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Irish Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Spirit of Garbally alive in campaign to incorporate name in new amalgamated school
Ciarán Fitzgerald tells a story during his time as captain of the British & Irish Lions on their tour to New Zealand in 1983. Each of the squad members was assigned to a school which adopted them for the tour, as a result of which Fitzgerald spent a day at Christ's College in Christchurch. Fitzgerald was shown around the school's classrooms and sports facilities, before being presented to the 200-plus pupils and teachers in the main auditorium. 'Nice words were spoken on both parts and then there was an open question-and-answer session with the pupils,' recalls Fitzgerald, who points out that this was long before the internet and social media. 'They knew I went to Garbally [College], they knew what sports Garbally played, they knew when I went and others who had been there, like Ray McLoughlin, and asking me how Garbally could turn out players like that, and was it totally rugby? READ MORE 'No, I said, there was a very strong hurling and athletics culture there as well, but with a strong rugby orientation. This was before the internet and stuff, so I was a bit blown away.' Next September, the all-girls' school Ardscoil Mhuire and the all-boys' school St Joseph's College, Garbally Park are to be amalgamated into a mixed school under the name Clonfert College. The new name was agreed in March 2024 but past pupils of the boys' school, including Fitzgerald, are urging the amalgamated Ballinasloe schools to retain the Garbally name. Fitzgerald, the former Connacht, Ireland and Lions captain, along with former GAA players Conor Hayes, Michael Duignan, Oliver Kilkenny and Seán Silke, as well as former Irish rugby international Noel Mannion and current Connacht players Colm Reilly and Matt Devine, are all backing the 'Spirit of Garbally' campaign, which was launched last month. They are calling for the school to be named Clonfert College at Garbally Park and for the school's sports teams to continue playing under the name Garbally and wear the traditional blue-and-white hooped jerseys. The proposed name for the amalgamated school was inspired by the origins of both schools, with St Joseph's College in Garbally founded by the Diocese of Clonfert and Ardscoil Mhuire founded by the Sisters of Mercy of the Diocese of Clonfert. The past pupils have launched a campaign calling for the retention of Garbally's name, especially in a sporting context, due to the school's past sporting achievements. Ireland's Ciaran Fitzgerald at the England vs Ireland Five Nations Championship match in Twickenham in March 1986. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho Garbally have won the Connacht schools senior cup 47 times, most recently in 2020, and have won the junior cup 43 times, last doing so in 2019. In addition to Fitzgerald and Mannion, other ex-Garbally pupils to play international rugby include Ray McLoughlin, PJ Dwyer, Johnny O'Connor, Tiernan O'Halloran and John Muldoon, while current Connacht chief executive Willie Ruane is another ex-Garbally player. As part of the campaign, a survey is being conducted to gather views and assess support for the petition, with the group saying such a change would 'honour' the heritage of the former school while 'embracing the future'. 'If there's any possible way of incorporating the Garbally legacy into the new amalgamation I would appeal to the board of management and to the bishop and whoever else is involved to do so. I would suggest it's well worth doing,' says Fitzgerald, who, along with his allies, fully supports the amalgamated mixed school. 'I'm 100 per cent in favour of the inclusivity and amalgamation with the boys and the girls and the new college,' he says. 'I think it's absolutely fantastic and very good for the college, for the region, and for all the people who will attend the school. Going forward, the sporting legacy, in my view, should not be abandoned, because it's important, it's relevant and I think it will benefit future boys and girls who will go on to represent that. They will have that badge with them and they carry on all that tradition.' Others involved in the Spirit of Garbally campaign include Jack Murray, founder and chief executive of MediaHQ, and Des Ryan, now director of sport at the University of Galway, who formerly worked with Connacht and Arsenal. They have brought on board other alumni to help raise funds with the express purpose of helping coaching and improving facilities for the various sports teams at the newly amalgamated schools. 'He's trying very hard to be proactive,' says Fitzgerald of Murray, 'by dipping into the legacy of the alumni plus the tradition of Garbally, which can be a positive benefit going forward, and also a financial support for the new school. He's mentioned the people he has lined up and he is well organised.' Fitzgerald tells another story of making his Connacht debut in the early 1970s against Ulster at the Sportsground. The then 19-year-old hooker packed down in the middle of a frontrow containing the McLoughlin brothers, Ray and Feidlim, with a secondrow of Mick Molloy and Leo Galvin. All five were products of Garbally College and all five went on to play for Ireland. 'As a 19-year-old there I was, sitting in an armchair of a frontrow between the two McLoughlins, and the two lads behind, and talk about being looked after. That was the legacy of Garbally as well.'
