Formed in 1971 Wesley College PTA’s objectives are to work with the Staff, Board of Management and the Governors of the College to promote the education and welfare of the pupils in accordance with the constitution of the College.  The PTA is a very active Association that meets regularly and provides practical and financial support for a number of key activities that take place during the school calendar.

We represent the interests of parents of Day and Boarder children at the school and provide input to the formulation and implementation of school policies at Wesley, where relevant. Through the auspices of the PTA, parents are also represented on the Board of Management, the Environment Buildings and Grounds Committee, and on the National Association of COMPASS, (Co-operation of Minority Religions & Protestant Parent Associations).

Parent Teacher Association 2010

Linda Dwyer-Joyce, Chairperson, Anna Keogh, Hon. Secretary, Patrick Feenan, Hon. Treasurer.

Jenny Boyd, Klaas Jan de Vries, Fran Harland, Anthony Hoare, Anne McDowell, Gerard McGuinness, Mary Higgins, and Sandra Pullen.

Teacher Representatives: Richard McConnell and Louise Downer.

Principal: Christopher Woods.

Contacting the Parent Teacher Association

Feedback or suggestions relevant to PTA matters are most welcome and can be sent to the Hon. Secretary, Wesley College PTA, Ballinteer, Dublin 16 or by emailing pta@wesleycollege.ie 

Please note that any school related matters should be directed to the College.

The annual PTA Newsletter was forwarded to all parents/guardians in September 2010.

Newsletter to Parents

PTA Constitution

Wesley Artist of the Year 2010

The Wesley Artist of the Year which is open to all students in the Junior & Senior School and is sponsored by the PTA.  The event was judged by Aileen Johnson and Genevieve Whitefield on 20^th March 2010 and the Artist of the Year was Daniel McCarthy.  The PTA also awarded special prizes to Sally Kiernan and Leonard Boyle for their artwork. 

Annual Wesley Music Festival 5-6^th March 2010

The PTA once again assisted with the stewarding of the 34^th annual interschool music festival held in Wesley College.  This competition features a wide variety of musical endeavour from orchestras, choirs, soloists, to rock bands from schools around Ireland.  The competitions are judged by professional musicians in a friendly and competitive environment.  The PTA sponsored a new cup for the Winners of the Rock Band Competition which was presented by Linda Dwyer-Joyce, Chairperson, PTA. 

Ready Steady Cook – 3^rd March 2010

The annual Ready Steady Cook competition, sponsored by the PTA and hosted by the Home Economics Department took place in March.   The celebrity chef Thomas Haughton, Head Chef at the time at Harvey Nichols judged the competition.  Thomas trained at Patrick Guilbaud’s and Conrad Gallagher at Peacock Alley. 

 The brief was to create a dessert containing ‘at least one Irish food product’. There were a record number of applicants who took part in heats prior to the final judging day.  Thomas was assisted by Linda Dwyer-Joyce and Anna Keogh of the PTA as judges.  3^rd Prize was awarded to Grace O’Reilly, 2^nd Prize to Esther Glenfield, and the Ready Steady Cook Cup was won by Deirdre Cassidy for her mouth watering chocolate lava cakes. 

 

Spring Speaker Event 22^nd March 2010

John Herlihy, European Director of GOOGLE based in Ireland gave a talk to Wesley parents on The Internet – Growth & Opportunity.  John graduated from UCD with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree (Hons) and began his career as a Chartered Accountant in KPMG.  John relocated to the States in the US.  John joined GOOGLE in 2005 and built its online sales and operations channels in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.  There are over 1,500 people working in GOOGLE’s offices in Dublin from 65 countries speaking as many languages.  John gave a dynamic and interesting presentation about how the internet is driving societal and economic change, highlighting skill sets GOOGLE and other industries are seeking from young graduates going into the workforce.

 

School Leaver’s Service & BBQ – Friday 28^th May 2010

The PTA presided over an enjoyable and informal BBQ for both parents and school leaving students following the Annual Service in the Myles Hall conducted by Rev. Mackey. 

             

              

Annual Uniform Sale – Friday 4^th June 2010

The PTA organised a 2^nd hand uniform sale in the Gym Hall on the last day of term.  This is always a useful way of parents recycling school uniform in good condition amongst other families.  Rita’s Uniforms were also present on the campus to enable parents to order new uniforms with a special discount on the day. 

Coffee Morning Parents of Preps/1^st Year Students – Saturday 18^th September 2010

The PTA host a coffee morning for new parents in the Sports Pavilion.  This event gives parents the opportunity to meet other new parents whose children will be in the same classes.  The PTA also organises a contact list for parents on a voluntary and confidential basis which is circulated in the first week of October to those who wish to avail of this facility. 

Pre-Debs Soiree – Saturday 18^th October 2010

The PTA organised a Pre-Debs Soiree in the Myles Hall for the Class of 2009 and their parents.  The Debs were presented to guests, and were entertained by a string trio of Carla, Phoebe & Rory White.  The Myles Hall was decorated to enhance the magic of the evening and photographs were taken by an official photographer, a DVD was recorded of the occasion, and refreshments and finger food was served throughout the evening.  Class photographs were also taken of the debutantes for the Wesley Year Book 2010.

Poetry Aloud Wesley Finals  – 11th November 2010

The PTA sponsored this wonderful event which was originally the brainchild of Niall MacMonagle, now in its eighteenth year in Wesley College, and fifth year nationwide.   The Wesley Finals were held in the G B Shaw Auditorium on 11^th November at 7.00pm.  The Winners of the Wesley Poetry Aloud were Conor Potts, Junior Prize, Lucy Gaynor, Intermediate Prize and Fiona Masterson – Senior Prize and overall Winner of Poetry Aloud 2010.  Esther Glenfield was awarded a special prize for her performance by the  judges, Ms Kavanagh, / and Mr Klaas Jan de Vries of the PTA, who had a difficult time deciding on the final winners as the standard was very high indeed this year. 

Student Enterprise Market Day – 16^th December 2010

The Student Enterprise Awards are highly regarded by the PTA who sponsors this event. This competition offers students the opportunity to take a business idea from inception through market research, production, promotion, selling, budgeting, management and finally in writing a report on the process.

The event is organised by Ms Eileen Corcoran and historically the entrants do very well by reaching the County and National Finals.  The students’ projects/stalls are judged by professionals in the Myles Hall on 16^th December and it is an opportunity for parents to do a little Christmas shopping and support the students’ efforts. 

Other PTA events/sponsorship: