Latest news with #StJoseph'sPrimarySchool
Irish Independent
25-06-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Cork town's notoriously narrow and chaotic road to close for almost a month
The New Road, between Sleaveen Road and Chapel Road, contains the entrance to St Mary's Secondary School while St Joseph's Primary School is located nearby at Chapel Hill. This means the narrow road can be cramped with traffic and pedestrians going to and from school on mornings and evenings. The road will be closed for almost a month as Cork County Council installs traffic calming and pedestrian improvement measures on the route. Following the works, traffic will flow westward only from the Chapel Hill/Orchard end of the road The works, part of the Safe Route to School (SRTS) programme, will see the New Road closed from Monday, June 30 until Friday, July 25. Some of the key measures that will be installed on the road include enhanced signage, a new footpath connecting surrounding schools and residential areas, and raised speed tables on Chapel Hill. The project will also see existing zebra and pelican crossings either relocated or raised, road drainage improvements and upgrades to public lighting. Fianna Fáil councillor Gobnait Moynihan told The Corkman that the short-term pain of the works will help alleviate the 'chaos' seen on the New Road during the school year. 'It will be an inconvenience for people when the road is closed, when works are being carried out especially accessing parking during mass time,' Cllr Moynihan said. 'But please God once works are carried out, there will be a safe passage to school for many students in the town. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more 'It should also ease the traffic chaos up by St Joseph's on a daily basis at pick up and drop off times, that also affects local residents living up there.' Traffic Management will be in operation for the duration of the works on the New Road, which may necessitate the introduction of temporary lane restrictions and traffic control during off peak times. The works are funded by the National Transport Authority under SRTS, which is designed to encourage as many primary and post-primary students to walk, cycle and wheel to school.
The Advertiser
21-05-2025
- General
- The Advertiser
'Historic milestone': Catholic schools office appoints first female director
THE Maitland-Newcastle diocese's Catholic Schools Office has appointed its first female Director of Schools. Jacqueline Wilkinson has accepted the position after holding multiple roles in 2024 as assistant head of schools and acting director of schools. The latter position had been held by former CEO Sean Scanlon, who made a shock exit from the CSO in February. Ms Wilkinson was recently appointed acting head of schools when Steve Lemos resigned in 2024. "I was in that role for about eight weeks and then interviewed for the role permanently," she said. She said her focus was on stabilising the diocese and bringing a sense of community back. "I have a focus on schools and what they need to enhance teaching and learning, and I'm really focused on building a high leadership team," she said. "I've always been committed to the experience that students have in the classroom, which really depends on the quality of teachers, the great leadership that happens in schools, and the way we can all partner to make that happen." Ms Wilkinson said, despite a shift of positions in the CSO, she was confident in the diocese's future. "I think that comes from having the right people in the right roles who are promoting our Catholic Schools. I think that sense was lost that we're all in this together, but now we are doing great work in that space," she said. She said change happens, and anyone who comes along offers a new vision. "Change is a very natural thing. It's how we respond to change, rather than react to change," she said. "I'm always thinking about how we can improve and our ultimate mission. I'm clear on what that is. So, I think we're we're in a good place." Ms Wilkinson said she felt privileged and excited to take on the role and was in it for the "long haul". She brings over 35 years of experience with the Hunter Catholic education system, having started her career in 1990 as a classroom teacher at St Joseph's Primary School in Dungog. "I moved around a little bit as a kid and came to Dungog as a child of a police sergeant and then stayed," she said. She has also held various leadership roles, including assistant principal at St Brigid's Raymond Terrace and first female principal at St Patrick's Lochinvar. THE Maitland-Newcastle diocese's Catholic Schools Office has appointed its first female Director of Schools. Jacqueline Wilkinson has accepted the position after holding multiple roles in 2024 as assistant head of schools and acting director of schools. The latter position had been held by former CEO Sean Scanlon, who made a shock exit from the CSO in February. Ms Wilkinson was recently appointed acting head of schools when Steve Lemos resigned in 2024. "I was in that role for about eight weeks and then interviewed for the role permanently," she said. She said her focus was on stabilising the diocese and bringing a sense of community back. "I have a focus on schools and what they need to enhance teaching and learning, and I'm really focused on building a high leadership team," she said. "I've always been committed to the experience that students have in the classroom, which really depends on the quality of teachers, the great leadership that happens in schools, and the way we can all partner to make that happen." Ms Wilkinson said, despite a shift of positions in the CSO, she was confident in the diocese's future. "I think that comes from having the right people in the right roles who are promoting our Catholic Schools. I think that sense was lost that we're all in this together, but now we are doing great work in that