Our Board of Management
The Board of Management is committed to upholding the Educate Together ethos of the school and bases all decisions on the core principles of being child-centred, co-educational, equality-based and democratically run.
Board of Management Meeting
March 4th 2021
The Board of Management of Citywest ETNS met on March 4th 2021. Seven Board members attended.
The meeting began with a statement of ethos.
The Board met to review an enrollment application.
The meeting began with a statement of ethos.
The Board met to review an enrollment application.
Board of Management Meeting
February 26th 2021
The Board of Management of Citywest ETNS met again on February 26th 2021. Seven Board members attended.
The following is the agreed report (items that are neither private or confidential) of this meeting.
The meeting began with a statement of ethos.
The Board made the following decisions:
The Board met this morning to review the COVID-19 Reponse Plan for the reopening of Junior Classes from March 1st. The Board is happy to ratify this plan and looks forward to welcoming the children back to the building.
The Board acknowledged the following:
The Board welcomed Paul, our newest member, to the meeting. We are delighted to have Paul on board and look forward to working with him!
The following is the agreed report (items that are neither private or confidential) of this meeting.
The meeting began with a statement of ethos.
The Board made the following decisions:
The Board met this morning to review the COVID-19 Reponse Plan for the reopening of Junior Classes from March 1st. The Board is happy to ratify this plan and looks forward to welcoming the children back to the building.
The Board acknowledged the following:
The Board welcomed Paul, our newest member, to the meeting. We are delighted to have Paul on board and look forward to working with him!
Board of Management Meeting
February 24th 2021
The Board of Management of Citywest ETNS met again on February 24th 2021. Five Board members attended.
The following is the agreed report (items that are neither private or confidential) of this meeting.
The meeting began with a statement of ethos.
The Board made the following decisions:
The Board met to consider plans for reopening the school from March 1st. The Board agreed that reopening will go ahead and agreed on communications to be sent to parents.
The Board will meet again later in the week to ratify the Covid-19 Response Plan ahead of the reopening.
The Board acknowledged the following:
As the meeting took place online, the Board acknowledged that, in line with DES recommendations, there would be no Child Protection Oversight Report.
The following is the agreed report (items that are neither private or confidential) of this meeting.
The meeting began with a statement of ethos.
The Board made the following decisions:
The Board met to consider plans for reopening the school from March 1st. The Board agreed that reopening will go ahead and agreed on communications to be sent to parents.
The Board will meet again later in the week to ratify the Covid-19 Response Plan ahead of the reopening.
The Board acknowledged the following:
As the meeting took place online, the Board acknowledged that, in line with DES recommendations, there would be no Child Protection Oversight Report.
Board of Management Meeting
February 2021
The Board of Management of Citywest ETNS met in February 2021. Seven Board members attended.
The following is the agreed report (items that are neither private or confidential) of this meeting.
The meeting began with a statement of ethos.
Minutes of the previous meeting were ratified.
The Board acknowledged the following:
As the meeting took place online, the Board acknowledged that, in line with DES recommendations, there would be no Child Protection Oversight Report.
The Board accepted Paul’s resignation. The Board wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Paul for his commitment and dedication during his time on the Board. We wish Paul every success in his new venture!
The Board has begun the process of finding a new Board member.
The Board is happy for Stephen and Sarah to sign off on last year’s accounts. The Board has started to review the budget for the next school year. The Board wishes to acknowledge Sarah’s hard-work and dedication in preparing the relevant documents. Thank you, Sarah!
The Board approved the Response Plan for the partial reopening of the school on February 22nd 2021.
The Board reviewed an enrollment application, discussed the enrolment process and numbers for the forthcoming school year.
The Board discussed staff and parent sentiment.
The Substance Use Policy, Protected Disclosures Policy and Code of Behaviour were presented at this meeting. The Board hopes to ratify them at the next meeting.
The following is the agreed report (items that are neither private or confidential) of this meeting.
The meeting began with a statement of ethos.
