Archived News (hold mouse over text to stop scrolling)

• Monday's evening get-together of fourth year parents was a great success - we'll organise another evening soon, also for other years.
• (13 September 2011)
• Fourth year parents - Your PA reps Valerie and Peter would like to invite you to a get-together on Monday 12th Sept next. Venue - Queens Dalkey where an area of the lounge will be reserved from 8pm.(10 September 2011)
• Last year Loreto Dalkey was one of 30 schools who participated in publishing a guide for parents in relation to alcohol and substance abuse among teens.
• TY students Gaisce skills - 4th year parent and chef Barbara Dillon has designed a cooking skills course which can qualify for Gaisce credits. (10 September 2011)
• We would like to extend a warm welcome to all new students and their parents, as you join our school community. Watch out election of parents' association reps for each year (election of PA reps takes place at October AGM). Also keep an eye on this website and make sure you sign up (see box on left of this screen) to receive e-mails from the PA. Loreto Abbey Dalkey is an inclusive community - it's up to all of us to support each other so that our daughters have the best possible experience during their time at secondary school. (1 September 2011)
• Don't forget that we arranged with the St Vincent De Paul shop in Dun Laoghaire for you to drop in old uniforms for sale there. They haven't received many items yet, but please keep this in mind and spread the word. You can also use our on-line buy/sell facility.has issued a letter to all parents inviting nominations for parent representatatives on the Board of Management. If you have not received this, please contact the school office.
• Election of Parent Representatives to the Board of Management takes place this week Click here to read more about the candidates Mr Conor Patton and Mr Jim Wade. Valerie Judge has already been deemed elected, as the only female parent nominated.
• Congratulations to all our 2011 graduates who received their Leaving Certificate results this week! Once again, the school can be proud of each and every student's achievment. We wish the young women all the very best in their future lives. Well done to the parents too! Click here to see interviews with Mr Dunne and some of our graduates, published by the Irish Times on YouTube.
• Don't forget that we arranged with the St Vincent De Paul shop in Dun Laoghaire for you to drop in old uniforms for sale there. They haven't received many items yet, but please keep this in mind and spread the word. You can also use our on-line buy/sell facility.
• Mr Dunne has issued a letter to all parents inviting nominations for parent representatatives on the Board of Management. If you have not received this, please contact the school office.
• We've noticed an increase in hits this month on our page where we have a link to a really good interview with the author of "Queen Bees and Wannabees", an excellent book on parenting teen girl relationship issues. Click here to see it again (31 May 2011)
• Third year parents' - need a night off from the Junior Cert? Parents' social @ Queens Dalkey, TONIGHT Tuesday 31st May - click here for more.. (31 May 2011)
• If you feel strongly about the cost of school books, you may like to click here to sign a petition set up by the VdeP to request the Minister to address this issue. You can add your name and share on facebook etc.(28 May 2011)
• Finished with uniform items? Now you can help a good cause - We have arranged that you can leave old LAD uniforms into the St Vincent De Paul shop in Dun Laoghaire. They will keep them over the summer and will set up a dedicated rail at the end of August/beginning of September. Great source for spare items and all in a good cause! Thank you Dara in the Dun Laoghaire shop for helping us on this. (28 May 2011)

• Sixth years graduate Monday 30th. Good luck girls, and try to hold it together Mums and Dads! (28 May 2011)

• Radio podcast
• We've just discovered a new radio station called "Inside Education" broadcasting every Sunday at 19.30 on 103.2 FM in the Dublin area, and repeated sometimes in the afternoons. They also have a website- click here - where podcasts of their programmes are available.. Interesting articles about current issues and happenings, and policy matters - particularly relevant currently with changes in teacher deployment policies afoot.. (7 March 2011)
• Another useful website is that of the National Parents Council where updates on current issues are also published. For example click here to see the Government's advice to school Boards of Management in relation to days lost due to unforeseen circumstances. Loreto Dalkey BoM is working on a policy in this area and, as with all policy development, will be consulting with your PA committee about this. (7 March 2011)
• 6th year parents - We would like to thank Jean Rice, 6th year rep, for her very valuable input to the PA committee over the past few years. Jean has had to resign because of personal commitments and we will miss her very much. While Jean's shoes will be difficult to fill, we would like to invite any 6th year parent to offer to replace her, as we now have no elected 6th year reps. In the meantime, Peter Sherry, Dick Bourke and Valerie Judge, all of whom have daughters in 6th year, will represent 6th year as well as their elected years.(6 March 2011)
• Remember too that we would like to invite parents within each year to form sub-groups for each year, to be a contact network and arrange year-specific events. Please consider getting involved and click here to contact your year rep to hear more. We particularly would welcome involvement from parents living outside the Dalkey area.
• Also please remember that the committee is made up of parents reps from each year. Please let us know if there is anything you'd like us to bring up on your behalf at our monthly meetings.

