School visits highlight vibrancy of our District
Auxiliary Visitor Br Tommy Walsh has once again experienced the vibrancy and passion in our District with a series of school visits.
Br Tommy, as always, received very warm welcomes in each school as he witness at first hand the wonderful work being done by teachers to inspire their students, while taking the opportunity to present them with copies of Reflections on a Lasallian Journey.
On each visit, he has outlined the value of the book to the District and how it can be used as a resource in class, assemblies, prayer services, and meetings to help understand and live the five core principles. All recipients were full of praise for the publication which they felt would be very valuable to all in the school.
Accompanied by Communications Officer, Eunan Whyte, the visits began on September 26th a Ard Scoil La Salle Raheny where they were welcomed by Principal, Michelle Benson, who was delighted to get a copy of the book.
The visitors also spent time in the staffroom, catching up with those who had been involved in Lasallian programmes, while also meeting new teachers.
In the afternoon, Br Tommy and Eunan visited Principal Sarah Green in St Seton’s Secondary School, Dublin. On a walk around the school they visited the impressive nurture room which has recently been established to help cater for students with particular needs, and had an uplifting chat with the students.
They then met with student leaders and had a great chat about their hopes for the school, their futures and about the plans they have to contribute to the success of the school.
On Monday October 6th, Principal Mary Brohan, and Deputy Principal Lisa Barnes, welcomed Br Tommy and Eunan to St Benildus College Dublin.
Mary led a tour of the new building that will provide a number of modern classrooms to the school and outlined plans for further development. She was also full of praise for Reflections on a Lasallian Journey and said it was a wonderful collection of very positive stories that highlight how the Lasallian values are alive in everyday life. It is something that she will share with staff and encourage them to use it as a resource for various activities.
Br Tommy also took the opportunity to talk to one of the students he had met in Medjugorje over the summer.
One the same day, they visited De La Salle College Churchtown and met with Siobhan Foster who brought them to see the new home economics building and outlined plans for potential development.
They also met Aisling Plunkett who is taking the lead in the Lasallian Leavening Fund project and showed them the work that is being done to create a garden space and reflective area on the school grounds.
The visits continued the following day in Monastery NS Ardee, where the visitors had the chance to meet new Principal Regina O’Malley for the first time since taking over from Jim McGee in the summer.
It was an opportunity to chat about some of the many initiatives across the District, while Chairman of the Board of Management, Michael McCoy, also attended and reflected on the importance of the school as part of the fabric of the Ardee community.
That was followed by the short trip to De La Salle College Dundalk and a chance to catch up with Acting Principal Paul Breen, along with Deputies Daragh McKeown and Cian O Naraigh.
After reflecting on the great work being done in the school, Br Tommy and Eunan called into the staffroom to share Reflections on a Lasallian Journey, and once again it received very warm praise.
Beneavin De La Salle College was the next port of call on Wednesday October 8th and once again it proved to be a very positive experience.
The visitors were welcomed by Principal Ann Marie Leonard, Deputy Principal Jason Poole and Animator Nessa Farrell.
They were then given an opportunity to meet with Student Leaders and introduce the book to them. Br Tommy praised the students for taking on such vital and responsible roles in the school and urged them to continue their good work.
The next stop was in De La Salle College Macroom on Tuesday October 14th which provided an opportunity to meet with Principal Eric Graham, and Deputy Principal Colm Walsh, who had been appointed over the summer.
Br Tommy wished them every success in their positions, while he also spoke with Animator Liam Fleming and teacher James O’Donovan about some exciting Lasallian projects coming up in the school.
There was also a chance to meet with student leaders and share copies of the book to staff members.
In the afternoon, Eunan and Br Tommy made the short trip across town to St Colman’s Primary School, to meet with Principal Martin Clancy.
Following a chat in the staffroom, the visitors had a tour of the school with Martin and got to witness the great work being done for students.
There was time for one more visit before the Halloween break with a trip to St Gerald’s De La Salle College Castlebar. The very warm reception from Principal Shaun Burke was followed by a musical performance under the guidance of teacher Jennifer Hiney, which included two wonderful singers.
The visitors were also greeted by enthusiastic students who were taking part in Halloween Dress-Up Day, and even the principal joined in the fun by wearing his own costume. Br Tommy was given the honour of judging the competition and presenting prizes to the winners. He praised all the
Plans are to continue the visits to other schools over the coming months
