• The Board offer their deepest condolences to the Khan family on the death on their wonderful son and brother Nahyan. The Board extend these condolences to Nahyan’s friends and all the staff who worked so hard to make every day at school special for Nahyan.

• The Board offer their deepest sympathy to the family of Cllr Damien O’Reilly, Chairperson of the LMETB Board. It was always a pleasure to work with Damien. Principal and Chairperson signed the condolence book on behalf of the school. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h’anam dílis.

• The Board congratulate Catherine Dooley on her appointment to the position of Deputy Principal

• The Board Congratulate Ciara McManus, Shelley Mercer, Katja Hennessey and Katerina De Araujo on their appointment to officers on the Parent Association. The Board have enjoyed very positive relations with the Parent Association over their four-year term and encourage the future Board to invest in the relationship and continue to develop strong Home School Links for the benefit of the children.

• The Principal of the school and secretary to the Board offers a sincere vote of thanks to the outgoing board member; Yemi Adenuga, Leo Finlay, Avril Byrne, Darren McManus, Valerie McGill, Emer Magee, Gráinne Doyle and Paul Radford for their support and dedication to the development of the school over the past 4-year term. They have all been a pleasure to work with.

• The Board commend the team at the school for all the support and kindness they are showing the growing number of Ukrainian pupils, and their families, attending the school.

1.       Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment plus Checklist for Annual Review of the Child Safeguarding Statement

2.      Anti-Bullying Policy plus Checklist for Annual Review of the of the Anti-bullying Policy and its Implementation

3.      Critical Incident Management Policy

Having reviewed the Child Safe-guarding Statement and the Anti-Bullying Policy, the Board feel that it would be timely to conduct a Well-Being survey of pupils and parents, incorporating:  

• examination of the effectiveness of prevention and education strategies in the Anti-Bullying Policy
• Suggestions for improvement and other feedback from parents and children in relation to school’s compliance with the requirements for child-safeguarding arrangements

• The Board offer their congratulations to sixth class pupils. We are all very proud of you and wish you all the best in the future. 

• The Board extend their thanks to all the staff for their hard work and great success during academic year.  

• The Board extend their thanks to the parents for their continued support, dedication and partnership with the school. 

• The Board extend their thanks to all the pupils for working so hard, for being kind and always doing their best to reach their potential. 

• The Board commend staff on their continued dedication to CPD particularly their engagement with PDST, ETBI and NCCA 

• Community of Helping Hands 
• Wrote to Tennis Club to ask them to improve access 
• Ard Rí Disco and Ice-cream van 
• Spellings for Me Survey 
• Planning of events for Active Week 

• The Board ratified Policy for Admission to School Year 2024/25 

• Winners of Johnstown and Navan Community Games Art and Handwriting competitions. Success for Ard Rí pupils at County level and these pupils will go on to represent Meath at regional level.  

Winners in the individual and team events in Meath Athletics Cross Country 

• Post Office running on a weekly basis 
• Bedtime stories 
• Allergy Awareness Week 
• National Bike Week 

The Board support the Bag2School fundraiser to raise funds for Active and Wellness Week Activities 

• Paramedic- Allergy Awareness theme 
• Garda- Cycle Safety
• Wolf Academy- 6th Class retreat 

• The Board commend children and their families for their engagement in Anti-bullying initiatives Cyber Safety Week and Show Racism the Red Card. If we are kind we can go anywhere in the world.  

• The Board support the work of LMETB, the Principal and staff in school building, Free Schoolbook Scheme, sports at school 

• The Board approve school calendar for Academic Year 2023/24 and Inter-belief calendar 

• The Board support all Primary Language Curriculum staff training (through PDST) and School Self-Evaluation on Spellings and Handwriting   

• The Board commend the Parent Association on the continues support to the Principal and the school and approve fundraisers; Shamrock Festival and Clothing Collection and approve engagement with external speakers; paramedic and Navan Cycling Initiative 

• The Board offer sympathy to all members of the community who lost a loved one since the last meeting. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha.   

• The Board recognise the importance of pupil voice in school life and support the student council election process. The Board look forward to working with the student council. 

