Principal’s Report to AGM 08/09

This year was our year for signs. Following last year's AGM it appeared to me that the car park and issues regarding parking were areas of deep concern. New road markings were put in place and a patrol on duty every morning. New signs were also put at the front of the school. I have found this patrol to be very successful and feel that traffic is flowing more freely with less complaints. Great thanks must go to Zusanna Tilson, Emma Parker, Richard Todd and Nicola Ralph for their efforts each morning. New car parking attendants are presently needed so please let me know if you have any time available. If we do not find more car park attendants the smooth running of this car park system will be under question once again.

Many school tours took place last year with Jn and Sn Infants  going to Airfield, 1st and 2nd going to the Pine Forest and 3rd Class going to Airfield, Dublinia and the Viking Splash tour and indeed Music in the classroom in the National Concert Hall, fourth Class going to the Lullymore and the Joseph and his techicolour dream coat. 5th Class went on their trip to Donegal.  6th Class went to the Causey Experience in Kells and on a French Exchange for a week.    
In light of Child Protection Laws and the issue of homesickness Mr Totten and myself have decided to discontinue the French Exchange.  We feel it is in the best interests of the children as we are unable to make guarantees. However we will continue to correspond with Assomption, Bellevue and work on projects.
This year we put on two plays 'Hosanna Rock' featuring the Infants and five short fairy tales featuring fifth class. I feel that the experience a child gets from being on stage is invaluable. We certainly saw a new side to many of them which we may never have known about. Hali McGuinness still comes to mind. I do hope these plays will continue.

Jackie Morris got a new Post of Responsibility for Learning support and Resource teaching. Jackie is so experienced in her field that she has been seconded out by the SESS (Special Education Support Service). This will mean we will lose her for parts of the year. Each time she returns she brings with her new information and keeps the school well on track with regards to Learning Support and Resource teaching.

 In October last year we invited a musician, Paul Mayer, in to work with percussion instruments with 5th and 6th Classes. This was grant aided but the PTA funded the balance. 5th and 6th Classes really enjoyed this experience.
Sophia Arteaga held a workshop where she presented music from around the world to the children.

At present we are working towards our next Green Flag, which is for Green Homes. Both Caroline Dowd and Elizabeth Armstrong attended courses on the conservation of Waste and Energy. They returned with valuable information for the school. Surveys were sent to all families to see how efficient each household was being.
It is hoped that we are all conserving energy as best we can both in the school and in our homes. We will be judged on our next flag in February.
 5th and 6th Classes have decorated two water butts to collect water to water our plants with. These were entered into the Tidy Schools competition. Our school won joint third place in this and received a cheque for €500. It is hoped to spend this on a sundial or weather vane for the school which can be used as a teaching resource.

The Down to Earth Theatre Company came out  and presented ‘Treasure Hunt’ to the children. This was an environmental drama which made the pupils consider many ways they could help the environment. The pupils enjoyed the play.
Destination Education presented “Back to the Moon” to the pupils. This  resulted in a display.
Rory Golden came and presented a slideshow to the children in third class which captured the children's attention as this is a topic in their history book.

Last year we collected for many charities, Samaritan’s purse, Goal and Christian Aid .We mustn’t forget also our two Fields of Life children Yunuso and Sandra who we collect for on a monthly basis. Trevor Stevenson came in to talk to the children at assembly and gave an update on how the two children were doing. They are indeed growing up fast. It is good for the children to know that they have had an input into these children's education.
We held a readathon and raised €3245.92 for children with Multiple Sclerosis.


I would like to draw your attention to our revamped school website: www.rathmichaelschool.com.
On the website you can you can read about our latest green schools ventures, the latest school newsletter, school policies and the school calendar. You can look at recent pictures of the children's artwork, school activities and read my weekly diary or the more technical term, blog. We would like to encourage parents to join our parents' forum which we hope will be a useful resource to you, particularly at the end of the school term when you may be looking to swap school books, school uniforms and sports equipment. Sincere thanks must go to Lynn Nalty for designing the website header. If you have any photos or information that you think might be of interest to put up on our website, please email them to us.

I would like to take a minute to thank my wonderful staff and SNAs. I find them to be continually very supportive and hard working. They all have a true vocation which is very apparent in their daily activities.
A special thanks must go to Trish O Neill who is terrific at her job and a Godsend to us all.

I would like to thank parents who give of their time to hear reading, go on school tours and help with activities within the school. It is only with your help that we can accomplish so much.
I want to say a special thanks to the P.T.A. committee for their tremendous commitment to their work. They always met up in good humour and showed very willing with any task given. I think most of them found it rewarding as all events seem to go so well with extremely good feedback from the parents. A special thank you needs to go to the outgoing members of the PTA , Susan Stuart, Clare Perry, Robert Norwood and Robert Allison for such a job well done.