Stanhope Secondary School

Important Information for Parents – Mobile Phone Policy

StanhopeSS — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 14:32:05 +0000

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As we begin the new school year, I would like to draw your attention to our Mobile Phone Policy, which is attached to this message. We ask that all parents/guardians and students take a few minutes to read the policy carefully and familiarise themselves with the procedures that apply during the school day.

Why we are introducing this policy

The policy is designed to:

Improve student focus, engagement and learning in class.
Reduce distractions during the school day.
Support student wellbeing and face-to-face social interaction.
Minimise issues associated with social media and online activity during school hours.
Create a calmer, safer and more positive learning environment for all students.

Key Features of the Policy

Phone Usage on School Premises

Students are not permitted to use their phones while on school grounds.
Upon arrival at school, phones must be securely placed in the student’s assigned PhoneLocker pouch.
The pouch must remain locked for the duration of the school day.
Students may unlock and retrieve their phones only when leaving the school premises using a designated unlocking station.

If a Student is Found with an Unsecured Phone

If a student is found in possession of a phone that is not secured in their Phone Locker pouch:

A text message will be sent to the student’s parent/guardian informing them of the breach of the policy.
The phone will be confiscated and securely stored in the school office.
A parent/guardian will be required to collect the phone from the school office between 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on the day of the offence.
If a parent/guardian is unable to collect the phone that day, it may be collected from the school office between 8:40 a.m. and 3:40 p.m. on the following school day.
If the phone is not collected by a parent/guardian, it will be automatically returned to the student at the end of the following school day.

Working Together

We believe that this policy will have a significant positive impact on students’ learning, wellbeing and overall school experience. We appreciate your support in helping us implement it successfully and ensuring that all students understand and follow the procedures from the first day of school.

Kind regards,

Mr. O’Brien

LC & LCA Results – Friday 21st August

StanhopeSS — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 12:32:05 +0000

Dear 6th year Students & Parents,

This Friday 21st August at 10am, our Leaving Certificate and Leaving Cert Applied students will receive their results which are available from the school office or the Candidate Self Service Portal.

On behalf of the entire school community, I would like to wish our students every success as they take this important next step in their lives. We are incredibly proud of everything they have achieved and of the resilience they have shown throughout their time with us.

We hope Friday is a day of celebration for our students, their families and all the staff who have supported them along the way.

Best of luck to the Class of 2026! We are all very proud of you.

Kind regards,

Mr. J. O’Brien

Policy Update – Admissions

StanhopeSS — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 10:02:06 +0000

Dear School Community,

Please find attached our schools admission notice and policy.

If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact our school office.

Warm Regards,

Stanhope Secondary

Policy Update – Child Protection and Vetting

StanhopeSS — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 09:02:05 +0000

Dear School Community,

Please find attached our schools Vetting Policy and Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment

If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact our school office.

Warm Regards,

Stanhope Secondary

Summer Letters

StanhopeSS — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 14:42:09 +0000

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Please find attached our Summer Letter and a letter regarding introduction of phone pouches.

Summer reports are now available on VSware.

If you experience any difficulty accessing your account, please contact the school office at info@stanhopesecondary.ie.

Best wishes for the Summer!

Kind regards,

Stanhope Secondary

Information Sheet & School Calendar 2026/2027

StanhopeSS — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 12:00:15 +0000

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students,

I hope this message finds you well and that you have enjoyed a restful, enjoyable, and well-deserved summer break.

As we look forward to the beginning of the new school year, I would like to extend a warm welcome back to all members of our school community. We are excited to reconnect with our returning students and families and to welcome those who are joining our school for the first time. We look forward to another year of learning, growth, achievement, and opportunity.

To assist with preparations for the year ahead, I am resending the Information Sheet and School Calendar for the 2026/2027 academic year. These documents contain important information regarding key dates, school procedures, and other matters that may be helpful as families prepare for the commencement of the new term.

Please take a few moments to review the attached documents and keep them for future reference throughout the year.

On behalf of all the staff at Stanhope Secondary School, I wish you and your family every good wish for the year ahead. We look forward to working together to ensure a positive, successful, and rewarding school experience for all our students.

Kind regards,

Mr. O’Brien
Principal

Examination LCA, Leaving and Junior Certificate

StanhopeSS — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 14:32:05 +0000

Dear Candidates,

Please find attached your examination timetable.

On the eve of the State Examinations, we would like to wish you every success in your exams. We are very proud of all the hard work and commitment you have shown throughout the year, and we encourage you to approach each examination with confidence.

Please note the following arrangements for tomorrow:

The school will open at 8:00 a.m.
All students should be in full school uniform and present in the school canteen by 8:30 a.m.
Registration will take place shortly afterwards.

For all subsequent examinations, students should report to the school canteen 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of their examination.

We wish you the very best of luck and every success over the coming weeks.

Kind regards,

Mr. J. O’Brien

Examination Preparation – Video and Tips

StanhopeSS — Thu, 28 May 2026 16:52:03 +0000

Congratulations to our 3rd and 6th Graduates,

Please see below ‘candidate video’ and ‘exam tips’ link for upcoming examinations.

In order to make candidates aware of the key requirements to ensure that their examination scripts are processed accurately, we would greatly appreciate if you would bring the Candidate Information Video to the attention of your Leaving Certificate, Leaving Certificate Applied and Junior Cycle candidates again in advance of the 2026 examinations, as follows:

Leaving Certificate and Junior Cycle candidates.

The video can be found under the heading “Information for Candidates” HERE

Please find link to Exam tips here

In previous years, during the Leaving Certificate and Junior Cycle examinations, we have received correspondence from candidates who have made an error regarding the completion of their examination number or date of birth on their answerbook, or completed their examination using an incorrect pen.

In order to reduce unnecessary stress to candidates, please encourage all Leaving Certificate, Leaving Certificate Applied and Junior Cycle candidates to familiarise themselves with the Candidate Information Video prior to the commencement of the examinations.

Kind regards,

Mr. O’Brien

5th year Summer Exams 2026

StanhopeSS — Fri, 15 May 2026 12:03:10 +0000

Dear 5th year Parents,

Please find attached 5th year Summer exam 2026 timetable.

Thank you.

TY Summer Exams 2026

StanhopeSS — Fri, 15 May 2026 12:02:55 +0000

Dear Transition year Parents,

Please find attached TY Summer exam 2026 timetable.

Thank you.