LORETO EDUCATION TRUST
Irish Province
ANNUAL REPORT
March 2014
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ANNUAL REPORT TO COMPANY MEMBERS
MARCH 2014
RESPONSE OF MEMBERS TO ANNUAL REPORT 2013
The Annual General Meeting of Loreto Education Trust was held on 20 March 2013,
the tenth since the incorporation of the Trust in 2003. The Annual Report was
presented to the Directors and Members before the AGM and later sent to the Institute
Leadership in Rome, to the school Principals and to Loreto Communities throughout
the Irish Province.
In her response to the report on behalf of the Members, Noelle Corscadden IBVM
thanked the Directors, Officers and all those involved in providing a support service
for their work on behalf of the Trust and, whether directly or indirectly, in the
interests of the students, management and staff of Loreto schools. In describing the
report as a reflection of dedication and commitment, she commented that no report
could adequately reflect the thought, hard work and unending hours that go into all
the activities associated with the work of the Trust.
In acknowledging the work which the exercise of the patronage function entails,
Noelle referred to all those involved while commenting on each one’s unique
contribution. In referring to Martin Hanrahan’s decision to retire from his role as
Finance Officer in July 2013, Noelle acknowledged his commitment to the Trust since
its foundation. She thanked him for his good stewardship of financial resources, for
his service to the Trust Board and to the schools and for his wisdom and unique
ability to talk finance and company law in ordinary language accessible to all
In referring to the current reality of pupil-teacher ratios in fee-paying schools, Noelle
drew the attention of Directors to the possible implications of a Department of
Education and Skills decision to further increase the pupil-teacher ratio. If that were
to happen, it would raise serious questions for the Trust Board requiring reflection and
strong leadership. Traditionally, fees have been on the low side to maintain an ethos
of inclusivity but Noelle expressed the view that we would not want our schools to
become so expensive as to become extremely exclusive. That would be contrary to
our Kolkata Guidelines and to what it is that we want to provide. It is not a simple
question, however, and there are many factors to be explored on this journey.
With reference to the stewardship associated with property maintenance and
development projects the need to revisit the guidelines and protocols for
developments on school properties was emphasised. This will involve engagement
with Boards of Management and Principals, both primary and post-primary.
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Induction for newly appointed teachers, school leaders and training for Middle leaders
were described as important for maintaining and developing ethos at individual school
level. The continued work of JPIC was described as a hallmark of Loreto ethos and
the level of student involvement in JPIC was considered to be heartening while the
proposed collaboration between Trócaire and some of the schools was seen to have
far-reaching potential.
Nationally, challenges remain at Patron level in relation to releasing some primary
schools from Catholic patronage. While Bishops are seriously engaged in this
process, it is not simple and Property Trusts are often involved in complex legal
matters as happened recently in a non-Loreto school where difficulties arose in
attempts to transfer the ownership of a former Christian Brothers’ building to a new
Patron in Dublin City.
In providing an update on developments in Sudan, Noelle expressed gratitude to the
schools, commenting on the fact that, during 2011-2012, schools raised over €110,000
for the schools in Sudan.
An NGO, based in Northern Ireland and interested in working with Loreto, is at a
very preliminary stage of negotiation in relation to a project designed to provide
training for Irish teachers here to go abroad and work in the Developing World for a
month in the Summer, as mentors and trainers. If successful, there is potential for
collaboration by Mary Ward International Office and the Loreto Education Centre
with the work of the NGO.
The Strategic Planning process has been facilitated very ably and competently by
Mary Rafferty to date. There is a sense of anticipation of continued progress of this
important work and, indeed, to the eventual outcome.
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
When the Provincial leadership in the Irish Province decided to set up Loreto
Education Trust as a Company in 2003 it was not only with the intention of putting in
place a legal entity with responsibility for the exercise of Patron functions as required
by legislation and by the relevant instruments of governance. The founding intention
of Loreto Education Trust was primarily underpinned by a desire to hold in trust the
gift of a distinctive vision of education based on Mary Ward values going back over
400 years and to facilitate their contemporary expression in Loreto schools now and
into the future. While the Patron functions were not formally transferred from the
Province to the Trust until 2007 - 2008, we are, nonetheless, now almost eleven years
down the road in the life of Loreto Education Trust. A decision to take stock while
planning for the future through a process of strategic review was formalised by the
Education Trust Board, the Board of Directors of Loreto Education Trust, in 2012.
We are now poised at a particular moment at which the decisions we make, the values
which imbue those decisions and the use that we make of these opportunities have the
potential to give the future of the Trust its shape and its depth.
Mary Rafferty undertook to map out the world of Loreto Education Trust through a
series of conversations with individuals and groups. The aim was to gather
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information and evidence from a variety of perspectives regarding how they
experience the Trust and the work of the Loreto Education Centre. The Province was
involved, as were Members of the Trust, the Loreto Network Education Committee,
the Trust Board, Loreto Principals and personnel in the Loreto Education Centre. It
was evident from the start that this was not a complacency inducing exercise! Taken
for granted positions would be interrogated, some questions would disturb - all of it,
however, has helped all those involved to see beyond the familiar and to look at things
from a slightly different angle or through a different lens.
