Home School Liasion Scheme

All courses are FREE and take place in the school generally during school hours. Some are beginning in January/February 2018.

Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) News: January to May 2016

Parent Courses that ran

1. Internet Safety & Use of iPads

In January & February, a group of Parents attended a 5 week IT course using ipads. While learning how to use an ipad, they also gained information on how to monitor their child’s use of the internet and they got tips on how to keep their child safe online.

2. Creative Writing Workshop

A group of Parents attended a 2 day workshop on Creative Writing Skills. This course gave them an insight into the type of skills their son/daughter need for the new Junior Cycle English course and key skills needed for their child’s learning in general.

3. Maths Course for Parents

Following on from the very successful Maths for Parents course before Christmas, a group Parents attended a 5 week Maths course in March and April. This course provided them with an insight into the Maths their child is learning in school. Parents were given information on some good maths resources and websites which can help their child with their Maths.

4. Preparing Your Child for Second Level

Parents of incoming First Year Students are beginning a 3 week course on May 12th, 19th and 26th. The course is called “Preparing your Child for Second Level” and Parents will be provided with information and advice on how to better support their child’s move to second level education.

HSCL Links with the Community

Gardening Project…CSPE Students/Parents/Lusk Gardening Centre

1A CSPE students along with their Teacher, Ms. O’Donnell are undertaking a “Grow your Own Vegetables” project. A number of their Parents have volunteered to help out with this project. On Thursday 14th April, interested Parents came into the school for an Information Coffee Morning. Ms. O’Donnell met with them and outlined what the students were planning to do. Afterwards the Parents were invited into their children’s CSPE class where they heard presentations from the students on the gardening project. On Monday 25th April, Parents and Students began the task of planting fruit and vegetable plants outdoors. We were delighted to have Gary Lusk from Lusk Gardening Centre, Killyon come along on the day to talk to the Parents and the Students. He gave them tips on planting their crops and showed them some demonstrations on planting. This project will continue until the end of the school year. It is hoped that we will do a gardening project on a bigger scale when we move into the new school. It is hoped to have a “Grow Your Own” course for Parents in 2016/17. Keep an eye on the HSCL section of the website for information on this.

Green Schools/Longwood Tidy Towns

On Monday 18th April, Betty Dixon, Chairperson of Longwood Tidy Towns came into the school to meet the Green Schools’ Committee. The students on the committee told her about some of the work that they have done in getting green flags for the school. Betty then talked to the committee about the work that the Tidy Towns is involved in at the moment. It is hoped to further develop this link between the Green Schools’ Committee and Longwood Tidy Towns in 2016/17.

Meath Partnership Pilot Project

The school is involved in a new project with Meath Partnership/Department of Social Inclusion. Nine of our 6th year students are taking part in this career mentoring programme facilitated by Meath Partnership. It aims to support 6th year student in gaining employment or progressing onto further education.

Jigsaw Training for Students

The school is involved in the Meath Jigsaw Project and we have recently set up a Jigsaw Mental Health Team. Staff, Student and Parent representation are on the Health Team. Jigsaw is an initiative which strives to promote positive mental health in schools and in young people. Students will be actively involved in this project. Recently, six students from 2nd, 3rd and 5th year attended training in the Jigsaw Offices in Navan on promoting positive mental health in our school.

Parent Courses & Events September-December 2015

“Maths for Secondary School” (Part 1)

Sixteen Parents recently completed a 6 week Maths for Parents Course. They learned more about some of the Maths topics, such as Algebra, Fractions, Percentages and Measurement, which their children are studying in School, They got ideas also, about how Maths can be made more exciting and practical at home. The Principal, Mr. Stack presented the successful participants with certificates of completion! He complemented the Parents for having taken the time out to come into the school and learn about ways to help their child with Maths.