Parents’ Council Principal’s Report

April 1st2014

Introduction

This report was presented at the Parents’ Advisory Council meeting on April 1st by the Principal, Des Feeney. At first he spoke about his decision to step down as Principal at the end of the school year (August 31st) and the fact that he will be returning to the classroom as a teacher of English, History and Classical Studies in September. He explained that he has found the position of Principal too distant from students and the interaction that he enjoyed in the classroom.

The Sponsored Walk

The sponsored walk, which took place on March 27th in Powerstown Park Racecourse was undoubtedly a huge success. It was extremely well organised by the Parents’ Council sub-committee led by Fergus Kelly. Thank you to all parents who helped in the organisation of the event itself, the collection of prizes and who supported their sons in collecting sponsorship. As a fundraiser it certainly achieved its target raising close to €13,000. That money along with the Department’s Book Grant will significantly help us in the establishment of the Book Rental Scheme.

Most students brought in some sponsorship. The vast majority raised at least €10. A great number raised over €100. €145 was the highest amount raised, raised by Ian Gillman in Second Year, CianMorrissey, also in Second Year raised the second highest amount of €140 and Jamie Roche in First Year raised the third highest of €135.

We held a competition to see who could predict the amount raised by 1.00 p.m. on Friday. Daniel Traasfrom Third Year got closest guessing that €12,444 was raised and the actual figure was €12,428 at that stage.

The event was a huge success in another way too as the day was a nice relaxing day enjoyed by all students. Apart from the students enjoying the walk itself, they enjoyed the music provided by the student band The Drive on their return to the school. They also played table tennis, pool etc. and generally had a very relaxing afternoon.

It is hoped that the sponsored walk will become an annual event from this onwards.

Thank you to Frank O’Keefe of the Crescent, John O’Donoghue of O’Donoghue buses, Tesco (Clonmel), Sixo23 and all who supported the event in any way.

The Parents’ Council Table Quiz

The parents’ council table quiz took place on Thursday March 6th in Carey’s. Over 20 teams took part and €800 was raised between the quiz and the raffle. Thanks to the Parents’ Council committee and members for organising the event.

Parent-Teacher Meetings

The First-Year Parent-Teachermeeting took place on Tuesday the 4th Marchand the Second Year Parent-Teacher meeting took place onTuesday March 25th. There was a very high turnout at bothmeetings and a Parents’ Council collection was taken on each evening. Thank you very much to the parents that took those collections.

Events, Talks, Trips

  • The Transition Year talk for Third Year parents took place in the Night Study Room on February 25th. Students received the talk from the Co-ordinator Mrs. Powell in the days preceding that. Interviews took place the following week and candidates were informed of the outcome by the end of that week. As there were enough successful candidates there will be two Transition Year Classes in 2014/15 in line with the new Transition Year Policy.
  • The Fifth Year Subject Options Talk took place on Tuesday 11th at 8.00 p.m. in the Night Study Room for parents of next year’s Fifth Years. Ms. Powell gave the talk. Student have now submitted their option choices and they are being processed.
  • Ms. Moira O’Keefe organised a number of talks for Senior Students with Aware throughout January. AlsoCuraspoke with Third Years this month.
  • Ms. Annette Hickey and Mr. Colm Chadwick continue the Sexual Awareness workshops for Fifth Years. They recently trained with the Rape Crisis Centre in Dublin to enable them to facilitate the workshops. They aim to provide the workshops for as many Fifth Years as possible and that wish to avail of them by the end of this year. It is hoped to have other teachers train with the Rape Crisis Centre towards the end of this year and at the start of next year to increase the knowledge amongst staff and to facilitate further workshops with students next year.
  • Mr. Greg Carroll brought his Fifth Year Agricultural Science Class on a recent farm visit to Ardfinnan as part of his subject’s requirements.
  • Ms. Martina O’Reilly attended a Language Teachers’ conference, representing the High School and Ireland in Spain at the end of February.
  • Mr. Tom Morrissey and Ms. Regina Tobin brought their Geography classes on their field trip to Tramore on February 27th.
  • Ms. Olivia Corcoran attended the French teachers’ oral marking conference and Ms. Jenny McCarthy attended the Irish teachers’ oral marking conferences in Cork on March 4th.
  • The Transition Years took part in many activities and had many talks in the last few weeks including taking part in a Ballroom Dancing event with the Presentation. It was organised by Ms. Annette Hickey and Mr. Shane Lalor. They have organised many events and been involved in many competitions themselves. Last Friday they organised a table quiz for First Years in aid of St. Vincent de Paul. Thanks to Dolores Powell for all of the work she does with the Transition Year group.
  • Ms.Neelu O’Sullivan attended a Gaisce training event in Dublin on March 13th in order to complete her training as a Gaisce leader. She will now be able to organise and lead Gaisce activities for students in the coming years.
  • We held a non-uniform day on March 14th. It was in aid of Aware Ireland and was organised by the Senior Student Leadership group.
  • The Irish Oral exams and the Music practical exams take place this week. The French and German exams take place next week. Other practical examinations take place after Easter.
  • Sister Antoinette Dilworth, the diocesan advisor visited the school to meet with Religion teachers yesterday.

