Week 27

Friday 31st March 2023

Hello Everyone

Another week gone bye and another month – scary, isn’t it?

With the end of the financial year, managing a school without sufficient Government funding is practically impossible. There simply aren’t enough funds in the pot to do what is necessary for our young people and staff. Today saw the end of more funding cuts with the end of the ‘Engage’ programme (intensive pupil support for English, Maths, Science and Newcomer pupils) whilst the removal of the School Holiday Food Grant has family implications in time of need. Similarly, there are many Primary school programmes also cut at the last minute.

Schools are supposed to plan in advance for financial management in 2023 – 2024. A challenging task with rising costs re electric, oil, cleaning, resources in addition to staff costs etc. Our children and staff deserve so much better. Sustainable and sufficient funding is required for the wellbeing of our young people and their academic outcomes. A functioning executive is required and fast!

The Careers Department have many online opportunities now for Year 12 and Post 16 Students. It was great to see so many students log on re future pathways.

Art students were engaged in their GCSE Practical Exam this week and preparations are underway for the completion of subject coursework, controlled assessments etc.

Year 8 enjoyed an interactive Tackling Anxieties Workshop – plenty of tips to manage what life throws at you. Year 13 Pope John Paul II Students were busy baking and organised a coffee morning to raise funds for St Vincent De Paul – well done to everyone involved.

Every year, we welcome a number of student teachers to the College to put into practice their skills and knowledge, and gain valuable, first-hand experience in the classroom in their chosen subject mediums. The students completed their 10-week placement today and in speaking with them, they enjoyed their experience in the College, deliberating on the support given to them by staff and how brilliant our pupils were – a real delight to teach. This is so lovely to hear. We wish all the student teachers the best of luck in the final months of their degree.

They’ve gone and done it! Year 8 / 9 Boys were crowned U13.5 Danske Bank Ennis Cup Champions in Garvaghy today against a strong St Columba’s, Stranorlar with a scoreline of 3-8 v 3-4. Such an exciting and pulsating match. Well done to the Team and also your coaches, Mr P O’ Neill and Mr R Mc Geary.

KS3 pupils reached the end of Term 2 today and in the course of the week, they received a wrath of awards for full attendance, meeting personal targets, positive achievements, Form pupil of the month and so on. A great list of rewards for our young pupils. Well done everyone!

Have a great Weekend

Isabel Russell