Board of Management Meeting April 18th, 2018
 

• Following Interviews, Ruth Power has been appointed as the new leader of the BASC.
• The Board of Management and staff expressed concern at the delay and in some cases the lack of Government Grants needed to run the school. This is a problem for all schools in the country. Last year the promised ICT Grant of €6,000 for Dunhill NS never materialised. All ICT grants to Primary School, which were given 2 different forwarding dates (January initially and then April), never arrived. Once again, this grant had been promised for January 2024 but has not been sent to any school at the time of the meeting. Nor were the Ancillary Grants or the Minor Works Grants which are essential to the effective running of the school. For Dunhill NS, this totals roughly €22,000 in grants that have not yet arrived in the school bank account and so the Principal, staff and Board of Management are concerned about the effective running of the school with new flooring needed, Computer Room laptops needing replacement and some rooms needing to be painted as some of the work awaiting government funding.
• The 3rd-6th classes will partake in National Cycling Week this year. On Tuesday, May 14th (weather permitting), it is hoped that these classes will cycle from Dunhill school to Annestown via the Anne Valley. Last year's cycle was a massive success and we hope this one goes as well.
• The school has e-mailed an expression of interest in the School Meal Programme announced by the Government in the last few days. And so, we have been put on a list of schools interested in introducing Government sponsored funding for School meals.
• The School Rules, Code of Discipline & Code of Conduct Policy for Dunhill National School was reviewed and updated by the Board of Management. 

On Friday 19th last, a large group of pupils ranging in age from 1st to 6th Class travelled by bus to the RSC in Waterford City to take part in the annual Schools Athletics event.
We had relay teams in most age categories as well as individual sprinters and long distance runners in most categories.
We were delighted at the try-hard attitude and tenacity of our runners! Some children had never run in this capacity before but that didn't stop them. We were thrilled that some of our runners earned medals in different races but truthfully they could all have got one, such was the motivation and dedication shown by a great group of children. It must also be noted that each and every child behaved so well while representing their school. Older pupils were so responsible, helping bring younger pupils to use the bathroom regularly, collecting and distributing bibs for running and just generally making themselves useful to Alison and Mrs Power. Once again, a great day out for Dunhill NS.

On Thursday 11th April and Monday 15th April, the 4 classes in our school undertook our National Spring Clean Day.
We each took on the job of cleaning up a different area in Dunhill.
Ms Millea's Junior and Senior Infants cleaned up in the school yard and garden.
Mrs Power's 1st and 2nd Class went litter-picking on the Church lane and in the graveyard.
Ms O'Neill's 3rd & 4th Class cleared litter on the road all along the front of the school, from Harney's to the turn for Ballinageeragh.
Finally, Mr Cooper's 5th & 6th Class went up Ballinageeragh hill and cleaned right up to Veale's farmyard.
We were pleased to note that we collected less roadside litter than last year.
Every child made a great effort and all showed great pride in their work and in keeping our area looking beautiful.