Meath VEC newsletter may 2013 by Meath VEC

News May 2013 Issue 13. Vol. 5.

In this edition Schools

Pg 4-15

Building Report

Pg 16-17

Meath VEC Timeline Pg 18-19 Head Office

Pg 20-21

Services

Pg 22-35

County Meath VEC 1930 - 2013

Slán le Meath VEC

Retirements Announced Two of County Meath VEC’s longstanding principals have announced their retirements. Mr John Condon of Beaufort College and Mr Eamon Gaffney of St Peters College, Dunboyne will retire this summer.

MR. JOHN CONDON

The Senior Management Team at County Meath VEC Head Office. Christy Duffy AEO, Bernadette Walsh, Corporate Services, Peter Kierans CEO, Nuala O’Neill, HR, and Frank Smith, Finance.

Long live Co. Meath VEC. 1930 – 2013.

The long heralded end of a historic era has come to pass with the soon to commence start-up of LMETB. The president has signed the ETB legislation and the ETB Act has passed. Shortly the administrative functions of Louth and Meath VECs will merge. A budget of 100 million euro approximately and a staff roll of almost 2,000 will form the new Education and Training Board. It remains for me to remember and thank those many thousands of exceptional and dedicated people who worked for the good of our young people and adults in schools and centres. I am proud to have been part of that adventure with you. You have served our nation well over 83 years and I salute you. Many thanks to all the staff of County Meath VEC as you join with County Louth. I know that together we will form a very vibrant and progressive new entity and become a beacon and leader for educational excellence, just as we have been up to this point.

Peter Kierans, CEO

First and Last Chair

Councillor Jenny McHugh was recently elected as Chairperson of County Meath VEC. Jenny is principal of St Stephens National School, Navan and a member of Meath County Council. Jenny has become the first female chairperson of the VEC, a singular place in the history of the VEC. Her honour will be short lived as she will also soon be the last ever Chairperson of The VEC. Two milestones. See pg 2

Mr John Condon retires this summer rounding off 24 years as a Principal with Co. Meath VEC. John was Principal in Athboy Vocational School from 1989 and became Principal of Beaufort College in 1994. For 19 years John has led this school and led the setting up of many initiatives such as School Completion, Breakfast Club and Behaviour Support. He upgraded the school in every way. He leaves Beaufort at a high point in its history when a major extension has been approved and is being designed. Under John’s leadership Beaufort College has achieved national prominence for its expertise in integrating students of all abilities, backgrounds and ethnicity. John has had an immense impact for good on the lives of thousands of students, working tirelessly for excellence in teaching and in student care. Teachers, parents and students are sorry to see him go and wish John, Angela and family well.

MR. EAMON GAFFNEY

Mr. Eamon Gaffney has announced his retirement after 19 years as Principal of St. Peter’s College Dunboyne. Eamon was the founding Principal and built the school up from a 1994 enrolment of 75 students to its current place as one of the top 5 biggest schools in Ireland with 1460 on roll including Dunboyne College of Further Education. The school is planning its seventh extension. But it is for his exceptional personal and pastoral skills that Eamon is renowned. St. Peter’s has become a leading school in its care systems for students and for the commitment of its staff, both in the classroom and in every kind of sporting and cultural pursuit. Eamon has been a pillar of support for his staff and of tremendous assistance to leadership colleagues. His influence for good will extend through generations. Best wishes to Eamon, Tess and family.

County Meath Vocational Education Committee Ms. Jenny McHugh Ms. Jenny McHugh has become the first female chairperson of County Meath VEC. Cllr McHugh was selected as chairperson by the board members at their monthly meeting in March. As she received the chair of office from outgoing chair John Fanning, Cllr McHugh praised him for his professionalism and fairness in chairing the meetings. She also thanked the board for entrusting the role to her, saying she accepted it with honour, and would carry out all duties with commitment, enthusiasm and a determination to ensure that the children and young adults who attend the VEC schools would be educated to the highest standard. “My passion is education, so this chair of office means a lot to me personally and professionally” she said. “I will wear it with respect for what it stands for, with enthusiasm for the role I have to fill and with a vision for the future of education in this county”. Cllr McHugh is a Labour councillor in the Navan Electoral Area. She is also the principal of St. Stephen’s NS. Johnstown.

Back row: L-R Kevin Reilly, Wayne Harding, John Fanning, Ellen Cogavin, Brian Curran, Anton McCabe, Jenny McHugh, Chairperson, Trevor Golden, Bryan Reilly, Ray Butler replaced by Mr. Joe Fox, Tracey McElhinney, Francis Deane, Christy Reilly, James O’Shea. Front row: L-R Seamus Grimes, Maria Murphy, Catherine Yore, Peter Kierans CEO, Tommy Grimes, Eugene Cassidy, Maeve Gallagher, Deirdre Maye, Joe Reilly . Absent: Jenny D’Arcy, Joe Fox

Mr. Eugene Cassidy Mr. Eugene Cassidy is from Nobber and a full time farmer. He was elected to County Meath VEC in 2009 by Meath County Council. He is very active in the community and interested in rural areas.

Ms. Maeve Gallagher

Ms. Maeve Gallagher is a Community Representative on County Meath VEC since 2004. Nominated by Meath County Council, Maeve lives in Ratoath, and is a retired teacher/educationalist.

Ms. Ellen Cogavin

Ms. Ellen Cogavin was first nominated as a parents’ representative to the VEC in 2004. Ellen is a nurse by profession and a native of Dunboyne. Ellen’s children attended St. Peter’s College, Dunboyne. 2

Staff News May 2013 | County Meath VEC 1930 - 2013

Ms. Deirdre Maye

Ms. Deirdre Maye was nominated on to the VEC as a staff representative. Deirdre is an employee of County Meath VEC, and teaches in St. Peter’s College, Dunboyne.

Ms. Jenny D’Arcy Ms. Jenny D’Arcy was first nominated as a Community Representative to County Meath VEC in 2004. Jenny works in the School Completion Unit in Beaufort College Navan.

Mr. Anton McCabe

Mr. Anton McCabe was nominated to Meath VEC by Navan Town Council in 2009. Anton is a Labour Party Member and was the first Labour Party member at national and local level to hold the office of Mayor of Navan.

Mr. Christy Reilly

Mr. Brian Curran

Mr. Christy Reilly was nominated to County Meath VEC as a Community Representative in 2004. Christy a native of Navan is an employee of County Meath VEC and a previous Mayor of Navan.

Mr. Brian Curran a native of Kells was nominated to County Meath VEC by Kells Town Council. Brian is a business man in Kells and is hugely committed to the Youthreach programmes of the VEC.

Mr. Bryan Reilly

Mr. Kevin Reilly

Mr. Bryan Reilly was first nominated to County Meath VEC by Meath County Council. Bryan is a native of Kells and has a business in the town. He is a member of O’ Carolan College Board of Management.

Mr. Kevin Reilly a teacher in Dunshaughlin Community College was nominated in 2009 to County Meath VEC. Kevin is a staff representative on the VEC.

Mr. Francis Deane

Ms. Maria Murphy

Mr. Francis Deane was nominated by Meath County Council to County Meath VEC in 2009. Francis is a native of Navan, and is active on a number of VEC boards and subcommittees.

Ms. Maria Murphy was nominated by Meath County Council to County Meath VEC. Maria is a Fine Gael Councillor in Dunboyne, and is actively involved in supporting education needs in the Dunshaughlin electoral area.

Ms. Catherine Yore

Mr. Seamus Grimes

Ms. Catherine Yore a Councillor from Carnaross was nominated by Meath County Council to the VEC in 2009. Catherine is a primary school teacher in East Meath, and is keenly interested in all aspects of education.

Mr. Seamus Grimes a native of Kells has been a member of County Meath VEC since 1992. Seamus was twice nominated to County Meath VEC as a Community Representative by Meath County Council.

Mr. Wayne Harding

Mr. Joe Fox

Mr. Wayne Harding a publican from Slane was nominated to Meath VEC by Meath County Council in 2009. He is a Fianna Fáil Councillor. Wayne got into politics through his campaign to secure sporting and community services.

Mr. Joe Fox was nominated by Meath County Council to County Meath VEC in 2009. Joe is a native of Navan and a local Councillor. Joe supports the VEC on the Section 29 subcommittees.

Mr. James O’ Shea

Mr. Tommy Grimes

Mr. James O’Shea is a Town Councillor in Trim. Wayne was nominated by Trim County Council to Meath VEC. James is a native of Trim and a staff member in Boyne Community School.

Mr. Tommy Grimes a lifelong trade union activist has been a member of County Meath VEC since 1992. Tommy was nominated to the VEC by Kells Town Council and was the first Labour Party Chairperson of the VEC.

Mr. Joe Reilly

Ms. Tracy McElhinney

Mr. Joe Reilly was first nominated to County Meath VEC by Navan Town Council in 2004. He is a Sinn Féin Councillor. He was educated in Scoil Mhuire and the Vocational School, Navan. He chairs the Board of Management in Beaufort College.

Ms. Tracy McElhinney a native of Ballivor was nominated to County Meath VEC by Meath County Council in 2009. Tracy is a former student of the VEC in Trim, and is a strong community activist.

Mr. John Fanning

Mr. Trevor Golden

Mr. John Fanning has been a member of County Meath VEC since 1992. John is a native of Cork, living in Ashbourne, was twice Chair of the VEC. John is a hugely respected community activist and chairman of the Board of Management of Dunshaughlin Community College

Mr. Trevor Golden was first nominated to County Meath VEC by Trim Town Council in 2004. Trevor is a member of Trim Town Council and works in the IT industry. He chairs the VEC Internal Audit Committee. Staff News May 2013 | County Meath VEC 1930 - 2013

St. Fintina’s Post Primary School St. Fintina’s Post Primary School is a rural coeducational school situated in the village of Longwood in South Meath. Built in 1966 the school is a vibrant progressive, growing community where quality teaching and learning takes place in a safe, stimulating and supportive environment. The teachers personally know all students and therefore the curriculum can be tailored to meet individual needs. In 2009 the school introduced one-to-one computing for its students.

New School for St. Fintina’s

A new 500 pupil school has been approved for Longwood. The building including an Autism unit has been designed and is now approaching planning.

Dáil visit Some second year students visit the Dáil on a cross-curricular History and CSPE trip. This also included a visit to Croke Park

St Fintina’s is delighted to announce that their school won an Award and €1,000 for the ‘GLEO Video Competition’. GLEO is a recognition scheme for spoken Irish in the school environment organised and administered by Foras na Gaeilge. Irish teachers Ms McDonagh and Ms Guilfoyle along with ten student representatives attended the presentation of prizes in Croke Park on the 6th of December 2012.

