Loreto Crest Loreto Secondary School   
Spawell Road, Wexford.   
Telephone: 053 9142783     Fax: 053 9147773
   


 


Board of Management

The current Board of Management (BOM) will serve from 15 October 2007 until 14 October 2010.
Its members are:

Trustee nominees :
Sr. Helen O' Riordan (Chair)
Sr. Christine Foley
Mr. John O' Leary
Mr. Gerry McDonnell

Teacher nominees :
Ms. Patricia Kinsella
Mr. Martin Boyd

Parent nominees :
Ms. Laurena Kent
Mr. Owen Hillery

Mr. Billy O' Shea (School Principal) acts as Secretary to the Board without voting rights.


Tuesday, 19 February 2008

Circular letter to all families 

 

Dear parents, guardians and students, 

I write at this time to inform you of the following matters: 

School extension and refurbishment 

As you are aware, our application for planning permission for an €8.679 million extension/refurbishment programme for our school was unexpectedly refused in May 2007 by Wexford Borough Council on receipt of a late objection from the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. 

Following representations to the Building Unit of the Department of Education and Science (DES) that lasted for six months, conservation architects were finally employed by the Board of Management (BOM) in November 2007 to prepare a report on the old convent buildings that are at the centre of the planning objection. A draft report was received from these architects in the last few weeks that has now been considered by the BOM, design team and the Loreto Province. A final report will be issued to the BOM by the conservation architects and the design team by 29 February 2008 on the compatibility or otherwise of the old buildings with modern educational requirements. Based on this report and consultations with the DES, it is envisaged that a new planning application will be formulated as soon as possible. 

I wish to assure you that the school’s BOM has the early completion of this extension and refurbishment as its number one priority. Every possible effort continues to be made to bring this development to completion. I shall keep you informed of all future significant developments in this matter.   

Student attendance 

The teaching staff and I are very strong in our belief that regular school attendance is essential for a student’s full potential - personal, social and academic - to be realised. Whilst most of our students are to be congratulated on the excellence of their attendance records, we are concerned, nevertheless, that a sizeable minority, particularly in 4th, 5th and 6th years, have attendance records that are less than satisfactory. Sr. Carmel has recently posted the attendance records to those concerned. 

In an attempt to address this concern, I am now pleading with parents/guardians to ensure that students only miss school for genuine reasons e.g. illness, medical/dental appointments. I remind you that when a student misses a day she will have to catch up on the work done in 8 classes that day, 9 on a Wednesday. Your help in impressing this upon your daughter will be greatly appreciated. 

Additionally, the school will be introducing a system from September 2008 whereby a text message will be sent by 10.00 a.m. to the nominated mobile phone number of a parent/guardian when a student fails to register her attendance in school. I shall shortly be distributing a form to every student seeking your co-operation in providing a mobile phone number so that this new system can take effect. 

Voluntary Contribution Scheme 

Many families have already contributed to this year’s Voluntary Contribution Scheme. I am extremely grateful for this support. 

If your family has yet to contribute, I respectfully ask for your valued support at this time. The school depends very much on this scheme to provide the best possible service to all students at a time when so many operational costs are escalating e.g. waste disposal, postage, light and heat. 

The request for 2007/2008 is as follows: 

€150 for one student      €240 for two students    €270 for three students 

Payments can now be made to the School Secretary, Noeleen Goggin. All monies received will be duly receipted.  

Parking outside the school 

For very strong safety reasons, I must ask for your support in keeping the double yellow lines at the entrances to the school free of vehicles. I acknowledge that parking is a problem in the vicinity of the school but there can be no excuse for convenience taking precedence over the safety of students and staff as they enter and leave the school each day. 

Parents’ Association 

I draw your attention to the enclosed correspondence from the Parents’ Association, a body that does such great work for the school community. I urge you to be as supportive as possible of them at this time. 

School website 

A huge amount of school information is kept on our website - www.loretowexford.com – that is updated on a weekly basis. I invite you to keep a close eye on this website as it is a very fast, convenient and effective way of communicating with the school community. Your particular attention is drawn to the current news section.  

 

I thank you for your ongoing support of the school particularly in relation to the considerable difficulties relating to our extension and refurbishment. Hopefully this will come right soon!! 

Please contact me if I can be of assistance to you in any way. 

