CBS Kilkenny Parents Council
Welcome
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A little about ourselves...CBS Kilkenny Parents Council meets on the first Thursday of every month. The meetings are generally very informative and easy going, and usually last for about an hour. Meetings are attended by the Principal as well as a teacher representative.
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Who we are
The Parents Council is an integral part of the CBS Kilkenny Community of Learners. It plays a very important role in the promotion of co-operation between home and school.
Being a member on the Council makes us more aware of what is happening in the school and hence we become more involved in our sons’ education and school life.
As a Council we do not interfere in the day to day running of the school where such responsibility rests with the school Principal but rather work to support the school and strengthen the bonds between home and school.
Being a member on the Council makes us more aware of what is happening in the school and hence we become more involved in our sons’ education and school life.
As a Council we do not interfere in the day to day running of the school where such responsibility rests with the school Principal but rather work to support the school and strengthen the bonds between home and school.
What we do
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Some of the activities that we undertake include:
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How we operate
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We ask that each family please pay a subscription of €5 towards the Parents Council each year. This money is normally paid at either the AGM or at the Parent/Teacher meetings throughout the year.
The Parents Council uses this money to fund its activities throughout the year. Council Members 2019 - 20 Chairperson: Vivienne Crowley Secretary: Claire Brennan Treasurer: Sheila O'Reilly |
Parents Council News 2020 - 21
Welcome to First Year Parents & Guardians
The Parents Council of CBS Kilkenny extends a very warm welcome to all parents/guardians of the 2020 First Year students. We wish the boys well as they embark on this new and exciting chapter of their education and every success and happiness in their time at CBS Kilkenny.
Covid-19 has changed the way we interact. We would typically look forward to meeting and greeting all the parents/guardians on the boy’s first day in school. This is a sociable occasion and a great start to making new acquaintances and friends in the wider CBS Kilkenny community. While we cannot meet in person, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to the Parents Council and tell you a little about what we do.
As part of the wider school community, the Parents Council plays an important role in the promotion of co-operation between home and school. It is also a great way to keep up to date with what is happening in the school and to get to know other parents and guardians. There is mutual respect between the Council and the school. We do not interfere with the running of the school nor use the Council as a forum for individual complaints.
Normally we meet on the second Tuesday of each month. However this year, due to Covid restrictions, we intend to hold our monthly meetings via Zoom. If you are interested in attending meetings of the Parents Council and becoming more involved in your son’s school life, then please contact Claire Brennan, Secretary of the Parents Council at clairemoreilly@gmail.com
We always welcome new members and encourage you to join or come along to as many meetings as you can. It is important that the perspective of all students is represented at our meetings.
We look forward to meeting you.
Kind Regards
Vivienne Crowley
Chairperson CBS Parents Council
The Parents Council of CBS Kilkenny extends a very warm welcome to all parents/guardians of the 2020 First Year students. We wish the boys well as they embark on this new and exciting chapter of their education and every success and happiness in their time at CBS Kilkenny.
Covid-19 has changed the way we interact. We would typically look forward to meeting and greeting all the parents/guardians on the boy’s first day in school. This is a sociable occasion and a great start to making new acquaintances and friends in the wider CBS Kilkenny community. While we cannot meet in person, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to the Parents Council and tell you a little about what we do.
As part of the wider school community, the Parents Council plays an important role in the promotion of co-operation between home and school. It is also a great way to keep up to date with what is happening in the school and to get to know other parents and guardians. There is mutual respect between the Council and the school. We do not interfere with the running of the school nor use the Council as a forum for individual complaints.
Normally we meet on the second Tuesday of each month. However this year, due to Covid restrictions, we intend to hold our monthly meetings via Zoom. If you are interested in attending meetings of the Parents Council and becoming more involved in your son’s school life, then please contact Claire Brennan, Secretary of the Parents Council at clairemoreilly@gmail.com
We always welcome new members and encourage you to join or come along to as many meetings as you can. It is important that the perspective of all students is represented at our meetings.
We look forward to meeting you.
Kind Regards
Vivienne Crowley
Chairperson CBS Parents Council
Minutes 2020/21
CBS Parents Council Meeting Minutes 8 September 2020
(Held via Zoom to comply with Covid-19 Guidelines)
The meeting opened with a prayer.
Principal's Report
Mr Clarke updated the Parents Council on a wide range of issues, paramount of which were the significant changes undertaken in school over the summer to ensure students safe return. Mr Clarke spoke of the tremendous contribution of the entire school staff in enabling the school to re-open and thanked the Parents Council for their ongoing support. Huge work has taken place across the school, including the installation of perspex screens in classrooms, multiple hand sanitising units and the conversion of the Bialann and gym into additional classroom spaces. Mr Clarke acknowledged the additional funding from the Dept. of Education to invest in extra cleaning, staff and resources.