• The Annual School concert is on this Thursday evening 19th May - tickets available in school for
• €5 each. Click here to see some of last year's concert. (18 May 2011)
• We would like to extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Mrs Helen Mc Dwyer, Career Guidance teacher, who passed away this week. May she rest in peace. (12 May 2011)
• Le Club Français des Jeunes... is a French Conversation and discussion group for 5 / 6th year students starting up in a local Café this coming September . Come along to an Introductory session on Sunday 15th May 6.30pm to 7.30pm at Jam Café, Dun Laoghaire (beside Cakebox / opp. People’s Park). Special price €10 (incl. refreshments)
• Amanda's talk on "Facebook Uncovered" was a great success with a full house and lots of lively conversation over tea and coffee afterwards. If you didn't get a copy of the handout, please click here to request one (9 April 2011)
• Contact lists Updated lists coming soon. We've had some glitches on this site with the RSS feed and the Contact lists. If you've had problems, please try both again now. And we'll keep working on it. Google chrome as a browser does not seem to work as well - so please switch to Firefox of Explorer if you have problems. Thanks for your patience! And it there is a web expert out there please contact us! (23 March 2011)
• First year parents' evening social 12th May - click here for more..

• 4th April: Talk on Internet safety - Networking event for all parents - talk by Amanda Chambers on "Uncovering Facebook" - . (4 April 2011)

• Tuesday 5th April PA committee meeting - pl contact your rep on the committee if you have any questions you'd like raised.

• 6th year Souvenir DVD - Parents of 6th year students will be receiving a letter in the next few days to ask you for photos and videos of memories of the current sixth years during their time at Loreto so that we can make a souvenir DVD for them. TY students will be trained in filming and editing in this innovative project being led by Conor Patton and Annette Kinney, 5th year reps. CLick here for more (29 March 2011)

• "PA is the new School Gate" - On 28th and 29th March parents of 2011 first years are invited to a meeting about the school and preparing their daughters for transition. This year, the first year PA reps thought it would be a good idea to give a parent's perspective, and so Lise-Anne Mc Laughlin is also speaking. In addition Russell and Lise-Anne have prepared a set of handy hints for parents which we will publish here shortly. "The PA is now your school gate" says Lise-Anne, "you won't meet parents of your daughter's new friends at the school gate like you used to in primary school, so the PA organises social events which give you an opportunity to meet and make friends with other parents, which is really useful as they progress through teenage years" (28 March 2011)

• Young Writers Awards - On Monday 11 April Denise Deegan will present prizes to the winners of this competition which is underway for first and second years. Parents of entrants are also welcome to attend the ceremony at 12.00.Denise's new novel "And by the way" is written for teens and is recommended to all parents too - it will take you right back to your own teenage years! (28 March 2011)
• Internet safety - Next Monday evening 4th April: Networking event for all parents - talk by Amanda Chambers on "Uncovering Facebook" - Click here for more. (28 March 2011)
• Attention 4th year parents! Treat yourself! Patrick Pirkl is organising a networking event at the National Gallery on 2nd April. This promises to be an enjoyable way to meet other parents in a non-school environment. It's to be a short tour followed by a cuppa. You will have received a text about it. Please click here to contact Patrick if you want to know more. Click here to see more about the Gallery. (28 March 2011)
• Creative writing competition for first and second years being organised by Jenny Cullen, PA. Tell your daughters to look out for this. More details will follow on this site. Denise Deegan, local author and Loreto parent, has kindly offered to judge the competition and is also running workshops in the school. So please encourage your daughters to continue the great tradition of writers in our locality! And if you have a talent or skill that can help with or create a new school activity, please contact us.(6 March 2011)
• 6 March - 3rd year parents, don't forget that there is a presentation about TY this Thursday evening 10th March. Also 3rd year parents, your reps on the PA finish up this year and so two new volunteers will be needed next year. If you are interested and would like to get a taste of what's involved, please click here contact Valerie or Peter.
• 17 February - The school website (including this section!) has won an award from Scoilnet. "The Loreto Abbey Dalkey received a Scoillnet Star of the Week for its very clear presentation and up to date website content. The site has a clean look and feel that is maintained constantly.". See the Scoilnet site for lots of useful info for parents
• 11 February - Networking event for parents of 4th years - Art Appreciation at National Art Gallery 2 April 4pm. This event is initially open to All 4th Year Parents and is sponsored by your Parents Association. There will be a 50 minute themed guided tour and then we might go for a coffee. This is an opportunity to come see part of your daughter’s Transition Year Programme, as they have gone on, or will go on a similar tour. We have places for 25 fourth year parents to participate in this event. Additional tours can be organised subject to interest. Please click here to register interest for this event with your Fourth Year Parent Reps. Maire O’Meara or Patrick Pirkl.
• 10 February - Projects the PA is currently organising include a Creative Writing competition, TY film project to create memory DVD for 6th years graduating this year, Visit to the national Art Gallery for parents, Fashion evening for 5th/6th year girls and their Mums. If you are interested in helping out, or if you have an idea which is about networking parents or supporting school activities,

