ST ANNES PARENTS ASSOCIATION

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

VENUE:                                St Anne’s Community College, Killaloe

DATE AND TIME:              Tuesday October 16^th 2018 commencing at 7.00pm

AGENDA:

• To agree minutes of last meeting
• To appoint a Committee to serve for 2018-2019
• To elect Executive Officers for 2018-2019
  • Chairperson
  • Vice Chairperson
  • Secretary
  • Treasurer

For any people interested in any of the Executive Officer roles, please send an email to Sean Dunne (sean@actl.ie) with contact details and the specific role in which you are interested  in advance of the meeting.

ABOUT THE PARENTS ASSOCIATION

The Parents Association is open to all parents who have children attending St Anne’s Community College.

Our goals are to represent the views of the parents to the Board of Management and senior staff of St Anne’s. In addition, we seek to assist the college in a number of ways including facility works, academic and non-academic activities and helpful suggestions to enhance the daily operations of the college.

 Please come along to the meeting. There is no obligation to join the Committee; however it is in the best interest of our children that there is a strong Committee with a wide range of talents available to assist the college. 

ST ANNES PARENTS ASSOCIATION AGM

On Wednesday September 12^th last in the Kings’ Inns in Dublin two students and two teachers from St. Anne’s Community College Killaloe accepted the Cycle Against Suicide Ambassador Schools Award from Minister Helen Mc Entee T.D. European Affairs Minister and former Junior at the Dept. of Health with responsibility for Mental Health.

In the 2017-18 academic year the Transition Year students undertook to fulfil a number of actions or criteria to achieve this award. Through their Young Social Innovators module in TY the students along with their teacher Ms. Ann Lane O’ Connell engaged with the school and local community on the topic of mental health. One particular initiative that struck a chord was the ‘Go Orange Day’ at school when, for example, one particular action whereby positive messages on orange stickie notes and a sweet were left on the desks of the Junior and Leaving Cert students prior to the commencement of the Mock Exams.

Fundraising and an information leaflet for the local community were the other initiatives undertaken by the students. The genesis of the project came from parent Graham Tuohy of Killaloe, himself a past student of St. Anne’s Community College and a marshal for the Cycle Against Suicide. Graham’s daughter Kayla and her classmates in Transition Year enthusiastically set about raising the profile of Cycle Against Suicide and the importance of mental well-being for the whole community. This is not the first time the students in the college have engaged with the issue of mental health having previously co-operated with the Samaritans, Pieta House, Aware, Clare Sports Partnership, the Soar Foundation and the Family Resource Centre to actively promote positive mental and physical health in the school and community. The students also participate annually in the Darkness Into Light Walk in Killaloe-Ballina.

Cycle Against Suicide is a national awareness charity that strives to break down the barriers around mental health illness and works to increase awareness of the supports and treatments that are available to empower those affected. Since 2013 Cycle Against Suicide, along with over 15,000 cyclists have helped to spread the message that “It’s OK not to feel OK; and it’s absolutely OK to ask for help”.  As an Ambassador School, St. Anne’s Community College Killaloe looks forward to welcoming the cyclists to Killaloe in April 2019 and to providing a warm welcome and hospitality to those involved.

