Home School Community Liaison Report 2018
The reason for writing this report is twofold. The first reason is to keep you up to date with some of the activities arranged for parents under the HSCL scheme.
The second reason is to relay to you that this will be my last report as I am retiring from The Donahies at the end of this school year. It has been an absolute pleasure working with you and your families over the past five years. Thank you for welcoming me into your homes, for the endless cups of tea and for allowing me to support you and your children during their time here in The Donahies. I am very grateful to the school for giving me the opportunity to work as your HSCL. However all things come to an end and you will be working with a new HSCL teacher in September.
Parents participated is so many ways during the year e.g. the Musical, Scifest, and, of course, our 40th anniversary celebrations. A big thank you must go to the P.T.A. who give of their free time and work very hard on behalf of the parents. Please give them your full support.
During the year I have taken several photographs of the various Home School activities which included:
Harry’s Art Class: Always a favourite with parents Harry’s Art Class continued for the full year. The Art Class held their annual Art trip in December. This year we visited The Hugh Lane Gallery in Parnell Square where we had a guided tour of the Gallery’s highlights. We finished the trip with lunch in the Gallery followed by seasonal mince pies.
Con’s Gym Class Parents: This old reliable runs for the full year and is free to parents/guardians.
Wellbeing for Parents: During our Wellbeing week parents were invited into our beautiful oratory for private reflection and to participate in Ciara Dullaghan’s Yoga class.
Cooking with Annie: Annie Fuller was the tutor for our Healthy Cookery class this year. Annie was from Tobago and gave an exciting Caribbean twist to the dishes.
First Year Parents evening: This is one of the most important meetings as it is an informal way for Parents, who are new to the school, to get to know each other. Here they can meet many of the key personal who will be working with their children while they are in The Donahies.
Helen’s Christmas Flower arranging class: What can I say about the talented Helen Caffery’s classes only to advise you to book in early next Christmas! Not to be missed.
St Patrick’s Themed Lunch: The first year JCSP class prepared, for their parents, that most traditional and delicious Irish dinner of bacon, cabbage, spuds and white sauce. We had a wonderful turnout this year. Last year’s JCSP class (we couldn’t keep them away) helped with the presentation and flower arranging. I had wonderful support from Lynda Burgess who, with Kemi McMahon, braced the elements and gathered so many daffodils for the arrangements. However, the real accolades must go to super chefs Ken and Louise Dixon. This annual lunch is a huge event and a lot of work goes into it. Without the talent, support and cooking skills of Ken and Louise we couldn’t have pulled it off.
I wish you and your families’ health and happiness over the coming years.
Good luck to the exam students of 2018.
Pam Kilbride
School attendance information for families experiencing homelessness