St. Cronan's Boys' National School, Bray, Co. Wicklow, Ireland

Our
Board of Management Strategy Plan
is available at the bottom of this page

School Culture and Pupil Development

St. Cronan’s BNS promotes socially acceptable behaviour based on the fundamental principles of

RESPECT -- CARE -- RESPONSIBLITY

Parents are assured that the school will contact them if their son’s progress or behaviour indicates that this is necessary. The school requests that parents inform the teacher or Principal when their child’s school progress or behaviour might be affected in some way by circumstances not known to the school authorities (serious illness, separation etc.)
Emphasis is place on the following;

• Everyone has the right to learn
• Everyone has the right to be respected
• Everyone has the right to feel safe
• Everyone has the right to have their person and their property respected

We are all responsible for the above.

Pupils are encouraged and given strategies to reflect on their achievements, behaviour and contributions to the school. The programme followed in developing social awareness and self confidence includes;

• Organisation
• Confidence
• Getting along with others
• Persistence
• Resilience

These habits of the mind are discussed with pupils under the heading of;

• Playing by the Rules
• Being tolerant of others
• Setting goals
• Accepting myself
• Thinking first
• Planning my time
• Working tough
• Giving effort
• Being independent
• I can do it
• Taking risks

These foundational skills are embedded across all aspects of school life in St. Cronans.

Developing Pupil Leadership Skills

Training in leadership begins in the classroom and develops as the pupil progresses through the school. It involves formal leadership programmes and practical leadership experiences. The approach recognises that pupils can be leaders across many different areas and that leadership skills learnt in Primary school can lay the foundations for future leadership opportunities. They will learn that the two most important skills required at their level are persistence and organisation. Added to these are being able to ‘read others’ and their emotions, knowing yourself, and accepting that there is more than one way to view the world.
Leadership experiences include;

• The Student Council
• The Green Committee
• Buddy Programme
• Paired Reading and writing
• Presenting and performing at assemblies
• Introducing, hosting and thanking guests
• Editing Cro-News magazine
• Leading whole school assemblies
• Playground Monitors
• Class Taoisigh (Captains)

Developing Pupils Designated as Specifically Gifted and Talented

A number of our pupils have attended the programme for gifted children in DCU in recent years. Gifted behaviour in this context reflects an interaction between above average general and specific abilities, high levels of task commitment and high levels or creativity. Gagne (1993) in his definition indicates "one’s gifts or aptitudes need rich environments or intrapersonal catalysts to be nurtured into talents".

Currently there are approximately 80%+ of pupils in St. Cronan’s in the average to above average range and this is reinforced by classroom evidence. They bring a wide range of cultural, academic and sporting experiences from outside school to the classroom.

Our teachers are aware that pupils develop at different rates and that gifted and talented pupils emerge at different stages of their school life. Pupils with gifts and talents may have specific learning difficulties and can find accessing traditional school curriculum or structures difficult. An alternate route therefore, is needed to accompany the traditional classroom approach.

In St. Cronan’s we integrate the following approaches;

• Best Teaching Practice by embedding higher order thinking across the curriculum. This incorporates Blooms Taxonomy, de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats, Multiple Intelligences, Pupil reflection, Problem solving strategies, Higher order questioning.
• Rich and Challenging Curriculum which draws heavily on the skills of all teachers, visiting performances and tutors, guest teachers , artists and musicians, continuous project work which expands pupil development, learning and interests.
• Teacher Expertise in Identifying Strengths, talents and interests of pupils without predetermining or limiting future development. Observation in varying situations, formal testing, parent feedback, self and peer reflection by pupils
• Extension and Graded Groups Within and Across Year Levels which provide opportunities for targeted extension for identified pupils. Programmes include: guided reading groups, Maths extension programme, engineering games
• Opportunities for Pupils to Develop a Repertoire of Skills through experiences at Assemblies, Student Council, peer tutoring, contributing writing to Cro-News magazine, compiling the class webpage, reading and reciting personal work to the whole school over the school intercom , mosaic and mural planning and painting, writing books in Irish , English and Spanish and in their first language for other pupils
• Partnership with Parents that acknowledges and values that the specific talents and interests of pupils needs to be fostered out of school hours as education and development stretches beyond the school day.
• Professional Development Opportunities for Teachers to ensure that the staff members are kept up to date with current research and best practice.
• Extensive, Rich and Varied Resources which cater for varied learning styles of pupils and assist in developing their talents. These include extensive fiction and non-fiction collections, big books and magazines, CDs, internet access, software, games and hands- on material.
• A Mentoring Programme which draws on the expertise of Secondary and tertiary students and the wider community. This programme will aim to develop small groups who have specific talents and interests and will focus on the importance of appropriate role models for gifted and talented pupils.
• Acknowledgement of Pupil Talents and Achievements as a vital element in valuing and encouraging pupils. This is done in a variety of ways as we endeavour to consolidate our school structures to support skills and achievements by displaying pupil work in the school and in the local community and school grounds, Cronews reports, acknowledgements in class and assemblies, certificates, medals and cups, opportunities to share and present work within the school , evidence in pupil portfolios.