Inspired by the work and vision of Sr.Ethel Normoyle who has spent the past 30 years in the Township of Missionvale in Port Elizabeth South Africa, four students from St. Anne’s Community College Killaloe will spend ten days there working and getting to know the people in February 2019 next.
Since 2013, students from the Killaloe academy have been travelling to South Africa on a biannual basis to immerse themselves in the missionary work of Sr. Ethel. To date 10 students have visited the township and on this occasion the four students who are from the Pre-Leaving Cert Year will travel. They have been preparing since their Transition Year to undertake the trip.
In order to get there, the students, their teachers, schoolmates and families will embark on a major fundraising drive. On previous occasions a significant aspect of the fundraising was the manner in which the local communities from which the students come dug deep to support them and the work of Sr.Ethel. From North Tipperary to East Clare and further afield local parishes, businesses and community groups were instrumental in enabling the students to raise the funds to travel and also to support the people of the township and their needs. There is now a familiarity and solidarity with the work of Sr.Ethel and Missionvale Ireland in the region and this is evident not only in the financial donations the students who travelled previously received but also in the many donations of supplies like clothing, stationery and other items that were brought to Missionvale to support the people there.
The students travelling on this occasion are Alison McGee (Ogonnelloe), James Power (Ballina), Devlin Staunton (Ballina), and Dylan McMahon (Clonlara). Thankful for the opportunity to travel the students are very much aware of the support given to the school in the past and while cognisant of the daily demands on peoples’ finances they are hopeful of the continued support of the community.
From 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day from February 15th to February 26th inclusive the students and their teachers will assist with mini-construction, horticultural, education, feeding, medical and community visitation projects. In 2017 the students who travelled on that occasion assisted with the erection of a perimeter fence, the planting of 7,500 beetroot plants, and the erection of water conservation tanks, food distribution and community visitations amongst other activities. It was a humbling experience to witness up to 1,000 people a day queueing for food and to witness the impact of HIV/AIDS, TB, High Blood Pressure, Malnutrition, Diabetes and extreme poverty on the daily lives of the people living in the Township. Indeed, the absence of basic facilities in their small homes such as running water and flushing toilets with intermittent electricity supplies and poor sanitary conditions brought home to the students the resilience of the people and the commitment of Sr. Ethel and her co-workers in keeping people alive in Missionvale.
Of course, the lasting effect of the relationship between Missionvale and Killaloe is the way in which both communities are brought closer together by the involvement of teachers and students from St. Anne’s Community College. The generosity of the people in East Clare and North Tipperary and the solidarity demonstrated towards the people of Missionvale is an invaluable life lesson for all concerned and something to be extremely proud of.
The students travelling on this occasion hope to continue building on the success of these achievements and look forward to encountering people in the community as they undertake their fundraising campaign.

L TO R. Alison McGee, Devlin Staunton, Dylan McMahon, James Power.

L TO R. Alison McGee, Devlin Staunton, Brendan O’ Brien (Teacher)
Dylan McMahon, James Power.

We were delighted to welcome all the new 1st year students to the school today for their orientation day. Ms. Walsh welcomed the students this morning and introduced them to some members of staff before they were divided into their base classes where they met their class mates, received their journals and timetables and most importantly met their mentor for the year. The mentor programme is a very important part of our school. A mentor is a 4th year student who is paired with three 1st year students to help and guide them during the year. 

The students toured the school, got lockers and school jackets before leaving at lunch time. Photographs below are of each class group as well as the year group picture. 

INSTRUMENTAL TUITION COMING TO ST. ANNE’S IN SEPTEMBER 2018!

In September 2018, Music Generation Clare will be establishing an after school Instrumental Hub in St Anne’s Community College, Killaloe

• Classes will take place every Wednesday after school, between 4pm and 6pm.

The following instrumental tuition will be offered.

• Concertina, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Violin, Banjo, Bodhran, Ukulele, Accordion, Percussion.

All levels are catered for: beginner, intermediate, advanced

• Cost: €90 per 15 week term

Most instruments are available to rent at the cost of €50 for the year (with option to pay this is two instalments of €25)

*Please note, instrumental tuition offered is subject to demand and tutor availability and may change.

If you are interested in taking part, please complete the Expression of Interest form and return it to your school Principal.

MUSIC GENERATION CLARE: WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO

Music Generation Clare is part of Ireland’s National Music Education Programme that transforms the lives of children and young people through access to high quality performance music education in their locality. Through partnership, we create rich and diverse ways for participants to engage in instrumental tuition delivered by skilled professional musicians, across all musical genres and styles

Music Generation believes in every child and young person’s musical potential and their innate artistry; that it is every child and young person’s right to have the choice of access and the chance to participate as a musical citizen and that music doesn’t just change lives, it transforms lives.

For more information and application form click on the links below. 

Killaloe Music Generation Form

Info sheet Killaloe

Our annual Awards Ceremony took place on Thursday 17th May 2017 where over 120 students received an award/certificate in recognition of their successes and achievements across a wide range of activities.

At the end of each year, St. Anne’s Community College hosts an end of year Awards Ceremony to acknowledge and reward the achievements of individual students and teams of the college over the year.

This is a very special event in our school calendar and we are delighted to showcase and celebrate the successes of all our students.

We recognise academic achievements as well as personal successes, positive contribution to school life and extra-curricular activities.

School Principal, Aideen Walsh opened the proceedings and paid tribute to the students, their parents and their teachers for their work, commitment and support throughout the year.

Students received awards for: Art, Debating, Enterprise, Film, Maths, School Mentors, Music, Musical Performance, Science, Speech and Drama, Student Council and School spirit and contribution to positive school life. Students involved in the Gaisce programme will receive their medals at their graduation night next week.

In St. Anne’s we are lucky to have so many determined, driven and motivated young people who are achieving great things in different fields. We acknowledged these students this year including: Siofra Thornton All Ireland winning Harpist. Maeve Óg O Leary and Roisin Houlihan U18 Munster Rugby Team, Finn McGeever Irish Swimming Team, Joseph McEvoy Irish Athletics, Jude McInerney Irish Climbing team, Callum Monaghan Irish World Dance Championships, Ellen Lane, Maeve Óg O Leary, Bríd McMahon and Eithne Walsh Irish U19 Fastpitch Softball Team and Daniel O Meara Irish Badminton Team. We are so proud of them all and their determination to keep striving to reach their goals and dreams.

SPORTS AWARDS

Sport is very significant in the life of the school and there is a strong tradition of success. This year we had great success in a number of different sports including: Athletics, Badminton, Camogie, Gaelic Football, Hurling, Rugby, Rowing and Soccer are amongst the sports provided. There was a huge amount of success in rugby this year with the Boys U19 team winning the O Brien Cup for the first time and the U18 boys team following their success to win the Bowen Shield B. We also had great success in badminton this year bringing home two golds and a silver medal from the All Ireland. The U19A team came 2^nd in a very competitive top division final, with the U19B and the U16 teams winning gold medals. There was also success for the girl’s rugby teams who reached the Munster finals in both the 7’s competition and the 11 a side tournament. The Senior Camogie team also had success this year reaching the final of the Munster school’s competition only to be beaten in the final by a single point. It is our hope, from all the sports department in the school, that the students leaving us in Leaving Cert will continue their sports both socially and competitively in the future and no doubt they will do us proud representing their county, Provence and Country in years to come.

SPORT STAR OF THE YEAR:

There were 6 nominations for the Sports Star of the Year this year including: Lynda Daly, Susan Daly, Rachael Daly, Dylan McMahon, Maeve Óg O Leary and Sam Loughran representing a number of different sports and achievements. This year’s Sport Star is Dylan McMahon who received the Sarah Devane Perpetual Trophy.

Dylan is a gifted sportsman who plays hurling, football and rugby for his school. He also plays hurling with his club and is presently a member of Clare County Minor team. Although not playing football or rugby with clubs, Dylan has shown his talent by being an integral part of both these teams.

TEAM OF THE YEAR:

The Under 19B Badminton Team were the undoubted winners of Team of the Year. They have played together since 1^st Year and although all in Leaving Cert have attended training during the week and at weekends. This year they won the U19B All Ireland finals in Gormanstown. The team include: Aoife Power, Rosaleen Ryan, Anna Ryan, Moya Marsh McMahon and Katie Moloney.

STUDENT OF THE YEAR:

Each year an outgoing Leaving Certificate student is acknowledged for the positive impact they make on life at St. Anne’s. Ms. Walsh announced the nominees who were Eithne Walsh, Bríd McMahon, Maeve Óg O Leary, Harry Byrne, Ben Fitzgerald Kiely, Evan Rowlands, Hugh Denning and Ashling Conlan. This winner is Maeve Óg O Leary.

