All About Cork: Call for more teachers to fill 1,000 vacancies

Sinn Féin TD for Cork South-Central, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire has said that the worsening shortage of teachers highlights how badly the government has failed on education and housing.

A survey of primary and secondary schools published by the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO), Irish Primary Principals’ Network and the Catholic Primary Schools Management Association, reveals there are almost 1,000 teaching vacancies across the State, including schools in the Douglas and surrounding areas.

“There is an unprecedented level of teacher shortages in schools across the state. This highlights the extent to which this government has failed schools,” Mr Ó Laoghaire said.

“Too many teachers feel forced to emigrate because they cannot see how they can build a life here in Ireland, amid a spiralling housing crisis and cost of living crisis that this government have overseen.

“Our children and our schools are paying the price for government incompetence. Fianna Fáil have been responsible for education throughout this government’s time in office, yet they have failed to invest in schools.

“They have also been responsible for housing, yet have failed to deliver the affordable housing that teachers need.

“The result is an education system that is struggling to get by and lurches from crisis to crisis. This is Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael’s legacy.

“A general election is due to take place in the coming weeks. Voters will have a clear choice. They face a choice between more of the same, with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael who have failed to deliver on education and housing.

“Sinn Féin have set out how we would make ending the housing crisis our number one priority.

“This would ensure teachers can see a future here in Ireland, by bringing the dream of home ownership back into reach for teachers.

“A Sinn Féin government would invest in schools and communities, to ensure that Ireland is a better place to raise a family and build a future,” concluded Mr Ó Laoghaire.

Roco reaching out to past-pupils of the college

St Francis College, Rochestown, or ‘Roco’ as all who went there would know it better as is calling on past-pupils to call down two the school on Saturday, November 9.

They are also asking them to add the school to their LinkedIn profile as they are attempting to build their past-pupil network ahead and after their ‘Return to School’ event.

A spokesperson for the school said: “Here at St Francis College, we are really keen to build our past pupil database. We would really appreciate if past pupils could add our LinkedIn to their education section.

“We really looking forward to meeting our past pupils on Saturday, November 9, at the school between 2-4pm.

“Call in for a cup of tea and a walk around the school.”

The ethos of the school is one that: “Aims to provide an environment which promotes in a harmonious manner the physical, academic, spiritual, social and moral growth of the whole person.

“We respect and value all of creation but particularly the dignity of each individual within the college community.

“We strive to fulfil this mission in a spirit of collaboration and partnership between pupils, parents, teachers, trustees, management and the community at large.

“We do this by offering a curriculum based on sound educational principles which promotes the harmonious growth of the whole person.

“This takes place in an atmosphere created by the living of the values and virtues so dear to the heart of Saint Francis.”

Douglas One Club to host AGM and review meetings

A reminder from Douglas GAA Club on some important upcoming dates.

The date for our One Club AGM has been set for Sunday, December 1.

The format of this has been agreed with GAA, Camogie and LGFA county boards. Formal notification will issue closer to the date.

In the build up to the AGM they will hold a number of review meetings for all sections of the club. These are not AGMs per se but will provide members with an ideal forum to hear about the activities and plans of the section(s) that is of interest to them. Members of their One Club are welcome to attend any and all of these reviews.

Most importantly it will provide members with an opportunity to feed into the plans and have any concerns that they may have heard.

A key outcome of these meetings will include proposals for members of the relevant sub-committee for the year ahead. Some of these positions would then be put forward for election at the AGM {eg chair of adult hurling and football}.

If you have any questions or would like to get involved on any committee please contact Greg on 087 7904315.

• The dates for the annual reviews are:
• Boys Street Leagues, Friday, November 1 at 8pm.
• Boys Under-Age, Wednesday, November 6 at 8pm.
• Adult Hurling and Football, Thursday, November 7, at 8pm.
• LGFA, Saturday, November 9, at 7pm.
• Camogie, Wednesday, November 13, at 8pm.

Also, as part of their Healthy Club initiative, they are delighted to announce that a ‘walking group’ is being started in Douglas for their members and wider community.

They are looking for your input to decide on a time and day that suits you.

Use this link to input your thoughts: https://forms.office.com/e/UycqAercfQ

Active Retired autumn break

Active Retirement Association members went on their autumn break to Wicklow last week. Twenty-eight members left early on Wednesday morning and their first stop was Wexford where they had lunch and visited Johnstown Castle and gardens which the members found to be a very interesting place.

They carried on to the Arklow Bay Hotel where they stayed for two nights. On Thursday they visited Powerscourt House and Gardens with its 47 acres of garden and the highest waterfall in Ireland. The members spent several hours in the gardens which are the third best gardens in the world. They had lunch in Powerscourt before leaving for the Glendalough Monastic site and visitor centre where they had a guided tour that all enjoyed. The group returned to the Arklow Bay Hotel for dinner after a great day.

The Active Retired group left headed for New Ross on Friday where they visited the Dunbrody Famine Ship and Irish Emigrant Experience.

They spent a second part of the day at the Kennedy Homestead before they headed for Dungarvan on their way home.

Have Douglas news to share? Contact rory.noonan@theecho.ie