Board of Management Annual Report
St. Columba’s Boys’ National School has a population of 378 boys at the end of the school year 2017/2018. We have a staff of 15 class teachers, 8 LSRT (Learning Support and Resource Teachers), 4 ASD teachers as well as an administrative Principal. The school also has 10,5 SNA’s with 8 based in the ASD unit and 2,5 in the mainstream classes – two full time and 1 half time. We have two secretaries who job share as well as one full time caretaker.
St. Columba’s Boys’ National School is a Roman Catholic School under the Patronage of the Diocese of Cork. We are a vibrant school community, which fosters inclusiveness, spirituality, individuality, difference and the development of all our talents. We pride ourselves on the atmosphere of mutual respect and an expectation of the highest standards of behaviour, of work ethic and of personal achievement. We strive to allow each student become the very best that they wish to be, while empowering them to meet the challenges of education and of life.
The Board of Management is:
Chairperson (Patron’s Nominee): Donal Murray
Patron’s Nominee: Daphne Madden
Community Nominee: Pat Duffy
Community Nominee: John Foley
Parents Representative: Stephen Ryan
Parents Representative: Grit Collins
Teacher Representative: Réidín Kelleher
School Principal: Finbarr Hurley
Over the course of the school year the school was involved in many successful educational projects, and developed many new extra- curricular activities. These included:
- Drama
- Swimming for 3rd and 5th classes
- Mathletics in 3rd, 4th 5th and 6th Classes
- Green Explorations of the area
- Outings and Excursions to the Theatre and UCC
- Christmas Concert and Carol Singing in Douglas Village Shopping Centre
- Collection for Cork Penny Dinners
- AISTEAR in Infant Classes
- CAPER
- Literacy Lift off in Infant and 1st Classes
- Seachtain na Gaeilge and St. Patrick’s Day Parade
- Author Visits
- 3rd Class Sewing Lessons
- AN Post Handwriting Competition
- Bank or Ireland BizWorld Programme
- Sciath na Scol Football and Hurling
- Basketball Competition
- Soccer Competition
- Pitch and Putt Competition
- 3rd Class Hurling Blitz
- 4th Class Hurling Blitz
- Cór Fhéile na Scol
- Savings Scheme with Douglas Credit Union
Along with these major events every class in the school undertook some really beneficial and interesting educational projects.
None of these events would have been possible without the continued support of the Parents Association, which has grown in strength this year.
Confirmation and Communion were very special this year as they were both held in St. Columba’s church. Both ceremonies were dignified and prayerful and the boys rose to the occasion to make them both very special occasions for all involved. We would like to thank Fr. Teddy for his continued support and guidance.
In curricular areas we continued our focus on Writing Genres and Comprehension Strategies in Literacy and Problem Solving and the language of maths in Numeracy. To assist us with this objective, PDST (Professional Development Service for Teachers) who have worked with the teachers in the classes in the area of Numeracy with an emphasis on Mental Mathematics.
We have implemented a 2 year writing plan that has proved successful. We introduced the new Primary Language Curriculum in Infants to 2nd classes, with its introduction of Oral Language from 3rd to 6th Classes planned for next September.
We introduced the new Special Educational needs model which was supported by the interventions of Reading Recovery, Literacy Lift Off and CAPER up to 2nd class. Early interventions are recommended by this model and we have very successfully introduced and built on them this school year.
An analysis of our Micra-T and the Sigma-T reflect very well against the normal distribution of results nationwide – we are well above national norms as is and have made gains from last school year also in both Literacy and Numeracy in our results in comparison to these distributions.
We have pinpointed our areas for growth next year with regards to Literacy and Numeracy. The objectives remain similar to those of this school year as we are building on the work that we achieved during this school year. In general terms they would include:
- responding to the individual learning needs of the pupils and differentiation of teaching and learning activities as necessary.
- focus on full implementation of the new Primary Language Curriculum with a focus on Oral language in English and Irish.
The Board of Management ratified the following Policies during this school year:
ASD Policy
SEN Policy
Admissisons and Enrolment Policy
Protected Disclosures Policy
Assessment Policy
School Tour Policy
Mobile Phone Policy
Intimate Care and Toileting Policy
Work Experience Policy
Parent Volunteer Policy
We also reviewed:
Anti Bullying Policy Checklist
Safety Policy
New legislation requires each school to have a Child Safeguarding Statement, which the board ratified in March 2018. It is available on the school website.
We also are in compliance with GDPR. Any information stored is done so with the intention of it only being used in a school context. No information will be shared with a third party without the express agreement of the individuals involved.
Continuing in this vein, the staff updated the school plan vis a vis curricular areas. The curricular areas now reflect where we are as a school.
Our new school building project is progressing at a steady pace The Board appreciates very much the cooperation of the parent body throughout Phase 1 and Phase 2. Phase 3 is progressing very well and we look forward to taking possession of our new school during the school year 2018/2019. It is not an easy task balancing a live school and a major building site, but parental cooperation and understanding helped in making the work to date a success.
The school accounts have been audited and verified by external auditors Tobin, O’ Sullivan and Co. Accountants. The Board of Management at their meeting of May 30th 2017 approved them.
Our ASA (After School Activity) Programme has continued this year with the following activities on offer:
- Karate
- Speech and Drama
None of the above could have been achieved without the hard work and dedication of the staff of St. Columba’s. They are truly an invaluable resource and are so very committed to their roles as educators in your son’s education.
Your cooperation as parents and guardians is also vitally important and we thank you for your continued support in the coming school year.
Board of Management of St. Columba’s Boys’ National School.
