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Holy Family National School
Newsletter May 2010 |
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In this newsletter I wish to bring
parents up to speed on the development of our school at this time so that you
will be aware of progress made and challenges that face us in the immediate and
long term future. I'm sure many of you are not aware of work that is on-going;
because of necessity it has to be carried out during school holidays or at
weekends. The main school building is thirty six (36) years built so a lot of
work needs to be done to bring it up to an acceptable standard. In this
newsletter you will read about a number of applications that have been
submitted to the Department in the last year, some of which have been
successful and others where decisions are awaited. Applications are very
time-consuming and sometimes very frustrating but if you don't ask you don't
get! |
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Pupils |
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Next September there will be
approximately 460 pupils enrolled in 16 mainstream classes. There is one sixth
class leaving and three Junior Infant classes coming in. To cater for the extra
classes we have received funding from the Department to build two extra prefabs
which will be located on top of the existing prefabs with an entrance through
the main school building.
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Teaching Staff |
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An extra three teachers have been
sanctioned to cater for increased enrolments - two mainstream class teachers
and one Resource Teacher. The total compliment of teachers will be: Principal;
16 mainstream class teachers; 4 Learning Support/Resource teachers; 2 Language
Support teachers.
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Special Needs Assistants (SNA) |
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Following a review by the Department
of our allocation of SNA's a few months ago all of our SNA's (7) have been
retained for the next school year, which is good news.
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Permanent Extension |
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We have an application with the
Department for the last few years for a permanent extension of 8 mainstream
classrooms and 4 resource rooms to be built where the present derelict grey
brick building is located. This would be demolished to make way for a 2 storey
building thus making the present prefabs redundant. The application has
progressed this year to Planning and Design Stage. We had hoped that this would
be in place for September 2011 but we know from experience that the Department
moves at a snail's pace.
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Window Replacement |
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Under Summer Works Scheme 2010 we
applied to the Department to have the external windows and doors replaced with
new frames and double glazing. The Department has turned down our application
which we subsequently appealed. We await a decision on our appeal.
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Water Conservation |
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We also applied to the Department for
funding to put measures in place to reduce the amount of water we use. This is
very important as our water usage is now being metered and the Board of
Management faces large water bills later this year. No decision has been made
by the Department to date. |
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Wall Insulation |
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We applied for and received funding
for the exterior walls to be insulated under the Energy Efficiency Scheme.
This, along with repairs to brick work in a few classrooms, was carried out
during the mid-term break in February and already we are feeling the
benefits. |
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School Hall |
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Our sincere thanks to West Abbey
Residents Limited for a donation of €11,000.00 to replace the carpet in
the school hall with hard wearing and long lasting marmoleum. This funding was
very welcome as the carpet had passed its sell-by date years ago but very hard
to get government funding to replace it. West Abbey Residents Limited is the
company that provided us with funding a few years ago to install Interactive
Whiteboards which at the time was a major boost not just to our school but to
other schools in the area. For those who were involved in making this happen -
our sincere thanks. |
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Floor Tiles |
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Some of the floor tiles on the ground
floor and stairs which has most traffic have begun to lift and despite the best
efforts of the caretaker we are fighting a losing battle. We applied to the
Department for funding to replace this area with marmoleum and thankfully they
have responded with a small grant. This work will be done during the summer
holidays. In time similar work will need to be done in each of the classrooms
in the 3 storey block. |
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Heating System |
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We have just submitted an application
to the Department to replace the present boilers and oil fired heating system
with new boilers and natural gas. We may not be successful in this application
this year but the whole heating system will need to be upgraded in the next few
years to cater for a school extension. |
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CCTV |
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My sincere thanks to John Berry, a
parent in our school, who made good on a promise before Christmas, to install
CCTV at all entrances to the school free of charge. Thank you John - it is
invaluable. |
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Future Development |
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The Department needs to step up to
the mark to put the permanent extension in place as soon as possible. We will
have an increase in enrolments for the next five years at least which will put
a considerable strain on yard space if the present prefabs are not removed. The
present building will continue to need refurbishment. A new roof is a priority
for Summer Works Scheme 2011. Each new classroom that will be put in place will
need new furniture, new educational materials and new Interactive Whiteboards.
Total grants for new classrooms are now a mere €2,500.00 which is totally
inadequate. Our aim still is for all fund-raising that is done by the Parents
Association will be used for the benefit of the children and will not be used
for the day-to-day running of the school or for refurbishment of the present
building. We will continue to put pressure on the Department by applying for
every possible funding. |
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M.Hoban (Principal) |
