Correspondance to Parents/Guardians re 2026/2027 Back to School Information

August 2026

Dear Parents/Guardians.

I hope this letter finds you and your family in good health.

As we prepare to enter another academic year, I would like to take this opportunity to provide you with some important information/reminders in relation to your son/daughter for the 2026/2027 academic year at Selskar College

Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the office at selskarcollege@wwetb.ie. or refer to the school website Selskar College for additional information.

Returning to school

Please see the below information indicating the days in which your child is due to begin for their new academic year in Selskar College.

1^st Year Students:

Our first year students will attend an assembly on the morning of their first day in Selskar College, provided by the Principal, Mr Connolly, the Deputy Principal, Ms Byrne and their Year Head, Ms Devereux.

All first year students will follow our Le Chéile induction programme in the school, led by their Year Head, delivered by class tutors and supported by Meitheal leaders.

Our Lé Chéile programme will provide first year students an opportunity to become familiar with each other, the school expectations, the school building and the running of the school. It will provide all students an opportunity to become confident learners in an environment where the can continue to develop and thrive.

First year students will meet their Year Head, Guidance Counsellors, Tutors, and various teachers over these days. Students will also find their feet in their new surroundings and view their school timetable, locker, and other relevant school materials.

All students will be presented with their timetables, their locker key and books/materials.

First year students will follow their full timetable from Wednesday 2-09-26.

2^nd – 6^th Year Students:

All year groups will attend an assembly on the day of their return provided by the Principal, Mr Connolly, the Deputy Principal, Ms Byrne and the relevant Year Head.

All students will be presented with their timetables, their locker key and books where required.

School Supports:

o Home School Community Liaison Officer: HSCLO, Ms Gillian Fitzmaurice O’Brien, will assist parents/guardians in late August and early September.

o Career Guidance: Students enrolled in Selskar College can access support from two Career Guidance Counsellors, Ms Colfer and Mr Kinsella.

o School Completion Programme: SCP staff will continue working with a cohort of students at Selskar College in their transition to the school and throughout the acadmic year.

o Behaviour for Learning: BFL teacher, Mr Shore, will work with a cohort of students at Selskar College.

Mobile Phone Policy

Please note that a change to our Mobile Phone Policy will come into effect immediately, in line with the Department of Education circular 0045/2025.

From Monday to Friday, our campus will operate as a Mobile-Free Zone, and the use of mobile phones on school grounds will not be permitted.

We strongly encourage students not to bring mobile phones to school, unless deemed necessary by the parent(s)/guardian(s) for transport/communication reasons outside of school hours and off the school premises.

Any phone that is found to be in use during the school day will be confiscated in accordance with our school policy. Should your child need to make contact, they can do so from the school office.

We kindly ask for the support and cooperation of parents and guardians as we implement this important initiative.

We believe that this change will significantly enhance students’ academic focus, reduce social anxiety, and promote more meaningful social interactions among peers.

The full Mobile Phone Usage Policy is available on our school website.

School Calendar

A copy of the school calendar is available on our website. A link to 2026/2027 school calendar is also available here: 2026/2027 School Calendar

School Uniform/School Jackets/School PE Uniform

i. School Uniform:

All students are required to wear the Selskar College uniform. The crested items are available to purchase from Hores Stores and online: Selskar College Wexford Archives - Hores Stores.

Students must present to school in full uniform for the induction and subsequent days. Details concerning the School Uniform are available below. It is good practice for students to change out of their uniforms once they arrive home after school.

Students not presenting in full uniform will be asked to take a seat at the reception area to await collection.

First year students enrolling at Selskar College in August 2026 will wear the following uniform:

o A plain blue shirt,

o Navy school crested jumper (optional: a crested half-zip is optional and can be worn in school. The half zip is available to purchase at Hores Stores)

o Navy trousers/uniform skirt

o Plain black footwear.

For students in 2nd, 3rd, Transition Year, 5th and 6th year; their existing uniform will suffice. We are continuing to phase out our grey jumper and understand that some older students may still be wearing this as their uniform for this academic year. However, for students requiring a new uniform due to wear and tear or a change in size, it is preferable to purchase the all-navy uniform.

Images for guidance

ii. School Jackets:

Only crested school jackets are permitted to be worn on school grounds.

A school jacket is available to purchase, along with the full school uniform, at Hores Stores and online at Selskar College Wexford - Colleges - Education - Shop By Team

iii. PE Uniform:

On a day where a student is timetabled for PE, we provide students with two options:

a) Students may wear the Selskar College PE Uniform for the full duration of the school day. This PE uniform consists of crested navy tracksuit, blue polo shirt/blue t-shirt and the crested half zip. This is the only acceptable PE uniform should students wish to wear it for the full school day.

b) Students wear their normal Selskar College uniform to school and change into their own tracksuit and polo shirt for the duration of their PE class. Near the end of the PE class, they will be given time to change back into their school unform for the remainder of the school day.