The “Milkiteers” who reached the top ten, in the junior category, of the NDC Milk-It Awards 2013. The students had to create an advertising campaign to promote the importance of dairy in young people’s diets . It was a team based project which required creativity, strategic thinking, team work and good presentation skills.

Staff News May 2013 | County Meath VEC 1930 - 2013

Coláiste na Mí, Navan Co. Meath VEC IS delighted to announce the appointment of Ms Justine Hughes as the first Principal of Coláiste na Mi, Johnstown, Navan. Ms. Hughes met parents of the 90 incoming First Years at a Consultation meeting earlier this year. She introduced herself to a packed hall of 200 parents and students and described her vision for the school and her plans for curriculum, student achievement and parental role. Discussions ranged around subject choice, uniform, school transport and academic expectations. Parents

BUILDING PLANS Coláiste na Mí is a rapid build project by the Department of Education and Skills. The school will be built in two phases. Phase 1 for 350 pupils will be completed for September 2013 and Phase 2 for September 2016.

were delighted with their new principal and with the very high expectations which she has for Coláiste na Mí. Parents were particularly excited when the CEO of County Meath VEC, Mr. Peter Kierans took them through slides showing the start of construction work at Coláiste na Mí. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Christy Duffy, Adult Education Officer of County Meath VEC who has handled the planning and set up of the new school to date.

Historical event Coláiste na Mí Coláiste na Mí marked another historical event for the new school with the launch of Trailblazer Saturday. The day was filled with much excitement and celebration when the first ever students of Coláiste na Mí met with their new Principal for the first time. As part of her welcoming address Ms Justine Hughes explained to the boys and girls that as the first ever pupils in the school they were the ‘Trailblazers’. During the morning the students sat the assessment test and were also provided with treats to mark the occasion. Ms Hughes also mingled with the boys and girls and listened to their many hopes and dreams for their new school.

Sinead Murphy, Buildings Officer, Ciarán Dunne, Technical Staff, Department of Education & Skills, Justine Hughes, Principal Coláiste na Mí

Colaíste na Mí Parents’ Group choose uniform for new School There was great excitement in early May with the official launch of the Coláiste na Mí school uniform when Parents and students arrived at the VEC offices to be measured and fitted for their new uniform. Many parents commented on the tasteful combination of colours and design in the uniform which they felt was a significant factor in giving the uniform its own unique style and quality. During the afternoon the Principal of Coláiste na Mí, Ms Justine Hughes met with each parent individually and provided them with their information packs for the school. In keeping with her vision of an inclusive school community, Ms Hughes also launched the ‘Design a Crest’ competition where each child enrolled in the new Johnstown school was given the opportunity to submit their ideas, suggestions and designs for the Coláiste na Mí crest. The winning student design will be considered in the final design of the school crest. Staff News May 2013 | County Meath VEC 1930 - 2013

Ratoath College The Department of Education and Skills sanctioned a new school for Ratoath following the population explosion in the 1990’s. The first second level school in Ratoath opened its doors in temporary accommodation in Fairyhouse Racecourse in 2005. Teachers and students at Ratoath College left Fairyhouse on June 1st 2007 to occupy their state of the art permanent school building.

Congratulations to the seven Mini Company teams who represented Ratoath College at the recent Meath County Enterprise Awards Final in Trim. Ratoath College was well represented and came away with a second place trophy.

JUNIOR CERTIFICATE 2012

Students and teachers at Ratoath College celebrated their results as five of their Junior Certificate students were awarded for their excellent results. Students were all presented with their awards at a Meath VEC awards ceremony. Each year County Meath VEC presents awards to the students who achieved the highest marks in the Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied. Pictured above is Principal, Maire Ní Bhroithe and Deputy Principal, Oonagh Prendergast presenting their award to the 2012 Leaving Certificate students.

Junior Cycle Reforms As one of the 48 network schools around the country all Ratoath College staff are taking part in self-run workshops exploring several elements of the new Junior Cycle, including key skills, assessment, planning and short courses development.

The VEC was delighted with the news that the Department of Education and Skills had decided to devolve a major building projects to Ratoath College. This project is a 3,000sqm permanent extension and will bring the school to max. capacity of 1,300 students.

Left to Right: David Walsh, Aisling Savage, Ciara Casey and John McCarthy

Picasso Club Sports Murals The Ratoath College Picasso club have been busy this year painting life size sports murals for the sports hall. A lot of different sports are represented and students are very proud of their work. 6

Staff News May 2013 | County Meath VEC 1930 - 2013

YOUNG SCIENTIST 2013

Ratoath College was represented at this year’s Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition by Stephen Fowler and Taylor Quinn. Stephen and Taylor are both 2nd year students. The title of their project is ‘Can you bribe students to do better in school?’ There was a lot of interest in their project by both the general public and the media.

French Exchange trip to Rennes This year the very successful French exchange trip continued to Lycee Joliot Curie in Rennes in Brittany where students were accompanied by Ms Cullen and Mr Connolly. During the one week trip from 12th-19th of February students stayed in host families, attended school and went on several trips including Mont St Michel, Le chateau de Nantes and partook in a Breton cultural workshop. The students really enjoyed their stay in France and some hope to return as part of the exchange programme next year.

St. Peter’s College Dunboyne The process of providing a school for Dunboyne began in earnest in September 1992, when the Parent Teacher Association of Dunboyne National Schools called a public meeting to ascertain the need for post primary education in the area. The agreement reached between Co. Meath VEC and the Bishop of Meath has fostered a tremendously positive relationship between all parties involved. St. Peter’s College opened in September 1994 with an enrolment of seventy five first year students.

625 - Max Points in Leaving Cert

Music Notes

The Music Department has been very busy and not just with the TY production MISS SAIGON. A number of TY students organised ST PETER’S LIVE, a successful talent show where over 80 students performed onstage. The choir and entire school orchestra performed at the Xmas Carol Service and at the The Plantagen Christmas Fair. On the Staff Family Christmas Day, the wind band played seasonal repertoire. The orchestra has been invited back to play with the orchestra of Charles Edward Brooke Secondary school in South London in the autumn and the Concert of orchestra, string and wind ensembles will take place in May 2013.

First in Ireland The Pelé Peace Medal and Certificate of Commendation was awarded to 12 young people from St. Peter’s College. They were the first school and pupils in Ireland to commit to The Pelé Peace Medal initiative. This initiative was developed to reward young people who generously support the work of the Little Prince Hospital in Brazil and a partnering children’s hospital in their own country (Tallaght Hospital), and who commit to four important goals for life. Pictured below are students with their teacher Leanne Conroy.

Pictured below with Principal Eamonn Gaffney are students who received the highest Junior Certificate results in St. Peter’s in 2012.

Memorial Garden

A memorial garden has been built at St. Peter’s College by 6th Year LCA class. The garden was officially opened by Diarmuid Gavin. It was a fantastic day for all. The string ensemble and wind band played at the opening of their new school garden.

Pictured above is student Sinéad Cornyn who was presented with an award by Principal Mr. Eamon Gaffney and Deputy Principal Maureen Murray having achieved the maximum 625 points in her Leaving Certificate.

MISS SAIGON

The musical held at St. Peters College in Dunboyne this year was Miss Saigon. It was the first time Miss Saigon was performed by an Irish school. The shows were a huge success leading to a final sell-out performance on Saturday the 2nd March. A special thanks needs to be made to all the teachers from St Peter’s who helped in the musical, especially Nessa Olahan, Noel Payne and Pat Morris.

Staff and students would like to congratulate and wish teacher Brian McNamara the best of luck with his move to the DES Inspectorate.

EQUESTRIAN TEAM

Pictured above are teachers David Kennedy, Colm Colleran, Brian McNamara and Dermot Bradley

Girls’ Senior Soccer Leinster Champions

St. Peter’s College, Dunboyne has a long history of competing nationally in equestrian events with successful results around the country. Irish and international riders Captain Geoff Curran and Captain David Martin hold training sessions with the school teams on a regular basis. Ms. Marron, a teacher on the staff is the Chef d’Équipe to the teams and helps them with their competing and training.

Staff News May 2013 | County Meath VEC 1930 - 2013

Beaufort College Navan Beaufort College is the oldest Vocational school in Meath dating back to the start of the last century. Today Beaufort is modern, progressive, multicultural hub for the town of Navan and its environs. Beaufort also provides a range of PLC courses and has the largest Adult Education provision in the region.

Seachtain na Gaeilge i gColaiste Beaufort 2013 is a very important year for Beaufort College as it is Bliain na Gaeilge. They hope to make their Seachtain na Gaeilge a special one with events such as Céilí, Tráth na gCeist, Maidin Caife and Comórtas t-léine. Teachers and students will also undertake the challenge of speaking Irish for a day.

U17 FOOTBALL TEAM

Pictured right is 6th year student Peadar Flood receiving an Award from Minister Joan Burton in the NUIM Law Society ‘Mandate for a better Ireland’ essay competition.

Staff and Students undertook to paint a mural on one of the corridors of the college. The mural was painted under the artistic eye of teacher Elaine Agnew and is unique, and most enriching to the school atmosphere.

CEO, Peter Kierans visited Beaufort Colleges JCSP Library class in in March and presented the latest Word Millionaire student with his merit badge. Throughout the year over 200 students were presented with certificates of participation and many students received additional prizes for their amazing achievements in reading a wide and varied range of literature in addition to doing their curricular work. First and second year students have finished a total of 2,500 books reading well over 55 million words since October and staff in Beaufort are very proud of their achievements.

BEAUFORT’S GOT TALENT

Some of Beaufort College’s most talented students took to the stage at Swan Lane music venue for Beaufort’s Got Talent. On the night there were 16 different acts gracing the stage. Congratulations to all staff and students who participated in the event.

MATHS WEEK AT BEAUFORT COLLEGE

National Maths Week went off with a bang at Beaufort College. Students and teachers made the most of the national platform to engage in various activities school wide throughout the week. The school’s many computer rooms were buzzing all week, facilitating Beaufort’s online battle to compete nationally on a Maths games website ‘Mangahigh’. The activities, planned by the head of the Maths Dept, were in keeping with the ethos of the new Project Maths syllabus which the Junior Certificate students will encounter for the first time in June 2013. 8

Staff News May 2013 | County Meath VEC 1930 - 2013

Coláiste na hInse, Laytown Coláiste na hInse is a ‘Start Up/Green Field’ second level school in Baile an Bhiataigh, Co. na Mí. Established in 2008, The Coláiste, as it is referred to locally, opened its doors to eighty first year pupils in The Neptune Hotel Bettystown. The Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan, TD visited Laytown on Wednesday, 28th July for the formal handover of the contract for the construction of a new 1,000 pupil Post Primary school on the Educational campus in Bettystown. The new school building was officially opened in September 2012 and has a current enrolment of 600 students. In the summer of 2008 County Meath VEC commenced the enrolment process for First Year students in Coláiste na hInse.

