St. Joseph School - SliemaPARENTS’ MEETING26th September 2013

Parents’ Prayer

O Lord, we give you thanks for having given us children. They are our joy, and we accept with serenity the worries, fears, and hard work which bring us pain.

Help us to love them sincerely. Through us you gave life to them; from eternity you knew them and loved them.

Give us the wisdom to guide them, patience to teach them, vigilance to accustom them to the good through our example.

Parents’ Prayer

Support our love so that we may receive them back when they have strayed and make them good.

It is often so difficult to understand them, to be as they would want us to be, to help them go on their way.

Grant that they may always see our home and school as a haven in their time of need.

Teach us and help us, O good Father, through the merits of Jesus, your Son and our Lord. Amen.

MISSION STATEMENT

Inspired by Gospel values and the teachings of Saint Emilie, our school aims at creating a team of dedicated professionals to give our girls a holistic education, developing their individual, intellectual, spiritual, emotional, creative and physical potential to the full, in the knowledge that such gifts come from a loving God who asks us to use them for our good and that of others.

School Motto

Believeand

Achieve

SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT

SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT

HASSCOM Level 1 accreditation

SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT

EKOSKOLA Green Flag

SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2013-2016

Our three-year plan focuses on: Strengthening the school ethos and

focusing on the charism of our foundress St Emilie de Vialar, with an emphasis on gospel values and social justice.

Strengthening inclusion in a mixed-ability student population.

Improving feedback on assessment. Empowering parents to better assist in

their daughter’s holistic development.

SCHOOL REFURBISHMENT - Summer 2013

Rendering of stone walls in the main court yard and replacement of weathered slabs

Plastering and painting of downstairs corridors and ceilings

Re-wiring and installation of energy saving lights and new speakers in the main court yard; removal of surplus wiring

Waterproofing membrane and plastering of the Senior Section facade

New apertures in the staff room and staff resource room

Projector in the Physics Lab

Secondary School Certificate and Profile

This is a national school leaver’s certificate that will be the same for all students in state, church and independent schools. It is issued by the Directorate for Quality and Standards in Education and is recognised by the Malta Qualifications Council.

The SSC&P can be awarded at Level II or Level I, depending on the criteria satisfied.

Students who do not fulfil the criteria will not receive an SSC&P but only a Certificate that indicates they have attended secondary school.

 

Secondary School Certificate and Profile

The SSC&P will record student performance in: All academic subjects All non-formal activities organised by the

school but which do not feature in the National Curriculum

Informal learning which takes place outside school hours

Personal qualities which the student acquires during her school days

Attendance during the school year

Secondary School Certificate and Profile

The data will be collected by the school every year in May and will cover all the years spent in senior school.

More detailed information, including all the necessary forms, will be emailed to parents and posted on the school website.

SSC&P: Requirements for Level 2

Senior V: 2 Informal Activities and 2 Non-Formal Activities [at least in 2 years]

Senior IV: 3 Informal Activities and 3 Non-Formal Activities [at least in 3 years]

Senior III: 3 Informal Activities and 4 Non-Formal Activities [at least in 4 years]

Senior II: 3 Informal Activities and 5 Non-Formal Activities [at least in 5 years]

Informal Activities means outside school hours

Formative Assessment

Assessment for Learning

November Assessments prior to Parents’ Day

Parents’ Day Mid-Yearly Examinations & feedback Annual Examinations & feedback Conduct and Appraisal on the Klikks

School Management System

Parents’ Day : Term 1

Parents’ Day for term one will take place on Thursday 28th November 2013

Students will not be allowed to queue for parents

Parents and students can visit any teacher for feedback

Parents and students are to use the feedback in the folder to prioritise who they need to visit

Students must take responsibility for their progress

Parents’ Day : Term 2

Parents’ Day for term two will take place on two days – Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th April 2014

Parents and students are to attend on one morning and must bring their Mid-Yearly Exam Report to Parents’ Day

Students will not be allowed to queue for parents

Parents and students can visit any teacher for feedback on performance and progress