School Book Scheme & Stationary Provision

The main aim of the new Junior Cycle & Senior Cycle Schoolbooks & Materials Scheme is to eliminate the cost of schoolbooks and core classroom resources for parents/guardians.

As students continue past 1^st year and 5^th year, they should already have the majority of schoolbooks and some related classroom resources needed for the Junior and Senior Cycle programmes.

It is important to note that students are expected to take good care of their schoolbooks and classroom resources and keep them in good condition during the year/duration of use. Therefore, the scheme does not cover the replacement of schoolbooks due to them being lost or in poor condition. Should schoolbooks/materials need to be replaced, this is the responsibility of the parent(s)/guardian(s).

Student Services Contribution

The student services contribution will differ for each programme.

Selskar College operates an online payment system. You will receive a link via text message to access the system.

The online payment facility allows parents/guardians to pay the total amount or pay in instalments if they wish.

Should you have any queries concerning online payments via TYRO, please contact the school reception at 053-9122753 or email Selskarcollge@wwetb.ie.

Junior Cycle:

Selskar College operates a student services contribution of €70 per student per year.

This charge includes school-based activities, lockers, online resources, digital technology, and contributions to school trips, sports teams, buses, and student insurance.

Access to these ensures that all Selskar College students have access to a range of supports across all subject areas.

There may be additional charges for practical subject materials/equipment and student lockers.

Senior Cycle:

Selskar College operates a student services contribution of €100 per student per year.

This charge includes appropriate classroom equipment, school-based activities, lockers, online resources, digital technology, and contribution to school trips, sports teams, buses, and student insurance.

Access to these ensures that all Selskar College students have access to a range of supports across all subject areas.

There may be additional charges for practical subject materials/equipment and student lockers.

Transition Year:

Selskar College operates a Transition Year charge for the TY programme.

This charge includes access to appropriate classroom equipment, extracurricular activities, school-based activities, lockers, online resources, digital technology, contribution to school trips, sports teams, busses and student insurance.

Access to these ensures that all Selskar College students have access to a range of supports across all subject areas.

School Communication

At Selskar College, we welcome parental/guardian involvement in supporting your child and our school community.

Whereby a parent/guardian should wish to speak with a member of staff, please contact the school office at 053-9122753, email via selskarcollege@wwetb.ie or contact your child’s Year Head and they will happily liaise with you.

It is essential that the school can make relevant contact with each student’s parent/guardian. This allows for you to receive all up to date communication, which ensures your child receives the all necessary information that they require across many school related areas. Communication from the school may come through TYRO (please ensure you have notifications enabled), phone call, text message or email.

Collection of Students during the School Day

If a parent/guardian must collect a student during the course of the school day, the following arrangements should apply;

- Minimise disruption to classes, advance notice by phonecall to the office is preferred.

- When a parent/guardian arrives at the school, they should press the buzzer at the main entrance to alert the office that they have arrived.

- The student will be called from their class/waiting at the office and the parent/guardian will be asked to prsent to the office where they will be signed out via our Tyro system

- When returning to school, the student should prsent to the office where they will be signed back in on the tyro system.

- Students are only permitted to leave the school grounds if they follow the above protocol.

- Students are permitted to leave the school only with a parent/guardian.

*We understand that in some circumstances, appointments are needed during school times (9.00 – 15.30). However, where possible, we encourage students to remain in school for the full day, each day. Consistency, lack of disruption to learning and positive attendance are hugely important to allow students the best opportunities in reaching academic success.

*When collecting your child, please park in the designated parking spots at the back of the school - we ask you to not park or use our disabled parking spaces for drop off/collection. These spaces should remain vacant for those who require them.

Lockers

All students will be allocated a locker for the 2026-2027 academic year.

It is a student’s responsibility to:

- keep their locker key safe and carry it with them each day (a charge will be implemented to replace a lost locker key)

- maintain their assigned locker for the full academic year.

Exit/Entrances

All students will enter and exit through the main school entrance.

Breaktime/Lunchtime

All Selskar College ALL students are required to stay on school grounds during the small break.

Senior Cycle students ONLY are permitted to leave the school grounds at lunchtime.

Student Lunches & Drinks

All students at Selskar College are provided with a hot lunch each day. A menu will be available each week, giving students a choice of three meals. All meals must be consumed in the canteen area.

Students should bring a reusable drink bottle to school each day. There are communal water fountains available at Selskar College.