Announcing a wonderful opportunity for Artists (all art forms/creative practises) / Creative Practitioners to broaden their practice, receive training and project fees, develop creative partnerships with teachers, and transform the lives of children in every County in Ireland

CALL OUT FOR ARTISTS / CREATIVE PRACTITIONERS

for 3^rd to 7^th July 2023

The TEACHER-ARTIST PARTNERSHIP+ CPD programme (TAP+)

The Teacher-Artist Partnership + CPD Programme (TAP+) is a Creative Ireland, Department of Education led and approved Summer Course offering:

FULLY PAID TRAINING AND IN-SCHOOL RESIDENCY OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS / CREATIVE PRACTITIONERS TO WORK WITHIN PRIMARY SCHOOL SETTINGS & AND DEVELOP PARTNERSHIPS WITH CREATIVE TEACHERS

 

• Open to artists / creative practitioners, working in any art form / creative practice, who are committed to sharing their practice with children and teachers in a modern primary school environment
• Specialist, week-long training (3^rd – 7^th July 2023 based inWexford Education Support Centre, Milehouse road, Enniscorthy  Y21 T271 to prepare the artist / creative practitioner for the unique requirements of working harmoniously in partnership with a teacher within the modern Irish classroom
• A training allowance of €150 per day over the initial 5-day training/induction week (€750 in total), plus travel with daily lunch provided.
• Brokerage and development of partnerships with creative teachers, in schools committed to contemporary arts learning, practice and creativity.
• Guarantee of a paid, follow-up in-school-residency within a local primary school (€1,100 Fee total inclusive of €200 Travel) to carry out a 20-hour project (14 contact hours plus 6 hours planning, preparation and evaluation) in partnership with your teacher partner throughout the 2023/2024 academic year
• Artists / Creative Practitioners are required to complete at least one or two TAP+ in-school Residencies following participation in the TAP+ Summer Course.
• As you will be a TAP+ trained artist/creative practitioner, you will also be eligible to participate in the forthcoming 2023/2024 BLAST in-school residencies. If you are available, we would be obliged if you could complete at least one or two BLAST in-school Residencies. Please use the following link for more information on the BLAST initiative: BLAST Information

–      Information, learning and networking opportunities for further freelance work within the education system.

Artists / Creative Practitioners must

• have a track record of a minimum of three years of professional practice in any art form / creative practise
• demonstrate an interest in/ commitment to the principles of Arts and Creativity in Education and to enhancing the lives of children through arts/creative practice
• be willing to learn about modern classroom culture and to work in equal partnership with teachers
• Combine a sense of fun, joy and collaboration with professional dedication and high artistic/creative vision
• Be willing to undertake child protection training as part of the induction week, and undergo standard Garda vetting before taking up the project

Artists / Creative Practitioners can apply to be part of the scheme via expressions of interest along with an application. These should be sent to the Director of Wexford Education Support Centre: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. no later than 5 pm on Friday 23^rd June 2023.

(Expressions of interest should be in the form of a letter of max 600 words, accompanied by a CV or short Bio with links to images or samples of relevant work).

The letter should set out:

1. Where you trained
2. A very brief description of your practice
3. Why you might wish to work in partnership with a teacher and with children in a school setting
4. What you think qualifies you to take up this opportunity

Places on this national Creative Ireland CPD initiative are limited to four Artists / Creative Practitioners per full-time Education Support Centre area. Final decision on offers of places will be taken by the Director of Wexford Education Support Centre in collaboration with the Wexford Local Authority Arts Office. Any queries in relation to the Teacher Artist Partnership+ CPD Summer Course should be directed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

TEACHER ARTIST PARTNERSHIP+ CPD SUMMER COURSE 2023

Free Course

Are you a Teacher who wants to work in partnership with an Artist / Creative Practitioner? FREE Face-to-Face Summer Course with EPV day approval You can also apply for a fully funded Artist / Creative Practitioner in Residency with your children.

● Teacher Artist Partnership+ (TAP+) Face-to-Face Summer Course trains for professional development through relationship building and partnership in the arts and creativity for primary and special schools.

● TAP+ also provides trained teachers with the opportunity to host a fully funded TAP+ trained artist / creative practitioner in Residency in their school in 2023/2024.

● TAP+ aims to improve inclusion, approaches to literacy & well-being in all schools including DEIS. TAP+ will be offered across the Education Support Centre Network (21 Centres) in 2023 supported by the Department of Education & Creative Ireland.