Clearly, Loreto Education in Ireland does not exist in isolation and the context has
been borne in mind throughout the process (Appendix 1). Above all, the ‘why’ of the
Loreto enterprise of education has been emphasised, placing the young people for
whom Loreto schools exist at the very centre of our deliberations. The Planning/
Steering Committee and sub-committee met often to examine and interrogate the data
out of which three the three themes of Tradition, Community and Practice emerged
springing from a common purpose which was to embody the Loreto Tradition in
living contemporary grounded practice. From the themes Tradition, Community and
Practice grew the goals and objectives (Appendix 2). The process has been reflective,
iterative and intense. In November 2013, the Trust Board approved the Strategic Plan
and while the Steering Committee was officially disbanded at that point, an
implementation sub-committee undertook to support the transition from planning
objectives to work plans.
The Trust Board, having approved the goals and objectives, authorised the setting up
of ‘Work Groups’ to identify actions most likely to fulfil the stated objectives. On
Saturday, 8 March, Mary Rafferty facilitated a meeting of almost fifty people,
representative of Province, Trust Board, Boards of Management, Principals and
teachers to begin the work of identifying actions required to bring the objectives
forward. The Trust Board has authorised the Management Team to draw up the work
plans which may include co-opting others into the process. An audit of the roles
currently in place in the Loreto Education Centre will enable the identification of any
mismatches and/or lacunae between current practice and the practical requirements
arising from the ‘action plans’.
REPORT – EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
The education calendar has been eventful as always but has taken a different shape
this year not least because of on-going strategic planning. The planning process itself
has brought about many changes in the way business is done. It is envisaged that
planning will be on-going and organic, respecting the past but keeping the future in
mind.
The formation of four, more or less geographic, clusters by Post-Primary Principals is
a practical example of how the planning process has opened up a new way of doing
things. Principals have already met in the clusters, establishing that they can support
each other in a way which can be sustained into the future. The organisation of Board
clusters, which are mapped onto the Principals’ clusters, could enhance and
strengthen this self- sustaining model of networking.
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Continuous Professional Development
A residential conference was run by the Irish Group Relations Organisation from 8th 12th January 2014. The Trust Board funded participation by two members of the
Planning Steering Committee, Marie Céline Clegg, Trust Board, and Blathnaidh
Colhoun in her role as Education Development Officer. The process was extremely
worthwhile in the light of the particular approach to strategic planning by the Trust
Board.
Appointment of Principal
Following the retirement of Veronica McDermott, Principal of Loreto College,
Swords, a new appointment was made from within the school. Peter Macnamara
began in the post of Principal in September 2013.
Loreto Sports Network
Some concerns about the future of a truly inclusive sporting network of Loreto
schools led to considerable research into how, if at all, the network could be
maintained. In the light of the findings, the appointment of a Loreto Sports Network
Development Co-ordinator was suggested.
The Trust Board approved the
appointment of Elaine Dillon from September 2013. The range of sports and degree
of participation at network level, by each and every school has widened considerably.
Orienteering, golf, Gaelic football and dance are among the activities which run
alongside the traditional hockey and basketball, both of which continue to be played
competitively among some of the Dublin schools. However, every school is engaged
in a range of competitions at local, provincial and national level alongside
participation in sports with other schools in the network
Loreto Public Speaking and Debating
St Stephen’s Green hosted the annual Public Speaking competition in April 2013
while the Mace debating finals took place in Foxrock in January 2014. Both 2 nd Year
and 5th Year students participated. These competitions tend to be confined to Dublin
based schools. The cost of transport and availability of resources for the release of
teachers make it challenging for schools to participate. This is not to say that debating
is not live and well in Loreto schools around the country or that they do not field
teams for a variety of debating competitions.
Conferences and Seminars

The annual Post-Primary and Primary Principals’ Conferences took place in
September and November respectively.

Almost one hundred students from almost every Loreto school attended a
Student Council Training and Network Day in Croke Park. The guest speaker
was from the Ombudsman for Children’s Office.

Loreto Guidance Counsellors came together in November 2013.
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School Visits
The Education Development Officer has visited the majority of schools by March
each year. The focus of the visits, apart from the meetings with Principals and others
as requested, has been to meet up with new teachers, students and teachers involved in
social justice groups and teachers participating the Middle Leaders course.
Identity was one of the themes which emerged during the data gathering stage of the
strategic planning. On each school visit, it has been possible to meet new teachers
and focus on Loreto identity. Recurrent themes and aspects of Loreto identity, which
are common to all the schools, have emerged from the meetings.
Meetings with social justice groups within each school have been important in
communicating a Development Education approach to school activities and fund
raising. Discussions at local level have been designed to guide students towards an
awareness of the links between local and global justice issues but also towards
solidarity and not a charity approach to social justice activities in school.
Development Education is on the curriculum of a minority of schools. Developments
at network level are detailed below.
A meeting with Brigid Tunney IBVM, in October 2013, was intended to initiate a link
between the schools and Mary Ward International. The visit of the Education
Development Officer and Sr Brigid coincided in two schools.
Development Education and WorldWise Global Schools
From May 2013, the management of Irish Aid funding for schools and networks was
given over to WorldWise Global Schools. The latter organisation actively supports
recipients, by assisting with application forms and the design of appropriate projects.
A Self-Assessment Tool has been developed for piloting in the current year. Funding
is provided for projects which use a Development Education approach and build
capacity. The funding of networks is considered to be of particular strategic value.
Training days have been provided to funding recipients.
Funding was sought in May 2013 and October 2013 and granted at the beginning of
the current academic year. It amounted to a total of approximately €19,000.