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Teacher banned over intimate five-month relationship with pupil
An art teacher has been banned from the profession for kissing a student after sports day and having sex with them at their parents' home regularly. Helen Flinders, 55, had a five-month relationship with a student while teaching at St Joseph's Catholic College in Swindon, Wiltshire. A Teacher Regulation Agency (TRA) misconduct panel found she had 'seriously breached the teacher-pupil boundary' and that her behaviour represented a 'complete abuse of her position of trust'. Flinders began teaching at the school in 1994, before beginning a sexual relationship with a student, referred to as Student A, in June or July 2000. In a witness statement given to the TRA, Ms Flinders admitted to the accusations and said: 'During July 2000, I went for a drink with Pupil A after sports day. We then went to another teacher's house. I asked Pupil A for a kiss goodbye. He kissed me and it was consensual. 'A consensual sexual relationship began during the summer break of 2000. I met up with Pupil A approximately three or four times during the summer break of 2000 at his parents' house… My sexual relationship with Pupil A lasted around 5 and a half months from July to December 2000.' Pupil A stated in his witness statement that Ms Flinders regularly had sex with him at his parents' house over the summer break of 2000. He stated: 'The first time Helen Flinders and I had sex was in my parents' house. She came over, and had asked what I wanted to do, and whether I wanted to take our relationship to the next level. It therefore progressed into a consensual sexual relationship. 'During the summer, my parents worked during the day and were out of the house, so they were not aware that our relationship had progressed to a sexual relationship.' The relationship ended in December 2000, and Ms Flinders later moved to teach at Churchfields School in Swindon. In 2011, Pupil A was asked by someone he was dating whether the rumours of his relationship with Mr Flinders were true, to which he said yes. Churchfields School was notified and she was suspended and later resigned. Police began an investigation but did not refer the case to the TRA until 2022, when Ms Flinders admitted to the allegations. After the TRA panel found the accusations against Ms Flinders proven, Duncan Tilley, the panel chairman, said: 'The panel noted that whilst the term 'safeguarding' was not widely used back in 2000, there was still a clear expectation for teachers to keep children safe and protect their well-being. 'The panel considered that Miss Flinders' conduct fell significantly short of the standards of behaviour expected of the profession at the time, given the serious nature of her conduct which the panel considered to be a complete abuse of her position of trust to commence a sexual relationship with one of her pupils. 'The panel also noted that despite Pupil A and Miss Flinders stating that the sexual relationship was consensual, the panel considered the potential harmful impact that this relationship could have had on Pupil A's life.' Sarah Buxcey, the decision maker, said on behalf of the Secretary of State: 'Miss Helen Flinders is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or 18 children's home in England. 'Furthermore, in view of the seriousness of the allegations found proved against her, I have decided that Miss Helen Flinders shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of her eligibility to teach.' Ms Flinders, who faces no police action, has a right of appeal to the High Court within 28 days.
