Latest news from De La Salle Waterford
We welcome back our students and all incoming students in August. There are 1,110 this year.
Jo Millea visit
Finally, we were delighted to welcome Jo Millea to the college last Thursday (14/09/22). Jo presented a very thought-provoking lecture/workshop to our education staff. All present were touched by her presentation and took stock of their own Lasallian identity.
Jo spoke to our Transition Year students participating in the Lasallian Buddies mentoring programme. The students received training prior to the summer and have each been assigned to 1st Year groups for the term, dropping in throughout the week to touch base and provide some mentoring to their younger peers.
Earlier in the day Jo met with our animators and with our senior management team. Most of us had never met Jo in person, and if anything she is more inspiring in person that online. Thank you, Jo for your contribution to our school and to the District. We all enjoyed a lovely barbecue together afterwards!
Induction programme
We started to roll out the Lasallian Induction Sessions for our new staff. We had a great turn out, and it was a lovely opportunity to chat to our new staff over a cuppa!
Hurling rivalry
The year started with a bang. The county minor final was played out between two city clubs, De La Salle and Ballygunner. Nearly all the players involved are in the college, so there was much tension and bragging rights during the week. De La Salle won a very tight game to become Eastern Champions.
School show
Our latest school show in in full swing at the moment with the first performance less than a month away. This year we are revisiting the Eighties, with a production of Back to the Eighties.
Lotto fundraiser
We launched our school fundraising lottery during the week and would appreciate support from anybody in a position to join up. Details can be found on the image below.
Summer Programme
De La Salle Waterford ran a very successful Summer Programme for two weeks over the summer months, with the students who participated really enjoying it. Hopefully, this programme will run again next Summer. The programme's aims are to support pupils' ongoing engagement with education, to build their confidence, increase their motivation, to promote wellbeing and help to ensure they can progress to their planned educational placement in September along with their peers.
Graduates
We wished a fond farewell to our graduating class. Most did very well in their exams and will be heading off in new directions in the next few weeks. The class photo was taken in May, with most of the year group captured for posterity.
The continuing turmoil in Eastern Europe has resulted in additional refugees arriving in the country. We in De La Salle Waterford have welcomed nine Ukrainian students as well as numerous refugees from Afghanistan and Zimbabwe in the true spirt of a De La Salle institution. St Jean Baptiste de La Salle pray for all children who have been displaced and want to continue their education in the most difficult circumstances.
Brothers’ Community
The Brothers welcomed two colleagues from South America who lived with the community for a couple of months during the summer. They were a very welcome addition to the school community when they were with us.
We “lost” Br. Tommy Walsh to the order. Br. Ben conspired to give him a job as Lasallian visitor to our expense. Br. Tommy has gone on career break form his teaching position and is away from home quite often. The religion department and basketball team in particular miss his unique skill set. We all wish him well and know that you will all give him a fond Lasallian welcome when he visits you.
There has been a reorganisation of the order in Waterford, with the monastery in St. Stephens closing its doors. The school community in the college welcomes Br. Martin back to the college and pray that he will have a happy life with us. We lost Br. Tim to Castletown earlier in the year, so it great to have Br. Martin join us.
On another poignant note we are delighted to wish our colleague Kevin Doran all the best on his retirement from St. Declan’s De La Salle primary school. Kevin has contributed a career of love and care to all who worked with him as staff, pulil and parent.
Go n-éiri an t-adh leat.
We look forward to working with Ms. Ciara Parris in the coming years in her role as the newly appointed principal, and wish her the best in her new role.
Welcome
We are delighted to announce the arrival of eight new members to the education staff. A special welcome goes to Ms. Claire Quigley who has joined us after seven years in our Basildon “branch” in South London. For those of you lucky enough to know Claire you will understand it is very difficult for us to understand her Essex accent.