Yours faithfully,

Billy O’ Shea,

Principal and Secretary to BOM

_________________________________________________________________________________

 

Report of Board of Management meeting

 Thursday, 15 May 2008 

Attendance 

Sr. Christine, Ms. Kinsella, Sr. Helen, Mr. Boyd, Mr. Hillery, Mr. McDonnell and Ms. Kent.

As Secretary to the Board, Mr. O’ Shea also attended.

Apologies were received from Mr. O’ Leary. 

Capital Development  

The Board was informed that a meeting would be held in the school on 5 June attended by DES officials, design team, conservation architect and school authorities to discuss the future direction of the building project.  

Financial Report 

Mr. O’ Shea presented the Board with an Income and Expenditure Statement for the period from 1 September 2007 to 14 May 2008.  

School Policies 

The Board formally ratified new policies in relation to Anti-Bullying and Homework.

Further review of the Admission policy was held over pending clarification that might emerge at national level. 

Staffing 2008/2009

Mr. O’ Shea informed the Board of forthcoming appointments in the following subject areas: Irish; Science: P.E.; Business; Maths; English/Religion. 

It was reported that work was progressing on the terms of appointment of a lab. technician for 2008/2009. 

Principal’s Report 

In his Principal’s Report, Mr. O’ Shea made mention of the following: 

  • Forthcoming school events to which Board members were warmly invited i.e. Prize-Giving, Graduation Mass for 6th year students, Transition Year Graduation
  • The recent meeting for incoming 1st year students and their parents

Any other business 

The Board discussed the contents of its Agreed Report.

The next meeting was confirmed for 12 June 2008.

___________________________________________________________________________________

 

Report of Board of Management meeting

 Thursday, 3 April 2008 

 

Attendance 

Sr. Christine, Ms. Kinsella, Sr. Helen, Mr. Boyd, Mr. Hillery, Mr. McDonnell and Mr. O’ Leary.

As Secretary to the Board, Mr. O’ Shea also attended.

Apologies were received from Ms. Kent.  

Capital Development  

The Board was informed that the response of the DES to the recently-submitted reports from the Conservation Architects and Design Team was awaited. 

Financial Report 

Mr. O’ Shea presented the Board with an Income and Expenditure Statement for the period from 1 September 2007 to 2 April 2008. He also advised that the auditors would be making a follow-up visit to the school on 23 April to illustrate the full potential of the TAS software package in terms of reports to the Board. 

School Policies 

The Board held a discussion on its Admission Policy. 

Principal’s Report 

In his Principal’s Report, Mr. O’ Shea made mention of the following: 

  • Forthcoming oral and practical examinations
  • Forthcoming school events to which Board members were warmly invited i.e. Prize-Giving, Graduation Mass for 6th year students

Any other business 

The Board discussed the contents of its Agreed Report.

The next meeting was confirmed for 15 May 2008. 

__________________________________________________________________________________ 

 

Minutes of Board of Management 

Monday, 3 March 2008 

Attendance 

Sr. Christine, Ms. Kinsella, Sr. Helen, Mr. Boyd, Mr. Hillery, Ms. Kent and Mr. O’ Leary.

As Secretary to the Board, Mr. O’ Shea also attended.

Apologies were received from Mr. McDonnell. 

Capital Development  

The Board was informed that the combined report from the conservation architects and the design team was delayed by about two weeks as additional consultations were required before completion. 

It was decided by the Board that its preferred option for future development was to build elsewhere on the existing school site, as opposed to moving to a green field site, and to hand the convent buildings back to the Loreto Province for alternative future use when the new building would be complete. 

Financial Report 

Mr. O’ Shea presented the Board with an Income and Expenditure Statement for the period from 1 September 2007 to 27 February 2008. 

School Policies 

The Board ratified the amended policy on student attendance. 

Mr. O’ Shea presented the Board with an overview of the In-School Management structures currently in operation. He also updated the Board on the ongoing work of the school’s development planning team.   

Any other business 

The Board discussed the contents of its Agreed Report.

The dates of the next three meetings were fixed as follows:

Thursdays, 3 April/15 May/12 June – all at 4.30 p.m.

___________________________________________________________________________________

 

Report of Board of Management Meeting 

Thursday, 7 February 2008 

Attendance 

Sr. Christine, Ms. Kinsella, Sr. Helen, Mr. Boyd and Mr. O’ Leary.

As Secretary to the Board, Mr. O’ Shea also attended.

