Monday, 5 December 2022

Attendance

Ms. Johnston (Chairperson), Ms. Foley, Ms. Harpur, Mr. Gayer, Ms. Cullen, Ms. Doyle and Mr Gaynor.

As Secretary to the Board, Mr. Mc Ginnity also attended. Apologies were received from Ms. Pheasey.

Minutes

The minutes of the last meeting (14 November 2022) were adopted following the proposal of Ms. Foley, seconded by Ms. Doyle.

Correspondence

The meeting was informed of the publication of a number of recent circulars and bulletins from the DES and JMB respectively.

Health and Safety

The Board was informed that Derek Madden (Health and Safety Manager) visited the school on Tuesday, 15 November. He completed his normal health and safety inspection.

Building Updates

Mr. Mc Ginnity updated the meeting on a number of points in relation to the building. He noted that the regular meetings between NDFA officials and the FM Company continued to go well.

Matters relating to the hockey pitch were discussed.

Finance Report

Mr. Gaynor, on behalf of the Finance Sub-Committee, summarised the content of their recent meeting.

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

Mr. Mc Ginnity noted a recent online meeting held with the Financial Support Services Unit. This is part of the support given to newly appointed principals.

Mr. Mc Ginnity also presented the Board with an OLCS report.

Board of Management Training

Mr. Mc Ginnity thanked members for attending the recent training in Kilkenny on Saturday, 26 November.

Leadership and Management

The Board reviewed and discussed the needs and priorities identified by recent staff consultation.

Admissions into 1st Year, 2023/24

Mr. Mc Ginnity updated the Board on the implementation of the enrolment process for 1st year, September 2023 in respect of the 303 applications received.

The Board considered reviews in respect of students whose parents/guardians had requested same.

The Board discussed proposed amendments in relation to the Admissions Policy.

Child Protection

Mr. Mc Ginnity presented the Board with a Child Protection Oversight Report covering the period since the last meeting on 14 November 2022. A copy of the report is attached to the minutes.

Anti-Bullying

The Board was advised that, to the school’s knowledge, no case of bullying was currently unresolved.

The Board was informed of a recent announcement by the Minister for Education and Skills in relation to a new action plan on bullying, entitled Cineáltas. Mr. Mc Ginnity noted that much more detail in relation to the initiative at individual school level was awaited.

School Planning/Teaching and Learning

The Board was informed that recent changes to the mobile phone policy were working well.

The work of the School Planning Group (SPG) was summarised. Consideration of one – hour classes will, after three weeks of discussion, move to a sub – committee of staff members. In 2023, the SPG will begin by looking at the area of wellbeing.

Principal’s Report

Mr. Mc Ginnity made mention of the following:

  • Various team and individual activities, including football, hockey, camogie, swimming, show jumping, debating etc.
  • The Spirit Award, awarded to Loreto, Wexford this year for their vocal support at the recent Swimming Gala.
  • The successful completion of the November exams.
  • Wellbeing Day for Leaving Certificate students.
  • The visit of Caroline Clarke, Director of Education with the Loreto Trust.
  • November Remembrance Mass celebrated by Fr. Jim Fegan.

The commencement of an arrangement with Our Lady of Fatima school. This involves students from the school attending Loreto each Wednesday to use the Home Economics kitchen.

Upcoming events, including the inaugural TY Trade Fair on Saturday, 10 December and the annual Carol Service on Tuesday, 20 December.

AOB

The Board thanked the teacher in charge of the schools’ social media accounts as they are very active at the moment. Mr. Mc Ginnity agreed to pass on the word of thanks, noting that Mr. Enda O’ Sullivan was the teacher involved.

Next Meeting

The next meeting was scheduled for 16.30 in the school on Monday, 16 January 2023.

John Mc Ginnity,

Secretary to the Board of Management, Wednesday, 7 December 2022.