FSSU/Schools Procurement Guidance Note
- Published: 15 September 2022
The issue of Electricity and Gas bills is a huge issue and worry for schools. Guidance was issued in past few days to schools from the Schools Procurement Unit and FSSU.
It is very clear for schools that have signed up already. However, some schools have not. For those schools the guidance is not so clear.
- Schools already registered have security of tariffs up to 30/4/2024 for Electricity and up to 31/8/2024 for Gas
- Schools that are not registered should do so immediately. Registration process is simple and all links are in the Guidance note
- Schools will then be issued a new offer of contract with tariff details attached. These will vary depending on school size etc
- This 'late' signup will offer protection between date of sign up until the dates mentioned above
- There is NO DEADLINE DATE for registering/sign up but the sooner the better!
The unambiguous advice to schools that remain outside of the OGP contracts is to strongly consider signing up to the contracts for Electricity and Natural Gas (if applicable) and secure the protection they provide, for the school. Not to do so leaves schools at the mercy of the open market.
Professional Guidance: Managing Expectations Part 2
- Published: 15 September 2022
Building on the guidance regarding managing expectations begun in the last Escéal, this week the focus is on managing expectations of self. Until we learn to examine the beliefs we have in relation to self, we will never be in a position to manage the expectations of others – either our expectations of them or their expectations of us. When expectations are not met, conflict ensues.
Ask yourself:
Do you expect that as a school leader you must solve every problem?
When someone comes to you with a problem, do you automatically accept it as yours to resolve?
If you fail to resolve an issue, how do you feel?
Others may believe that solving all issues is the remit of the school leader. Do you strive to live up to those expectations? If this is the case what does this do to you in terms of your wellbeing?
How realistic are your expectations of self?
We all need to be careful about our expectations in relation to self and others, because if they are unrealistic it can make life extremely difficult. It does not mean that we lower our standards or do not try to be the best possible leaders we can be. Neither does it mean that you will not do everything possible to support people in resolving their issues.
It is important to communicate what you can and will do to support a resolution. It is equally important to communicate what you cannot do. Do not over promise and under deliver on this.
Be clear what a person can expect of you and what you can expect of that person.
This then means that you let go of the pressure to be perfect.
“I am good enough.” (Actually you are.)
Key Date for your diary (16 – 18 November)
- Published: 15 September 2022
The schedule and full details of the IPPN Principals’ Conference 2022 are available HERE
Conference includes the following:
- Event Schedule
a. Registration and Education Expo open at 9am on Wednesday 16 November
b. NOTE: Conference finishes at 3pm on Friday 18 November - 4 external Keynote Speakers
- 20 Seminars across two sessions covering a wide range of topics
- 3 Leadership Pathways focusing on key aspects of leadership relevant to the role of school leader
a. Years 1 & 2: REAL – REFLECTIVE, Empowered, Authentic Leadership
b. Years 3 to 5: REAL – Reflective, EMPOWERED, Authentic Leadership
c. Years 6+: REAL – Reflective, Empowered, AUTHENTIC Leadership - Education Expo – More than 100 school suppliers
World Peace School Sports Day 21 September 2022
- Published: 08 September 2022
World Peace School Sports Day has been conceived by a group of Anglo-Irish educationalists with the aim of empowering young people to use sport and physical activity to reaffirm international values of peace and friendship.
The first World Peace Schools Sports Day is planned to coincide with the UN World Day of Peace on 21st September 2022. The aim is simple, the impact far-reaching.
This is a call for as many schools as possible to take part by signing up as soon as possible on the website. https://www.worldpeaceschoolsportsday.com
Wearing blue or yellow for the day, students donate €1 to take part in school-based sporting or e-sport event. Students can participate in events organised by the school, their PE lesson, Daily Mile or just decide to do something simple like running around the playground on their own! The decision is up to each individual school, but without adding to workload or creating bureaucracy. It is great to do what you would have already have been doing, but with this added focus! Given the current hostilities in Ukraine, it is suggested that funds raised in the first year will go to support the people caught up in this humanitarian disaster.
The aim is to use this initial event as the starting point to bring schools and youth groups around the world together in an annual programme of activities to demonstrate the power of young people and sport to make positive change.
World Peace School Sports Day is already supported by a number of leading professional associations and global ambassadors from the world of elite sport. Please join that movement.