The first project was aimed at teacher capacity building in Development Education.
Debt and Development Coalition Ireland ran three training days in September and
December for fourteen Post-Primary teachers and eleven primary teachers from five
pilot schools. The schools involved are, Beaufort, Bray, Dalkey (Primary and PostPrimary) and Foxrock.
The second part of the project involved the design of a Development Education
module specifically for Loreto schools. The thirty-hour module is flexible to allow
for local interest and involvement in social justice and also to allow for adaptation to
different age groups. It is at draft stage, involves volunteer teachers from Fermoy,
Mullingar and Foxrock and has been developed in collaboration with Trócaire.
For the second project, funding was granted to run a Development Education
Conference to facilitate and support teacher capacity building in the Loreto Network.
The Principal and two teachers were invited from each school. The aim was to have
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representatives from every school. The seminar took place on 6th March 2014. There
were forty-six participants including twelve of the eighteen principals, teachers and
two ‘associates’, the Head and Junior Head of St Mary’s in Cambridge. Three
students and three teachers were among the presenters.
Facilitators included representatives from Debt and Development Coalition Ireland,
World Wise Global Schools and Trócaire.
There was extremely positive feedback on the day and indeed, after it. Deepening and
sustaining activities in the schools based on sound Development Education principles
and embedding these in school curricula will be the next steps. The imperative to
ensure that this happens derives from ‘The Educational Philosophy of Loreto Schools’
where schools are called to develop ‘a sense of global responsibility’.
Middle Leaders’ Course
For the second year running, the Loreto Education Office has collaborated with the
Jesuits, Le Cheile and Spiritans in running a Middle Leaders Course designed to build
leadership capacity in schools.
The course is running in two venues, City North, Julianstown and Horse and Jockey,
Tipperary. Thirty teachers from ten Loreto schools are participating out of a total of
approximately one hundred participants.
Each participant undertakes a project, which is beneficial for the school, enables the
participants to experience leadership through collaboration with colleagues and is
designed to become part of school life. Follow-up visits in schools with participants
from the last year and current year are designed to be supportive. It has been
interesting to see how new practices have brought about positive change.
Northern Ireland
The Education Development Officer accompanied Trust Board representatives to the
majority of meetings connected with the move to non-selection and also area planning
in Omagh.
Network Meetings
The Education Development Officer attended all meetings of the Loreto Network
Education Committee, Management Team and Trust Board.
Student Mentoring
The dropout rate has been significant for students of Loreto College Crumlin who
move on to Third Level, particularly to university. At the invitation of the Principal
and Deputy Principal, the Loreto Education Development Officer visited and spoke to
all 6th Years in the final term. Early in the academic year, the Deputy Principal made
contact to say that a student was extremely unsure about staying in UCD. Contact
was made with the student who, along with two of her friends from Loreto Crumlin,
met up with the Loreto Education Development Officer in UCD. Telephone
conversations and a further meeting followed. The support of the student by her
school and the personal meetings and conversations, appear to have helped the
students.
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Significant Events 2013-2014

In April 2013 Loreto Swords celebrated 25 Years

In June 2013 Catherine Shanahan, Loreto Primary School Dalkey, organised a
musical Gathering of all Loreto Primary Schools in Dalkey

The opening of a new building and refurbishment in Loreto Mullingar was
celebrated in October 2013

Loreto Cavan launched a history of the school in November 2013

The third book in the Twenty Fifteen series was launched in December 2013.
The subject of the book is Millennium Development Goal 3 and is
collaboration between Self-Help Africa and Loreto schools.
Miscellaneous
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National Curriculum Advisory Group (NCAG-JMB) – member
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) – revision of
exemplar July 2013
AMCSS Region 2 – Steering Committee
Rialto Learning Project – Chairperson Principals’ Network
Rialto Youth Project Management Team – member
LORETO NETWORK EDUCATION COMMITTEE
The Loreto Network Education Committee (Appendix 3), representative of parents,
teachers, senior management in schools and the trustee perspective, has undertaken a
number of new initiatives over the past year through the work of sub-committees:

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
Wellness
JPIC
Communications
The initiatives include:



A Loreto Student ‘Examen’, a technique of reflection by St Ignatius adapted to
suit students in Loreto schools.
A three year plan to deepen JPIC and Development Education
It is planned that a development of the website will enable teachers and others
to share resources.
It is recognised that a closer link between the Trust Board and LNEC would be
beneficial.
2013 LORETO INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE
The Trust Board enabled three representatives of the Loreto Network of schools to
attend an international conference hosted by the Australian Province in June 2013.
The experience included the opportunity to visit Loreto schools in Sydney, Melbourne
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and Ballarat and to participate in post-conference workshops - one on Ignatian
Spirituality and the other on Leadership.
Primary personnel who attended the conference gave feedback at the Primary
Principals’ meeting. Colm Keher, in his role as Chairperson, reported to LNEC while
providing a PowerPoint presentation for the Board of Directors. Various interProvince links have been established as a result of the Australian experience.
FINANCE
Martin Hanrahan served as Finance Officer in a part-time capacity since the founding
of the Trust in 2003 and resigned in 2013. His stewardship of Trust Board finances
and his service to the schools in relation to financial matters was outstanding and
much appreciated by everybody with whom he engaged over the years. Martin’s
conviction regarding the importance of Mary Ward values was such that his
contribution to the Loreto enterprise of education went far beyond financial expertise.