Minutes of the previous meeting were ratified.
The Board acknowledged the following:
As the meeting took place online, the Board acknowledged that, in line with DES recommendations, there would be no Child Protection Oversight Report.
The Board accepted Paul’s resignation. The Board wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Paul for his commitment and dedication during his time on the Board. We wish Paul every success in his new venture!
The Board has begun the process of finding a new Board member.
The Board is happy for Stephen and Sarah to sign off on last year’s accounts. The Board has started to review the budget for the next school year. The Board wishes to acknowledge Sarah’s hard-work and dedication in preparing the relevant documents. Thank you, Sarah!
The Board approved the Response Plan for the partial reopening of the school on February 22nd 2021.
The Board reviewed an enrollment application, discussed the enrolment process and numbers for the forthcoming school year.
The Board discussed staff and parent sentiment.
The Substance Use Policy, Protected Disclosures Policy and Code of Behaviour were presented at this meeting. The Board hopes to ratify them at the next meeting.
Board of Management Meeting
December 2020
The Board of Management of Citywest ETNS met in December 2020. Seven out of eight Board members attended.
The following is the agreed report (items that are neither private or confidential) of this meeting.
The meeting began with a statement of ethos.
Minutes of the previous meeting were ratified.
The Board acknowledged the following:
Attendance in November last year was 94.3%. It has decreased this year to 88.4%.
Child Protection and Anti-Bullying reviews took place this month.
The Board discussed staff and parent sentiment.
The school's first ever Creative Fortnight will be launching on December 7th.
The Board completed Part 1 of Restorative Practice training for Boards of Management. The Board looks forward to working with the whole school community in creating a restorative school.
COVID-19 is presenting an ongoing challenge to the school. The Board sends their appreciation to the Senior School Management team for navigating this unprecedented situation so well. Thank you, all!
The following is the agreed report (items that are neither private or confidential) of this meeting.
The meeting began with a statement of ethos.
Minutes of the previous meeting were ratified.
The Board acknowledged the following:
Attendance in November last year was 94.3%. It has decreased this year to 88.4%.
Child Protection and Anti-Bullying reviews took place this month.
The Board discussed staff and parent sentiment.
The school's first ever Creative Fortnight will be launching on December 7th.
The Board completed Part 1 of Restorative Practice training for Boards of Management. The Board looks forward to working with the whole school community in creating a restorative school.
COVID-19 is presenting an ongoing challenge to the school. The Board sends their appreciation to the Senior School Management team for navigating this unprecedented situation so well. Thank you, all!
Board of Management Meeting
October 2020
The Board of Management of Citywest ETNS met in October 2020. Six out of eight Board members attended.
The following is the agreed report (items that are neither private or confidential) of this meeting.
The meeting began with a statement of ethos.
Minutes of the previous meeting were ratified.
The Board made the following decisions:
The Board ratified the revision of the Data Protection Policy and Privacy Statement. Revision of the more detailed and final section of the policy will take place over the coming month and will be ratified at the next meeting.
The Board acknowledged the following:
Enrolment is currently at 442 pupils.
Attendance in September was 90.3%- the lowest ever attendance for this month at our school.
Google Classroom will be introduced from 3rd-6th class.
Lexia reading programme will be introduced for 1st and 2nd class.
The accounts have been send to the Auditors. The Board wishes to express sincere gratitude to Sarah for preparing the relevant notes. Thank you, Sarah!
The Board discussed and acknowledged the school's expenditure for COVID-19.
The Board acknowledged the publication of the Department of Education's "Guidance on Remote Learning for Sept-Dec 2020" on October 8th 2020. The Board agrees that this publication outlines unreasonable changes to the terms and conditions for teachers. With that, the Board is concerned for the school leadership team at this time and recognises the outrageous and unreasonable demands that have been placed on them in recent weeks.
The Board discussed staff and parent sentiment.
The Board wishes to acknowledge and thank parents/guardians for their wonderful support during this unprecedented half term. Thank you for your efforts and your hard work in keeping our community safe.
