Draft Minutes from Parent’s Association Tuesday 17th May 2022
Attendance and apologies
There were 24 in attendance and 3 apologies.
Minutes from the previous meeting
The minutes from the previous meeting in March of this year were agreed by Elizabeth Hudson and seconded by Peter McCracken.
No matters arising from the minutes.
Treasurer’s Report
There is €2670 in the Parent’s Association Account
Mr Corley’s Address
School Development Planning
Form 6 LC Examinations
Oral examinations and music practical examinations took place from Saturday 9th – Wednesday 13th April.
Junior Cycle HE Practical Examinations
Took place on Monday 9th May and Tuesday 10th May.
LC & JC Examination Timetables
The timetables for the state examinations are available from www.examinations.ie
LC written examinations will run from Wednesday 8th June to Monday 27th June.
JC written examinations will run from Wednesday 8th June to Monday 20th June.
Junior Cycle Whole School Day
Takes place on Thursday 19th May. No school for students.
Student Assessments
Student assessments take place at the following times during Term 3:
TY week of the 9th – 13th May (in-class assessments)
Form 1 & Form 2 - Wednesday 1st June & Thursday 2nd June
Form 5 Wednesday 1st – Friday 3rd June
Junior Cycle
The Junior Cycle class of 2021 received their state certificates of participation on Wednesday 27th April.
Form 5 Subject Options 2022-2024
Following student consultation, the following are the subject bands:
Band 1
Ag. Science
Chemistry
Art
Band 2
Biology
Technology
DCG
HE
Band 3
Geography
Music
History
Band 4
French
Business
Accounting
BOM
The fourth meeting of the BOM took place on Wednesday 4th May. The Agreed Report can be found on the website.
Pastoral Care
12 Form 2 & Form 3 pupils made their Confirmation on Sunday 15th May at Cavan Parish Church.
Garda Visit: Garda English from Cavan Garda Station came to our school in March. During her visit she delivered a very informative, engaging talk on Substance Misuse to the Form 6 students.
National Go purple Day: Two of our Comhairle na nÓg representatives, Eoin McConnell, and Yasmin Peeters (both Form 2 pupils) coordinated a non-uniform day on Friday 29th April to raise money for Men’s Aid Ireland and Women’s Aid Ireland.
Fundraising: Well, done to all the TY pupils who were selling daffodils in March to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society. Thanks also to all the pupils and families who have supported our ongoing collections for the Ukraine appeal. In April the 2nd and 5th year pupils walked through Killykeen Forest Park and raised €2,200 for the Pieta House through the Climb with Charlie initiative.
Update on School Events, Trips, Projects & Competitions
Creative Schools 2020-2022
National CS week took place from Monday 9th – Friday 13th May. There were lots of extra activities planned for students during this week: Hip-Hop Dancing, Sunflower mural with Art students from Cavan Institute, TY BLAST project, Exhibition of students’ work at Cavan Townhall and a Form 5 drama called ‘Shelter’. Form 6 Music students, Jacob Gould and Christabel Bakare entertained the audience with some beautiful singing. On Friday Circus Performer Ronaldo Fanzini entertained the students in Form 1 & Form 2, and the photograph taken by Lorraine Teevan made it to the front page of the digital Irish Times! A special thanks to our hardworking CS committee of teachers and students. Special thanks also to our CS Associate Mary Farrelly and to artists Sarah McKenna (Form 5 drama) and Niamh O’Connor (BLAST Project with TY students).
Global Schools initiative:
We were delighted to receive the silver diplomatic passport award for our engagement with global citizenship education this year. Well done to the committee and the co-ordinating teacher Ms. Bates.
Young Social Innovators Project (TY)
Our TY students have been extremely busy working on their chosen projects within the Young Social Innovators program this year. One group have decided to tackle the unfortunately all too prevalent issue of suicide within our community. This is an area the group have very strong feelings towards and feel their actions will highlight the support units that are within our area for people perhaps struggling with their mental health in these times. One of their key initiatives is to organise training for both parents and teachers within our community. Ms. Hazel Leahy, who works for the HSE, has agreed to deliver a safeTalk workshop/training around this issue. This training took place in the school on Thursday 28th April 6 staff members and 11 parents attended.