● TAP+ is a highly innovative, creative and participant-responsive programme that promotes professional learning towards partnership for teachers, artists, creative practitioners and children. TAP+ Face-to-Face Summer Course Programme 2023 runs from Monday 3 rd July – Friday 7 th July. The Teacher Artist Partnership+ Residency programme 2023 – 2024 will be available to eight participating schools in each of the 21 full-time Education Support Centres. Only schools whose teachers participated in the summer course 2023 will be eligible for a Residency. FREE course with EPV day approval & opportunities to apply for a fully funded Artist / Creative Practitioner in Residence.

“An opportunity to train with an artist/creative practitioner and not to be missed!”

BOOK YOUR PLACE NOW REGISTER TODAY at Wexford Education Support Centre Closing Date: 26th June 2023

French Teachers' Association Annual Conference 2023

Congrès annuel de la FTA Irlande 2023

Iontas theatre, Maynooth Campus, samedi 30 septembre 2023

Thème : L’évaluation formative et sommative.

How teachers of French can ensure, in a practical manner, that real learning is taking place in the classroom, real learning that will also lead to success in the context of more formal evaluation.

Click here https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/fta-national-conference-2023-tickets-633904022997   to join us, and your French teacher colleagues from all over Ireland, as we devote the Congrès 2023 of the FTA Irlande to practical ways in which we can improve our evaluation techniques and processes in the classroom.

Among our guests and speakers

S.E. M.Vincent Guérend, Ambassador of France in Ireland

Dr. Cynthia Eid, President of the International Federation of French Teachers ( FIPF)

Dr. Celine Healy, Lecturer in Education/PME Programme Co-ordinator, Maynooth University Department of Education

Dr. Eileen Bowman, French teacher, author, Lecturer to PME students UCD/ Trinity College

Mme. Laura LeCleach, Cooperation Attachée for French Language, French embassy in Ireland

Mr. Hugh Nagle, French teacher, author , MD of Plus Publications

Mr. Salvo Cacciato, Education Officer PPLI with responsibility for “Say Yes to Languages”

Mme. Fabienne Clérot, Directrice de l’Alliance Française de Dublin

(*Reduced price of €15 valid until 14^th June 2023. 15^th June 2023 -> Normal price €22)

Programme

Vendredi 29 septembre 2023

18h45

Réunion du bureau national de la FTA Irlande avec Mme. Cynthia Eid, présidente de la FIPF

Samedi 30 septembre 2023

8h-8h55	Arrivée des participants / expo stands
9h	Ouverture officielle du congrès -S.E. M. Vincent Guérend, ambassadeur de France en Irlande - Mme. Cynthia Eid, Présidente de la Fédération internationale des professeurs de français (FIPF)
9h15 -10h15	Quels ponts créent l’évaluation entre l’apprentissage et l’enseignement ? Moi j’évalue…mais eux comprennent-ils comment je les évalue ? Dr. Cynthia Eid, Présidente de la Fédération internationale des professeurs de français (FIPF) Professeure-Chercheuse, Doyenne de l'École de formateurs, Directrice de la pédagogie et de l'Innovation, Groupe IGS, Paris-Lyon et Toulouse, France
10.15-11h15	'Comment les profs peuvent utiliser la conception universelle de l'apprentissage (UDL) pour l'évaluation formative et sommative de leurs élèves' Dr Céline Healy,Lecturer in Education & PME2 Programme Co-ordinator, Maynooth University Department of Education
11h15-11.40	Pause café / Expo stands
11h40 -12h25	Rencontres express : FTA Irlande : La FTA Irlande-votre association + lancement du concours 2023-4   PPLI :  Le développement des langues dans les écoles primaires- Mr. Salvo Cacciato, Education Officer PPLI with responsibility for “Say Yes to Languages” SCAC : Mme. Laura LeCleach, Attachée de coopération pour le français. Ambassade de France en Irlande. Alliance Française de Dublin : Mme. Fabienne Clérot, Directrice de l’AF de Dublin
12h25- 13h25	Pause déjeuner / expo stands/ cotisations à la FTA Irlande
13h25- 13h40	Remise des prix de nos partenaires (maisons d’éditions, agences de voyages scolaire, agences éducatives)
13h40-14h40	Practical ways of approaching and "marking" higher level written tasks in the senior cycle classroom."  This presentation will focus a) on ways of approaching HL writing tasks and (b) on criteria to help teachers 'come up with a mark' for those tasks. Q&A at the end with access to free resources.  Hugh Nagle, Vice-president FTA Irlande, French teacher, author, MD Plus Communications
14h40-15h40	Title to be confirmed - Dr. Eileen Bowman. Experienced French teacher, LC oral examiner, author, teacher trainer with the NIPT, lecturer to PME students in UCD and Trinity College.
15h40-15h50	Remerciements. Évaluations. Code QR. Adieux

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Cur i Láthair ar Chur Chuige Feasacht ar an Tráma

