Dear Parents, Guardians,
As the long days of summer approach, so too does the end of the school year. It’s hard to believe that
planning for 3rd year has already commenced and it is this which has prompted me to look back on
what has been a very successful year for our second years.
Lots of activities take place as always in Coláiste Bríde but this year in particular was especially busy.
The highlight for the second years was the Second Year Talent show in November. Every single student
in second year either sang or danced in front of a large school audience. The girls were coached and
encouraged by our 5th year music mentors. The second years certainly provided wonderful
entertainment during the dark days of November and it was lovely to see the great bonding that took
place amongst the girls.
Throughout the year, the second years attended several anti-bullying talks and two workshops of
particular interest were the ISPCC workshop on the effects of bullying in schools run by Monica Rowe,
School Liaison Officer with the ISPCA and the Sticks and Stones Anti-bullying workshop held during
Wellbeing week. The facilitators of the workshops were very positive in their comments towards the
second years stating that they found our students very respectful and engaged with them and their
message.
This was followed by our second year Afternoon Tea for Success where academic improvement and
achievement during Second year was praised. Parents and their daughters were invited to an
afternoon tea in Coláiste Bride hosted by myself and Ms. Kelly (Academic Monitor). Both Ms.
Kilmartin (Principal) and Mr. Fitzgerald CFES (College for Every Student) spoke about the importance
of stretching oneself in pursuit of academic excellence and the importance of striving to get into
college. It was a lovely afternoon where parents got to meet school staff and mingle with the parents
of their daughters’ friends.
As usual there are some house-keeping issues that need to be addressed. In general our Second year
students cooperate well with the school staff and follow the school rules. Ms. Broderick has asked me
to remind parents of the importance of signing notes for your daughter if she is absent from school.
If your daughter has reached 20 days of unexplained absence from school, the school has a legal
obligation to inform the Educational Welfare Officer. If you have any queries in relation to this issue
please contact Ms. Broderick the attendance Officer here in the school.
The front office/reception area is the administrative heartbeat of the school and as such it is a very
busy area as office staff deal with the demands of students, teachers, deliveries, admin etc. If you
need to contact a teacher in the school, it important to ring in advance and make an appointment to
see that staff member. Teachers have busy timetables and short notice requests for meetings cause
problems when the said teacher is either teaching or at meetings and unavailable to see parents. By
ringing ahead and making the appointment in advance, potential disappointment is avoided. The
same applies when parents arrive into the school looking to withdraw their child for an appointment
without prior notification. Office staff have to go and leave the office to search for the student and
this is not always possible resulting in unnecessary delay and frustration for all concerned. Please
always write a note in your daughter’s journal and then ring in to confirm with office staff the morning
of the appointment. Your daughter is then free to arrive to the office to meet you at the appointed
time. By following to these simple procedures office staff are not put under unnecessary pressure.
The school rules are clearly outlined in the student handbook if you need clarification on any rule.
As I stated above, the end of the year is nigh and with it comes the pressure of the exams. It is
important to remind students of preparing well for these exams. It is their last summer exam before
they sit the Junior Certificate!! Following a study plan and sticking to it, eating and sleeping well and
getting some fresh air and exercise will help in making this end of year time less stressful. Often
students say they are very stressed yet, often that is a result of not having worked as well as they
should have throughout the year. However, even at this late stage good, focused study can help to
bring up grades. It is always a difficult time for parents trying to walk that fine line between
encouraging students to study well and keeping a calm environment at home. If you have any
concerns regarding any of the above issues please feel free to give me or the school counsellor a call.
Also a reminder to parents, that when school exams start the usual timetable does not apply. Students
must present 10 minutes before all exams but are free to leave the school during the school day if
they are not scheduled for an exam at a particular time. A reminder to all students that they must
wear full school uniform during the exam period and if outside the school premises, they are still
representing Coláiste Bride and as such are subject to school sanctions if they misbehave. I am sure
all our second year students will behave wonderfully.
On that positive note I will finish by wishing all our girls the very best for their exams and to enjoy a
wonderful holiday and come back refreshed in August for what will be an exciting time as they prepare
for their first state exams!
With kind Regards,
Ms. Earley
Second Year Head