Parents’ Council Meeting Report 02/03/2026 

Present: 

S Boland O’Brien, C Callan, D Monaghan, P Kinsella, E. Cullen, A Kelly, C L Topircean  

Apologies: 

E Danaher  

Minutes  

The minutes of the February meeting were proposed by D Monaghan and seconded by S Boland O’Brien 

Correspondence received 

The BOM annual review of the schools Child Safeguarding Statement has been completed in Feb 2026 in accordance with the checklist for review published on the Departments website 

Finance Report 

Expenditure of €200 for the National Parents Council, which includes €100 membership, €50 committee training and €50 member training  

NPC Training 

NPC Training will be in person for members and online for the committee 

Fundraising 

The GAA have a policy that only their own groundsmen can collect bottles.  

With regard to no Uniform day, it was suggested that a poster be created to raise interest and provide information re the Parents Council. No Uniform Day is scheduled for 13th March. 

Min Ryan Park Concerts are not going ahead as planned this Summer, due to on site development works.  

Mock Interviews 

Volunteers are needed to help with Mock Interviews. Parents are asked to contact Catriona Foley if interested.  

School Policies 

Religious Education Policy 

The following suggestions were made: 

  • The mission statement would be added to the beginning of the policy 
  • The titles and roles of the chaplains be included 
  • The word ‘certificate’ after junior be removed from the 2nd paragraph 
  • 3rd paragraph, 2nd bullet; Can date of guidelines be included? 
  • 3rd paragraph, 4th last bullet; can ‘in so far as is possible’ be removed? 
  • A discussion was had around non participation policy. Some parents felt their child should be allowed to leave the classroom if not participating, and be supervised elsewhere within the school. It was suggested that pressure should be put on the DOE to provide funds for appropriate supervision, without which it was felt it was not an ‘opt out’ policy.  
  • In relation to the last line of the policy, it was suggested there should be parental consultation/involvement in which texts students bring in, when opting out.  
  • It is noted that RSE is taught in religion class in senior cycle and it was felt that this should be referenced in the policy 
  • It was suggested that ‘Catholic ethos’ be defined.  
  • It was suggested that a reference to Loreto Trust be included 

Social Media Policy 

The following suggestions were made 

  • Point 2: Scope: Remove reference to X (formerly Twitter)  
  • Point 3: Data Protection; No sensitive personal info will ever be shared publicly. It was pointed out that this would need parental consent 
  • Point 5: Use A, B, C etc rather than bullet points 
  • Point 6: Roles & Responsibilities: Put contact details for social media manager here 

Bereavement Policy 

The following suggestions were made 

  • It was felt the following sentence in the Introduction should stand alone; ‘Bereavement is the experience of losing someone or something important to us and it is recognised here that there is no ‘right way’ to experience bereavement’ 
  • It was felt it would be helpful to clarify the chaplain’s titles and roles. 
  • A parent asked if there were guidelines as to who can use the prayer room? It was advised that this can be used at breaktime and lunchtime with permission. It was suggested that a line be added in to this effect.  
  • It was suggested that parents be advised how best to inform the school of bereavement/difficulties at home. 
  • Where it states that the chaplain will meet with a bereaved student, it was suggested that a line be included to state ‘at parents request’, and that in relation to grief counselling that a line be added ‘in consultation with family  

AOB 

The Chair has drafted a letter re the pedestrian crossing and bus shelter as discussed at the previous meeting.  

The next meeting is scheduled for May 11th, 2026.