Borris Vocational School
ANNUAL REPORT 2010-2011
Mission Statement
To create a caring inclusive Christian environment where each individual is encouraged to develop a
sense of honesty, tolerance and responsibility and in which everybody acquires self-confidence to achieve
his or her full potential
Introduction
The Academic Year 2010/2011 was a very successful year. Sincere thanks to all staff, students and
parents for their cooperation during this busy period.
This report represents an overview of the range of programmes, activities and achievements of Borris
Vocational School on 2010/2011.
Staff
Principal
Kieran Lucas
Deputy Principal
John O’Sullivan
Assistant Principals
Bernie Murphy
Mary Smyth
Mairéad O’Malley
Joan Doyle
Programme Co-ordinator
Kathleen Doran
Director of Adult Education
Aileen Brennan
Teaching Staff
Doireann Airoldi
Bernie Atkinson
Maurice Buckley
Orla Bambury
Cathal Delahunty
John Devitt
Angela Doran
Kathleen Doran
Margaret Flood
Shane Gallagher
Kathleen Gleeson
Patrick Healy
Michelle Heeney
Maria Heneghan
Administration Staff
Caroline Hanafin
Helen McDonald
Special Needs Assistants
Margaret Devine
Karen O’Shea
Caroline Farrell
Brendan O’Donoghue
Ancillary Staff
Michael Murphy
Walter Doyle
Cora Galavan
Ann Murphy
Margaret Murphy
2
Hugh Byrne
Brigid Trousdell
Declan Finlayson
Mary Clare Hogan
Maureen Kehoe
Deirdre Lawlor
Catríona Moore
Rita McMahon
Philip Moran
Aedeen O’Connor
Carmel O’Donohoe
Maria Prendergast
Jackie Sheil
Cíarán Somers
Pauline Whelan
Board of Management
Secretary to the Board:........................ Kieran Lucas (Principal)
VEC Representatives: ......................... Willie Quinn, Eithne Reddy, Tommy Kinsella
Teacher Representatives: ................... Carmel O’Donohoe, John O’Sullivan
Parent Representatives: ...................... Eileen Barcoe, Michael Doyle
Community Representatives ............... Gerard Farrelly, Fergal Murphy, Fr. Pierce Murphy,
Student Statistics
Programme
Junior Certificate Year 1
Junior Certificate Year 2
Junior Certificate Year 3
Students
101
83
80
Transition Year Programme
61
Leaving Certificate Year 1
Leaving Certificate Year 2
[Including 3 Repeat Leaving Certificate]
84
56
Total student population
466
3
Student Numbers
There was an overall increase of 5 students from 2009/2010
Teacher Allocation: Our allocation for 2010/2011 is 33.37.
Our Open Day and enrolling took place on Sunday 7th November 2010. We had an excellent attendance
and 103 students enrolled for September 2011.
Leaving Cert / Junior Cert Results: Students, teachers and parents are to be complimented for the
excellent results. Leaving certificate students secured places in all of the major universities and
Institutes of Technology
Board of Management
The new VEC representatives on the Board are Ms. Eithne Reddy, Cllr. William Quinn. Ms. Eileen Barcoe
and Mr. Michael Doyle are the new parent representatives.
In a new development, Fr Pierce Murphy and Mr Fergal Murphy of Keenan Systems and Mr Gerard
Farrelly, Principal of Goresbridge National School are the community representatives on the Board.
The main themes of Board of Management meetings which were held five times during the year were
Communication between the Board and the rest of the school community and how the Board would
become more proactive as a management body.
School Councils & Activities
Parents’ Association
Mick Brennan
Ann O’Neill
Pauline Dalton
Colette Doheny
Hugh Byrne
Helen McDonald
Mrs. Carmel Tarpey
Dan Whelan
Willie Quinn
Jack Barcoe
Mary Hayes
Angela Doyle
Favio Linares
Eileen Bible
Margaret Ryan
Joan Doyle
Paula O’Shaughnessy
Mairead Ryan
Ann Marie Joyce
Tony Kenny
Bernadette Murphy
Frances Barcoe
Julie Carroll
Catherine Langton Maher
Sarah Kelly
Nuala Byrne
Parents’ Association Activities included:
Organising Annual Christmas Bazaar, Running American Tea Party, Bag Pack.