• 3 February - The school has organised a meeting for parents and students of 4th years tonight in Killiney Castle Hotel. Mrs Wroe will address the group about subject shoices. Partick and Maire, your 4th year Parent reps, will be there to introduce themselves to you.
• 3 February - As you know from school communications, The Department of Education & Skills is conducting a Whole School Evaluation, focussing on Management, Leadership and Learning Click here for more
• 21 January - In learning how to do this website I have had fantastic assistance from Manuel Longi. Manuel lives in Malta, and has "locked in syndrome" - more familiar to us as the syndrome in the book and film, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. Manuel was 38 years old in 2000, when he had a stroke and as a result is completely paralysed. He communicates using his computer, by nodding his head and pointing at his screen. For an inspirational read, and to hear his compelling story, go to his own website and about his experience on his website click here.
• 21 January - Message from Past Pupils Association:The Ladies Lunch held in December was a great success. The lunch was primarily a networking occasion for both past pupils and parents of current pupils. It was also the first of many fundraising activities for the new sportshall, an opportunity to start off a database of past pupils (we now have over 850 women registered 'Loreto Dalkey Past Pupils' on Facebook as well as names and addresses of the 200 women who came to the lunch) and an opportunity to get support from a number of past pupils and mothers who are keen to help with databases and fundraising activities in the future. Well done to those who organised and came along on the day. There are still some paintings for sale - click here to - see alumni facebook page
• 18 January - The talk given by Mrs Patricia Wroe last evening for sixth year parents about CAO applications was excellent, and was welcomed by all present. Mrs Wroe gave particular attention to routes to higher degrees via Level 6/7 courses and Colleges of Further Education.
• 13 January - Dalkey girls hit the headlines! Our Young Scientist team entry from first year, Claire Gribbin and Celia Reynolds were stars (and indeed excellent ambassadors for the school) on the Daily Show on RTE television yesterday when they were interviewed about their project! Watch it on RTE Player.. - the interview is at the 30th minute on the episode aired on 12 January.....AND they were interviewed again this afternoon on 2fm - we will put up that link when the podcast is available. Well done girls! Click on the RSS feed button on this page to get more info by e-mail.

• 9 January - we have found a very good website which may help you support your daughter's exam preparation: Teachnet.ie. This site is actually a resource for teachers but is very useful for students too, with good resource notes and revision quizzes. And don't forget examinations.ie - this is the State Examination website and has the marking schemes for all subjects - a must for your Junior and Leaving Certs.

• 8 January - This year the PA has taken an active role in supporting science in the school. We held a mini Young Scientist competition, and the participants then entered the BT Young Scientist of the year competition. Celia Reynolds and Claire Gribbin from 1st year were chosen to display in the BT Young Scientist Finals at the RDS this week. In their project they examine whether birds "poop" on some coloured cars more than others. They were among the 20% of entrants who qualified to display at the show, and we encourage you to support them by visiting the RDS next Thursday, Friday or Saturday. First Years will be brought by the school on Friday. Good luck Claire and Celia, and well done getting this far! 5 January - The PA committee wishes you all a very happy new Year. The first PA committee meeting is on 17 January. Please click here to contact us if you would like any matter or question raised, or if you'd just like to give feedback.

