The document outlines important tasks and timelines for principals and deputy principals throughout the school year. Key tasks include finalizing class lists and timetables in August, implementing learning support structures and conducting fire drills in September, organizing parent teacher meetings and option information evenings in January, managing the student enrollment process in February and March, arranging state examinations in March, and planning for the next school year in June. The timeline provides guidance for principals on administrative responsibilities month-by-month.

1. Important timelines during the school year for Principals/Deputy Principals
Month Task Comment/Follow up
August • Issuing of Leaving Certificate results
• Scripts examined/recheck process
• Timetable finalised. Letters to staff/informed of
‘provisional’ nature of timetable.
• Draft Special Needs timetable
• Class lists and options finalised (1st
/2nd
/5th
) and
posted on notice boards
• Appointments of replacement staff finalised- if
applicable
• The yearly calendar issued with parent – teacher
meetings and staff days included
• Appointment of outside supervisors
• Appointment of additional staff for School
Completion Programme
• Compile own list of substitutes
• Review last year’s mailing lists to ensure that
information is updated and accurate
• Check transfer of information from Primary Schools
under new arrangements
• Compile list of students in the following categories
and arrange for dissemination to staff –
sensitivities, medical problems/assessed Special
Needs/resource/exemptions from
Irish/International/new transfers etc.
• Commence preparation of September Returns
(Timetable/Staff)
• Commence Preparation of October Returns
commences (Students)
• Preparation for Staff Meeting – finalise staff
handbook/ information/good practice
• Allocate Year Head offices / staff lockers
• Student induction/Return to school programme
• Teacher meetings
o Subject Planning Meetings
o Year Group meetings
o JCSP/LCA/TY etc.
o Care team meetings
• New staff orientation/ induction
• Summer Works Scheme; Prepare application for
submission by end of September. Liaise with Chair
of BOM and Architect (if applicable)
• Draw up calendar /holiday roster for non-teaching
staff
Adapted from PDST Misneach Programme – NAPD 2013.

2. September • Ground Rules- Staff Handbook
• Code of Behaviour/session with all classes –
accentuate the Positive
• Learning support and resource structures
implemented
• Meetings with specific teams initiated [Year Heads/
Special Needs /Assistant Principals etc.]
• List of Repeat Leaving Certificate students
• Rotas for break/lunch and morning supervision
• Fire Drill
• Submit online claims
• September Returns ongoing
• October Returns ongoing
• Special Needs timetable on-going
• Induction for First Years on-going
• Mass preparation
• Monthly and Yearly Planner
• Induction and Mentoring Programme for student
teachers
• Extra- curricular activities plan/schedule
• Initiating Gaisce – President’s Award Scheme
• Planning for Open Night and Awards Night
• First Year Parents’ Information Evening
• Collect school levies
• Assign student lockers
• Appoint bus prefects
• Finalise Students’ Voluntary Insurance Scheme
• Election of Student Council
• Ensure that all employment contracts are in place.
If in doubt check with JMB/ACS/VEC
• Check that arrangements for Staff Development
Day have been finalised. [Venue, speakers, etc.]
• Staff meeting to address challenges emerging in the
first month
• Final meeting of current Board
• Arrangements for election of Teacher Reps to new
Board
• Arrangements for election of Parent Reps to new
Board
• Liaise with Parent’s Council re AGM
• Start promotion of school for new intake
• Liaise with Primary Schools/6th
Class Teachers
• Check Critical Incident Policy and remind staff
October • Parent’s Council AGM
• Special Needs timetable finalised
• October Returns finalised
Adapted from PDST Misneach Programme – NAPD 2013.

3. • Arrange staff/student photographs
• Begin the identification of teachers for
redeployment (if over quota)
• Check monthly planner is in place
• First meeting of new Board
• Finalise arrangements for the School Tour
November • Preparation for House Exams – agree deadlines and
finalise arrangements
• Christmas Liturgical Events
• Christmas Charity Event
• School Show
• Check November planner
• Check on need for more NEPS assessments
• Board of Management
• Alert the DES re over quota scenario and teachers
for redeployment based on a subject audit
December • CAO Parents’ Information Evening
• Staff Night out
• Christmas Exams
• Update Prospectus
• Board of Management
• Finalise cleaning/security arrangements for
Christmas break
January • CAO Applications finalised
• Parent Teacher meetings following from Christmas
Exams
• 1st
years change options
• Options Information Evening for 1st
and 3rd
year
parents
• Option presentations for 1st
/3rd
year students
• Plan Pre Exams, feedback and deadlines
• Exam bank giro/medical card info
• Enrolment , organise letters for offers of places
• Fire Drill
• Board of Management
February • Finalise Enrolment procedure
• Plan Enrolment Registration Evening
• Mock Exams
• Check deadlines for applications for Curricular
Concessions, etc
• Start to plan curriculum and teacher allocations for
upcoming year – identify need for Curricular
Concessions etc.
Adapted from PDST Misneach Programme – NAPD 2013.

4. • Check with SENO for deadlines re submission of
SN/O1 and SN/02]
• Leaving Certificate Levels [forms finalised]
• Look at applications for non- national allocation
and traveller allocation
• Special Class Grant
• Identification of new students needing assistive
technology
• Identify the type of contracts to be issued to RPT
teachers for new year
• Board of Management
March • Enrolment process continues – Registration
Evening/Prepare address and organisation of venue
• Finalise 1st
/ 3rd
year options
• Gather additional transition information
• Collate information on enrolment form
• State Examination: Orals/ Practical [Music/HE]
Check lists and venues are in place and that
necessary equipment is working. Compile a
timetable of these and post in staffroom
• Return of Junior Certificate level entries
• Appoint Personnel for State Exams[Exam Aide /
Special Centres etc]
• Ongoing work on Curriculum Plan
• Board of Management
April • Assessments for new entrants – may no longer be
necessary in light of transfer of data from primary
• Ongoing work on Curriculum Plan
• Finalise Reports from Primary School
• Prepare for Graduation Ceremony/ Check
arrangements are in place and Certificates/
Pendants etc are ready
• Organise First Year exams
• Board of Management
May • Art Practical/LCVP.../finalise arrangements
• Calendar for next academic year
• Identify curriculum needs and advertise for new
staff subject to BOM approval and DES allocations.
• Booklists
• Summer exams/reports etc.
• Leaving Certificate Graduation
• TY Graduation
• Do school facilities walk through- address areas
that need repair /refurbishments over the summer;
complete hazard audit
Adapted from PDST Misneach Programme – NAPD 2013.

5. • Board of Management
June • Finalise and do a first run of the timetable
• Inform staff of classes for next year
• Plan next year’s Staff Development Programme
• Finalise Calendar and arrangements for the start of
term next year
• Prepare preliminary list for awards
• Finalise Teachers Contracts and Written Statements
• Arrange for summer cleaning
• Necessary equipment serviced; order needed
furniture
• Arrange for clear out and archiving of office files.
End of year reflections/thoughts!!!!
July
Adapted from PDST Misneach Programme – NAPD 2013.

6. • Board of Management
June • Finalise and do a first run of the timetable
• Inform staff of classes for next year
• Plan next year’s Staff Development Programme
• Finalise Calendar and arrangements for the start of
term next year
• Prepare preliminary list for awards
• Finalise Teachers Contracts and Written Statements
• Arrange for summer cleaning
• Necessary equipment serviced; order needed
furniture
• Arrange for clear out and archiving of office files.
End of year reflections/thoughts!!!!
July
Adapted from PDST Misneach Programme – NAPD 2013.