Junior School makes donation to Br Enrico

Covid 19 has impacted greatly on us all, not least the Pastoral Centre here in Castletown.

Over the summer, physical changes have taken place with improvements to the décor, WiFi and a new toilet block, which our builders are currently putting the finishing touches to.

We also rearranged our room seating to ensure sufficient distancing between students, while our programmes have been revised to take into account all relevant protocols.

All we needed was students and we were so glad to be able to welcome our first groups to us since the Covid lockdown.

In October we welcomed Transition Year groups from Mountrath Community School and Mountmellick Community School, while we also facilitated a Prefect Training Day for Mountmellick Community School.

In these challenging times it is heartening to know that schools still appreciate the work we do and are continuing to send students to us.

We are looking forward to welcoming more groups in November. We have demonstrated that we can safely facilitate groups with our Covid protocols in place and the feedback from teachers and students have been so positive and affirming.

The spirit of St John Baptist de La Salle continues in Castletown and we shall continue to 'touch hearts’ and offer a space where young people can be themselves in a welcoming and prayer filled atmosphere.

- Derek Doherty

It has been a busy time at the La Salle Retreat Centre in Malta with a number of activities taking place over the past few months despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

After five successful years as Chairman of the MEL Council in Ireland, Tom O’Neill has stepped down from the post.

Tom has been very active over his term during which time his positive attitude and determination resulted in great progress being made by the committee.

Taking over from the former teacher at De La Salle College, Waterford, will be outgoing Secretary, Brian Halpin, who will himself be succeeded by Jason Poole.

Tom has certainly left his mark on the Council and after initially being invited to the Irish Mel committee and quickly made chairman and the fruits are numerous, with the annual Principal’s Conference, Deputy Principal’s meetings, New Teacher’s Introductory courses, Student Council leadership courses and the annual AGM were organised and well attended.

Paying tribute to Tom’s efforts over the years, Br Tommy Walsh highlighted some of his achievements.

“The introduction of the Lasallian Competition caught the imagination of all the schools and strengthened the bond between all the Lasallian Schools North and South in Ireland.

“The creation and support of Animators in all our schools may be his greatest legacy, while one of the highlights of his reign will be the organisation of the Tercentenery celebrations in Knock, Co. Mayo and the delivery of an excellent homily.

“Tom, once a Lasallian, always a Lasallian. Take a badly needed rest for the moment but there are more challenges in the pipeline,” stated Br Tommy.

The work carried out by Tom on the MEL Council is a continuation of his efforts as a committed Lasallian for over 40 years.

The ultimate professional, from Tuam, Co. Galway, Tom began his illustrious teaching career in De La Salle College Waterford in September 1976. A renowned historian, an avid reader, distinguished linguist and dedicated catechist, Tom was loved by all his students, many of whom have now reached the pinnacle of their own chosen professions. An outstanding school councillor, he excelled in careers guidance.

Tom was an enthusiastic GAA supporter, passionate about his Galway teams, a dangerous forward himself but also managed school football squads to Munster glory before turning his various dazzling skills to coaching and managing. He became chairman of his beloved club Gaultier, a book on the same club is soon to be printed by the author Tom O’Neill.

Tom is a dedicated, committed Lasallian, attending various Lasallian formation courses in Rome, on history, identity, ethos, spirituality and pedagogy.  Tom “walked the talk” and became a role model for many Lasallians, living out the five core principles daily. In 2017 he was honoured with the prestigious title of Affiliated F.S.C. awarded by the Superior General Br. Robert, an honour given to very few in the Lasallian World for his dedicated Lasallian work.  Tom was often given the title of Brother Thomas O Neill by various Church authorities over the years. The College Website was designed and updated by Tom with all the Founder’s essential writings on it, visited by many from overseas Lasallians that benefited immensely from Tom’s labour. A true Lasallian if there ever was one.

Tom visited the Lasallian Projects in India in 2008 and was instantly hooked, returning to Ireland determined to fundraise profusely for future projects, mountain walks, overnight indoor-soccer, table quizzes, duck races, no uniform days, charity walks, road races to name a few were organised and projects in Ethiopia, South Africa and India were fully completed providing essential educational facilities to very poor regions. Many poor children benefited as a result and the legacy of De La Salle continues to this day.

For all teachers in the District, adapting to the measures to deal with the Covid-19 restrictions has made life very difficult, but for Sinead Lowe there is the added challenge of stepping into a new role of Principal at the height of the pandemic.

Sinead took over as Principal at St Stephen’s BNS, Waterford, on October 5th following the retirement of Paudge Morris and it certainly has been a baptism of fire. However, despite the difficulties, Sinead is relishing the role and grateful to her predecessor, an excellent staff and the Brothers’ Community for their support.

“It is certainly an unusual time to take over the role but I have hit the ground running and I am really enjoying it so far, although the first two weeks have been strange and challenging,” she explained.

