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May 2014

Chairperson’s Welcome

The parents association are delighted to be associated with GCS and we are always made feel that we are a very important cog in the wheel that makes this school what it is. The school itself is only a building but it’s the combination of Management lead by Mr Duignan, the staff and the students that make this place a real community. I encourage you to be part of all our activities as it is the key to supporting each other for our children in our school, working together as parents.

                                                                                                            Howard Simpson.

Role of Parents

Since parents are the primary educators, it is essential that their responsibilities to their children extend to their involvement in the education process. Research has shown that children’s achievement at school is importantly related to the degree if interest shown at home. Parents and teachers should act as partners in the education process.

Membership of the Parents Association

Our committee is elected every two years and is made up of two parent/legal guardian representatives from each feeder national school area. Officers are elected from this committee – Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, PRO etc. The biannual general meeting is normally held in September and is advertised via school and parish newsletters and in the local newspapers. The current committee and their contact details have already been issued to you and are available on the school website. We would strongly encourage all parents to attend our general meetings and engage with their local representatives.

Meetings

Our meetings are held every three to four weeks during school-terms. The Principal Mr Duignan, is invited to attend for a specific period of each meeting during which he provides an update on school matters generally. This also presents an opportunity for the PA to raise any issues which have been brought to our attention and to engage constructively on educational and student related matters requiring the input of parents.

Activities

In recent years, much time and energy was devoted to the campaign to secure the new school. Currently the PA is focusing its attention on a range of activities and events to support the students and staff in maximising the benefit for all of the magnificent facilities now available. Some examples of events and activities are as follows;

  • Policy Reviews and School Jackets – Members are invited and included to review school policies, more recently, the new antibullying policy as well as a preview of the new school jackets.
  • School Mass – Members are invited to assist with and participate in the school mass held at the start of the school-year annually.
  • Enrolment Night – The Chairperson provided some general information on the role and responsibilities of the PA for parents of prospective first year students at the enrolment night held in the school. Committee members also assisted the night with the tours, refreshments, etc.
  • School Musical – Committee members assist with general arrangements,, raffle, refreshments etc.
  • Ranganna na Gaeilge – In a joint initiative with the school, the PA provides funding towards Irish classes held after school and which are available to students, parents and the wider school community. It is felt that support in this area is crucial given the percentage allocation of marks in the State Examinations to the Oral component of the Gaeilge exam.
  • Seminars/Information Nights & Days – A number of seminars, information nights/days and motivation and reassurance talks for students have been facilitated for by past pupils of the school and also Mr Declan Coyle.
  • Fundraising – The PA id funded annually through a church-gate collection which is normally held in December. An average of €2,000 has been collected in this way in recent years. Core PA expenses are funded from this revenue. However, in the main, the funds collected are used to support the school ‘Student Fund’. Funding had been provided for:

v  Ranganna na Gaeilge

v  Refurbishment of Library

v  Book Rental Scheme

v  Mock Exam Stationary

v  Sets of Classroom Books

v  Transition Years

  • Expenses associated with student extra-curricular activity for which no State funding is provided to Music/Sport Departments.

It is with your generosity and support that we successfully held a major fundraiser ‘Loop de Loop’ on the 6th October, 2013. Despite the clement weather, a large attendance from far and wide came and dusted off their helmets, oiled their bikes, stretched their legs and took part in the 10km walk and various cycling distances including 15km, 20km and 40km.

It was also to the generosity of our many sponsors that made the day possible and finally a very special word of thanks to Mr Duignan and staff, Howard Simpson, Brendan Ward and Nigel Cassidy, and to all the students who raised money through sponsorship cards, we say a big thank you. As a result, we had great pleasure in handing over €6,500 on the enrolment night.

  • Upcoming Projects – It is hoped to run ‘Loop de Loop’ in October 2014 and a Bake Sale with the Church-gate collection.

General

The Parents Association enjoys an excellent relationship with the students, Principal, staff and Board of Management of Glenamaddy Community School. We are anxious that parents’ views continue to be listened to and represented as partners in education. Please contact us for more information or you can visit the school website at www.glenamaddycs.ie

 

Howard Simpson     Ann Gunning          John Collins                         Fiona Mannion

Chairman                  Secretary                   Treasurer                   PRO

 

Glenamaddy Community School, Glenamaddy, Co. Galway, Ireland.

Telephone     +353 (0) 94 96 59315

Fax                 +353 (0) 94 96 59354

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

 

Glenamaddy Community School, Church Street, Glenamaddy, Via Castlerea, Co. Galway, F45KF50 

 

Telephone +353(0)94 9659315 | Fax +353(0)94 9659354 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

RCN: 20149543