The following is the agreed report (items that are neither private or confidential) of this meeting.
The meeting began with a statement of ethos.
Minutes of the previous meeting were ratified.
The Board made the following decisions:
The Board ratified the revision of the Data Protection Policy and Privacy Statement. Revision of the more detailed and final section of the policy will take place over the coming month and will be ratified at the next meeting.
The Board acknowledged the following:
Enrolment is currently at 442 pupils.
Attendance in September was 90.3%- the lowest ever attendance for this month at our school.
Google Classroom will be introduced from 3rd-6th class.
Lexia reading programme will be introduced for 1st and 2nd class.
The accounts have been send to the Auditors. The Board wishes to express sincere gratitude to Sarah for preparing the relevant notes. Thank you, Sarah!
The Board discussed and acknowledged the school's expenditure for COVID-19.
The Board acknowledged the publication of the Department of Education's "Guidance on Remote Learning for Sept-Dec 2020" on October 8th 2020. The Board agrees that this publication outlines unreasonable changes to the terms and conditions for teachers. With that, the Board is concerned for the school leadership team at this time and recognises the outrageous and unreasonable demands that have been placed on them in recent weeks.
The Board discussed staff and parent sentiment.
The Board wishes to acknowledge and thank parents/guardians for their wonderful support during this unprecedented half term. Thank you for your efforts and your hard work in keeping our community safe.
Board of Management Meeting
September 2020
The Board of Management of Citywest ETNS met in September 2020. All eight members of the Board attended.
The following is the agreed report (items that are neither private or confidential) of this meeting.
The meeting began with mindfulness practice and a statement of ethos.
Minutes of the previous meeting were ratified.
The Board made the following decisions:
As this was a virtual meeting, the Board did not discuss the Child Protection Oversight Report. The Board agrees to discuss this at future meetings.
The admissions notice will be published this week.
The Board will fund the cost of flu vaccines for all staff members.
The Board will now commence the annual review of the Child Protection and Anti-Bullying Policies.
The Board acknowledged the following:
The Board discussed staff and parent sentiment.
Enrolment is currently 439 pupils. It is projected that new pupils will join by the end of the month.
Attendance in August was 67.2%. Our community agreed to do a staggered start to the school year.
Sarah has begun to prepare the relevant notes for the auditors. The Board wishes to acknowledge Sarah’s hard-work and dedication to her role as Treasurer. Thank you, Sarah!
The Board wishes to acknowledge the commitment and hard work of the Covid Committee over recent weeks. Thank you!
The Board discussed the value and importance of an Anti-Racism Policy and hope to begin to develop this policy over the coming months.
The following is the agreed report (items that are neither private or confidential) of this meeting.
The meeting began with mindfulness practice and a statement of ethos.
Minutes of the previous meeting were ratified.
The Board made the following decisions:
As this was a virtual meeting, the Board did not discuss the Child Protection Oversight Report. The Board agrees to discuss this at future meetings.
The admissions notice will be published this week.
The Board will fund the cost of flu vaccines for all staff members.
The Board will now commence the annual review of the Child Protection and Anti-Bullying Policies.
The Board acknowledged the following:
The Board discussed staff and parent sentiment.
Enrolment is currently 439 pupils. It is projected that new pupils will join by the end of the month.
Attendance in August was 67.2%. Our community agreed to do a staggered start to the school year.
Sarah has begun to prepare the relevant notes for the auditors. The Board wishes to acknowledge Sarah’s hard-work and dedication to her role as Treasurer. Thank you, Sarah!
The Board wishes to acknowledge the commitment and hard work of the Covid Committee over recent weeks. Thank you!
The Board discussed the value and importance of an Anti-Racism Policy and hope to begin to develop this policy over the coming months.
Board of Management Meeting January 2019
The Board of Management of Citywest ETNS met in January 2019. Five of the six members of the Board attended. The following is the agreed report (items that are neither private nor confidential) of this meeting.
