• Planned Events for Coming Year including Easter Fair – The Chairperson went through all the events which they would be organising this year including, 3 new dates for clothes collections (19th Oct 2018, 25th Jan 2019 and 7th June 2019), a very special visitor on 19thDecember, Easter Fair 14th April 2019, Communion Reception (tbc), Graduation Reception 20th June 2019, 2nd Hand Uniform Sale (tbc).  The Chairperson also asked if there was anything else that parents would like to see in the school.  One parent mentioned a Book Fair.  The Committee agreed to look into it with the hope of trying to arrange for end of Nov/early Dec.
• Prefabs–The Chairperson explained about the prefabs and that one when ready can be used by parents to hold coffee mornings, classes etc.  These will be organised by the parents of the school for the parents of the school.  It was mentioned that if possible the booking system should be something easy to use, with a visible timetable so parents can see when it’s free and a simple click system to book.  The PA agreed to look into this but stressed that it is a great facility to have and encouraged parents to make use of it or the school may find another use for it themselves. 
• AOB – A number of its came up for discussion under AOB including:
  * Uniforms – Parents expressed a concern about the quality of the uniforms being supplied by Lynches at present and asked if the PA could look into this again and possibly look at doing another survey of parents to see if there is a bigger interest in changing suppliers this year.  The PA agreed to do this. 
  * New Payments System – A parent asked for it to be noted that she thought the new online payment system that school introduced was a great addition and help.  The PA would like to encourage all parents to use this new system. 
  *Mental Health – A parent asked if there was any support for children going through a bereavement (eg Rainbow).  Ms Burke said the school were looking into getting teachers trained in this.  The PA said they would look into seeing if there are any talks that could be arranged. 
  *PE in the school – A parent expressed concern about the amount of PE that the children in the school took part in and asked if this could be increased.  Ms Burke took note of the request. 
  *PA Lines of Communication – The Chairperson addressed the issue of contacting the PA with issues and/or concerns and the use of their Facebook page, email and phone.  The Chairperson said that the Facebook page was not a forum for dealing with grievances etc and all these matters should be either emailed or phoned/texted to the PA using the following:
  
  email – [email protected]                                  mobile – 086 1967194
  
  The PA’s Facebook page is there only as a way for the PA to reach/remind parents of things that are coming up in the school and/or of things that might be of interest to parents. 

 
The Chairperson ended the evening by thanking everyone for attending and asking that the next time they attend if they could please try and bring at least one more parent with them and to spread the word that the AGM is worth attending so parents can have their say.  ​

Thank you for all your donations to our most recent Clothing Collection.  Over €400 was raised.   Thank you too to all the volunteers who helped to collect and load the bags.  Our next collection will take place in January 2018 so please remember us when sorting your winter wardrobe.

​All donations can be dropped into Sheila at the school office during school hours from Monday 3rd April.
 
Parents Association committee members and volunteers will be at the school to accept donations at the following times:
Sat 1stApril : 2 - 3pm             and                  Sat 8th April : 10am – 2pm
 
NB: All items not sold will be donated to charity but they will not accept badly worn items so please only send in good quality items.
 
Items needed
Toy Stall
(new & pre-loved)
Toys, Games, Jigsaws
Please ensure if the toy takes batteries or a remote control that it works and all items are sealed in a box.  Jigsaws must be taped shut and not have any missing pieces.

Cake Stall
Freshly baked bread /cakes/buns/biscuits
Please send on disposable plates or clearly labelled trays/plates on the 8th/9th April.  Plates will be available for collection on Monday 24th April in the school.

Book Stall
(New or pre-loved)
Children and adult books
CDs, DVDs and computer games will also be accepted

Plant Stall
Plants/Flowers
Plants will be accepted on Sat 8th April

Tea/Coffee Stall
Cups, spoons, plates, milk, sugar etc.
Homemade biscuits and cakes are also needed

Wheel of Fortune
Tins/boxes of sweets/biscuits, unwanted/unopened gift sets, baskets, hampers, gift boxes, gift vouchers
 
Pamper Stall
Nail varnish, tattoos etc.
 

​Parenting with values: Enable your child’s goodness, character and inner confidence to flourish! 1 day workshop Sunday 12th March 2017 St. Brigid’s School Hall 10.00-4.30 pm
 
Brain research has shown our values determine much of our thinking and beliefs and so are core to how we live in the world. Being aware of what values you are modelling to children is particularly essential. With many conflicting influences from the media children more than ever need clear core values as a strong compass to guide them through life.
Parenting with values offers you an easy to follow and integrate set of practical and effective well proven tools to be the role model and communicate  good values to your children and prepare them as best you can for whatever the future holds.The teenage years can be challenging for parents and kids, this course enables you to provide support in advance by helping your child hold onto their innate goodness and awareness of right and wrong. A simple set of good core values which they own will enable them to resist peer pressure .Values are the drivers of much of our decision making and we tend to hold onto the values developed in childhood.  Research shows children need core values to live and thrive in a diverse world with conflicting valuesoffered by the media.
Colette has worked with children, teens and trained adults with the human values in schools(inc St. Brigid’s) and with parents for 10 years and offers a wide range of tools and experience.
 
BENEFITS OF CORE VALUES

•        Builds resilience and confidence

•        Gives a secure foundation for living happily

•   Supports good decision making

•    Supports the development of your child’s lifelong values based ethical and moral compass

•   Builds strength and courage to resist peer pressure particularly in teenage years.

•   Supports mental and emotional wellness and the confidence to know and be who they are

WHAT WE WILL BE DOING
Experience how to bring values alive in your home to re-enforce their
experience at school,the importance of modelling and communicating values clearly and the neuroscience of values and how ourbrain works with values.
Date : Sunday March 12th
TIme : 10.00-4.30 1 hour for lunch
Venue: St. Brigid's School Hall
Cost: €80
Limited places available, deposit required to secure place.
Please contact Colette on 0858551155 to book or for further information.

It is less than a month to the Easter Fair!  The Sponsorship team have been hard at work and it promises to be a great day.  A big thank you to everyone who has volunteered to help with the fair.  However, we still need more volunteers.  Please contact the PA representatives if you are available to help on Saturday 8th or Sunday 9th April.  Older siblings or other family members are also very welcome to help out.