Ogonnelloe National School Co Clare

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The Parents' Association was formed at a meeting on the 24th of November 1992 and has been actively involved in many aspects of the school since then. There were twenty seven people present at this meeting and the following committee was elected for one year :

          Chairperson :         Margaret Bane
          Secretary     :         Breda McNamara
          Treasurer     :         Jim Varley

Committee members  : Geraldine Heaney, Donal Molloy, Lillian Nihill, Fergal O’Brien, Michael Ryan, Pat Williams. Seamus Bane and Margaret Lynch were automatically on the committee because they were elected Board of Management members. Damian Heaney, as principal, was to be invited to sit on the committee. Gerard O’Brien was elected to act as delegate to the County Branch of Parents’ Associations.

It was agreed that the constitution of the parents’ association would follow the guidelines of the National Parents Council.  Over the years committees have contributed to the policies in the school, fundraised for many school projects, held sociable get-togethers and raised money for other worthwhile campaigns.

Our Aims

The parents association in a school works with the principal, staff and board of management to build effective co-operation and partnership between home and school.  It is the structure through which parents/guardians in a school can work together for the best possible education for their children.

The Education Act also sets out two broad tasks for a parents association which are:

• To advise the Principal or the Board on matters relating to the school
• To adopt a programme of activities which will promote the involvement of parents in the operation of the school, in consultation with the principal.

With this in mind we aim to :

• To promote active involvement of parents within the Association.
• To represent the interests of parents of children in the school
• To foster good communication and relationships between parents, teachers and the Board of Management.

In the broader context, as affiliated members with the National Parents’ Council, we can contribute to proposals which may effect government educational policies

Some of the activities in which we are involved in are:

• Providing support/organisational input to major school events, e.g. communions, confirmations etc
• Channelling parents views on school policy issues to the Principal/Board
• Publishing Parents’ Association newsletter

• Helping to suggest and/or organise extra curricular activities
• Supporting and organising fund raising events for the school and provide opportunities for social interaction between parents.
• Organising the annual sports day.
• Contributing to the maintenance of the school garden.

The association makes representations to the school on issues of policy but does not represent individual parents in their dealings with the school.   Individual complaints or problems should be dealt with through the normal channels by contacting the teacher of the pupil or, if necessary, the Principal.