Exploring the Environment

We in St. Cronan’s are blessed with our location. From the school grounds we can look down on our town and recognise the various stages of its development from key historical buildings. The beaded backdrop of quartzite mountains witness to the shaping of our environment and our local river tells its own story from its source, one mile from the source of the river Liffey at the base of Kippure mountain to its exit into the Irish Sea. Pupils regularly explore the seashore and woods as part of their learning and our school ground’s Nature Trail has been planted to reflect the development of flora and fauna over the millennia.
Educational excursions, including camps, are regarded as an integral part of the learning process and a fundamental part of children’s education.

Trips to Airfield Trust, Knocksink Woods and Glendalough National Park are annual events.

Excursions are not isolated learning experiences but are linked to themes which introduce the pupils to the study of society, science, language, maths etc.

Other out-of-school experiences include;

• Local history trials and train station
• Visiting the local Heritage Centre
• Visiting the Mermaid Arts Centre for live performances, book readings and musical events
• Ice skating
• Pantomime in Dublin
• Music workshops in the Helix
• Visiting the Young Scientist Exhibition
• Adventure sports weekend with Horizon in Westport

Making Music

In St. Cronan’s we value a differentiated curriculum that meets the needs of all pupils. Our Arts programme provides a wide and diverse range of musical experiences and appreciation across all class levels, including;

• Junior Choir for 3 and 4 classes
• National Children’s choir for 5 and 6 classes
• Class percussion on un-tuned instruments
• Class singing and music appreciation
• Tin Whistle
• Visiting band and musical group performances

Making Art

Our Arts programme develops intellectual, social, physical and aesthetic understandings and skills that assist pupils to create, explore and communicate and appreciate a variety of art forms. The creative arts of visual art and design, dance, music and drama form an essential part of the curriculum. Studies in the Arts provide opportunities for pupils;

• To appreciate and participate in the arts
• To become familiar and confident in the use of a wide range of media
• To use the arts as a vehicle for learning about themselves and their creativity
• To appreciate Art as a form of communication
• To use the Arts to better understand the world and one’s place in it
• Pupils participate in environmental art by participating in mosaic work, mural painting, installation in the school grounds and wood carving.

Communicating the message

Pupils are encourages to find their voice in writing and art for the benefit and entertainment of their peers. This is done by publishing writing in our school magazine Cronews, by writing little booklets for younger classes, by writing on our school intranet or for their class website. For those of our pupils who have English as their second language, extra teaching is provided to help them become more proficient and confident in their communication.
Languages other than English are taught in our school. Irish is our recognised meán cumarsáide (means of communication) with our pupils. It is a vibrant living celebration of our heritage and native language. Spanish is taught to our senior classes twice a week and French is taught as an extra-curricular activity.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

St. Cronan’s strives for ‘best practice’ in teaching and learning which includes the integration of ICT. To live, learn and work in an increasingly complex and information –rich society, pupils must be able to use technology effectively. At St. Cronan’s we aim to produce technology capable pupils. To this end we have a fully integrated network, which pupils and teachers use to access the internet for appropriate learning material and email with pupils in our linked schools (USA, Spain, China) from their classrooms. Computers are available in classrooms and in the computer room. Interactive whiteboards are in the process of being installed in all classrooms.
To improve outcomes to pupils, it is equally important to support staff using and integrating ICT by providing professional development. This has led to improved ICT standards for teachers and the use of ICT for teaching and learning and administration. Our own school IT curriculum has been developed to enhance the computing skills of all pupils.

Extra-Curricular Activities

• Woodcarving
• Speech and Drama
• Art
• Gaelic football
• Hurling
• Indoor soccer ( see webpage)
• Tin whistle
• Irish dancing
• Golf
• Fun and Games Club
• Crokidz ( see site)

Summer Camps

There are three summer camps organised for pupils. One is for learning activities and the other two are ‘Fun’ camps.

