New Beginning for Our College…
The Franciscan Province of Ireland as Trustees and legal Patron of Gormanston College are delighted to announce that following extensive discussions with officials of the Department of Education and Skills including direct engagement with Minister Ruairi Quinn, the College will be transferring to the free education scheme with effect from the beginning of the academic year 2014/15.
This fundamental change in status will involve significant developments to the way that the College is managed and controlled into the future to provide an inclusive, relevant and excellent education experience to our current and future student cohort.
We, the Trustees and the Board of Management wish to play our full part in doing all possible to address these changes and the related challenges and opportunities effectively. We will do so in partnership with the Department of Education and Skills, the teaching staff, parents, support staff and students. It is only working in a genuine partnership that the true potential of our College will be realised.
There is much work to be done in the coming year especially to chart a vibrant, relevant and compelling direction for our College. It will demand resourcefulness and generosity on all sides – we are ready to play our part and look forward to working with all the education partners at this time of new beginnings.
The Board of Management is being asked to initiate a significant strategic planning process aligned to the needs of a new school within the free education scheme. They will outline a development plan for our College over the coming years with an emphasis on professional development and teacher support, academic excellence, curriculum review, and pastoral support.
This educational strategic plan will have, as its vision, Gormanston College as a beacon of educational provision in drawing on a rich Franciscan tradition and responding to current and future needs.
Read Irish Independent article