Dear Parents and Guardians,
I trust this communication finds you in good health and high spirits as we approach the end of another successful academic year at Franciscan College Gormanston. As we bid farewell to this school year, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on our collective achievements and express my gratitude to all the parents and guardians who have supported us throughout. It is an honour and a privilege to have the opportunity of nurturing young minds and shaping the future generation every single day.
We have had a very successful school year and I want to take this opportunity to reflect on these achievements. As a smaller school we definitely punch above our weight!
- Congratulations to our U 19 Soccer Team who are the Northeast Senior League Winners and Leinster Senior Shield Winners. Two major trophies.
- Credit also to one of our 5th year students, Danny Mc Grath who competed for Ireland in the recent U17 Euro Championship. He is the Vice captain of the Irish Team and was an integral member of the school squad. A brilliant achievement for one of our own to represent our country at international level.
- We took to the field in Junior Boys GAA, Girls GAA, and rugby.
- 2nd Green Flag achieved! – known as the Water Flag. 1st Green Flag was for litter and waste achieved in 2021 – now our Water Flag is on increased awareness on sustainable water consumption. Our Green schools committee are now planning a third flag – the energy flag!
- We participated in a recent “Spongy Schools” project, a Globe Ireland initiative where schools come up with innovative approaches to tackling climate change in their local school and in doing so, contribute positively to their local community. We reached the final and won!!
- Our One Good School Approach (part of the wider Jigsaw programme) – learning about mental health, how to look after it, support and promote it has resulted in a GOLD award achievement for our school’s efforts over the last two years.
- Gormanston Chess Team were narrowly beaten in a recent Leinster final. Fantastic that chess is growing in such popularity in Gormanston.
- We have a thriving Green schools Committee, strong student voice and a prefect structure evolving and growing in confidence.
- Our students entered the BT Young Scientist Competition.
- We have a Book club, walking club, debating club and many other lunchtime activities.
- We successfully participated several times this school year in promoting literacy and reading with our DEAR programme (Drop Everything and Read). Next school year we aim to introduce an Accelerated Reading programme.
- We held a Maths Week, a Science Week, a Geography week, and Seactha na Gaeilge, cementing our culture and language. We also held with the support of many students a very successful multi-cultural day.
- Sports day was a hugely popular and enjoyable day for the whole school community.
- School trips were organised for all year groups. TY students had a great international trip to Germany.
- 6th year charity committee chose The Peter Mc Verry Trust as their charity of choice. The Peter Mc Verry Trust does such fantastic work; it is fitting and proper our school community have been able to contribute. So important to give hope to people at such difficult times. We set ourselves a target of €5K. And we achieved a grand total of €5,568!! Car washing, fun run, easter raffle, 6th year sleep out (In November 2022!), Christmas jumper days and many additional, individualised donations. Well done to all involved, a super, collaborative effort.
As we look forward to the well-deserved summer break, I encourage all our students to take time for rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. The summer break provides an opportunity for them to explore new interests, spend time with family and friends, and recharge their batteries for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
We must look forward optimistically to a new academic year from the end of August 2023.
As I write, our departing 6th year students and our 3rd students have been busy with Leaving Certificate and Junior Certificate examinations 2023. We wish them all every success!
I am delighted to welcome our new 1st year students who begin their post primary school career with us in September 2023. Along with new students in other year groups I look forward to working with all of you collaboratively. I am confident that the holistic educational experience you have chosen for your child here in Gormanston will be a valuable and fulfilling one.
We are invested in you as we are in all our students.
We must now plan for a new school year. School Reports following the Summer Examination schedule are now available via V S Ware for all years apart from departing TY and examination students.
For now, I am attaching with this letter:
- School Registration Document. Reminder – all payments through the online “Easy Payments System.
- Book List for relevant year group. You only purchase books for the subjects you are studying.
- Draft calendar 2023 / 2024. This may be subject to change.
- Uniform List-McFadden’s, Balbriggan are the uniform supplier for parents who wish to purchase the traditional school uniform.
- The PE uniform is available through the “Stitch it Brand it” website www.stitchitbrandit.com where you will be able to purchase these items. The supplier will visit the school on Friday 18th August 2023, (from 11am -4pm) and you will have an opportunity of ordering same if you haven’t already done so.
Please note – The traditional school uniform is acceptable to wear with correct black shoes / trainers. Students wearing the PE uniform must also wear the correct, bespoke bottoms (tracksuit or leggings). This is a change from previous years.
- Evening Study Information and Application form 2023 / 2024 – Exam years and senior cycle students will be given priority. Provision of evening study will be dependent on suitable demand.
I look forward to meeting with you and your children at the end of August 2023. The calendar you received with this letter indicates the day of induction for your child and the first full day of school.
Any queries or issues you are unsure of, please contact the school directly. The school office will close from 28th June 2023 and will re – open from 14th August 2023.
With every best wish,
Dermot Lavin
Principal
Franciscan College Gormanston