Apologies were received from Mr. Hillery, Ms. Kent and Mr. McDonnell 

Correspondence 

Inwards 

6 February from the FSSU regarding training for Board members in financial management 

Capital Development  

Mr. O’ Shea and Sr. Helen updated the Board on recent meetings they had attended between the design team, conservation architects, Sr. Angela Powell and Hugh Morris. It has been agreed that a report will be issued to the Board by the conservation architects and the design team before 29 February 2008 indicating the compatibility or otherwise of the convent buildings with modern educational needs. The Board was informed of the possibilities of building elsewhere on the site or seeking a green field site for development.  

Financial Report 

Mr. O’ Shea presented the Board with an Income and Expenditure Statement for the period from 1 September 2007 to 6 February 2008. 

Principal’s Report 

In his Principal’s Report, Mr. O’ Shea made mention of the following: 

  • The work of the school’s SDPI sub-committee
  • The WSE process – documentation was circulated to Board members

Any other business 

The sympathy of the Board was extended to Ms. Pratt (teaching staff) on the recent death of her father.

The Board discussed the contents of its Agreed Report.

The date of the next meeting was fixed for Monday, 3 March 2008 at 4.30 p.m.

__________________________________________________

Report of Board of Management Meeting 

Tuesday, 8 January 2008 

Attendance 

Sr. Christine, Ms. Kent, Ms. Kinsella, Sr. Helen, Mr. Boyd, Mr. O’ Leary and Mr. Hillery.

Apologies were received from Mr. McDonnell.

As Secretary to the Board, Mr. O’ Shea also attended.  

Principal’s Report 

In his Principal’s Report, Mr. O’ Shea made mention of the following: 

  • the expected receipt on 18 January of the report from the Conservation Architect

Any other business 

The Board discussed the contents of its Agreed Report.

The date of the next meeting was fixed for Thursday, 7 February at 4.30 p.m. 

Training for the Board 

The meeting was joined at this stage by Sr. Marie Céline Clegg and Mr. Michael Denny (Loreto Education Centre) who gave an input to the Board on the following topics: 

  • The structure of the Loreto Education Trust
  • The characteristic spirit of a Loreto school
  • The Articles of Management
  • The legislative framework governing schools
  • Issues facing a Board of Management

Following discussion of these and other points, the Board adjourned for dinner hosted by the Loreto Education Centre.

__________________________________________________

Report of Board of Management Meeting 

Tuesday, 27 November 2007 

Attendance 

Sr. Christine, Ms. Kent, Ms. Kinsella, Sr. Helen, Mr. Boyd, Mr. O’ Leary, Mr. Hillery and Mr. McDonnell.

As Secretary to the Board, Mr. O’ Shea also attended. 

Training for the Board 

Sr. Christine, Ms. Kent, Ms. Kinsella and Sr. Helen gave a brief account of recent meetings for Board members attended by them organised by the JMB and the Loreto Education Office. Both meetings were considered to be very beneficial.   

Capital Development  

Sr. Helen and Mr. O’ Shea updated the Board on the appointment of Conservation Architects Jack Coughlan and Associates from Cork. They also informed the Board of the first meeting that had taken place on 27 November between these architects and the Design Team at which both Sr. Helen and Mr. O’ Shea were present. It is expected that a report from the Conservation Architects setting out future options will be available in early January 2008. 

Annual Report from the BOM to families 

A draft of this report as prepared by Mr. O’ Shea was formally approved by the Board for immediate circulation to all families.   

Financial Report 

Mr. O’ Shea presented the Board with an Income and Expenditure Statement for the period from 1 September 2007 to 21 November 2007. 

School Policies 

The Board formally ratified the new constitution of both the Parents’ Association and the Students’ Council. The updating of the Transition Year Programme in the school was also brought to the Board’s attention. 

Principal’s Report 

In his Principal’s Report, Mr. O’ Shea made mention of the following: 

  • the imminent completion of a review of the Health and Safety Statement
  • the continuing success of the school’s  senior camogie team
  • the very successful run of the school show, Oklahoma!

The Board warmly congratulated all staff and students connected with the show and the camogie. 

Any other business 

The Board discussed the contents of its Agreed Report.

The date of the next meeting was fixed for Tuesday, 8 January 2008 at 4.30 p.m.

Sr. Helen extended good wishes for the Christmas season to all Board members.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________

 Report to parents from the Board of Management (BOM) on the operation and performance of Loreto Secondary School, Wexford for the year ended 31 August 2007.