Adventure Weekend

It is traditional in St. Cronan’s that the school organises an adventure week-end for pupils and parents at a centre, usually on the west coast. The activities covered include surfing, rock climbing, canoeing, archery, quad-biking, and other group activities. It is an excellent opportunity for parents to share a fun weekend participating with their sons.

St. Cronan's BNS

School Strategic Plan

2007-2011

We, the Board of Management seek your support and co-operation for our four year term of office. We fully realise that we carry a heavy responsibility in ensuring that the service of education provided by St. Cronan's BNS remains extremely high. To this end, we wish to acknowledge the professionalism of our staff and their close partnership with parents which has been of such benefit to all our pupils. We are here to ensure that the legacy of previous Boards remains intact as we look to the future.

There are 475 pupils at present on roll in St. Cronan's with a class average of 28 pupils. They are supported in their learning by a staff of seventeen class teachers, four resource teachers who cater for pupils with special Educational Needs, a language teacher for international pupils and three special needs assistants. Senior pupils in 5th and 6th classes learn Spanish twice weekly with a Spanish national teacher.

Based on the number of pupils enrolled for September 2008 we will require extra accommodation which we hope will be in place for the beginning of the new school year.

Our Aims;

• to ensure a sound Christian formation
• to help our pupils realise their potential and to be confident in their own ability
• to develop the uniqueness of each child and help him develop worthwhile relationships with others around him
• to celebrate the diversity of our pupils' differing cultural backgrounds

Our Mission;

• to provide pupils, parents and teachers with opportunities to succeed
• to be a progressive and exciting centre of education
• to have pupils, parents and teachers work together as one team
• to have bright, cheerful, stimulating and welcoming surroundings

Learning Goals;

• to ensure that all pupils are extended and supported to improve their achievement in all key learning areas
• to provide a comprehensive curriculum through planned learning programmes
• to provide a safe, tolerant and welcoming school environment which encourages personal responsibility and respect for the rights of others

Our Values;

We will aim to inculcate the following values as the core of our ethos;

• respect ( treating one another and the school environment with consideration and courtesy)
• honesty (communicating truthfully and in a tactful manner)
• motivation ( to perform at an optimum level)
• friendliness (creating a positive environment that allow everyone to feel comfortable, accepted ands cared for)
• empathy (demonstrating understanding, compassion and support in a sincere manner)

Environmental Context;

The majority of pupils live within 2km of the school and we encourage them to walk or to cycle to school. The school will continue to develop a range of whole-school initiatives to support awareness of pupil responsibility for conservation, recycling and appreciation of our natural environment. We will seek partnerships with a range of organisations and businesses that are mutually beneficial. The school grounds will provide a unique focus for the development of a caring attitude to our surroundings which we will continue to develop as an educational resource. This area will be monitored by the school Green Committee.

Technology

The development of pupils IT skills is an important characteristic of school routine in St. Cronan's. A team of parent tutor and maintenance volunteers as well as teaching staff have developed a co-ordinated IT curriculum for all levels. The introduction of interactive boards and the development of the school web-site are indicators of the commitment to the use of IT as an effective learning tool.

Cross cultural learning through IT conferencing will be facilitated by linking with schools in other countries such as Edgewood Elementary Magnet school in Minnesota USA and with the SEK schools in Ireland and Spain.


Staff Development

The staff will continue their professional development through the establishment of professional learning communities within the school. This model has proven to be very effective to date in enabling our teachers to benefit from up-to-date research in teaching effectiveness.


Pupil Well-Being

We will continue to ensure that our pupils feel secure within our school. Our Positive Behaviour code provides assurance for all pupils that bullying and discrimination is totally unacceptable and contrary to the ethos of our school.

The sacramental preparation programme will continue to be complimented by the work of parish teams.

Personal development will be enhanced by the Alive-O and programmes such as the Journey for Kids.

Consideration for the welfare of others will continue to be part of the fabric of the school through fundraising for the communities of Ikanga in Kenya and Bugisi in Tanzania, as well as other charities.


Sports

The school will continue to provide a wide range of team and individual sports such as Gaelic football, hurling, basketball, soccer, rugby, and golf.


Arts and Music

Music making , choir singing and art will continue to form an important counterbalance to the sporting opportunities above.

Developing Pupil Initiative

Pupils will be given opportunities to develop their organisational skills through the School Pupil Council and the school Mini-Companies.


Signed:

Gerry Cosgrave Chairperson Board of Management

Vaughan Dodd Principal

January 21st 2008