WELCOME TO THE PARENTS AREA
Our school is democratically run. We greatly value the contributions brought to our school by our students, parents, guardians and carers. We embrace an open line of communication between staff, parents and students and members of the wider school community.
Here you’ll find up-to-date booklists, payment options, information about the different technologies we employ and the latest school news.
Booklists
Payments
School Administration Charge
The annual school administration charge is €220. This is neither a registration fee nor a voluntary contribution – it is a charge for specific items including:
School Journal
School access to Office 365 and the set-up of a school email account
Cost of workshops on well-being during the school year
24-hour pupil accident insurance
All school clubs and extracurricular activities (excluding occasional bus money for sporting trips)
Voluntary Contributions
In an ideal world, our schools would be funded at a level which would allow them to flourish and to plan for the future. Unfortunately, the money that we receive from the state covers the bare minimum required to keep the school open, to maintain it, to insure it, to light it and to heat it.
Voluntary contributions go some way in enabling us to provide our students with the best educational tools. Any contribution – no matter how small – adds up into something we can use to provide the best teaching and learning experiences possible.
Transition Year Charge
The TY charge of €190 is payable in addition to the school administration charge when your child is in Transition Year. It covers the cost of activities, trips, events and guest speakers. In TY there are a number of trips - the purpose of these trips is for students to develop teamwork, social and leadership skills whilst participating in new experiences. It is important to note that the TY charge from parents does not cover the full cost of running Transition Year.
Practical Subjects
We ask for €20 for each practical subject (Art, Woodwork and Technology) to contribute towards the cost of supplies and materials for projects.
How to Make Payments
We take payments via the school app. In the menu, select ‘Shop’, then ‘School Payments’ where you will see any payments that have been allocated to you.
The first time you make a payment we suggest that you select ‘Shop’ then ‘Manage Payment Methods’ and add your card details there before making a payment.
Technology
Technology and the availability of good IT access in schools is recognised as being an important element in 21st century learning and teaching.
Below are a list of technologies our school uses, designed to aid parents and students in communication, collaboration, teaching and learning.
The School App
The school app is at the heart of our communications with you and from you. We use the app to notify you with important information and school news. You use the app to notify us of absences and permissions. The app is also a gateway to access VSWare, school payments, the school calendar and much more.
Features include:
News and notifications
Absences and permission forms
Online payments
VSWare and school calendar
Once you have downloaded the app you will need to verify your details in order to complete the app registration process.
Download App on iTunes or download on Google Play
VSWare
VSWare is our school administration system. You can view your child’s timetable and school reports in VSWare. You can access VSWare via the school app or log in using link below. Login details are sent to new parents before publication of the first school reports.
Office 365
Students are given a free Office 365 account for the duration of their time at our school.
Features include:
Personalised school email account
Cloud storage
Microsoft Word
Parent FAQs
What time does school open and close?
School starts at 8.40am. The school opens at 8.30am to receive students. There are six one-hour classes, as well as a 20-minute short break and 40 minutes for lunch. School finishes at 3.40pm except on Fridays when we close at 1.00pm. First to Third Year students are not permitted to leave the school grounds during break or lunch.
Office Hours are usually:
Monday to Thursday from 8.45am until 3.45pm; and Friday from 8.45am until 1.00pm. Please be patient if you can’t get through to us straight away. We will return your call.
What is the dress code?
There is no uniform. However, please note that clothes worn should be clean and well-maintained with no rips. Clothing with offensive slogans is prohibited. We require that underwear is not on show and that hoods on hoodies are kept down in class and on the corridor. False nails are not allowed. Long hair will need to be tied up in some classes for health and safety reasons. Comfort and practicality should be the main considerations for clothing decisions. On PE days, athletic clothing must be worn to school – ie: tracksuit, T-shirt, hoodie or sweatshirt and runners. Please note that there are no changing facilities in the school.
What do students call their teachers?
All members of the school community refer to each other by their first names.
What extracurricular activities are there?
We run a range of extracurricular activities in our school including drama, basketball, music and other cultural, academic and sporting clubs which operate at lunchtime and after school. A timetable of these activities will be available once finalised each term.
What are the arrangements for dropping off and collecting students?