Introduction 

This report has been prepared to comply with section 20 of the Education Act, 1998. It covers the year to 31 August 2007. 

The next report will issue in November 2008. 

Spiritual 

A variety of services and liturgies took place during the year, as follows:

  • Start-of-Year Mass, Graduation Masses for 4th and 6th year students, Class Masses, Masses for Advent, Christmas Carol Service, November Remembrance Mass
  • Commissioning of Eucharistic Ministers in 6th year by Bishop Denis Brennan
  • Retreats for 1st, 4th and 6th year students

The school’s Religious Education department was greatly assisted by our chaplain, Fr. Jim Fegan, Adm., throughout the year.

Charity and Social Awareness 

The school’s Justice and Peace Group was very active throughout the year and was instrumental in promoting awareness of free trade products. 

Students and staff raised considerable sums of money for the following charities: 

Concern, St. Vincent de Paul, Bothar, The Hospice Movement, The Alzheimer Society, Loreto Missions (with particular emphasis on the work of Sr. Winnifred in Peru) and the Day Care Unit in Wexford General Hospital. 

Academic 

Excellent results were achieved by 118 students taking the Leaving Certificate. The school rejoices in the academic success of all students. 

Very impressive results were achieved by the school’s 123 Junior Certificate students in 2007.  

The BOM congratulates all students and their teachers on the continued excellence of results in the school. 

A subject inspection of Science and Physics took place in May 2007. The inspector’s report is very complimentary towards the teachers in the Science and Physics Department and has been posted on the Department of Education and Science website, www.education.ie (under Inspectorate).   

Staffing 

The school’s total teacher allocation from the DES for 2006/2007 was 43.44. In addition, the BOM paid the salary of .59 equivalent of a full time teacher. 

Of the DES total of 43.44, 1.14 was set aside for students with special educational needs under the overall co-ordination of the school’s Learning Support teacher, Ms. Wilson. 

The BOM wishes a long and happy retirement to Ms. Katherine Carley, Irish and Geography teacher, who retired on 31 August 2007. 

The Board congratulates Ms. Angela Collins, Guidance Counsellor, on her appointment as Deputy Principal in St. Mary’s Secondary School, Macroom, Co. Cork. Since taking up this appointment, Ms. Collins has been asked to take on the role of Acting Principal in the school. We wish her well in this onerous position. 

The Board also extends its best wishes to Mr. David O’ Sullivan who left the teaching staff to take up a new position in Waterford. 

The Board thanks all three teachers for the excellence of their service to this school. 

We are particularly keen to welcome the new teachers to our staff this year: 

Ms. Maura Fallon                      Guidance Counsellor

Ms. Rachel O’ Connor                Irish and Maths

Ms. Aoife Dooley                      Irish

Ms. Kim Dudley                        Maths 

I.T. 

The Anseo system continues to monitor the daily attendance and punctuality of all students. 

All Transition Year students study for the ECDL information technology qualification.  

Lunchtime access to I.T. for students continues to be facilitated. 

Capital Development 

The considerable progress achieved by the school in advancing its €8.679 million extension and refurbishment programme came to a sudden and unexpected halt in May 2007 when planning permission was refused by Wexford Borough Council. The Board was deeply annoyed by this decision as no fewer than three consultations had been held by the school’s Design Team with the local authority prior to the submission of the planning application in the course of which no objections to the proposed development had been raised.

The Board welcomes the appointment by the Building Unit in the Department of Education and Science of a Conservation Architect to work with the Design Team in submitting a new planning application without further delay. 

In the meantime, 701 students and 57 staff continue to work in sub-standard accommodation.  

Extra-curricular and co-curricular activities 

The BOM expresses its gratitude to the teaching staff for organizing the following activities for students in 2006/2007: 

Irish and English debating          

quizzes             

hockey             

basketball

tennis               

soccer

yoga                            

rounders                      

athletics

football

camogie

self-defence

tag rugby         

educational tour to France

field trips

theatre trips

school choir

supervised internet access

horse riding

Maths Olympiad

recycled material fashion show

charity fashion show

Young Entrepreneurs competition 

Transition Year 

89 students took Transition Year in 2006/2007.  

Student appraisal of the school’s Transition Year programme continues to be very positive. 