We are deeply indebted to him and miss his unique sense of humour which never
failed to keep things in perspective no matter what was on the agenda.
Finding a replacement for Martin was never going to be easy but having considered a
number of people who came very highly recommended, Kevin Murray was chosen for
the role and took over from 1 September 2013. Kevin is a Chemical Engineer and
Chartered Accountant and as an experienced senior executive has been a director of
both public and private companies. Kevin’s keen interest in education generally and
faith-based education, in particular, coupled with his experience as a parent of two
sons, enable him to bring a very valuable perspective to the work of the Trust.
The following is a summary of the financial situation at the end of 2012 - 2013:
The operating surplus for the year of €133,038 was modestly down from the surplus
of €149,834 for the year ended 31 August 2012.
Licence fees paid by the schools were unchanged in 2013 and the four fee-paying
schools contributed just over 70% of the licence fees paid.
Expenditure in the year was €440,056. This included an unchanged amount of
€114,000 paid to the Province in respect of the services provided by a number of
Sisters and Hugh Morris to the Loreto Education Trust. The increase in costs over the
prior year was due to costs incurred in progressing the development of the strategic
plan for the Loreto Education Trust and an increase to €19,798 in grants paid to
schools for projects geared towards the education of disadvantaged children.
The Company's investments at the end of August 2013 amounted to €4,170,667, an
increase of €487,023 compared to the previous year. This comprises a further amount
invested of €150,000 and an increase in the value of investments held of €337,023.
(Investment returns have been strong for the last five years and are unlikely to
continue at these levels for the future.)
The growth in the value of investments means that the Company's net assets at 31
August 2013 were €1,758,511.
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Since the year end, the Company has broadened the range of Banks where it
maintains cash balances with a view to diversifying risk in these uncertain times.
BOARDS OF MANAGEMENT - POST-PRIMARY
Boards of Management due for renewal in Loreto Post-Primary schools in October
2013 were:
Balbriggan
The Green
Wexford
Membership of the boards for 2013–2016 is included in Appendix 4 together with list
of those appointed to fill vacancies arising in other schools in course of term of office.
Loreto Trustee Nominees to relevant Community School Boards, which were due for
renewal in August 2013, are also included.
Boards of Governors in Coleraine and Omagh were renewed in December 2013 for a
four-year term of office. Membership is also included in Appendix 4 of this report.
INDUCTION...PARTICIPATION...REFLECTION
Boards appointed in October 2013 engaged in JMB training in November.
It was decided to invite all Boards of Management and Boards of Governors to attend
Loreto cluster meetings in various regions in March/April 2014. The purpose of
these meetings was to enable them to engage with the goals and objectives of the
Trust Board Strategic Plan, facilitated by Mary Rafferty, while also networking with
other boards and gaining experience of reflection on practice.
Boards of Management were also represented at the meeting on 8 March at which the
various stakeholders participated in group work to identify action plans that would
bring forward the objectives of the Trust Board strategic plan. This is a work in
progress.
Representatives of three Boards of Management, Balbriggan, Dalkey and Mullingar
participated in a research project facilitated by Frances Heery: Transforming
Experience into Authentic Action through Role. While the approach was unfamiliar in
many ways, it raised awareness regarding ways to develop personal and
organisational capacities. Roles develop through an understanding of the dynamic
interaction of person, context, system and source. Participants grew in an
understanding that this dynamic shapes the way a person finds and takes a role.
SCHOOL ADMISSIONS BILL
The formulation of Admissions Policies is a significant function fulfilled by Boards of
Management.
Among recent initiatives of the current Minster for Education and Skills has been the
publication of an Education (Admissions to Schools) Bill and accompanying draft
Regulations to address difficulties that he perceives to be in the current system policy, practice and procedures. The Trust Board requested a sub-committee to make
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a submission in response to the Bill and this was done on 31 October 2013 following
as much consultation as was possible within a very tight timeframe allowed by the
Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection.
On 15 January 2014, Marie Céline Clegg was invited to meet with the Oireachtas
Committee and given the opportunity to elaborate on aspects of the Loreto submission
and to answer questions posed by members of the Committee. Others invited to do
likewise on 15 January were a Barrister who had a particular interest in appeals re
refusals to enrol in schools; a representative of an Anti-Religious Discrimination
Group; a school Principal from the ETB sector and a person involved in research on
Ireland’s level of compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights and
relevant international Covenants. The variety of perspectives illustrated the
importance of a ‘balancing of rights’ in the final legislation.
Following receipt of a number of submissions and twenty-two hearings, a Report has
just been published which is described as ‘being of assistance to the Minister for
Education and Skills as he finalises the Bill’. The Joint Committee will give further
consideration to the Bill when it is presented to the Houses of the Oireachtas. The
purpose of the proposed legislation, according to the Minister, is to put in place an
equitable system of admission that will be better structured, more easily understood,
and easier for prospective parents/guardians/students to negotiate. The Loreto
submission emphasised, however, the importance of achieving the stated aims while
allowing schools as much autonomy as possible in line with the right of Boards of
Management to exercise their statutory responsibility while acting in accordance with
the characteristic spirit of schools as articulated by the Patrons.
LINKS WITH PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Denise Harvey IBVM has visited all Primary schools and met with Principals and
staffs. She was also involved in collaboration with Blathnaidh Colhoun, Education
Development Officer in the preparation and planning of the Annual Conference for
Loreto Principals and Deputy Principals.
