Newport, Co. Mayo

Phone 098-41442

E-Mail newportmayo.ias@eircom.net

STAFF MEETINGS

In line with Circular 25/03, for one staff meeting per term, our school makes provision to allocate from normal school time a period equivalent to the time given outside school—this usually works out as a two-hour meeting, from 2-4p.m.
If other staff meetings are needed (usually no more than one a term unless in exceptional circumstances), they are held in school hours, usually from 1-3p.m., with the approval of the BOM, which is sought by the Principal.  Information re. staff meetings are circularised to parents, Cigire, and transport personnel by the Secretary and Principal, and at least one week’s notice is given.
There is always a purpose for a staff meeting, with various purposes at different times of the year. The number of meetings depends on the need. Staff meetings form part of a planning continuum for the year as a whole. Decisions taken at staff meetings are linked to decisions already recorded in the school plan.
The question of who attends—all staff, teachers only, substitutes, support staff, partners in education, guest speakers, or other--  differs from meeting to meeting, depending on its purpose. Staff, whose attendance is not required, have work assigned to them by the Principal while the meeting is in progress.
A draft agenda is compiled by the Principal and circulated to staff members who are invited to suggest other items in advance for inclusion on the agenda. The Principal consults with ISM team to prioritise items for final agenda. The agenda is circulated to all teachers in advance of the meeting along with the minutes of the previous meeting. There is always a progress report on actions taken since the previous meeting. If a member of staff is to make a presentation, that person is consulted beforehand and the time allocation is clarified. During the meeting, the Chairperson clarifies the purpose regarding each item—e.g. for discussion/ decision/ consultation, etc. All teachers are encouraged to become involved in the meeting and voice their opinion where they so wish. Open and constructive discussions are encouraged.
Learning and teaching issues are allocated most of the available time among the issues on the agenda. Advance preparation –reading, preparation for delivery of presentation, circulation of documents, etc.—may need to be done by some or all participants prior to the staff meeting, depending on its purpose.
Chairing of meetings is usually done by the Principal, with Mrs. Mc Auley acting as recording secretary. These roles will be offered to those who are willing to do them. Decisions are arrived at by consensus where possible, otherwise by majority decision. Where agreement cannot be reached, or where there is insufficient information available to reach a decision, it may be better to refer the issue to a small group for further research and ask them to report back to a subsequent meeting. Items of discussion and decisions taken are recorded, and the minutes circulated to staff by the recording secretary within five school days. The minutes summarise the decisions reached, and the actions to be carried out, by whom and by when. The formal minutes are stored in the Principal’s office, with access given to staff and DES officials. Where there are implications for others arising from decisions taken at staff meetings, the Principal consults with them where necessary. The Principal, with the ISM team, monitors the follow-through on decisions reached and actions to be taken.
Where necessary throughout the year, lunch breaks are used for informal discussions/ points of clarification/ information dissemination.