Board of Management Reports
Report 19th May 2025
This term our fourth class pupil Ben Mahon died. This was a very sad occasion for Ben’s class, his teacher and the whole school. It was a tragedy for his family to whom we send our sympathy. Ben will be missed for ever by his class mates. I propose that we plant a cherry tree in November 2025 with Ben’s family in front of the school to celebrate Ben’s time in St. Rynagh’s N.S.
The Safe Routes to School plan has been highlighted by the principal with the elected and the unelected representatives of Offaly County Council. Our new area engineer is Brian Keenaghan who met the principal on Monday 12th May to clarify the revised plan.
The principal also made repeated representations to OCC about the broken traffic lights. OCC had sent the job out to tender, which was causing a lengthy delay. They committed to undertaking the job themselves.
We have been granted hot school lunches. The School Procurement Unit has withdrawn the tendering process for attentions, so we cannot seek tenders yet.
The NCSE have formally sanctioned our ASD Class. We have been oversubscribed for the class. Our enrolment Policy had been used to grant the 6 places. Letters were sent out to parents today. We will need to make alterations to our classrooms. The architect Peter Lyons has visited the school. We have explained our plans to him and he will draw up a plan.
We reviewed our emergency works application with our engineer from Galileo Energy when it was refused. We have negotiated a plan that is acceptable to the Department and Galileo Energy and have accepted the lowest tender which is John Colgan. John Colgan has visited the school and plans to start on July 1st. This should allow us allow to complete the heating in time to commence the ASD classroom alterations also when the school is closed.
The enrolment for the class closed on Friday 16th. Letters went out to parents of all applicants today.
Peter Lyons of Kenny Lyons Architects has visited the school. I have discussed the alterations and will make contact with him again this week to ascertain if he has drawings ready.
Tours and Sports days have been organised and will happen between now and the end of June.
The staff will finalise our Bí Cineálta Policy as a half day closure on the 16th June.
Teachers have been allocated to classes.
Standardised testing is ongoing. Books to be ordered now.
First Holy Communion was celebrated.
The Girls are in the Camogie Final. The boys contested the mini sevens final.
We ran the Damian Martin League with GPO Mairéad Daly to increase participation in sport. This was very successful with great enthusiasm shown by 5th and 6th classes.
Report 4th Oct. 2024
The checklist for review of The Child Safeguarding Statement was presented and checked.
Fergal McMahon was ratified as Designated Liaison Person. Catherine Doyle Flynn was ratified as Deputy Designated Liaison Person.
A Child Protections Oversight Report was presented.
The School Self-Evaluation process will be used to implement the Bí Cineálta procedures.
We have 255 pupils enrolled.
Implementation the New Primary Maths Curriculum will continue.
The has applied to be part of the Hot Meals Scheme.
The parents were made aware of the Save Routes to School Plan.
Music Generation will work with 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th classes.
Cycle Right has been completed by 5th class pupils.
Our sixth class will visit Kilmaiham Gaol.
Library visits will continue by the school.
Flu vaccinations will be given out in school.
Senior Infants attended a Food Workshop in the Library.
The keeping Childhood Smartphone Free initiative was launched.
Report 27th June 2024
Child Protection Oversight report was presented.
Our Solar panels have been installed.
Our S.S.E. focus on wellbeing continues.
Our Games Promotion Officer is working with all classes.
Music Generation Ireland have teaching ukulele in 3rd and 5th classes.
The school attended Africa Day Athletics in Tullamore.
Our Parents Association sent out a survey on keeping childhood smartphone free. 79% of those who replied wish to be part of a community where parents agree that children will not own a smartphone until they finish primary school.
The classes for next year are Junior Infants, Senior Infants, 1st , 1st and 2nd , 2nd, 3rd , 3rd and 4th, 4th , 5th, 6th .
The school calendar was presented for 2025 – 2025 and ratified.
The Diocesan Advisors have visited the school.
Reports have been distributed.
School tours were embarked on.
The school took part in Offaly Cumann na mBunscol Competitions. The girls retained their Division A Camogie title and also won the mini-sevens
Parents voted overwhelmingly to be part of the hot meals scheme.
We celebrated the Sacraments. Fr. Pat Kiernan will lead a blessing and Graduation Ceremony for our 6th Class pupils.
Meeting 4th March 2024
A Child Protection Oversight Report was presented.
Solar Panels application has been submitted.
The revised parental complaints procedure was ratified to be placed on the website.
Wellbeing policy was presented that was devised through the school self-evaluation process.
Our fundraising Bazaar was held. 6th class hosted a talk by Sr. Annette Farrell of the L.S.U. order who is working in Tanzania. We presented her with €1,000. to help fund educational projects.
We have begun Athletics Training in 3rd to 6th classes.
Our teachers attended Maths In-service training.
Our school attended the Diversity Games in Athlone.
Our Games Promotion Officer from the G.A.A. is working with all classes except 3rd and 5th as they are swimming this term.
We are waiting on the Convent next door to be filled. The Principal has been in contact with the owner and all the relevant state services to request that families be housed.
We will hold a meeting of our Parents Association to discuss the keeping childhood smartphone free initiative.
Meeting 11th Dec. 2023
Report
This was the first meeting of the new Board of Management. The members of the Board are: -
Chairperson: Cora Stronge Smith
Patrons Nominee: Fr. Pat Kiernan
Mothers’ Representative: Lisa Gardiner
Fathers’ Representative: John Teehan
Members of the Wider Community: Colum McNamara and Paul Kelly
Teachers' Representative: Lorraine Higgins
Principal: Fergal McMahon
The chair led the BOM in an opening prayer.
Child Protection: An oversight report was presented and discussed.
School Self Evaluation: The focus of the SSE is wellbeing. Pupils, parents and staff views are being sought.
Staffing: The imminent maternity leave staffing was discussed.
Pupil Absences were discussed.
Concerts in December were discussed.
Parental Feedback from surveys was used to review our Healthy Eating Policy and our Timetable.
Parent – Teacher meetings were held.
Safe Routes to School: OCC under the guidance of Rory Moore of Active Travel and John Mitchell are due to put the plan of Richard Silke into action.
Convent Accomodation: The school has a plan to deal with a likely increase of enrolment in January 2024.
Solar Grant: The school is registered and will gather estimates from contractors.
Roof: Repair work was undertaken to the roof.
Inservice: Several staff members attended inservice on Maths, Wellbeing, English as an additional language and OLCS.
Christmas Gear for Christmas Cheer will raise money for Crumlin Children’s Hospital.
We will gather toiletries for the Little bag of Kindness project led by Corrinne Claffey.
The Principal of BCCNS visited sixth class prior to their opening night.
Music Generation and CYPSC Children and Young Peoples Services Committees have come together to support Ukulele lessons in St. Rynagh’s N.S.
Swimming Lessons will start in January for 3rd & 5th Classes.
6th Class went on a school trip to Dublin as a reward for good attendance and to raise their awareness of the city.
Our girls won the Division A Cumann na mBunscol Football and will be presented with medals.
Our Critical Incident Team is being reviewed to include new members of the BOM and the Parents Association.
BCCNS Panto: Classes from Senior Infants to 6th Will visit BCCNS for their panto.
Mass was held in the Church on the 8th Dec. for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. The school attended and the choir sang.