Gné an Struis | An Chothromaíocht Cheart a Fháil

Cúrsa ríomhfhoghlama NEPS do Scoileanna

Díríonn an gearrchúrsa seo ar strus agus an tionchar a imríonn sé ar an bhfoghlaim, ar iompar agus ar fholláine. Tá idir cur chuige aitheanta agus nua, cur chuige atá bunaithe ar thaighde mar aon le taithí síceolaithe de chuid NEPS ag treorú na smaointeoireachta, an phleanáil agus na mbeart sa chúrsa seo. Is é aidhm na hoiliúna seo ná tacú le foireann scoile an athléimneacht a chothú do chách, chomh maith le scoláirí le riachtanais bhreise, iad siúd atá buailte ag an tráma agus iad siúd go bhfuil an saol ag dul crua orthu.

• Cuireadh an cúrsa seo i dtoll a chéile d’fhoirne scoile in Éirinn, idir foirne bunscoile, iar- bhunscoile agus scoileanna

• I ndiaidh an chúrsa seo, cuirfear tuilleadh gearrchúrsaí ar fáil, cúrsaí a dhéanfaidh mionchíoradh ar réimsí ríthábhachtacha, mar shampla - tráma, ceangal, rialáil ar mhothúcháin agus féin-éifeachtúlacht.

• Cruthaíonn an leagan amach atá ar an gcúrsa seo deis don fhoghlaim féintreoraithe agus don fhoghlaim féinluais. Ina theannta sin, is féidir le scoileanna tabhairt faoin oiliúint le chéile agus iad ag meascadh na modúil ríomhfhoghlama le seisiúin mhachnaimh, pleanála agus beart.

• Tá 7 modúl i gceist sa chúrsa. I ngach modúl, tá cur i láthair i bhfoirm fhíseáin, gníomhaíochta mhachnaimh agus bileoga eolais gur féidir a hioslódáil. Tógann sé thart ar 2 ½ uair a chloig an cúrsa a chur i gcrích.

• Ar chríochnú an chúrsa, cuirfear teastas ar fáil.

• Tá na hacmhainní agus na sleamhnáin cur i láthair ar fad ar fáil le híoslódáil más le linn an chúrsa féin agus ag deireadh an chúrsa.

• Nóta: Agus tú ag clárú, bain úsáid as ríomhaire, ríomhaire glúine nó táibléid más é do thoil é. Ní féidir clárú agus fón póca in úsáid agat.

Má tá aon cheist agat maidir leis an gcúrsa, nó má bhíonn aon deacrachtaí agat clárú, is féidir r-phost a sheoladh chuig This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Cláraigh don chúrsa anseo

Introducing a Trauma-Informed Approach

The Stress Factor | Getting the Balance Right

A NEPS e-Learning course for schools

This short training course focuses on stress and its impact on learning, behaviour and wellbeing. Familiar and new approaches based on research and the experience of NEPS psychologists are used to guide thinking, planning and action. The training aims to support school staff to build resilience for all including students with additional needs and those affected by trauma and adversity.

• It has been designed for all staff working in primary, post-primary and special schools in Ireland

• It will be followed by further short courses which will focus in greater depth on key areas e.g. trauma, attachment, emotional regulation and self-efficacy

• The format has been developed to allow for self-directed, self-paced learning. Schools may also choose to undertake the training together by blending the e-learning modules with follow-up in-school reflection and action-planning sessions

• The course consists of 7 short modules, each comprising a video presentation, and downloadable reflection activities and information handouts. The online course can be completed in approximately 2 ½ hours

• A Certificate of Completion will be available at the end of the course

• All of the resources and presentation slides are available for download throughout and at the end of the course

• Note: Please register using a computer, laptop or tablet. You will not be able to register using a mobile phone.

For any questions about completing this course, or if you encounter any difficulties with the registration process, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Register for this course 

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 FÉILTE 2023 - Teaching Council

FÉILTE is the teaching profession's annual teacher-led celebration which acknowledges the work that you do every day in your classroom. At FÉILTE, teachers gather with other teachers from primary, post-primary, and further education to share their passion for teaching, engage in mutual learning, and be inspired by colleagues and guest speakers alike. 

This year we are excited to announce a new direction for FÉILTE: We are taking our event to school! Our theme this year is Creativity in Action, and we hope that you will join us in celebrating the innovative and creative work of teachers and school leaders, in the familiar surroundings of a school setting. The name of the school will be shared with you shortly; so keep an eye on our website and social media pages for updates.

How do I get involved?

FÉILTE is open to all registered teachers. If you or your school have an idea or a methodology that other teachers may benefit from, we'd love you to join us and be part of this special day that celebrates teaching. 

Apply below to share your story about the practices you engage in, the ideas you have tried, and the things you would recommend to other teachers ... and become part of the shared experience that is FÉILTE! 