National Enterprise Awards
Eco Ego (William Duffy & Daniel Lord), who took 1st place in the Junior Category of the Cavan Enterprise Awards will represent Cavan at the National Finals scheduled to take place in the Helix, DCU on 18th May.
‘Safe Bathrooms Challenge’
TY students took part in the Shona Project. The girls’ toilets receiving a much-needed makeover. The main aim of this project was to decorate the toilets and to make these more positive spaces for students.
Extracurricular Activities
Athletics: The RSC Athletics team trained hard in term 3 in preparation for the Ulster E District track and field event held in the Antrim Forum in May. Notable results as follows: Aoibheann Mulligan won silver in the intermediate girls 200m and bronze in the 100m. Tobi Ogundare received bronze medals for senior boys’ high jump and long jump with Matthew Eguakun finishing 2nd in the long jump. Yasmin Peeters claimed silver in the junior 1500m with Harriet Brady finishing 3rd in the same race. Thanks to Mr. Vahey and Ms. Cahill for all their work with the team all year.
Hockey: League games have been played against Dundalk Grammar School, Mercy College, Navan, and Drogheda Grammar School. The senior team had mixed results this season however the juniors have performed really well having only lost one game. Thanks to Ms. Cowan for coordinating and Sasha Gannon of Cavan Hockey club for coaching.
Rugby: RSC U16 boy’s rugby team travelled to our sister school, Enniskillen Royal Grammar School for a Rugby challenge in early April. They had an enjoyable day and won the match 40:26.
Badminton/Table Tennis: In April, 25 pupils enjoyed a trip to Monaghan Collegiate for a challenge match in Badminton and Table Tennis. Students also had badminton challenge matches against Breifne College. They then travelled to the Ulster Table Tennis finals in Lisburn Racquets where the school had great success claiming 3rd place in Ulster with the u15 girls and u15 boys. Thanks to Mr. Hall for all his organising of these events.
Form 5 Residential Trip: Our Form 5 students made their way to Castlebar for a group bonding/educational trip. The group took part in a number of water activities, cycled the Greenway from Newport to Mulranny, attended the School Summit at the NUIG Air Dome and even managed to squeeze in some shopping!! Thanks to Mr. McHugh and Ms. McQuaid for accompanying the pupils.
School Trips: Form 1 – 17th May: Cuilcagh Mountain & Marble Arch Caves and Form 2 – 26th May: Causey Farm
TY Activities:
Cookery competition: Well, done to Sarah McGovern and Praisy Reuban (Pictured) who competed in the final of the Young Cook of the Year' final organised by Cavan Institute and Cavan County Council in May.
Make-up workshop
Stop Motion Animation
TY Fáinne
Hydrobikes: Wednesday 18th May, Lough Carafin, Butlersbridge
Mock Interviews: Tuesday 24th May 4-6pm
Trip to Tayto Park: Monday 30th May
Buildings & Maintenance
Sports Hall - Update
Three DTM held, CAD drawings issued with a design for 4-badminton court hall and PE Laboratory. DT to review these plans. Desired location set into the hill to the right of the student path. Stage 1 to be sent to the DE by 24th June. DTM
Modular Building – Update
Same design team working on Sports Hall will deliver this modular building. Location directly across from Art room, set back into sloped field. Excavation of site commences on Tuesday 28th June. Hand over date 27th November
Opening of Special Classes
At the moment class(es) will open for September 2023. Probably ASD Classes
Rewiring of ground floor
To take place over the summer months.
Other Items:
Student Photographs
Photographs have been taken of all class groups and student groups involved in any leadership roles. They will appear in our summer newsletter. Form 1 and Form 6 parents may like to purchase the class/year group pictures from Adrian Donohoe photographer, details on cost and how to do so will follow.
School Uniform Singer Sewing & Knitting Centre will stock the full school uniform, including the blazer and jacket. Uniformity will stock some items.
School Calendar 2022-2023
Students begin to return on Monday 29th August, all students ae back by Wednesday 31st August. Calendar to be circulated on Friday 20th May.
Booklists
Booklists are currently being finalised and will issue to parents within the next week or two.
Upcoming Events
School Awards: Will take place during the last week of term.
Canon Lidwill will lead a prayer service for all Form 3 students on Wednesday 1st June, Form 3 students can remain at home for independent study on Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd June.
