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Agreed Report from the Board of Management
The following is the agreed report to the Patron, Parents and Staff from the Board of Management of their meeting held on Tuesday 26th January 2012 –
- The Parents’ Association were thanked for their continued support of the school with the purchasing of Table Tennis Tables, Library equipment and expressing an interest in supporting any capital projects that the school are considering at the minute.
- The Board approved the appointment of Mrs Mary Doherty and Mrs Cabrini Friel to the positions of Assistant Principal and Programme Coordinator respectively.
- The Board have prioritised the refurbishment of the Boys’ Toilets during the immediate future.
- Board have written to Mast Construction and Johnston Reid Ltd to thank them for their role in the recent window replacement programme.
- The Board would like to acknowledge the role of the Financial Subcommittee of the Board along with the school secretarial staff in ensuring the smooth running of the school’s finances over the last year.
- The Board are continuing their commitment to 1608 Royal Schools project. In March the principal along with Ms Caroline Cowan and Mr Des West will be visiting the Bethel Royal School in Uganda with Fields of Life.
- The Board are delighted with the development of a Horse Jumping team in the school and celebrate with them in their recent successes.
- Draft Report of the Inspection of the English Department – The Board is greatly encouraged by the Inspectorate’s report and positive observations made in several directions, including the overall level of attainment and their very supportive deployment of methods and resources for the benefit of students who find learning challenging. The Board also indicated its willingness to implement all the key recommendations of the report.
- The Annual Joint Boards of the Protestant Managed Comprehensive Schools Meeting – The Principal attended a meeting at East Glendalough Comprehensive School, Wicklow on 23rd and 24th November 2011 at which all 5 schools were represented. The Joint Boards held their usual discussions but also took part in a peer review study in East Glendalough. This was a very informative time and something the five schools are looking to build on next year in Cork.
Secretary, Board of Management
1st February 2012
Report from the Board of Management
The following is the agreed report to the Patron, Parents and Staff from the Board of Management of their meeting held on Wednesday 16th November 2011 –
• The Board congratulated Rachel Darragh and Joshua Magee who won their finals in the Badminton Champion of Champions in Lisburn on Tuesday 15th November.
• The Board thanked the Parents’ Association for their generosity in replacing the cookers in the Home Economics room, a new laminator and assistance with the Scripture Union weekend.
• The Board passed on its congratulations to the cast and crew, especially director John Fallows and Ms Gordon, of Hamlet that won the Festival prize at the Butt Drama Festival in Ballybofey on Thursday 10th November.
• The Board were greatly encouraged by the large attendance at the recent open night. The Principal was asked to pass on thanks to the staff that ensured the evening was such a success.
• The Board has decided to actively pursue the refurbishment of the toilets, prefabs and Sports Hall.
• The Board have agreed that in future that all agreed reports should continue to be sent to the Patron, Staff and Parents’ Association but also published on the School Website.
• The Board acknowledge the new guidelines concerning Child Protection: Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children and have adopted all the new recommendations stated in Circular Letter 0065/2011.
• Rugby has been introduced on a trial basis in the School under the co-ordination of Mr John Plunkett.
• The Board are happy that School trips should continue to be organised.
• Due to the amalgamation of Junior and Senior prize givings it has been decided to use the Cathedral Hall in Raphoe as the venue for this occasion on Friday 3rd February 2012.
• The Board have agreed that funds should be set aside to facilitate staff professional development.
• The Board want to acknowledge the smoothness at which the new windows have been fitted. The agreement and assistance from all staff, both teaching and ancillary, and students have meant that a difficult job has been achieved with great success.
Dr Howard Welch
Secretary, Board of Management, 22nd November 2011
The Functions of a Board of Management are set out in the Education Act, 1998:
15.—(1) It shall be the duty of a board to manage the school on behalf of the patron (Donegal Protestant Board of Education) and for the benefit of the students and their parents and to provide or cause to be provided an appropriate education for each student at the school for which that board has responsibility.
(2) A board shall perform the functions conferred on it and on a school by this Act and in carrying out its functions the board shall: (a) Do so in accordance with the policies determined by the Minister from time to time,
(b) Uphold, and be accountable to the patron for so upholding, the characteristic spirit of the school as determined by the cultural, educational, moral, religious, social, linguistic and spiritual values and traditions which inform and are characteristic of the objectives and conduct of the school, and at all times act in accordance with any Act of the Oireachtas or instrument made thereunder, deed, charter, articles of management or other such instrument relating to the establishment or operation of the school,
(c) Consult with and keep the patron informed of decisions and proposals of the board,
(d) Publish, in such manner as the board with the agreement of the patron considers appropriate, the policy of the school concerning admission to and participation in the school, including the policy of the school relating to the expulsion and suspension of students and admission to and participation by students with disabilities or who have other special educational needs, and ensure that as regards that policy principles of equality and the right of parents to send their children to a school of the parents’ choice are respected and such directions as may be made from time to time by the Minister, having regard to the characteristic spirit of the school and the constitutional rights of all persons concerned, are complied with,
(e) Have regard to the principles and requirements of a democratic society and have respect and promote respect for the diversity of values, beliefs, traditions, languages and ways of life in society,
(f) Have regard to the efficient use of resources (and, in particular, the efficient use of grants provided under section 12), the public interest in the affairs of the school and accountability to students, their parents, the patron, staff and the community served by the school, and
(g) Use the resources provided to the school from monies provided by the Oireachtas to make reasonable provision and accommodation for students with a disability or other special educational needs, including, where necessary, alteration of buildings and provision of appropriate equipment.
(3) For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Act shall confer or be deemed to confer on the board any right over or interest in the land and buildings of the school for which that board is responsible.
The membership of the Board of Management in this school is as follows:
- Patron nominees: Archdeacon MS Harte (Chairman), Canon J. Merrick, Canon H. Gilmore, Rev. B. Brown, Mrs L Johnston, Mrs D. Lecky
- VEC nominee: Bishop K. Good Parent nominees: Mr P. Clampett, Mrs A. Fallows
- Teacher nominees: Mrs C. Friel, Mrs M. Doherty
- Secretary: Dr H. Welch
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