Category: Board of Management Meetings

This was a special Covid Meeting on return to schools Document

In attendance Jerry Cronin, chairperson, Michael Cregan, secretary, Pat O’Riordan, Liam Lenihan, Anne O’Sullivan, Orla Thompson, Vincent Murphy. Suzanne Creaven.

The chairperson opened the meeting with a prayer and thanked the Board for making themselves available. Michael Cregan read the minutes of the previous meeting. They were proposed by Liam Lenihan and seconded by Suzanne Creaven.

The Secretary briefed the Board on Department of Education document in relation on return of schools in September. The document was 50 pages of a pathway on how to return was explained in detail to the Board.

The secretary explained that all classrooms will be student based and we will try to keep the students in clusters as much as possible.

The chair thanked the board and staff for all their hard work and re set a date for the middle of August to meet again

The meeting concluded

In attendance were Jerry Cronin,chairperson, Michael Cregan secretary, Liam Lenihan, Vincent Murphy, Orla Thompson, Lisa Carey, Pat O’Riordan. Apologies from Ann O’Sullivan. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and were proposed by Pat O’Riordan and seconded by Liam Lenihan.

Matters Arising:
There were no matters arising.

Correspondence:
There was no correspondence

Knapsack Lodge is undergoing a refurbishment. .

Child Protection:
The Oversight Report was signed by the Principal. It will be signed by the chairperson in the near future as the delay in signing same was due to Covid 19 restrictions.

Building Update:
Work has begun on the school building.

Covid 19:
All guidance is being adhered to as per instruction from DES and the HSE. We are awaiting further communication with regard to reopening in August/September

In attendance Jerry Cronin, chairperson, Michael Cregan, secretary, Pat O’Riordan, Liam Lenihan, Lisa Carey, Orla Thompson, Suzanne Creaven, Vincent Murphy. Apologies were received from Anne O’Sullivan. Minutes of the previous meeting were read by Michael Cregan and were proposed by Pat O’Riordan and seconded by Lisa Carey.

Principals Report

• Rang all Leaving Cert Parents
• Had a Parent Council meeting online
• In most cases teachers are using Zoom and Microsoft Teams to teach
• Online training continues
• Year Head meeting continuing as normal
• Had two staff meetings online
• Working close with FCJ community in Maryville
• School tours deferred
• Running the graduation online
• Working on timetable
• Over 20 students have applied to take up PE as a leaving Cert subject next year

In attendance were Jerry Cronin, Michael Cregan, Liam Lenihan, Lisa Carey, Suzanne Creaven, Orla Thompson, Anne O’Sullivan, Pat O’ Sullivan. The chairperson opened the meeting with a prayer from Fr. Lenihans book. The minutes of the last meeting were read by the secretary and these were proposed by Liam Lenihan and seconded by Pat O’Riordan.

Matters Arising:
There was a review with the Chairperson and two members of the Teaching Council and a DES Inspector with regard to the Droichead Programme. Laurel Hill Secondary School FCJ was one of the schools selected nationally and the group were very impressed with the progress of the programme in the school and complimented and commended the teachers involved.

Correspondence:
There was a letter from Summerville Rovers with regard to hiring of the pitch.
Correspondence regarding the Ski Tour for 2021 was deferred.
Principals Report was read to the meeting.

Principals Report

• Celebration dinner for 200 years anniversary of FCJ a great success
• Attended Le Cheile conference in Athlone
• Aoife Doyle past student played for Irelands women rugby team
• Fashion show a great success
• Green flag assessment
• 5th year retreat
• FCJ Conference London re RE
• U.L. CPD
• 6th Year Science U.L.
• Engineering Talk, L.I.T.
• Ski Tour
• 1st Year Rowing

Child Protection:
There was nothing to report on Child protection.

Building Development:
The Board was briefed on the school development so far. At present we have gone to tender for the fire doors. The tenders will be opened after St. Patricks Day.

Teaching & Learning:
The Board were briefed on various activities taking place within the School Learning Project and the Le Cheile Project.

Coronavirus Update:

The secretary explained that he had briefed parents and staff on the coronavirus and that all precautions which could be taken were being taken in the school. Students were also advised to take care and to follow the guidelines by the HSE and to follow these at all times.

School Tours:

Three school tours which were due this year, the Camino Trip, the Switzerland Science trip and the trip to India with the HOPE Foundation has been deferred indefinitely due to the outbreak of coronavirus worldwide. The Board thanked all teachers involved in organising these trips but unfortunately, it was not safe for teachers or students travelling at this time. The secretary was asked to look at possibilities for these trips taking place at a future date.

Posts of Responsibility Review:

The secretary explained that he was involved in the Posts of Responsibility Review and he had met with staff and a sub-committee had been formed and he will inform the Board of their findings at the next meeting.

The next meeting was arranged of April 27th 2020

In attendance Jerry Cronin, chairperson, Michael Cregan, secretary, Pat O’Riordan, Liam Lenihan, Anne O’Sullivan, Orla Thompson, Suzanne Creaven, Vincent Murphy.

The chairperson opened the meeting with a prayer from the new FCJ Bicentenary book and wished all present his best wishes for 2020.Michael Cregan read the minutes of the previous meeting. They were proposed by Vincent Murphy and seconded by Suzanne Creaven.

Matters Arising:
There were no matters arising.

Correspondence:

• A report from Allianz regarding the lift was received.
• Information regarding the Junior Cycle, re: Guidance for students for different beliefs in Catholic Secondary Schools

Principal’s Report: 20th January 2020

• FCJ trip to London
• 3 teams in BT Young Scientist
• Awarded scholarships in UL
• A student got a gold medal the John Paul award
• Reached Munster camogie semi-final
• Had wins in basketball, hockey and badminton
• New hockey coach

Teaching and Learning:
The chairperson explained that there were several projects taking place within the school but two of these were an integrated plan. One of these teams is working with Le Cheile and the other is working with the Education Centre and by May 2020 we will have the outcome from both of these projects which will then be presented to the Board.

FCJ Bicentenary Celebrations:
A celebration for the 200th year anniversary of the FCJ Order will be held on Sunday 26th January 2020 in the Strand Hotel. All the Board members are invited. Also a second event will be held in the concert hall on 7th November 2020

The date for the next meeting was set for Wednesday 11th March 2020 at 5.p.m.

The secretary welcomed everybody to the meeting. Jerry Cronin opened the meeting with a prayer. Minutes of the previous meeting were read by the secretary and they were proposed by Liam Lenihan and seconded by Vincent Murphy.

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