Parents Association

Introduction

The Parents Association was originally formed upon the school’s foundation in 1985 and was known as Cairde na Scoile (Friends of the School). The initial committee ordered and supplied school uniforms through the school and set up the book rental scheme in 1994. The association has been in its present form since 1997 and is also now known as Coiste na dTuistí (Parents Committee). It is affiliated to the National Parents Council.

The association holds an open meeting in the school at 7.30pm on the first Wednesday of each month. This meeting is open to any parent who wishes to attend and meetings are conducted in English.

The parents association can be contacted by email at parentsassociation [at] pilibbarun.com.

Objectives

The Parents Association has three primary functions:

  1. To liaise with the school board of management on behalf of the parents of the pupils.
  2. To organise a series of fund raising events to supplement certain aspects of the school.
  3. To act as a centralised group to lobby public representatives and other parties on issues such as road safety and the campaign for a permanent school building.

In the past number of years, fund raising events including bag-packing in SuperValu, Tramore, Table Quiz during Seachtain na Gaeilge and the annual Christmas concert, have helped to pay for a new stage for the pupils, subsidise the annual post-Communion reception at the school and fund the production of school calendars.

Achievements

The association was also involved in the successful securing of funding for (and eventual construction of) a pedestrian crossing on the Old Waterford Road. The crossing was opened in 2011. The association also co-ordinate the creation of a number sub-committees in relation to the campaign for a permanent school building.

Committee

The committee of the Parents Association is elected at an AGM at the beginning of each school year. The committee members for the 2016-2017 school year are:

  • Yvonne Smyth (Chairperson), Laura McGibney (Secretary), Sarah McDonald (Treasurer)

Committee members from previous years include:

  • 2015-2016
    • Claire Ogilvie (Chairperson), Helen Kavanagh (Treasurer), Yvonne Smyth (Secretary)
  • 2014-2015
    • Claire Ogilvie (Chairperson), Helen Kavanagh (Treasurer), Mary Maguire (Secretary)
  • 2013-2014
    • Marc Blackett (Chairperson), Jim Heylin (Treasurer), Mary Maguire (Secretary)
  • 2012-2013
    • Marc Blackett and Pippa Jones (Chairpersons), Jim Heylin (Treasurer), James Mernin (Secretary)
  • 2011-2012
    • John Breen (Chairperson), Jim Heylin (Treasurer), James Mernin (Secretary)
  • 2010-2011
    • John Breen (Chairperson), Pippa Jones (Treasurer), Beth O’Leary (Secretary)
  • 2009-2010
    • Aoife Denton (Chairperson), Pippa Jones (Treasurer), Beth O’Leary (Secretary)
  • 2008-2009
    • Donagh Ward (Chairperson), Hanorah O’Leary (Treasurer), Beth O’Leary (Secretary)
  • 2007-2008
    • Donagh Ward (Chairperson), Hanorah O’Leary (Treasurer), Beth O’Leary (Secretary)

Parents Association Liaison – PAL

The Parents Association is an integral part of the school community and their loyal support throughout each school year is very much appreciated. In an effort to facilitate more effective communication between parents and the Parents Association, a new scheme known as PAL was introduced in October 2010. This is where each class nominates two parents to act as a Parents Association Liaison (PAL) for their child’s class. If you have any questions or issues you would like to raise you can now do so through any one of these PALs. Detailed of current PALs are available from the school office.