To Ms. Ide Kelly and the Board of Management of Sallins National School
Petition to pause class restructuring for the school year starting Sept 2023
Given the magnitude of the proposed changes, and the lack of any consulation, the implementation of class mixing should be paused for this year, until appropriate consultation and feedback with the parents council, parents and pupils is performed. It is of great concern that the school has not engaged with parents and pupils on this in a manner that should have been expected. Of greater concern is the schools apparent lack of concern and policy for those vulnerable pupils, with anxiety, socialisation issues, etc particularly post covid.
In particular, the school has not provided any policy or information as below, and consultation around these matters should be sought before any final decision is made. Should the final decision be to implement class mixing, it should be phased in given plenty of notice to classes to be affected (eg a full years notice at minimum), and full policy documentation published before implementation.
Outstanding areas we ask the school to address:
Evidence that routine mixing is more beneficial than the normal non mixed class?
Evidence of the age and frequency that mixing is beneficial for.
Proper consultation and feedback on policy, concerns and ideas from parents AND pupils.
Information on what other alternative measures were considered by the board of management that to achieve the same results regards socialisation and education goals of the mixing (eg mixed sports, PE classes or art activites, small group mixing for certain lessons or actovities, encouraging mixed class playing at break times etc?. And information as to the process of why mixing every few years was chosen over these possible alternatives.
Policy on how new classes will be chosen - random, educational ability,friends grouping etc ?
Policy on what supports are going to be put in place to help transition for vulnerable and at risk pupils, including individual transition plans were appropriate?
Policy on how any newly mixed classes will be monitored to identify any pupils who suffer detrimental impacts from the upheaval caused.
Policy on when mixed classes will be monitored and reviewed, and how evidence will be gathered to support such review.
Policy on how parents/pupils may raise concerns problems post mixing.
Policy on if pupils, despite supports, fails to take well to mixing will they be allow to move to other class/friends group.
Updates
May 22, 2023
I am honestly overwhelmed by how many people have come together on this because I really did not think this would gain such momentum. This is entirely due to the parents who care so much about our children. Seeing the response shows me that we are not alone in wanting a better process for our families.
Reached 100 supporters
May 22, 2023
25 Comments
As a retired teacher, I find it really strange that children's classes would be changed at any stage in their young lives.They need their friends and familiarity of children around them!!
I don’t agree with mixing the 6th class sept 2023 as they will have a lot to deal with going into secondary.they have been with each other since the start.Looking at the letter going forward no other 6th class will be mixed seems unfair.
No consultation with parents at all. I am surprised how school was thinking to get away with it. Trust between school and parents is broken with this.
Absolutely against this idea. Shocked that the school would even consider breaking up friendships after all those years of a class bonding together. The last 3yrs of primary education are so important. I would hate for any pupils to be negatively impacted at those stages in their primary education heading towards secondary schooling.
Please reverse this decision especially for the 5th class children who are almost finished primary school and have had so much disruption these past few years with the pandemic etc.. This decision was not ratified by all parties and the school need to take into account the negative effect and distress it has caused to a huge amount of the children by this unwarranted change.
Agreed 100%. I think you should contact www.petitionpromotion.com to promote your petition
Vivienne loughran Dane Higgins
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To Ms. Ide Kelly and the Board of Management of Sallins National School
Petition to pause class restructuring for the school year starting Sept 2023
Given the magnitude of the proposed changes, and the lack of any consulation, the implementation of class mixing should be paused for this year, until appropriate consultation and feedback with the parents council, parents and pupils is performed. It is of great concern that the school has not engaged with parents and pupils on this in a manner that should have been expected. Of greater concern is the schools apparent lack of concern and policy for those vulnerable pupils, with anxiety, socialisation issues, etc particularly post covid.
In particular, the school has not provided any policy or information as below, and consultation around these matters should be sought before any final decision is made. Should the final decision be to implement class mixing, it should be phased in given plenty of notice to classes to be affected (eg a full years notice at minimum), and full policy documentation published before implementation.
Outstanding areas we ask the school to address:
Evidence that routine mixing is more beneficial than the normal non mixed class?
Evidence of the age and frequency that mixing is beneficial for.
Proper consultation and feedback on policy, concerns and ideas from parents AND pupils.
Information on what other alternative measures were considered by the board of management that to achieve the same results regards socialisation and education goals of the mixing (eg mixed sports, PE classes or art activites, small group mixing for certain lessons or actovities, encouraging mixed class playing at break times etc?. And information as to the process of why mixing every few years was chosen over these possible alternatives.
Policy on how new classes will be chosen - random, educational ability,friends grouping etc ?
Policy on what supports are going to be put in place to help transition for vulnerable and at risk pupils, including individual transition plans were appropriate?
Policy on how any newly mixed classes will be monitored to identify any pupils who suffer detrimental impacts from the upheaval caused.
Policy on when mixed classes will be monitored and reviewed, and how evidence will be gathered to support such review.
Policy on how parents/pupils may raise concerns problems post mixing.
Policy on if pupils, despite supports, fails to take well to mixing will they be allow to move to other class/friends group.
Updates
May 22, 2023
I am honestly overwhelmed by how many people have come together on this because I really did not think this would gain such momentum. This is entirely due to the parents who care so much about our children. Seeing the response shows me that we are not alone in wanting a better process for our families.
Reached 100 supporters
May 22, 2023
25 Comments
This came as a huge shock for families and the lack of communication and consultation is a big concern. I don't disagree with the idea but but don't feel it's being approached in a helpful way for anyone concerned. Surely a more phased approach - e.g. mixing for certain subjects or on certain days - would be preferable and less stressful for the children.
As a retired teacher, I find it really strange that children's classes would be changed at any stage in their young lives.They need their friends and familiarity of children around them!!
I don’t agree with mixing the 6th class sept 2023 as they will have a lot to deal with going into secondary.they have been with each other since the start.Looking at the letter going forward no other 6th class will be mixed seems unfair.
No consultation with parents at all. I am surprised how school was thinking to get away with it. Trust between school and parents is broken with this.
Absolutely against this idea. Shocked that the school would even consider breaking up friendships after all those years of a class bonding together. The last 3yrs of primary education are so important. I would hate for any pupils to be negatively impacted at those stages in their primary education heading towards secondary schooling.
Please reverse this decision especially for the 5th class children who are almost finished primary school and have had so much disruption these past few years with the pandemic etc.. This decision was not ratified by all parties and the school need to take into account the negative effect and distress it has caused to a huge amount of the children by this unwarranted change.
Agreed 100%. I think you should contact www.petitionpromotion.com to promote your petition
Vivienne loughran Dane Higgins
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This came as a huge shock for families and the lack of communication and consultation is a big concern. I don't disagree with the idea but but don't feel it's being approached in a helpful way for anyone concerned. Surely a more phased approach - e.g. mixing for certain subjects or on certain days - would be preferable and less stressful for the children.