RUMBEK
The resolution passed at the AGM of Loreto Education Trust 2012 broadened the
remit of the Trust Board to include support for Rumbek while not formally exercising
patron functions in relation to the mission. Strategic Planning for Rumbek, initiated
by the Provincial Leadership Team and involving wide consultation by an external
agent, included in its priorities the setting up of governance structures for the
secondary school. Marie Céline Clegg IBVM visited Rumbek in November to begin
the process of setting up an interim Board of Management representing local,
Ministry, educational and Loreto interests. Plans are now in place to set up the
interim board with an appropriate instrument of governance in the coming months.
A conversation with Orla Treacy IBVM, Principal, highlighted the importance of
leadership development out of which has developed the idea of the recently appointed
Deputy Principal having the opportunity to spend a short time in Ireland. During his
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visit he would visit a number of schools, perhaps, and observe practice while
establishing links with senior management in Loreto schools in Ireland. Blathnaidh
Colhoun is interested in liaising with those involved in this initiative.
NORTHERN IRELAND
The three issues common to Loreto College Coleraine (LCC) and Loreto Grammar
School Omagh (LGSO) are Academic Selection, School Estates, and the Post-Primary
Review (PPR).
Coleraine
In Coleraine the decision to end academic selection has been implemented and
September 2013 marked the first all non-selective intake. There were 176 first
preference applications for 120 places.
The recommendations from the Northern Ireland Commission for Catholic Education
(NICCE) regarding the PPR in the Coleraine area was for two schools, one led by
LCC the other by Dominican College Portstewart (DCP). There are currently three
schools - LCC, DCP and St Joseph’s College Coleraine. At a meeting of the Trustees
in February 2013 the decision was taken to form a Steering Group to take this
recommendation forward. This consists of the Principals, representatives of the
Trustees and Boards of Governors, Mr Sean Maguire (facilitator), Ms Edel Tague
(CCMS) and Bishop Donal Mc Keown (Chair). Brian Lenehan represents the Loreto
Education Trust Board on the Steering Group. Terms of Reference and a
Communications Strategy have been agreed and a draft Business Case has been
produced. This includes key dates and interim arrangements. It is hoped that this
document will be finalised by the end of March 2014. Key to the process is the
submission of Development Proposals by each of the schools. It is hoped to have
these published by September 2014 and with the Minister by November/December
2014. Current work in progress relates to Admission Numbers, Enrolment Numbers
and a Position Paper from DCP regarding movement away from Academic selection.
Parallel to this process will be the application for funding for new school estates on
both sites, both interim and long term. Draft architect plans for LCC have been
drawn. A positive and speedy decision by the Minister regarding the Development
Proposals and funding will be critical.
Omagh
In Omagh the decision to end academic selection on a phased basis from September
2015 onwards has been taken.
With regard to PPR in the Omagh area it has been decided that two options will be
forwarded for public consultation:
1. Retain the three schools as non-selective schools with the current gender
provision
2. Retain the three schools as non-selective co-educational schools.
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To date, the public consultation has not happened. This lack of progress is of concern
to the Board of Governors in the context of their timeframe for phasing in nonselection.
Noelle Corscadden IBVM signed the Memorandum of Understanding confirming
Loreto’s willingness to move to Lisanelly under certain conditions. The Department
of Education now wants to establish the details of the school estates on the site. The
difficulty this poses for the Catholic sector, and therefore LGSO, is that the PPR
public consultation has not yet happened. The Loreto Education Trust Board
contacted NICCE and the other Trustees to seek clarity on the issues and move
forward. Consequently, a meeting of the Trustees took place on 6th March, attended
by Mr Gerry Lundy (CCMS). It was confirmed that the two options above would be
forwarded for consultation and that this would happen in April/May.
At a separate meeting with the Edmund Rice Schools Trustees (ERST) the latter
stated their intent to seek agreement from the Board of Governors of their Omagh
school by the end of March to move away from academic selection. Both sets of
Trustees agree on the desirability of LGSO and CBS working together on this issue
insofar as is reasonably practicable.
The Department of Education has constituted a new Programme Board to bring
forward the Lisanelly Shared Education Campus. The Loreto Education Trust Board
has approved the nomination of Father Aidan Mullan to represent the Trustees of the
Omagh schools on this board.
At its meeting on Tuesday, 11th February the Loreto Education Trust Board agreed to
the Northern Ireland Sub-Committee meeting the Coleraine and Omagh Boards of
Governors to support and advise on these issues.
Father Francis Bradley has been appointed the new Diocesan Administrator in Derry.
On Tuesday, 11th February 2014 the Department of Education announced that
agreement had been reached on those difficulties that had delayed the implementation
of the Education and Skills Authority (ESA). This is the single body that will replace
the Education and Library Boards. At the time of writing, however, there remains
great scepticism as to whether it will ever become a reality.
TRUSTEESHIP
While the Province formally transferred patron functions to Loreto Education Trust in
relation to designated Loreto schools by way of Licence, in 2007 - 2008, the legal
agreements did not include the two Grammar schools in Northern Ireland. The Trust
Board currently exercises a number of functions in relation to the two schools by
delegation from the Province. Ms Mary Murnaghan, a Solicitor and now ‘Chair’ of
the Board of Governors in Omagh has been working in collaboration with Brendan
McLernon, Board of Governors, Loreto College, Coleraine to explore what is legally
required to enable a transfer of function by legal agreement. As is the case in relation
to all schools under the trusteeship of Loreto Education Trust, properties remain with
the Irish Province Properties Trust.