Student Council
Sinéad Maher
Ruth Foley
John Sweeney
Michael Bible
Caoimhe Duffy
Oisín Moore
Dion Wall
Alison Dreeling
Luke Roche
Katie O’Byrne
Kaithlin Murphy
Ciarán O’Neill
Robert Quinn
Aideen O’Shaughnessy
Alan Doyle
Melissa Taylor
Stephen Foley
Themes of Student Council meetings were: the Healthy Eating Policy, Recreational Facilities, Timetabling
of Mock Exams, the development of an Anti Smoking Campaign.
Meitheal Team
Aideen O’Shaughnessy
Bríd Kelly
Caomh Breen Allen
Carol Dowling
Emma Cleere
Fiona Foley
Joanne Barcoe
Lorcan Kinsella
4
Past Students’ Directions
A number of students secured employment and apprenticeships. Congratulations to our Leaving
Certificate students who received excellent results in August. Most students are very happy and have
secured their chosen places in Universities, IT’s, and PLC courses. A small number opted to repeat the
Leaving Certificate
Parent Teacher Meetings
A total of five parent teacher meetings were held as follows:
18th January
3rd Year
th
20 January
6th Year & TY Oak
th
27 January
5th Year
1st February
2nd Year & TY Ash
nd
2 February
1st Year & TY Pine
Staff Meetings
Five staff meetings were held during the year covering a broad range of topics.
Middle Management Meetings
Senior and middle management meetings were held after school on 5 occasions during 2009/2010,
dealing with the planning and implementation of school procedures and structures.
Information Meetings
September/October.
Information evenings for parents and students from 2nd, 3rd, and 6th year.
The meetings for 3rd and 6th years concentrated on the calendar for the year, projects, mock exams,
practical and General Information relating to students in an examination year. Both meetings were well
attended.
The meeting for 2nd year students and their parents was also very well attended. This was the first
occasion to hold a meeting for 2nd Years. Second year is widely regarded as a key year for students, a
time when many experience a lack of interest and enthusiasm for school related work. Topics covered
at this presentation included peer pressure, puberty, relationships, homework, study plan, attendance,
participation, etc. Feedback from parents was very positive.
November
An Open Day was held on Sunday 7th November which gave the general public an opportunity to view
the school, to speak with staff.
January
Parents of 6th Years. Regarding the CAO, apprenticeships etc.
February
A refresher Study Skills session was held for 3rd and 6th year students immediately after their mock
exams
March
5
Parents of 3rd years and Transition Years. The purpose of the meeting was to inform parents about our
TY Programme and subject choices for Leaving Cert. 51 students have opted for TY - 86 students will
commence 5th year in September.
Parents of 1st Years starting in 2010
Theme: The Transition from Primary to Post Primary
The session also included information on Subject Options and General Information for parents.
All of the meetings organised for parents were very well attended. Staff members are acknowledged
and commended for their attendance and contributions at these sessions.
School Planning
Subject Planning meetings take place on CPD days. The School Planning Co-ordinator, Ms Sheil, has been
coordinating the continuing development of school policies
Transition Year
Transition Year students participated in a wide range of activities including:
work experience/community work
mini company competition
presenting their products, services and ideas at the Annual Christmas Bazaar.
attending a number of Universities and Institutes of Technology Open Days.
receiving certification after having completed a first aid course
participated in a Citizens and the Law programme
Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme
93 students are currently doing LCVP.
Activities included: One week of work placement, various visits-in and visits out.
Enterprises including: Daffodil Day fund raising campaign, Shoe Box Appeal, Haiti Earthquake Fundraiser.