Sports Day Tuesday 24th May
Form 3 Parents Information Meeting about TY, Wednesday 25th May 7pm
LC Graduation Thursday 26th May 7pm (2 guests per student)
TY Awards Tuesday 31st May (during school time)
Summer Holidays Form 1 & 2 – Thursday 2nd June, Form 5 Friday 3rd June
Outstanding Matters
Dugouts for Hockey pitch
Ventilation in Classroom DE Grant – No funding was received.
New Principal Position
The Principal position is being advertised and hopefully filled for the new school year.
Derek Grant has been given the task of consulting with stakeholders, including parents regarding the new Principals role in the school.
A page with 4 questions on it has been sent out to parents by the parents association. If possible could this be sent back by email to the parents association or dropped into the school secretaries marked for the parents association. This is parents way to influence what kind of future principal the school has and the tasks that parents see as being important.
Book and Uniform Sale
There is a planned book and uniform sale on Thursday 23rd June from 5 to 7 or 8.
This is an informal way for parents/students to sell books/uniforms.
Many parents may wish in particular to buy or sell school blazers for the coming school year, many of which have been worn very little over the past 2 years, and should be in very good condition.
A.O.B.
There are 2 full classes coming into first year next year, and in total approximately 30 extra students joining the school.
Blazers will be expected to be worn again from Sept 2022.
Classrooms will return to be subject/teacher owned instead of class owned from Sept 2022.
Date of next Meeting
AGM on Tuesday 20th September
MINUTES OF ROYAL SCHOOL CAVAN MEETING
TUESDAY 22TH MARCH 2022
VIA ZOOM
1. Apologies
There were 3 apologies and 46 participants
2. Minutes from Meeting of 18.01.2022
Minutes from the meeting were proposed by Nicola Mee and seconded by Rosarii Mannion
3. Matters arising from previous minutes
None
4. Mr Corley’s Address
School Development Planning
Erasmus +Key Action 1
RSC has been awarded Erasmus+ Accreditation. We will work with Mobility Hub who will assist us to access funding to provide quality CPD opportunities for staff members. The following teachers sit on the Erasmus committee: Mr. Vahey, Ms. Bates, Ms. Cowan, Ms. McElwaine, Ms. Gray & Mr. Corley
BOM
The third meeting of the BOM is scheduled for Thursday 10th February. Agreed Report can be found on the website.
Incidental Inspection
An incidental inspection on the quality of Teaching & Learning took place on Monday 28th February.
Relationships & Sexuality Education
Delivery of the RSE modules to students in all year groups commenced on Monday 28th February.
Junior Cycle CBAs (Classroom Based Assessments)
The following CBAs for Form 2 Students are taking place:
Business
28-Feb-22
25-Mar-22
Maths
11-Apr-22
29-Apr-22
Leaving Certificate Oral & Practical Examinations
The Oral assessment in Irish and MFL subjects along with music practicals are scheduled to take place from Saturday 9th April to Wednesday 13th April. Examiners will be contacting the schools shortly with suggested dates to carry out these assessments.
LC & JC Examination Timetables
The timetables for the state examinations are now available from www.examinations.ie
Pastoral Care
Elma Walsh, mother of the late Donal Walsh, visited our school on 19th January and spoke to TY, Form 5 & Form 6 students about Donal and the Foundation that was set-up. She received a cheque to the value of €2000 from the student body, money the students raised from The Christmas Jumper Day, sale of Christmas Cards and Shave or Dye challenge.
Ukraine Dry Food Appeal, The Global School Committee are running a collection of dry foods within each base classroom.
· 12 Form 2 & Form 3 pupils are currently preparing to make their Confirmation on Sunday 15th May at Cavan Parish Church.
· Christian Union Dinner Dance is scheduled to take place on Thursday 31st March for Form 5 & 6 students
Update on School Events, Projects & Competitions
Young Social Innovators Project (TY)
Our TY students have been extremely busy working on their chosen projects within the Young Social Innovators program this year. One group have decided to tackle the unfortunately all too prevalent issue of suicide within our community. This is an area the group have very strong feelings towards and feel their actions will highlight the support units that are within our area for people perhaps struggling with their mental health in these times. One of their key initiatives is to organise training for both parents and teachers within our community. Ms. Hazel Leahy, who works for the HSE has agreed to deliver a safeTalk workshop/training around this issue. The training is free, is internationally accredited and takes 3 hours (possibly 2 x 1.5 hours) in-person at the school. Google Form, Mr McHugh, minimum 12 people and maximum 25 people.
