School Year
The JPA would like to thank the board of management and all the staff in the Meadows, the girl’s and the boy’s school for their support, advice and the tremendous work done by the schools during lockdown. We are reminded of the opportunities provided for children to see their classmates over Zoom, the innovative ways to keep the children stimulated with various guest speakers, and interactive ways of learning as the children found their way during a very surreal time. As the schools re-opened the children received such a warm welcome from staff and it was reassuring for all families to see the extent of the measures taken to keep our children safe. The return to school was seamless for the
children and it is a credit to the schools for instilling such high standards during such uncertain times. A daily reminder of the care and thought by staff for children is evident when approaching the school gates and seeing the hug trees swaying in the wind, a beautiful symbolic way to enable the children to express their love for those they missed during lockdown.
Retirement of Principal Neil Cadogan
Students past and present will be aware of the indelible mark Principal Neil Cadogan has made on their educational journey. He has been a member of staff with the boy’s school for 43 years. We are indebted to him for his dedication and unwavering commitment to prioritise the boys and for promoting a person-centered ethos in the school. On behalf of the parents and guardians of all the boys we would like to sincerely thank Neil and wish him well on his retirement. A gift shall be arranged with the annual subscriptions given by parents to the JPA as an appreciation from all of us for Neil’s contribution and incredible leadership during his years of service. A comment page has been set up on the website jpaconnect.com for all who would like to leave messages for Neil before his departure.
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Save The Date
The Johnstown Parents Association AGM shall be held on the 22 nd September so we would encourage all of you to save the date and attend on the night. More details shall follow closer to the time. The guest speaker on the night is Fiona Foreman, an author, speaker, facilitator and trainer in the area of well-being and Positive Psychology.
Having spent many years as a primary school teacher, she is absolutely passionate about placing well-being at the heart of school life, and she has seen first-hand the great benefits of empowering children, teachers and parents to understand, value and enhance their own mental health. Fiona is the co-author of Weaving Well-Being, an SPHE
programme which is now widely used in primary schools. Fiona holds an M. Sc. in Applied Positive Psychology, the science of well-being, from the University of East London. This promises to be a very informative evening and we anticipate a big turnout having such a renowned speaker. Details for registering your interest to attend will be circulated in mid- September.
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Call for Class Reps
The role of Class Rep is an integral one. As Class Rep you are the link between the schools, parents and JPA. More information is due to follow on how to get involved, particularly for parents or guardians of children commencing in the schools in September. The JPA Committee meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 8.15pm (currently via Zoom) and a Class Rep from each class is asked to attend. This is important so that parents and students are evenly and fairly represented in decisions. The JPA would like to thank all the 6 th Class Reps for their assistance and help throughout the years.
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Bereavement Policy
The schools invite the JPA to review policies on an ongoing basis. The JPA proposed a bereavement policy with a flyer to be circulated to families who may require support. Parents have found it helpful to have meals provided for them so that they can be free to focus on important matters during this difficult time. Home cooked meals will be arranged to be delivered in a discreet manner to families. This will be incorporated into the critical incident policy of the schools and should you wish to avail of this service please do not hesitate to contact the schools for more information.
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Uniform Swap
As we come to the end of the term and break for the holidays the JPA have organised a link for parents to avail of for
uniform swaps. For more information log onto https://jpaconnect.com/2021/06/14/uniforms/
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Ice Cream Days
To compliment the fun activities that the schools have been busy organising for the children, the JPA have arranged ice cream days for the students and staff of both schools on the 23rd and the 24th June. This is a tradition that has always been much appreciated by the children and we are delighted to arrange such a treat to mark the break for the summer.
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6th Class Yearbook
The JPA came up with an idea for a keepsake which parents may wish to organise on an annual basis for students in their final year with the schools. It is a 6 th class yearbook. The girl’s school have organised something in the past which students greatly cherished. We wanted to share this idea with parents should they wish to organise something for their children when the time comes. For more information, please contact your Class Rep who will be able to provide you with an information sheet as to how to go about arranging one for your child’s class.
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Funds Raised by the JPA
The funds raised from August 2020 to June 2021 are as follows:
Get Active Fundraiser €2779
JPA Subscriptions €3580
Calendar Ads €1650
Sale of Calendar €3,300
TOTAL €11,309
Funding Proposal
The JPA are delighted to support the schools in any way that we can. This term we approached the principals to see how we could contribute financially to the schools. It is thanks to you that we can donate €1,000 to both the boy’s and the girl’s school. The girl’s school have identified the need for iPads which will be a huge benefit to the school and the
boy’s school wish to re-do their sensory room which is a therapeutic calming space with a variety of equipment enabling children to focus themselves so they can be better equipped for learning and interacting with others.
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If you would like to find out ways in which you could join the JPA or get involved in events throughout the calendar year, please do not hesitate to contact the JPA at jpaconnect@gmail.com
The staff having a coffee outdoors in the run up to Christmas provided by the JPA as a thank you for the fantastic work they do.
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Thank you all for your continued support in making a positive impact on the children’s school experience by enabling the JPA to assist the schools on your behalf. The JPA hope that you all have a lovely summer break. We look forward to engaging with you once again in September.
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