The meeting started with mindfulness practice and a statement of ethos. Minutes of the previous meeting were ratified.
At this Board of Management meeting, the Board made the following decisions:
A proposal from the Parent’s Association to hold a monthly coffee morning rather than a termly one, and to alter the day on which it happens so as to make it more accessible to as many members of the school community as possible, was upheld by the Board.
The Board acknowledged the following:
Current enrolment is 372.
Attendance for December was 91.4% (up from 89% last year) - the highest December attendance ever for our school
The Student Council will be organising a football blitz during yard breaks.
The Student Council will continue to lead skipping zone.
The Student Council are looking at organising a fundraiser.
Two teachers attended training with Badminton Ireland and a coach will come to our school to train those teachers further so that they can then train other teachers on staff.
A parental survey on the use of personal devices will be distributed shortly, with a view to affirming or reviewing our policy.
The results of the standardised test results from the standardising study have returned and we are now in the process of informing parents of their child(ren)’s results.
Various CPD taking place in the school was acknowledged and continues to be supported by the Board.
Staff intend to consult with parents of children in some senior classes shortly with a view to developing a procedure or policy around travelling to and attending sports matches the school team is involved in.
Parent-teacher meetings will take place on 12th and 13th February and the school will close 15 minutes early on both of those dates.
A current financial statement was presented and details will be made available on the website shortly. The report will be presented at the next Parent’s Association meeting.
A Child Protection Oversight Report was made
An Anti-bullying report was made
The annual Child Protection Policy review and Anti-bullying Policy review were conducted. Action plans have been developed in response to both reviews.
The school’s new buildings were discussed along with security arrangements for the new campus and shared campus.
The school looks forward to engaging with the Per Cent for Art Scheme in conjunction with our new school build, and looks forward to sharing more information as it becomes available.
The Educate Together GMM, at which the school will have representation, was discussed in relation to possible motions to be put forward.
The meeting started with mindfulness practice and a statement of ethos. Minutes of the previous meeting were ratified.
At this Board of Management meeting, the Board made the following decisions:
A proposal from the Parent’s Association to hold a monthly coffee morning rather than a termly one, and to alter the day on which it happens so as to make it more accessible to as many members of the school community as possible, was upheld by the Board.
The Board acknowledged the following:
Current enrolment is 372.
Attendance for December was 91.4% (up from 89% last year) - the highest December attendance ever for our school
The Student Council will be organising a football blitz during yard breaks.
The Student Council will continue to lead skipping zone.
The Student Council are looking at organising a fundraiser.
Two teachers attended training with Badminton Ireland and a coach will come to our school to train those teachers further so that they can then train other teachers on staff.
A parental survey on the use of personal devices will be distributed shortly, with a view to affirming or reviewing our policy.
The results of the standardised test results from the standardising study have returned and we are now in the process of informing parents of their child(ren)’s results.
Various CPD taking place in the school was acknowledged and continues to be supported by the Board.
Staff intend to consult with parents of children in some senior classes shortly with a view to developing a procedure or policy around travelling to and attending sports matches the school team is involved in.
Parent-teacher meetings will take place on 12th and 13th February and the school will close 15 minutes early on both of those dates.
A current financial statement was presented and details will be made available on the website shortly. The report will be presented at the next Parent’s Association meeting.
A Child Protection Oversight Report was made
An Anti-bullying report was made
The annual Child Protection Policy review and Anti-bullying Policy review were conducted. Action plans have been developed in response to both reviews.
The school’s new buildings were discussed along with security arrangements for the new campus and shared campus.
The school looks forward to engaging with the Per Cent for Art Scheme in conjunction with our new school build, and looks forward to sharing more information as it becomes available.
The Educate Together GMM, at which the school will have representation, was discussed in relation to possible motions to be put forward.
Board of Management Meeting December 2018
The Board of Management of Citywest ETNS met in December 2018. Five of the six members of the Board attended. The following is the agreed report (items that are neither private nor confidential) of this meeting.
