Principal’s Letter
Summer Message
As we face into the State Examination for Senior and Junior cycle students we trust that the summer holidays will see our building plan finally become a reality. Considerable progress has been made in recent months with steady work being undertaken. This should see the contractor on site over the summer.
We trust that the work will have begun when pupils return after the summer holidays and that a key move will see pupils now in classes in the Andrews Building occupy the temporary accommodation on the school pitch for the course of the building project. The extensive refurbishment of the Griffin Building is set to take place in summer 2011.
At their Graduation Mass on Friday, May 28 th the school bade farewell to the Leaving Cert class of 2010. The group had brought great joy to us all in the school and tá súil againn go rachaidh na scrúdaithe go hiontach maith dóibh. Chomh maith le scrúdaithe guíonn muid gach rath ar an rang amach anseo agus iad ag treabhadh leo sa saol mór. On Thursday May 27 th the third years celebrated a wonderful Liturgy in the Church which highlighted the great talent in the year.
As Principal I am greatly indebted to all the partners who are continuing in a myriad of ways to support the life of Coláiste Iognáid. The professionalism of the teaching staff is deeply appreciated. So many of the staff seek to support the pupils in the widest range of co-curricular activity. Parents involved in the Ignatian Identity Group, the Parents Council, the parents involved in the Rowing Club, those parents who so enthusiastically supported the staging of the National Hockey Finals are also to be complemented. The reputation the school enjoys is so much enhanced by the unselfish service of adults who are energised by the Ignatian spirit of excellence, sharing one’s gifts and a sense of service. Is mór linn sa scoil an cúnamh fiail agus an tacáiocht gnaíúil.
Reflecting back on the year we had wonderful success winning the Senior Hockey Connacht Cup and becoming National finalists, our senior Rugby Connacht Cup runners up, the great achievement of other teams in those codes, our national swimming success, the huge achievement of our debaters, the girls football team, the Mayoral Award for our Foundation Nepal Transition Year Social Outreach group, the wonderful work by students in their fasts, cake sales, football tournaments for different charities and development groups. These complimented the inventive work of the Ignatian Identity Group which continues to bless us in many imaginative and reflective exercises.
The school has engaged itself profitably in recent months in drawing up a Strategic Plan. The school stakeholders have drawn up a plan of real substance which will serve to direct us through the challenges ahead. The unselfish labours of so many people directed by Dr. Mary Fleming of the N.U.I.G. Education Dept and school Board of Management members should ensure that the Jes continues to respond to the real challenges that face us.
The Jesuit Presence in the school continues to be central to our development. I wish to thank Fr. Cathal Doherty S.J. for his year with us in the Jes. Cathal now continues his studies in America agus guíonn muid gach rath air. We will be delighted to welcome scholastic Shane Daly to the Jes next year. As well as having a brief with first years next year Shane, a former teacher will be involved in the R.E., Geography and History departments. The support of B.O.M. Chair Fr. John Humphries has been critical to many aspects of school life not least in the building and financial areas. This year the school appointed Ms. Margaret Parkinson as school bursar. Margaret took over from that other great servant of the school Peter Molloy and has settled in splendidly in her new role.
The Finance Group are set to become key figures in the school’s story in coming days with the building commencing. The critical task of ensuring the school’s contribution to the build and the discharge of professional fees is a major undertaking for us. The Covenant Scheme which has been the bedrock of our finances will have to be reviewed and it is now incumbent on us to run a series of major fundraisers to ensure that we match our commitments. Notwithstanding, the financial difficulties all of us in society are experiencing I have every confidence that all the Jes stakeholders and the surrounding community will support us in this task. We will not be found wanting.
The year past was a difficult time for schools. Financial constraints, cutbacks and the cuts in salaries provided a difficult backdrop for all public servants. I wish to pay tribute to the Jes teachers for their unstinting support for the school and its pupils. It is difficult to look too far into the future but the acceptance or not of the Croke Park agreement and the attendant review of arrangements between the D.E.S. and the teacher unions will serve to shape next year’s educational backdrop.
Is mór le pobal na scoile an obair go léir a chuir múinteoirí, tuismitheoirí agus iar-daltaí isteach ar shon an Jes. Tá spiorad iontach le sonrú sa scoil i gconaí. Is cinnte go n-aithníonn an fhoireann scoile go bhfuil dúshláin éagsúla os ár gcomhair i gcónaí agus gur gá tabháirt fúthu. Ag an am céanna agus gan a bheith ag déanamh gaisce creideann muid go bhfuil obair luachmhar, spioradálta ar siúl i gColáiste Iognáid. Lé Cúnamh Dé éireoidh linn anois dul ar aghaidh leis an togra tógála agus tabharfaidh muid faoin obair againn le tuilleadh muinín agus díocas. Ní beag san !
Mar fhocal scoir, ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil le mo chomhleacaí Catherine Hickey. Her unstinting service to the school not alone brought international I.T. acclaim this year but on so many different levels her insight, commitment and professionalism have served to underpin all educative processes in the Jes. I wish to thank her for that outstanding service.