Meeting Report
6 March 2023
Attendance: Eleanor Harpur, Siobhan O’Donoghue, Evelyn Danaher, Zara Byrne, Sue Casey, Nyki Carty, Sinead Boland O’Brien, Edel Cullen
Apologies: Lisa McAuley
February meeting minutes approved
Matters arising
- Financial report – €39.05 in bank fees due to be deducted from balance in bank account of €1,869.57
- School planning group – wellbeing survey has been completed by teachers/staff and results are being checked. Students and parents to be sent survey for completion this week. When all results are in, action plan will be formulated
- Well-read national award – PC members book club on hold until September 2023
- Child protection – Board of Management to provide copy of recently completed Child Protection Oversight report to PC
- Any other business
- Order of Malta 1st aid training for 1st years taking place 18.04.23. It was suggested that a member of the PC should attend that day to advise all that training expense will be covered by PC fund
- Sports awards 22.05.23 (€200 expense will be incurred). Brief conversation was held regarding other areas for PC funds to be spent – a suggestion of a €200 donation to the library was put forward
- Short discussion held re possibility of holding a PC collaboration with Past Pupils’ Union for next year (May’24) – a fashion show was mentioned
- Mock interviews 4th year students 13.03.23 – enough interviewers on board for same
Next meeting – 8th May 2023
Meeting Report
7 February 2023
Attendance: Eleanor Harpur, Siobhan O’Donoghue, Evelyn Danaher, Zara Byrne, Sue Casey, Nyki Carty, Sinead Boland O’Brien, Lisa McAuley
Apologies: Edel Cullen
January meeting minutes approved
Matters arising
- Financial report – the recently received bank statement and balance were outlined
- School planning group – survey to parents/teachers/students re school life is currently being arranged. Focus groups will be formed after survey and results will be included in new School Improvement Plan that needs to be implemented for 2023/2024
- Ms. O Donoghue advised that LCA will be introduced this September. TY students to be made aware of this option
- Well-Read National Award – discussion held regarding the first book that PC members book club should read. Ms. McAuley to try get copies of Foster by Claire Keegan for the next meeting
- Any other business
- Canteen pre-order idea not feasible as it would slow down queues (ref. Oven Door Catering)
- Order of Malta 1st aid training for 1st years to take place 18.04.22 (€250). The only other expense to come is €200 for sports awards at the end of the year. A suggestion was made about the possibility of sponsoring another bursary at the upcoming awards ceremony by Past Pupils’ Union in May. Ms. Harpur to liaise with Cate Hartigan and revert
- Fundraising – no requirement at present. Lantern event in July in Min Ryan Park may require use of school carpark that will raise some funds
- Mock interviews 4th year students 13th March – teas/coffees to be provided by Oven Door Catering so no requirement for help by PC members
Next meeting – 6th March 2023
Meeting Report
9 January 2023
Attendance: Eleanor Harpur, Siobhan O’Donoghue, Edel Cullen, Evelyn Danaher, Zara Byrne, Nyki Carty, Sinead Boland O’Brien
Apologies: Lisa McAuley, Sue Casey
December meeting minutes approved
Matters arising
- Financial report – not yet issued. Appointment with bank on 12th January, one more mandate to be signed. Hope by next meeting balance in account will be available (should be approx. €1700)
- School planning group – one hour classes VS 40 min classes discussions ongoing
- Book rental scheme – still a possibility
- Wellread national award – update re possible PC members book club and Lisa providing books to be discussed at next meeting
Any other business
- Canteen pre-order idea – Siobhan to suggest to Oven Door Catering
- At a previous meeting, Evelyn asked if parents can be kept in the loop when after school activities are cancelled during the school day. Going forward, if any sports activities are cancelled, girls will be informed by lunchtime and be reminded to let home know
- Order of Malta 1st aid training for 1st years to be arranged. Eleanor to organise with Dylan (Loreto will work around Dylan’s availability)
- Further to previous discussion held regarding school trips abroad, Siobhan copied consent form to all in attendance for information
- Conversation held regarding fundraising and if there is a requirement for an event. Siobhan to check if Lantern have any events scheduled for the coming summer that will require use of school carpark
- Mock interviews 4th year students 13th March – teas/coffees to be provided by PC. Siobhan to be advised if anyone can offer help with interviewing on the night
Next meeting – 7th February 2023 (Tuesday)
Meeting Report
Monday 5 December 2022
Attendance: Eleanor Harpur, Siobhan O’Donoghue, Edel Cullen, Evelyn Danaher, Sue Casey, Zara Byrne, Lisa McAuley, Nyki Carty
November meeting minutes approved
Financial report
Not yet issued. Mandate issue with bank. All PC members have been asked to send consent for their details (name, dob, country of residence) to be included in letter to bank that John is drafting with regard to a new mandate.
School planning group
One hour classes VS 40 min classes have been discussed in the last 3 SPG meetings. Visits to schools that have adopted hour long classes to be arranged.
Book rental scheme
Being explored as a priority.
Well-read national award
As the award requires the involvement of all students, teachers and parents in promoting the development of a reading culture in school communities, it was suggested that PC members organise a book club for 2023. Lisa to look into getting books.