The meeting started with mindfulness practice and a statement of ethos. Minutes of the previous meeting were ratified.
At this Board of Management meeting, the Board made the following decisions:
Our very first 6th Class will go on a residential school tour to Carlingford Adventure Centre later in the year. The school will pay the cost of the deposit for the tour.
Enrolment for places in Junior Infants starting September 2019 is to proceed with places offered from 1st February. As per the enrolment policy transition plan, 50% of places are to be offered via the old policy (first-come-first-served) and 50% of places are to be offered via the new policy (prioritising siblings and older children).
Citywest ETNS enrolment policy is amended, as per instruction from Educate Together, to include the following: "Due to the planned commencement of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act, 2018, Citywest Educate Together National School will not accept pre-enrolment application forms for September 2024. A new Admission Policy will be approved with an annual admissions process for this intake group"
The Board acknowledged the following:
Current enrolment is 375.
The financial reports for the previous school year (2017/18) have been completed by the auditors. The PA will be provided with a copy. The reports will be made available for viewing at the school office. It may not be removed, copied or photographed.
Anti-bullying was discussed.
A child protection oversight report was made.
New school jerseys have arrived emblazoned with our new school crest.
New car park permits are in the process of being issued.
Attendance statistics for Term 1 so far:
SAP Ireland have just this week informed us of our success with a grant application. The grant is for the purchase of laptops in order to increase the number of laptops per class.
An information evening for prospective parents will take place on Thursday 24th January.
As for the last two years, three Spanish student teachers currently studying in ITT will join our school for the second school term.
Teachers have reviewed the Weaving Wellbeing programme and will use it again in future years.
Olwen Carey visited the school with the Brendan Martin cup, which the Dublin ladies team won as All-Ireland GAA Champions.
Teachers will focus on the area of work presentation, including handwriting, for School Self-Evaluation this year. The evaluation will lead to a 3-year School Improvement Plan, to be implemented September 2019 to June 2022.
Transition from Microsoft to G-Suite took place, as part of a sponsorship programme we are involved in with Google, which paid most of the cost of the chromebooks. The remainder of the cost of the chromebooks came from the digital cluster funding.
Staff members continue to engage with various CPD opportunities - listed here
Three winter concerts are to take place on Friday 21st December. Each show will include some Irish Sign Language. Teachers continue to provide GAA training for children in middle classes during lunch breaks.
Parents held an afternoon arts and crafts workshop for families in the school.
Our school featured in the School Around the Corner feature in The Echo in late October.
The leave of absence policy was amended.
The Board wish to thank all staff for their work this year and wish them the best for the festive season.
The meeting started with mindfulness practice and a statement of ethos. Minutes of the previous meeting were ratified.
At this Board of Management meeting, the Board made the following decisions:
Our very first 6th Class will go on a residential school tour to Carlingford Adventure Centre later in the year. The school will pay the cost of the deposit for the tour.
Enrolment for places in Junior Infants starting September 2019 is to proceed with places offered from 1st February. As per the enrolment policy transition plan, 50% of places are to be offered via the old policy (first-come-first-served) and 50% of places are to be offered via the new policy (prioritising siblings and older children).
Citywest ETNS enrolment policy is amended, as per instruction from Educate Together, to include the following: "Due to the planned commencement of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act, 2018, Citywest Educate Together National School will not accept pre-enrolment application forms for September 2024. A new Admission Policy will be approved with an annual admissions process for this intake group"
The Board acknowledged the following:
Current enrolment is 375.
The financial reports for the previous school year (2017/18) have been completed by the auditors. The PA will be provided with a copy. The reports will be made available for viewing at the school office. It may not be removed, copied or photographed.
Anti-bullying was discussed.
A child protection oversight report was made.
New school jerseys have arrived emblazoned with our new school crest.
New car park permits are in the process of being issued.
