Pastoral Care

Chaplain’s Report

Con Kelly

As another school year draws to a close, we have cause for much reflection. We find ourselves living in a much different Ireland to the one we thought we lived in when we came back to school in September. The Ireland of materialism and conspicuous consumption that we have grown used to in the last ten years is all but a memory and we are now being forced to deal with harsh economic realities. All of this reminds us that life can change very quickly and nothing in this world is permanent, no matter how much we take it for granted. During the years of our so-called Tiger economy, money and affluence often became many people’s new religion. Consumerism got the better of us and many people lost all sense of proportion. We were not living in the real world; there was no contingency plan for the rainy day, the arrival of which is a certainty. There is always a tomorrow but when we live as if there is not, behaving recklessly to make short-term gains, we foster superficial lifestyles and compromise the future and security of everyone. A few years ago this would have sounded like negativity but of course it is now all too obvious. It has been a crash moment not only in economic terms but also in the spiritual sense. It is like waking up from a dream. Irish eyes may no longer be smiling but they have certainly been opened. And as we look around us we are often less than happy with what we have let ourselves become. 

Over the last years many have lost sight of the most important things in life. But it is now time for some serious reflection. Our spiritual wealth has probably been compromised during the recent years of affluence and consumerism. People have been too ready to dismiss the importance of the spiritual self, regarding it as something distinct from the practicalities of everyday life. But in so doing they have also ignored the inherent strength and sense of purpose that derives from it. It is very important therefore that we search in side ourselves and reconnect with our spiritual selves, if we are to effectively address our economic concerns. The spiritual self fosters qualities such as decency, honour, respect for self and others. But in addition to this it also promotes self-restraint, common sense and moderation, qualities that might have cushioned us from such a severe economic decline and which should be the building blocks of our recovery.

Indeed there is much in Ireland to indicate that a spiritual recovery may be taking place as a result of the recession. People are perhaps beginning to rediscover what is most important in life. Many places of worship are reporting a recent increase in numbers. Even the great sporting successes that our country has had this year would suggest that we are once again tapping into our inner strengths. But perhaps most significantly many charities have reported that contributions have actually increased during the recession. Recognising the hard times faced by others, people have decided to help, even in the face of their own financial worries. This is what it really means to be Irish.

We have seen this very much in evidence at the Donahies this year. Religious Education teachers in particular have noticed that a turn back towards religion and spirituality is taking place. The great interest our students have shown in the school’s religious activities such as meditations, projects and retreats bears testament to this. Students have also gone to great lengths to raise money for those less fortunate. In particular the school Romania project has been a great inspiration and its success in these times of economic uncertainty is of huge credit to all those involved. I have been particularly pleased with our religious services this year. The effect on the students and their reverence was remarkable, thanks in no small measure of course to the hard work and preparation of our very talented and enthusiastic religion teachers.

 In times of uncertainty, our thoughts and prayers are with those of our students sitting exams this June. In particular we think of our sixth years who will have much to contend with in the next few years. But it is very heartening for us to be sending such a nice group of people into the world. And we encourage all of them to embrace qualities such as common sense, moderation, kindness and decency. As such they will not just be envisaging but also helping to mould a better economic and social future for our country. 

Our Links with the Wider Community

Dublin City University &North Dublin Access Awards

Dublin City University & North Dublin Access Awards. The North Dublin Access Programme is an initiative of The Dublin City University’s access service. The programme works in partnership with secondary schools in the North Dublin area to:

Þ Increase the number going to third level. To support students to successfully complete their chosen courses

Þ To promote positive attitudes to education in the community

NDA offers an extensive programme to enable students achieve their educational goals. The Donahies Community School has had links with the programme since its initiation.

On of the initiatives organised by DCU is the NDA Achievement awards. Many of our students were recognised for their success in a range of categories. Events

¨ Two students from 5^th year took part in a Take Five programme during the summer which allowed them to spend a day on five different university campuses.

¨ Fourth and Fifth year students were presented with awards from DCU in December for achievement across a range of categories.

¨ 9 Fifth years took part in DISCOVER DCU a seminar on how to access university places.

¨ 10 Fifth years took part in a SHADOWING day, which allowed them to spend a day in DCU shadowing a student in a course of their own choice.