Pastoral Care
An Assistant Principal, assisted by class teachers for each year group, provides the main basis for
pastoral care. Regular meetings are held by each pastoral care year group and they are assisted when
necessary by senior management, Guidance Counsellor, or the local National Educational Psychologist.
Guidance
Transition Year, 5th, and 6th year classes are timetabled for career guidance. An array of speakers from a
variety of professions and colleges are invited to talk to students and a number of college open days are
attended. The activities included:
Visits in from:
NUIG, WIT, CWIT and DCU, Teagasc
Visits to:
UCC, UL, NUIM, CWIT, WIT, UCD, Carlow Inst. of Further Ed., Ormonde PLC
College, Kilkenny, Kildalton
6th Yr Students also attended a careers morning in the Dolmen hotel where all 3rd Level colleges and
many other organisations provided careers information.
Third year students were given a number of careers classes and four information sessions prior to
choosing TY and their 5th year option subjects.
Ms. Carmel O’Donohoe organised a very successful Careers Evening for 5th and 6th year students in the
school in April. Thirty adults from various careers made presentations to the students about their
careers. Each student got to attend three talks on their preferred careers.
The following career events took place: Engineer, Paul McDonald gave a careers presentation to 6th Yr
Students. Former students currently attending college spoke with 6th Year students. Mock interviews
were held for 6th Year students.
6
Meitheal
Ten 6th Year students (7 girls and 3 boys) travelled to Castletown Co Laois during their summer holidays
to complete a week long training course run by the Kildare & Leighlin Diocese Ministry.
This very worthwhile programme is organised by the diocese of Kildare & Leighlin. The Meitheal group
works closely with new 1st Year students, assist with the induction of the students into the school in
September and continue to act as mentors until Easter.
The Meitheal students organised a number of activities for First year Students including
Treasure Hunts
Sports Days
Table quizzes
Seachtain na Gaeilge
Christmas Party
Trip to cinema
Ten 5th year students have been selected for the Meitheal Programme for 2011/2012.
This year’s group will continue to play a very active role in the induction programme until Easter 2012.
Breakfast Club
Nine members of staff and three students volunteered to come in at 8:00am each morning to supervise
the Breakfast Club. Students attended for a full, balanced breakfast between 8:00 and 8:30am. The
Breakfast Club is a huge asset to the school and all involved are commended for the excellent work they
do
After-School Study
After School Study was held Monday to Thursday from September for 6th Years and from January for 3rd
Years.
Adult Education Programmes
Night classes were held in Computers.
Co-Curricular and Extra-Curricular Activities
The following are the extra-curricular activities which take place in the school:
After-School Study
Art Competitions
Basketball
Breakfast Club
Break-time Leisure Activities
Camogie
Careers Outings
Meitheal
Chess Club
School Concert
School Tours
Field Trips
The Christmas Carol Service
Irish Debating
French Week
Photography
Fitness Classes
Gaelic Football
Grúpa Cheoil
Gaisce President’s Awards
Handball
Hunter Trials
Hurling
Charity fund-raising
Choir
Drama
Quiz Team
Rowing
French Debating
Theatre visits
Seachtain na Gaeilge
Foreign Trip
7
Extra Curricular Achievements
There were a significant number of achievements including:
 In basketball the 2nd year boys and 1st year girls won the South East Finals. They progressed
from there to the All-Ireland play-offs. While they gave an excellent account of themselves at
this level, they didn’t reach the finals.
 The senior hurlers reached the Leinster semi final of the A championship.
 Our business quiz team won the South East Schools Quiz organised by the Chartered Institute of
Management Accountants, beating the other 34 participating schools.
 Our U16 hurlers were beaten in the Leinster Final
 The U16 footballers got to the semi final of the league
 Six students represented the school in the All-Ireland Inter-Schools hunter trials in Wexford, all
participants finished the course safely and with very good performances, unfortunately there
were no rosettes this year.
 Seven students represented the school at the Wexford indoor inter-schools rowing competition.
The boys are now the Wexford Schools Champions! Two students came in 1st place, one in 2nd,
one 3rd and a 4th place.