Pictured above are the first male and female students to enrol in the school. Fionn O’ Brien and Ayshan Salman.

In March the Coláiste performed their inaugural musical in the Coláiste. Under the musical direction of Michelle Conway, teacher David Hopkins and producer Paul Strachan the Coláiste pupils transported the packed audience back in time to 1984 to discover if the latest cohort of prospective performing arts pupils had what it takes to go down in infamy and “Live Forever.” Whether the characters achieve this or not is up to the audience to decide but one thing is certain - after three consecutive standing ovations and praise on high from local press the cast of The Coláiste’s first musical production will never be forgotten. Comhgairdeachas Mór to all involved.

Picture above shows Fionn now a Senior student at the official opening of the school in 2012.

Staff Photograph 2013

Staff Photograph 2009

Coláiste na hInse were chosen to launch the Aviva Health Insurance Schools’ Fitness Challenge 2013 – a national challenge for 1st and 2nd year pupils to improve their health and fitness. Building on the success of the “Beat the Bleep” project in the school last year, Coláiste na hInse are striving to improve the health and fitness of their students in the eight week programme.

Christmas at the Colaiste

On the 11th of December, The Coláiste threw open its doors to the community and invited them in to share their first Christmas in their new building. Teachers, students, parents and members of the local community were treated to an evening of festive carolling, Christmas music and spiritual reflection from the daltaí and members of the Meath County Council Choir. With over 300 in attendance the evening, organised by Paul Strachan, Michelle Conway, Kieran Coffey and David Hopkins was a tremendous success.

Staff News May 2013 | County Meath VEC 1930 - 2013

Dunshaughlin Community College Dunshaughlin Community College has its origins back in the 1930’s when under the Vocational Education Act, a two roomed technical school was opened in the Workhouse with an attendance of 38 pupils. Today the school has 75 teachers, 15 support staff and 952 students and offers a huge variety of subjects and courses as well as being home for the Centre for European Schooling PP – it has come a long way from those first classes in the Workhouse over 70 years ago.

Retirement Function

New School Extension

On 21st March, the staff of DCC marked the retirements of Padraig Browne, Marcella Killeen and the departure of Johnny Grant. A great night was had by all and speeches by Peter Kierans, Janice Corrigan and the three guests of honour ensured that sentiments of sadness, excitement and optimism were expressed.

Work commenced in September on the major 4,000m² extension for Dunshaughlin Community College. The project is progressing well and is on schedule. The project allows for full refurbishment of the existing school building. Pictured: Janice Corrigan

Basketball

There has been huge success this season for the 1st and 2nd year girls’ basketball teams in Dunshaughlin Community College. Their dedication commitment and hard work has paid off as both teams have qualified for the All-Ireland finals.

LONDON TRIP

In January forty three students and 4 teachers braved the cold weather and travelled to London for the annual English literature trip to London. After a guided tour of the city, the group took to the theatre to see the classic ‘Goodnight Mister Tom’. A tour of the famous Globe Theatre rounded off the trip.

Fantastic year for sport at Dunshaughlin Community College

Cluiche Ceannais Laighean x 3 do DCC!

Faoi stiúir na múinteoirí Anne-Marie O Brien, Róisín Ní Dhúshláine agus Róisín Cousins, tá Peil na mBan ag dul ó neart go neart i gColáiste Pobail Dhomhnach Seachnaill. Agus suas le caoga cailín ag traenáil ag am lóin gach Máirt, tá toradh a gcuid díograise agus an obair chrua le feiceál anois. Is é seo an chéad uair go bhfuil trí fhoireann chomh rathúil ag an gcoláiste, an chéad uair go bhfuil trí fhoireann de pheil na mban ag imirt i gcluichí ceannais Laighean. Ádh mór ar na cailín ar fad agus ar a gcuid múinteoirí!!

Maher joins the Great Names in Athletics!

Paddy Maher, first year student in DCC, is the Minor Boys Irish Schools Cross Country Champion 2013. This win is the first for Dunshaughlin Community College. He is only the third Meath champion in the long 44 year history of this event. Famous winners of the past include the likes of Eamon Coughlan, John Treacy, Sonia O’Sullivan, Catriona McKiernan and Fionnuala Britton.

Student Council

The Student Council members of DCC and their liaison teacher Muireann Nic an Rí, have had a busy year! They organised a coin collection for Special Olympics Ireland, and at Christmas, they collected 1098 items of food and two large bags of brand new toys for St. Vincent of Paul. It was truly an amazing achievement! The Student Council have worked tirelessly to give their time and energy to enhance school life and the local community.

Staff News May 2013 | County Meath VEC 1930 - 2013

O’ Carolan College Nobber O’ Carolan College, Nobber opened its doors in September 1988. It is a modern Community College under County Meath VEC. The caring and friendly school atmosphere helps students develop their academic and practical potential, and while doing so, enables them to become more self-confident and responsible. The motto of O’ Carolan College “Saothar agus Sonas” literally means works and happiness” but “Sonas” also translates as “Prosperity. The school aims to provide every student with the opportunity to achieve the maximum benefit from his/her 2nd level education, commensurate with the student’s ability.

YOUNG HISTORIAN

Teachers Amanda Scully and Maria Brady from O’ Carolan College Nobber organise the annual Young Historian competition. Students from all the schools of County Meath VEC come together to showcase projects and claim the Oliver Coogan memorial prize.

Congratulations to the staff and students of O’ Carolan College who presented Guys and Dolls one of the greatest musical theatre scores of all time. Set against the colourful background of New York the production was filled with everyone from gangsters, gamblers and showgirls to a “doll” trying to save their souls.

RUNNING FOR CHARITY

Students and staff from O’ Carolan College took part in a run on saturday the 8th of December in the Phoenix Park. There was a total of 56 staff and students from O’ Carolan College that took part in the race. Students got dressed up and embraced the Christmas spirit while raising over €1,700 for Aware, an organisation that deals with depression and suicide.

4 PEAKS CHALLENGE Five 6th year students and four O’ Carolan College staff members took part in the Focus Ireland 4 Peaks Challenge. The challenge was to climb the highest mountain in each province in the one weekend. The challenge was a great success with students raising €3,800 for the charity Focus Ireland. Pictured below are Students and Staff members on the summit of Lugnaquilla, Co. Wicklow, the last mountain of the challenge.

Brian Goggins with CEO Peter Kierans. Brian was principal with O’Carolan College until 2012, when he left to become head of the European School Mol/Geel in Brussels. Staff News May 2013 | County Meath VEC 1930 - 2013

St. Oliver Post Primary St. Oliver Post Primary school rebuilt in 2000, is a modern coeducational school. It provides post primary education to the highest standards. Consistent increases in school numbers now sees the school with an enrolment of 555 for 2013-2014. The picture below shows the Enterprise winners 2013.

Principals Of St. Oliver

Larry Collins

Raising the Flag After a huge amount of work by staff and students at St. Oliver Post Primary, Deputy Principal Brendan Corcoran and retired Deputy Principal, Fidelma Gibney raised the green flag at the school.

SCHOOL SPORTS

Finbarr O’Connor

FRENCH DAY

year pupils who spent an Pictured across are Transition ents to the culture and afternoon introducing 1st Year stud to offer. culinary delights that France has

SCHOOL MODIFICATIONS

A wide range of sporting activities are part of the school’s curriculum. The 2007 All-Ireland Football victory being a highlight

50 Year Celebrations th

St. Oliver Post Primary School, established in 1959 celebrated their 50th Year anniversary in 2009. Minister Noel Dempsey, TD unveiled the commemorative plaque and a school blessing by Bishop Michael Smith, Fr. Ray Kelly and Reverend Peter Rutherford.

Martin O’Reilly

A large number of improvements have been made to the school building recently including three new classrooms, a library and a link corridor.

PEER MENTORS

Leading the way in terms of pupil mental health. Pictured are the junior peer mentors 2013, who are trained participants in the school’s pastoral care programme

ientist c S g n You sical u M l Schoo 12

Staff News May 2013 | County Meath VEC 1930 - 2013

Coláiste Pobail Ráth Chairn Bunaíodh Coláiste Pobail Ráth Chairn i 1986. Tá 141 dalta sa scoil faoi láthair. Is scoil lán Gaelach Gaeltachta í. Is é mana na scoile ná “Is fiú agus is féidir”. Tá rang amháin i ngach bliain ar chaighdeáin éagsúla. Is i nGaeltacht Ráth Chairn atá an scoil Ionnaithe. Is féidir foirmeacha clárúcháin a fháil sa scoil.

Cuirtear curaclam leathan at fáil sa scoil. Faigheann daltaí na scoile torthaí den scoth i scrúduithe an stáit. Gnóthaíonn an chuid is mó d'ár ndaltaí áit in institiúid triú leibhéal, a bhformhór in ollscoileanna.

Ríomhairí Glúine Cuireann spórt go mór le forbairt iomlán an dalta. Ní hamháin go gcothaíonn sé forbairt fhisiciúil agus dea-shláinte ach cabhraíonn sé go mór le scileanna sóisialta a fhorbairt. Cuidíonn sé chomh maith le tréithe iontaofachta, dílseachta agus ceannasaíochta a chothú sa duine. Spreagtar daltaí uilig na scoile chun páirt a ghlacadh sa spórt. Baineann na daltaí leas as na háiseanna nua aimseartha atá sa scoil sna ranganna Corpoideachais. Imrítear peil, cispheil, eitpheil, sacar, badmantan, leadóg agus leadóg boird. Téann daltaí na scoile ag scíáil gach rébhliain. Déantar cleachtadh do lúthchleasaíocht chomh maith. Glacann foirne na scoile páirt ina lán comórtais do gach aoisghrúpa idir bhuachaillí agus chailíní - peil, iománaíocht agus camógaíocht, cispheil, sacar, snámh, leadóg boird, lúchchleasaíocht agus marcaíocht capall. Tagann an grúpa ceoil le chéile faoi dhó sa tseachtain. Glacann siad páirt i gCeolchoirm de chuid Choiste Ghairmoideachais Cho. na Mí gach bliain sa Solstice san Uaimh. Casann siad ag ócaidí scoile chomh maith.

