Wicklow Educate Together National School Board of Management Meeting 8th June 2017
Report to the school community
Health & Safety Aryton have completed their safety statement for the school.
Traffic calming- In summary the Board would like consideration of
1. A review of the current speed limit on Hawkstown Road
2. Installation of traffic calming in the school vicinity.
3. Appropriate signage outside the school.
4. Identification of priority areas for the installation of pedestrian railings.
Communication Aladdin are offering a parent portal which would allow parents to access their child’s results, attendance etc. This will cost €109 for the first year but will rise to €400 for subsequent years. There was some discussion about the cost of this package. Communications document to be discussed at staff meeting. An agreed document will be put on the school website and it is hoped will be further developed at the ethos evening.
Breakfast Club it was decided that the school will run Breakfast club and will directly employ staff An application has been made for a grant for a Breakfast Club in the school. The Council have informed the school that they do not need to apply for a change of use of the premises for this application to go ahead.
BOM parent Nominee After the meeting last Thursday, three people have put their names forward for nomination. Ballot papers have been sent to each family in the school. On the 22nd June there will be an open count and a new parent will be elected to the Board.
Official opening of School Building – Board discussed when the official opening of the new building should take place. The Board agreed that they would like it to take place earlier in the school year and possibly tie it in to other events such as the visit of Deirdre Donoghue to the school-has been provisionally booked to visit the school on October 11th from 7:30-9:30.
Garden The garden committee have requested putting in raised beds to improve the garden, and it has been identified that a fence will also need to be installed for health & safety. A facilities grant from the council will be applied for. Landscape contract expires in the new term general discussion around caretaker role, outside contractors and internal working groups
Forest school it is hoped that we will roll out forest school for one class next academic year
Admission policy The Board agreed to change the cut off point for applications to the school, from children born before September 30th to March 31st (for children who are 4 or over.)
Proposed third ASD class The school’s SENO has again requested the options around a third ASD class in the school. The Principal’s report detailed the advantages and disadvantages for the school. After lengthy discussion, the Board accepted the proposal in principle but want assurances from the SENO of resources and facilities.
Brendan’s Memory – Brendan’s family are commissioning a shield in Brendan’s memory which will be awarded to a 6th class child at the graduation. This will be the “Brendan O’Connor Spirit of Wicklow Educate Together Award.” The graduation will take place at noon on Thursday June 29th. The Board also discussed suggestions from the school community in honouring Brendan’s memory.
Finance it was noted that there are still issues surrounding unpaid sundries.
Educate Together The motion put forward by the BoM in relation to new build contracts was passed.
Parents Association Committee NPC training took place last month and was deemed to be a very positive experience.
The Board also considered some routine matters, which for reasons of confidentiality are not included in this report