Back to School Advice and Expectations – August 2025

18th August 2025

Dear Parents / Guardians,

Welcome back

We hope this finds you in good form after the summer break. As the new school year commences, we extend a warm welcome to both new and returning students.

As partners in your child’s journey here in St Oliver Post Primary, we would like to outline some expectations and guidelines for the coming year. We encourage each student to approach the new school year with a sense of responsibility, commitment, and positive mindset. 

Subject Choices & Tutor Groups

It will take a couple of weeks for students to settle back into the routine, learning environment and peer groups. We acknowledge that students may have preferences for certain class/subject groups that they are familiar with but as part of a growth mindset and building resilience, we ask students to embrace new opportunities. Requests for changes cannot always be facilitated in our timetable but will be looked at in the coming weeks. We thank you in advance for your support. 

School Uniform

Please ensure your child comes to school in the correct uniform.

The uniform consists of:

Boys

Maroon Jumper

Grey Pants

Grey Shirt

Plain black footwear with black soles

Girls

Maroon Jumper

Maroon Tartan skirt (worn below the knee) with black socks/black opaque tights

Dark grey (charcoal) trousers

Grey shirt/blouse

Plain black footwear with black soles

School Jacket

The school jacket is not compulsory, but if students intend wearing a jacket in class / throughout the day, it must be the school jacket.

Mobile Phones

As part of our endeavours to provide a distraction free learning environment, we remind you that mobile phones may only be used for educational purposes in classrooms, and ONLY upon direct instruction from the class teacher. At all other times phones must be powered OFF. Should your child need to contact you, the school office phone is available.

We are aware that many parents share our concerns that mobile phones can be a distraction and we appreciate your support in our efforts to discourage the growing levels of dependence on phones & social networking apps.

Attendance

As a school we encourage good punctuality and attendance among our students.

Please explain all absences on Compass.

The school is legally obliged to report all students with absences over 20 days.

Punctuality

Classes begin at 8.50am, students should be in school at least 10 minutes prior to class beginning in order to organise their books etc.

Lockers, Journals, Books & Timetables

Lockers, Journals, School Books & Timetables will all be distributed to pupils within the first 3-5 days.

Any queries should be directed towards the relevant staff member

School books – Ms O’Doherty ([email protected])

Lockers – Mr Harvey ([email protected])

Journals / Timetables / General queries – Your child’s tutor

Students should always lock their locker, and it goes without saying that valuables should not be kept in unlocked lockers. The school is not responsible for the loss of pupils’ belongings.

School Transport

Bus Éireann is responsible for all school bus matters. Go to https://www.buseireann.ie/inner.php?id=256 for further information.

If possible, students should cycle or walk to school.

Due to significant traffic congestion issues, we ask that parents who are dropping their child to school, do not enter the school car park, kindly drop your child off 100-200 metres away from the school grounds.

Please remind your child to use the pedestrian crossing, pedestrian entrance and to be aware of their personal safety when crossing roads etc.

Website

Please consult the school website for latest news, school policies and a host of other information – https://www.stoliverpps.ie/

COMPASS

All parents must be able to and should be accessing Compass regularly. Parents of incoming 1st year pupils, will receive username and password for Compass during the 1st week back. Parents of all other pupils will already be accessing Compass.

Compass will be the main way that we communicate with parents, and that you can access information on your child’s education.

School Fees

Schools fees should be paid in full for all students by the start of the school year.

Onwards and upwards

We are confident that through our collective efforts, the upcoming school year will be one of growth, achievement and positive experiences for all.

Kind regards, 

Mr Corcoran

Principal