Mid-Yearly Exams

Mid-Yearly Exam papers will include a marks grid to give students an indication where marks were lost and gained

All students will be given the opportunity to see their corrected exam scripts in class, during lessons, and receive feedback on areas for improvement

All exam scripts remain the property of the school

Past Exam Papers on CD will be on sale from the school

Annual Exams

Annual Exam papers will include a marks grid to give students an indication where marks were lost and gained

All students will be given the opportunity to see their corrected exam scripts in class, during lessons, and receive feedback on areas for improvement between Monday 23rd and Friday 27th June 2014

All exam scripts remain the property of the school

Past Exam Papers on CD will be on sale from the school

School Outings

School outings are organised regularly to enhance the educational, spiritual and pastoral programme we offer our students.

All students are expected to participate actively in school outings.

Information forms with the details of the outing will be emailed to parents; consent forms will not be sent home with students.

If parents object to their daughter attending a particular outing it is their responsibility to contact the Head or Assistant Head to let her know.

Klikks School Management System

The Klikks SMS site will give parents and students access to:

Student time-table and school calendar Attendance Conduct Reports [i.e. behaviour in breach of

school rules] Appraisals [i.e. positive behaviour to be

rewarded] Mid-Yearly and Annual assessments and

exam marksExam Reports will not be posted home

Klikks School Management System

Many parents have not yet activated their Klikks parent account.

Both parents will have a separate account provided the school has been given both email addresses.

Parents are responsible to check the Klikks account regularly to know whether their daughter has been given a Conduct Report or Appraisal.

Please contact the school secretaries on 21330235 if you need help with your Klikks account.

Conduct

All students have been made aware of what misbehaviour can result in a Conduct Report at the start of the school year.

The Student Code of Behaviour is available on the school website.

Parents will be able to check for any Conduct Reports at any time once their Klikks parent account is activated.

Parents will be alerted by email to check the Klikks SMS site if their daughter has repeatedly received a Conduct report.

An accumulation of 10 points from Conduct Reports will result in a Detention after school from 1.30 to 2.30pm; parents will be informed.

Appraisals

Appraisals will be posted on the Klikks system to reward behaviour outlined in the ‘Positive Behaviour’ lists on class-room notice boards and in the Student Code of Behaviour.

Students will be rewarded with positive points for achievement, enthusiasm, improvement and commitment.

Positive points earned from Appraisals will not cancel out negative points earned from Conduct Reports.

Appraisal Assembly will be held monthly to recognise and celebrate positive behaviour in the school community.

Confidential Information

on Klikks Parents will only be able to see information

related to their own daughter.

Teachers can only see the Conduct Reports and Appraisals that they have given to the students they teach – they cannot see any Conduct Reports or Appraisals given by other teachers.

The Head of School, the Assistant Head and the Mistress of Discipline only are able to see the Conduct Reports and Appraisals of all students.

Student Absence : less than 3 days

Student Attendance is taken by the Mistress of Discipline every morning during the first lesson.

Students who are absent will be marked ‘absent’ on the Klikks system.

When an absent student returns to school she will be given an ‘Absentee Form’ by her class teacher to be filled in by parents.

Once this form is returned, ‘absent’ will be changed to ‘certified’ or ‘medical’ on the Klikks system.

If the ‘Absentee Form’ is not returned to the class teacher, the student will remain listed as ‘absent’.

Student Absence :3 days or more

Students who are absent from school for 3 or more days are required to present a doctor’s medical certificate together with the Absentee Form on their return to school.

When the medical certificate is returned to the Class Teacher, the ‘absent’ will be changed to ‘medical’ on the Klikks system.

Your timely co-operation is needed for us to record the proper data.

Student Absence:days excused

Parents are encouraged to fix any necessary medical appointments for their children outside school hours where possible.

Parents are discouraged from taking their children abroad during term time. On occasions when this cannot be avoided, the school must receive a signed written note in advance.

Only written notes will be accepted for your daughter to be excused from school [not an email]. This must be handed to the Head or Assistant Head, who will sign it and pass it on to the Class Teacher.