Ó Mheán Fómhair 2011 baineann an chéad bhliain úsáid as ríomhairí glúine réamh-insealthaithe le hábhair churaclaim an Teastas Shóiséaraigh. Tugann an tionscnamh seo modh nua foghlamtha dóibh agus cuireann sé lena gcuid scileanna teicneolaíochta. Ullmhaítear na daltaí i gColáiste Pobail Ráth Chairn le scileanna chun dul chun cinn a dhéanamh i láthair oibre atá ag síorathrú.

Tá Brat Glas ag an scoil. Tá coiste díograiseach, idir mhúinteoirí agus dhaltaí, ag gníomhú ar mhaithe leis an timpeallacht

Tugann daltaí na scoile aghaidh ar Mhór Roinn na hEorpa go rialta. Glacann daltaí ó gach rang páirt sna turais seo. I measc na náiteanna ar tugadh cuairt orthu go dtí seo tá Páras (go minic), an Róimh, an Ghearmáin, Strasburg, ag scíáil i Konigsee na Gearmáine, i bhFolgaria na hIodáile agus in Axamer-Lizum na hOstaire. Tugadh cuairt ar Londain chomh maith. Thug an Idirbhliain cuairt ar Pháras, Bilbao na Spáinne agus an Bhreatain Bheag. Staff News May 2013 | County Meath VEC 1930 - 2013

Ard Rí Community National School

Ard Rí CNS has a New Premises. The new school building which houses the students of Ard Rí CNS is now complete. The new building consists of 4 classrooms, a staff room, a reception area, a principal’s office and a large playground which is located on the site of Navan Rugby Club. This accommodation is temporary while a permanent site is being investigated.

Football Fever hits Ard Rí CNS An unexpected visitor caused great excitement among staff and students at Ard Rí Community National School. The ‘Sam Maguire Cup’ arrived to their school and caused a great stir as the students lined up in the yard after lunch. They held a whole-school assembly and watched highlights of the epic 2012 All-Ireland Final which was played at Croke Park, on 23rd September 2012. After watching the highlights of the game, the Sam Maguire Cup proceeded to visit each of the classrooms where the classes got a chance to get a closer look at the cup. Hopefully the cup will retain its’ green and gold ribbons in 2013, this time representing The Royal County.

Green Schools Initiative

Ard Rí are delighted to announce their registration with the Green School’s initiative. Teacher, Ms. McHale has been actively involved in the registration process and now all systems are go to earn their Green School Flag. There is much work to be done. Before they introduce any new interventions they must survey their school’s litter/waste needs. As part of this process Ms. McHale organised a School Clean Up Day. Parents and children were invited to bring their black bin liners and gloves to help clean up their school area. Over the coming months and years Ard Rí will be introducing many waste/energy saving measures in an effort to gain their Green Flag.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

The Red Cross Ambulance Service came to visit Ard Rí CNS. The children learned all about the ambulance service from an experienced paramedic. They also learned how to use a bandage, how to listen to a heartbeat and how to use a plaster. At the end of the lesson the children were brought out in small groups to explore the ambulance. They had great fun lying on the stretcher and sitting in the seats. However the most exciting part of the day was when the ambulance siren sounded.

Staff News May 2013 | County Meath VEC 1930 - 2013

Centre for European Schooling Dunshaughlin The Centre for European Schooling (CES) Dunshaughlin is an accredited Type II European School. The CES opened on 1 September 2002 and is entirely devoted to the education of children who would be considered Category I students in a European School. The students are enrolled at Saint Seachnall’s National School and Dunshaughlin Community College and attend the CES for LI, LII and LIII classes (as well as European Hour & Ethics in primary school). European Schools’ curricula are taught in all languages. In addition, elements of the curricula of European Schools are used for European Hour and Ethics. Students follow mainstream curricula for all other subjects and take the Irish State examinations at the end of Third and Sixth Year. At the CES we provide tuition in European languages such as Dutch, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish at mother tongue, second & third language levels.

European Hour at the CES

European Hour at the Centre for European Schooling is a cross curricular subject offering a broad range of multidisciplinary activities. During European Hour students learn to work together and acquire new skills. The aim of European Hour class is to develop a European identity based on pupils’ own cultural identities. This year we have worked on the themes of Dance, Winter and Fairy Tales. The picture below shows some students performing the Greek Sirtaki dance with teacher Nollaig Gavin.

Non-denominational Ethics

Non-denominational Ethics is also provided at the CES. The aim of Ethics classes is to develop a positive attitude as well as pro-social character. We achieve this through several topics including Me and Others, Family, Feelings, Emotions,Rights and Community. The picture below shows the work of our students on the topic of Health and Body through active learning on one of our interactive whiteboards.

CES Student Learner Diary

The Centre for European Schooling has introduced the CES Student Learner Diary. It is a very innovative idea which both the CES staff and students are very proud of. The aims of the CES Student Learner Diary are to encourage students to: • take greater responsibility for their learning • become reflective practitioners • identify their strengths and weaknesses • enhance their learning experiences • improve their linguistic acquisition and exam grades. Pictured below with students are teachers Rita Jorge and Stefania Tornambene

It is a tradition at the CES, both at primary and secondary levels, for our students to take part in cross-curricular language projects twice a year. This year at the CES Primary students prepared excellent presentations on a wide range of optional topics such as oral presentations on literature as well as on the different European countries their parents travelled to. At second level, students did a number of presentations on topics such as interviews, literature, a “musical” school in Ireland and a comparison of educational systems. More recently, the students participated in a debate on education.

Staff News May 2013 | County Meath VEC 1930 - 2013

BUILDING UPDATE St. Fintina’s Post Primary, Longwood

St. Fintina’s were approved funding to build a new 500 pupil school including a Special Needs Unit. The Design Team, led by Architects McCarthy O’Hora are finished the initial design stage and are awaiting approval from the Department to proceed to Stage 2b – statutory approval stage. This stage includes Planning Permission, Fire Safety Certificate and Disability Access Certificate applications.

O’CAROLAN COLLEGE, NOBBER A 3,445m2 extension and refurbishment of the existing building will see an extension added which will be twice the size of the existing buildings to cater for more than 500 students. The design of the new extension is currently at Stage 1. This stage includes site investigation surveys Architectural screening surveys, identification of potential issues for consideration which may hinder progress of the project, pre planning consultations with the Local authority. The VEC await a date for a Stage 1 meeting with the Department of Education to sign off on plans in order to progress to the next stage.

St. Peter’s College, Dunboyne St. Peter’s College is at Stage 2a for an extension to cater for 225 students. Accommodation will include general classrooms, specialist rooms and ancillary rooms. The Design Team are finalising the Stage 2a report for forwarding to the Department. Once approval is received the project will move forward to the statutory approval – planning permission stage.

St. Oliver Post Primary School St. Oliver Post Primary School officially opened their 3 classroom extension and library on 14th May. It was announced at the opening that they have been successful in their application for a grant for new Specialist Rooms.

Staff News May 2013 | County Meath VEC 1930 - 2013

Beaufort College, Navan Beaufort College received approval for a major extension of 3275m2 which will include a new Sports Hall and full Fitness Suite. Work to the existing building has also been approved subject to cost. A Stage 1 meeting is expected shortly. The Department will review the costings to the existing building and hopefully issue approval to proceed to the next stage on all fronts, both for the new extension and work on the existing building. The Design Team is led by Oppermann Associates Architects.

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ColĂĄiste na MĂ, Johnstown, Navan ColĂĄiste na MĂ Phase I is being built for 350 students under a fast track Department project. Phase I includes general classrooms, Music & Drama room, Home Economics room, Construction Studies room, Technical Graphics room & a Business Computer room. The school will open in September and will cater for approximately 90 students. Phase II will see the balance of student accommodation built for 650 students. The listed building â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Sion Houseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; will be included in the plans. Phase II also includes a new school building for St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Special School. The Design Team are at Stage 1 and are working on the initial plans. FALL

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Ratoath College Co. Meath VEC have appealed the decision of Meath County Council who refused the planning application for an extension of 3,288m2 to accommodate 425 additional students.Â

Staff News May 2013 | County Meath VEC 1930 - 2013

Timeline Student Growth

1930 The Vocational Education Act, framed under the leadership of John Marcus O Sullivan, Minister for Education establishes the VECs. Since then the services provided by the VEC includes further education, adult education, Youthreach centres, youth services and other activities as well as second level education

1900

1931

Meathman, Sir Horace Plunkett was the driving fo rce in the instruction of technical instruction

1913 Navan Technical School opens its doors in 1913 on Railway Street where the County Council is now. Its first principal Mr Bennett killed in traffic accident in 1920

in Ireland

Kells Vocational School opens its doors. It later amalgamates with CBS to form Kells Community School in 1988

1984

1965

1933 Sean Mac Namidhe was the first CEO appointed after the 1930 Act. This post also contained the position of principal of Navan Technical School.

1956

1955

Navan Vocational School (Scoil Ghairm Naomh Phadraig) founded in 1965 built in Abbey Road to replace Technical School in Railway Street. There are 230 pupils and 14 teachers. The campus includes the Administration Offices led by Paddy Byron. In 1984 it moves again as Navan Community College to its present location on the Trim Road. It is renamed Beaufort College in 1996 in a ceremony attended by Taoiseach John Bruton

Meath Vocational Schools beat Sligo 8.3 to 0.1 to claim their first victory in the All Ireland Vocational Schools Championship with captain Seamus Clynch RIP

Paddy Byron appointed third CEO of County Meath VEC. He further developed the scheme by establishing schools in Oldcastle and Dunshaughlin

2896 1900

1905 JJ Gallen was appointed secretary of the Committee of Agriculture and Technical Instruction. He became VEC CEO with the transition from Joint Technical Instruction Committee

1910

1919 Sir NT Everand is elected first chairperson of Meath County Joint Committee for Technical Education

1920

1930

1929

1933

The expenditure for County Meath VEC in 1929 was £5400; there were 315 students in permanent buildings and 588 in nonpermanent buildings.

Dunshaughlin Vocational School commences in 1933 and moves into its new building in 1954 and replaced again to its new home in 1977

272

1940

Staff News May 2013 | County Meath VEC 1930 - 2013

1950

1947 Fr. Clavin buys two nissan huts and approaches Paddy Byron to develop Longwood Vocational School. St Fintinas commences on a site donated by the parish in 1952. New School opens in 1966

1960

1970

1959

1982

Oldcastle Vocational School opens in 1959 and amalgamates with the Gilson Trust in 1969 to form St Oliver Post Primary School

Donegal man Liam O’Donnell became the fourth CEO of County Meath VEC. From 1982 to 1995 – he developed Beaufort College and O Carolan College Nobber.

