Teaching Council (Registration) (Amendment) Regulation, 2023
- Published: 04 May 2023
To assist with teacher supply challenges, the Teaching Council has introduced an amendment to the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations. The amendment now facilitates the acceptance of applications from primary teachers who have qualified outside of Ireland but who have not completed the required period of induction in the country in which they qualified. Applications will be accepted from 22 February 2023 until 1 February 2024.
Bereavement Support available to Ukrainian families
- Published: 04 May 2023
Barnardos are seeking input from school leaders to help in the delivery of supports for Ukrainian children. The survey takes approximately 5 minutes and can be accessed HERE
Click here for translated Helpline and therapeutic support posters for parents
If you have any queries, please contact Iryna Matuzova (iryna.matuzova@barnardos.ie)
Professional guidance – Free Books Scheme
- Published: 04 May 2023
When it comes to the administration and implementation of the School Books Grant, schools will differ in how the grant will be managed. Many schools already administer a Book Rental Scheme and will have a stock of textbooks. Advice and guidance is contained in School Books Grant – Guidelines for Primary and Special Schools. You may also wish to consider the following areas as arrangements are made over the next number of weeks.
Booksellers have indicated their willingness to engage with schools to ease the administration load in implementing the scheme.
Once class teachers have drawn up a list of textbooks, workbooks and stationery, discuss with staff how much workbooks contribute to quality teaching and learning. Agree the list for each class. What is the best way for books to be delivered – individual or class packs? Agree what is included in the pack. When communicating with parents, clearly state what the grant covers and equally what is not covered.
When engaging with suppliers, the following questions may prove helpful:
- Will the supplies be delivered to the school?
- Will they be delivered in class or individual pupil packs?
- Will they deliver during the summer?
- Will they invoice in September? One invoice and one payment will reduce the amount of administration and be easier to monitor when checking invoice against supplies.
- Will they keep an account of each class list to facilitate the ordering of books for children who enroll during the year?
- Will they accept returns of books for pupils who may not attend in September?
- Do they provide a book covering service? There may be a fee for this that needs to be factored into the cost.
Remind parents also that books are on loan and have to be returned at the end of the school year.
School Transport – Application Deadline
- Published: 27 April 2023
The deadline for new entrants (Junior Infant pupils, pupils that move house or will be attending a new school in 2023/2024 school year) to apply for school transport for the 2023/2024 school year is Friday, 28 April 2023. Eligibility criteria continue to apply. Applications can be made by visiting www.buseireann.ie/schooltransport
Note: The school transport application form for Ukrainian pupils in accommodation centres has now been reviewed. An updated form in Excel spreadsheet format will be in use from Tuesday 25 April. It should be completed as part of the new enrolment of a Ukrainian child that requires school transport into the school. The existing school transport application processes for Ukrainian children staying with host families and International Protection pupils are not changing. If you have any queries on this updated form and associated processes, please contact your local REALT co-ordinator, whose contact details can be found HERE
School Transport - Ukrainian pupils in accommodation centres
- Published: 27 April 2023