• The Board are happy with enrolment numbers and look forward to welcoming new pupils and their families to school in September. 

• The Board wish to draw the school community’s attention to the new Health and Safety Policy. The safety and health and welfare of employees while they work and pupils, visitors, contractors and members of the public is a priority for the Board. 

• Admissions Policy Ard Rí CNS 23-24  
• ETBI Safety Statement February 23  
• RSE Policy Ard Rí CNS 23  

• The Board offer votes of congratulations to staff members who have had baby since last meeting. 

• The Board extend sincere sympathy to the community of Creeslough, Co Donegal who are now trying to recover from tragic accident. The Board will send a sympathy card to the schools affected. 

• The Board offer a massive thank you to the out-going committee and volunteers of the Ard Rí Parent Association. The Board appreciate the support the PA have given to Principal, all the staff and pupils, especially during Covid, since they were elected in October 2019. 

• The Board approve Parent Association fundraiser supporting Navan Rugby Club raise funds for walking track and Childhood Cancer Foundation Ireland. 

• The Board commend staff on Continuous Professional Development, School Self Evaluation and implementation of the Primary Language Curriculum. 

• The Board congratulate coaches and teams who took part in Cumann na mBunscol football. 

• The Board encourage school to continue to work hard on Admissions. 

• Child Safeguarding Statement 
• Critical Incident Management Plan 
• Anti-Bullying Policy 
• All approved policies are available on the school website. 

• The Board offer their congratulations to sixth class pupils. We are all very proud of you and wish you all the best into the future. 

• The Board extend their thanks to all the staff for their hard work and great success during academic year.  

• The Board extend their thanks to the parents for their continued support, dedication and partnership with the school. 

• The Board extend their thanks to all the pupils for working so hard, for being kind and always doing their best to reach their potential. 

• Principal working with LMETB HR on staffing applications and recruitment for next academic year.  

• The Board were informed the whole community are delight children are going on school tours once more. Venues for this year are Dublin Zoo, Causey Farm, Tayto Park and National Sports Campus. Principal alerted the Board the price of bus hire inflated the cost of tours.  

• The Board were informed two weeks of Wellness and Sports activities are being planned for June. The Board commend staff on continued commitment to pupil well-being.  

• The Board were informed standardised Testing and School Reports are underway  

• Principal delighted to inform Board Ard Rí will be sharing a SET post with our friends at Dunshaughlin CNS next year   

• As per requirements of CL 0044/2019: RECRUITMENT/PROMOTION AND LEADERSHIP FORREGISTERED TEACHERS IN RECOGNISED PRIMARY SCHOOLS Principal presented report on the on the roles and responsibilities of the Post Holders in the school. The Principal outlined the work of the post holders goes well beyond the duties assigned. The Board commend the Post Holders on the broad range of duties carried out and the support they provide the Principal in the day to day running of the school.   

• The Board extend congratulations to staff members who have graduated from courses; Diploma in Inclusive Education, Batchelor of Education, Post Graduate Masters in Education, Certificate in Inclusive School Support. The Board commend staff on a dedication to training and CPD and appreciate the value this adds to the standard of teaching and learning at the school. 

• The Board support school community’s work on School Self Evaluation (SSE). They appreciate it has been an extra-ordinary two years and they encourage staff to continue to develop SSE cycles; Spelling and Hand-writing and ETBI Core Values and Ethos. 

• The Board congratulates all pupils who took part in and represented Ard Rí in inter-school competitions; Meath Primary Schools Cross-Country, Community Games Art and Handwriting and Robert Ballagh Art Competition. 

• The Board approve school calendar 2022/23 as agreed by staff. The calendar will be available on the school website shortly. 

• The Board approve Proposed Student Direct Costs for Academic year 2022/23. The costs to pupils families will be the same as last year at €90 for classes Junior Infants to Third Class and €85 for classes Fourth Class to Sixth Class. 

• The Board congratulate teacher JS on publication of article in INTOUCH magazine. The Board would like to commend all staff on their dedication to CPD and training. 

• The Board extend their sympathy to the family, friends and school community of Ashling Murphy. The Board will send a card to the Murphy family on behalf of the community. 