Navan Tr Training its door. Navan Tr Educatio was bas Road. It 2012

1985

Green P Educati

2513 1980

1986

New Irish school opens in Rathcairn with principal Geo O Bradaigh (later CEO Westmeath VEC). They move i purpose built scho in 2000

2001 2001 Scoil na gCeard Trim amalgamates with St Michaels CBS to form Boyne Community School

1988

ravellers Center opened It later became raveller on Centre and sed in Abbey closed in June

Youthreach is developed in Ireland and centres open in Navan, Kells. Ashboune, Trim and most recently Bettystown (2007).

Beaufort Student Siohan Lanigan O’Keefe wins the Aer Lingus Young Scientist in Dublin and represents Ireland in many international competitions.

Paper on ion published

into ool

2011

2002

n oroid

2012

1990

2000

Centre of European Schooling established and works with St Seachnalls NC and Dunshaughlin Community College

2005

Community Education Services in Meath VEC were one of the first services to operate this innovative IT service known as eLearning.

1994 St Peters Dunboyne established in 1994 with Eamon Gaffney the first principal. It is the first Meath second level school to have 1000 pupils. In 2008 RTE filmed the series The School in St Peters.

2001

Ratoath College begins life in Fairyhouse Racecourse. Students and staff walked to their hew home in Jamestown accompanied by members of the Garda Mounted Unit and the Garda Band

2003 Dunboyne College of Further Education established with two courses on offer

2003

4806

2010 The first Community National School outside Dublin, Ard Rí is established in Navan and is temporarily housed in Navan Rugby Club.

2012 Minister Ruairi Quinn announced the amalgamation of VECs from 33 to 16 and the establishemtn of Education and Training Boards. Louth and Meath VEC will be amalgamated to form LMETB.

2006 Dunshaughlin Communty College is chosen as one of 12 Innovative Schools of the Future by Bill Gates because of its leading

2005

1986

Students from O Carolan College Nobber become the first in the country to receive Gaisce Awards

First annual Spraoi na Mí involving our 6 Youthreach Centres. It later moves to Solstice Arts Theatre where in 2012, special guests include Ard Rí and Drogheda Youthreach.

1995

2001

2004

Peter Kierans appointed the fifth and last CEO of County Meath VEC. In July 2013 he becomes the first Chief Executive of Louth Meath Education and Training Board

Scoil na gCeard Trim Amalgamates with St. Michaels CBS to form Boyne Community School

St. James Vocational School amalagamates with st. Josephs Secondary School to create Athboy Community School

Annmarie McCarrick appointed as principal of Colaíste na hinse. The Colaíste opens in the Neptune Hotel until the building on Coast Road is completed in 2012.

2007

2010

2011

2012

2012 Meath VEC awarded the patronage of two new schools in Ashbourne and Navan. Justine Hughes appointed as principal of Colaiste na Mí in Navan which will open in 2013 with 90 pupils. De Lacy College will open its doors in 2014

2013

2008

2013

Annemarie Mc Carrick appointed as principal of Colaiste na hInse. The Colaiste opens in the Neptune Hotel until the building on Coast Road is completed in 2012

Jenny McHugh becomes the first and last female chairperson of County Meath VEC

First Annual Musical Extravaganza held in the Solstice Arts Theatre and includes 9 schools and 2 Youthreach Centres.

2008 Meath VEC awarded a Civic Reception to mark 100 years of state education to County Meath

The amalgamations of Louth and Meath VEC occur in the summer of 2013

Long live Co. Meath VEC. 1930 – 2013 Staff News May 2013 | County Meath VEC 1930 - 2013

County Meath VEC Technical Education in County Meath started life under a structure which was known as the Joint Technical Instruction Committee. These committees became the precursors of the VEC. The Technical Instruction Committees established by the Agriculture and Technical Instruction Act 1899. The original purpose was to administer continuation and technical education for 14-16 year olds. County Meath VEC was set up under the Vocational Education Act 1930. In 2012, the oldest student with the VEC was 74, the youngest 4. In 1907 technical education for

189 students began in Navan on Ludlow Street with classes in commercial, domestic economy and manual instruction.

Photo 2008 Civic Reception for Meath VEC at Meath County Council to celebrate 100 years of technical education in Meath

The Chief Executive Officers who led the VEC were outstanding and visionary people. Each CEO extended the number of schools, broadened the range of services and grew the county scheme. There have only been 5 CEOS of County Meath VEC since its inception in 1907. 1. The first CEO of County Meath VEC was J.J Gallon. Mr Gallon had been appointed secretary of the Committee of Agriculture and Technical Instruction in 1905. With the transition from the Joint Technical Instruction Committee to the VEC, Mr. Gallon transferred over as Chief Executive Officer. 2. In 1933, Sean MacNamidhe was appointed Chief Executive Officer, a role which also included the position of Principal of Navan Vocational School. He established schools right around the county. 3. Mr. MacNamidhe was followed by P. B O Brioráin. Mr Byron ran the scheme from 1954 until 1982. Dunshaughlin Community College moved to its new home during this time and St Oliver Post Primary was founded after Oldcastle VS amalgamated with the Gilson Trust.

Peter Kierans welcomes President McAleese to County Meath VEC

4. Liam O’ Donnell, a Donegal man held the position until 1995. During this time, Meath VEC expanded its reach on education in Meath. Beaufort College and O’Carolan College were built and Kells Vocational School amalgamated with CBS to become Kells Community School in 1988 5. Peter Kierans became CEO in 1995. He extended the VEC role beyond schooling into Adult Literacy, Community Education, Youth Work, Adult Education and Adult Guidance. He facilitated the amalgamations of Trim and Athboy Vocational Schools to Community Schools. New schools were built in Rathcairn, Oldcastle, Dunboyne, Laytown and Ratoath and Navan and other schools extended. His vision and enthusiasm has affected both learners and teachers alike. The VECs motto is excellence and innovation in education. Under Mr Kierans guidance and leadership, Meath VEC has revolutionised education in the county, making the VEC a byword for leadership in the use of modern computer technology in teaching and learning. Exactly 100 years from the very first Technical School in Navan, Meath VEC includes • • • • • • • • • • •

10 second level schools Ard Rí Community National School Dunshaughlin Centre for European Schooling 6 Youthreach Centres VTOS Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme Dunboyne College of Further Education BTEI Back to Education Initiative Amalgamated 3 vocational schools Adult Guidance Community Education throughout County Meath Adult Literacy Photo Ratoath College Choir

Staff News May 2013 | County Meath VEC 1930 - 2013

Head Office Staff May 2013

Photo Head Office Staff May 2013 Back L-R Roy Murray, Larry Carolan, Bernadette Walsh, Claire Kennedy, Mary Keane, Liz Lavery, Christy Duffy, Carmel McEvoy, Frank Smith, Michael Murphy, Sinead Murphy, Bernie Cahalane, Hazel Leahy, Carmel Carey, Elma McMahon. Front L-R Martina Vaughan, Lorraine Peyton, Mary Keane, Geraldine Smyth, Nuala O’Neill, Mairead Talbot, Peter Kierans CEO, Margaret Mc Keever, Anne Malone, Sandra Walsh, Rose Lawler

The Finance Department – Frank Smith, Anne Malone, Sandra Walsh, Carmel Mc Evoy and Bernie Cahalane work with every school and centre as well as all in Abbey Road to maintain the financial obligations of the VEC. They are responsible for paying staff and suppliers, working out training allowances for students, travel and subsistence, budgets, tax, sub-contractor tax, VAT and corporate governance responsibilities. Carmel Carey and Michael Murphy are the auxiliary staff who ensure that Abbey Road runs as smoothly as possible.

Lorraine presents Deirdre McGivern with a bouquet on the occasion of her retirement

Photo Management Team of Meath VEC L-R Frank Smith, Bernadette Walsh, Nuala O’Neill, Christy Duffy, Peter Kierans CEO

The Human Resources Department provide support to over 815 staff delivering educational services to 6288 students in our schools and centres. Meath VEC aim to attract and retain exceptional staff and support them in their employment by having the best HR structures, policies and procedures. Nuala O’Neill, Martina Vaughan, Margaret Mc Keever, Mary Keane and Mairead Talbot work hard together as a team to provide the best possible support to the CEO, Mr Peter Kierans, School Principals and Centre Heads. They provide support for staff as well as organising recruitment and promotion.

The Corporate and Education Services section is primarily responsible for building projects, health and safety, ICT procurement, stocktaking, corporate governance, customer service, insurance, gaeltacht scholarships, 3rd level grants, youth grants and secretarial assistance to CEO and VEC. Bernadette Walsh leads her team of Claire Kennedy, Mary Keane, Elma Mc Mahon, Geraldine Smyth, Lorraine Peyton, Hazel Leahy and Sinead Murphy. The County Coordinator of ICT for Meath VEC is Larry Carolan. Rose Lawler is the County ICT Training Coordinator. Together they lead the ICT services to schools and centres. They are currently very busy migrating all schools, services and administration offices to LMETB. Photo – Larry Carolan and Rosaleen Lawler with

In 2011, the Minister for Education, Mr Ruairi Quinn announced the amalgamation of VECs one of the new servers. from 33 to 16 and the establishment of Education and Training Boards (ETBs). The bill was progressed from the Dáil and was signed by President Higgins on the 8th May 2013. Louth Meath Education and Training Board, LMETB will cater for a population of 300000 and manage 20 schools and 10,000 students. Meath VEC are looking forward to the merger with friends and neighbours in County Louth VEC and are continuing the process of introductions and progression. 2013 and beyond will bring many opportunities for learning for all of us and táimid ag tnuth le cairde nua a dheanamh. Ni neart go cur le chéile. Staff News May 2013 | County Meath VEC 1930 - 2013

dunboyne college of further education Dunboyne College of Further Education is the only full time provider of Post Leaving Certificate education in County Meath, and the college also serves west Dublin and north Kildare. Dunboyne College was established in 2003 with two courses and now has 21 programmes and 440 students in Pre University areas of Arts, Science, Law, Animal Care, Food Science, Journalism; Nursing Studies, Healthcare, Social Care and Childcare. Other courses include Multimedia, Sound, Music, Sports, Art, Culinary Arts and Business. Dunboyne College of Further Education is registered with FETAC to offer Quality Assured programmes leading to FETAC awards in the National Framework of Qualifications. These awards are now certified by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI).

