On retrospective examination of this academic year 2008/2009 it is amazing to me how quickly it has flown by. From the Primary Visits to the Cornelia Connelly celebrations to the recent sporting events and School Fete the year has moved along in a busy productive way! At present the oral examinations, practical examinations and task interviews are all but complete. The sun is shining and we are now looking to the June Leaving and Junior Certificate State Examinations.

My introduction to the school was being welcomed in August by Ms Morris and the departing Mr MacNamara. I quickly met staff and pupils and it was evident to me what a pleasant and supportive learning environment Holy Child Community School is. I discovered the school was an institution true to its philosophy and mission statement catering for diverse abilities and talents, recognising and developing these varied gifts and promoting in the students a sense of self confidence, tolerance and respect for others. A day spent in Killiney Castle reflecting on this highlighted to me what a special community the school is.
Early in September, I had the opportunity to visit local Primary Schools including St. Kevin’s with a team of pupils and teachers in order to inform 4th/5th and 6th classes about Holy Child CS and what we offer. This was fantastic and I recognised many faces on the return visit a week later when pupils toured the school and undertook taster sessions in various subjects and activities. Our Primary School Open Evening, which invited those pupils with their parents, was also a huge success and we received much positive feedback about out excellent facilities and well maintained grounds! This is in no small part due to the hard work of Vinny, Norbert and the cleaning staff who work so hard to keep the school shining and in good working order. More recently the Primary Schools popped in again to help us celebrate our annual International Day.

Term two saw examinations meetings, TY work experience and of course, the Mock Examinations, which ran very smoothly. I would like to wish the third and sixth years the very best of luck with their exams this summer. Also ‘Bonne Chance’ to the first year adult pupils in their French exam. I am sure with continued hard work and a final push, all pupils will reach their potential and succeed in getting the results they deserve. I wish the very best of luck in particular to our 6th years and 2nd year adults with their future careers or courses of study. We hope that their years in Holy Child will be remembered with fondness and appreciation.

I wish to take this opportunity to thank the prefects for all their hard work and compliment them on their commitment to the school. Their presence outside junior locker rooms at break and lunch was valuable and they proved good role models for younger pupils. I am sure the qualities they have displayed and developed through the year will be most beneficial in their future lives. I look forward to working with next year’s prefects in order to maintain the high standards. In addition to this I would like to give a special mention to this year’s TYs who have reliably and cheerfully helped out with so many events from evening meetings to afternoon registers. What a fantastic group of pupils!

I would like to thank the pupils of Holy Child Community School for being so co-operative and welcoming and making my first year in this school such a productive and enjoyable one. The staff of the school are a pleasure to work with and their commitment to excellent and supportive teaching and learning and high standards is evident on every walk around the school- a well deserved summer break is upcoming and I wish them all an enjoyable and restful holiday!  The help of Margaret, Deirdre and Susan has also been invaluable this year and I thank them warmly for their hard work and humour.

Finally, of course Ms Morris, a sincere thank you for all the kindness, patience and assistance you have shown me throughout the year and in helping me to settle in so well as Deputy Principal.
Wishing everybody a wonderful summer, 

Kathleen O’Brien
Deputy Principal