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The work is well under way, the Memorandum of Understanding and Articles of
Association will be written in a way that reflects legislation pertaining to education in
Northern Ireland. The Trust will also have to be registered in Northern Ireland. The
task is expected to take approximately four months.
SCHOOLS IN THE CURRENT CONTEXT
Appendix 5 shows the student numbers in Loreto schools on 1 January 2014 - a total
of 16,958 students. When we include our schools in Northern Ireland the number
exceeds 18,000. This year, schools in the Republic faced a high level of uncertainty
in the context of the Haddington Road Agreement. The threat of industrial action was
only lifted at the very end of 2013 when, after a second ballot, the ASTI accepted the
agreement. The proposed changes to the Junior Cycle programme at second level
provided an opportunity for creativity in planning in all schools but school leaders
have had to face big challenges in supporting such planning by allocating the time
required in a context of scarce resources. The difficulties posed by compliance with
Employment Law and the requirements of relevant DES Circulars often result in a
severe shortage of personnel in some subject areas while there is a surplus in others
for some schools. In the midst of all of the above and the ongoing demands of the
complex task of the day-to-day running schools, senior management personnel are
required to be, above all, ‘leaders of the learning community’.
The Trust Board has grappled with the question of how best to support those who
undertake so willingly the task of leadership in our schools and, indeed, all those
involved in any way in the enterprise of Loreto education. Boards of Management
have been encouraged by the Trust Board to provide resources for Principals to avail
of ‘Role Consultation’. Support for those in leadership continues to be a major focus
of the strategic planning process as we embark, in collaboration with all stakeholders,
on the task of articulating action plans arising from the goals and objectives which
have emerged from the process.
The student ‘at the centre’ has been a recurring theme in all our conversations. We
have linked the difference between ‘shallow, deep and profound learning’ with the
wisdom attained through discernment. To quote David Tuohy S.J. in a recent Article
in Studies (The Rhetoric of Reform and the Grammar of Economic Development,
Studies, Summer 2012):
Transformation in students is seen in their ability to make sound
judgements, based on the critical appraisal of data. A quality
education helps young people to be wise about many things.
The meetings of the Trust Board and the Management Team over the past year,
chaired so ably by Eddie Fynes and Eileen Randles IBVM respectively, have had a
dual focus:
1. continuing to provide a forum where the myriad of tasks associated with the
exercise of Patron function are done as efficiently as possible and always with
each Loreto school community in mind
14
2. ‘keeping an eye on the horizon’ by progressing slowly but surely the ongoing
process of putting in place the compass for a strategic direction aimed at
‘embodying the Loreto tradition in contemporary grounded practice’.
I would like to thank Blathnaidh Colhoun, Kevin Murray, Brian Lenehan and Angela
Powell IBVM all of whom have contributed significantly to this Report which,
hopefully, provides, to some extent, a picture of the work of the Loreto Education
Trust Board and the Management Team over the past year. We extend our sincere
thanks to Estelle McGoldrick IBVM, Office Manager, for her painstaking attention to
detail in her role and her gracious management of the Centre throughout the year.
Our thanks also to Anne O’Dwyer IBVM, who, in spite of taking on a new ministry in
Tallaght, gave at least a day each week to working in the Loreto Education Centre.
Marie Céline Clegg IBVM
On behalf of the Loreto Education Trust Board
11 March 2014
15
PROPERTY DEVELOPMENTS
March 2013 – February 2014
SECONDARY SCHOOLS
School
Development
Funding
Balbriggan
The school has received no grants this year
and is still waiting to draw down the final
retention money when Burns, or someone
else, completes the work.
Beaufort
School has no major works ongoing
Bray
Capital Development. The main work in
the school has focused on improving the
existing plant and infrastructure.
This past year has seen the improvement
works coming to a conclusion.
The Board of
Management
approved a fund of
€155,000 over two
years.
Recent elements of the improvement works
included:
A new office for the Principal
A new office for the Accounts Sec.
A new Pastoral Care/Meeting Room
A new Print/Photocopying room.
The construction of a path at the rear of the
Mary Ward Building to facilitate safe
egress from the Fire Exit.
New signage and notice boards.
No funding was
received from DES
for any of these
works.
Cavan
Electrical Project Summer 2013
Upgrade of all Networks
Cost €68,483.04
DES paid €68,279.56
School paid €203.48
Clonmel
Two large class rooms were converted into
a Science Room and a Home Economics
Kitchen
Cost €140,000
It was all funded by
the school
16
Coleraine
No Capital Development
Upgrading of fire protection. DENI agreed
to pay under minor works programme. So
far there have been no works carried out.
Cost: £25,000 + VAT
DES granted funding for the replacement
of the prefabs. The grant is €362,500, in
total. €350,000 for the build and €12,500
for furniture.
The planning application has been
submitted, as have the fire safety and
disability access forms. Going to tender in
the first week in March 2014.
Emergency Funding grant was received to
repair leaks in Dining Hall.
DES has agreed to reinstate the hockey
pitch. Work is ongoing in preparing an
application. There is uncertainty about the
type of surface which DES will agree to
fund.
Total Cost of works
should be covered by
DES
The builders are on site and laying the
foundations for the new Sports Hall.
The building is due to open in Dec 2014.