The other TY group have focused their intentions on the topic of social media and its positive and negative impacts upon today's youth.
Global Schools Committee
This committee held a very successful Language & Culture week 7th – 11th March which finished with an EXPO on Friday.
The committee also organised a visit from Neale Richmond TD to speak to them and other interest students on inequality.
Seachtain Na Gaeilge
This took place from 7th – 16th March. TY and Form 5 students enjoyed a Bodhrán workshop from Music Generation. Form 1 took part in a table quiz which was organised by the TY students, while the Pop-up Gaeltacht made a welcome return during these weeks.
Creative Schools 2020-2022
Interested Form 5 students will work with Mary Farrelly in creating an original performance that will be staged in the Townhall Theatre during Creative Schools week. Parents will have the opportunity to view this performance on Wednesday 11th May at 7pm in the Townhall.
Cavan Student Enterprise Awards
11 RSC Mini companies represented the school in the Cavan Student Enterprise Awards on March 15th.
Eco Ego (William Duffy & Daniel Lord) took 1st place in the Junior Category and will represent Cavan at the National Finals scheduled to take place in the Helix, DCU on 18th May.
Sweet Bakery (Amelia Allen & Lucy Gordon) took 2nd place in the Junior Category
Beadz by T (Tierna Smyth) took 2nd place in the Intermediate Category.
Easy Bakes (Praisy Reuban, Amy Bleakley & Louise Eccleston) won a sustainability awarded for their product.
National Music Award
Congratulations to Jacob Gould, a 6th Year Music student who was awarded 1st Class Honours in the over 17 solo singing competition at the Interschools Music Festival held at Wesley College Dublin on Saturday 5th March.
Extracurricular Activities
· Rugby Matches:
Unfortunately, Ulster Rugby have had to cancel the U16 Pollock Cup competition we were entered in this year. Nevertheless, we are moving ahead with several challenge matches this year instead. Thanks very much to Co. Cavan Rugby club for organising our February challenge match against their Juvenile team, which the boys really enjoyed.
A massive well done to all 35 RSC girls who took part in the tag rugby blitz in December. A huge thank you to Cavan Ladies Rugby Club for doing such an incredible job of both organising and running the event that had over 100 girls participating, it was a fantastic experience and event. RSC brought the Cup home!!
· Cross Country Teams:
In January RSC had 32 competitors in the Ulster District Cross Country held at Newcarne Castle, Irvinestown, Co. Fermanagh. All the runners put in a great performance with this being the first outing for several of them. Most successful on the day were the senior girls with Charlotte Moore, Olivia Moore and Ava Nesbitt taking 1st, 2nd, and 8th respectively to qualify for the Ulster final.
· Hockey:
The girl’s hockey teams have been very busy training every week for their upcoming matches this month. This year we have 4 hockey teams competing in the Meath league: Under 13s, Under 14s, Under 16s and Seniors. They are being coached by Ms. Cowan and Sasha Gannon.
· Table Tennis:
We were pleased to be able to reintroduce table tennis as an after-school activity in recent weeks. The players are being coached by Mr. Hall and they are looking forward to some inter school matches in the coming weeks. The first outing is Thursday 24th to Monaghan Collegiate.
· Fundraising for New Sports Kits
Mr. Plunkett, Mr. Robertson, Mr. Vahey and Mr. McHugh would like to thank all parents who supported the recent fundraiser which raised €1900. Money raised will go towards the purchase of two new sports kits, one for the junior boys’ soccer team and one for the girls’ hockey team.
After School Study
This facility is available to Form 6 and Form 3 students each Monday & Wednesday from 4pm – 6:30pm.
Parent-Pupil Teacher Meetings
The final PPTM took place, by phone, this evening for Form 1 students.
TY Activities:
· Stitching for Palliative Care:
Students in the TY Active Citizenship module were delighted to take part in this initiative. They designed and created handmade bags for patients receiving palliative care in Cavan General Hospital.
· TY trip to Sligo IT takes place on Thursday 24th March
· CAT 4G Assessments took place today, the results of which may assist TY students when selecting their subjects for LC.
Second week of TY Work Experience takes place from Monday 4th to Friday 8th April.