Supervision of students is available from 8.30am. Students not involved in after-school activities should leave the premises at the end of the school day at 3.40pm. Please arrange for collection of students immediately after school. The school is locked up at 5pm. Please note that you are asked not to drive into the school grounds due to space restrictions. There is ample parking in the Lidl carpark.
Who do I contact if I am worried about my child?
In general, please use the following lines of communication:
If you are concerned about a particular subject, then contact the subject teacher. Teachers’ email addresses can be found on our website here: https://www.nwetss.ie/our-team
If you are concerned that your child is anxious or worried about something, then please contact their Tutor, Year Co-ordinator or the Guidance Counsellor.
If you have a question about finance, admissions or other day-to-day issues then please contact the school office on 01 282 9606 or office@nwetss.ie
Who do I contact if my child will be absent from school?
Please use the school app to notify any absences. Please do NOT call or email the school office. The app serves as your own record of your child’s attendance.
Do I need to call if my child will be late for school?
No - please do not call. You can notify us via the school app if your child is going to be late for a particular reason (eg: dental appointment). If your child arrives during first period, they can go straight to class and ask their teacher to sign them in. If they arrive after this, they must come to the office to sign in upon arrival. Failure to do so will result in your child being marked absent. We ask that parents, guardians and carers ensure their child arrives at school before 8.35am. Three unexplained late arrivals in a week will result in a community service after school for an hour.
What do I do if my child needs to leave early?
Please notify this via the app under ‘Permission to leave’ and ensure your child knows to come to the office at the allotted time to sign out. We do not have the resources to collect students from classrooms if they need to leave early.
What happens if my child is frequently absent from school?
We are obliged to inform Túsla, the Educational Welfare Services of the Child and Family Agency, in case of any student who is absent from school on twenty or more days during the school year. This is a legal requirement that we must fulfil regardless of the reason for absences. You will be informed in writing in advance if Túsla has to be contacted.
What is the school policy on mobile phones?
Mobile phones should be switched off and placed in a locked locker before registration each morning. They should not be used during break, at lunchtime or during the school day unless otherwise directed by a member of staff. Failure to do so will lead to it being confiscated by a member of staff. In this instance, a parent, guardian or carer will be notified and will be asked to collect the phone from school at the end of the school day. We appreciate your support in this.
What can I do to help my child settle into school?
By helping them to come to school on time and with everything they need. Encourage involvement in extracurricular activities. Don’t be too quick to facilitate sick days. By encouraging good habits around sleep, screen time, eating, exercise and homework are essential. By reading app notifications and checking the school calendar. By contacting us if you are concerned or if you notice anything that worries you.
What costs should I expect to pay?
The annual school administration charge is €220 per student. If your child is in Transition Year there is an additional Transition Year fee of €190. Some practical subjects - eg: Art, Woodwork, Technology, incur a small fee (approx. €20 per year). During the school year there may be school trips and fundraisers, which we will notify via the school app. If you are in a position to make a Voluntary Contribution it will be most gratefully received.
We are a cashless school and take payments via the school app only.
You can find further information about school costs and how to pay them on this page.
What kind of behaviour do we expect?
We expect that students will be kind, open-minded, polite and that they will always give of their best. We expect that they will take pride in their school community and that they will look out for each other. Students should note that we will not tolerate bullying or disrespectful behaviour. We expect that all members of the school community will engage with each other with courtesy and consideration.
Does the school have a Guidance Counsellor?
Danielle O'Brien is the school’s Guidance Counsellor. The Guidance Programme aims to provide support for students to enable them to make informed personal, educational and career decisions, this is done both on an individual basis and in the classroom. The Guidance Counsellor works closely in conjunction with Students, Parents/Guardians/Carers, the school management team and all staff, including the AEN (Additional Educational Needs) Team and the SST (Student Support Team). Students and Parents/Guardians/Carers are welcome to make an appointment by phone or email to meet with the Guidance Counsellor.
How can parents become involved in school life?
We welcome offers of help from parents/guardians/carers. If you have a skill which you can share, then please contact the PSA - psa@nwetss.ie
Do you have an AS class?
We have three AS classes which are currently full.
