7th November 2024 - Guidance on Parent/Teacher Meetings
- Published: 24 October 2024
In this week's E-scéal:
- Planning Prompts
- Professional Guidance – Parent/Teacher Meetings
- Response to Member Survey – Thank You
- Your feedback on the Free Schoolbooks Scheme
- IPPN DP Conference 2025 – Register now!
- DE Circulars
- Sectoral Updates
- Did you know?
Situations where conflict can arise are many and occur in every walk of life. Preparation and good communication is key to ensuring successful outcomes and best done when there is no issue. Consider including time for discussing a “What if” scenario at the next staff meeting. These “What if” scenarios might include “What if conflict or an issue arises among us as staff members?” or “What if a parent comes to me with a complaint?” Discuss what steps may be taken or what procedures are in place to best resolve the issue.
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Professional Guidance – Parent/Teacher Meetings
As schools are currently arranging parent/teacher meetings, it is perhaps opportune to consider the following issues when making decisions about the structure of these meetings. Most parents look forward to the meeting, even if it is only for 10 minutes to discuss their child’s progress. The majority of meetings proceed smoothly with teachers and parents generally feeling appreciated and affirmed by the experience.
Response to Member Survey – Thank You
Last month IPPN issued a survey to members that sought your perspectives in relation to three elements
- the sustainability of your leadership
- IPPN’s supports and services
- the Free Schoolbook scheme.
More than 1500 school leaders responded to the survey which is a phenomenal response and has provided us with rich data which
- has informed our feedback to the DE on the implementation of the free schoolbooks scheme
- has been included in the 2024 progress report on the Sustainable Leadership project which will be published next week
- will shape our review of the supports and services we provide to better ensure that they are in keeping with your needs.
Your Feedback on the Free Schoolbooks Scheme
Based on your responses to our recent member survey, we have shared the perspectives of school leaders with the DE with regard to the experience of implementing the Free Schoolbooks Scheme this year.
Key takeaways from the data you provided
- 63% of you reported that the €80 per pupil was not sufficient to cover the cost of textbooks, workbooks and copybooks
- 91% of you reported that the €80 per pupil was not sufficient to cover the cost of other classroom resources
- 81% of you reported that the implementation of the scheme in the school created a significant additional administrative/leadership burden
- a majority of you reported that the number of days made available through the Administration Support Grant was not sufficient to oversee the implementation of the scheme
- a majority of you reported that the extent of the funding made available through the Administration Support Grant was not sufficient compensation for the workload involved.
To you would like to read the entirety of the feedback, the summary of your comments and the recommendations that we have made to the DE with regard to the implementation of the scheme next year, please click here.
IPPN DP Conference 2025 – Register now!
Click here for more information and to register
0085/2024 New pay rate for School Transport Escorts / Ráta nua pá le haghaidh Coimhdirí Iompair Scoile
DE Customer Service Survey of School Staff
The DE has launched a 5-minute survey to gather feedback on the quality of customer service school staff receive from the department and how that service can be improved. School roll numbers will be requested in the survey, this is for aggregated data analysis purposes only and the confidentiality of the survey is assured. All school staff are encouraged to complete the survey.
By ‘customer service’, the department means services, such as responses to questions about payroll or leave entitlements, circulars, allocations, planning and building projects and other service provisions.
Click here to complete the survey
Resourcing Schools to Address Educational Disadvantage / Thabhairt ar Mhíbhuntáiste Oideachasúil
Solar for Schools Programme will now be extended to all schools nationwide / Clár Grianchumhachta do Scoileanna anois chuig gach scoil ar fud na tíre
New roles to support Traveller and Roma pupils and students / Oibrithe Naisc Pobail chun tacú le daltaí agus scoláirí ó Phobal an Lucht Siúil agus na Romach agus leo siúd atá i mbaol míbhuntáiste oideachasúil
The Teaching Council has launched a Féilte Bursary valued at €100,000. The bursary is designed to support collaboration between schools and enhance teachers' professional learning. Sheol an Chomhairle Mhúinteoireachta Sparánacht Féilte dar luach €100,000 san iomlán. Tá an sparánacht deartha chun tacú le comhoibriú idir scoileanna agus chun foghlaim ghairmiúil na múinteoirí a fheabhsú.
Full information and application guidelines
NEPS/ESCI Webinar - Introducing a Trauma Informed practice- The Stress Factor, getting the balance right. Primary and Post Primary. Tuesday 12th November at 4.30.
Global Village TeachMeet 2025 takes place on 23rd January in Mary Immaculate College.
The theme is ‘Global Citizenship in Action: Guiding Primary Educators through Controversial Issues’. The event is free event and the cost of substitute cover is provided for all attending teachers.
Active School Flag and the Irish Heart Foundation invite primary and special schools to take part in
the Active Breaks Challenge 2024, which takes place from November to 13th December .
Find Out More/Access Interactive Resources
Support Webinars (recorded 06.11.24)
DE - The deadline for entry to the ESD to 2030 Art Competition for Schools has been extended until Friday 15 November.