• The Board commend staff on the positive feedback in Incidental Inspection: Note on school measure to prevent and tackle bullying. The Board would like us to continue to be proactive in the prevention of bullying by holding an Anti-Bullying week to include surveys of pupils and parents on occurrence of Bullying in the school and reiterate steps that can be taken- Stop, walk away and tell an adult 

• The Board support work on SSE, Covid, Sport and the introduction of Lunch Bag 

• The Board Support the school’s planning and progress on ICT provision including investment in ‘trolley of laptops’ and roll out of Smart TVs where required. The Board thank LMETB ICT Department for their support. 

• The Board ratified school Anti-Bullying Policy February 2022 and note LMETB Safety, Health and Welfare Statement of Policy 2022 

• The Board have approved External Speakers as follows: Biodiversity in Schools, Post Primary Languages Ireland and Community Garda. 

• The Board commend staff on CPD 

• NEPS- Critical Incident Management Plan 
• COVID-19 Policy Statement  
• Homework Policy 
• Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment 

• The Chairperson states it is not enough, not to be racist. As a school we must be actively anti-racist. Lead by our Chairperson we will work to develop an Anti-Racism/ Equality Policy. All stakeholders in the school; management, school staff, parents and children will be involved in the development of this policy. 

• The Board are satisfied all classes were taught the Stay Safe programme as part of the school’s SPHE curriculum under the Strand Unit Safety and Protection. 

• The Board would like to wish all Muslim families Ramadan Mubarak. 

• The Board would like to compliment the Parent Association on their work supporting the community and on their planting flowers and vegetables around the school. The Board approve Down Syndrome Ireland- Silly Sock Day, Non-Uniform Day to raise funds to supplement the cost of graduation hoodies and a Virtual Magic Show and the school uniform swap shop. 

• As per 0042/2018 the Board approve the use of external speaker ‘Joe the Magician’ to perform for the school as a well-being promotion initiative. Performance will be held via Video Call- children will remain in their own classrooms 

• The Board approve 183-day school calendar for academic year 21/22 

• The Board look forward to the opening of the new 4 classroom extension at Ard Rí Community NS. The Board wish to thank the LMETB Building Department for managing the project. 

• The Pupil Internet Safety- Acceptable Use Policy was discussed and ratified 

• The Chairperson of the Board to address staff at staff meeting on 17.02.2021. The Board recognise the dedication and hard work of all staff during this period of remote teaching.   

• Proposed Student Direct Costs from Parents/Guardians for LMETB Schools for 2021/2022 were discussed and reviewed at the meeting. Following discussion they were ratified by the Board as follows: 

• Proposed Student Direct Costs from Parents/Guardians for LMETB Schools for 2021/2022 were discussed and reviewed at the meeting. The proposed contribution from Parents/Guardians for Ard Rí Community National School for 2019/2020 will be as follows:   

                 -Junior Infants, Senior Infants, First Class, Second Class, Third Class- €90  

                 -Fourth Class, Fifth Class, Sixth Class- €85  

• Principal working with LMETB Building Department and contractor to deliver four new prefabricated classrooms at Ard Ri CNS. Expected delivery date is January. 

• The Board commend all the staff on recent Department of Education Inspection- ‘The Safe Reopening of Schools’. The school were found to be fully compliant in all areas examined. 20352T_DES Insp Supporting the Safe Resumption of Schooling Report

• As the school embraces the use of IT to support teaching and learning the Board recognise the importance of developing an Acceptable Usage Policy. A Draft policy has been developed. Consultation on this policy is to begin without delay.  

• The Board recognise the Winter Show cannot take place this year in its current format. Members look forward to our first Virtual Winter Show 

• The Board support the development of Calendar of themed events and and an Inclusion Policy 

• The Board ratified Critical Incident Policy November 2020- this policy is available on the policy section of the website.  

• The Board commend the work of LWR and DLWR on their successful planning and implementation of the interventions and I commend all staff for their actions to keep all members of the school community safe.  

• The installation of 4 new rooms at Balreask Old has begun. Principal working closely with LMETB Building Dept and contractors to ensure safety for all on site. This is a 3-month program of works.  

