Compass Parents 2017 AGM Minutes

PRESIDENT:​Mob:  087 2621588

Paul Rolston, Riverstown House, Carbury, Co. Kildare.​paulrolston007@gmail.com

HON. SECRETARY:​Tel:  041 9822007 Mob:  087 9901981

Julie Carr, 4 Woodbrook, Sandpit, Termonfeckin, Co Louth.​martin114@eircom.net

HON. TREASURER:​Mob: 086 6468583

Johnny Honner, Long Acre, Killough Upr., Kilmacanogue, Co. Wicklow.​johnnyhonner@outlook.com

Minutes of 2017 Compass A.G.M. held King’s Hospital on the 6th May, 2017

Present: Executive Committee Members – Richard Brickenden (President), Julie Carr (Secretary), Alan Mulligan (Treasurer), Shane Bennett (P.R.O.), Graham Wood (Vice President), Avril Allshire-Howe, Eleanor Petrie, Paul Rolston, Amanda Landzaad, Patrick Empey, Geraldine Neill, Freda Yague and Paul Mooney.

Parent Representatives from: Wesley College, The King’s Hospital, The High School, Wilson’s Hospital School, St. Columba’s College, Villiers School, Bandon Grammar, NewparkSchool, East Glendalough School, Kilkenny College, Mount Temple, Dundalk Grammar School, St Patrick’s Cathedral Grammar School and Drogheda Grammar School

Apologies: Nora Irwin, Pat O’Malley, Gayle Baird and Temple Carrig.

The President introduced Mr John Rafter, Principal King’s Hospital who welcomed Parents.  He mentioned that is a very busy time in Education with the Admissions Policy and Parent Student Charter. He said it is important for Parents to make their voice known.  Education he said appreciates the work Compass does particularly for students.  Through his work with ISA (School Principals) he has met members of the Compass Executive and mentioned this is an important link.

Richard Brickenden, President, thanked Mr Rafter and the King’s Hospital Board for hosting the AGM.  He also asked him to convey Compass thanks to the ISA for their support.

President’s address: He welcomed the Secretary of Npcpp, Connie Carolan and Rebecca Hemeryck President of PACCS and also a Director of Npcpp.  He continued by saying it is fast and furious in Education at the moment.  The President then expressed thanks to Paul Mooney for his work as Npcpp President and to Alan Mulligan for his role as Company Secretary.  Paul Mooney stands on the Teaching Council who have done huge work in relation to the Fitness to Teach initiative.  Julie Carr is also a Director and stands on the HR and Conference/Helpline Sub-Committees.  Geraldine Neill, Paul Rolston, Shane Bennett and Patrick Empey have acted as Proxies which is much appreciated.  Special thanks were expressed to Paul Rolston for his work in relation to the Parent Student Charter Sub-Committee in Npcpp and his participation in Claire Byrne Live, meeting with the DES and the Oireachtas Committee.  The Npcpp Conference is usually held in November and is likely to be held in Athlone.  Compass formed a Sub Committee of Patrick Empey, Paul Mooney and Shane Bennett to look at the Role of Religion in the Admissions Bill and made a very detailed submission to the DES.  Thanks were expressed to the Secretary for organising the November Interactive Meeting in Dundalk and to Duncan Cole for organising such a high profile speaker in Prof.  Donal O’Shea.  The Secretary also organised the successful TY Programme in Glencree with the support of Avril Allshire, Shane Bennett and other volunteers.  A Strategy Group had been formed to look at Compass as an organisation with Geraldine Neill, Johnny Honner and Paul Rolston doing a lot of hard work in this area.  They produced a very informative Newsletter for which the President thanked Amanda Landzaad for “getting it up and out there”.  He finished by thanking the outgoing Committee for their support and hard work.

A.G.M. Business:  The minutes of the 2016 A.G.M. were circulated and read out by the Secretary.  With the amendment that Eleanor Petrie served 14 not 20 years on Npcpp the minutes were adopted having been proposed by Shane Bennett and Seconded by Avril Allshire Howe.  The Secretary then read her report which had also been distributed to the meeting.  The President mentioned that Paul Rolston’s presentation to the Oireachtas was available on the Npcpp website –npcpp.ie.   The Treasurer presented the audited accounts.  Amanda Landzaad asked why the grant figure in 2015 was €6,500 and only €3,500.  The Treasurer informed the meeting that there were two grants from Npcpp in 2015 i.e. for 2014 and 2015.The Accounts were then adopted as proposed by Duncan Cole and Seconded by Paul Mooney.  The Treasurer then proposed that it would be good practice for Compass to register with The Charities Regulatory Authority. He informed that there was no charge to do so. This proposal was seconded by Duncan Cole.  It was then proposed to re-elect the Auditors for the coming year.  Amanda Landzaad made a counter proposal that this not been and that it be discussed at Executive level before doing so.  This counter proposal was seconded by Duncan Cole.  The proposal to re-elect the Auditors carried on a vote of 21for and 5 against.  Amanda Landzaad asked for her discontent be noted in the minutes.  The President then made a small presentation to Alan Mulligan for all his work as Treasurer over the years.  There were also presentations made to Graham Wood and Avril Allshire in recognition of the contribution to the Compass Executive.

