PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE 2011 -2012

CHAIRPERSON: James Clay

SECRETARY: Graham Neilands

TREASURER: Vivienne Mc Girr

As you can see some areas are without representation. If you would be willing to give of your time and talent to benefit the Royal and Prior and to help enhance your young person’s education, please contact the Secretary, c/o Royal and Prior School.

Thank you to all who helped with our recycling effort in October .

€366.65 has been received.

     Constitution:

Objectives of the Royal and Prior Parents’ Association:

1. The promotion of the role of parents and guardians as those entrusted with the primary responsibility for the education of their children.
2. The pursuance of fundraising for the benefit of the School.
3. The fostering of understanding and cooperation between parents, teachers and the Board of Management.
4. The encouragement of members to take an active interest in the school through participating in social and other activities.

Subscription: An annual minimum subscription per family shall be payable to the Association. The amount of the minimum subscription shall be decided at the Annual General Meeting.

Committee: The ordinary business of the Association shall be conducted by a Committee drawn from the membership of the Association, consisting of  representatives from each of the electoral areas served by the school, and elected annually at the A.G.M. of the Association. The Principal and Deputy Principal shall be ex-officio members.

The following are some of the tangible contributions the PA has made to the school this academic year 2010 – 2011:

• A new computer and software were purchased for the Music Department which, among other things, will enhance the composition of music.
• The Art Department was refurbished. New cupboards were installed and the sink area was upgraded. A new Apple Computer and Photoshop Software were also purchased for the Art Department.
• A corrective Maths Lab was purchased for the Maths Department.
• Money set aside for the English department was added to the Department of Education and Skills’ grant to invest in data projectors throughout the school.
• Football jerseys were purchased for the Under 15 Football Team.
• Financial assistance was given with the coaching of hockey throughout the school.
• Financial assistance was also given to help the Leaving Cert. Vocational Programme.
• The PA covered the cost of the hire of lights and mics for concerts.
• Two ‘Welcome Screens’ have also been purchased and installed. These provide information and bulletins for pupils and staff alike.
• Five new cookers meeting Health and Safety standards have been installed in the Home Economics Dept.
• Financial support was provided for the SU Residential Weekend
• The October wish list of laminators, visualisers, table tennis tables and library funds all found their way to the school.

Most of the funding for these and other ventures comes from the Annual Subscription which currently is €50. This can be forwarded to The Treasurer c/o Royal and Prior School.

Other fundraising activities include bag packing, selling tickets, collecting bags for recycling  and organising a school outing to the cinema.

However the Parents’ Association is more than a fundraising group.   This year parents attended area meetings in Letterkenny and in Donegal town and were involved in discussion about what the future of the Junior Certificate might look like. Many others availed of the opportunity to have their say about proposals for Junior Cert on the NCCA website. Steps were taken to improve safety on the roads outside the school. Discussions took place about bus shelters, toilets, a school blazer, and supervised study after school, among other issues. The Committee was invited to comment on another Draft Policy –this year the Positive Relationships Draft Policy. Practical assistance and support is given to school events where possible.

Congratulations to all who have represented the school in sports and athletics, especially at county, province and national level. Congratulations also to all who took part in the School Concert and especially to Mrs Curran for her dedication and all the work behind the scenes; to the Art and Geography Depts for the magnificent work completed in the Rivers of the World Project – the work is on view beside the Peace Bridge in Londonderry and well worth a visit; to the Science and Maths  Depts for their excellent Inspection Reports – evidence of the high standards we already knew prevailed. To all teachers, thank you for the opportunities you are providing to enable our children achieve their potential.

Ann Fallows (Secretary)