Letters to parents/guardians, 2010/2011
Number 1
Monday, 6 September 2010

Dear parents/guardians,
As we settle back into the routine of school life for another year, I write to provide you with important information as follows:

Staff changes
Over the summer we said a sad farewell to four members of our teaching staff who retired – Ms. Pratt, Ms. Clarkin, Ms. Sills and Sr.Christine. We also said goodbye to Mr. Gannon who has gone to travel the world and to Ms. O’ Carroll who will now be working in Dublin. All of these teachers made a wonderful contribution to life in Loreto over a long number of years and they will be sadly-missed. On the non-teaching staff, Martin, our caretaker, and Ann, lunchroom supervisor, also retired – news that caused great sadness to students at last week’s introduction meetings. We thank them both for their valued work in the school.

As a consequence of these changes, we welcome several new faces to our school community this year – teachers Ms. Johns, Ms. Kennington, Ms. Ni Thuairisg and Ms. Zimmermann. Our new lunchroom supervisor will be Glenda and Jim will take over caretaking duties in a full-time capacity. Filling in for maternity leave over the next few months will be Mr. Brennan, Ms. Davey and Ms. Foley. We hope that all new faces will enjoy their time in our school.

Summer works
As is usual, a good deal of work was completed on buildings over the summer months. The convent buildings got a badly-needed coat of paint as well as the repair/replacement of its timber windows. Many classrooms and corridors were re-painted and work on the installation of classroom projectors and laptops continues.

Family voluntary contribution
The school is obliged to seek the support of families for this year’s Voluntary Contribution Scheme. Without this scheme, the Board of Management would not be able to balance its budget in light of escalating costs e.g. water charges, refuse collection, E.S.B. charges and the huge costs associated with the upkeep and maintenance of old buildings.

The request for 2010/2011 is as follows: 

€150 per family

Payments can be made to the School Secretary, Noeleen Goggin, in full or in three equal instalments, one per term. All monies received will be duly receipted. Contributions are now being received.

The school acknowledges the generosity of so many families in supporting this voluntary contribution in the past. It is our hope that the same level of generosity will apply once again this year even though the financial pressures on most families are considerable.

Parents’ Annual General Meeting
The AGM of the parents’ Association will be held in the school’s Concert Hall on Monday, 20 September beginning at 7.00 p.m.

The agenda will be as follows:

     » Welcome
     » Principal’s address
     » Chairperson’s report
     » Secretary’s report
     » Treasurer’s report
     » Election of parents to the new Board of Management, 15 October 2010 to 14 October 2013
     » Election of parents to the Parents’ Council, 2010/2011
     » Any other business

Road safety
I am very grateful to Wexford Corporation for providing a pedestrian crossing outside the school, the completion of which is imminent. This improvement came as a result of representations from the school’s Parents’ Council and Board of Management over the last number of months.

I make a very strong appeal to parents/guardians not to park on the double yellow lines on both sides of this pedestrian crossing. Such behaviour – unfortunately we witness it nearly every day -  is a serious threat to the safety of students and staff as they enter and leave the school.

School website
I draw your attention to the school website – www.loretowexford.com

This website is updated weekly and is used by the school to communicate with all members of the school community on topics of general interest. Information from previous years is also archived in different sections. The website means that general letters and notices will no longer be posted by the school to all families. However, families without internet access may request paper copies of such letters and notices by contacting the school secretary, Noeleen, on 053-9142783.

E-portal
Every family has been provided with its unique username and password to access the school’s E-portal facility from the homepage on the school website. E-portal is now used by the school to record student attendance, personal details, timetables and academic reports. If you lose your username or password please phone Betty at reception – 053-9142783.

Text alerts
Sr. Carmel will send text alerts to parents/guardians whose daughters fail to register their attendance in school each morning. Such alerts will be sent at about 9.30a.m. Monday to Thursday, 10.30 a.m. Friday.

The school will also send text alerts to remind parents/guardians of particular events e.g. meetings and to inform you of the posting of a general letter on the school website. Text alerts will also be used in exceptional circumstances e.g. unexpected school closure.

School mass
The start-of-year school mass will take place in Rowe Street church on Thursday, 7 October. All students will be escorted to the church by class teachers and will return to school before 3.33 p.m.

I hope the year goes well for all members of our school community. Please feel free to contact me or Sr. Carmel (Deputy Principal) if we can be of any assistance to you.

Yours faithfully,
Billy O’ Shea,
Principal.