Union vote to reveal split over teachers' pay deal [Independent.ie]
- Published: 15 June 2010
PRIMARY teachers are certain to lift their work-to-rule directives this week, but uncertainty reigns when it comes to second-level unions.
A decision to lift union directives at primary level means that parent-teacher and staff meetings can be held outside school hours again from next September. But it will be some time before the position is known for second-level schools.
The biggest concern among school managers is in the post-primary sector, where unions are not co-operating with the re-shuffling of duties associated with hundreds of vacant middle management posts.
The split in the teacher unions will surface today when the INTO, representing primary teachers, will back the pay agreement at a meeting of the Public Services Committee of the ICTU.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Minister Finneran turns sod on €4m extension for Strokestown school [roscommonchampion.ie]
- Published: 15 June 2010
THE STATE-OF-THE-ART extension planned for Scoil Mhuire Post Primary School in Strokestown costing €4m took a step closer this week when local Minister Michael Finneran turned the sod on the 22,000 square foot project.
During his visit to the school, Minister Finneran said: "Scoil Mhuire Post Primary School boasts enrolment of some 400 pupils from Strokestown and its environs and this new extension will be of enormous benefit not only to these students but also to the future generations that will be educated here.
"This major extension involves four classrooms, two science laboratories, a technical graphics room, a metalwork room, sttore rooms, boiler house, offices, first aid room, upgrade of some existing rooms and an upgrade of heating and toilets.
Full Story: www.roscommonchampion.ie
Newton scholars launch newspaper [inishowennews.com]
- Published: 14 June 2010
A GROUP of enthusiastic young students from Scoil Cholmcille in Newtowncunningham took their first steps into the world of publishing yesterday when they launched the school's first ever school newspaper. Students from Ms. Mulligan's sixth class had worked on the full-colour 20-page newpapter - Scoil Cholmcille Newtown News (SCNN) over the past number of weeks with well known journalist, Liam Porter.
Newspaper editor Leah Smith explained that every student in the class was given a specific job, as the classroom was transformed into a real newspaper office.
Full Story: www.inishowennews.com
Our schools are falling to pieces - can the cash be found to repair them? [belfasttelegraph.co.uk]
- Published: 14 June 2010
Leaking roofs, run-down toilets, dilapidated mobile classrooms, no hot running water and potholes in driveways.
These are just some of the dire conditions experienced every day by dozens of teachers and pupils in schools across Northern Ireland.
Poor maintenance work — often involving cheap temporary fixes - and less money available each year to address problems — have led to a serious deterioration in school buildings.
Full Story: www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Sinead Ryan: Parents must turn horror at playground 'shag band' craze into very serious talk with vulnerable pre-teens [herald.ie]
- Published: 14 June 2010
THERE wasn't a mother out there who didn't first express disbelief, swiftly followed by horror at the news that the latest fashion accessory they might have been buying for their children turns out not just to be brightly coloured wristbands but indicators of sexual intent.
Perhaps they gave money to their kids to join the latest craze -- after all, at a euro a pop, it's hardly going to break the bank and everyone wants to be like their friends, right? Well, right in more ways than one, it seems.
SEXUAL
The different coloured "shag bands" -- what a horrendous name -- show off what level of sexual prowess you're prepared to offer -- from a simple hug (yellow) to the sinister blue or black which promise a level of sexual activity far beyond the years of the pre-teens who have popularised the movement.
Full Story: www.herald.ie
