The Council is involved in a number of activities during the year including fundraising, supervision of Saturday study, Fifth Year Mock Interviews, Sixth Year graduation Mass and arranging talks of interest to parents and guardians.

Parents’ Council Committee 2009-2010:

Parents' Council Newsletter April 2010

It has been another busy but rewarding academic year for the Parents’ Council. In September 2009   twenty two parents went forward for nomination to the Council and were accepted. Out of the twenty  two there was a good mixture of new faces and experienced committee members. Each school year is represented on the committee. 

A lot of hard work has been done and monthly meetings have been extremely well attended with lots of lively discussion, debate and banter. Despite the work involved each meeting lasted approximately one hour with a lot of good humour throughout.

On behalf of the Council I would like to thank Marie O’Neill and Teresa Nolan for attending our meetings and for keeping us up to date in relation to all the school activities.

To conclude: joining the Parents’ Council can be a very worthwhile and  informative experience. It affords one the opportunity to meet other parents and it allows you to get to know the workings of  your daughter’s school.

For the first time, the Board of Management invited the Parents Association to a meeting.  This was very successful and it was agreed that such a meeting should take place on an annual basis.

Committee Members

*  Mary Bennett (Asst. Sec.)

*  Geraldine Cummins(Parents Rep)

*  Kay Egan

*  Patricia Gallagher

*  Catherine Hughes (Chairperson)

*  Ita Kenny-Hill  (PRO)

*  Ursula MacGabhann

*  Geraldine McCormack

*  Nora Maloney

*  Gemma Morrin  (Asst. PRO)

*  Audrey Mulvey

*  Karen Murdock  Asst. Treasurer)

*  Denise Murray (Secretary)

*  Martina Nolan-Byrne

*  Ann O’Brien

*  Therese O’Reilly

*  Margaret O’Sullivan

* Barbara Prendergast

* Barbara Stafford

* Justin  Sheehan (Treasurer)

* Deirdre Sheehy (Asst. Chairperson)

*Miriam Redmond

Finances       

€4,676  (2008) was received in subscriptions. A further €5,357  (2008)  was collected at the flag day. Flag day money went towards the refurbishment of the assembly hall. This included painting of the hall, sanding and varnishing   of the floor, new curtains were purchased for the surrounding windows and the stage curtains were refitted.

€4,487 (2009) subscriptions  received.

€5,150 was raised on the Flag Day.

€1990 was raised in bag packing -  Nov. 2010. The €1,990 went towards the T.Y  Musical.

The Parents assisted with the Sponsored Walk which raised   almost €30,000.

Thank you to all the collectors and all who  supported us on the day.

 Drama

Music and Drama play an important part in the lives of St. Mary’s Transition Year students.   This year’s performance was the lively “Honk”. The show was a complete success running for 4 nights and played to a  packed audience each night concluding on the final night when the cast received a standing ovation. We extend our gratitude and congratulations  to the teaching staff  of  St. Mary’s for their support and co-ordination  in staging a wonderful production of “Honk”. The assistance from parents with the reception, front of house and organising the car park was greatly appreciated and is always welcome.

A truly team effort.

Useful Websites & Reading

National Parents’ Council (Secondary) : www.npcpp.ie

Qualifax (National database of 3^rd Level Courses) :  www.qualifax.ie

Teaching Council of Ireland:

www.teachingcouncil.ie

Parents’ Council  National Leaving Cert. Helpline : Ph 1800 265 165

Schoolbooks : www.schoolbooksonline.ie

Adolescence: The survival guide for Parents.

Fenwick E. & Smith T. – Dorling Kindersle , 1993.

When Parents Separate:Helping

Your children to cope.

Veritas  publications  2001.

A note from the Principal

Congratulations to the Parents' Council on the publication of their Annual Newsletter.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank all members of the Council for the huge contribution they make to the school community each year.

Talks this year.

Each year the  Parents’ Council invite two speakers to talk to parents, one at  the beginning of the school year and the other in spring.

Mental well being for Teenagers

In 2008/2009 The Autumn speaker gave parents advice on study methods. This was followed up by the  speaker going into the class room and giving the students further advice.

The Spring speakers were Mr. Liam McCarthy and Ms. Josephine Murphy who gave a talk on mental well being for teenagers.

In 2009-2010,  the Autumn speaker was Elaine Murray, a dietician  who gave a talk on Nutrition & Healthy Eating for Teenagers.

Our Spring talk was given by Caroline Murphy.  She gave valuable advice on the art of communication – both within the family and towards people we meet in our everyday lives. 

Volunteers

With so many activities taking place during the school year, volunteers are always required to help. Areas where your support would be appreciated:

Travel with a bus group.

Coach a specific game/sport

Help with various receptions

Assist with fund raising.

If you should wish to contact the Parents’ Association or assist with any of the above, please leave your name at the school office.

 Graduation

The 6^th year Graduation night and Mass will be on Thursday 20^th May 2010 in the Church of the Irish Martyrs, Ballycane.  Following the ceremony refreshments will be served to the graduates and their

parents. 

Transition Year

The 4^th year graduation will take place on 27^th May.  This includes a prayer service and graduation ceremony. An exhibition of the students work carried out during the year will be on display.

Interviews

Mock Interviews for  5^th years took place on 26^th April, 2010. Thanks to all the interviewers who participated and gave of their time and advice.  This is invaluable experience to the students.

Saturday Morning Study

Study for Leaving Cert students is organized by  a member of the Parents’ Association.  A roster is set up and parents of the exam students supervise.

There are 2 sessions:                             9. 30a.m.    –  11.00 a.m.

11.30a.m.   –    1.00 p.m.

This has been ongoing for the past number of years and has been very successful.

Sports News

St. Mary’s College had another successful year in a number of sports.  We would like to thank all the teachers who give their time in coaching the various teams, without their help and encouragement we would not have the successes we enjoy.  Congratulations to the following teams who performed brilliantly and brought great successes to the school: Athletics, Gaelic Football, Camogie, Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball, Badminton,  Hockey, and Tennis.

Training   

The National Parents Council post-primary(NPCpp) are organising a training programme for Parents on Parents’ Associations.  They are seeking volunteers to train and they in turn will impart the training they have received to  other interested parents. The proposed dates & locations:

15/5/2010  Vocational School,

Kilkenny Road, Carlow.

12/6/2010 Loreto High School Beaufort,  Grange Road,

Rathfarnham.

If any parents is interested in availing of the course,  please contact  the school.

Fund Raising

FASHION SPECTACULAR

As part of the ongoing fundraising activities for the new sports

facilities, St Mary's College hosted   a Gala Fashion Show in the Hotel Keadeen, Newbridge

This was the 3^rd fashion show and has become an annual event in the life of the school. It is the main fund raiser of the year.  The funding goes towards reducing the debt incurred in providing the new out-door facility of the astro turf and grass pitches.  A great night’s entertainment was had by all with wonderful prizes.  Congratulations to all the dedicated members on the committee who worked so hard with early morning meetings to make the evening a memorable and enjoyable event.

And Finally

The Parents’ Council would like to wish the 3^rd year and 6^th year girls the very best of luck in their forthcoming  examinations.

.