The BOM, following consultation with educational partners throughout the year, decided to make Transition Year compulsory for all students with effect from September 2011. The move reflects the reality of the situation in the school where, over the last few years, the number taking Transition Year has been increasing rapidly e.g. 104 of a possible 120 students are taking Transition Year in 2007/2008. Additionally, educational partners have been greatly influenced by national research findings indicating that students taking Transition Year do much better in the Leaving Certificate Programme than those who choose not to.  

Child Protection 

Child Protection Guidelines have been in full operation throughout 2006 following staff training in December 2005. The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is Mr. Billy O’ Shea and the Assistant DLP is Sr. Carmel Swords. 

New procedures for the vetting of personnel in schools with unsupervised access to children have been issued to all secondary schools in December 2006 for immediate implementation. 

Care of Students 

All Class Teachers continue to take a keen interest in the pastoral care of their students. In addition, the school’s two Guidance Counsellors, Ms. Fallon and Ms. Young, are available to assist in any possible way. 

A dedicated Student Care Team was established within the school in 2006/2007. Comprising the Principal, Deputy Principal, Chaplain, Counsellors, Learning Support Teachers and Class Teachers where required, this team meets at least fortnightly and ensures that adequate provision is made for all students experiencing particular difficulties in school and in their personal lives.  

Student Empowerment 

Rachel Kumar and Marie Therese Power were the Head Girl and Deputy Head Girl respectively in 2006/2007. They were assisted by prefects and vice-prefects in each class group. 

The Students’ Council continues to be active and, with guidance from the Parents’ Council, drew up a constitution for its operations in the course of the year. 

Parental Involvement and Contact 

The school organized information meetings for parents in 2006/2007 on the following matters:

  • New 1st year students, September 2007
  • Subject choices for 2nd, 4th and 5th years
  • CAO/CAS
  • Parent-teacher meetings for every year group

All meetings were very well attended by parents. 

The school website is updated weekly and contains a great deal of information for parents on current news as well as all school policies. For families without internet access, hard copies of all updates and policies are available from reception. 

The Principal, Deputy Principal and all teachers continue to be available on an appointment basis to meet parents to discuss any concerns about students. 

The Parents’ Council was particularly active in 2006/2007 in organizing a talk for parents by Peadar Maxwell, psychologist, and in the promotion of three Healthy Eating Weeks for students. Additionally, the Council drew up a new constitution in the course of the year. Representatives of the Council met with Mr. O’ Shea, Principal, on a fortnightly basis to liaise on school matters and the Council is also represented on the School Development Planning Group that meets weekly.   

School Development Planning 

All policies that make up the school plan are available on the school’s website: www.loretowexford.com. 

The following have been the main developments in school planning throughout 2006/2007: 

  • The completion of subject development plans in all departments
  • Ongoing meetings to review and monitor these plans
  • A formal review by the BOM of the admission policy
  • The establishment of an in-school management post to co-ordinate school development planning
  • The establishment of a School Development Planning Group, representative of staff, students and parents, to prepare draft policies for consideration by all educational partners in the school

Professional Development of Staff 

Teachers attended DES and other in-service in the following subject areas: 

Science, Biology, Maths, Religion, Business, French, History and Geography. 

The teaching staff also received professional input on the following topics: 

  • Mixed ability teaching
  • Positive behaviour management
  • Policy development
  • Assessment for learning

Board of Management 

The BOM held nine formal meetings in 2006/2007. At the end of each meeting an agreed report was approved for circulation by teacher and parent representatives.  

Financial Accountability 

The Independent Auditors’ Report to the trustees for the year ended 31 August 2007 concludes as follows: 

“ In our opinion the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the school’s affairs as at the 31 August 2007 and of its results for the year then ended and have been properly prepared in accordance with the Education Act, 1998. 

We have obtained all the information and explanations we consider necessary for the purposes of our audit. In our opinion, the school has kept proper books of account. The financial statements are in agreement with the books of account. 

In our opinion, the Board of Management’s Report is consistent with the financial statements.” 

O’ Brien Harnett & Associates,

Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors,

97 Haddington Road,

Dublin 4. 

The Board is very grateful to families who supported the Voluntary Contribution Scheme that yielded €63,771 in 2006/2007. 

Community Links 

The BOM is particularly appreciative of the assistance provided by the local Wexford community in providing work experience placements for Transition Year and LCVP students in 2006/2007 and for its generous sponsorship of Transition Year mini-companies. 

Throughout the year school facilities have been made available to the following groups: 

Yoga Club, Wexford Harbour Boat and Tennis Club, Wexford Parks Tennis, Wexford Ladies Hockey Club and the Royal Irish Academy of Music. 

Billy O’ Shea,

Secretary to Board of Management. 

December 2007

_________________________________________________________________________________

 .
Report of Board of Management Meeting
Tuesday, 16 October 2007

Attendance

Sr. Christine, Ms. Kent, Ms. Kinsella, Sr. Helen, Mr. Boyd, Mr. O’ Leary, Mr. Hillery and Mr. McDonnell. As Secretary to the Board, Mr. O’ Shea also attended.

Introduction and welcome 

Sr. Helen (Chairperson) formally welcomed all members to the new Board of Management and thanked each for agreeing to take on such an important responsibility in a voluntary capacity.

Briefing for new Board

Sr. Helen informed members of their corporate responsibility to the Board and to the school as a whole. She outlined the procedures under which the Board would operate as set out in the Articles of Management for Voluntary Catholic Secondary Schools. 

Mr. O’ Shea briefed members on the following matters: 

·         Training for Board members

·         Existing school policies

·         Capital development

·         School finances

·         Staffing

·         Student enrolment 

In-school management (ISM) 

The Board formally approved the duties attaching to the positions of Assistant Principal 9 and Special Duties 12 and 13 following a period of consultation by the Principal with the teaching staff. 

2006/2007 audited accounts 

The 2006/2007 audited accounts were presented to the Board, formally approved and then signed, as per the auditors’ request, by two Board members. 

Principal’s Report 

In his Principal’s Report, Mr. O’ Shea made mention of the following:

  • the commencement of work on 1st year admissions for September 2008
  • the Science/Physics Inspection Report
  • recent staff inservice on inclusion in education
  • the need to recruit an Information Technology expert to assist and advise staff – this matter will be considered at the next meeting

Any other business 

The Board discussed the contents of its Agreed Report.

The date of the next meeting was fixed for Tuesday, 27 November 2007 at 4.30 p.m.

___________________________________________________________

 

Report to parents from the Board of Management (BOM)
on the operation and performance of Loreto Secondary School, Wexford for the year ended 31 December 2006.

 1. Introduction
This report has been prepared to comply with section 20 of the Education Act, 1998.
It covers the year to 31st December 2006.

The next report will issue in September 2006 and thereafter each September.

2. Spiritual
Fr. Jim Fegan, Adm., was appointed as Chaplain to replace Fr. Dermot Gahan, C.C.

A variety of services and liturgies took place during the year, as follows:
Start-of-Year Mass, Graduation Masses for 4th and 6th year students, Class Masses, Masses
   for Advent, Christmas Carol Service, November Remembrance Mass
Commissioning of Eucharistic Ministers in 6th year by Bishop Denis Brennan
Retreats for 1st, 4th and 6th year students

3. Charity and Social Awareness
The school’s Justice and Peace Group was very active throughout the year and was instrumental in promoting awareness of free trade products.

Students and staff raised considerable sums of money for the following charities:
Concern, St. Vincent de Paul, Bothar, The Hospice Movement, The Alzheimer Society,
Loreto Missions.

4. Academic
Excellent results were achieved by 78 students taking the Leaving Certificate. 55% progressed
to university and 42% to institutes of technology. These are very high figures at national level. The school rejoices in the academic success of all students.

Very impressive results were achieved by the school’s 119 Junior Certificate students in 2006.

The BOM congratulates all students and their teachers on the continued excellence of results in the school.

A subject inspection of English took place in March 2006. The inspector’s report is very complimentary towards the teachers in the English Department and has been posted on the Department of Education and Science website, www.education.ie (under Inspectorate).

5.
I.T.
All school reports have now been computerised.

The Anseo system continues to monitor the daily attendance and punctuality of all students.

All Transition Year students study for the ECDL information technology qualification.

6. Capital Development
Under the 2006 Summer Works Scheme, both science laboratories were extensively refurbished and the school library was converted to an additional laboratory. The library was moved on a temporary basis to an upstairs classroom. All three laboratories were completely restocked with new equipment.

Following considerable negotiation with the DES, the school’s extension and refurbishment project has moved to stages 4 and 5 of the building process. It is envisaged that construction may commence in summer 2007. This project will cost €8.679 million. Drawings can be viewed in the foyer.

7. Extra-curricular and co-curricular activities
The BOM expresses its gratitude to the teaching staff for organising the following activities for students in 2006 :
.

