Home School Community Liaison Service (HSCL).

The HSCL scheme aims to improve educational outcomes for the students most at risk of poor attendance, participation and retention. This is achieved by working with the parents or guardians of students who are experiencing, or are likely to experience, educational disadvantages.

The HSCL scheme is based on the principle of partnership between  homes, schools and communities. The focus is on developing positive and enduring relationships with the parents/guardians of St. John’s, with the shared aim of ensuring students reach their full potential.

Activities undertaken by The Home School Community Liaison:

Home Visits

Home visits help to maintain contact with parents and promote cooperation between the home and the school. The HSCL can provide support to parents when needed.

School Transfer Programme

Meetings are organised where parents are invited to discuss their feelings or any concerns they may have about the transfer to post primary school. Parents are supported and informed about the application process. The HSCL also facilitates the transfer of First class boys to local primary schools. 

Promotion and Provision of training, leisure and educational courses for parents and their families

Some of the classes provided in St. John’s are: English classes, Art, Self-Defense, Yoga. Parents complete surveys each year to express their interest in a particular area. The HSCL liaises with course tutors about the possibility of providing suggested courses in the school. 

Collaboration and Co-operation with the education and welfare providers

The Home School Liaison Co-ordinator is available to offer support and advice to parents and to put parents in touch with other agencies, where appropriate. 

Parents Association

The school has a very active Parents’ Association who do wonderful work within the school. They meet in the Parents’ Room on the 1st and 3rd Thursday every month. The Parents Association organises Colours Day events and raffles as fundraisers and in turn uses this funding to help support school initiatives. New members are most welcome.

School Events

In cooperation with the Parents’ Association, a number of very successful and enjoyable events are organised in the school. Examples of such events are: Coffee mornings, Hallowe’en fun, Santa Day, Christmas raffles, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, First Holy Communion /Confirmation refreshments and World Café.