Mrs Mary Daly Retires
After 37 years teaching in St Joseph's GNS, Clonakilty, our treasured colleague, Mrs Daly, has retired. We celebrated in style today as the children sang and presented Mary with a gorgeous "Memory Book". This book was created by each child writing a memory or thought about Mrs Daly. As she had taught most of the girls in the school, each memory was very unique. Presentations were also made by the chairperson of our Board of Management, Mrs Kathleen Ryan and by Padraig O Reilly and Agnieszka Hernon on behalf of our Parents Association.
We wish Mrs Daly many happy, healthy years of retirement.
We wish Mrs Daly many happy, healthy years of retirement.
Our Staff
Mrs. Darina Scally is the Principal of St. Joseph's GNS. Her training in counselling, Play Therapy and Child Protection enhances the skill set of the staff and benefits the school community as a whole. Mrs. Scally is also the DLP (Designated Liason Person) on staff in Child Protection. Mrs. Scally is very interested in developing ICT in the school. She has a great interest in music & drama and directs the school choir.
Ms Sarah Geaney is our new Deputy Principal and is also teaching our 6th class group. She has gained valuable experience in the past teaching in the second level system and has used that experience to prepare our 6th class group for the transition into secondary school. Ms Geaney has a love of Gaeilge and is also on our Digital Learning team within the school. Ms Geaney is heading up the Health Promoting Schools initiative as well as continuing to organise and co-ordinate our Student Council. Ms Geaney also liaises with Túsla in relation to pupil absences and monitors school attendance generally. Ms Geaney also organises our afterschools Lego Club.
Mrs. Geraldine Crowley leads the promotion of Gaeilge in the school and organises a range of activities for the whole school including the St. Vincent de Paul appeal, the Christmas Shoebox appeal, the Altar Servers for Clonakilty Church, as well as the important monthly Newsletter which keeps parents up to date with developments and projects across the school. During March, the very popular 'Siopa an Bháicéara' is organised by senior classes and Mrs. Crowley in support of our Clonakilty Daffodil Day fundraising appeal. Mrs Crowley teaches our 2nd class group.
Ms. Eileen O'Mahony has a special interest in sport and promotes it in the school. She has organised visiting specialist teachers for GAA, hockey, skipping for health, as well as training for Sciath na Scol and Cork City Sports. A recent addition is tag rugby for senior classes and tennis for the whole school. At the end of the year Ms. O'Mahony organises Sports Day where every child can showcase their talent. As well as sports promotion, Ms. O'Mahony liaises with the Parents Association regarding the Book Rental Scheme which provides parents with the chance to rent key texts for a fee of €25. Ms. O'Mahony is currently teaching 4th class and trains the girls on Thursdays after school in Camogie.
Ms. Aileen O'Connor teaches our EAL classes and also has had a lot of experience in the area of Learning Support, Infant and 4th class levels. She is interested in technology integration in the classroom and is on our Ditigal Learning team this year. She has completed courses in the use of the iPad to help develop literacy and numeracy skills, and this year will be using the Reading Eggs programme with EAL pupils to boost literacy skills.
Ms. Julie Harrington,is teaching 1st class where her skills as a talented musician are going down very well with her pupils. Ms Harrington is a talented musician who plays guitar and flute and is always willing to lend a hand at musical events when required.
Mrs. Caroline Condon is our Resource Teacher on staff and is working with pupils who have differing educational needs. She has extensive skills and continuous professional development in SEN, including Sign Language and working with children on the Autistic Spectrum.
Mrs. Edel McCarthy / Mrs Carol Anne O Brien will be teaching 5th class this year. It is the first time we have ahd job sharing in our school and so far it is working very well. The girls in 5th class are very lucky this year having the benefit of the diverse talents of two excellent teachers in 5th class.
Ms. Ethel Loughnan is teaching our Junior Infant class. She brings to the classroom a sense of fun and child led learning that children so enjoy. She has experience teaching at all levels in primary school and her creativity can be seen throughout the school.
Ms Anna Kingston is our newest member of staff. She has taken over teaching Senior Infants from Mrs Daly who retired this year. Ms Kingston will be organising our Chess Club for 3rd class every Thursday afternoon at 3pm.
Ms. Marian McCarthy is working with our SEN team. Mrs McCarthy is a keen sportswoman, and is our leader in our application for our second Active Schools Flag this year. As well as organising an action packed Active Schools Week in May, Mrs McCarthy had us all "waking up and shaking up" every Wednesday and we look forward to doing it all again this year! She also trains our girls in Camogie every Thursday afternoon in Ahamilla with Ms O Mahony.
Mrs. Elma McCarthy is our full-time Special Needs Assistant. She helps several of our pupils in the management of their school day and some medical conditions. Currently Mrs. McCathy is primarily assigned toour Junior Infant class and enjoys sharing her skills in drama and language development with the younger pupils. She has also completed training in relation to iPad use in the education sector and First Aid.
Mrs GIllian O Sullivan works as a part time SNA in our school. She works mainly with 2nd class and her patience and kindness makes all our pupils' lives much more positive.
Mrs Regina Cook is our school secretary and can be contacted any time between 9.10am - 2.50pm every week day. Her contact details are 023 8833050 or rcook@stjosephsclon.com