• Primary Child Safeguarding Risk Assessment and Statement 2020-21 discussed and ratified by the Board. Policies available on our website. (Click here)  

• Priority for the year; establish stand-alone anti-racism policy and to incorporate anti-racism and inclusion into other aspects of school policy including Code of Behaviour and Anti-Bullying Policy 

• Special Meeting of the BOM held to discuss measures being taken, implementation of guidelines and ratification of policies relating to reopening of schools during COVID-19 pandemic 

• The Ard Rí Community NS Covid 19 policy was ratified. 

• The Board completed Covid-19 checklist for school management and Covid-19 Risk Assessment 

• The Board approved the appointment of Lead Worker Representative and Deputy Lead Worker Representative 

• The Ard Rí CNS Board of Management would like to thank the school team for their hard work, dedication and commitment in what are very challenging times for the families in our community. 

• The Board are satisfied the school is following all guidelines from DES and LMETB in relation to COVID19 restrictions. 

• School Principal is liaising with LMETB Building Department and landlord. Will aim to have warm water for washing hands in advance or return to school.    

• Classes for 2020 will be allocated based on 10 mainstream classrooms 

• The Admissions Policy for 2021-2022 was ratified by the Board 

• The Proposed Student Direct Costs from Parents/Guardians for 2020/2021 were ratified by the Board 

• This meeting is the first ordinary meeting of the 2019-2023 Ard Rí Community NS Board of Management. The Board are looking forward to working with the school community and to manage the school on behalf of the patron for the benefit of the students and their parents and to provide an appropriate education for each student at the school. 

• Congratulations extended to staff member who recently had a baby. 

• The Board were informed of and support the wide range of Teaching and Learning initiatives in place in the school; incl Centre for School Leadership project entitled The Arts of Wellbeing, School Self Evaluation- Spelling and Handwriting, Primary School Supply Panel Teacher Scheme (CL 0059/2019) 

• The Board have been informed of predicted Staffing arrangements for the 2020/2021 school year (a forecast based on 2019/2020 Staffing Arrangements for Primary Schools circular), and plans for building at both at Balreask Old and Academy Street. 

• The Board support the newly established Pupil Council. They congratulate them on their election and pledge to support them, in their role as councillors, to ensure pupil voice is represented in school decision making. The Board support the pupil council in their first project to change yard timetabling at big break  in order to create more space for play and to give the pupils equipment to play with. 

• Buddy Bench Ireland 
• Ard Rí Post Office 
• Meath Pride of Place, School Garden Scheme 
• Walk a Mile with a Smile 
• Walking Groups 
• Webwise HTML Heroes 
• Extra-Curricular Activities 
• Family Fun Day 

• The school Safety Statement was ratified by the Board. The Safety Statement can be viewed in the School Policy section of the school website. 

• Congratulations offered to families in the school community who had babies since the last meeting of the Board

• Condolences are offered to all members of the school community who lost friends and relations since the last meeting of the Board

• Ard Rí one of 6 base schools in the country for the Substitute Supply Panel Pilot scheme (CL0059/2019). Once at capacity we will be supplying three substitutes to c. 20 schools. Very positive feedback from all involved thus far.

• We reached the stipulated number of pupils to retain our 10^th classroom teacher. All teaching positions are filled.

• There are many Extra-curricular activities on offer to pupils this year; Homework Club, Art and Crafts, Speech and Drama, Creative Keyboards, Gaelic Football. The Board commend members of staff and the external professionals for providing the children with opportunities to develop specialist, extra-curricular skills.

• The Board send congratulations to pupils who represented the Ard Rí Kickhams in the Meath Cumann na mBunscoil football competition.  Thank you to the teacher and SNA volunteers who helped-out organising and coaching these teams

• The Board thank the Parent Association and members of the school community who raised funds to support the school Winter Show through the NCBI Clothing Collection

• The Principal of the school would like to take his opportunity to thank the Members of the Board for their time, energy and commitment to Ard Rí Community NS over the past 3 years

• Congratulations were extended to children who received the Sacraments of Communion and Confirmation this month 
• Congratulations were extended to members of the school community especially the Green School Committee on their achievement of the school’s first Green Flag 
• Votes of sympathy were extended to a member of staff on the death of her mother 

• Teacher Allocation: Increase from 8 to 10 mainstream classrooms (10th Teacher based upon September 30th Enrolment of 256) 
• SNA Allocation: (+1.5) 5.33 

• The Green School Committee steered the school community to achieving their first Green Flag for Litter and Waste Management. Members of the Board of Management congratulated the school and students, staff and parents on the achievement of the Green Flag. 

