The 3rd years who had clarity earlier than the 6th years, knew that they would not sit an exam in June. To give them credit the majority of them continued to engage with remote learning throughout the final term. They attended live online classes, completed assignments and did end of term tests. They will receive their Certificate of Completion and their Meánscoil na mBráithre J.C. Certificate in September. They have returned their textbooks and are looking forward to Transition Year.
The TY teachers led by Ms Campbell are already planning a year that will be enjoyable and will enable growth and maturity even if restrictions continue. As always we are grateful to the community who have provided work experience for our students on Thursdays each week. We hope that businesses will survive the long weeks of closure and that they can return to work soon and be in a position to accept our students again in the future. We all have a duty to support local now more than ever.
The 6th years finally got the news in early May that the L.C. was postponed and that they would be offered the option of receiving Calculated Grades or sitting the 2020 L.C. at a date in the future. This news was greeted by many with great joy, others weren’t sure whether to be happy or sad. But they are nothing if not resilient and so they have all registered on the Student Portal and they can expect results sometime around the Feast of the Assumption, August 15th.
Feeling that they were missing out on many of the end of year rituals the staff organised an online Awards Day and Graduation and wished the boys all the best for the summer and success in the future. They have been a wonderful group of students and we will always recall them with fond memories in the years to come.
“Although no one can go back and make a new start, anyone can start from now and make a new ending “ Mary Robinson
All other students have had assessments and their results will be available on VSware early in June. They too have had varying experiences with remote learning in their final term. Some boys enjoyed working from home, they had good Wifi and access to devices and the ability to focus and direct their own learning. Most reported that they much preferred the classroom and missed the interaction with their classmates. Many students missed the support they get in school and while SNA’s, teachers and counsellors were in regular contact with them, they still struggled with distance learning.
The conditions under which we return to school are still uncertain but I can assure you we are already working to prepare the school for our students in September. Stephen our invaluable caretaker has been busy painting and the corridors and general spaces have been given a fresh new look. The outdoor classroom is now complete and should be very useful as a well ventilated safe space for students. The driveway is getting a new layer of tarmacadam and the old Primary school yard is now an all-weather playing area with basketball rings and soccer goals. The local community group: Ennistymon District Sport and Amenity Partnership, EDSAP, have worked tirelessly over the past two years to complete the project which will be invaluable to the students of the CBS and the local community.
The Covid 19 Safe Return to Work Protocol has been adopted and all guidelines on re-opening of schools will be taken into account to ensure the safety of staff and students when we do return in the new school year.
Details on re-opening will be published on the website as soon as they are available.
I wish all our staff, students, parents and guardians a safe and if possible enjoyable summer and I would like to acknowledge the support I have received from you all over the past months in times for which no handbook or in-service has prepared us.
Ní neart go cur le chéile
Míle buíochas
Mary Lyons
Principal