The Independent
20-05-2025
- The Independent
Teacher banned over intimate five-month relationship with pupil
An art teacher has been banned from the profession for kissing a student after sports day and having sex with them at their parents' home regularly. Helen Flinders, 55, had a five-month relationship with a student while teaching at St Joseph's Catholic College in Swindon, Wiltshire. A Teacher Regulation Agency (TRA) misconduct panel found she had 'seriously breached the teacher-pupil boundary' and that her behaviour represented a 'complete abuse of her position of trust'. Flinders began teaching at the school in 1994, before beginning a sexual relationship with a student, referred to as Student A, in June or July 2000. In a witness statement given to the TRA, Ms Flinders admitted to the accusations and said: 'During July 2000, I went for a drink with Pupil A after sports day. We then went to another teacher's house. I asked Pupil A for a kiss goodbye. He kissed me and it was consensual. 'A consensual sexual relationship began during the summer break of 2000. I met up with Pupil A approximately three or four times during the summer break of 2000 at his parents' house… My sexual relationship with Pupil A lasted around 5 and a half months from July to December 2000.' Pupil A stated in his witness statement that Ms Flinders regularly had sex with him at his parents' house over the summer break of 2000. He stated: 'The first time Helen Flinders and I had sex was in my parents' house. She came over, and had asked what I wanted to do, and whether I wanted to take our relationship to the next level. It therefore progressed into a consensual sexual relationship. 'During the summer, my parents worked during the day and were out of the house, so they were not aware that our relationship had progressed to a sexual relationship.' The relationship ended in December 2000, and Ms Flinders later moved to teach at Churchfields School in Swindon. In 2011, Pupil A was asked by someone he was dating whether the rumours of his relationship with Mr Flinders were true, to which he said yes. Churchfields School was notified and she was suspended and later resigned. Police began an investigation but did not refer the case to the TRA until 2022, when Ms Flinders admitted to the allegations. After the TRA panel found the accusations against Ms Flinders proven, Duncan Tilley, the panel chairman, said: 'The panel noted that whilst the term 'safeguarding' was not widely used back in 2000, there was still a clear expectation for teachers to keep children safe and protect their well-being. 'The panel considered that Miss Flinders' conduct fell significantly short of the standards of behaviour expected of the profession at the time, given the serious nature of her conduct which the panel considered to be a complete abuse of her position of trust to commence a sexual relationship with one of her pupils. 'The panel also noted that despite Pupil A and Miss Flinders stating that the sexual relationship was consensual, the panel considered the potential harmful impact that this relationship could have had on Pupil A's life.' Sarah Buxcey, the decision maker, said on behalf of the Secretary of State: 'Miss Helen Flinders is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or 18 children's home in England. 'Furthermore, in view of the seriousness of the allegations found proved against her, I have decided that Miss Helen Flinders shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of her eligibility to teach.' Ms Flinders, who faces no police action, has a right of appeal to the High Court within 28 days.
The Independent
19-05-2025
- The Independent
Teacher banned over intimate relationship with pupil that began after post-sports day drink
An art teacher has been banned from the profession for kissing a student after sports day and having sex with them at their parents' home regularly. Helen Flinders, 55, had a five-month relationship with a student while teaching at St Joseph's Catholic College in Swindon, Wiltshire. A Teacher Regulation Agency (TRA) misconduct panel found she had 'seriously breached the teacher-pupil boundary' and that her behaviour represented a 'complete abuse of her position of trust'. Flinders began teaching at the school in 1994, before beginning a sexual relationship with a student, referred to as Student A, in June or July 2000. In a witness statement given to the TRA, Ms Flinders admitted to the accusations and said: 'During July 2000, I went for a drink with Pupil A after sports day. We then went to another teacher's house. I asked Pupil A for a kiss goodbye. He kissed me and it was consensual. 'A consensual sexual relationship began during the summer break of 2000. I met up with Pupil A approximately three or four times during the summer break of 2000 at his parents' house… My sexual relationship with Pupil A lasted around 5 and a half months from July to December 2000.' Pupil A stated in his witness statement that Ms Flinders regularly had sex with him at his parents' house over the summer break of 2000. He stated: 'The first time Helen Flinders and I had sex was in my parents' house. She came over, and had asked what I wanted to do, and whether I wanted to take our relationship to the next level. It therefore progressed into a consensual sexual relationship. 