Other points of interest were:
Ms Maguire praised the students or their compliance in following the Covid-19 guidelines in terms of mask wearing, hand sterilising etc. On behalf of the Parents Council, Vivienne sincerely thanked Mr Clarke and the school staff for the huge amount of work undertaken which is very much appreciated.
Next meeting via Zoom will take place on Tuesday 13 October 2020 at 7:30pm.
If you wish to attend please send your email address to Parents Council Secretary, Claire Brennan @ clairemoreilly@gmail.com
(Held via Zoom to comply with Covid-19 Guidelines)
The meeting opened with a prayer.
Principal's Report
Mr Clarke updated the Parents Council on a wide range of issues, paramount of which were the significant changes undertaken in school over the summer to ensure students safe return. Mr Clarke spoke of the tremendous contribution of the entire school staff in enabling the school to re-open and thanked the Parents Council for their ongoing support. Huge work has taken place across the school, including the installation of perspex screens in classrooms, multiple hand sanitising units and the conversion of the Bialann and gym into additional classroom spaces. Mr Clarke acknowledged the additional funding from the Dept. of Education to invest in extra cleaning, staff and resources.
Other points of interest were:
- Review of SEN taking place this month
- Strong Leaving Cert results from the Class of 2020. (results continue to increase year on year)
- 148 new First Year students this year
- Freebooters astro turf pitch on Gaol Road now leased for use by CBS for PE
- A virtual open evening planned for this year
- PE and Computer Science are new Leaving Cert subjects for this years 5th year students
- Board of Management sub-group have had regular meetings with the new School Design Team
Ms Maguire praised the students or their compliance in following the Covid-19 guidelines in terms of mask wearing, hand sterilising etc. On behalf of the Parents Council, Vivienne sincerely thanked Mr Clarke and the school staff for the huge amount of work undertaken which is very much appreciated.
Next meeting via Zoom will take place on Tuesday 13 October 2020 at 7:30pm.
If you wish to attend please send your email address to Parents Council Secretary, Claire Brennan @ clairemoreilly@gmail.com
CBS Parents Council Meeting October 2020
The meeting opened with a prayer.
Chairperson's Address
The Chairperson welcomed all present.
Principal's Report
Ms Maguire on behalf of Mr Clarke, updated the Council on a very wide range of issues. Ms Maguire introduced Ms Nicola Byrne, who will be the teachers representative to the Parents Council for this year. The following were some of the main points:
Ms Maguire praised the student body for their continuing compliance in following the Covid-19 guidelines in terms of mask wearing, hand sterilising etc. On behalf of the Parents Council, Vivienne sincerely thanked Mr Clarke and the school community for their ongoing work in this area.
Chairperson's Address
It has been agreed with Mr Clarke that a virtual AGM will take place on Tuesday 10 November at 730pm. In collaboration with the Careers Guidance Department and the 5th Yr LCVP class, the Parents Council will assist in holding a virtual Careers Event for senior cycle students in December.
The meeting concluded.
The meeting opened with a prayer.
Chairperson's Address
The Chairperson welcomed all present.
Principal's Report
Ms Maguire on behalf of Mr Clarke, updated the Council on a very wide range of issues. Ms Maguire introduced Ms Nicola Byrne, who will be the teachers representative to the Parents Council for this year. The following were some of the main points:
- After school study has resumed for 6th years students
- New School design process progressing and entering Stage 2
- Virtual Open Night for prospective 1st Year students to take place on 14 Oct
- Many events taking place across the school despite Covid-19 restrictions including debating, geography field trips for Leaving Cert students, as well as alternative activities for the TY students, such as segue-way, kayaking and road safety
- 6th year students to receive online teacher reports via VS Ware on Thurs 22 Oct in lieu of conventional parent-teacher meeting.
- New accommodation on James’ St for TY classes almost completed.
- All teaching staff have been issued with new IT devices to ensure a consistent approach across in the event of remote online learning
Ms Maguire praised the student body for their continuing compliance in following the Covid-19 guidelines in terms of mask wearing, hand sterilising etc. On behalf of the Parents Council, Vivienne sincerely thanked Mr Clarke and the school community for their ongoing work in this area.
Chairperson's Address
It has been agreed with Mr Clarke that a virtual AGM will take place on Tuesday 10 November at 730pm. In collaboration with the Careers Guidance Department and the 5th Yr LCVP class, the Parents Council will assist in holding a virtual Careers Event for senior cycle students in December.
The meeting concluded.
Parents Council AGM - Tuesday 10 November 2020
Due to the current Covid-19 restrictions, the 2020 AGM was held via Zoom for the first time.
Chairperson's address
Vivienne Crowley welcomed everyone to the meeting and outlined the highlights of 2019/2020 which was a quiet year due to the closure of schools in March 2020. Since September, the Parents Council have held all their monthly meetings via zoom which has proven to be very successful. A webinar on “Back to School - Pressing the re-start button” was held in September which received very positive feedback The Parents Council, in collaboration with the Careers Guidance Department & the 5th Yr LCVP class, plan to hold a virtual Careers Event in school in early December. On behalf of the Parents Council, Vivienne thanked the school for the outstanding work undertaken to get the school up and running and for creating a safe, supportive and happy environment for the students.