Although originally from South Kilkenny, Sinead is very much part of the fabric of St Stephen’s, having taken up her first teaching position there in 2001. The experience gained over the years has made the transition to the new role much more smooth.

“It’s very different from being in the classroom but I am lucky to have had five weeks shadowing Paudge and that was really helpful. He has left a really steady ship and I am grateful to him for everything he has done.

“The staff are fantastic and have been really supportive of me, while I am also very lucky to have the backing of the Order and the Brothers. Unfortunately at the moment they can’t visit as much as before but I am thankful for their support as they have been fantastic,” added Sinead.

While getting through the current situation is the main priority, Sinead is looking forward to planning for the future and building on the good work that has been ongoing for the past number of years.

“It is intense at the moment but thankfully the children are doing really well as they are delighted to be back at school. Staff wellbeing is one of the issues I have to be concerned about and that will be a focus for me.

“Beyond that, there are a number of things I would like to do. For example when the newly qualified teachers come in they bring a lot of new methods and ideas, and that is something I would like to embrace,” concluded Sinead.

The Transition Year students (Fourth Year) in De La Salle College, Dundalk celebrated the ILDP 2020 as part of their Lasallian Studies course. Throughout the month between September 21st and October 21st, they explored and discussed the four key themes of: Week One – Grief and Loss; Week Two – Reflection and Growth; Week Three – Strength in Community and Compassion; Week Four – Resurgence and Hope. 

They considered what actions are needed during these unprecedented times of change and what we can do as Lasallian’s to provide support for our communities and Lasallian Family as a whole. They would like to extend the invitation to all Lasallian’s across the world to “choose peace” and be aware that we, as Lasallians “remain in this together, united and more hopeful than ever”. 

The photographs show the TY students proudly displaying their creative work from the stimuli provided for the ILDP 2020. The last picture also has a simple message to share with Lasallians across the world from De La Salle College in Dundalk.

October has brought many new things to St Cassian’s. We have had to adapt to ministry in Covid times, but the team have been amazing at this.

Covid-19 has seriously upset every aspect of our normal lives. Schools have accepted this new norm to remain open, face masks are compulsory, hand sanitising essential, PPE gear recommended in some cases. Extra-curriculum activities have been devastated. Some schools have lost their sports hall which wasreconfigured into extra classrooms so that the school could operate under the Covid-19 restrictions.

We are fortunate to retain our newly refurbished sports hall but strict government restrictions have curtailed any basketball activities. Our U19 squad are eager to commence the new basketball season, for many it’s their final fling at glory, setting down a marker for future squads to emulate. The Midlands region is where we practise our trade and often we have long bus journeys to schools like C.B.S. Portlaoise who are the Harlem Globetrotters of the region, with brilliant coaches and excellent local basketball club tradition. Other schools are Piper Hill College, Newbridge College, Marist Athlone to name but a few, but we play both U19 and U16 games each time we travel.

Our U16s Basketball squad were Midlands A Champions in 2018 and we were extremely proud of their achievements and we hope that they can bring more trophies and pride to the College. First years and second years play the reverse of the U19 and U16 fixtures and for many it’s their only sport outlet while in the college and it’s more stressing the developmental skills of the game that counts than mere winning. Many students in our college are not members ofthe local Waterford Vikings Basketball Clubso it’s a huge drawback when you play schools with massive club influences in their ranks and sheer class emerges and produces dividends.

Our second year basketball squad have a year under their belt but the frustrated first years are biting at the bit eager to get cracking into the new season or even try out their new sports hall and develop their silky skills but due to covid-19 restrictions indoor groups are allowed only train in pods of six while we would have forty ambitious first years challenging to make the final squad of fifteen players. We live in hope that we can have a basketball season and get back to some form of sport normality while staying perfectly safe. May the good Lord bless us all. Keep shooting the Hoops!!!!

 - Br Tom Walsh

Students at De La Salle College Jersey are currently focused on demonstrating their good subject knowledge to teachers through their internal assessments. Assessment weeks are structured with slots for each subject exam, as well as allocated revision time within the school day.

We do know however, that examination situations can create pressure and stress. It can be a real struggle to know where to start when faced with piles of books and reams of information, so staff including Assistant Head Mr Silvester, are working with students to provide simple and essential revision tips to overcome any hurdles.

By creating revision ‘phases’, organising information for memorisation and reflecting on the way that they revise, students are guided to approach their revision time effectively and meet their full potential.

For further information on a useful approach to studying, please see this link which was provided to parents and students- https://vimeo.com/461325553 or see below for a leaflet on key tips.

The revision document is available here.  

There were changes at the top table of the MEL Council in Ireland when the October meeting saw Tom O’Neill step down after five years as Chairperson and replaced by outgoing Secretary, Brian Halpin, with Jason Poole taking over as Secretary.