Students who need to leave school early must be signed out at Reception.

Student Absence:SSC&P

Student absences are recorded in the Secondary School Certificate and Profile for every single year in the secondary school.

Students who do not average 85% attendance will not be eligible for a Secondary School Certificate and Profile at level II.

Student absence from school is monitored monthly and reported to the Education Authorities.

On the school Exam Report sheets we will put down the total number of missed school days.

School Communication

The school website can be accessed at:

www.stjosephsliema.edu.mt

The school general telephone number is 21330235

In emergencies the school mobile number may be used – 79330235

School communications will be passed on to parents by email; kindly check your email regularly.

School Communication

General communication by email should be addressed to the school secretaries at:

admin@stjosephliema.edu.mt

Confidential communication by email can be addressed to the Assistant Head, Ms Bonett, at:

assthead@stjosephsliema.edu.mt

Or the Head, Ms Fleri Soler at:

head@stjosephsliema.edu.mt

Every effort will be made to answer your emails as soon as possible

ECDL

ECDL is taught during ICT lessons from Senior I to Senior V; ICT lessons are compulsory.

ECDL modules are offered in collaboration with ‘Holistic Courses’, Fgura.

ECDL exams will all be held in the school ICT Lab after school hours; parents will be notified in advance.

Each student will be given a username and password and will be able to take online diagnostic tests (practice tests) and receive feedback.

Parents can follow their daughter’s progress online.

ECDL

ECDL information and forms have already been sent home and are also available on the website.

All payments will be made through the school in one payment at the start of the scholastic year

All payments will be collected by Ms Bason; receipts are to be kept as proof of purchase.

Any queries re ECDL modules can be addressed by email to Ms Charlene Attard on ict@stjosephsliema.edu.mt

INTERNET PROTECTION

Data Protection Policy re Internet Use

No image or reference to staff, students, school building, school uniform or regalia that pertains to St Joseph School Sliema may be reproduced on the internet without the written consent of the Head of School.

INTERNET PROTECTION

To this end it is unlawful for any of our students to post photos or details on the internet that can in any way identify them as students at our school. We are asking for your co-operation to ensure that if any such images or references are available, they are removed at once. Serious disciplinary measures will be taken against students caught abusing this policy.

Code of Behaviour

Punctuality: Assembly starts at 8.00 am

Belongings: All uniform and other personal items should

be clearly marked. Any unmarked items that are found and remained unclaimed will be disposed of at the end of the school year.

Code of Behaviour

Students should not be encouraged to bring mobile phones, cameras or music players to school. If, for a valid reason, mobile phones, cameras or music players are brought to school, they must be put inside an envelope marked with the student’s name and class and handed in at reception on entering the school. They will be returned at 1.30pm.

Mobile phones, cameras or music players that are taken to class without permission will be confiscated.

A card phone is available at reception for student use.

Code of Behaviour

AT NO TIME CAN THE SCHOOL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST OR STOLEN

PROPERTY

Code of Behaviour

School Uniform

Complete school uniform is to be worn at all times. The school case with school logo, and the school outing bag, are compulsory.

Students are to come to school wearing their school tracksuit on days when they have PE, Drama or Dance lessons.

Blazers must be worn on entering and leaving school when the winter uniform is worn.

Skirt lengths are to be decent and faded or torn uniforms are to be replaced. Parents are to ensure that uniforms are smart, in good condition and fit well.

Code of Behaviour

Hair is to be tidy and tied back if it is long. Hairstyles unbecoming the school uniform, hair gel and extravagant hair dye is strictly forbidden. No make up or nail varnish is allowed

Girls are allowed to wear a matching pair of stud earrings on their ear lobe; any other piercings are strictly forbidden and will be confiscated.

Girls who enter the school premises and who, for any reason, are not wearing their uniform, should be dressed in a way that is suited to a church school environment.

