IPPN

E-scéal 180 - Conference Programme "Creative Writing / Clustering SEN hours/ Conference"

Published: 08 December 2008

Creative Writing for IPPN Annual Principals' Conference Programme

We are currently preparing the Conference 2009 programme which will be given to all Principals attending the event in Killarney. Following on from the success of the children's creative writing on the role of the Principal in last year's programme, this year we are planning to include examples of both your and your pupils' creative writing in the programme and we are looking for your help.

E- scéal 179 - Verifying ID and Qualifications of Substitute Teachers

Published: 24 November 2008

You may be aware of the Sunday Times article which described how two reporters posing as teachers gained access to substitute teaching posts in schools. The reporters registered with TextaSub.ie and responded to texts from Principals looking for substitute teachers. They used fake names and falsely claimed to be qualified as primary teachers. Having gained initial access to schools under false pretences, both reporters quickly departed and set about detailing their "undercover operation". It goes without saying that the approach taken by the reporters was both deceitful and reprehensible. Nevertheless, it is a timely reminder to us all of the importance of verifying the identification and qualifications of anyone applying for work in a school.

E- scéal 178 - Persons working as both Substitute Teacher and Substitute SNA

Published: 14 November 2008

Recently a number of Principals have alerted IPPN to the anomaly on the OLCS system which prevented a person serving as a substitute SNA and as a substitute Teacher in the same school year.

Following enquires to the Payroll Section dealing with the OLCS, IPPN has been informed as follows:

"The Department has taken a decision not to implement this directive at this time."

This means that an appropriately qualified person, who has served as a Substitute Teacher in this school year, can also serve as a Substitute SNA. If such a qualified person has initially served as a Substitute SNA they may also serve as a Substitute Teacher in this school year. The Notice which was displayed on the Esinet Portal Page under Headlines has been removed.

Is sinne le meas,

Seán Cottrell and Larry Fleming

E-scéal 177 - What do you think of NEWB?

Published: 13 November 2008

The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) has asked IPPN to contribute to its strategic plan for the next five years. We are aware that Principals have many differing views on the service provided by NEWB. Before making our submission, we are asking you to give us your thoughts based on your school's experience.

In your suggestions, you might wish to consider the points below as a prompt, however feel free to comment on any aspect of the service and how you would see its future.

Current

NEWB policy and its implementation
The quality of the current education welfare service
Success in preventing absenteeism
Collaboration with other educational services
NEWB support for schools
Impact of NEWB on Home-School Community Liaison (HSCL) service
Impact of NEWB on School Completion Programme (SCP).

Future

Role of NEWB in the wider education sector
Targeting resources towards incidents of non attendance
Balancing resources between child welfare and enforcement/ prosecution
Integration of NEWB service with HSE Child Protection and Public Health
Measuring the effectiveness of NEWB and its use of available resources
Relative merits of NEWB, HSCL and SCP
Competing priorities for scarce resources - NEWB, HSCL and SCP.

Please send your ideas and suggestions to info@ippn.ie by Tuesday 18th November.

Is sinne le meas,

Seán Cottrell and Larry Fleming

E-scéal 176 - Cost Savings in Education - Your thoughts

Published: 04 November 2008

Following the serious budgetary announcements concerning Primary Education, IPPN facilitated the coming together of all the Primary Education Partners to form a National Alliance for Primary Education. As such an alliance has not happened previously it is in itself an historical initiative. It is noteworthy that Principals, who are key to the effective running of schools, were central to the establishment of this National Alliance. The main aim of this Alliance is to enable all partners involved with Primary Education to speak with one clear voice at a time of crucial importance for the future of children. The Alliance held a well attended Press Conference in Dublin on Tuesday the 28th October. In response, the Minister for Education, Mr Batt O'Keeffe stated, that he would engage in discussions with the Education Partners. The Alliance has written to Minister O'Keeffe seeking a meeting and has also issued a Press Release yesterday welcoming this development.