20 Sept 2024
Head Girls, 2024/25:
We congratulate Ruby Kavanagh and Ciara Enright on their selection as Head Girls for this school year. We wish both students all the best as they take on this important leadership role. They will be supported by a Senior Counsel and members of the school management team.
Inclusion Committee – Report by Haya Al Kasem:
Report from Inclusion Committee Meetings, 11.09.24
We were delighted to welcome 30 students and four staff members to our first meeting this year.
Secretary:
- Haya Al Kasem, 5.1 was elected as secretary to the committee for the 2024-25 academic year and will be responsible for taking the minutes at each meeting.
Open Night 26th September:
- The Welcome Committee was re-established to provide tours of the school in different languages to parents and children on the Open Night. These volunteers will also be available to new students arriving at the school during the school year.
Welcome Committee:
| Student | Fluent in: |
| Hanin Al Kasem | Arabic |
| Grace O’ Leary Sarah Gorman Charlotte Gorman | Gaeilge |
| Marianne Coulet | French |
| Kirsty Nyadenga Maenzanise Kristy Asante Maenzanise | Shona Africa (Zimbabwe) |
| Kinga Godula | Polish |
| Vivienne Moran | English |
If you would like to join the Welcome Committee, please email michellejordan@loretowexford.com
- St. Ibar’s will be decorated with posters, flags and information to reflect the work of the Inclusion Committee and Schools of Sanctuary
Stand Up Week 2024:
- LGBTQ+ Stand Up Week will be marked in our school from the 4-8th November. Ms. Pheasey will lead our Stand-Up Week celebrations again this year. There are many plans being made which will be finalised at our next meeting. Ideas include a rainbow bake sale, face painting, and pride songs to be played on the intercom. It was also suggested that students from each year group could wear an accessory to school to show their support. The school will be decorated with photos and flags and our inspirational wall will showcase LGBTQ+ role models.
- If you would like to take part in Stand-Up Week, please email laurapheasey@loretowexford.com
Multicultural Week 2025:
- Multicultural Week will be celebrated this year on the week beginning Monday 3rd March. The group was excited to organise the Fashion Show and Stands again this year. Haya Al Kasem and Lauryn Tracy volunteered to MC this event.
- First years will also have their Human Rights talk.
- Other ideas included a quiz/ information on a culture on the intercom before playing the multicultural songs at the end of each day
Spotlight on issue of our Choice:
- During the last term, we organise an awareness raising campaign for a cause of our choice. We decided to hold this campaign in the week beginning Monday 12th May.
‘Diverse Voices’
- Avril Allwin, Haya Al Kasem and Hanin Al Kasem volunteered to be interviewed for our monthly article ‘Diverse Voices’ on our school newsletter.
New members are always welcome!
Next meeting: 3.10pm, St. Kevin’s, Wednesday 16/10/24
Parent Webinar – organised by TUSLA: Responding to School Avoidance – What can a parent do?
Monday, 23rd September at 7pm School avoidance is a very difficult matter for parents and children. It can cause stress and conflict in the family home. It can be hard for parents to know how to respond. This short webinar will look at some of the reasons why children and adolescents avoid school. Strategies for supporting your child, managing conflict about school, and accessing support will be presented. There will be an opportunity for parents to bring questions to the session.
Booking is essential through Ticketsource (see link below). The meeting link will issue to all registered attendees on the morning of the event only.
Brief Points:
- For those who wish to purchase the optional Bodibro leggings, the link to do so is now active again: https://bodibro.ie/collections/loreto-wexford
- Our Open Night for 5th and 6th class pupils will take place on Thursday, 26 September between 5 and 7 pm. Please share the date with friends and family!
- There will be an Information Meeting for 1st year parents/guardians on Thursday, 3 October at 18.00. This will be followed by an Information Meeting for parents/guardians of 3rd and 6th year students, beginning at 19.30. A letter to families about both events will issue online beforehand.
- Information in relation to the enrolment process for 1st year, September 2025 has been published on our website and app. It can be found under the ‘Admissions’ tab.
- Friday, 4 October – School closed (free day).
- Tuesday, 8 October (17.30) – CAO/Further Options Talk for 6th year parents/guardians.
- Thursday, 10 October – Oide in-service day (school closed to students).
