Dear Parent(s),
I would like to welcome all our students back to the College for the January/February term. This is a short, but important term, especially for the 6th and 3rd year students. The Mock Exams begin on 18th 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.
The issue of cyber bullying is very topical at present. Please alert your son to the dangers involved and take care that he is not the perpetrator or the victim of this form of abuse, which we have seen can have disastrous consequences. A useful website for consultation is the Parents Section on www.webwise.ie. The related issue of interactive gaming has also caused some problems in school, where students who have played against each other have allowed the consequences of their games to result in conflict in school.
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 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.
The De La Salle College Leinster Schools Cup winning team of 1983 have been invited to the College on Thursday 10th January. This is the day of the Senior Cup match against High School in Terenure College at 2pm. We are delighted that so many of them have agreed to visit us and to attend the game. It is a very appropriate way to mark the 30thanniversary of their great win and our 60th Anniversary here in the College.
Parent Teacher Meeting for 5th Year students is on Thursday 24th January and for 2ndYear students on Tuesday 5th February.
Finally the College will close for the Mid-term Break at 3.30 on Friday 8th February and re-open on Monday 18th February.
Lorcan Balfe,
Principal.