Home School Liaison

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The Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) Scheme has been running in Mercy College, Coolock since 1991. 

The current HSCL Coordinator is Rosaleen Doherty.  She can be contacted on 086 0241797.

I am currently looking for parent/guardian opinions on the type of course you would like us to run. Please fill in the form below and submit. All information will be used in accordance with school policy and will not be shared with anyone.

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey.

Rosaleen Doherty

 

The focus of HSCL Scheme is on:

• supporting marginalised pupils
• promoting co-operation between home, school, and community
• empowering parents
• retaining young people in the education system
• disseminating best practice.

Aims of the Scheme

The HSCL scheme aims to increase the link between home and school by encouraging parents to become more involved in their children's education.  It also aims to encourage self development, literacy skills and activities of parents so that they as the primary educators of their children will be positive role models, encouraging the educational and personal advancement of their children.

Goals

The five goals of parents
• retaining young people in the education system
• disseminating best practice.


Activities
Locally based activities are organised by the HSCL coordinator which set out to encourage greater contact between parents, teachers and with local voluntary and statutory agencies.
Activities in Mercy College, Coolock include:

• A ‘drop-in hour’ from 9.15am to 10.15am every Tuesday morning in the Parents’ room.  Parents are invited to drop in to speak to the HSCL coordinator for a chat and a coffee or to raise any concerns they may have about their child. 

• Home Visits – The HSCL coordinator visits parents in their own homes to address concerns they may have about their children in school and to help first year students to settle in to their new school as part of our transfer programme.  Visits can be arranged by calling the HSCL coordinator on the mobile number above or by contacting the school directly on 01 8480888.

• Courses for parents are run throughout the year on a range of topics: these include art, cookery, computers, and ‘Gaeilge do thuismitheoirí’ among others.  Parents may enrol in these courses by filling out the application forms supplied to their children in school or by calling/texting the above number.  Please ensure your mobile contact number is up to date in the school office in order to receive texts.

• A Crochet class runs every Wednesday in the Parents Room from 12pm to 2 pm.  Bring a crochet hook and some wool.  We have lots of patterns and experts to advise you.  No previous knowledge needed.  Knitting is also done if you prefer.

• Paired Reading – Parents of current and past-pupils are involved in the 1st year paired reading programme.  Parents team up with 1st year students to improve literacy levels in the school.  This is part of the Dept. Of Education and Skill’s Junior Certificate Schools Programme (JCSP).  Parents who would like to become involved in this programme are invited to contact the HSCL coordinator on the above number.

• Local Committee - Each year a local committee made up of parents, Home School Community Liaison Coordinators from each of the four schools in the area (Mercy College, Chanel College, Scoil Chaitríona and St. Brendan’s) and members of local agencies such as the School Completion Project, Sphere 17, Northside Partnership etc. focuses on a pertinent issue for the school year.  If you would like to take part in the committee, please contact 087 6550995. This year we are considering Healthy Living.

If you would like to take part in any of the free courses available for parents in the school, help out in the first year paired reading programme or arrange for the HSCL coordinator to visit you in your home, please call or text 0860241797.