Monday, 17 January 2022

Attendance

Mr. Gaynor, Mr. Quigley, Ms. Pheasey, Ms. Foley, Ms. Johnston, Mr. Gayer, Sr. Helen and Ms. Doyle.

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

Sr. Helen formally welcomed Ms. Laura Pheasey to the Board as a teacher nominee to replace Ms. Siobhán O’ Donoghue.

Minutes

The minutes of the last meeting (13 December 2021) were adopted following the proposal of Mr. Quigley, seconded by Ms. Foley.

Covid-19 Response Plan / Health and Safety

Mr. O’ Shea advised the Board that the LWR Committee continued to meet every Friday. Updates in relation to FFP2 masks and HEPA filters were considered by the meeting.

It was noted that student absenteeism ranged from 18% to 33% over the opening eight days of the new term.

Building Report

Mr. O’ Shea informed members that the fortnightly meetings with the FM Company and NDFA officials continued to go very well.

Further information is to be sought from the FM Company in relation to the condition of the GAA pitch and the operation of the heating system.

It was reported 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.

Leadership and Management

Mr. O’ Shea informed the meeting that all AP1 and AP2 positions had been filled and that roles and responsibilities had been agreed with post-holders.

Future Trusteeship

Sr. Helen and Mr. O’ Shea provided the meeting with an update on negotiations regarding the proposed transfer of trusteeship to the Le Chéile Trust.

Report from Finance Sub-Committee

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

The Board authorised the signing of a Letter of Engagement from the auditors.

Student Care

Mr. O’ Shea presented the Board with a Child Protection Oversight Report covering the period since the last meeting on 13 December 2021.

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

He reported that the training for staff in the “Helping Hands Programme” would take place on 1 February 2022 and that it would be used in relation to 2nd and 3rd year students in the coming months.

School Planning / Teaching and Learning

The Board was informed that a revised structure of the 1st year curriculum and timetable had been agreed with subject departments.

It was reported that LCAP would be offered to students entering 5th year in September 2022. The Board welcomed this initiative.

Mr. O’ Shea informed the meeting that the School Planning Group would very shortly be trying to assess the levels of wellbeing among both students and staff as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic, with a view to organising practical initiatives to address any shortcomings.

Principal’s Report

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

  • The training of additional staff for the Droichead Programme
  • Forthcoming subject choice talks for 1st and 4th year students and their parents
  • An information meeting for incoming 1st year students and their parents on 25 January
  • Forthcoming parent-teacher meetings for 1st and 4th years
  • The commencement of mock examinations in the week beginning Monday, 7 February
  • The school’s new presence on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

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 Monday, 14 February 2022.

Billy O’ Shea,

Secretary to Board of Management. Tuesday, 18 January 2022.