Resurrection School St. Albans
This is a Catholic School in St.Albans. Aine Beggy from St. Mary's Trim taught there for twenty years. We had already visited there yesterday and interviewed the Principal Bernie (short for Bernard) Mc Hugh. Yesterday, Bernie brought us to lunch and accompanied us to Holy Eucharist School. Afterwards we returned to "Resso" but the kids were gone so we chatted to some staff members and Bernie then brought us to a school supplies store in Essendon. From there we went to his home where we had a "Barbie". We have already planned Bernie and Marie's trip to Ireland, next year, when he gets to take "Enrichment Leave". What a system! Thirteen weeks' paid for every principal after every five years of service. He will not have to do a report not even a flippen blog! It's not fair.
Today we returned to tour the school and interviewed fifth and sixth grade pupils who had been taught by Mrs. Beggy. We saw the "Beggy Tree" which she had planted and was subsequently named after her. We even met parents who remembered her and wanted us to pass on their good wishes. Nice to be remembered, eh?
We took the train, as yesterdays half hour journey had taken an hour and three quarters. This was in no way due to Gerry's poor navigational skills but rather to the directions we got from the school secretary J.C. We ended up screaming her initials in breach of the Second Commandment, on more than one occasion. When we did meet her she was a sweetie named "Josie"! (It's the accent) Anyway, on the train we were sure to be on the right road and going in the right direction. Also our relationship was the better for it.
Some observations:
- "Resso" had a Clinical Psychologist and student councillor employed one day a week. Past pupil of Bernie's. She spends the rest of the week working in three state school, not thirty as in NEPS. She did assessments and follow-up, advised the teachers on strategies, counselled pupils and assisted in the paperwork for grant aid.
- We observed 20 Parent volunteers undergoing training before starting work on literacy, numeracy as well as working with individual children. Training was given by POLs (Positions of Leadership/our ISM) There are 60 volunteers in total working in the school. The are awarded certificates on completion of a three session training programme.
- The teacher resource library was huge and very well resourced and organised. Again, the common theme in all the schools is "SPACE". In the playground, in the building, in the surrounds.
- Another recurring theme is "TIME". The teachers have time built in to each day for planning and corrections etc. This has been negotiated by their union and forms an integral part of their working lives.
- Another constant is "BUDGET". Here it was $3.5 million No salaries are paid centrally, the money for salaries and all other expenditure is all devolved. This puts huge pressure on the Principal and Business Manager. (a wha'?)
- The auditors were in! Two of them spent the whole day in school going through the books. Sixteen boxes of papers were examined and then filed away in the archives.
- Here out of a staff of 43, nineteen were class teachers, 8.5 had not teaching duties, subject co-ordinators etc. five were POLs and the rest were admin.
- We were bowled over by the personality of Bernie and how well he looked after us. " There was a great sense of team spirit and religious ethos among the staff. They had a St. Patrick's Day party with all this green food. Those who know me know all about my relationship with green food, but I ate the "Pav". It was delicious.
- Áine had asked me to sing "There Is a Place" [ Liam Lawton] and I duly obliged. Scary moment, but I was glad I did it, as it meant a lot to her friends.
- We were sad leaving, as it was like a home away from home. It was the highlight of our visit, so far.
Nath na Seachtaine:
"I remember Mrs. Beggy-she was so skinny!"
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