Sancta Maria College took up the Home School Liaison scheme in 1999. The scheme improves co-operation and
communication between the school, the home and the local community and is an important link between all the
partners in education. In Sancta Maria College the HSCL person Sr.Marie King and is involved as follows:

• Home visits

• Invites and welcomes parents to the school to discuss issues with her or with a member of staff as may be
necessary

• Liaise with other groups in the community to provide useful talks or courses for adults and inform parents
of same

• Network with organisations that impinge on the broad education of the pupils

• Visit the feeder Primary schools after enrolment to talk to the 6th class teacher and pupils who enrol in Sancta
Maria College.

Events and courses organised by our Pastoral Care team:

Mentor System

At the beginning of the school year each first year pupil was assigned a fifth year student who befriends and takes a special
interest in them. It is a help in initiating the first year students into a new school environment and gives first years a sense of
security. This mentoring continues as necessary in second year.

The Student Council

The Student Council meet on a regular basis with staff representative Ms. Rennick to discuss matters that are brought to the attention of the class reps. by members of the student body. Their aim is to promote good communication with the entire school community. At the end of the year two representatives meet with the Board of Management to discuss the year’s activities.

November Remembrance Tree

The month of November can be a difficult time for many students and staff alike who have experienced the death of a loved one. November is a month when even Mother Nature appears to be touched by the cold hand of death. When we look around we find that the trees are gradually losing all their leaves and the evenings are becoming darker. A Remembrance Tree can act as an effective symbol for addressing the issue of personal grief.

For this reason we placed a Remembrance Tree in the circulating area. Students and staff were invited to write the names of any loved ones that have passed on, onto a piece of paper and place them on the tree. We did this to encourage everyone to pray for these people and ensure they would never be forgotten and live on in our hearts.

Workshops in 2010

Our Leaving Cert students enjoyed and greatly appreciated a Retreat which took place on April 24th 2010 presented by Fr. Benny McHale. They considered it an extremely worthwhile experience and very beneficial on life’s journey.

Our 5th year students also enjoyed their retreat which was held here in the school on 11th May. Fr. John Kenny and Fr. Fergal
Cunnane were their directors. They found it a very valuable day and were glad to have participated in it.

Third year students had a diversity workshop presented by Catherine McCloskey and Mary Jo McHugh. The aim is to give them an appreciation of difference and the importance of accepting minority groups in our society.

5th years once again looked forward to a coping skills workshop which was given by Siobhan O’Brien, Linda Lohan, Catherine
McCloskey and Mary Jo McHugh. This workshop provided students with skills to deal in a healthy way with the various stresses of life.

In October our 1st year students participated in workshop on positive relationships. The aim of this workshop is to help students interact with others in healthy and positive ways.

Also in October, 2nd year students enjoyed a workshop on friendship building. Students had the opportunity to reflect on friendships they have and talk about the importance of friendship. There is particular emphasis on building self esteem and self confidence.

Two Sculptors in Life’s Studio

I dreamt I stood in a studio
And watched two sculptors there.
The clay they used was a young child’s mind
And they fashioned it with care.

One was the teacher–the tools she used
Were books and music and art.
One was a parent with a guiding hand
And a gentle loving heart.

Day after day, the teacher toiled with touch
That was careful, deft, and sure.
While the parent labored by his side
and polished and smoothed it o’er.

And when at last their work was done
They were proud of what they had wrought.
For the thing they moulded into a child
Could neither be sold or bought.

And each agreed they would have failed
If they had worked alone.
For behind the parent stood the school
And behind the teacher, the home.