Dunmore Community School

We are delighted to hear that our previous teacher and now Principal, Mr Declan Quinn has been shortlisted in the inaugural Teachers Inspire Awards 2019. Declan was nominated by a past student, Robert Hughes and his parents, Christopher and Cathy, for the help, support and encouragement he gave Robert, who joined DCS in 2013. Robert, who experiences mental health difficulties. has a love of woodwork, which was fostered and encouraged by Mr Quinn in the classroom. This support has continued since Declan became our Principal in 2017.

He is one of twenty teachers from across Ireland who has been the shortlisted for the inaugural Teachers Inspire Ireland initiative. The initiative, which is focused on highlighting the enormous contribution made by teachers in Irish society, was launched by DCU earlier this year, with the support of businessman and philanthropist Dermot Desmond.

Earlier this year, DCU called for members of the public to share their personal stories of how a teacher transformed their lives and / or their community. The 20 teachers announced on Monday – five from each province – have been shortlisted from over 400 entries received from every corner of Ireland. None of the teachers knew they were nominated in advance.

Announcing the shortlist in DCU, Professor Brian MacCraith, President of DCU, said: “The entries submitted to Teachers Inspire Ireland demonstrate just how significant a role teachers play in Irish life. “We received stories about teachers dealing in an inspirational way with major societal challenges. We received stories of teachers who have played – and continue to play – a key part in helping individuals and whole communities adapt to change. “The nominations highlighted teachers dealing with issues such as homelessness, mental health, immigration, unplanned pregnancies, gender identity support, community regeneration, and climate change. They were submitted by schoolchildren, parents, and people whose schooldays are long behind them but who remember their teachers with great fondness and gratitude. “What is abundantly clear from the nominations received is the extent to which so many teachers go above and beyond their ‘job description’. It was extraordinarily difficult to select a shortlist of 20 from all the amazing stories we received. However, the 20 teachers being celebrated have had truly lasting and transformative impacts on the lives of their students and on their wider communities.”

Entries to Teachers Inspire were reviewed by a panel chaired by former President of Ireland Mary McAleese. In October, four of the shortlisted teachers – one from each province – will receive the inaugural Teachers Inspire Ireland Desmond Awards. We wish Mr Quinn all the best in October.

Please find below an update from the Department on the issue of this year’s Junior Cycle Results.

In publishing the 2019 examination timetables, the State Examinations Commission (SEC) indicated that the results of the 2019 Junior Cycle examinations would issue to schools in late September. At this time I can advise that the results of the 2019 Junior Cycle examinations will be in schools and published online on Friday 4^th October 2019.

Kind Regards, State Examinations Commission

We are all set and looking forward to welcoming our First Years tomorrow, the 26^th of August to begin a new chapter in their education. This will comprise of an induction morning until 1:15 pm. Their year head, Ms Grehan, our Pastoral Care team and your child’s tutor, Ms Colleran (1A) or Ms Duignan (1B) will be on hand to deal with any worries or fears your child might have. As buses are not running on the 26th, please drop and collect your son/daughter before 9:00 am and at 1:15 pm outside the school’s gates.

All they need to bring with them for this day is their schoolbag, a pen, the school journal (if they have received it or €10 to purchase one), a €5 refundable deposit for a locker key, a copy and a snack & drink for the 11 o clock break. If they wish, they can also pay for the book rental to receive their books.

You should have already received a text with a Username and Password for our Online VSWare system and an email with details about the return to school. Please keep the VSWare details safe and private. Our VSWare system will allow you access to your child’s records, view their timetable, attendance, Behaviour and Term Reports. Please watch this 4 minute video for a clear explanation of how this works. Our VSWare portal is accessed via our website here. If you have any problems, please email vsware@dunmorecs.ie for help. However, if you forget your password, the school can no longer reset it, you must do that yourself by following the instructions here.

NB:- If you have more than one child in the school, there will be arrows under your child’s photo to allow you to move between each of your children. (To view the timetable you need to choose a date when the school is open, e.g. 26th August.)

We understand that moving from primary to post-primary can be a daunting time for both student and parents. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any concerns. However, this year we are continuing our school-based mentoring programme called “Foróige’s Big Brother/Big Sister school Programme. Our incoming 1st years will be matched with a senior cycle student with the aim of developing a friendly and positive relationship that will not only support the first-year student but will ultimately benefit both the junior and senior students involved. This, along with our Induction Programme and our tutor system, will make the transition as seamless and enjoyable as possible for your child.

Please check the letter below, which you should have received in your email for further information.