Covid-19 Information

March 1st 2021

The BoM and School Staff are prepared to welcome pupils from Junior Infants to Second Class and parents / guardians back to school on Monday March 1st for the remainder of Term 2 2021 .
We are satisfied that we have control measures in place to ensure that this will be a safe re-opening. The BoM have run a risk assessment and prepared same. It will take some time for all of us to get used to the “latest new circumstances” as we become familiar with the new routines, new PPE and new procedures designed to keep everyone safe and to prevent the spread of the virus.
We would like to thank you for your co-operation and patience over the last number of weeks and we look forward to working with you as we assist the children adapt to the return. We are also conscious of the fact that our pupils have not been in school since December and that they are looking forward to coming back to school to meet and play with their friends again. We aim to make the return to school as free from stress as possible.
An e-mail detailing the protocol for return to school has been sent to all families of children returning. As previously. the Board of Management is happy for children to wear whatever is manageable, practical, appropriate and comfortable for parents/guardians for the return to school.

You will find links to the following by clicking on each one

Covid 19 Response Plan Return to School.

2020 Ratheniska School Policy Statement

Risk Assessment Covid 19

2021 Pupil Return to School Form

Minister Foley’s Letter to parents and guardians 24 Feb

Remember that all children must submit a 2021 Pupil Return to School Form on Monday March 1st and on their return following any absence from school . Please be advised by your GP if you are in any way unsure about your child’s health . Under no circumstance should a child who presents as feeling unwell be sent to school.

The school can only remain functioning if staff are available and well enough to work .

September 2020

The BOM and School Staff are looking forward to welcoming all our pupils and parents/guardians back to school from Term 1 2020/2021.

We are satisfied that we have control measures in place to ensure that this will be a safe reopening. It will take some time for all of us to get used to the “new circumstances” as we become familiar with the new routines and procedures designed to keep everyone safe and to prevent the spread of the virus. There will, undoubtedly, be some unforeseen challenges and we will deal with these as they arise.

We would like to thank you for your co-operation and patience and look forward to working with you as we assist the children to adapt to the necessary changes. We are also conscious of the fact that our pupils have not been in school since March and that they are looking forward to coming back to school to meet their friends again.

A letter detailing the protocol for returning to school has been posted to all families today, Aug. 19th. The Board of Management are happy for children to wear whatever is manageable, practical, appropriate and comfortable for parents/guardians for the return to school.

You will find information on the following by clicking each link:

• Dept. of Ed. and Skills Response Plan for Reopening of Schools
• Ratheniska N.S. Policy Statement for Return to School.
• Ratheniska N.S. Risk Assessment
• Return to School Form

Remember that all children must submit a Return to School Form by post within 3 days of the day your child(ren) return(s) to school  at the beginning of Term 1 and on readmission to school after being unwell.

Welcome Note

I extend a very warm welcome to you as you visit our school website. I hope it will give you an insight into the educational experience we offer. Every child in our school is valued as an individual and our aim is to develop each pupil academically, spiritually, morally, physically and socially. As children progress through the school, our team of experienced and dedicated staff plan meticulously to deliver a stimulating, engaging curriculum for the pupils in their care. A calm, safe environment prevails throughout our school leading to the wholehearted engagement of both pupils and staff, who create in turn the ideal atmosphere for teaching, learning and mutual respect. Ours is a close knit and inclusive school where respect is consciously taught, and where children are instilled with a lifelong love and enjoyment of learning.

Thank you for visiting our website.

Pauline Dunne
(Principal)

Our School

Ratheniska National School is a mainstream, co-ed primary school, located approximately 3kms to the south east of Portlaoise. The earliest records for a school in Ratheniska dates back to 1824 (194 years ago!) Our school has a Roman Catholic ethos. The school operates under the patronage of The Kildare & Leiglin Dioscese in the Parish of Portlaoise. Currently there are 232 children in school at present, 114 boys and 118 girls. The school building houses 8 spacious classrooms (90 sqm), 2 support rooms, offices and store rooms. We are very fortunate to also have use of the local community hall and the nearby GAA grounds (17 acres) for all our recreational requirements. Visit our gallery page to see some photographs of our school. Visit our Calendar page to see important dates of this school year. Continue below to read about the Policies and Curriculum in Ratheniska N.S. To view class booklists click here. To view Board of Management Reports, click here.

Ratheniska National School strives to provide a well-ordered, caring, happy and secure atmosphere where the intellectual, spiritual, physical, moral and cultural needs of the pupils are identified and addressed.

While Ratheniska National School is a school with a Catholic ethos, it also has due recognition for all other religions. Ratheniska National School will strive to promote, both individually and collectively, the professional and personal development of teachers through staff development programmes. Ratheniska National School will encourage the involvement of parents through home/school contacts and through their involvement in the Parents Association. Ratheniska National school will endeavour to enhance the self-esteem of everyone in the school community, to imbue in the pupils respect for people and property and to encourage in them the idea of being responsible. Ratheniska National school will promote gender equity amongst the teachers and pupils.

I Scoil Náisiúnta Ráithín an Uisce, tá an fhoireann aontaithe ina n-iomlán gur teanga bheo chumarsáide í an Ghaeilge agus déanaimid uile iarracht dearcadh dearfach i leith na Gaeilge a chothú.

Our Staff

Our School Policies

The school has a number of policies that form the core of its organisational plan. Copies of all of these policies (listed below) are available on request through the school office.

Ratheniska N.S. School Policies:

To see our list of School Policies, visit this page here

School Improvement Plan for Ratheniska National School 

Our school improvement plan is now in place. If you wish to view it, please contact the office.

Board of Management Reports

Board of Management reports for this year can be accessed by clicking on the link below.

BOM Reports

Student booklists 2020-2021

Our Curriculum Policies

The educational requirements detailed in the Primary School Curriculum provides the basis for our teaching and learning in nine curricular areas:

English

Irish

Maths

SESE – History, Geography, Science

SPHE

Physical Education

Arts Education – Visual Arts, Music, Drama

These areas are supplemented by our Grow in Love and Alive O Religious Education programmes. As part of the school’s plan for learning the school has developed policy documents in each curricular area, copies of which are available on request from the office.