnight there is a bulletin sent home in the children's bags giving details of forthcoming events and achievements. If you are not given this freely it is worth looking for it over the weekend!

 

Reporting to Parents 

Parents are invited to an information meeting with their child's class teacher early in the first term. Dates of other meetings are sent in August each year. These meetings are an opportunity for parents to get detailed information re specific curricular/school issues.

Reports are sent home at Christmas, Easter and in the Summer term.

 

Meetings with Parents

There is obviously a lot of informal contact between parents and teachers of the younger children. However, a formal meeting with teachers will be held at the beginning of November to review the children’s progress.  Appointments can be made to see teachers at mutually convenient times.

 

Lunch and Break 

There is a hot lunch available in school. Lunch tickets may be purchased at reception. Children may bring in their own lunch if they wish. The Preparatory Department has a healthy eating policy. More information regarding this positive approach is available at the September meeting.

For the mid-morning break the children may have a snack and we organize a 'Milk scheme' for those who wish to avail of it. For children of P3-P6 there is also cocoa or orange available from the kitchen.

 

Health and Immunity requirements

St Andrew's College maintains a qualified nurse on campus during the school day. Completed school health form is required. St Andrew's College strongly recommends that all standard immunisation be done for each child.

 

Trips and Outings

Each class will have outings during the year. You will receive plenty of notice about these.

 

Early Morning Supervision

The classrooms do not open until 8.40am. Children who are left into school before 8.40am will be supervised in the dining room. The supervision starts at 8am and children should not be in school before that time. Children must bring a book or a piece of work to do between 8am and 8.40am.

 

After School Study

For younger brothers and sisters of Secondary Department students, we provide supervision between 3pm and 3.50pm so that siblings may go home together. This Prep facility is free of charge.

 

Assessments

We have a school assessment policy, the aim of which is to ensure that each child's needs are addressed as well as possilble.

 

K1 - Pre-reading assessment

K2 - Middle Infant Screening Test

P1-P6 Drumcondra Standardised Tests in Mathematics and English

MICRA / SIGMA tests, where appropriate

NIRA (Non-reading Intelligence Test) where appropriate

SWST (Single Word Spelling Test)

 

We have one full-time learning support teacher. 

Complaints Procedure
(For use in the case of a formal complaint made by a parent or student of St Andrew’s College against an employee of St Andrew’s College)

Formal complaints regarding an employee of St Andrew’s College should be submitted in writing to the Headmaster, St Andrew’s College, Booterstown Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin, detailing the nature of the complaint. Such formal written complaints must be received within 14 days of the alleged occurrence on which the formal complaint is based.

On receipt of the formal written complaint the Headmaster or his representative will forward a copy of the formal written complaint to the employee in question requiring him/her to attend a meeting at which he/she will be given the opportunity to respond to the formal written complaint. The employee may be accompanied by another person. The Headmaster or his representative may be accompanied by a Deputy Principal or other appropriate person.

The employee may provide his/her response in writing if he/she so desires. In that case a copy of the written response will be forwarded to the complainant(s).

The Headmaster will invite the complainant(s) (who may be accompanied by another person) to attend a meeting at which the complainant(s) will be given the opportunity to clarify or respond to any issues relevant to the complaint or raised in the employee’s written response (if any).

The Headmaster or his representative may continue to meet both parties separately until he/she is satisfied that the details of and background to the complaint have been clarified.

Upon completion of this process, the Headmaster or his representative will inform the parties in writing that the Headmaster or his representative will issue a written determination within 10 days. The determination will advise both parties as to the decision reached.

Either party may appeal the decision to the Board of Governors of the College.

The appeal process is subject to the terms set out in the Appendix.

Appendix – Appealing a Decision in Relation to a Formal Complaint against a Employee of St Andrew’s College

1. Any such appeal must

• be in writing and be addressed to the Chair of the Board of Governors c/o the Secretary of the Board of Governors at St Andrew’s College (Letter of Appeal);
  
  
• specify the findings against which the appeal is being made and the basis for same; and
  
  
• be received by the Secretary within 14 days of the date on which the formal determination was posted.

2. Within 10 days of the receipt by the Secretary of any such appeal, the Chair of the Board of Governors or his/her nominee will convene an Appeal Board.

3. The Appeal Board shall comprise 3 members of the Board of Governors of St Andrew's College, one of whom shall be the Chair of the Board of Governors, or his/her nominee, who shall chair the Appeal Board.

4. The Chair of the Appeal Board shall request the Headmaster or his representative to provide the members of the Appeal Board with relevant documentation including:

• St Andrew’s College records of any formal meetings with the employee and/or complainant(s);
  
  
• a copy of the letter containing the determination as issued by the Headmaster or his representative to the employee and complainant(s);
  
  
• a copy of the Letter of Appeal from the party seeking to appeal the determination; and
  
  
• any other relevant documentation.

5. At its sole discretion, the Appeal Board may or may not request oral submissions from the employee, the complainant(s), or both.

6. Unless special circumstances dictate otherwise, the Appeal Board shall decide the outcome of the appeal within 21 days of receipt of the Letter of Appeal by the Secretary. The Appeal Board shall determine whether or not there are special circumstances.

7. The Chair of the Appeal Board will formally convey the Appeal Board’s determination to the employee and the complainant(s).

8. The decision of the Appeal Board shall be final and is binding on all parties.