07 December 2023 - Member feedback on the Free School Books Scheme
- Published: 11 January 2024
This week’s e-scéal includes information on the following:
- Planning Prompts
- New Book Scheme
- Small Schools Pilot Project - Article
- New Boards of Management
- Barnados
- Updates
You plan for everything. Now is the time to prioritise and plan for some ‘me time’ over the holiday period. It also comes with a gentle reminder of how easy it is for conflict to escalate. Be aware of minor disagreements, tiredness and heightened emotions in both yourself and others. If things become difficult, the Leadership Support Team is here to help - contact the Support Office on 021 4284070.
IPPN welcomed the initiative to provide free school books, workbooks and copies for all primary school children and its objective of equality of access to resources. IPPN consistently stated its priority to ensure the scheme’s successful and effective implementation.
Having been requested by the DE to provide feedback on the scheme, IPPN issued a survey to all member schools. More than 550 school leaders responded. The feedback from the survey was issued to the Department in late November.
Small Schools Pilot Project - Article
Our cluster group identified two recurring issue - a lack of consistent staffing in our schools and teachers coming and going in cluster arrangements passing each other on the road. The resolution seemed so simple - merge the SET, EAL & Administrative Leave into one post!
We were thrilled when the Department gave the green light to pilot this merger. I cannot overstate the benefits we have experienced to date.
As new Boards of Management begin their work in every primary school, IPPN would like to wish school leaders and members of Boards well with their important governance work. We also remind principals that matters that are the remit of the Board should remain so and, if support is required in relation to Board-related matters, the Patron / management body is a valuable resource in this regard.
Animations
1. Children’s definition here
2. ‘See me, hear me, keep me safe’ here
3. It Hurts: Listen to Us photography exhibition video is available here.
Webinar for teachers - Barnardos/NCCA webinar Myself as an SPHE Teacher can be found here.
Shared understanding of childhood domestic violence and abuse publication is available here.
The resources and animations are all available on the Barnardos website here.
Please share with your staff as appropriate:
To be shared with your Board, staff and parent body as appropriate
- Minister Humphreys announces 900 additional Primary Schools approved for Hot School Meals
- Major international study shows Irish students are the best performers in reading literacy in the OECD and the EU
- Education in a Dynamic World: the performance of students in Ireland in PISA 2022
- Minister for Education announces €550,000 for sustainable development projects in schools
- Department of Education confirms 17,880 Ukrainian pupils currently enrolled in Irish schools
- Data sharing agreement between Department of Education and the Educational Research Centre
- HSE - RSV/Bronchiolitis infections in young children