'During the summer, my parents worked during the day and were out of the house, so they were not aware that our relationship had progressed to a sexual relationship.' The relationship ended in December 2000, and Ms Flinders later moved to teach at Churchfields School in Swindon. In 2011, Pupil A was asked by someone he was dating whether the rumours of his relationship with Mr Flinders were true, to which he said yes. Churchfields School was notified and she was suspended and later resigned. Police began an investigation but did not refer the case to the TRA until 2022, when Ms Flinders admitted to the allegations. After the TRA panel found the accusations against Ms Flinders proven, Duncan Tilley, the panel chairman, said: 'The panel noted that whilst the term 'safeguarding' was not widely used back in 2000, there was still a clear expectation for teachers to keep children safe and protect their well-being. 'The panel considered that Miss Flinders' conduct fell significantly short of the standards of behaviour expected of the profession at the time, given the serious nature of her conduct which the panel considered to be a complete abuse of her position of trust to commence a sexual relationship with one of her pupils. 'The panel also noted that despite Pupil A and Miss Flinders stating that the sexual relationship was consensual, the panel considered the potential harmful impact that this relationship could have had on Pupil A's life.' Sarah Buxcey, the decision maker, said on behalf of the Secretary of State: 'Miss Helen Flinders is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or 18 children's home in England. 'Furthermore, in view of the seriousness of the allegations found proved against her, I have decided that Miss Helen Flinders shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of her eligibility to teach.' Ms Flinders, who faces no police action, has a right of appeal to the High Court within 28 days.
Telegraph
19-05-2025
- Telegraph
Teacher ‘had sex sessions with pupil while parents were at work'
An art teacher had regular sex sessions with a pupil at his home while his parents were at work, a misconduct panel has heard. Helen Flinders, 55, had a five-month relationship with the teenager between June and December 2000. A Teacher Regulation Agency misconduct panel found Flinders 'seriously breached the teacher-pupil boundary' after the case was referred to them in 2022. Flinders has subsequently been banned from the profession. The panel heard how the teacher went for a drink with 'Pupil A' after sports day at St Joseph's Catholic College in Swindon, Wiltshire, in July 2000. She had been an art teacher at the secondary school since 1994. 'Consensual kiss' In her witness statement, Flinders said that after the drink they went to another teacher's house where she asked Pupil A for a kiss goodbye. Flinders said 'he kissed me and it was consensual', adding: 'A consensual sexual relationship began during the summer break of 2000.' The pair met about three or four times at the student's parents' house, the panel was told, before their relationship ended in December of the same year. Pupil A said: 'The first time Helen Flinders and I had sex was in my parents' house. 'She came over and had asked what I wanted to do, and whether I wanted to take our relationship to the next level. 'It therefore progressed into a consensual sexual relationship. 'During the summer, my parents worked during the day and were out of the house, so they were not aware that our relationship had progressed to a sexual [one].' In 2011, the student was asked by an individual he was dating whether there had been any truth to the rumours of his affair with Flinders almost 10 years prior. When he admitted there had been a sexual relationship, his partner informed Flinders' employer – now Churchfields School in Swindon – and she was suspended. Police began an investigation but did not refer the case to the Teacher Regulation Agency until 2022. 'Prohibited from teaching' Duncan Tilley, the panel chairman, highlighted 'a clear expectation' for teachers to 'keep children safe and protect their well-being'. He added: 'The panel considered that Miss Flinders's conduct fell significantly short of the standards of behaviour expected of the profession at the time... [and it was a] complete abuse of her position of trust to commence a sexual relationship with one of her pupils. 'The panel also noted that despite Pupil A and Miss Flinders stating that the sexual relationship was consensual, the panel considered the potential harmful impact that this relationship could have had on Pupil A's life.' Sarah Buxcey, the decision maker, said on behalf of the Secretary of State: 'Miss Helen Flinders is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children's home in England. 'In view of the seriousness of the allegations found proved against her, I have decided that Miss Helen Flinders shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of her eligibility to teach.' Flinders has the right to appeal to the High Court within 28 days.