Estimated cost: €2.5million
Work Done:
Drying out of walls in Convent building.
Sealing windows in 2006 building.
Repainted corridors, classrooms, porch
areas in Concert Hall. New floor covering
in 6th Year area and two classrooms. 2 new
offices created in Convent area. Wiring
secured in various areas and points
rewired. Grounds landscaped and replanted
in places. Slates replaced on all roofs.
No funding available
from DES
Fermoy
Replacement of Convent boiler.
An additional grant was made by DES to
allow St Anne’s and the Dining room to be
linked to the new boiler
Emergency Works
grant received:
€32,031 from DES.
Additional payment
by DES of €3,632
Foxrock
Floodlights were erected on the front
hockey pitch.
The entrance to the Concert Hall was
refurbished
Cost: €41,508
Crumlin
Dalkey
17
Grant of €26,624.05
received from DES
Total €52,007.43
All paid by school.
Total cost of work in
the region of €40,000
all of which came
from school funds.
Cost: €4,550
No grants received
Kilkenny
Capital Works: School extension buildings
/furniture & fittings
Work funded by the school, upgrading
some parts of the buildings & fittings and
purchase of canteen tables.
Capital Computer Equipment
Letterkenny
No Capital Development Grants received
Works and grants under Emergency
Funding received:
Roof repair
Other work done on school property
(funded by school):
Upgrade of Home Economics kitchen
Resurfaced and relined the Gym floor
Upgraded the changing rooms
Provision of 2nd Care Room
Mullingar
Navan
Costing €2,746,683
Grants received
€2,631,597. €115,086
was paid by the school
Costing €119,046
Grant received
€117,043
Total Cost €28,559.11
Grant received:
€27,732.48
Cost to school:
€29,078.09
€9,624.00
€6,170.00
€5,374.00
Total €50,246.00
Grant received from DES for Extension
and Sports Hall
The school paid the following amounts:
Clerk of Works Employers’ PRSI as the
grant only covers the wages.
€4,913,555.41
Other work done includes the renovation of
the convent into offices, staff room, four
class rooms, toilet facilities, teacher work
rooms and the conversion of the former
staff room into three classrooms
Outstanding expenses
of €3,350.08.
Application for a
devolved and
furniture grant has
been made to DES
€12,078.50 over a
period of 119 weeks
No Capital development/grants received.
No Emergency work or grants received
Canteen extension completed over the
summer months 2013. No funding
received for this project from DES
18
School paid €300,000
Omagh
School Enhancement Programme
Replacement and reconfiguration of
school’s dispersed temporary
accommodation;
Provision of new temporary
accommodation for the delivery of Music.
Replacement of radiators throughout the
1948 and 1968 buildings;
Provision of an air conditioning system in
the 1968 building
Replacement of underground drainage
pipes in the school grounds.
Work done & Grants received
Resurfacing Works were carried out in
August 2013.
Repairs to all of the school’s temporary
classrooms have been ongoing since
August 2013
The estimated cost of
the project is £1.1 m.
In October 2013, the
DENI announced that
the application had
been selected to
proceed to the next
stage of the process.
Loreto Grammar
School’s application
was the only
application from the
Omagh area to
proceed to this stage.
Cost of work: £26,221
Cost of work: £53,000
paid from the school’s
own funds
Stephen’s
Green
The new extension is nearly completed. No
grant received from DES.
Cost to school €1.4 m.
Swords
Capital Development
Funds available in
Bank Account to meet
final cost.
The school is awaiting a proposal from the
Local GAA Club re the development of the
current Hockey Pitch into an All-Weather
surface. The Trust Board has given
permission to the school to look at the
proposals.
Other Work Done – Summer 2013:
New staff toilets/showers/etc.
New Kitchen, Desks and enlargement of
staff room (all internal works).
New built-in cabinets and work bench in
general office.
New shelves and redesign of Drama store.
Other Work – Upgrading of PE Hall Floor
- holes for poles
- sanding all floors
- re-varnishing x 3
- new markings for all courts
19
Cost: €68,000
paid by school
Cost: €8,000
paid by the school.
Wexford
Capital Development: PPP Bundle 5
Is moving along nicely. It is expected that
Planning Permission will be applied for in
March 2014. All going well, construction
of a new 720 student school is due to start
in summer 2015 – due for completion in
December 2016
The only expenditure on buildings was on
routine repairs and maintenance.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS
School
Development
Funding
Bray
Primary
Minor works were undertaken in respect of
repairs to several areas of the roof. No
funding was received from DES.
School have applied this year under Minor
Works for the replacement of the school’s
water tanks and for further roofing repairs
€5,153 was paid by
the school
Crumlin
Junior
Primary
Option 1.
The school has applied to replace the oil
burner with a gas burner and re-pipe one
classroom to improve heat.
Option 2
Replace oil burner with gas.
Cost: €24,900
Capital Development:
New building of two classrooms completed
in December 2013
Grants Received:
€145,000 from DES
€184,679 Paid to
builder. VAT paid to
revenue €24,932
Architect fees €17,096
Cost to school:
€5,516
Dalkey
Primary
Area behind the school has been landscaped
and a prayer garden has been established
20
Cost: €22,600
Grange
Road
Primary
Capital Development
School still await final confirmation of the
development of the Lourdes Unit and how
the Grant will be paid.
As a result of the fire in the boiler house the
school is in the process of applying for
emergency funding to improve the electrics
in the boiler house.
