Theme of ‘the future’ gives some students a hard time [Independent.ie]
- Published: 10 June 2010
IT was a tale of two papers for Leaving Certificate English candidates in the first exam in the subject yesterday.
Some teachers deemed Higher Level challenging, while Ordinary Level students had an easier time of it.
‘The Future’ was the theme in the Higher Level comprehension section, with texts from an interview with Seamus Heaney, an Al Gore speech and the science- fiction novel by Ray Bradbury, ‘Fahrenheit 451’.
Alan Thompson, of TUI and Abbey Vocational School, Donegal, said that while the texts were fair he thought the theme was quite abstract, although overall he felt the paper was manageable.
'Ideal start' helps take The Edge off [Independent.ie]
- Published: 10 June 2010
Junior Certificate English higher-level candidates got off to a good start with their two papers, including reading about U2's The Edge in their comprehension question.
Alan Thompson, of Abbey Vocational School in Donegal, said the first paper, on language, was "excellent" and students should have been pleased. He described it as "an ideal start to the exams".
The paper dealt with two favourite teenage topics, music and sport, which allowed the students to engage, said Mr Thompson.
Christina Henehan, of Rice College in Westport, said "students seemed to love" the morning paper.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Minister Haughey presents Quality Assurance Certificates at FETAC Awards Ceremony [education.ie]
- Published: 10 June 2010
The Minister for Lifelong Learning, Seán HaugheyTD, today presented Quality Assurance Certificates to 74 education providers from around the country at an awards ceremony which took place in Clontarf Castle on Dublin's northside.
With changing patterns of work and life, today more than ever, individuals are required to upskill and to undertake learning in many diverse ways and at different stages in their lives.
While the availability of flexible and part-time opportunities is a great boon to learners, it is equally important that the certification received is a quality, recognised award such as FETAC awards.
Full Story: www.education.ie
Warning over 'shag band' sex craze in Dundalk that is popular with children [dundalkdemocrat.ie]
- Published: 09 June 2010
Available in a variety of colours, shag bands are innocent-looking thin, plastic bracelets. However, rather than a mere fashion statement, the bracelets are linked to gradations of sexual behaviour.
Cheap enough to be bought with pocket money, the coloured jelly bracelets each have a different meaning. When someone snaps one of the bands, the wearer is supposed to carry out the physical act represented by the colour.
Teaching New Dogs Old Tricks
- Published: 09 June 2010
The 400 Principal teachers retiring from Primary schools in this school year is a massive loss of experience and tacit knowledge to the education system. There are 3,350 primary schools in the country and between 2009 and 2010, one in four of their Principals will have left the role. This exodus will impact significantly on the quality of leadership at Primary level for years to come according to the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) President, Pat Goff.
IPPN has been consistently warning the Department of Education and Skills of this emerging crisis, and in the interim have developed a novel solution to lessen the negative impact of a dearth of leadership skills and experience in the system.
'The experience, knowledge and wisdom of over 1000 Principals has been harvested through a series of surveys, workshops and focus groups, and all the knowledge collected has been collated to design a web based learning programme for Newly Appointed Principals' stated IPPN Director, Sean Cottrell. The programme is called Ciall Ceannaithe – Sound Advice and Borrowed Wisdom. The term Ciall Ceannaithe refers to ‘buying or simply acquiring the sense of tacit and explicit knowledge of those who have gone before us' said Mr Cottrell.
'It has been developed to provide a greater understanding of the innovative solutions to challenges facing Principals and to encourage tachers who aspire to the role of Principal' continued Mr Cottrell. 'It is also a very suitable refresher course for experienced Principals who wish to reflect on their current practice’ added the Director.
Hundreds of Principals are either retiring or stepping down to a teacher’s role largely in response to the impossible work load resulting in stress which accompanies the role. Three out of four Principal teachers are also class teachers as well as day-to-day managers of the school. To make matters even more difficult, these Principals do not have the support of a secretarial or caretaking service. With these challenges in mind, IPPN is recommending this online course as a vital preparatory tool for new Principals and those aspiring to the role.
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