'The School' comes to terms with media spotlight [IrishTimes]
- Published: 09 January 2010
It took the consent of hundreds of parents before cameras were allowed into a Dunboyne school to film a documentary. What’s it been like for those who took part?
The principal at the centre of RTÉ’s new documentary series, The School , has expressed concern that the first programme is too negative, focusing on students with learning and behaviour difficulties who are “unrepresentative” of the 970-strong student body at large. “To represent a school you naturally have to deal with difficult issues, but the first episode was disproportionate to the level of problems in the school,” says Eamonn Gaffney, principal of St Peter’s Community College at Dunboyne in Co Meath, which received €10,000 from Scratch Films’s production budget after the school had agreed to make the series and after filming had already started.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
Minister orders schools to close until Thursday as heavy snowfall expected [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 09 January 2010
MORE than 850,000 pupils will have to stay at home until at least Thursday after Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe’s decision to close all schools because of worsening weather conditions.
The decision was made after experts warned that the Arctic chill will hit a "dangerous" new phase from tomorrow as rationing of dwindling road salt supplies coincides with severe snow falls. Up to 10cm of snow is expected to hit Munster and Leinster from Sunday afternoon.
Full Story: www.irishexaminer.com
Easter holidays may be cut as schools close until Thursday [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 09 January 2010
MORE than 100,000 Leaving and Junior Certificate students could have their Easter holidays shortened to make up for the five days lost by hundreds of second level schools by next Thursday.
The country’s 4,000 primary and second levels were ordered last night to close on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next, on health and safety grounds.
Full Story: www.irishexaminer.com
Decision to close schools welcomed [rte.ie]
- Published: 09 January 2010
There has been a qualified welcome for the decision of Minister for Education Batt O'Keeffe to close primary and second-level schools on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.
The Irish National Teachers' Organisation said the decision was sensible in the circumstances.
The Irish Primary Principals' Network said it welcomed the fact that schools had been given direction.
Full Story: www.rte.ie
Pioneer of Irish multi-denominational education [IrishTimes]
- Published: 09 January 2010
FLORRIE ARMSTRONG: FLORRIE ARMSTRONG, who has died aged 81, was a former principal of the Dalkey School Project national school, Ireland’s first Educate Together school. This pioneer of Irish multi-denominational education also contributed to shaping education in a number of developing countries.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
