Monday, 14 February 2022

Attendance

Mr. Gaynor, Mr. Quigley, Ms. Pheasey, Ms. Johnston, Mr. Gayer, Sr. Helen and Ms. Doyle. Apologies were received from Ms. Foley.

As Secretary to the Board, Mr. O’ Shea also attended.

Minutes

The minutes of the last meeting (17 January 2022) were adopted following the proposal of Mr. Quigley, seconded by Ms. Doyle.

Correspondence

  • The Board considered a request from the NCSE (26 January) to establish an autism unit, if required, with effect from September 2023. The meeting agreed to this request

in principle on the condition that the unit would be housed in a permanent structure to be provided on the school grounds by PPP Co. and DES. The meeting was totally opposed to the provision of temporary accommodation for this purpose.

  • The meeting noted correspondence from Rachel Power, GDPR Adviser (9 February) regarding changes to data protection policy and the addition of guidance for staff on social media usage.
  • The meeting gave formal approval to the Home Economics Department to organise an educational tour to Italy at mid-term, February 2023, as outlined in a draft itinerary supplied to the Board (11 February).

Covid-19 Response Plan / Health and Safety

Mr. O’ Shea advised the Board that the LWR Committee had met last week for the 50th time. It was reported that revised guidelines for schools were due to be issued later in the week.

The meeting was informed that a fire drill had been conducted on 31 January 2022 and that a further one would be scheduled between mid-term and Easter.

Building Report

The meeting was reminded that the annual Condition Survey would take place in the school on Friday, 25 February 2022 with a view to prioritising maintenance work over the summer.

Mr. O’ Shea reported that the GAA pitch had been shockwaved within the last week and that 120 tonnes of sand and a fertilizer were to be applied in the coming week. Further fertilising is scheduled for August.

Report from Finance Sub-Committee

An Income and Expenditure Report was presented to the meeting covering the period from 1 September 2021 to date.

Student Care

Mr. O’ Shea presented the Board with a Child Protection Oversight Report covering the period since the last meeting on 17 January 2022. A copy of the report is attached to the minutes.

The Board was advised that no case of bullying was currently unresolved.

The Board conducted its annual review of the Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment in accordance with the prescribed checklist.

School Planning / Teaching and Learning

The Board was informed that there was insufficient demand for LCAP to proceed in September 2022 but that it would be presented as an option in each future year.

Mr. O’ Shea advised that work was underway on the timetable for 2022/2023 and that option bands for 1st, 2nd and 5th year groups had been finalised.

The Board formally approved a revised school policy document on mobile phones/devices to take effect from Monday, 7 March 2022.

Principal’s Report

Mr. O’ Shea made mention of the following in his report to the meeting:

  • The holding of Junior and Leaving Certificate mock examinations in the school
  • That all parent-teacher meetings will have been completed on 2 March
  • Forthcoming day trips for 1st, 2nd and 3rd year students
  • The trip to Germany for 37 students and 3 teachers from 18 to 21 February

Any other business

The Board discussed the contents of its Agreed Report to be placed on the school website by Mr. O’ Shea.

The next meeting was scheduled for 16.30 in the school on Thursday, 31 March 2022.

Billy O’ Shea,

Secretary to Board of Management. Tuesday, 15 February 2022.