7 January 2014
A Happy New Year to all our students, parents and staff members. I hope that 2014 will be a very successful year for all.
This is a short, but important, term, especially for the 6th and 3rd year students. The Mock Exams begin on 24th February, directly after the mid-term break. This means that these students have 6 weeks to prepare for these important exams. They should use the time wisely. After-school study takes place every day in the College - students should sign up for this with Mr. Masterson.
Reports from the Christmas Examinations will issue shortly. I ask that you, the parents, discuss the report with your son. Please pay particular attention to the teachers' comments and the overall comments from his Form Teacher / Co-ordinator / Year Head / Tutor. Areas of weakness or under-performance should be addressed by your son over the coming weeks.
Many thanks to all pupils, parents and staff who contributed to our annual St. Vincent de Paul Christmas Collection. €500 was given to the local conference who are most appreciative of our collection.
I was delighted to receive news from the Department of Education and Skills that the Summer Works Scheme to improve school facilities will recommence this year. The College has made application to the scheme for repairs to the roof to alleviate the leaks to the building. This has been a major problem for the College in recent years and I hope that our application will be successful.
The publication of "League Tables" by the national newspapers for University and College entry from the 2013 Leaving Certificate showed that 92% of our students progressed to 3rd Level this year and that we placed very highly in the Top Feeder Schools for South Dublin. While these are very crude measures and don't take into account much of what happens in the College, I am delighted with these results and that so many of our students are getting the opportunity to study at 3rd level in their chosen career areas.
I would like to remind parents that pupils should not remain in school after hours unless they are involved in extra-curricular activities or after school study. When these activities finish, they should vacate the premises promptly and not misbehave in the school or environs. Pupils should not remain in school unless they are supervised.
Important dates this term:
Parent Teacher Meeting for
5th Year Students is on Thursday 23rd January 2014.
1st Year Students is on Tuesday 4th February 2014.
Long Weekend - there will be no classes on Monday 27th January 2014.
The College will close for the mid-term break at 3.30 on Friday 14th February and re-open on Monday 24th February.
Lorcan Balfe,
Principal.