Useful Links for Parents

Please note that Newpark Comprehensive School does not endorse these websites, nor their content, and they are presented to parents simply as useful links.

Irish Parent Bodies

National Associations and Parent Bodies that represent the interests of Parents in relation to their Childrens’ second level education.

National Parents Council Post Primary (www.npcpp.ie)

NPCpp aims to provide a forum that actively support parents in their parenting role and to interact effectively with schools and other education partners on issues that impact on the education, development and well-being of young people within the post-primary education system.

Parent Associations of Community and Comprehensive Schools (www.paccs.ie)

PACCS was formed in 1983 to act as one national organisation for the Parent Associations of the 86 Community and Comprehensive schools in the country. It aims to promote the role of parents as primary educators of their children by providing an effective voice in educational development, ensuring consultation with and representation on appropriate bodies and providing an informative and advisory service for its members.

Co-Operation of Minority Religion and Protestant Parents Association (www.compasspa.ie)

The National Association of Compass is a Constituent Body of National Parents Council post primary, representing all parents who choose to educate their sons and daughters in schools or colleges which promote a Protestant or a Minority Ethos.

Practical Parenting

Websites that provide advice on parenting issues.

Practical Parenting (www.practicalparenting.ie)

The Practical Parenting course was developed by Dr Tony Humphreys, a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, and Author of many bestselling books and International Speaker. Sheila O’Malley, who was invited as a guest speaker to address Newpark Parents in 2009, has adapted the material to include practical parenting tips and skills that are the tools that parents are seeking. Part of the service she offers includes one to one parent mentoring, and evening and one day parenting courses.

Help Me To Parent Ltd (www.HelpMe2Parent.ie)

Help Me To Parent was launched in October 2007. The two founding directors, Martina Newe and Teresa Hart had attended a parenting course and were so impressed with the skills they learned, they passionately believed that every parent should have the opportunity to do a course such as this. Since establishing the company, the directors have reviewed and researched parenting courses and literature. During this time they discussed various aspects of parenting and parenting training with a number of professionals in the area of mental health and child/youth development. Having reviewed a number of parenting courses, the directors concluded that the Parents Plus Programmes were not only the best in terms of content and presentation but also the most appropriate for parents in Ireland today.

Other Useful Links

Trinity College Dublin Anti-Bullying Centre (www.tcd.ie/services. html)

The Anti-Bullying Centre was set up initially as an independent research body targeting the area of bullying. The Resource side of this work, including counselling and “victim support”, evolved as a result of this research. Word of the Centre spread, and the support line evolved, due to the demand of schools, organisations and individuals searching for information and options in regard to bullying. TCD Anti Bullying Centre has built a team of highly trained individuals to help with this work. Their expertise extends to issues such as cyber bullying over the internet and mobile phone.

Community Awareness of Drugs - CAD (www.cadaboutdrugs.ie)

CAD is a voluntary not-for-profit organisation and registered charity that provides drug education for parents, carers and the community and voluntary sectors.

School Days (www.schooldays.ie)

Ireland’s Online resource for Parents & Teachers in Irish Education

Student Travel Card (www.studenttravelcard.ie)

The Student Travel card is Ireland’s largest National student ID and discount card offering Exclusive discounts of up to 40% off on Irish Rail, Dublin Bus, DART and LUAS as well as offering over 200 retail discounts nationwide on production of the card in-store as well as online using your unique card number. The card costs €12.00 (plus €3 photo charge from our card agents), the card is available to all full time second and third level students. The Student Travelcard has a 16 month shelf life, whereby if bought in September 2010 the card is valid until December 2011. There is new card produced every September to validate student status.

Irish Second Level Students Union (www.issu.ie)

ISSU promotes the benefits of young people becoming part off the decision making process that affects their school lives, and provides individual students with support for voicing their views and opinions.