Our School

St.Francis Boys N.S. Clara

 

Scoil Phroinsias Naofa is all boys primary school located in Clara, Co. Offaly

Charity Number: 2020524

Mission Statement 

Scoil Phroinsias Naofa is a Catholic  School which strives to provide a safe, caring and learning environment. All beliefs are respected and each member of the school community is treated equally. Respect for all members of staff, pupils and wider community is fostered and we hope our school will be regarded as a centre of excellence where pupils will develop to their full potential and have many happy memories of their time spent here.

 

D.E.I.S ( Delivering Equal Opportunity in School) 

We are a D.E.I.S. school and therefore we are supported with our Literacy and Numeracy Planning. We have a breakfast club which serves breakfast in the morning before school to any student who wishes to avail of it. Many thanks to the parents and volunteers who provide this service. We also have an afterschool homework club . Since September 2011, all children in the school can avail of a free school lunch – provided this year by Glanmore Foods. Attendance is monitored and the support of parents and the wider community is encouraged and welcomed.

Staffing

We have nine mainstream class teachers  and six full time learning support teachers.

Academic Interventions

Following interventions and assessment, any child presenting with learning difficulties is supported by learning support or resource hours. We can avail of Psychological Assessment under the NEPS scheme.

Reading Recovery

We have a fully trained Reading Recovery Teacher who co-ordinates the Literacy Programme for the Junior School. The Reading and Literacy Programmes are fully implemented in Senior Infants, First and Second Classes.

Maths Recovery

We have three fully trained Maths Recovery Teachers. One of the teachers co-ordinates the Maths Recovery Programme throughout the school. The Maths Lift Off Programme and Oral Maths in the Classroom have been put in place this year and will continue for the future.

Home School Liaison

A Home School Liaison Co-ordinator was appointed to Scoil Phroinsias Naofa and Scoil Bhride in September 2007. This scheme focuses on supporting families around the education of the pupils in the school. By liaising with staff, parents, community and agencies, the home school co-ordinator can give support to these families. Parents are invited into the class in a structured way for Maths for Fun, Reading for Fun etc. Home visits are part and parcel of this work and they in turn bring the school into the home. The community is also reached through the local committee which comprises members such as School Completion, St. Vincent de Paul, Family Resource Centre, parents and pupils. One of our projects to date include One Book One Clara.

School Completion Programme

The Tullamore School Completion Programme works with students who are at risk of leaving school early and not reaching their full potential. There are eight participating schools – five in Tullamore and three in Clara. Tullamore SCP works along with Principals, Teaching and other staff, Home School Liaison Officers, Education Welfare Officers and other voluntary and community agencies. It is managed by a local Management Committee and has been in existence since 2003. We aim to improve school attendence for students , improve rentention in the formal school system and provide family and support interventions.

Resources

Scoil Phroinsias Naofa is very proud of all of its resources and vast playground area including soft play area for juniors. Each classroom has its own interactive whiteboard, computers, laptops and visualiser to support teacher planning and ICT interaction for pupils.

Therapeutic Intervention

Play Therapy, Music Therapy and Mentoring Programmes are available for any pupil deemed to need special support.

Extra Curricular 

Some of the extra curricular activites enjoyed by the pupils during the school year include: School Choir, Karate, Dance , GAA training- hurling and football, Tag Rugby, Drumming Workshops, Swimming and Cookery.