Dear Parents / Guardians,
Welcome Back to St Seton’s!
A very warm welcome back to all our parents and guardians, and to our students, as we begin another school year here in St Seton’s.
A particularly warm welcome goes to all of our new parents, guardians and students who are joining the St Seton’s community for the first time. We hope that you already feel part of our school community and that you and your young person will have a very happy and successful experience with us.
It has been a very positive start to the new school year. Our students have settled back into school life very well and, as we reach the end of our first week, it has been particularly encouraging to see them engaging positively with their teachers and our team of SNAs. There is a real sense of purpose across the school as students get back into their routines and, most importantly, get on with the business of learning.
Throughout the year, we greatly appreciate the support and cooperation of parents and guardians. Education works best when school and home work together in partnership, with a shared commitment to supporting our young people to achieve their potential, develop confidence and become happy, responsible and successful young adults.
To help keep everyone informed, I will send a weekly newsletter each Friday or Saturday with some updates from the week, important information for parents and guardians, and reminders about upcoming events and activities in the school.
A good start provides a strong foundation for a good finish. We have certainly made a very positive start, and I look forward to working with all of you throughout the year in partnership, positivity and with a shared commitment to the young people of St Seton’s.
Here’s to another wonderful school year together!
Sarah Green
Principal
St Seton’s Secondary School
New Beginnings Programme with 1st Years
Our new 1st year group engaged really well with our New Beginnings Induction Programme which finished today with our annual Family BBQ. Thanks to all the staff who coordinate ‘New Beginnings’ which is an important support for 1st year students as part of their transition to post primary school. Well done to the students who have cooperated well with us and had a great first week. Keep up the positive start next week!
Positive Behaviour Expectations, School Rules and Routines
Each year, with all students, we reinforce the school’s positive behavior expectations, our school rules and the routines that support a positive learning environment. A lot of this information is contained within our student journal and I encourage you to view it there. I’ve also attached some helpful information so you can better understand our school’s approach:
- St Seton’s Positive Behaviour Expectations and School Routines.pdf
- St Seton’s Arrangements for Student Toilets.pdf
- St Seton’s Cycle of Referral.pdf
Code of Behaviour
Each year, the Senior Leadership Team and staff of St Seton’s review our Code of Behaviour. This annual review is important to ensure that our Code of Behaviour is up to date, fair and consistent. As part of this annual review, I would like to share the revised Code of Behaviour, in draft format, with you for your review as parents/guardians:
Code of Behaviour – Draft 15.06.26.docx
New Uniform Procedures – Appendix G in Code of Behaviour
The wearing of the St. Seton’s school uniform is a source of pride for our school community. The uniform promotes a sense of belonging, equality and identity among students and reflects the high standards and values of St. Seton’s.
Students are expected to arrive in school wearing the correct uniform and remain in uniform throughout the school day.
On days when students have Physical Education or other designated physical activity classes, students must wear the full St. Seton’s PE Uniform.
Students may wear jackets when travelling to and from school and during break times. However, jackets must be removed upon entering classrooms and learning spaces.
The school recognises that, on occasion, circumstances may arise that prevent a student from wearing their full school uniform. Where a student presents without the correct uniform and provides a note, phone call or message from a parent/guardian explaining the reason, the explanation will be accepted and the student will be permitted to attend classes on that occasion. Parents/guardians are expected to ensure that the student returns to wearing the full school uniform on the following school day.
Where a student arrives at school without the correct uniform and no appropriate note or communication from a parent / guardian, a Grey Flag response will be initiated. The parent/guardian will be contacted and requested to bring the correct uniform to school; or arrange for the student to return home to change into the correct uniform. Where contact with home is unsuccessful, or where it is not practical for a parent/guardian to bring the uniform to school, the student will be provided with a clean item of school stock uniform. Students will be expected to wear the school stock uniform for the duration of the school day and return it to reception upon leaving at the end of the day.
Detention Policy – Appendix D in Code of Behaviour
Lunchtime detention will be held daily, under supervision, at lunchtime on both the junior and senior campuses. Year Heads, Principal and Deputy Principals may impose a lunchtime detention as a consequence for unsuccessful completion of a Grey Report Card and/or more serious medium level disruption as per the School’s Code of Behaviour and Cycle of Referral. Students will be informed that they have been put in lunchtime detention by the Year Head / DP / Principal, ideally with at least 24 hrs notice. It is the responsibility then of the student to remember to attend.