Election of Officers:

Amanda Landzaad proposed Duncan Cole for President but he withdrew his name.

President – Paul Rolston ​Proposed by: Margaret Kadeba and Seconded by: Amanda Landzaad

Deputy President – Richard Brickenden

As per constitution the outgoing President is elected in this role with the agreement of the meeting.  Amanda Landzaad proposed schools should elect Executive Positions but as this was the AGM it was deemed that it was the correct forum.  The President said he valued work that had gone before and although it was healthy to challenge things as a means to move forward corporate memory was essential to the running of the Organisation. After a vote was held Richard Brickenden was elected by 27 votes to 1.

Vice President – is the President elect and will be discussed by Executive.​

Secretary – Julie Carr​Proposed by: Richard Brickenden and Seconded by: Shane Bennett

Voted unanimously by the meeting

Treasurer – Johnny Honner​Proposed by Alan Mulligan and Seconded by: Amanda Landzaad

Voted unanimously by the meeting

PRO – Shane Bennett​Proposed by: Richard Brickenden and Seconded by: Johnny Honner

Voted by consensus of the meeting

With agreement of the meeting the following are prepared to continue on the Executive Paul Mooney, Freda Yague, Geraldine Neill, Nora Irwin, Amanda Landzaad, Alan Mulligan and Patrick Empey.  As there was no objection from the meeting they were duly elected.

Paul Mooney also proposed Mary Lillis from Wilson’s Hospital School for the Executive.  This was seconded by Julie Carr.Mary Lillis was duly elected.

The other roles within the Executive i.e. Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer will be elected by the incoming Executive Committee.

Compass were delighted to have Dr Padraig Kirk, Director, CPD for Junior Cycle to address the meeting and give a talk on the new Junior Cycle.  Dr Kirk explained how all the players in Education play their part and parents’ voice is important in what the JC are trying to do, as is the students.  He acknowledged the “elephant in the room” in relation to the current dispute.  It is unfortunate as they would love to see all teachers engaging.  The new reform came about after the NCCA commissioned the ERSI to survey students.  There is a disconnect between students entering secondary from primary as it is a different scenario.  It was found 1st year was a settling in period and not focused on education, in 2nd year students are at sea and have lost focus then in 3rd year they are stressed, more than is needed, due to exam pressure.  It was felt there had to be a better system of education.  With students wellbeing now being a major concern, unnecessary focus on exams, International trends and living in a faster digital world these issues led the DES and the NCCA to develop the new framework.  The new framework focuses on what students do, know and achieve.  There will now only be ten subjects for certification purposes.  Students will receive a JC Profile of Achievement and not a certificate.  There are also practicality issues with less subjects now to study it will affect the weight of school bags, number of classes to be attended and amount of homework. With literacy and numeracy skills vital – Maths, English and Irish will remain the core subjects.  The new framework will be phased in over a five year period.  There will now be short courses and two short courses will be the equivalent of 1 subject.  There are nine short courses developed at the moment.  Schools can introduce others.  CSPE, SPHE and PE will be mandatory elements of the Well Being Programme. Subjects like Coding, Psychology and Digital Media literacy will be studied.  The JC Team have guidelines and templates available to help schools develop their own short courses as these need to be well planned.  Other learning experiences like Young Scientist, Debating and Sport can now be reflected in the Profile Achievement.  There will be Classroom Based Assessments which will reflect teamwork, communication and research skills.  

There was great discussion during Dr. Kirk’s Presentation which showed the interest parents have in this new way of educating.

The President thanked Dr Kirk for giving up of his time and giving a very informative presentation.

Paul Rolston spoke briefly on Compass strategy for the coming year and plans to improve two way communications and information flow between Compass and Parents.  Compass will also endeavour to reach out to better engage with all constituent PA’s, PTA’s and schools.  We are mutually valuable assets and through working together we can ensure best results and support for all is achieved.  Paul thanked King’s Hospital for hosting our AGM.  He also thanked everyone for attending and asked for their support which is vital as Compass continues endeavours to best represent them at Local and National level. 

He then closed the meeting.