Principal’s Letter

 

19 th September 2008

 

Dear Parent.

Beannachtaí oraibh uilig ag tús na scoil bliana. Is mór linn go bhfuil an bhliain faoi lán-tseoil agus muid ag fáil réidh roimh na dúshláin móra os ár gcomhair.

On behalf of Deputy Principal, Catherine Hickey and all the school staff I wish to warmly welcome your children and yourselves back into another school year here at Coláiste Iognáid. Since May we have undertaken a major redevelopment programme in the Andrews, Griffin and O’ Reilly Buildings. We are pleased with the attendant improvements and trust they will afford us a better and more vibrant setting for learning.

Apart from the development programme, good work has taken place with the D.E.S. in relation to the new building. We were also delighted with the opportunity to meet Minister O’ Keeffe on September 16 th and we are very hopeful that the Jes building project is now being afforded the most serious consideration. The great services of Deputies Fahey and Grealish are greatly appreciated. We should be appraised of the Minister’s decision on the project by the end of September.

The Leaving Certificate and Junior Certificate results brought great joy to the students and their parents. The teachers’ work received huge affirmation by the pupils’ success and the splendid returns were a huge boost to all. Indeed, this was a tribute to a real partnership between pupils, parents and teachers. I have impressed on both ‘08-‘09 Leaving Certificate and Junior Certificate cohorts the need to build further on that same success this year.

The Slí Eile visits to South Africa in ’07 and again this summer have also endorsed the qualitative work first explored with the pupils in Transition Year. The Ignatian spirit of service, selflessness and a desire too make a significant contribution to our world manifested itself again I thank Mr. Stewart, Mr. O’ Donchadha, Ms. Cofffey and Ms. O’ Sullivan for their leadership.

School co-curricular activity has again begun to empower us. Rowing, rugby, hockey, soccer and basketball are about their business with the mountaineering club tasking themselves with the challenge of a climb of all provincial peaks this year. The Senior Hockey girls have just recorded success in the Heskin Cup. There is no complacency to be felt. This term we will have a school concert before midterm – with Carl Hession as producer. The highest standards will undoubtedly prevail. The auditions for the school show have added great excitement to life in fifth year.

This year sees the election of a new Board of Management – with attendant elections for the parent and staff representatives. In thanking the outgoing Board members for their great industry and support I am mindful of the need to ensure that our great tradition of service for the school continues when the mantle now changes hands. The support of the Provincial and the Jesuits has been felt very strongly by the school community principally in its financial support for our recent renewal work.

I have been in touch with the Chairperson of the Parents Council, Sandra Butler and dates have been set for the forthcoming A.G.M. and parents evenings for various years this term. (N.B. Parents Council A.G.M. is on 2 nd 0ctober ’08, First Year parents meeting 6 th October ’08, Transition Year meeting 6 th November ’08, Sixth Year meeting 26 th November ’08. All meetings commence at 7.30pm.)

With staff members Des Hackett, Gráinne Boland, Maeve Teirney and Patrick King having left over the summer I warmly welcome Colm Connell, Niall Sherry, Abina Guinan, Nicky Fahy and School Chaplain Fr. Brendan McManus S.J. to the teaching staff. We will be particularly well served by their vibrancy, enthusiasm and great professionalism.

Tá an-súil againn anseo gur féidir linn céimeanna suantasacha a thógail go luath i bhforbaint na scoile. Má tá cúrsaí fisicúila agus timpeallachta ag déanamh imní dúinn faoi láthair is féidir libh a bheith cinnte nach ndéanfar dearmad ar phríomh chuspóir oideachasúil na scoile maidir le fobairt an scoláire aonair. Le Cúnamh. Dé agus spiorad Chumann Iosa éireoidh arís linn beart a dhéannamh de réir ár mbriathra.

 

Le gach dea-ghuí

Bernie O’ Connell

Principal