• The Parent Association will run Down Syndrome Ireland Ice-cream Fun Day on 18.06.2019 to raise funds for Down Syndrome Ireland 

• Principal and Deputy Principal are engaging in an initiative of the Centre of School Leadership. It is an inter-school project focusing on pupil voice and pupil well-being. 

• The Board of Ard Rí Community NS are delighted with the announcement by the Department of Education that there will be a new Community National School in Dunshaughlin. 

• At 94.2%, attendance for February 2019 was 2.4% better than the same month last year. The Board ask we continue to encourage our children to attend school as often as possible.  

• Currently working with the LMETB IT Department to have High Speed Broadband line installed at the school. The installation of this service has not been without its challenges. The Board hope this will be installed shortly. 

• The Board congratulate pupils who received prizes at the LMETB Robert Ballagh Art Competition. 

• The Board recognise the hard work being done by the Parent Association in supporting the staff and management at the school. Their contributions to resources, curriculum support, parent support and the development of community and strong home school links is to be commended.   

• The Board ratified the March 2019 Special Education Needs Policy. It will be available to view on our website. Thank you to parents who contributed during the consultation phase of this policy’s development.  

• Currently 34 Acceptance Forms received for Junior Infants September 2019- not all Acceptance Forms have been returned yet. 

• The Aladdin Attendance by Month was circulated: Total attendance percentages for October are 0.1% lower than the same month last year at 95.9% 

• School Self Evaluation is proceeding based upon Handwriting (closely linked with spelling). We are still collecting data. Parent Survey has been completed. Pupil work samples have been collected. Staff SWOT analysis and pupil surveys to follow.   

• With an enrolment of 238 pupils on 30.09.2018 we will be entitled to one more teaching post in September 2019 if the 26:1 pupil teacher ratio remains the same.  

• Total attendance percentages for September 2018 are slightly better than the same month las year at 94.9% attendance for the month. We will continue to reward classes for overall monthly attendance and individual pupils for attendance at 100 days and full year (183 days).  

• Staff are committed to providing Excellence in Education. The Board commend staff on the high level of CPD being undertaken on a regular basis especially in the area of IT and Well-Being. 

• Principal attended DoES Inspectorate Principal’s presentation in relation to Circular 0016/2018 Re-engaging with the SSE process in Primary Schools. All staff attended NCCA in-service on new Primary Language Curriculum. The staff have agreed that in order to follow on from new practices we have put in place for the teaching of spelling in the school (based on the thesis of Brendan Culligan) in year 1 of this cycle of SSE we will focus on Writing and specifically Handwriting. We have had an advisory visit from our DoES Inspector. The focus of our SSE is to be Handwriting. We are beginning now to gather evidence and soon after that we will analyse the data. Based on judgements made we will write and share our improvement plan. We hope to have our improvement plan in practice after mid-term break in November.  

• In line with a recommendation made in our WSE report and in keeping with the ‘Equality-Based’ cornerstone of the Community National Schools ethos statement the Board of Management support the proposal by school Principal to establish a Student Council for Ard Rí Community National School. The date for the establishment of the council is January 21st, 2019. This date marks the 100th anniversary of the first Dáil Éireann in the Round Room of the Mansion House.  

• School Child Safe-Guarding Statement and Risk-Assessment, School Critical Incident Management Plan and Anti-Bullying Policy were ratified by the Board. The following points of LMETB Policy were authorised and noted by the Board of Management: Principal may suspend for 3 days as per 3.2 of the LMETB Suspensions and Expulsions Policy. The Principal, with the approval of the Chairperson of the Board of Management may impose a suspension of up to 5 days in circumstances where a meeting of the Board cannot be convened in a timely fashion. 