Sporting Activities

  • Our Under 15 Rugby team won their first round match in the Cleary Cup before losing to Kilmallock in the second round on the 21st March. The under 17 team beat Kilmallock in a challenge on the same day before going on to beat Villers on March 24th. The First Years won a First Year Rugby blitz on March 26th. Thanks to Mr. Brendan Mullan, Mr. Colm O’Loughlin, Mr. James Hayes and Ms. Jean Lonergan who train and coach all of the school Rugby teams between them.
  • The 1st and 2nd year Basketball teams both beat their respective teams from Tramore CBS on February 7th and won again on February 25th. They then beat DLS on March 5th and Rockwell on March 18th. On March 27th the First Years lost to De La Salle in the Semi-final of the Regional Competition. The 2nd years won against Tramore in their Semi-final but lost to De La Salle in the final. They did enough to qualify for the All-Ireland Playoffs against Castleknock, Dublin though. Thanks to Mr. PJ McCoole for all of his work with the Basketball teams.
  • The Under 15 Hurling team won their first round match on March 14th and then beat Bishoptown on March 24th. Unfortunately they lost to Templemore last Friday ending their involvement in the competition. The Under 14 team qualified from their group in the Rice Cup Blitz on March 19th. Thanks to the Hurling coaches; Mr. Liam Rice, Mr. Paul O’Mahony, Mr. Paddy O’Gorman, Mr. Greg Carroll and Mr. Shane Lalor.
  • Mr. PJ McCoole also brought the Orienteering team away on Thursday 27th February and is organising the team for another event.
  • The Under 16 Tennis team beat Glenstall 5 nil on February 26th and then beat Rockwell 5 nil on March 21st. They completed their first round of matches beating Cashel on March 28th. They have now qualified for the next round.The under 14 team won their first round Munster match on Friday 14th. They then beat Cashel four days later. Thanks toMr. Jerry Shanahan who organised and managed the teams.

Tours

  • The dates for the Second Year and Fifth Year School Tour to Munich have been confirmed. The Tour Departs on Tuesday 15th April and returns on Friday 18th. Thanks to Mr. Jerry Shannahan and Ms. Jean Lonergan for organising and leading the tour.
  • Plans for the Soccer Trip to England are progressing well. Thanks to Mr. Paul O’Mahony for organising the trip. They depart on Saturday April 12th.
  • Ms. Annette Hickey and Mr. Tom Morrissey are finalising details for the Tour/ Pilgrimage which will take place over five days (May 16th to 20th) on the route of the Camino de Santiago. 32 Fifth Years have signed up to go.
  • Ms. Regina Tobin and Mr. Colm O’Loughlin are currently planning a Classical Studies tour to Rome and Pompeii which is expected to take place over next year’s October Mid-term break. It will be offered to next year’s Second and Third Years.

Other Fundraising Events Coming up

  • The Parents’ Council Church Gate Collection will take place on the weekend of the 5th and 6th April.
  • A concert will take place featuring Freddie White on Thursday night 1st of May in Eldon’s. Proceeds from the concert will go towards the planned Santiago Pilgrimage.
  • We are holding a Golf Classic in Clonmel Golf Club on May 16th as a fundraiser to assist in the funding of sports and other-extracurricular activities in the school.

Breakfast Club

  • The Breakfast Club commenced on Monday (3rd) on a trial basis. It offers a simple breakfast of tea/coffee/milk and toast to all students for 50 cent. It’s not to be seen as a replacement for whatever breakfast students may be provided at home but aims to provide a service to those that miss breakfast for whatever reason. It operates from 8.00 a.m. to 8.40 a.m. each morning. On average 30 students avail of its service each morning.
  • Thank you to Phyllis who has agreed to run the Breakfast Club and the teachers and students who are volunteering to help in the running of it.

Uniform Survey

We have been asked by the Department of Education and Skills to survey all parents regarding parental views of the school uniform. The questionnaire was sent home with each student last month and those that were returned were collated by Joanna Lynch on behalf of the Parents’ Council. The Board of Management will now consider the feedback at next weeks’ meeting.

Results from the Uniform Survey

The survey was conducted at the end of February 2014. Questionnaires were handed out to all students. 293 parents replied.

253 (86%) parents indicated that they want a uniform. 40 (13.7%) stated no.

251 (93%) want to be able to buy different items of clothing in different shops and department stores.

200 (85%) want to be able to buy a generic uniform (colours and styles that are readily available).

233 (89%) want crest on the uniform. 158 (67%) want it to be a sew-on crest.

203 (83.5%) say that they do not want branded footwear.

166 (67%) said no to having a school blazer. However, (63) 25.5% wanted a blazer and jumper.

In-coming First years

  • The in-coming First Years visited the school on Saturday March 1st for their assessment examination and to have a look around the building. It began at 9.30 a.m. finished around 1.00 p.m. It is greatly appreciated that a number of staff came along on the day to help.
  • Those students have selected their optional subjects and have been informed that we will endeavour to give them at least two-out-of-three of their first choice subjects.
  • We have applied for resource hours for those students who are in need of them and for Special Needs Assistants for students who had additional care needs.

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