A signed written note (not an email) is required:

- For permission to leave the school grounds during school hours; students must be signed out at reception when they leave school during school hours

- For not wearing the full school uniform

- For permission to be exempted from PE lessons

- To explain why homework has not been done

- For permission to be away from school. All absences must be fully explained.

- To explain any medicine which the pupil needs to take on the school premises

Parental Co-operation

In the best interest of their daughter, parents are asked to communicate and co-operate with School Management at all times.

Parents must not approach teachers without prior permission from School Management.

Parents should not phone teachers at home.

Parents are kindly reminded that they should be dressed in a way that is suited to a church school environment on their visits to the school.

PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Ensure regular attendance and punctuality. Inform the school promptly of any absences. Ensure that the correct school uniform is

worn at school and in journeying to and from school.

Support high standards of work and behaviour.

Support the Code of Behaviour and Discipline Policy.

Check their emails and Klikks account regularly.

Ensure that the school is made aware of any problems which might affect the child’s work or behaviour.

PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Ensure that the school is kept aware of current emergency contact numbers and email address/es.

Give support and encouragement for home-learning.

Attend Parent-Teacher Consultations. Encourage their child to get involved in

all aspects of school life. Get to know about their child’s life at

school.

Senior II Option Choices Senior II parents will be guided on option

choices available in school, as well as further education opportunities, in an Options Meeting that will be held in school on Monday 24th March 2014 at 8.45am.

Senior II students will attend an Options Seminar in school on Wednesday 26th March 2014.

Senior II students will have an ‘Options Taster Morning’ on Friday 28th March 2014.

One-to-one session if required. Options information is available on the school

website in the Guidance section.

Senior V : SEC Exams

A meeting to explain the SEC Exam system, together with details regarding applications for the May 2014 session, will be held in the school hall on

Friday 4th October at 8.15am

Attendance by students and parent/s is compulsory

SEC Exams : Practicals/Course Work/ProjectsBiology, Chemistry, Physics: practicals are compulsory and make

up 15% of the final SEC Exam mark Practicals must be completed over 3

years, starting in Senior III Strict deadlines must be respected;

late work will not be accepted Practicals are moderated by MATSEC in

Senior V

SEC Exams : Practicals/Course Work/ProjectsComputer Studies, Home Economics, Art,

PE Option Course work/ Project work/ Portfolios

are assigned in Senior IV and contribute towards the final SEC Exam grade

Strict deadlines must be respected; late work will not be accepted

Course work and Portfolios are moderated by MATSEC in Senior V

Spiritual Welfare

The School Chaplain is Fr Mario Mule Stagno.

Mass and the Sacrament of Reconciliation take place on a regular basis. The Marian Pilgrimage, Lenten Preparation Mornings, School-Leaving Masses, the Crowning of Our Lady, Live-Ins and Adorations are all important parts of our student spiritual programme.

We offer a varied spiritual programme and we expect all our students to participate actively. Staff members voluntarily dedicate time and energy towards these activities, many times after school hours. Parent attendance at these spiritual activities is also greatly appreciated.

Guidance

The Guidance Teacher is Ms Nathalie Camilleri.

Students can make one-to-one appointments.

We try our best to educate the students to confide in appropriate people, at appropriate moments.

The Guidance Department also organises various talks/seminars to tackle important issues such as smoking, bullying, sexuality etc.

Senior IV and V Guidance re choice of post secondary education MATSEC Talk for Senior V students

and their parents Talks from representatives of

various post secondary institutions

Visits to post secondary institutions, example ITS and MCAST

Career Seminar

School Counsellor:Ms Patricia Stilon The School Counsellor is available in school

on two mornings. Parental consent is required for the student

to be able to visit the School Counsellor. Parents can also avail themselves of the

services of the Counsellor to discuss issues related to their daughters’ well-being.

The Counsellor liaises with parents and agencies concerned with the welfare of the student

Donation

We are grateful for your support, which helps us to work hard to offer the best education possible to our students, in a school environment they deserve.

Kindly do not hesitate to inform the school of any situation that is hindering your daughter’s progress, or affecting her behaviour.

Thank-youfor your attention