Dunboyne College Shave or Die Event for Daffodil Day The Dunboyne College of Further Education Sound Engineering class in conjunction with their tutor Laura Doyle held a charity event for the Irish Cancer Society. They organised a shave or dye event where there was also a huge range of live music on the night. Bands and DJ’s from the College played on the night in O’Dwyers in Dunboyne. Including sponsorship and raffle their night raised over €1,000 for the Irish Cancer Society.

In February 2013 Dunboyne College of Further Education was honoured with the visit from Social Protection Minister Joan Burton. The Minister came to the college to see first-hand the work of FETAC students and to examine the potential for the future development of Dunboyne College. With applications for courses already running ahead of that pace this year the Minister was anxious that as many students as possible from Meath, Dublin West, and north Kildare could be accommodated on the campus. Minister Burton and Deputy Dominic Hannigan met with one of the Political Studies classes in the college to discuss recent political developments, including Ireland’s EU presidency and the role of women in politics.

Pictured on a recent visit to Dunboyne College is Madame Zhang Shujing of the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China, with Martin Lonergan, Denis Leonard, Eamonn Gaffney and Cllr Brian Fitzgerald

Staff News May 2013 | County Meath VEC 1930 - 2013

Mission Statement ‘We educate the future.’ Dunboyne College of Further Education The gateway of opportunity, begin here, go anywhere.

VTOS Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme Since its formation in 1993 VTOS Navan has always been a centre where students over the age of 21 are invited to learn in a welcoming adult environment, and this continues to date under the guidance of the present Coordinator Margaret Deegan. VTOS creates opportunities for students to participate in full time courses which make a real difference to their lives. Every student is offered a unique opportunity to return to education in order to gain the knowledge and skills that they will need to equip them for work or for entry into third level education. For many the journey back to education is difficult and challenging, but once they take that step the rewards far outweigh the challenge.

Cloud Computing Seminar

The seminar hosted by Microsoft in Mullingar recently was aimed primarily at how businesses could benefit from cloud computing. The VEC students, who are studying computing with Teacher Jan Carroll, were one of the few student groups at the event. Tom Gresham, from Mullingar Chamber of Commerce welcomed the students, and Dennis Meade, Microsoft’s online services manager, spoke about the many ways in which cloud computing can be used to great advantage in businesses today.

Look out Darina Allen

you’ve got some competition! Students from VTOS courses swapped their books for cookers, when they created many delectable delights with Yvonne Ross, cookery teacher. The students take time out of their busy studying schedule each week to relax through cookery classes. Each week the class which focuses on Cooking on a budget, teaches the students to prepare delicious meals that please the palette and the pocket.

Pictured above are VTOS Cloud Computing students attend a prestigious seminar on cloud computing.

Translations Trip Leaving Certificate and UNISTART, VTOS students travelled to the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin to see Brian Friel’s play Translations. The critically acclaimed work directed by Adrian Dunbar is an integral part of the Leaving Certificate programme and students enjoyed and benefited from the night. This clash of cultures results in a series of misunderstandings and misinterpretations. Teacher Tutor Paul Carey will accompany the students.

Operation Transformation comes to VTOS

VTOS Staff Photo

Operation transformation took on a new meaning in VTOS recently when students and teachers alike came together to put the finishing touches to the recently renovated building. Pictured left are students John Boyle and Foluke Aludiman getting into the spirit of the day.

Shadowing Day Success VTOS Leaving Certificate, Unistart and Cloud Computing students participated in Shadowing days in both NUIM and DKIT. The aim of the Shadowing Scheme is to offer prospective students an opportunity to find out more about their chosen area of study and experience student life first-hand. The students were invited to spend one day on campus in the company of a First Year student learning about their programme of interest and college life in general. Students also attended lectures in the Faculties that interested them. Leaving Certificate pupil John (pictured left) reported “I had a great day, this really gave me a taste of what it would be like for me to be a student here. I never thought it would be possible for me to go to University, now I’m nearly there”. Staff News May 2013 | County Meath VEC 1930 - 2013

Adult Literacy Adult Basic Education provides a range of short courses to help improve everyday life skills.

These skills include, reading, writing, spelling, basic maths, using information technology in everyday life and personal development All classes and instruction are FREE for anyone over the age of 18. Classes are held in a number of centres throughout the county. Classes are available both day and evening. In general group size is small with between six to eight learners in each class. One-to-one tuition is also available. When a learner contacts the service they are offered a pre-course placement assessment that helps to identify their learning needs and place them at the correct level suited to their needs. Most learners attend class at least four hours a week. Sew, Sew Good is one of a number of new craft classes introduced this term. The courses are integrating literacy, numeracy and personal effectiveness with practical crafts.

“I Came, I Saw, I Conquered…iPad”

iPads are proving to be a popular teaching/learning tool. Learning is fun and interesting for learners at all levels. Learners are enjoying using the iPads to access educational applications (or “apps”) for example to improve their spellings, to understand math concepts, and to take photographs and record video clips. Below are some of the apps used: TapTap Blocks

Protractor 1st

Miss Spells Class English Cursive Writing Practice

Learners can rotate and manipulate the cube to get a feel for the shape, to count its faces, edges and corners. Learners identify and change angles by typing in a number of degrees and see the angle against the protractor scale is a fun game that will test your skills at spelling the most commonly misspelled words in the English language This app is for practicing English Cursive Handwriting.

Picasso, Carravaggio, Dail, Seanad... all in a day! 24

Staff News May 2013 | County Meath VEC 1930 - 2013

“Getting crafty with numbers”

One such course, offered in the Oldcastle centre, combined quilting with maths. The objective of the course was to establish confidence with maths, and to enable students to recognise maths in everyday tasks and routines and to enjoy feeling more confident using their new skills. Students have also developed confidence in their ability to learn successfully. This increased confidence has led to excellent attendance

Trip To National Gallery of Ireland

“The Meeting on The Turret Stairs” Frederic William Burton 1864

Navan Communications group visited the National Gallery of Ireland and Dail Eireann in February. They were given a tour of European and Irish fine art. The group were thrilled to discover masterpieces by Picasso, Caravaggio and Van Gogh; but the highlight was probably the well-timed showing of Ireland’s favourite painting – The Meeting on the Turret Stairs, which is only on display a few hours per week. They had to be practically asked to leave, such was their enthusiasm.

Alas, life needs balance, or so they say. So off to the Dail they headed. Senator John Gilroy greeted them and arranged for them to be shown to the Chamber where they witnessed the day’s proceedings first-hand. they were then escorted to the Seanad and given a tour of the building. Both the history and architecture of Leinster House was a revelation to all of them.

With a new appreciation for our national treasures, they took their leave, planning to return at their leisure. Many of them have, indeed, returned to Dublin since that wonderful day, taking in even more venues, such as the National Museum of Ireland and the Natural History Museum. Picasso would probably approve…He claimed, ‘Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up’

Community Education Service The main aim of Community Education Service is to promote the development of community based learning in the county bringing educational opportunities to the community or voluntary organisation that wish to run programmes in their own areas.

Shauna Doherty Community Education Facilitator

Community Education Service 59 Community Groups and Voluntary Organisations availed of Education Grants in 2012, some of these were, • • • • • • • • •

Duleek Womens Forum, Trim, Kells, Wilkinstown and Killallon Alps Nobber HSL –Plastic Bottle Greenhouse, BRI – Art Classes, Special Hands – Art & Crafts Meath Youth Federation – Personal Development Programme Claremount Stadium Club – Fine Arts Skills & Fuel for Families Active Retirement Groups around the County Order of Malta Kells Unit – Gentle Exercise for over 60’s Navan Travellers Womens Development Group – Flower arranging and autumn crafts Broomfield District – Community Development participation and wellbeing

eLearning Service 1030 older learners have completed the Benefit 3 Internet & Email course. This course included how to book holidays, Skyping, setting up a facebook account, creating an email address, sending and receiving email and attaching pictures.

Meath VEC were presented with the Best Practice Award from ICS for administration and delivery of the ECDL in 2012, Picture of Jim Friars ICS presenting award to Jackie Breen Jackie Breen

eLearning Manager / Trainer

The courses ran all over County Meath, in community centres and the eLearning Unit. These courses were funded by the Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources, Knowledge Society Division –(eInclusion Unit) A further 50 courses (300 learners) will be running from January to June 2013.

Community Education is delivering the SkillVEC Health Care Support FETAC Major Award course to 15 HSE staff Community Education is currently running the ECDL exams for Fás eCollege, so far 88 exams have been taken by learners registered with Fás

Migrants Integrating in Meath Equally (MIME) Project This project was designed and managed by Cultur and part funded through the European Integration Fund. Co. Meath VEC were responsible for the design and delivery of the training element of the programme. This 160 hour part-time programme was delivered to 80 TCNs (Third Country Nationals) living in four densely populated urban areas in Co. Meath.

EU Projects Community Education have worked on two EU Projects in 2012, Orsen Project in developing 4 curricula to assist in the inclusion of children with SEN in the classroom www.orsenproject.eu W@Ve Project in developing tutor and student resources based on the online tutorial. We also piloted the course to 52 older learners within the county http://learnweb2.eu/ The W@VE Project was shortlisted for the Aontas Awards in 2013 Staff News May 2013 | County Meath VEC 1930 - 2013

BTEI

Back to Education Initiative

The Back to Education Initiative (BTEI) provides part-time courses for young people and adults, especially those who have not completed Leaving Certificate (or equivalent) qualification. The BTEI creates an opportunity to combine a return to learning with family, work and other responsibilities. Anyone who has left full-time education can take part in a course, but priority will be given to those with less than upper second level education. Courses are provided free of charge and are accredited at FETAC levels 3, 4 and 5. BTEI gives people a second chance to continue learning, develop new skills, obtain a national certificate and increase employment opportunities.

BTEI ART & DESIGN The BTEI Art & Design class created a beautiful sculpture called the Circle of Learning which now hangs in pride of place in the ALPHA Learning Centre in Trim. The pictures show the work before and after completion.

More than 120 learners were presented with FETAC Level 5 Major Awards at a recent Award Ceremony. Awards included: Healthcare, Childcare, Applied Social Studies, Animal Care, Sport & Recreation, Control Technology, Computer Network & Maintenance, and Office Administration. The picture above shows some of the Sport and Recreation group.

A Learners Story â&#x20AC;&#x153;When I was younger I found it difficult to learn in school. I decided to go back to education after rearing my 5 children. I started a part time FETAC level 5 Healthcare course in Trim and attended for over two years. Learning was made easy with lots of support from our tutor. I completed 8 modules and over 120 hours work experience. Halfway through the course I was offered a permanent position in Knightsbridge Nursing Home in Trim; while I was working I was allowed to complete my course. I now have a career in healthcare and find myself using the information I learned on a daily basis. I would encourage anyone looking to return to education to take that first stepâ&#x20AC;?.