• 23 December -We will be updating the contact lists over the holidays so please put in your details if you'd like a copy. We have stopped using the contact lists to issue e-mails from the PA. Instead we have set up a news service. So to make sure that you get mails from the PA, just click on the orange "Subscribe" box on the left of this page.
• 23 December -Thanks to Mr Dunne and all the teachers who were at the school today to help the girls collect their belongings and plan for study catch-up over the holidays! Photos of the snow at the school are up on the school site, lest anyone doubt the difficulties in opening for class in recent days!
• 23 December - Junior and Leaving Cert mock exams will be on 7-18 February, and the detailed timetable is available on the school website.
• 21st December - Your daughters will be delighted to hear that following PA suggestions, revision work is now up on the school website. It will be updated during the course of the day. Thanks teachers!

• 16 December - PA WEBSITE - Do you have web skills, or are you computer literate and would like to learn how to do a website? It's easier than you think! We need someone to take over the maintenance and development of this site. Please contact Valerie if you are interested.

• 15 December - The parents association committee would like to invite parents within each year to form sub-groups for each year, to be a contact network and arrange year-specific events. Please consider getting involved and contact your year rep to hear more. We particularly would welcome involvement from parents living outside the Dalkey area.

• 28 Nov: School closed Monday 29th November because of severe black ice on access routes. Principal and Board of Mgt monitoring situation closely and will advise re Tuesday.
• Responding to interest from current parents, the alumni lunch fundraiser for the sportshall is now inviting Mums of today's students. Why not make up a table and get to know your daughter's friends' Mums? . ...more
• New committee members elected at AGM. Dads from 4th year and 6th year still wanted!.. more
• PastPupils inaugural lunch will raise money for sports hall. Can you donate a prize? ..more
• Substance Abuse - Guide for parents now available here
• Our school is one of 24 schools piloting Project Maths. As this new curriculum rolls out nationally NCCA has tendered for a review of progress .. more
• Careers - Can you help students with career choice . . (coming soon)
• NCCA reviews Junior Cert and wants your input ...moreFeed now added to site. Click on to get news updates straight to your outlook mail box!
• Internet safety - If you missed the AGM you missed a fantastic talk, a must for all parents - Messages from our guest speaker Pat McKenna at the AGM were so important that we have invited him back on 15th November. ..more.

• Responding to interest from current parents, the alumni lunch fundraiser for the sportshall is now inviting Mums of today's students. Why not make up a table and get to know your daughter's friends' Mums? . ...more

• First Year Parents for some amusement - watch this..
• Next PA committee meeting is next Thursday 11th November. Please contact your representative if there is any matter you'd like raised

• The school held a study skills seminar for parents of first years on 3rd November which was a great success with high attendance and Mr Dunne has reported very positive feedback.

• .Afternoon tea for First Year parents this Sunday 7th November, Fitzpatricks Hotel Killiney, 3-6pm, €10 per person payable in advance to school office please. Thank you to Jenny Cullen for organising this!

• Internet safety - If you missed the AGM you missed a fantastic talk, a must for all parents - Messages from our guest speaker Pat McKenna at the AGM were so important that we have invited him back on 15th November. ..more.

• Aviva lecture for parents of 3rd/4th/5th & 6th Years who consented to the Cervical Cancer Vaccination, on Thursday October 21st at 7.30 p.m.

• New committee members elected at AGM. Dads from 4th year and 6th year still wanted!.. more

• Contact lists - Updated contact lists issued 7 October - make sure your e-mail can receive html messages get info in by 20 October to be on next list ...more

• PastPupils inaugural lunch will raise money for sports hall. Can you donate a prize? ..more

• Next Week is Friendship week. Here is a very good video interview with the author of "Queen Bees and Wannabees" - the basis for the film "Mean Girls". - And here are some tips for helping your daughter deal with Mean Girls - Video

• Substance Abuse - Guide for parents now available here

• Loreto Dalkey Inaugural Young Scientist competition - Winners! ...more

• Coffee morning was held for first year parents on 9 October at 10.30 Fitzpatricks Killiney Castle Hotel.

• Our school is one of 24 schools piloting Project Maths. As this new curriculum rolls out nationally NCCA has tendered for a review of progress .. more

• First Year Parents for some amusement - watch this..

• Well done to all students who entered the inaugural Loreto Dalkey Young Scientist competition..... more

• New Sportshall at design stage ...more

• Careers - Can you help students with career choice . . (coming soon)

• Uniform and Books - Sell and Buy on-line ...more

• Sports fixtures info now available .. ..more

• NCCA reviews Junior Cert and wants your input ...more
• RSS Feed now added to site. Click on to get news updates straight to your outlook mail box!

• Teens and substance abuse - schools issue guides for parents ...more