Scoil Ursula N.S.

Scoil Ursula Parents’ Association
Minutes of Meeting

Date
Thursday, 4 February 2010
Chairperson (Joint)
Berni Murphy and Jeanette Scanlon
Secretary (Joint)
Olive Henry and Gladys Rooney
Treasurer (Joint)
Susan Cox and Marie Kilfeather
Attendees
Berni Murphy, Jeanette Scanlon, Olive Henry, Gladys Rooney, Yvonne Rainey, Caroline O’Hehir, Carmel Flynn, Jackie Leonard, Oliver Joyce.
Apologies
Marie Kilfeather, Susan Cox, Pauline McLoughlin, Fiona McGuire and Susan Moore

The minutes of the last meeting, Thursday 21 January, 2010 were read and agreed.

ITEM
As an introduction to the meeting, Mrs McSharry’s mass was described as very respectful and beautiful; the children were great and very well behaved. Mrs McNabola’s poem to Mrs McSharry and her reading of the “The Sculptor” was commented on. Members felt that the poetry would be an addition to the school website as parents would be interested to have these poems.

Berni gave an account of her informal meeting with the new principal, Tony Gallagher. Items discussed were Pancake Tuesday (to be on Friday 12 due to midterm), the Code of Behaviour and the Sugradh Le Cheile programme. Mr Gallagher is fully supportive of the Parents’ Association and seeks the involvement of parents in all aspect of the school, just as his predecessors were.

Sugradh Le Cheile and Fás Le Chéile (HSE programmes)

The Sugradh le Cheile programme is to be run on Friday 26 March at 9.30am with the support of the HSE and the parents of 1 class children.
Marie Kilfeather will liaise with Siobhan Greavy

The distinction was made between this programme and the Fás Le Chéile programme, which is a Parent Support Programme offered by the HSE)
They are no plans to run the Fás Le Chéile programme at the moment.
ACTION BY: Marie Kilfeather


.
Code of Behaviour
This document is still in progress and will be aligned with the Department of Education template. Mr Gallagher advised Berni Murphy that he is available in person, on the phone and by email and welcomes parental involvement.

School Uniforms
Some discussion took place about different providers for uniforms who were willing to supply the Scoil Ursula uniform.


School Website
It was mentioned that the parents’ section of the school website is well out of date. Carmel Flynn is to ask Mary Carr to delete old information. Recent minutes, class lists, details of prize winners and sponsors, etc. are to be emailed to the school to update this section.
ACTION BY:Carmel Flynn, Olive Henry

Pancake Tuesday Fundraiser
Due to midterm break, the usual Pancake Tuesday fundraiser will be held this year on Friday, 12 February at 9.30am. A number of members at the meeting mentioned that they were unavailable that day, Jackie Leonard will assist. Berni Murphy is to contact Marie Kilfeather, Susan Cox, Bridget Doherty and Pauline McLoughlin to see if they will give a hand on the day. Pancakes will €1 each with toppings of Nutella, Golden Syrup, sugar, etc.
ACTION BY: Berni Murphy

Easter Fair
The Easter Fair was discussed. This has taken place for the last 3 years. It was felt that since we had the Christmas Bazaar and the Communion and Confirmation was coming shortly after Easter, we might give this a miss this year. Suggestions were made to have an egg hunt in the school on Friday 26 March (day of breakup for Easter holidays) and to investigate having some form of entertainment for the children (e.g. puppet group).

Note: Communion is Sunday 25 April 2010 and Confirmation is 23 May 2010.
ACTION BY:Berni Murphy, Jackie Leonard

Upcoming Events
Some discussion took place around other events that could be organised

During Writers’ Week, Annie West (Cartoonist), or other local published writers could be invited to attend the school and promote writing for the children. Pauline McLoughlin is to discuss with Mrs McNabola.

Grandparents’ Day – we could organise some event to acknowledge the work of grandparents in their care of the school children. They are delivering and collecting children, assisting with the swimming classes, etc.
ACTION BY: Pauline McLoughlin

Next Meeting

Thursday 4 March 2010 at 8.15 pm (Cookery room )
Mr Tony Gallagher, Principal will attend.