School Journal
A Key Tool for Organisation, Communication, and Success
At Killorglin Community College, the Student Journal plays a vital role in the daily life of our students. It is much more than a homework diary — it is a structured tool that helps develop strong organisational skills, fosters communication between home and school, and reinforces key school policies and expectations.
▶ Organisation of Classwork
Students are required to bring their journal to every class and keep it visible on their desk. Teachers use the journal to record homework, and students are expected to write their assignments down clearly each day.
This regular use helps students:
- Stay on top of their learning
- Build responsibility for homework and deadlines
- Track projects, CBAs, and assessments
- Reflect on learning goals or feedback from teachers
Parents/guardians can use the journal to check that homework is being completed and to support learning at home.
▶ Communication with Parents/Guardians
The journal provides a direct line of communication between the school and home. Teachers may write notes home to alert you to:
- Missed homework or materials
- Positive contributions in class
- Upcoming assessments or events
We ask parents/guardians to review and sign the journal weekly. This regular interaction strengthens the partnership between home and school and helps us work together to support your young person's success.
In addition to the journal, VSware is also used to share important information.
▶ School Policies & Agreements
At the front of the journal, you will find a summary of key school policies, including:
- Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)
Each of these is summarised in student-friendly language, with a QR code that links directly to the full, up-to-date versions of the policies online. Students and parents/guardians are asked to sign the policy agreement page early in the school year to confirm they have read and accepted the school's expectations.
▶ Care for the Journal
The journal is considered part of the student’s essential materials and should be treated with care:
- Journals should not be defaced or damaged
- Lost or damaged journals must be replaced at a cost of €10
- Journals may be checked regularly by the Year Head, Tutor, or Senior Management
▶ Supporting Positive Behaviour
Regular journal use is part of our positive behaviour policy. Students who consistently use their journal effectively benefit from stronger communication and academic success. Lack of journal use, or repeated issues with forgetting it, will be addressed through the school’s behaviour system.
Contact & Support
If you have any questions about how the journal is used, or if your young person needs a replacement, please contact: