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


 


Board of Management 2009/10

                                                             » Click HERE for Board of Management 2008/9

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
To be appointed

Teacher nominees :
Ms. Patricia Kinsella
Mr. Tom Gunning

Parent nominees :
Ms. Laurena Kent
Mr. Owen Hillery

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

Agreed Report of Board of Management meeting

 Tuesday, 15 September 2009

 

Attendance 

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

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

The Board welcomed Mr. Gunning to the meeting as a replacement for Mr. Boyd who has taken up a new teaching position in Loreto, Clonmel.

It was with great sadness that the Board reflected upon the recent death of one of its members – Gerry Mc Donnell. The Board remembered him in its opening prayer and passed a vote of sympathy to his wife and daughter. 

Capital Development  

The Board was informed by Mr. O’ Shea of work done over the summer months: 

  • New car park for staff, students and visitors to the school
  • Re-surfacing of the area around the St. Joseph’s block as well as the re-painting of this area, internally and externally
  • Fitting of new external windows in the St. Joseph’s classrooms
  • Fitting of new floors in 6 classrooms plus the staff area
  • Re-painting of the Concert Hall, lunch room, corridors, office and 5 classrooms
  • Installation of 3 interactive whiteboards, large screen in the Concert Hall and information screens in the foyer and outside the Concert Hall
  • Purchase of additional projectors and laptops for different subject departments
  • The commissioning of the new fire escape and internal emergency lighting and smoke detectors

Following consideration of a written report from a tree surgeon, the Board decided to make arrangements for the felling of the three beech trees at the rear of the building on safety grounds. 

Financial Report 

The Board formally approved the school budget for 2009/2010 as submitted to it by the Finance Sub-Committee.

Mr. O’ Shea reported that the annual audit had taken place and that the auditor’s report would be ready for the next meeting.

Sr. Helen emphasised the need for the Board and the teaching staff to be very careful and sensitive when making financial demands upon families at this difficult time for the country. 

School policies 

In determining policies for review in 2009/2010 the Board decided to ask the School Development Planning Sub-Committee to examine some of the oldest policies as well as those suggested to it by the teaching staff and to put any revised policies before the Board in the course of the year. 

Staffing, 2009/2010 

The Board was informed of the departure of three members of the teaching staff who have each given great service to Loreto, Wexford in their careers of varying lengths – Ms. Gahan (retiring), Ms. MacGonagle (retiring) and Mr. Boyd (new position in Loreto, Clonmel).  

Principal’s Report 

Mr. O’ Shea made mention of the following in his report to the Board: 

  • Total student enrolment of 708
  • The receipt of the draft report on the German inspection

Any other business 

The Board discussed the contents of its Agreed Report.

The next meeting was fixed for Tuesday, 20 October 2009 at 4.30 p.m.

 

Agreed Report of Board of Management meeting

 Tuesday, 13 October 2009

Attendance 

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

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

AMCSS report 

Sr. Helen and Mr. O’ Shea reported on the most recent AMCSS meeting in the region during which the likely implications for education of the forthcoming budget were outlined. 

Capital Development  

The Board agreed to provide a pathway across the grass beside St. Joseph’s to facilitate student traffic during fire drills.   

The Board agreed with a recent tree surgeon’s written report to arrange for the felling of three unsafe beech trees at the rear of the school. 

Financial Report 

Mr. O’ Shea presented the Board with an Income and Expenditure Statement from 1 September 2009 to 7 October 2009.  

The audited accounts for 2008/2009 were approved and signed by the Board. 

Principal’s Report 

Mr. O’ Shea made mention of the following in his report to the Board: 

  • The staging of a school musical, Fiddler on the Roof, in co-operation with St. Peter’s College

  • The newly-appointed Students’ Council – the Board ratified all members

  • The large attendance at the recent parents’ AGM

Any other business 

The Board discussed the contents of its Agreed Report.

The next meeting was fixed for Tuesday, 24 November 2009 at 4.30 p.m.

 

Agreed Report of Board of Management meeting 

Tuesday, 10 November 2009 

(meeting brought forward from 24 November 2009) 

Attendance 

 Sr. Helen, Ms. Kent, Mr. Hillery Ms. Kinsella, Sr. Christine and Mr. Gunning.

Apologies were received from Mr. O’ Leary.

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

1st year places, September 2010 

The Board allocated the 120 available 1st year places for September 2010. 

Capital Development  

The Board approved a Summer Works Application for 2010 in respect of water conservation measures and any other qualifying work considered necessary by Mr. O’ Shea and the caretakers.

Financial Report 

Mr. O’ Shea presented the Board with an Income and Expenditure Statement from 1 September 2009 to 4 November 2009.  

Principal’s Report 

Mr. O’ Shea made mention of the following in his report to the Board: 

  • The requirement to proceed with parent-teacher meetings and staff meetings within school hours as a result of industrial action by members of the ASTI
  • Ongoing discussion of this year’s excellent Leaving Certificate results

Any other business 

A vote of sympathy was passed to Margaret Oliver (teaching staff) on the recent death of her father.

The Board discussed the contents of its Agreed Report.

The next meeting was fixed for Monday, 30 November 2009 at 4.30 p.m.

 

Agreed Report of Board of Management meeting 

Monday, 30 November 2009  

 

Attendance 

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

Apologies were received from Ms. Kent.

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

German inspection report.

The Board agreed its response to this report and warmly congratulated the German teachers.

1st year places, September 2010 

The Board considered appeals from the parents of the following students whose applications for admission into 1st year, September 2010 had been unsuccessful. 

Capital Development  

Mr. O’ Shea reported on his recent meeting with representatives of the Loreto trustees. He stated that the intention now was to seek an urgent meeting with senior officials in the Building Unit to establish the DES position on the status of the school’s application for an extension/refurbishment. 

Any other business 

The Board discussed the contents of its Agreed Report.

The next meeting was fixed for Monday, 14 December 2009 at 4.30 p.m.

 

Agreed Report of Board of Management meeting 

Monday, 14 December 2009    

Attendance 

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

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

Capital Development  

Mr. O’ Shea advised the Board that a summer works application had been lodged in respect of water conservation measures and the replacement/repair of all windows in the old convent buildings. He also advised that a meeting with senior Building Unit officials had been sought. 

Financial Report 

Mr. O’ Shea presented the Board with an Income and Expenditure Statement from 1 September 2009 to 9 December 2009.  

Road Safety Measures 

The Board agreed to request an early meeting with the Town Clerk, Pat Collins, to review road safety outside the school. 

Principal’s Report 

Mr. O’ Shea made mention of the following in his report to the Board: 

  • The new Health and Safety Statement
  • The success of the school musical, “Fiddler on the Roof”, in respect of which the Board extended its congratulations to all concerned
  • The ongoing review of the school’s learning support policy
  • The phased introduction of the ePortal system
  • Forthcoming school events
  • The likelihood of industrial action by public sector unions in the New Year

Any other business 

The Board discussed the contents of its Agreed Report.

The next meeting was fixed for Tuesday, 19 January 2009 at 4.30 p.m.

 

Agreed Report of Board of Management meeting 

Tuesday, 2 February 2010

 (meeting changed from 19 January 2010)

 Attendance 

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

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

Capital Development  

Mr. O’ Shea informed the Board of recent meetings with the DES (19 January) and the school architects (25 January) at which a future scheme of work for advancing the extension/refurbishment programme on the existing site was agreed.  

Road safety measures 

The Board was informed that Mr. Hillery and Mr. O’ Shea would be meeting Wexford Corporation officials on 3 February to discuss safety measures on Spawell Road. 

Annual report to parents 

The Board formally approved the contents of its annual report to parents covering the period from 1 September 2008 to 31 August 2009. 

Financial Report 

Mr. O’ Shea presented the Board with an Income and Expenditure Statement from 1 September 2009 to 2 February 2010.  

Principal’s Report 

Mr. O’ Shea made mention of the following in his report to the Board: 

  • The commencement of mock examinations in the school
  • Outline proposals for an exchange programme with a German school, St. Ursula Schulen in Villingen, were accepted and welcomed by the Board

Any other business 

The Board discussed the contents of its Agreed Report.

The next meeting was fixed for Tuesday, 9 March 2010 at 4.30 p.m.

It was indicated that Michael Denny (Loreto Education Centre) would attend this meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 2008.

  

Introduction 

This report has been prepared to comply with section 20 of the Education Act, 1998. It covers the year to 31 August 2008. It was approved at a Board of Management meeting on 26 November 2008. 

The next report will issue in December 2009. 

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
  • A retreat for 3rd  year students

The school’s Religious Education department was greatly assisted by our chaplain, Fr. Jim Fegan (Adm.) and by Sr. Carmel O’ Brien throughout the year.

The school was represented at meetings throughout the year planning for the 400th anniversary of the founding of the Loreto Institute in 2009. 

Charity and Social Awareness 

The school’s Justice and Peace Group undertook a major initiative when it devised a series of school-based posters to highlight bullying in school and in the workplace. 

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

Concern, St. Vincent de Paul, Bothar, Crumlin Childrens’ Hospital, The Hospice Movement and Loreto Missions (with particular emphasis on the work of Sr. Winnifred in Peru).

Academic 

Excellent results were achieved by 121 students taking the Leaving Certificate. The school rejoices in the academic success of all students. 

Very impressive results were achieved by the school’s 121 Junior Certificate students in 2008.  

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

No subject inspections took place in 2007/2008. 

Staffing 

The school’s total teacher allocation from the DES for 2007/2008 was 45.21.  

Of the DES total of 45.21, 1.20 was set aside for students with special educational needs under the overall co-ordination of the school’s Learning Support teachers, Ms. Wilson and Ms.C. Larkin. 

The BOM wishes every future success and happiness to Sr. Ita Moynihan who left the teaching staff on 31 August 2008 to take up a new position within the Loreto Provincialate. 

We are particularly keen to welcome the following new teachers who were appointed to our staff in summer 2008: 

Ms. Lisa Shannon                     Irish

Ms. Elaine Kinsella                    P.E.

Ms. Patricia Curran                   Science

Ms. Annette Byrne                    Business, Maths, L.C.V.P. 

I.T. 

The Anseo system continued to monitor the daily attendance and punctuality of all students. The school announced plans to introduce a text alert system for parents when students did not register their attendance for school. 

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

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

Capital Development 

A combined report from the conservation architects and our design team was submitted to the Building Unit in March 2008. 

A meeting in the school between the design team, Building Unit officials, Loreto Trust Board representatives and school authorities scheduled for Thursday, 5 June was cancelled at short notice by the Department of Education and Science (DES) and has not, to date, been re-scheduled. This meeting was intended to “kick-start” the project following the refusal of planning permission by Wexford County Council in May 2007 and the submission of the combined report as outlined above. 

The Board of Management continued to press for progress and, indeed, to explore all and other possibilities. In the meantime, our 700 students and staff continued to work in 1792 buildings with leaking roofs, no sports hall, no dressing rooms, no library, insufficient and inadequate classrooms, no universal access for the wheelchair-bound, no canteen and with major health and safety concerns.  

Extra-curricular and co-curricular activities 

The BOM expresses its gratitude to the teaching staff for organizing the following activities for students in 2007/2008: 

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

school musical (in co-operation with St. Peter’s College)

supervised internet access

horse riding

Maths Olympiad

recycled material fashion show

Young Entrepreneurs competition 

Transition Year 

104 students took Transition Year in 2007/2008, the highest number ever in the school’s history. 

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

A major review of the Transition Year programme took place and has led, amongst other things, to the introduction of more modular courses for the future. 

Child Protection 

Child Protection Guidelines and vetting procedures have been in full operation throughout 2007/2008 following staff training in December 2005. The Designated Liaison Person (DLP) was Mr. Billy O’ Shea and the Assistant DLP was Sr. Carmel Swords. 

Care of Students 

All Class Teachers continued 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, were available to assist in any possible way. 

A dedicated Student Care Team was very active in 2007/2008. Comprising the Principal, Deputy Principal, Chaplain, Counsellors, Learning Support Teachers and Class Teachers where required, this team met at least fortnightly and ensured that adequate provision was made for all students experiencing particular difficulties in school and in their personal lives.  

Student Empowerment 

Clodagh Rochford and Claire Farrell were the Head Girl and Deputy Head Girl respectively in 2007/2008. They were assisted by prefects and vice-prefects in each class group. 

The Students’ Council continued to be active and forged even closer links with the school’s Parents’ Council e.g. development of school policies, Christmas lunch for both councils hosted by the school. 

Code of Behaviour 

Students continued to co-operate in a very positive way with the school’s behaviour code as evidenced by favourable comments throughout the year from teachers and visitors to the school. The Board thanks the students for this excellent behaviour. 

Parental Involvement and Contact 

The school organized information meetings for parents in 2007/2008 on the following matters: 

  • New 1st year students, September 2008
  • 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. Due to the fact that the school does not have the space to hold large general meetings of parents and students, it became necessary on health, safety and comfort grounds in 2007/2008 to use a local hotel as a venue for some of these larger meetings and events.  

The school website was updated weekly and contained 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 continued to be available from reception. 

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

The Parents’ Council was particularly active in 2007/2008 in the promotion of three Healthy Eating Weeks for students. A major initiative undertaken primarily by the Parents’ Council was the provision of hot food for students at lunchtime and prior to evening study in co-operation with Taste Restaurant. 

Representatives of the Council met with Mr. O’ Shea, Principal, on a regular basis to liaise on school matters and the Council is also represented on the School Development Planning Group that meets weekly.   

Parents were asked by the school throughout the year to help ensure a high level of attendance at school by their daughters. 

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 2007/2008: 

  • The ongoing review of subject development plans in all departments
  • The ongoing work of the School Development Planning Group, representative of staff, students and parents, to prepare draft policies for consideration by all educational partners in the school
  • The formal review of the following policies:

1. Curricular provision

2. Student attendance

3. Admission

4. In-school management

5. Anti-bullying

6. Health and Safety Statement/Fire Drill

7. Student attendance

8. Class Teacher system and Student Care Co-ordination Team

9. Homework

 Professional Development of Staff 

Teachers attended DES and other in-service in a wide range of subject areas. 

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

The Loreto ethos and Kolkata challenge

Voice protection

Student councils

Mind development 

Board of Management 

The BOM held nine formal meetings in 2007/2008. 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 2008 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 2008 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 €61,485 in 2007/2008, down €2,286 on the previous year. 

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 2007/2008 and for its generous sponsorship of Transition Year mini-companies. 

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

Presentation Secondary School, 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 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

Counting since 8th March 2006