• School did not meet the criteria for developing school status under Circular 0010/2018. Appeal was made by Principal/Director of Schools and HR to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The Appeals Board determined that we do not meet the criteria for a developing school post. 

• At the end of year 1 of the new Attendance Strategy the Aladdin Attendance by Month Report shows total overall attendance percentages are exactly the same this year as the same time last year at 92.9% per month. We will review the implementation of the strategy in 2018/2019. 

• The Board would like to commend and thank the Parent Association on their continued work in supporting the Principal, staff, families, children and the wider community. The broad range of initiatives introduced and being run by the PA contribute positively to school life at Ard Rí.  

• The following policies were discussed, reviewed and ratified at the May meeting of the Board of Management; Code of Behaviour (inc LMETB Suspension and Expulsion Policy and Procedures), LMETB Vetting for ETB Staff and Volunteers, LMETB Use of Facilities Policy and LMETB Data Protection Policy. 

• The Board wish to reiterate we will communicate clearly class allocations for 2018-19 including arrangements for multi-grade classes as early as possible in order to avoid confusion and upset for the community. At time of meeting confirmation of allocation of teachers for 2018-19 had not been confirmed by DoES. 

• Planning Permission has been granted for 2 new prefabricated classrooms on the ground at Navan Tennis Club. We are working with LMETB Building Unit on the project. Commencement notices have been issued and we hope work can begin as soon as possible. 

• The following school based policies were discussed and reviewed at the meeting of the Board. Following discussion they were ratified by the Board as follows: Child Safeguarding Statement, Child Safeguarding Statement Notice and Risk Assessment. 

• The Board would like to commend and thank staff, parents and volunteers who worked to clear snow and make the school safe to reopen following Storm Emma. 

• The Board prioritise the implementation of new guidelines outlined in circular 0081/2017- Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools.  

• Two members of staff are receiving training in National Educational Psychology Service Friends for Life Programme at present. Friends addresses anxiety and builds resilience in children. The Board are well aware of the increase in anxiety in young people in our society and support the introduction of Friends for Life at Ard Rí Community NS.  

• Absent rates have improved within the school from 10.8% in December 2016 to 8.7% in December 2017. The Board encourage the continued implementation of the School Attendance Strategy. 

• The Board commend the work of the Ard Rí Community NS Parent Association; especially in relation to funds raised for 6th Class Library and ICT, Hampers donated to Meals on Wheels, and the securing of Council funds to pay for an AED for the school. The Board support plans for social events, animal welfare awareness events, career guidance, parent training, menstrual care provision. The board wish the Cahirperson of the PA well in her role on the Meath Board Assembly for the National Parents Council. The Board look forward to meeting representatives from the Parent Association at the next meeting in March.    

• The Board have ratified the Intimate Care Policy and encourage the formal implementation of Intimate Care Plans where required. The Board noted the LMETB Complaints procedure and support its immediate implementation. Updated policies are now available for download from the school website and from the school office upon request.  

• The Board wishes to remind parents that based on enrolment figures and trends multi-grade classes will continue to be a feature at Ard Rí Community NS. The staff and management will continue to assign classes as equitably as possible. The Principal will try to announce September 2018 classes before summer break. 

• The Board support the efforts of the Parent Association to support the parents and children in the school community. 

• The Board support the establishment of a Parent Association mailing list to inform parents of support and upcoming events. 

• The Board support both proposed fund-raisers by the Parent Association. 1) NCBI Clothing collection to stock the 5th/6th Class library 2) Cake Sale to fund the Winter Show  

• The following policies were ratified by the Board 

• Statement of Strategy for School Attendance 
• Critical Incident Policy 

• The Rainbows Programme supports children and young people affected by loss or bereavement, separation or divorce. The Board support the establishment of a Rainbows Group at Ard Rí 

• Members of the Board of Management are as follows: David Cullivan (Chair), Linda Duffy, Catherine Dooley, Darragh Roe (Secretary), Paul O’Toole, Lynsey Ginnity, Rebecca Meade, Séamus Kenny 

• BOM formally adopted reviewed Child Protection and Enrolment Policy