14 Oct To: Parents of Pupils currently enrolled
October 2016
I would ask you to please note the following:
PARENTMAIL – IMPORTANT MESSAGE
ParentMail is now available online. You should login and register when prompted by text or e-mail. We will be using this system to contact you from now on. Within the next two weeks, you will be informed that the “Ulidia IC ParentMail” app is available to download from Google Play and the Apple App Store. Please add it to your phone or tablet. Further information will follow soon on how you can use ParentMail. We hope that you will find it an invaluable tool once you become familiar with it.
SPEECH & PRIZE DAY
Speech and Prize Day will take place on Friday 28 October 2016 for pupils only. School will finish for pupils at 12.30pm. The usual transport will be available at this time to take pupils to the train station and the school bus will also be available for those pupils travelling to Islandmagee.
HALF TERM
The college will be closed from Monday 31 October until Friday 4 November inclusive. The college will open again on Monday 7 November 2016 (Week 1) at the normal time.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Year 12 work experience will take place from Monday 7 until Wednesday 9 November 2016. Optional days for work experience are Thursday 3 and Friday 4 November.
SIXTH FORM PARENT/SUBJECT TEACHER MEETING – EARLY NOTICE
The above meeting will take place on Wednesday 16 November 2016 from 3.00pm until 5.00pm. You will receive a more detailed circular nearer the time.
CHILD PROTECTION
The designated teacher for Child Protection in the college is Miss Darina Connolly and the designated deputy for Child Protection is Mrs Beverley Howe. Parents/Carers or relatives visiting the school must report to the school office.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
If you would like to raise issues or have concerns about anything, you can access the ‘Need to Talk’ link on the college website.
TRACKING/ASSESSMENTS
Please note that we will be conducting tracking assessments and identifying the progress of your child at the end of October/beginning of November 2016.
PHONE CALLS HOME
I would remind parents that the college does not ring home for forgotten PE kits or other items necessary for after school activities. We will of course continue to contact home if a child is ill.
ATTENDANCE/PUNCTUALITY
At Ulidia Integrated College, we actively encourage and reward full attendance. Our minimum target for attendance is 95%. We appreciate that students can become ill and may not be able to attend for whatever reason, and on such occasions, we require written confirmation as to the reason for absence on return to the college. If a student is absent for three consecutive days, the Year Leader will contact home.
I would like to remind you that the college day begins at 8.55am and we would encourage all students to be present no later than 8.50am. If a student arrives in school later than 8.55am, then he/she will be marked ‘late’ for that session. Allowances will only be made in exceptional circumstances, e.g. public transport being delayed.
SCHOOL BAGS / PE BAGS
I would ask you to remind your child that school / PE bags must not be left at school overnight. All items of clothing should be clearly marked with the owner’s name.
SCHOOL FAIR
The School Fair which was a big success last year, will be held on Thursday 17 November 2016, from 6.30pm until 9.30pm. Stalls will include:
Horticulture Eco Club
Jewellery Artwork
Jumping Clay Posh Nosh
Christmas Crafts Choir
and of course SANTA!
We would also be grateful for any good quality donations for the Tombola and ballot prizes. These can be left in the main office. We will also have a ‘bottle’ Tombola, so donations of anything in a bottle will be welcomed, from tomato sauce and vinegar to Shloer or other such drinks. Wine is also welcome but we would ask that this is brought to school by parents.
Please plan to attend and support our Parents’ Council and you might even find that perfect Christmas gift!
Thank you for your continued support.
M Houston
Principal