Campaign

In the recent budget, the only schools to lose out were the small schools (2,3,4 teacher) and disadvantaged schools in large urban areas. The pupil teacher ratio was left untouched in all other schools.  In small schools we face three increases, one of which was backdated.  The most important date during the school year is the 30^th September. The number of pupils on roll determines the number of teachers in your school for the following school year. Prior to the budget we needed 12 pupils to keep our second teacher. This was increased in the budget (backdated to last Sept.) to 14. As we had 15 on rolls at the time we will retain our second teacher for the coming school year (Sept. 2012 to June 2013). Next year we will need 17 pupils and 20 the year after. 

Last summer, as part of other cutbacks, we lost the school bus service from Killaraght. One family left the school at Christmas because of this. We currently have 13 pupils on roll. We have 3 sixth class pupils. Therefore as things stand we will need to have 17 pupils on roll next September to retain Ms. Jordan for the following school year i.e. Sept.2013 to June 2014. If we can get over this, I am confident we can get over the following year.   

To retain our second teacher will involve two approaches. We must put pressure on our politicians and encourage as many pupils as possible to enrol in our school. The campaign to reverse the cuts is continuing.

Actions Carried Out So Far By the School, Parents and Community:

• Protest outside the Dáil on Tuesday 24^th January
• Attended many meetings
• Media Campaign – Local newspapers have included many articles about our plight. They have spoken to parents, Mr. Heffernan, the principal and the Chairperson of the BOM, Fr. Caulfield. They have supported us my printing articles and pictures about the work we do in St. Ronan’s.  Parents have been involved in debates and discussions on the radio.
• Parents, BOM members and community representatives signed letters of protest  to our TD’S
• Parents, BOM members and community representatives  have already and continue to lobby politicians on our behave.
• A committee of dedicated parents meet on a weekly basis drawing up strategies and plans to further promote the school.
• Parents have gone door to door giving out leaflets and information about the school.
• Parents have visited local playschool and crèches distributing our school leaflets.
• Parents have organised Save our School signs to be erected .
• Fr. Caulfield has erected  a sign near Boyle stating “Cloonloo Welcomes New Pupils”.
• Parents have been working on obtaining a hand painted sign for the school.
• Parents have set up a Facebook account.
• Parents and Community members are working on a new School Website.
• Participation in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Gurteen and Boyle where we saw the community support for our school.
• An Open Day in the School on Friday 23^rd March.  Parents beforehand inserted information leaflets in many of the local and national newspapers and then met with and talked to parents on the day.
• Super Valu Leaflet Drive – Parents organised a stand in the Super Valu in Boyle and gave out leaflets about the school.
• 3 Open Days (8th/15th/22nd June) where all new children could come to school for the day or part of the day.
• Sr. Marguerite O’Beirne was invited to be Good Will Ambassador for the School and was present for a mass on her behalf on July 1st.

The school would like to thank all of you who were involved in the above work.  There is no doubt that there is a committed, united, loyal and determined group of parents backing the school and it is vitally important that this pressure continues.