Minister’s visit to Killaloe school

On Monday, May 30, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Simon Harris, visited St Anne’s Community College as part of his nationwide tour of schools to talk about changes to the CAO website and pathways after school.

Minister Harris has been encouraging students to check the newly-enhanced CAO website, which now includes Further Education and Apprenticeship options for school leavers – an exciting time ahead for third-level education in Ireland with the creating of a unified system that ensures better access and more pathways to further and higher education for people of all ages. The minister met with Fifth Year students who enthusiastically responded to the new website and contributed practical, excellent suggestions.

What a memorable day at St Anne’s! The minister was welcomed and introduced to teachers, school secretaries, Board of Management/student representatives and special guests by acting principal, Beverly Hartigan. Special guests included Kieran Scullane and Fionagh Ryan, Ballina, parents of Gráinne who was winner of the Shannon Region, Junior Chef of the Year, a competition that was the culmination of a Transition Year taster course run by professional executive chefs Diarmuid O’Callaghan and Tom Flavin from Limerick and Clare ETB’s College of Further Education and Training. Other dignitaries present included George O’Callaghan, CEO of Limerick & Clare Education and Training Board (LCETB); Sheila Graham, Director of Organisation at LCETB; Donnacha Ó Treasaigh, Director of LCETB schools; Cllr Joe Cooney; Senator Martin Conway and Paul Patton, Director of Limerick and Clare Further Education.

Well done to all involved in the organisation of the Minister’s visit to St Anne’s, especially to Acting Principal, Beverly Hartigan and Deputy Principal Mary Fitzgerald. A special word of praise for the excellent musicians who provided background music throughout the morning and to all who organised the welcome refreshments, enjoyed by us all.