space," she said. She said change happens, and anyone who comes along offers a new vision. "Change is a very natural thing. It's how we respond to change, rather than react to change," she said. "I'm always thinking about how we can improve and our ultimate mission. I'm clear on what that is. So, I think we're we're in a good place." Ms Wilkinson said she felt privileged and excited to take on the role and was in it for the "long haul". She brings over 35 years of experience with the Hunter Catholic education system, having started her career in 1990 as a classroom teacher at St Joseph's Primary School in Dungog. "I moved around a little bit as a kid and came to Dungog as a child of a police sergeant and then stayed," she said. She has also held various leadership roles, including assistant principal at St Brigid's Raymond Terrace and first female principal at St Patrick's Lochinvar. THE Maitland-Newcastle diocese's Catholic Schools Office has appointed its first female Director of Schools. Jacqueline Wilkinson has accepted the position after holding multiple roles in 2024 as assistant head of schools and acting director of schools. The latter position had been held by former CEO Sean Scanlon, who made a shock exit from the CSO in February. Ms Wilkinson was recently appointed acting head of schools when Steve Lemos resigned in 2024. "I was in that role for about eight weeks and then interviewed for the role permanently," she said. She said her focus was on stabilising the diocese and bringing a sense of community back. "I have a focus on schools and what they need to enhance teaching and learning, and I'm really focused on building a high leadership team," she said. "I've always been committed to the experience that students have in the classroom, which really depends on the quality of teachers, the great leadership that happens in schools, and the way we can all partner to make that happen." Ms Wilkinson said, despite a shift of positions in the CSO, she was confident in the diocese's future. "I think that comes from having the right people in the right roles who are promoting our Catholic Schools. I think that sense was lost that we're all in this together, but now we are doing great work in that space," she said. She said change happens, and anyone who comes along offers a new vision. "Change is a very natural thing. It's how we respond to change, rather than react to change," she said. "I'm always thinking about how we can improve and our ultimate mission. I'm clear on what that is. So, I think we're we're in a good place." Ms Wilkinson said she felt privileged and excited to take on the role and was in it for the "long haul". She brings over 35 years of experience with the Hunter Catholic education system, having started her career in 1990 as a classroom teacher at St Joseph's Primary School in Dungog. "I moved around a little bit as a kid and came to Dungog as a child of a police sergeant and then stayed," she said. She has also held various leadership roles, including assistant principal at St Brigid's Raymond Terrace and first female principal at St Patrick's Lochinvar. THE Maitland-Newcastle diocese's Catholic Schools Office has appointed its first female Director of Schools. Jacqueline Wilkinson has accepted the position after holding multiple roles in 2024 as assistant head of schools and acting director of schools. The latter position had been held by former CEO Sean Scanlon, who made a shock exit from the CSO in February. Ms Wilkinson was recently appointed acting head of schools when Steve Lemos resigned in 2024. "I was in that role for about eight weeks and then interviewed for the role permanently," she said. She said her focus was on stabilising the diocese and bringing a sense of community back. "I have a focus on schools and what they need to enhance teaching and learning, and I'm really focused on building a high leadership team," she said. "I've always been committed to the experience that students have in the classroom, which really depends on the quality of teachers, the great leadership that happens in schools, and the way we can all partner to make that happen." Ms Wilkinson said, despite a shift of positions in the CSO, she was confident in the diocese's future. "I think that comes from having the right people in the right roles who are promoting our Catholic Schools. I think that sense was lost that we're all in this together, but now we are doing great work in that space," she said. She said change happens, and anyone who comes along offers a new vision. "Change is a very natural thing. It's how we respond to change, rather than react to change," she said. "I'm always thinking about how we can improve and our ultimate mission. I'm clear on what that is. So, I think we're we're in a good place." Ms Wilkinson said she felt privileged and excited to take on the role and was in it for the "long haul". She brings over 35 years of experience with the Hunter Catholic education system, having started her career in 1990 as a classroom teacher at St Joseph's Primary School in Dungog. "I moved around a little bit as a kid and came to Dungog as a child of a police sergeant and then stayed," she said. She has also held various leadership roles, including assistant principal at St Brigid's Raymond Terrace and first female principal at St Patrick's Lochinvar.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Swinney to visit school hit by fires and sectarian graffiti