APPENDIX 1
CONTEXT
21
APPENDIX 2
GOALS & OBJECTIVES
22
APPENDIX 3
LORETO NETWORK EDUCATION COMMITTEE
2012 - 2016
Trustee Representatives
Deirdre Farrell
St Gerard’s, Bray
Nora Friel
Loreto, Letterkenny
Lorcan Byrne
Loreto, Bray
Post-Primary Teacher Representatives
Colm Keher
Kilkenny
Eileen Cunningham
Navan
Peter Macnamara
Swords
(Vacancy ~ not yet finalised)
…….
Primary Teacher Representatives
Catherine Shanahan
Dalkey
23
Debbie Treacy-Burke
Crumlin Junior Primary
Ann Marie Lynch
Gorey
Parent Representatives
Eve Marie Roche
Dalkey (Post-Primary)
(Vacancy ~ not yet finalised)
………………. (Primary)
Ex-Officio members
Blathnaidh Colhoun
Education Development Officer
Denise Harvey IBVM
Primary Schools
Chairperson
Colm Keher
APPENDIX 4
MEMBERSHIP OF LORETO POST-PRIMARY
BOARDS OF MANAGEMENT
2013 - 2016
Schools
Balbriggan
Stephen’s
Green
Wexford
Teacher Nominees
Parent Nominees
Edel Greene
Maurice Cregan
Kathlyn Hennelly
Bernie Redmond
Jane Kelly
Marie Williams
Jennifer Maverley
Barry McKimm
Joseph Cummins
Patrick Clancy
Lisa Shannon
Barbara Foley
24
Trustee Nominees
Gerardine Mullen IBVM
Vincent Rattigan
Veronica McDermott
Ciaran O’Sullivan
Eileen Randles IBVM
Catherine-Anne Dooley
Gus Mulligan
Eoin O’Riordan
Helen O’Riordan IBVM
Heika Huelswitt
Brian McGonagle
Pat Quigley
VACANCIES ARISING IN COURSE OF TERM OF OFFICE
Clonmel:
Martin Hanrahan replaced Siobhán Joyce
Crumlin:
Teresa Nicholl replaced Margaret Ashe who was no longer
eligible as parent nominee
Dalkey:
Samantha Watters replaced Ciara Cummins
Foxrock:
Geraldine Ryan replaced Carmel Gallagher IBVM
Navan:
Paschal Marry appointed at trustee nominee and John Gilroy
elected as parent nominee for remainder of term of office
Kilkenny:
Tony Joyce replaced Jennie O’Connell IBVM
Swords:
Mary Gorman replaced Peter Macnamara
LORETO TRUSTEE NOMINEES TO
COMMUNITY SCHOOL BOARDS
2013 – 2016
Gorey Community School:
Angela Powell IBVM
Garrett Fitzpatrick (Joint Nominee - Christian
Brothers & Loreto)
Pobalscoil na Trionóide:
Elma Hayes, Mary Ryan
Portmarnock:
Frank Moran, Siobhán Murray
MEMBERSHIP OF BOARDS OF GOVERNORS
2013 – 2017
Loreto College, Coleraine:
Mr Gerry McCabe
Dr Mary Mullan
Dr Brendan McQuillan
Ms Margaret McDonnell
Trustee Nominee
Trustee Nominee
Trustee Nominee
Trustee Nominee
25
Mr Brendan McLernon
Dr Eugene McElhinney
Fr Charles Keaney
Ms Marie Flannelly
Mr Nicholas Lestas
Mr Michael James
DENI Nominee
DENI Nominee
DENI Nominee
Teacher Nominee
Parent Nominee
Correspondent/Principal
Loreto Grammar School, Omagh:
Ms Mary Murnaghan
Mr Brian Lenehan
Mr Michael McAleer
Mr Brian Conway
Mr Eamonn Monaghan
Ms Marian Doran
…..
Mr Jason Wilson
Mrs Eimear Grugan
Mrs Gráinne O’ Hanlon
Trustee Nominee
Trustee Nominee
Trustee Nominee
Trustee Nominee
DENI Nominee
DENI Nominee
3rd DENI Nominee to be appointed
Teacher Nominee
Parent Nominee
Correspondent/Principal
26
APPENDIX 5
LORETO SCHOOLS ~ STUDENT NUMBERS
(1st January 2014)
STUDENTS
POST-PRIMARY
Balbriggan
Beaufort
Bray
Cavan
Clonmel
Coleraine
Crumlin Road
Dalkey
Fermoy
Foxrock
Kilkenny
Letterkenny
Mullingar
Navan
Omagh
53 St Stephen’s Green
Swords
Wexford
1236
625
849
730
509
807
462
620
651
637
848
975
712
773
892
573
627
723
13,249
PRIMARY
Bray
Crumlin (Junior)
Dalkey
Grange Road
53 St Stephen’s Green (J.S.)
793
215
375
527
222
Schools with historical links with Loreto:
Crumlin Senior Primary
Bunscoil Loreto, Gorey
Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal, Letterkenny
St Anne’s, Navan
153
644
460
320
3,709
Total Number of Students (1 Jan 2014):
27
16,958
Loreto Education Trust
Loreto Education Centre
Springfield Park
Foxrock
Dublin 18
Tel: 01-2899956
Fax: 01-2898717
e-mail: loretoeducationcentre@eircom.net
website: loretoeducationcentre.ie
12 March 2014
28