Minutes Report: 6 October 2025 

Present: 

S Boland O’Brien, P Kinsella, E Danaher, A Kelly, C Callan, E Cullen, N Ajavonov, R Padayachee, D Monaghan  

Apologies: 

S Mooney, C L Topircean 

The meeting was opened and a warm welcome was extended to new members. Those members who helped out on the Open Night were thanked for their help. 

Minutes 

The minutes of the last meeting were proposed and seconded. 

Matters arising 

Election of Board of Management (BOM) 

It was noted that there had been a change in the procedure of the BOM election as it had been conducted by postal vote over a 48 hour period instead of by election at the AGM. 

This gave rise to concerns that if a student was on leave their family would not have the opportunity to vote. It was felt that it would be more beneficial if more notice had been granted to parents. 

It was also suggested that that the opportunity to vote should be awarded to each parent/guardian instead of per family. 

Financial Report 

The current balance is €1,433.96. Notified fees for August were €15 

Fundraising for Parents’ Council Funds 

The Parents’ Council had contacted the Environment Section of Wexford County Council who directed them to the Gardaí regarding applying for permits for can collection to fundraise for the Parents’ Council. 

The Gardaí advised that if the Parents’ Council are collecting cans at local GAA events or running car parks they do not need to apply for a permit but do need permission from the GAA. A permit is required however for holding a can while collecting money. 

There was a general discussion regarding the potential sources of income for the Parents’ Council as there are events that require financial assistance from the Parents’ Council but the Parents’ Council funds have been negatively impacted by the loss of the school car park being used for Min Ryan events as monies used to be collected for same. 

Ideas discussed included: 

  • The possibility of holding a Christmas carol service in the school and charging an entry fee.  
  • The collection of cans at the upcoming presidential election count. 
  •  The potential to use a coin jar at reception for the donation of loose change.  

It was queried whether it would be possible to involve Transition Year students in the collection of cans within the school.  

These suggestions will be looked into further with school personnel. 

Career Fair 2025 

This year, the Career Fair will take place in the CBS on Thursday 20th November from 6.30-8.30pm. Volunteers are sought on the night to speak about their career and Parents’ Council members are asked to spread the word.  

The Parents’ Council has previously co funded (with CBS) a raffle prize of a set of driving lessons. The Parents’ Council contributed €240 to this last year.  

Social Media & Screen time 

Garda Ann Quirke will give a talk to parents on social media and online safety on 13th November in the school. 

Supervised study 

Communication to Parents 

Ms Kinsella advised that following on from previous discussions at the Parents’ Council there has been a change in how absences from supervised study are communicated to parents. 

Parents will now receive a text message every Friday (previously it was fortnightly). 

The school will do further work, looking at attendance per session rather than the evening in total. 

Mobile Phone Usage 

It was queried whether it would be possible that Junior Cycle students wouldn’t have access to phones during this period, similar to that during school hours.  

The importance of parents and the school working together to ensure that rules regarding mobile phones are strictly enforced during school hours was raised. Ms Kinsella informed the Parents’ Council that this was being done. 

TY DIY 

The TY Co-ordinator has put forward a suggestion re a DIY competition for TY students which would be sponsored by the Parents’ Council.  

While the Parents’ Council is supportive of this in principle it was agreed that the idea couldn’t be committed to at this point until the Parent’s Council knows that it can fundraise. It was agreed that this could be discussed further at the next meeting. 

AOB 

It was noted that a parent felt that those at the September meeting had an unfair advantage regarding the BOM Election process as they were made aware of the change in voting arrangements giving them extra time to ask parents to vote for them. Reassurance was given that the additional time had not been used in this way and that the time difference was very short. 

It was requested that the minutes of the Parents’ Council meetings are issued earlier. 

It was noted that it is important to inform parents directly and not indirectly through the students about school activities that their daughters are taking part in (e.g. in Transition Year/Sports) and also about school meetings. This needs to be done in a timely manner and with due notice so that parents can make necessary arrangements. 

Next Meeting: Monday 3rd November