First Minister John Swinney has offered to visit a primary school after it was targeted in a number of sectarian attacks. St Joseph's Primary School in Busby, East Renfrewshire, was sprayed with offensive and discriminatory graffiti and there were two fires in children's play areas. Police have confirmed that they are investigating a number of incidents and have urged anyone with information to contact them. The attacks were raised at First Minister's Questions by Tory MSP Jackson Carlaw, who said the school community had been left "stupefied and distressed". Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Carlaw said he had been "appalled" by "an unprecedented series of sectarian attacks" targeting the school which is in his Eastwood constituency. "The buildings were sprayed with offensive and sectarian discriminatory graffiti and the outdoor play area was set on fire," he said. "This past weekend, there was a further arson attack on a children's area. The school community has been left stupefied and, naturally, distressed." 'Culture of denial' over sectarianism Schools 'do not cause sectarianism' Carlaw highlighted the fact that the school had received a glowing report from Education Scotland earlier this month for the "exemplary standard of education that the school is providing". He asked the first minister to show solidarity with the school community and make it clear that "here in Scotland, faith will not be used as a force for division but that, together, all faiths and those of none must work and come together in order to create the community in which we all want Scotland to live?" In his response, Swinney said the school has been acknowledged by Education Scotland and His Majesty's chief inspector of education to be outstanding. He added: "The outside of the school has been targeted by utterly unacceptable behaviour, which never had any place in Scottish society and certainly does not have any place in Scottish society in 2025. "Perhaps the best way through this is if Mr Carlaw and I visit St Joseph's school. We could have a question-and-answer session to see how we both get on at the school in front of the pupils. "The visit would be an indication of my warm appreciation of the strength of the school and what it does for the children of that community." Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland's Lunchtime Live programme, Carlaw said: "I was delighted at the spontaneous and very generous offer of the first minister to join me at the school in response to the events. "The parent community are thrilled that the first minister is taking an active interest in this and that together we're going to make clear that there is no place for sectarian or religious division in this community or anywhere in Scotland." He said the attacks had taken place over a number of nights. "We are a community with many faiths represented and have always lived and worked and played happily together so these incidents have really shocked people," he said. "I'm not sure what the motivation is but the graffiti was offensive and discriminatory in nature. "We have a hugely diverse community – a growing Hindu community, a very valued Muslim community, Scotland's largest Jewish community, a very large Catholic community, a large Protestant community and other communities as well." He added that interfaith working groups ensured relationships were "positive and harmonious". He told the programme the council had responded immediately by getting an anti-graffiti squad on site. Read more stories from Glasgow & West Scotland An East Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: "It is extremely disappointing that this mindless vandalism has taken place. "We're pleased that it has been swiftly dealt with and cleared by our staff, and we'll continue to work closely with police colleagues, our community wardens and the CCTV control room to tackle these types of issues, which are so upsetting and disheartening for the pupils, staff and wider school community.' Ch Insp Gillian Faulds said: "We are investigating a number of recent incidents concerning damage at school premises in the Busby area. "I'd like to reassure the public we're doing everything we can to trace those responsible and have increased patrols as a deterrent and for community reassurance. "We are also working closely with our partner agencies to explore all lines of investigation."
South China Morning Post
17-02-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Letters from readers: Joy of playing with slime, AI and celebrating Halloween
Do you have something to share? Send us your letters using this form I want to share my three new slimes with you. The first slime I purchased is pink and comes in a cat-shaped container. It feels soft, similar to clay, and is filled with lots of glitter. You can also use the lid to create shapes with the slime. The second slime is also pink, but this one has plastic jelly beans inside. It comes in a heart-shaped container and is very squishy. The last slime I bought makes a bubbling sound when you wiggle it. It comes in a round container and is very runny and squishy, like jelly. I hope you like my slimes! Charlotte Hui's slime toys. Photo: Handout Moses Leung Chung-kiu (aged 10), St Joseph's Primary School Recently, China released a new artificial intelligence (AI) model named DeepSeek. It is like ChatGPT by OpenAI but uses even lower-priced chips, and it is better in quality, too, which is believed to have a big impact on technological advancements. It is impressive because it uses less advanced chips but tops the global AI leaderboard. AI will never stop improving. If humanity doesn't make a change for good, then we will live in a world where AI controls humans and not the other way around. Moses Leung is impressed with the developments in the world of AI. Photo: Handout Purvi Choudhari (aged 10), Kowloon Junior School Last October, the Parent-Teacher Association hosted a spectacularly scary Monster Ball. Our Monster Ball had an awesome disco party in our school hall related to the spooky vibes of the season. On the ground floor, our student council members organised some scary games, and there were some food stalls with delicious food to enjoy the Monster Ball. Many people were there; everyone had lots of fun and a 'spookalicious' time. Purvi Choudhari enjoyed the Monster Ball held at her school. Photo: Handout