ANIMAL CARE COURSE

Horticulture

BTEI ran a successful FETAC level 3 Horticulture course in Sonairte in Laytown. These learners are currently progressing on to FETAC level 4 while a new group have started another level 3 programme. The pictures show learners working in Sonairte and helping out at Blooms 2012. 26

Fildelma Farrell

Staff News May 2013 | County Meath VEC 1930 - 2013

Pictured opposite and below are some of the participants of the FETAC Level 5 Animal Care course which BTEI ran for the first time in Navan. A dog grooming module was included in the course and participants graduated recently with a cap and gown award ceremony.

Meath Adult Education Guidance Service (MAEGS) What service does Meath Adult Education Guidance Service (MAEGS) provide for Learners? MAEGS offers a free professional information service to adults living in County Meath who want to learn more about returning to education or exploring career opportunities. MAEGS service focuses its resources on assisting early school leavers. Are you looking for Information on Courses? Would you like to speak to someone?

Welcome to our new premises:

If so, why come to one of our Drop-In Days

Our New Offices, Reception Area & Student Information Hub:

MAEGS Information Drop-in Service is a free, friendly and confidential service which is open to Early School Leavers living in Co. Meath. If you do NOT have a full Leaving Certificate or left school early please feel free to call in to one of our Drop-in Days: Trim Alpha Learning Centre, New Haggard Street, Trim : 1st Thursday of each month Kells Alpha Learning Centre, Bective Street, Kells: 2nd Thursday of each month Navan Alpha Learning Centre, Abbey Road, Navan Weekly: Tuesdays 9.30 am - 12.30 pm Thursdays 2.30 pm – 4.30 pm (Days/Times are subject to change. Please telephone 046-9068249 in advance of travel)

Learner Profile

Seán Patrick Carey, Current student at NUIM Maynooth

“Facing my final few weeks of a three year double-honours Degree in Geography and History at Maynooth University I am not sure where the time went. What I can say for certain is that you can trace the origin of this life changing experience back to the VEC in Navan. In September 2010 I returned to learning. The following year I was accepted at Maynooth University having successfully completed my Leaving Certificate (I had left secondary school in 1985 without sitting my Inter Certificate). All of the VEC staff were fundamental to this achievement. Particular mention is given to the then coordinator Pauline Finnegan, the current coordinator, Margaret Deegan, the MAEGS Guidance Team, the VEC administrative team, and all the teaching staff. Their patience, professionalism and encouragement inspired me to embark on my journey through third level education. It was not only their support during my time spent in the VEC in Navan but their continued assistance and support as I navigated my way through first, second and now my final year at University that is to be highly commended. As the great renaissance figure Michelangelo said, ‘I am still learning’. I will always be grateful to the staff of the VEC for their support and encouragement that has allowed me to continue learning”.

Higher Education Information Morning For learners who do have a full Leaving Certificate or higher we offer a new free Higher Education Information Workshop. This workshop will outline a number of educational opportunities that are available to individuals who wish to progress their Education. A range of options that can assist you in your search will be outlined on the day. Fourth Friday of each month at 10.30 a.m. in Alpha Learning Centre, Co. Meath VEC, Abbey Road, Navan. (Days/ Times are subject to change. Please telephone 046-9068248/9 in advance of travel)

Facts and Figures: Did you know in 2012 MAEGS assisted 3,316 individuals. Both members of MAEGS staff are past Mature Students. Martin Bellew’s original qualification is in Carpentry. He started a Diploma in Education & Training Management progressing to a BSc in Education and Training in DCU, progressed to a Post Graduate Diploma in Guidance Counselling leading to a Master’s in Education (M.Ed) with specialism in Guidance Counselling in NUI Maynooth which he completed in 2007. Eilís Coyne studied for all her qualifications part–time, a BA (Hons) in HR Management, Diploma in Information Providing both from NCI and a Post Grad in Adult Guidance and Counselling from NUI Maynooth. Staff News May 2013 | County Meath VEC 1930 - 2013

Meath Night Classes Meath Night Classes in 2013 are committed to offering adventurous courses to the people of the county. Our participants are busy people with busy lifestyles, often juggling childcare and careers while signing up for courses. This is why we decided to engage with them on social media platforms. We currently reach over 1000 people per week in this way and it gives us the opportunity to create an online community by answering questions about courses and sharing relevant content with them. Crafting of all sorts is making a come-back around the county. Whether it is millinery in Oldcastle or Clothes-Making in Navan, the scissors are clacking away and new creations are being fashioned.

Christy Duffy, Adult Education Officer, Meath VEC

Bringing the Class Outside Along with our desk based classes, our tutors like to get students out into the open air. The Hill-Walking and Navigation course which runs out of St Peters’ College in Dunboyne combines desk based map and compass learning with treks in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains.

Professional Courses

It is not all fun and games. County Meath VEC offer evening classes which lead to professional accreditation in accounting, childcare and law. Many students achieve great success afterwards, such as Accounting Technician tutor Dolores Grace, pictured right.

COMPETITION WINNER County Meath VEC ran a Facebook competition over the Christmas period. Jackie Smith (pictured across) from Athboy was the lucky winner of a course . She decided to join the Pilates classes in Beaufort College.

The photography class also got out of the classroom with a dawn beach trip to Clogherhead at 4am in the morning!

Staff News May 2013 | County Meath VEC 1930 - 2013

Different Strokes

While the guitar class in Dunboyne concentrated their efforts on 60s blues by practising songs like “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay”, the musicians in Oldcastle went for a more refined sound by trying their hand at classical guitar. Both were equally pleasurable to listen to.

EU Projects The year 2013 marks an exciting period of development for the EU Projects Department. We are delighted that County Meath VEC has been successful in receiving funding for a new and exciting project on Early School Leaving and Second Chance Education (ESSE) where we will act as Lead Partner to a Consortium of seven countries across the EU. We are also joining forces & resources with our Cyprian Partner Cardet once again to work on a new project on promoting Science Fiction in Education (SciFiEd). Having just completed interim reports for the FutEur and Happy Days projects with positive feedback from our external evaluator, we are also pleased to report that the ORSEN Project which was submitted for final evaluation in December 2012 scored an overall final result of 90% from the EACEA in Brussels. We are very proud that our first project as lead partner has had such positive results and hope that this sets the benchmark for the future results for the department.

The” FutEur” in Development

Now at the mid-way point in its development the FutEur project is progressing ahead of schedule thanks to the dedicated project team. The Consortium have now established teams of experts in each partner country who have assessed and selected best practice resources in the areas of Digital Competency and Migrant Integration in their home country. The website www.futeur.ning.com is awash with e-Zine publications in each partner language and provisions for an eportal capability have been sourced and are now at the development stage on the website itself.

Official Wave Launch

The official launch of the Wave Project Meeting was hosted by Lead Partner FIT Ltd in March 2013 in Dublin. Comprising of partners from Italy, Budapest and the UK Meath VEC played in integral role in the development of resources for meeting the social needs of senior citizens through Web 2.0 technologies. We were delighted to bring some of our learners along to the launch of the project and its resources. Information, tools and resources from the project can be accessed at www.wave2project.eu. The learning resources created as part of the project were nominated fo the the STAR Awards by AONTAS at the Adult Learner’s Festival in February in this year.

LIRE in Action

Patrick Sullivan (Ard Ri) and Mary HIbbits (YR Trim) have just returned from Athens where they attended an exciting partner meeting for the LiRe project. Over the coming months County Meath VEC are committed to implementing the tools and resources conceived by the project throughout our schools. Please see www.lifelongreaders.org for further information.

The Happy Days Project in Development The FutEur Consortium at their most recent meeting in Palermo Italy.

SciFiEd –An Introduction

The EU Projects Department at County Meath VEC were delighted when Cardet (our Cyprian partner from the LIRE project) asked us to come on board as an Irish partner for the SciFiEd Project. The aim of the project is to provide teachers with resources that will assist them in making science more attractive to students, connecting it with real-life issues by incorporating Science Fiction in science teaching. The project commenced in late 2012 with a kick off meeting in Cyprus David O’Connor (pictured) managing the initiative on behalf of County Meath VEC. We very much look forward to being updated on the progress of the project in the coming months.

Currently at the midpoint in the project the Happy Days Consortium are busily working on the development and testing of the Happy Days Toolkit. Alan Larkin & Liz Lavery on behalf of County Meath VEC’s are more than pleased to report that the Consortium have a number of schools on board primed and ready for testing the resources developed across the EU. Our Greek partners are leading this work package on behalf of the Consortium and are striving to ensure that optimum quality resources are produced to test across Europe in the designated timeframe. The next focus of work is around the areas of Continuous Professional Development and the Induction training for the Happy Days material. This and much more will be discussed at the next Partner Meeting in Poland on April 11th and 12th.

Introducing the ESSE Project

One of the newest projects in development is ESSE -a research project focussing on the area of Early School-Leaving & Second-Chance Education. We are currently in the early stages of this exciting project. Following a very successful first Partner Meeting which was held in The Knightsbrook Hotel in Trim in January of this year, all partners are preparing for the extensive research phase which will commence in late April; the purpose of which is to identify best practice education models of prevention, intervention and compensation which have been developed across Europe to address the issue of early school leaving. Louise Cole is leading the issue on behalf of the VEC’s behalf. Staff News May 2013 | County Meath VEC 1930 - 2013

Laytown/Bettystown Youthreach Laytown/Bettystown Youthreach was established in December 2007. It is a 25 place centre. It offers students on the programme the opportunity to gain certification at FETAC Level 3, Level 4 and Level 5. The centre offered the following courses in 2012/13. • Occupational First Aid FETAC L 5 ECDL • Gaisce Awards FAI Coaching Course • Security Guarding Safe Pass

GAISCE COMMUNITY PROJECT

As part of the Gasice community project the students from Laytown/Bettystown Youthreach have taken on to clean Bettystown beach. They have taken on to keep it tidy for the local community. The group will also be taking part in a hike through the Wicklow mountains as well as other tasks to ensure that they achieve their awards.

Mission Statement

Laytown/Bettystown Youthreach is committed to providing a quality, dynamic education and training programme, enabling the development of each individual in a safe, comfortable and fun environment.

COACHING COURSE

A group of students from the centre took part in FAI the Kickstart 1 Coaching course. They demonstrated great skill and effort in achieving their awards and the coaches from the FAI said that they were of a very high standard. They suggested that some of them move on to Kickstart 2 which they will be undertaking this summer.