Irish and English debating athletics school choir
quizzes football Young Scientists Exhibition
hockey camogie supervised internet access
basketball self-defence horse riding
tennis tag rugby Maths Olympiad
soccer educational tour to France recycled material fashion show
yoga field trips charity fashion show
rounders theatre trips Young Entrepreneurs competition

8. Transition Year
89 students are presently taking Transition Year.

Student appraisal of the school’s Transition Year programme continues to be very positive.

9. Child Protection
Child Protection Guidelines have been in full operation throughout 2006 following staff training in December 2005. The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is Mr. Billy O’ Shea and the Assistant DLP is Sr. Carmel Swords.

New procedures for the vetting of personnel in schools with unsupervised access to children have been issued to all secondary schools in December 2006 for immediate implementation.

10. Care of Students
All Class Teachers continue to take a keen interest in the pastoral care of their students.
In addition, the school’s two Guidance Counsellors, Ms. Collins and Ms. Young, are available to assist in any possible way.

11. Student Empowerment
Rachel Kumar and Marie Therese Power are the Head Girl and Deputy Head Girl respectively in the current school year. They are assisted by prefects and vice-prefects in each class group.

The Students’ Council continues to be active and is assisted in its work by two liaising teachers, Ms. Collins and Ms. MacGonagle.

12. Parental Involvement and Contact
The school organised information meetings for parents in 2006 on the following matters:
    New 1st year students, September 2006
    Subject choices for 2nd, 4th and 5th years
    CAO/CAS
    Parent-teacher meetings for every year group

All meetings were very well attended by parents.

The school website is updated weekly and contains a great deal of information for parents on current news as well as all school policies. For families without internet access, hard copies of all updates and policies are available from reception.

The Principal, Deputy Principal and all teachers continue to be available on an appointment basis to meet parents to discuss any concerns about students.

The Parents’ Council was particularly active in 2006 in organising talks for students and parents by the governor of Mountjoy Prison, John Lonergan and in the development and implementation of a healthy eating policy for students.

The BOM has initiated a review and evaluation of the role and effectiveness of the Parents’ Council in the school.  

13. School Development Planning
All policies that make up the school plan are available on the school’s website: www.loretowexford.com.

The following have been the main developments in school planning throughout 2006 :
     The completion of subject development plans in all departments
     Ongoing meetings to review and monitor these plans
     A formal review by the BOM of the admission policy
     The establishment of an in-school management post to co-ordinate school development
        planning
     The setting up of a staff steering committee to assist with school development planning

14. Staffing
The school’s total teacher allocation from the DES for 2006/2007 is 43.44. In addition, the BOM pays the salary of .59 equivalent of a full time teacher.

Of the DES total of 43.44, 1.14 is set aside for students with special educational needs under the overall co-ordination of the school’s Learning Support teacher, Ms. Wilson.

The BOM formally recognised the retirement from the teaching staff on 31 August 2006 of Ms. Cummings and Ms. Dempsey who, between them, gave 63 years of outstanding service to education in this school.

15. Professional Development of Staff
Teachers attended DES and other in-service in the following subject areas:
Science, Biology, Maths, Religion, Business, French, History and Geography.

16. Board of Management
The BOM held nine formal meetings in 2006. At the end of each meeting an agreed report was approved for circulation by teacher and parent representatives.

17. Financial Accountability
The Independent Auditors’ Report to the trustees for the year ended 31st August 2006 concludes as follows:
“In our opinion the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the school’s affairs as at the 31st August 2006 and of its results for the year then ended and have been properly prepared in accordance with the Education Act, 1998.

We have obtained all the information and explanations we consider necessary for the purposes of our audit. In our opinion, the school has kept proper books of account. The financial statements are in agreement with the books of account. In our opinion, the Board of Management’s Report is consistent with the financial statements.”

O’ Brien Harnett & Associates
Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors,
97 Haddington Road,
Dublin 4.

18. Community Links
The BOM is particularly appreciative of the assistance provided by the local Wexford community in providing work experience placements for Transition Year and LCVP students in 2006 and for its generous sponsorship of Transition Year mini-companies.

Throughout the year school facilities have been made available to the following groups:

Yoga Club, Wexford Harbour Boat and Tennis Club, Wexford Parks Tennis, Wexford Ladies Hockey Club and the Royal Irish Academy of Music.

Billy O’ Shea,
Secretary to Board of Management.
31st December 2006.



 

 

 
 

 

 

Counting since 8th March 2006