MINUTES of Portobello Educate Together meeting November 26th 2011
Thanks to everyone for attending and particularly those new members who have recently pre-enrolled children for 2015 and 2016.
A short introduction to PMDS was given for the new members: it was started in January 2010 because it was clear that parental demand in the D2-6-8-12 areas for multi-denominational school places was far greater than the two existing MD schools could facilitate. PMDS met all the original guidelines for the establishment of a new school but despite demonstrating demonstrate parental demand, the overall population in our area is stable and the Department of Education will no longer fund new schools in this situation. A transfer of patronage from an existing Catholic school or divestment ie sharing premises with an existing school seem to be our only options.
The update on numbers:
The parents/supporters group is now 500. Pre-enrollment numbers are as follows: 2012 – 85 children; 2013 – 82; 2014 – 78; 2015 – 64; 2016 – 12.
In response to queries about how our pre-enrollment lists would translate into offers of junior infants places, a sub-group to formulate an enrollment policy for PMDS was set up: Dermot, Seth & Kate (apologies if I have this last name wrong, I hadn’t made a note of it. Please email and let me know!)
National Forum on Patronage and Pluralism:
Ivana went through the interim findings from the Forum. The DES site www.education.ie has the findings presentation that Prof. John Coolahan gave to the Forum and it is well worth reading. The Forum will recommend that the 47 catchment areas (258 schools in total) identified by the DES become a phase one transfer of patronage. Obviously Educate Together is just one of several patrons that wants to be considered for a transfer. We will clearly state in our final submission to the Forum that Educate Together is the model we think best suited to meet parental preference in our areas. The preference of PMDS is for transformation, whereby we would get an entire school. This is what we think is best for the country overall. However, we recognise that divestment may be the place to start the process in order to meet our preferred deadline of having PMDS open for September 2012. We will keep the pressure on for September 2012, but we have to recognise that this is a long-term process.
We always advise any parents pre-enrolled with us to have their children enrolled in any/all other appropriate schools too.
As far as the outcome of the Forum affects us, the options for transfer of a Catholic school are: 1) we are given an existing but empty school (this is unlikely); 2) An existing Catholic school is ‘transformed’ in its entirety to PMDS; 3) An existing Catholic school divests some of its space to us and our class(es) run in shared facilities, run by two patrons.
Ivana presented a draft of the PMDS response to the Forum for comments. Thanks to everyone for such helpful additions and amendments. The main points in our submission (which will be posted on the site on December 1st) are as follows:
- We need clear timeframes for phase one and subsequent phase(s).
- We want the Forum to commit to the 47 areas identified by the DES.
- We think that the suggested ‘parental preference register’ needs more clarity. Such a register should also collect data from children age 2 on.
- Will the Forum measure preference of children who are finishing their primary education and ask for their experiences of faith formation or religious education in schools?
- How does the Forum envisage divestment working in reality? What can be put in place to ensure that it doesn’t encourage segregation within a school community?
- Can divestment cover classes other than junior infants? Parental preference doesn’t change when a child has started school.
It was agreed that we will hold a photo opportunity event to coincide with the publication of the report (due in January). A ‘hedge school’ outdoor classroom was agreed on. Anyone who would like to get involved in organising this, please get in touch. (A number of those who have signed up with the group recently offered to help out with activities, well here’s your chance!)
Communications update:
A logo for PMDS is being designed. When it’s ready we will make a new poster & flyer. Thanks to everyone who agreed to put up posters in January. Thanks are due to: Richard Seabrooke who is designing the logo; Fergal Marrinan who recently took over the management of the website; and to Fay Quilligan who looks after us on Facebook and Twitter.
Fundraising:
- Pub quiz late February 2012: thanks to those who volunteered to organise our second pub quiz. Our first one was a huge success this year and raised 1200 euro. Anyone else who would like to help out let me know and I will pass on your details.
- Bag packing in supermarkets was suggested. Jessica is to follow this up with Sundrive Superquinn, and Grainne with Tesco.
- A charity clothes auction was suggested: if anyone would like to take on organizing this please let me know.
- Running for PMDS in the mini marathon: again, another good idea. If anyone would like to take on organizing this for the group please let me know.
AOB:
Changing the name of the school from ‘Portobello’ was discussed. Because the name is likely to change to reflect our eventual school location we should retain ‘Portobello Educate Together’ for now. However, we need to ensure that the postcodes/areas we cover feature prominently in the new publicity material.
Next meeting:
The AGM will be held in January / early February 2012. Date and venue tbc. The committee for 2012 will be elected at this meeting so if you are interested in joining please get in touch.
All the best, Henri & Ivana