The Principal, Deputy Principals and Year Heads will assign students to after-school detention on Wednesdays (SC) / Fridays (JC). They will at all times use their reasonable judgement and endeavour to ensure that this and other consequences are fair. The detention will be held from 1pm – 2pm on Fridays on the Junior Campus and 3.30 – 4.30pm on Wednesdays on the Senior Campus. Year Heads, the Principal and Deputy Principals may assign an afternoon detention as a consequence for students who fail to attend Lunchtime detention on Wednesday or for the unsuccessful completion of an Amber Report Card. Students will be informed that they have been put in afternoon detention by the Year Head / DP / Principal with at least 24 hrs notice. It is then the responsibility of the student to remember to attend.
If you have any feedback or comments in relation to the two amended policies or the Code of Behaviour document, you can email them to me (sgreen@stsetons.ie) or Ms O’Brien, our HSCL teacher (hscl@stsetons.ie).
Books & Materials
Every student in St Seton’s has been provided with their full set of labelled school books and stationary, including copies, pencil case, journal and calculator. Please talk about the importance of looking after these resources with your child. The books are very costly and since the Free Book Scheme has been introduced we have seen a distinct rise in students taking the books and stationary for granted. There is no excuse for a student not bringing their books and materials to class with them. If your son/daughter is struggling with organisation, please let their year head know and we can insist.
Please also review our Policy on Book Scheme and Stationary Provision:
Book Scheme and Stationery Provision Policy – BOM Ratified 02.12.25
HSCL Teacher Changes & Positive Mental Health & Wellbeing Coordinator
The Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) teacher plays a vital role in a DEIS school by strengthening links between the school, students, families and the wider community, with a particular focus on supporting educational participation and outcomes. They work closely with parents/guardians to build positive relationships, address barriers to engagement and encourage families to become active partners in their young person’s education. The HSCL also collaborates with school staff and relevant community agencies to provide targeted supports and initiatives that promote attendance, retention, engagement, wellbeing and progression for students.
As many of you know, Ms Tarpey finished as HSCL teacher in June as she had completed the maximum 5 years in the role. I am delighted to confirm that Ms O’Brien will be the HSCL teacher for the Junior Campus this year. Ms O’Brien can be contacted on the same number that Ms Tarpey had – 085 234 7143 and her email is hscl@stsetons.ie Should any parent / guardian need assistance or advice about school, please do not hesitate to make contact with Ms O’Brien, who many of you will already know.
I am very sorry to let parents / guardians know that our other HSCL teacher, Mr Gaughran will not be returning to St Seton’s. Mr Guaghran is on sick leave and we wish him all the very best. Mr Gaughran has over 30 years of service to St John’s College and St Seton’s Secondary School and his contribution to the lives of the young people he came into contact with, is immeasurable. The vacant role of HSCL teacher for the Senior Campus will be filled in two weeks time and I will share the details of the new HSCL teacher. We look forward to inviting Mr Gaughran to our Annual Awards Night in November to acknowledge and celebrate his time spent working in St Seton’s.
Finally, I would like to confirm that Ms Tarpey will take on a new role this year of Positive Mental Health and Wellbeing Coordinator. Ms Tarpey will bring all her expertise, experience and passion to this new role which I am sure will have a positive impact for the students of St Seton’s.
School Charges
School charges for the 2026/27 school year are now due, covering the annual school charge and, for TY students, the additional TY programme contribution. Please see the attached flyer for a full breakdown of the charges and the available payment methods. If any family requires assistance with the payment of school charges, please contact our HSCL teacher or Reception, and we will be very happy to support you.
Open Day
Our Annual Open Day will take place on 17th September from 2.30 – 5.30pm. Please see the attached Flyer for details. We look forward to welcoming prospective families to St Seton’s for our annual open day which is always an enjoyable afternoon. We will be accepting applications for admission to 1st Year 2027/28 from 1st October – 22nd October. Applications received after 22nd October will be considered late applications.
School Calendar
The School Calendar for 2026/2027 was sent out with our annual information packs but can be reviewed again here: School Calendar.pdf
Please note the following change of dates for your information
25th September – St Seton’s Beginning of New Year Mass & Celebration. All Parents / Guardians are invited to attend.
Opportunities for Parents / Guardians
Liffey Partnership – Your Time to Shine
I am pleased to attach a copy of the flyer for our next part-time Your Time to Shine programme commencing on 15th September at Liffey Partnership.
It is a programme aimed at those who are parenting alone. It will cover several areas including personal development, career guidance, education pathways, employment options and more. There will be key inputs and sessions delivered by Liffey Partnership Staff as well as External Agencies and Services.
Start Date: 15th September 2026
Finish Date: 22nd October 2026
Schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays
Times: 10am – 1pm
Location: 4 Drumfinn Park, D10 AY66