¨ Sixth year students attended the DCU Access Service Easter Revision Programme. The aim of the programme is to help students raise their academic performance for the Leaving Certificate, increase student’s confidence about the exams and maintain their focus over the Easter Break.

¨ Sixth Years have completed their 3^rd level applications to a range of University and colleges and many have applied for entry through the Access initiative.

  The Dell Access Achievement Awards for Secondary Schools take place at the Helix

 Almost 400 secondary school students received their Dell Access Achievement Awards and a special prize of a Dell “Santa Claus” USB memory stick at the prestigious Dell Access Achievement Awards ceremony on December 11th, in the Helix.

In front of a capacity crowd of over 1,200 fellow pupils, teachers and family members, the secondary school students from some 23 schools on Dublin’s Northside appeared for their 10 seconds of fame each on the same stage where “You’re a Star” is filmed.

The Access Achievement Awards are the biggest of their kind in Ireland and remain so thanks to the generous support this year of Dell Ireland. “We are delighted to support DCU and the Access Achievement Awards as they encourage young people to pursue the opportunities offered by third level education. Dell is committed to making technology more affordable and readily available to people and institutions everywhere so that they can take advantage of the tremendous economic and social benefits it offers.” said Paul Delaney, Head of Public Sector, Dell Ireland.The Achievement Awards were introduced over 10 years ago by DCU’s Access Service to recognise, reward and encourage excellence in both the academic and extra mural aspects of a students school life. They are an important strand of the DCU Access Schools Programme, which fosters positive attitudes to education and encourages young people to remain at school and consider third level education as a viable option for them.

Teachers nominated their students for a Dell Access Achievement Award from a range of categories including academic learning, sports, arts & culture and community spirit. This year IT Skills was added as a new category, applying to students who have demonstrated a marked improvement in the use of technology to further their learning and enhance their knowledge and abilities in IT. “We are delighted that Dell Ireland has agreed to support this important initiative, which helps to inspire hundreds of young people by making them aware of the opportunities open to them through a third level education”, said Ita Tobin, Head of the Access Service. “I would also like to thank our colleagues in the DCU Educational Trust for securing such a wonderful sponsor for these Awards.” (From DCU website)

School Completion Programme

This  year we formalized senior study which is a quiet time of three hours per week. From 14 students in September 2008 silent study has grown to 28 and now includes 3^rd, 5^th, and 6^th years and we look forward to the fruits of their labour in the state examinations in June.

Ms. Kenny’s Math Workshop has proved a tremendous success with students literally queuing to attend extra maths lessons. By years end she had regularly helped 30 students with their maths during the two hour settings.

The homework club for first and second years again proved popular and allowed the resource department to assist with literacy and numeracy development while the third years were given help to access the curriculum and complete their project work.

Summer examinations, October tests and Christmas examinations were carefully analyzed   and ‘letters of concern’ were posted to parents of those deemed to be at risk academically so that parents could react positively to poor performance and enroll their children. Lack of homework on a regular basis elicited a similar letter. Tight controls were placed on attendance and parents were telephoned if a student was absent at 4 pm each session.

The year has been a success mainly because of a small but dedicated staff who have committed to the project. I would like to thank the following for their dedication and drive at the end of each long day: Ms Burgess, Ms. Chandler, Ms. Reilly, Ms. Kelly, Ms. Kilbane, Ms. Cogan, Ms. Hanratty, Ms. Kenny, Ms. Walsh and Mr. Nolan. Parents are aware that ‘only an earthquake’ would cancel the homework club and thus they ensure that their children attend on a regular basis. Our average numbers were 48 per session reaching a peak of 78 in April 2009. Thanks also  to Mr. Ridgeway, for his ideas and to Ms. Doyle, the voice behind those early morning calls when students are absent. Ms. Sadleir

The Donahies MAPS Programme

MAPS

Maximising the Achievement & Potential of Students

The MAPS Programme was established in October 2006 and it has been growing in strength ever since. The aim of the programme is to assist students to set realistic and obtainable goals which will in turn enhance their educational opportunities and success.

All the MAPS students have been working extremely hard throughout the year setting themselves targets and working relentlessly to achieve them.

Many a revision timetable has been produced, exam techniques tried and tested and all completed with the determination and perseverance of each student. We look forward with confidence to strong academic results in the forthcoming Junior Certificate State Examinations.