 The U14 footballers played 4 games, won 2 and lost 2.
 The Junior and Senior Camogie teams have performed very well in the A competitions but failed
to reach the knockout stages.

VEC Scholarships: Two 2nd year students and two 5th year students have
been awarded
Gaeltacht scholarships to Colaiste na nOilean in June 2011.
Three 5th Year students secured French scholarships to St. Mary’s College,
Galway City.
One student secured a two week German scholarship in St. Flannan’s
College, Ennis.
School Facilities
Computer Room
Tiered Demonstration Room
Multimedia Room
Music Room
Art Room
Library
Home Economics Room
19 General Classrooms
Dress Design Room
Staff Room
Woodwork / Construction
Room
Administration Office
Metalwork / Engineering
Room
Gymnasium with Fitness
Suite
Technical Drawing Room
Five Outdoor Basketball
Courts
Two Science Laboratories
GAA and Soccer Pitches
Inspections
Design & Communications Graphics/Technical Graphics subject inspection on 26th January
The inspectorate spent a day visiting classes and reported back verbally to the Principal and subject
teachers.
Mr. Kieran Lucas reported that the school was very happy with the Science Inspection Report, stating
that it was a very fair and positive report.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Sixteen staff members attended in-service training in:
Maths (7), Irish (4), Design & Communication Graphics (2), Timetabling (3)
8
Mr Lucas & Mr. O’Sullivan participated in the formulation of the Carlow VEC Education Plan.
Ms. Whelan, Ms. Sheil, Mr Lucas & Mr. O’Sullivan participated in the Teaching & Learning for the 21st
Century (TL21) programme in Kilkenny Education Centre.
Mr. O’Sullivan attended the Instructional Leadership Programme presented by Barrie Bennett of the
University of Toronto.
An in-school staff in-service day was held on 8th December.
All teaching staff attended the County in-service day in Mount Wolseley.
Significant Achievements & Points of Pride
The Annual County Sports was held in St. Laurence O’Toole’s Athletic grounds, Carlow in October. Our
excellent young athletes were the overall winners for the 9th successive year. Great Credit is due to all
participants especially to Mrs. Smyth and Ms. Bambury.
The U14 hurling team won the South Leinster Juvenile hurling C competition.
Our School Chess teams travelled to Tullamore to the Mid Ireland Secondary Schools League, two of our
teams were placed 3rd and 4th. The students and their teacher Ms Moore were delighted with the
performance
Other Developments
Retirements
Mr Kieran Lucas, Principal announced his retirement after 37 years service. Kieran was widely
recognised as having been an excellent teacher of Engineering and Drawing, and for the last five years,
as having been an outstanding principal.
Mrs Angela Doran retired after 21 years of teaching German and French. Angela was an excellent
teacher. Angela and Kieran will be missed by colleagues and students. May they have long, happy and
healthy retirements.
The school has decided to include Agricultural Science on the curriculum from September 2011.
A Healthy Eating Policy was adopted by the Board of Management. The Policy was drawn up with a
committee comprising of teachers, students and parents under the guidance of a dietician.
A school website was created.
A secure text messaging service was set up and has greatly improved communication in the school
community.
The first Austin Waldron Memorial Scholarship was won by Thomas Bolger, Ballytiglea, Borris. This
scholarship is awarded to the student from each VEC school with the highest points attending Carlow
Institute of Technology. The Waldron family and Carlow VEC are to be congratulated and thanked for
this fitting tribute to the late CEO, Mr. Waldron.
The school held its annual Christmas Bazaar on Sunday 19th December, the numbers attending were
down slightly on previous years but the Parents Association was pleased with the final outcome.
The Christmas Carol Service on 16th December was a great success the event was well attended.
9
We had three trainee teachers on teaching practice in the areas of Business, Religion, Materials
Technology Wood and English. The students were from Galway Mayo Institute of Technology, St.
Patricks College, Thurles and NUI Maynooth.
10