NEW PREMISES Pictured below are students receiving FETAC awards from Christy Duffy AEO.

Laytown / Bettystown Youthreach recently moved into a new building on Coast Road in Bettystown. It is a much bigger space than their previous premises and the centre is expanding to fit it. They are now in a position to put on health and fitness classes in the building and this has added a new dynamic to their programme.

Annual Awards Night

The Centre’s Annual Awards Night took place in their new building located on the Coast Road Bettystown in February and a great night was had by all. Guests were treated to a live Performance from Niamh O’ Donoghue, a photo story and many awards. Thanks to all who attended.

Staff News May 2013 | County Meath VEC 1930 - 2013

Youthreach Foundation Navan Youthreach Foundation Navan provides education and training for early school leavers. The programme offers certification at FETAC Level 3 and Lefel 4. Our target group is early school leavers between the ages of 15 and 18, and also those young people who do not have a Junior Cert. The subjects we offer include English and Communication, Computers, Maths, Personal & Interpersonal Skills, Catering, Woodwork, Metalwork, Art & Design, Personal Care, and Presentation. We have a counselling service available to our young people, and have a Literacy and Numeracy tutor on staff also. We have a good sports programme along with an established work experience programme for our young people.

The Take Away My Way challenge

Pictured below are Youthreach students and staff in their newly refurbished premises in Abbey Road, Navan. The staff and students are delighted with their revamped building and are looking forward to learning in their new centre.

The Take away my way All–Island Cookery Competition gives students an opportunity to create tasty, healthy versions of their favourite takeaway. The competition invites students to create a mouth-watering healthy takeaway dish for 2 people. Some of our entries this year include a Greek Lamb kebab, Thai Chicken red curry and Chinese pork ribs with egg fried rice. We would like to wish the best of luck to our students who have taken part this year. Winners will be announced shortly.

YSI Group Congratulations to Youthreach YSI group who took on a lot this year and they successfully raised over €1000 for the Meath River Rescue, Sponsor a Brick Appeal. They did this by working all weekend on their own time along with centre staff in Dunne’s Stores Grocery Store in Navan.

Spraoi na Mi Many of the students took part in the annual Spraoi na Mí concert which was held in the Solstice Arts Centre in Navan. The girls spent a lot of time practicing their zumba dance routine and singing, ahead of the show, and some of the other students helped out ‘front of house’. Students and parents alike enjoyed a very entertaining show. Staff News May 2013 | County Meath VEC 1930 - 2013

Youthreach Progression Hi-Way Cafe Youthreach Progression provides opportunities for education and training for young adults 16 – 21 years. The Hi-way provides Fetac Level 5 Certificates in a number of subjects including General Studies, Childcare, Sports, Graphic Design and Retail Practice. The Trimgate Street centre provides the Leaving Certificate Applied, which is a two year practical programme. The courses offered provide an opportunity for young people to return to education and to benefit from small group tuition in a friendly atmosphere.

Sweetman Thrust Competition

Pictured below are students Shannon Lee, Isuara Finney, and Linda McManus who won a trip to the European Parliament when they entered the competition with their social education task.

Youthreach Progressions Samba Band were delighted to open Navan’s Shamrock festival in the Town Hall recently. The festival was officially opened by, Deputy Mayor, Francis Deane and was very well attended with visitors from a town called Navan in Canada, Italy and Sicily.

Show Racism The Red Card Award Night

Hi-way Childcare students performed a fabulous Puppet Show for the children in Le Cheile Childcare Centre. They followed up with a play activity which involved making shapes with play dough. The students have also been invited to visit other community childcare facilities in Navan with the same performance in May.

Pictured below is the St. Patrick’s Day float was designed and painted by the Youthreach Progression Students. The float won ‘Best overall Float’ for the Shamrock Festival this year.

The students organised a number of activities to highlight racism in the community. Among these were an Art Competition with local primary schools and a friendly soccer game with Youthreach Foundation. They also made a float for the St. Patrick’s Day parade. The Awards Ceremony was held in Navan Library on Thursday 14th March, where students were presented with certificates. Joining us on the night were the mayor of Navan Cllr. Caoimhe Ni Shluain, the CEO of Co Meath VEC, Mr Peter Kierans, Youthreach County Co-ordinator Liz Lavery as well as staff and students from both centres.

Student Enterprise Over the past number of years the students have collected money for many local charities and 2013 was no exception. The students sold Easter eggs and held a giant raffle. All the money raised went to supporting Navan Special Olympics. Other charities supported by the students over the years have included Meath Arch Club, Meath Women’s Refuge and the ISPCC. Picture shows the Youthreach Progression stall in Navan Shopping displaying the eggs for the raffle.

Staff News May 2013 | County Meath VEC 1930 - 2013

Youthreach Trim Youthreach Trim seeks to "Provide a flexible, challenging, person centred Training and Education Programme which allow our participants an opportunity to gain recognised Certification with particular focus on the holistic development of individuals while promoting a pattern of lifelong learning"

Work Experience The Work experience Co-ordinator Kate Geoghegan supports and helps each student when looking for and throughout their work placement. She asks each young person what their ideal career would be and then tries to place them in their area of interest. For example two students who are hoping to start a career in I.T. have been placed in Silk Web Design an I.T. company based in Trim. A local artist Megan Quinn is working with one of our very talented young artists. The centre has excellent relationships with the hotels in the town where they try to place their young people so that they gain experience in a thriving industry in the town tourism. We also have very good links in the community with people like Brian Heffernan who is on the Tidy town council.

Trim youth reach recently participated in the Regional Youthreach Soccer tournament in Drogheda. The tournament consisted of ten teams from all over the Eastern region, each team brought eight players. Overall the tournament was run in Great Spirit with a high level of participation from all teams. Pictured below are Christy Duffy AEO, Elizabeth Laver,y Youthreach County Co-ordinator, Brendan Pillion Co-ordinator Youthreach Trim, Resource Officers Caitriona Cullen and Mary Hibbits at the ESSE project which took place in January 2013.

Youthreach Trim Quality Centre of Education took part in the 2nd ‘Breaking Traditions’ Online Conference on Saturday 23rd of March 2012. This online conference is a virtual platform which enables the centre and many other fellow Glasserian’s from around globe to share best practice and to explain how we have applied the ‘Quality School’ model very successfully here in Trim for many years now. This year’s presentation is titled ‘Youthreach Trim Quality Centre of Education: Building on solids foundations of the past in meeting the needs of young people in the future’.

Staff News May 2013 | County Meath VEC 1930 - 2013

Youthreach Kells Kells Youthreach aims to provide a healthy, caring environment. Our vision as a team is to provide guidance, education and further educational opportunities. We wish to create a stepping stone for future success, personal growth and lifelong learning. Our priority is to cater for the individual needs of our students, empowering them to achieve their goals.

Soccer in the Centre

Our soccer team has been very busy in recent weeks and on Tuesday the 26th of February we took part in the North East Regional soccer tournament. We had some very good results on the day and will continue to build for next yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tournament.

Centre Activities

FIRST PRIZE FOR KELLS STUDENT

Connor Fitzsimonsfrom Kells Youthreach was the winner of the Road Safety Authority Art Competition In Meath. Connor went to the awards ceremony in the Solstice and received his prize for first place. Connor is FETAC Level 4 Year 2 student with Kells Youthreach.

ART COMPETITION Pictured below is student Tyrone Ward who represented Youthreach in the North East Region in Woodcraft in the National Youthreach Art Competition.

Staff Photograph

(l to r) Marie Smith, Literacy Support, Helen Kenealy, IT Tutor, Gemma Deegan, Resource Person, Fionnuala Ryan, Tutor, Fiona Graham, Coordinaor, Enda McDonell, Resource Person and Patrick Morris, Tutor.

Staff News May 2013 | County Meath VEC 1930 - 2013

Youthreach Ashbourne The Ashbourne Youthreach programme started in September 1999. The centre caters for 35 trainees. The centre is staffed by the Co-ordinator, three Resource People, and part-time Tutors. Ashbourne Youthreach aims to provide a response to the needs of early school leavers by offering a programme of learning, training, workexperience and certification. Ashbourne Youthreach aims to achieve the following: To plan programmes based on the needs of the individual. To plan a route of progression with the individual. To provide certification, if this is part of the individual plan. To support the young person in developing new skills and resources. To highlight and build on the natural skills, talents and abilities that young people already possess. To build self-esteem and confidence and to provide the young person with the opportunity to develop within a safe environment.

River Project with Tidy Towns Continuing

our long association with Ashbourne tidy towns, students are currently making bird boxes for along the river that runs through the town. This is part of a plan to enhance the river from an environmental and visual aspect. Later in the year we will engage with the project again to help create more habitats for wildlife along the river, thus improving it as an amenity.

EXCEPTIONAL CENTRE INSPECTION REPORT Youthreach Ashbourne staff and students are celebrating an exceptional report from the Department of Education and Skills. The evaluation took place over a week in October 2012. The inspection report described Ashbourne Youthreach as a “progressive centre, which provides a supportive environment for the learner in a safe, respectful atmosphere”. Describing the quality of teaching the report says there were “many instances of exemplary practices”. The Inspection report says the centre is “managed to a high standard”.

The Appliance of Science has always been big in Ashbourne Youthreach. Pictured above is student Anna with her teacher Priscilla Keating.

YOUTHREACH ASHBOURNE HIGHEST ACHIEVER Congratulations to Ciara Brady (pictured with Coordinator Alan Larkin and Youthreach County Coordinator, Liz Lavery) who attended the Highest Achievers Ceremony. Ciara achieved the highest results in her LCA and was also student of the year 2012.

Students Paint the Town Green

Each year Youthreach students participate with

the celebrations for St. Patrick’s Day in the town. This year students were commissioned to paint the 32 foot long backdrop for the main bandstand. Students have developed a great reputation around the town for their mural work and later this year students will work on our next commission in the Tayto Park painting murals in the animal enclosures. It a jungle out there, but somebodies got to paint it.

The X-Hale Youth Awards The centre was awarded €500 and a day’s training to make two films as part of the X-HALE Youth Awards. The films will go forward to the allIreland X-HALE Youth Awards Film Festival premiere in a Dublin cinema.

Swinging from a Height

With views of snow-capped mountains students recently took to the tree tops and braved not just the weather but very scary challenges on the Kippure OEC in the Wicklow country side. From the “climbing wall” to the “Leap of Faith” on to what can only be described as an adrenaline filled fall, a sort of bungee jump without the bungee, students tested their metal. A head count on the bus going home proved that despite our best efforts… all survived.

Staff News May 2013 | County Meath VEC 1930 - 2013