Any other business
- TY Ball – it has been reconfirmed with girls in TY and with Talbot Hotel that the event is not a school event
- Siobhan noted that there is a TY company offering embroidering on coats, jerseys, t-shirts etc. at €5/item
- It was mentioned that mobile phones are now unseen, unheard and unused by all students while at school
- Queueing times in canteen – situation is being monitored with appointed supervisor in place at lunch times. Siobhan to suggest pre-order idea to Oven Door Catering
- At a previous meeting, Evelyn asked if parents can be kept in the loop when after school activities are cancelled during the school day. Siobhan to follow up
- Order of Malta 1st aid training for 1st years to be arranged
- Discussion held regarding recent training course undertaken by BOM members.
Next meeting 9th January 2023. All parents welcome to attend.
Meeting Report
7 November 2022
Attendance: Eleanor Harpur, Siobhan O’Donoghue, Edel Cullen, Evelyn Danaher, Sue Casey, Sinead Boland O’Brien, Zara Byrne, Lisa McAuley, Davnet Neary
October meeting minutes approved
Financial report
Ms. Harpur has sought update from Mr Gaynor.
Communication
The Parents’ Council will continue to use WhatsApp for communications. Ms O’Donoghue will set up new group called Loreto PC 22/23. Consent forms were circulated for completion at meeting and Siobhan to send forms to other members via email for completion.
School Planning Group
All were reminded that a meeting takes place in Demo Room every Thursday at 3.10pm. Ms O’Donoghue gave an update on the work of the group.
AOB
TY students due to receive Junior Cert results on 23.11.22 at 4pm (online). Students are volunteering that week so won’t attend school.
Discussion held re upcoming TY ball (January 2023). Ms O’Donoghue stated that this is not a school event.
Queueing times in canteen were discussed. Ms Harpur suggested that pre-orders are taken first thing in the mornings and have a separate collection area for these. Ms O’Donoghue stated that there are queue supervisors in place and will suggest pre-order idea to Oven Door Catering.
Queues at lockers discussed.
One hour classes Vs 40 min classes – discussion to begin at School Planning Group.
Ms Danaher asked if parents can be informed when after school training is cancelled.
A discussion took place around the possibility of introducing rugby and soccer.
Ms Harpur suggested that Order of Malta 1st aid training for 1st years could be arranged.
Book rental scheme – item to be added to agenda for December meeting.
Next Meeting
The next meeting will take place on Monday 5 December. All parents welcome to attend.
Meeting Report
3 October 2022
Attendance: Eleanor Harpur, Nyki Carty, Edel Cullen, Evelyn Danaher, Sue Casey, Sinead Boland O’Brien, Zara Byrne and John Mc Ginnity.
September minutes approved.
Finance Report
No update to report. The new Treasurer will liaise with Mr. Gaynor to organise the handover.
Role of Officers
An explanation of the different role of each of the Officers was discussed.
Election of Officers, 2022/23
The following Officers were elected:
Chairperson: Ms. Eleanor Harpur agreed to stay on as Chairperson. Her appointment was proposed by Ms. Nyki Carty and seconded by Ms. Sinead Boland O’ Brien.
Vice-Chairperson: Following the proposal of Ms. Nyki Carty and seconded by Ms. Eleanor Harpur, Ms. Sinead Bolan O’ Brien was deemed elected as Vice Chairperson.
Secretary: Ms. Zara Byrne was elected as Secretary, following the proposal of Ms. Nyki Carty and seconded by Ms. Sue Casey.
Treasurer: Ms. Nkyi Carty was elected to this role, following the proposal of Ms. Sinead Boland O’ Brien and seconded by Ms. Evelyn Danaher.
Ms. Harpur and Mr. Mc Ginnity thanked those for taking on the various roles.
Consultation re SPHE
Ms. Cullen mentioned that a consultation process on a draft specification for SPHE (including RSE) was currently open. Mr. Mc Ginnity agreed to communicate this to parents in advance of the 18 October deadline.
Communication between members
A discussion around the best method to communicate (e.g. e mail, WhatsApp) as a group took place.
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Council will take place on Monday, 7 November at 18.30. All parents are welcome to attend.
Meeting Report
5 September 2022
Attendance: Eleanor Harpur, Nyki Carty, Edel Cullen, Trish Delaney, Evelyn Danaher, Lisa Mc Auley, Sinead Boland O’Brien, Dympna Monaghan and Mary Ann O’Rourke.
Apologies: Apologies were received from John Mc Ginnity and Liam Gaynor.
May minutes approved.
At the outset, Ms. Harpur welcomed the members present, particularly new parents.
Finance Report
As the Treasurer was absent, Ms. Harpur updated the group on money raised from opening the carpark to facilitate parking during the recent musical events in Min Ryan Park.
AGM
Arrangements for the AGM were discussed. The proposal of a guest speaker was deemed a great idea.
Strategy to increase parental involvement
A discussion around this took place. Suggestions included targeting 1st year parents more and promoting the work of the group on social media more readily.
AOB
The prospect of the Order of Malta providing talk on life skills was discussed. Ms. Mc Auley suggested that first years would benefit most, as it would also provide interaction with the new students.
A follow-up discussion on a book rental scheme took place. Members present agreed that this would be an important area for the school to examine further.
Ms. O’ Rourke suggested that flower arranging or similar events might be reintroduced.
Next Meeting
The AGM will take place on Monday, 19 September. The subsequent meeting of the Council will take place on Monday, 3 October at 18.30.