St. Cronan's Boys' National School, Bray, Co. Wicklow, Ireland

Response to the Survey 2011

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I would like to express my personal appreciation and that of the Board of Management for the manner in which so many of you responded to the recent survey. What impressed me most was that while many issues were highlighted from your personal perspective there was a genuine appreciation for the great work being done by our staff. Clearly you believe that St. Cronan's is a happy and progressive school for your sons and the overall sense of being part of a learning community is underlined by the many comments about the accessibility of the principal and teachers to parents.

Our task now as a Board is to engage with our teachers and Parents' committee to ensure that we adapt our management strategy for the coming years to take account of your opinions.

I would also like to thank those who have taken many hours to collate all the detail of your responses. This was painstaking work as over two thirds of parents have responded. To paraphrase a famous politician, 'You have done some service to our school community'.

Sincerely,

Gerry Cosgrave
Chairperson BOM


Dear Parents and Guardians,

I would like to endorse the sentiments in our Chairperson's message. This has been a very valuable exercise for those of us who carry your trust everyday in St. Cronan's. It behoves us to listen not only to your written suggestions but also to the deeper messages your comments might reflect. Some issues can be addressed immediately while others will take a little discussion with our teachers and Parents Committee.

The most urgent problem according to you all is the safety of our pupils at the entrance. No need to mention how often we have tried to address this in the past. We are where we are and we want action now before a pupil is seriously injured.

I as principal cannot be present as often as I would like so I am seeking your urgent assistance in this matter.

• We need Safe Routes to School Team of volunteer parents who might share a little of their time at the gate in the morning and afternoon. They will have authority to act on behalf of our whole school community.
• They will need to be visible with high visibility vests clearly stating their role.
• I would suggest that at least two team members would stand at the lights on the junction of Church Road and the Vevay Hill, ensuring that our pupils can cross the road safely.
• Another two would be required at the start of Vevay Crescent opposite the school entrance to ensure that pupils who have to cross the entrance to come in the pedestrian gate can do so safely.
• The school gates need to be closed at 8.40am for all traffic with the exception of teachers and Savings Club parents on Monday. Parents who feel they have to drive their children to the school will only have access up to 8.40pm
• Pupils who cycle to school must dismount at the school gate
• The gates will close at 2.15pm in the afternoon.
• All pupils exiting to the left (going through Vevay Crescent or up Vevay Hill) will approach the school gates inside the school grounds from the left hand / roundabout side to be marshalled across to the opposite side at the ramp.

I would appreciate your opinions on how effective you think this might be. If we get enough volunteers we can report back to you on how it is working after a trial period. Needless to say we will have to ensure we have garda and insurance clearance first.

Please contact Anne in the office if you wish to help.

Yours sincerely,

Vaughan Dodd
Principal