TY students are currently receiving training from Order of Malta in CPR/AED
Prefects
Our Prefects will fundraise for Pieta House during the last term.
Buildings & Maintenance
· Sports Hall Design Team held a meeting on 2nd March, 3 possible locations for Sports Hall have been identified and these will be forwarded to DE for consideration.
· A Grant of €6000, under the Build Heritage Investment Scheme was received from the Cavan Heritage, to assist with replacing the 5 windows on the second floor of the main building.
School Uniform
Singer Sewing & Knitting Centre will stock the school uniform
Upcoming Events
Easter Holidays Friday 8th April, students return on Monday 25th April
Sports Day Tuesday 10th May
LC Graduation Thursday 26th May
TY Awards Tuesday 31st May
Summer Holiday Friday 3rd June
State Examinations begin on Wednesday 8th June.
Outstanding Matters
Dugouts for Hockey pitch
Form 5 Residential Trip
Ventilation in Classrooms
5. Bishop Ferran Glenfield’s Address and subsequent Question & Answer Session (Answers provided both by Bishop Glenfield & Mr Corley
Bishop Glenfield shared with the meeting the journey of the school from 2017 and the work that has been carried out to bring the school into the free education scheme from August 2022. He noted that it was with great disappointment that the Board of Governors had to make the decision to close the Boarding Department in June 2020.
He outlined the vision for the school (retain the school’s Protestant ethos, grow the school to a 450-pupil school, broaden the curriculum and programmes offered and the need to enhance further the good facilities that the school has). He also noted the willingness of the Department of Education to listen to and support this vision.
He explained that RSC will no longer charge tuition fees from the next school year onwards (i.e. August 2022). The BOM will reopen enrolment into Form 1 2022-2023 shortly. The target for Form 1 2022-2023 is 72 pupils, i.e. 3 class groups with 24 pupils in each class.
Bishop Glenfield went on to outline the shortfall in accommodation for a 450-pupil school. He informed parents that David Cullivan, Architect, has been tasked with master-planning for a 450-pupil school. He also informed the meeting that the DE have agreed to provide the additional funding to increase the size of our PE Hall from a 3 to a 4-badminton court area with a fitness suite. Bishop Glenfield went on to inform parents that a temporary modular building with a 2 classroom SEN base and 4 teaching classrooms will arrive to the school over the summer holidays.
Bishop Glenfield informed the meeting that he is aware of the transport challenges some parents faced. He noted that this may be a barrier to some parents for sending their child to RSC. Both Bishop Glenfield and Mr Corley are looking at ways that this may be addressed.
Both Bishop Glenfield and Mr Corley then answered questions.
Bishop Glenfield thanked the Parents’ Association for giving him the opportunity to come and speak with them about the exciting trajectory for RSC.
Finally, Bishop Glenfield informed the parents that the Board of Governors have now been tasked with appointing a permanent principal to the school. He is hopeful that a permanent principal will be in place for the beginning of the new school year 2022-2023.
6. Correspondence
Yesterday’s email regarding change in status of the school plus emails received from COMPASS.
7. Treasurer’s Report
As before
8. AOB
Chairperson reiterated that PA does not automatically receive parents’ email addresses, so if anyone knows of parents not receiving PA emails, please can they contact the Parents Association to have their email addresses included: parentsassociation@royalschoolcavan.ie
Chairperson Heather Alexander is stepping down, so feelers out please for a new Chairperson. Heather states job is not exhausting, quite easy really!
Student Lockers will be available as of Sept. 2022 to all students.
Fundraising Activities – none planned at present. The money raised for Sports Hall/Development currently could be used for something else in the School, this is to be addressed in the future.
Hockey Pitch Dug Outs – awaiting Builder’s Quote
TY TRIP for 5TH Years, 28-30 students to make this financially viable – to take place in April 2022, cost between EUR 230-250.
Please remember Dry Food Appeal for Ukraine, boxes in each base classroom.
Also, spare uniforms to be donated to school for students coming from the Ukraine.
Going forward, Maurice Brady is retiring so all uniform will be supplied by Singer Sewing & Knitting, opposite Dunnes Stores on Main Street, Cavan.
9. Date of next meeting :
TUESDAY 17TH MAY 2022 AT 8 PM
Alison McDermott-Bouzidi
Secretary
23.03.2022