Treasurers Report
The current balance is €1,180.
Ratification of Officers
Vivienne Crowley, Claire Brennan and Sheila O’Reilly were proposed and ratified as Officers for 2020/21.
Principal's Report
Mr Clarke thanked the Parents Council for their ongoing support. Mr Clarke’s report for 2019/2020 is broken down under the 4 headings of Leading Teaching and Learning, Managing the Organisation, Leading School Development and Leadership Capacity. These are some of the highlights from Mr Clarke’s very comprehensive and interesting report:
Due to the current Covid-19 restrictions, the 2020 AGM was held via Zoom for the first time.
Chairperson's address
Vivienne Crowley welcomed everyone to the meeting and outlined the highlights of 2019/2020 which was a quiet year due to the closure of schools in March 2020. Since September, the Parents Council have held all their monthly meetings via zoom which has proven to be very successful. A webinar on “Back to School - Pressing the re-start button” was held in September which received very positive feedback The Parents Council, in collaboration with the Careers Guidance Department & the 5th Yr LCVP class, plan to hold a virtual Careers Event in school in early December. On behalf of the Parents Council, Vivienne thanked the school for the outstanding work undertaken to get the school up and running and for creating a safe, supportive and happy environment for the students.
Treasurers Report
The current balance is €1,180.
Ratification of Officers
Vivienne Crowley, Claire Brennan and Sheila O’Reilly were proposed and ratified as Officers for 2020/21.
Principal's Report
Mr Clarke thanked the Parents Council for their ongoing support. Mr Clarke’s report for 2019/2020 is broken down under the 4 headings of Leading Teaching and Learning, Managing the Organisation, Leading School Development and Leadership Capacity. These are some of the highlights from Mr Clarke’s very comprehensive and interesting report:
- TY Inspectorate report was very positive and recognised the diversity of the TY programme.
- New Junior Certificate programme fully rolled out in 2019.
- Excellent cohort of Leaving Certificate results in 2020
- PE and Computer Science introduced as Leaving Certificate subjects.
- Huge adjustments in the school as a result of Covid-19 viz remote learning, staff training etc.
- Review of Child Safeguarding Policy takes place in November
- Calculated grades process for Leaving Certificate 2020 was a huge task involving staff presentations and consultation to establish best practice.
- Comprehensive work done to get school ready to open in September in appointment of support staff, engagement with auctioneers and council officials in securing extra accommodation. The implementation of social distancing required a huge amount of work by caretaking staff and Woodwork Department in getting classrooms ready for students.
- 14 new staff appointed in CBS.
- Significant work upgrades have taken place in the school, including electrical upgrading and improving wheelchair-access.
- The new school is now at the final design stage, and great progress is being made on completing the internal design plan.
Minutes of Parents Council Meeting January 2021
Tuesday 19 January 2021
The meeting opened with a prayer.
Condolences
On behalf of the Parents Council, the Chairperson extended sincere condolences to Ms Derarca Maguire, Deputy Principal, on the passing of her sister Fiadna and also to Clare Mahony, former Chairperson, on the passing of her husband, Michael.
May they both rest in peace.
Principal's Report
Mr Clarke gave an update on school related matters
Teacher's Report
Ms Byrne outlined a variety of school activities, some of which were held virtually:
Chairperson's Address
A short discussion took place on online learning, the feedback was very positive from students and parents. The school was complimented on their organised and pragmatic approach to online teaching and learning.
AOB
Next meeting will take place on 9 February 2021
Tuesday 19 January 2021
The meeting opened with a prayer.
Condolences
On behalf of the Parents Council, the Chairperson extended sincere condolences to Ms Derarca Maguire, Deputy Principal, on the passing of her sister Fiadna and also to Clare Mahony, former Chairperson, on the passing of her husband, Michael.
May they both rest in peace.
Principal's Report
Mr Clarke gave an update on school related matters
- Very positive feedback on online teaching and learning
- New VS Ware system is bedding in very well
- Planning application for new school to be submitted in February 2021
- New TY accommodation is completed and will opened upon return to school
Teacher's Report
Ms Byrne outlined a variety of school activities, some of which were held virtually:
- BT Young Scientist Competition – 3 groups took part. Eoin Bourke won the Irish Science Teachers Association Prize for his entry entitled “Reducing CO2 levels in the atmosphere using renewable energy”
- SCI Fest – 8 groups taking part this year
- Concern National Debating Competition - panel of 15 senior students are involved.
- An online subject choice presentation for parents of TY students will take place in January
- TY Green Schools Committee are taking part in an online ECO-UNESCO workshop in February.
Chairperson's Address
A short discussion took place on online learning, the feedback was very positive from students and parents. The school was complimented on their organised and pragmatic approach to online teaching and learning.
AOB
Next meeting will take place on 9 February 2021