Attendance statistics for Term 1 so far:
- September 94.2% (up from 94.1% last year)
- October 94.9% (up from 93.8% last year) - highest attendance month ever for our school
- November 91.8 (down from 93.2% last year)
SAP Ireland have just this week informed us of our success with a grant application. The grant is for the purchase of laptops in order to increase the number of laptops per class.
An information evening for prospective parents will take place on Thursday 24th January.
As for the last two years, three Spanish student teachers currently studying in ITT will join our school for the second school term.
Teachers have reviewed the Weaving Wellbeing programme and will use it again in future years.
Olwen Carey visited the school with the Brendan Martin cup, which the Dublin ladies team won as All-Ireland GAA Champions.
Teachers will focus on the area of work presentation, including handwriting, for School Self-Evaluation this year. The evaluation will lead to a 3-year School Improvement Plan, to be implemented September 2019 to June 2022.
Transition from Microsoft to G-Suite took place, as part of a sponsorship programme we are involved in with Google, which paid most of the cost of the chromebooks. The remainder of the cost of the chromebooks came from the digital cluster funding.
Staff members continue to engage with various CPD opportunities - listed here
Three winter concerts are to take place on Friday 21st December. Each show will include some Irish Sign Language. Teachers continue to provide GAA training for children in middle classes during lunch breaks.
Parents held an afternoon arts and crafts workshop for families in the school.
Our school featured in the School Around the Corner feature in The Echo in late October.
The leave of absence policy was amended.
The Board wish to thank all staff for their work this year and wish them the best for the festive season.
Board of Management Meeting September 2018
The Board of Management of Citywest ETNS met in September 2018. Five of the six members of the Board attended. The following is the agreed report (items that are neither private nor confidential) of this meeting.
At this Board of Management meeting, the Board made the following decisions:
The Board acknowledged the following:
At this Board of Management meeting, the Board made the following decisions:
- Stephen Young is confirmed as moving from the Community Nominee role to the Patron Nominee role
- Two vacant Community Nominee posts on the Board to be advertised to parents via website and newsletter, via local newsletters and via an online forum.
- Volunteer parents to be sought to join the Strategy Planning group and meetings to proceed once they have been secured.
The Board acknowledged the following:
- Enrolment is currently 382 pupils.
- Teachers on staff have decided to engage with Droichead for inducting new teachers.
- Teachers on staff are working with a digital cluster of Educate Together schools to create a comprehensive online resource of Learn Together ethical education lesson plans. As part of this programme, the Department of Education provided an ICT grant to the school, which was used to purchase a class set of Chromebooks and set up our first ever Computer Room.
- Teachers will teach lessons in relation to online safety in all classes in January.
- Attendance in August was 89.6%.
- Whole-school assemblies are taking place weekly and include Golden book nominations in relation to school values, Cleanest Class certificates, learning Irish Sign Language, celebrating the learning of poems and songs in Gaeilge, learning fundamental movement skills and singing the school song which this year is Reach for the Stars.
- Children in 1st, 2nd and 3rd classes visit the mobile library on a monthly basis. Children in other classes receive boxes of books from the library.
- GAA teams are playing in the league for the first time.
- Cricket coaching is taking place on a weekly basis.
- Bridges of Understanding reading programme has been purchased and is being implemented throughout the school.
- Weaving Well-being mental health programme has been purchased and is being implemented in classes 2nd to 6th.
- An Occupational Therapy room is in the process of being installed in the school.
- Teachers will attend Maths and Science training alongside teachers of St. Finian's NS in Newcastle.
- School Self-Evaluation will begin again this year, following the lifting of the union's stance against it.
- This year's event calendar will include:
- One Day Together food fair in October
- Scholastic Book Fair in November
- Winter concert in December
- STEM Week in January
- Seachtain na Gaeilge in March
- Autism Awareness Week in April
- Active Schools Week, Sports Day and 6th Class Graduation in June
- Classroom visits for parents took place in early September.
- Parent Information Evening to take place this week.
- Parents Association Coffee Morning to take place this week.
- Our Junior Infants featured in The Echo.