To qualify for this honour, she showed herself to have qualities which are considered important to life in St. Anne’s; exemplary behaviour, diligent worker, good rapport with staff and peers, active member of school life, proud ambassador of school, pleasant and co-operative. Up against tight competition from the 7 other nominations who were all selected by staff, Maeve Óg was the worthy winner for being a great role model for her fellow students always representing herself, her school and her family with pride.

Ms. Walsh concluded the ceremony by congratulating all the award recipients for their individual achievements and thanked the teachers involved in organising the smooth running of the event.

For more pictures of the ceremony, see the Gallery above or click here.

As you are all aware Callum Monaghan (TY) is a championship Irish Dancer and excels in his dancing. Callum is so dedicated to this he trains 4 nights a week after school and at weekends he attends Feiseanna around Ireland.

Callum has attended the Riverdance Summer School and the Carlingford Irish Dance Festival for 1 week.

Callum’s achievements to date:

• Munster championships  November 2017 Killarney

2nd place in Munster boys 16 to 17 years

Qualifying for a place in the world’s championships

• Irish Nationals October 2017 Belfast

3rd place boys 16 to 17 year qualifying for world championships

• World Championships  April 2018 Glasgow

Callum danced and finally after 5 years of attending and competing in the world’s his dream was to get a recall.

Callum achieved this dream and came 21st in the boys in the world’s coming home to Ireland with his first world medal.

This is not a hobby but a lovely of Irish dancing, he has to skip every morning exercise run and dance his feet off to get to this level of dancing. This has been hard for Callum because through the years he has had to put up with all kinds of bullying name calling and isolation of a kind. Callum just keeps dancing because it his dream and passion and his life.

Callum has performed here in school on many occasions with Caitlin Hough with whom he has performed the opening number from Riverdance. We hope to see Callum continue to follow his passion for Irish Dancing and achieve more of his dreams.

St. Anne’s Community College Quiz April 20th 2018

The Parents Association are holding their annual Table Quiz on April 20th in O Donovan’s bar – Boru on the Hill at 8pm. Tables of 4 are €10 per head with fantastic prizes on the night. Raffle prizes on the night include dinner for 2 at Wood & Bell as well as other great prizes. It promises to be a fun night and all money raised will go to projects in the school.

Tickets are flying out the door for the eagerly awaited production of “We Will Rock You” taking place in St. Anne’s Community College from Wednesday 14th March to Saturday 17th March inclusive. The performance on Friday night has now been fully sold out but there are still tickets available at the school office for the performances on the other nights but book soon to avoid disappointed.

Over 80 students from St. Anne’s attended the Limerick Schools Indoor Rowing competition in the University of Limerick on Wednesday 7th March. The competition is team only with teams of five rowing 2 km on ergometers in 200 meter intervals, each person going twice. The fastest time wins.

This competition is on the back of “Rowing Ireland” founding a rowing coach, Ger Hayes, for St. Anne’s for over 3 months to work with PE classes for all year groups.

The school was very successful with 5 teams getting medals and St. Anne’s winning the best overall school award.

Congratulations to all the rowers who attended the Limerick Blitz. #getgoinggetrowing.

Results 

1st Year Boys – 3rd Place

• Max Ryan
• Aaron Leonard
• Turlough McLoughlin
• Freddie Costello
• Brian McGrath

2nd Year Boys – 1st 

• Kian Donnelly
• Shane Kelly
• Jason Gleeson
• Stephen Geraghty
• Daniel Tighe

2nd Year Boys – 3rd

• Eoin Gilmartin
• Patrick Ryan
• Joseph McGrath
• Omar Erdam
• Conor Moloney

2nd Year Girls – 2nd 

• Naoise Houlihan
• Rachel Lowth
• Sarah McWey
• Grainne Mahony
• Eibhlis Coleman

TY Boys – 1st 

• Charlie Byrnes
• Sean Hale
• Ross Cantillon
• Jordan Cleary