Dear parents, guardians and carers,

Our final issue of our SWAY newsletter for the 2023-24 academic year can be read here. 

We are immensely proud of all we've achieved this term and we hope you enjoy reading about our many successes and adventures in this edition. A huge thanks to Niamh and all the team who contributed and helped make it another amazing production!

Have a great summer and we look forward to seeing everyone back in our new home on Goatstown Road for the 2024-25 school year.

Kind regards

Goatstown ETSS

Dear parents, guardians and carers,

School Management Platform:

Following feedback from a range of stakeholders, we have decided to switch to a new platform, called Compass, which will simultaneously combine the functionality of VSWare, the school app, the parent teacher booking system as well as our payments platform. Reducing our communications down to one App, rather than four separate systems will streamline our communications with you and will result in a decrease in costs for the school. 

Compass is currently being used as the 'go to' management information system by a significant number of schools across the country, not least in South Dublin.

To ensure that this transition is as seamless as possible:

• we will send you printed copies of your child's summer report by post this year, as VSWare are not allowing us to extend our contract for less than one year. Access to VSware will cease on the June Bank Holiday weekend.
• we have downloaded all of the data stored on VSWare for migration to our new platform, including behaviours, attendance data, school reports, family details, contact addresses, this will be transferred over to Compass during the summer.

You will receive further communication by email in August with details on how to onboard/sign on to Compass.

 Move to Permanent Site:

The school is making preparations to ensure that our move to Goatstown is as easy as possible. This is notwithstanding the potential for unexpected issues and delays. As of now, we are on schedule to move into the new building at the start of the next school year.

As of now, we have:

• Undertaken a number of site visits to see how the project is progressing.
• Made arrangements for the movement of all equipment and materials to the new site.
• Engaged with our partners (cleaning/ fire extinguisher maintenance/ Wi-Fi providers/ electricity providers etc) to ensure that there are no unexpected delays in August.
• Liaised with the Department of Education around a range of requirements relating to the fit out of specialist and other rooms.

Please note that the school has no control over external factors. We will endeavour to keep you up to date on progress.

Jonathan Browner

Dear parents, guardians and carers,

Please find attached a Department of Education NEPS (National Educational Psychological Service) document that outlines best practice that schools can offer when it comes to the very complex and challenging area of supporting students who are self-harming.

We ask that all members of the school community familiarise themselves with this document, which has been ratified by the Board of Management as our agreed whole school community approach to supporting students who are self- harming. 

Kind regards

Goatstown ETSS

Dear parents, guardians and carers,

A Parents' Guide to a Better Internet is attached below for your attention.  The internet safety guide, produced by Webwise, is presented in a very engaging way and is a recommended read.

Kind regards

Goatstown ETSS

Dear Third Year parents, guardians and carers,

All students will receive a briefing from Niamh tomorrow about expectations for the forthcoming junior cycle examinations.

It is important to note that the school does not provide supervision between exams and that our expectation is that students will be collected or that they will make their own arrangements after examinations or in the breaks between them. 

The Junior Cycle Examination timetable is attached below for your convenience.

May we all take the opportunity to wish this year group the very best in their forthcoming junior cycle examinations.

Kind regards

Goatstown ETSS

Dear parents, guardians and carers,

You are reminded that smoking and vaping is prohibited in school. Students found to be vaping or smoking in school will be automatically suspended. 

I also want to remind all parents of the availability of drugs in the area outside Dundrum Town Centre and ask that you speak to your child about making sensible choices. It is also the policy of the school to deal severely with any student who brings any illegal substance to school.

Please also find attached the latest school dress code which has been debated and discussed by the Student Council, Parent Staff Association and staff, and which has now been ratified by the Board of Management. I have explained the code to the students and I would ask for your support in ensuring that we avoid unnecessarily awkward conversations about what is worn to school.

Best wishes,

Jonathan Browner

Principal 

Dear parents, guardians and carers,

Planning is well underway for 2024-25 and we are looking forward to the move to our permanent location and welcoming a further 75 students to our school next year.

In addition, we are receiving a large number of enquiries from students who wish to transfer to Goatstown ETSS from other schools for the next school year.  In that regard, if you are changing school for any reason e.g. relocation, we would appreciate if you would let us know as soon as possible so that the board of management can offer places in a timely manner to students requesting entry to Second, Third, Transition & Fifth Year.  Please contact the school office at office@goatstownetss.ie with details. 

Your child is automatically enrolled for the following school year unless we receive formal notification.

Kind regards,

Goatstown ETSS

Dear parents, guardians and carers,

A copy of our updated Extra Curricular programme is attached below.  Please note that if any sessions are cancelled, students are informed in advance via their club Teams page.

We are delighted to confirm that after the Spring break we will be introducing hockey for all students.

Kind regards

Goatstown ETSS

Dear Parents, guardians and carers,

As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance communication between home and school and to keep you informed about your child's progress, we would like to remind you to utilise our school logging system, VSware.

In our commitment to fostering a positive and conducive learning environment daily, we log behaviours within VSware. This system allows you to track your child's behaviours, both positive and negative, providing insights into their efforts, creativity, and kindness at school.

To access the behaviour section on VSware, please follow these steps:

1.    Log in to VSware using your unique credentials via the school app, via the Technology section under Parent Area on our website or directly using the link here.

2.    Navigate to the "Behaviour" section to view recent behaviours and feedback.

We believe that by actively engaging in this process, you can contribute to the overall development and well-being of your child.

If you encounter any difficulties logging into VSware or accessing the behaviour section, please do not hesitate to contact our school office.

Kind regards

Goatstown ETSS

Dear parents, guardians and carers,

Arriving on time to school is a key skill for young people to learn. 

We can all be late occasionally.  However, being late can easily become a habit and does impact on student learning.

Tutor time is a key part of the school day and students should be seated and ready to learn in their classroom by 8:40 at the latest.

If your child is going to be late or absent from school, a note should be entered on the school app by 8:30am.

Thank you for your support.

Kind regards

Goatstown ETSS