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What is the Home School Community Liaison Scheme?

The aim of the Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) scheme is to promote partnership between home, school and the community and to ensure that every family participates fully in the school scheme. It fosters a sense of trust between the pupils, the parents/guardians and the school. The HSCL scheme has been up and running in Scoil Mhuire since 1999.

Why do we need a HSCL Scheme?

The Primary School is an exciting, challenging, rewarding but sometimes testing experience, not only for the pupils but also for the parents. School life is not just about what a student achieves between 9am and 2.40pm. There are many other factors which contribute towards the experience of school life. The HSCL Scheme tries to ensure that this experience is as enjoyable and trouble-free as possible. It recognises the role of parents as the primary educators of their children, the influence of the home environment and seeks to promote a partnership between school and parents and the local community.

Who looks after the HSCL Scheme in Scoil Mhuire Junior?

The scheme co-ordinators are Rosarii Harty and Sinead Tyrrell.  They look after the welfare of the parents of Scoil Mhuire Junior and Senior Schools. They are available to discuss on a personal level, matters of concern with parents in their own homes or at school, whichever the parent prefers. The scheme is also supported by the entire staff, all of whom are actively willing to listen to the needs of parents.

How does the HSCL Scheme work?

A Home-School-Community Liaison co-ordinator is assigned to a school in a disadvantaged area. Activities undertaken by  Rosarii and Sinéad are:

•   Home visitations
•   Organisation of in-school activities and courses for parents
•   Advising and supporting parents on education- related issues such as study skills
•   The promotion of a stimulating home learning environment
•   Meeting with community interests relevant to the education and welfare of pupils in the school
•   Encouraging co-operation between home, school and community interests
The scheme recognises parents as the primary educators of their children and is constantly looking at ways to support parents and listening to their views and concerns. Parents will be able to participate in a wide range of courses, which we run during the school day. These will cover many subjects including computers, parenting, maths for fun, literacy, needle crafts, aerobics and cookery. Such courses, not only help parents to have new skills, but also recognize the importance of parents having time to themselves. It also gives them the opportunity to share in the life and work of the school alongside their children.

Parents’ Room

A parents’ room has been in operation since 2001. It is a place to facilitate the active participation of parents in their children’s education through meeting their own social, personal and educational needs. The underlying ethos is one of partnership between the primary educator, the parent, and the professional educator, the teacher.

Remember, the HSCL Scheme is here for the benefit of you and your children; its success depends in ‘large part’ on your input!
If you have any ideas, concerns, opinions or requests, share them with us.

The Home School Community Liaison Project is sponsored by the Department of Education