Applications should be received on or before Monday, 17 April 2023. 

For more information and an application form please click the link 
https://www.teachingcouncil.ie/en/feilte/feilte-2023/

 

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The Future Leaders Pathway Online Information Evening

24th April @ 6 pm

All future leaders interested in doing this postgraduate programme @WexfordEdCentre in collaboration with @MaynoothUni

Should complete their Registration to attend this session via this form: forms.office.com/e/BS6N6YWGTW

 

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Spring CONFERENCE 2023

Please visit ILSA's website www.ilsa.ie to purchase tickets via Evenbrite.

Please see the timetable of events below. 

 

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We have events in person in both SETU Carlow, and Waterford, and for those who can’t come to SETU campuses, we also have online events and activities that you can do with your class in school. 

Events taking place are lectures, workshops and competitions which emphasise sustainability, positive climate change action, infrastructural design, careers and more. The events and competitions promote creative & critical thinking and are not just for students with an interest in Engineering.

Details of events and booking are below:

Careers in Engineering Talk

(Online Event)

A panel of varied Engineers from across the South East region will speak about their experiences in Engineering and their journey on their current career path. This is an inspiring session for students that will be led by a professional Engineer.

Register your interest here: https://engfest.ie/event/ty-sustainable-engineering-challenge/

*******

The Physics of Isaac Newton for Senior Cycle Students

(In-school visit)

This is an in-school visit with Gabriel Gallagher, a physics lecturer at SETU Waterford where students will look at Newton’s complex personality and fascinating life.

Register your interest here: https://engfest.ie/event/isaac-newton-talk-2/

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TY Engineering Week Quiz

(Location: SETU Waterford)

The Engineering Week Quiz returns in person this year in SETU, Waterford Main Auditorium in conjunction with Speed Quizzing Ireland. Schools can enter teams from TY and 5th year, for a fun, a speed-based quiz with questions based on science, maths, engineering, music and general knowledge.

Register your interest here: https://engfest.ie/event/__ty_engineering_quiz/

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Competitions

Bridge Design Competition

(Can be completed at home or in class)

This is an individual competition with some great prizes. The competition is aimed at Transition year students but anyone currently registered as a secondary school student in Ireland can enter

Pupils can download free software and work on their entries during the week. The software is simple to navigate and students will be able to instantly test their designs by running a simulation. 

Register your interest here: https://engfest.ie/event/bridge-design-competition/

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TY Sustainable Engineering Challenge

(Each school to run a team challenge in their own school in late February and then the winners from each school to come into SETU, Waterford Campus, Cork Rd. on Tuesday 7th March and compete against each other for the overall prize)

This challenge can help focus students on positive action towards Climate change by using creative, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills to come up with local, national and global solutions. With an emphasis on well-thought-out ideas and creativity rather than engineering knowledge or calculations. We seek to highlight the opportunities in engineering in the region for your students.  

Register your interest here: https://engfest.ie/event/ty-sustainable-engineering-challenge/

  

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The South East Engineering Festival 2023 - Full  programme and event booking is available at: https://engfest.ie/events/ 

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 Future Leaders Pathway Post Graduate Programme

September 2023

 

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Chinese Evening Classes for Teachers 2023 (FREE)

Dear Principals and Teachers,

I am very pleased to share that following the launch of the government’s Strategy for Foreign Languages in Education 2017-2026, the UCD Confucius Institute for Ireland and the Irish Institute for Chinese Studies at UCD has developed the first and second in a series of books and resources aimed at teaching the Junior Cycle Short Course. 

Following our successful development of the Teaching Pack for Chinese Culture and Language for Transition Year in 2012, the UCD Confucius Institute for Ireland and the Irish Institute for Chinese Studies at UCD have been offering a Professional Diploma and a Master in Teaching Chinese Language and Culture for school teachers since 2014. All these efforts are laying the path for Leaving Cert Chinese in the near future.

It is our pleasure to announce that the UCD Confucius Institute will continue to offer Chinese evening classes to Irish school teachers from January 2023. Please forward this email to anyone who might be interested in the course.
 
This is a 15-hour evening course designed for:
· Teachers who are interested in studying the Professional Diploma in Teaching Chinese Language and Culture, but have no previous learning experience of Chinese.
· Teachers who have no previous learning experience of Chinese, and are interested in tasting the language.
 
Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:
·Handle a variety of communicative topics, such as self-introduction, family, hobby, weather, food, shopping, date & time, numbers, daily routine, etc.;
·Start building up language capacity to teach simple and basic Chinese words or phrases to pupils;
·Lay a solid foundation for further study of the Chinese language.
 
Time
The Class will run from January to March 2023, 1.5 hours per week, for 10 weeks. The school holiday calendar will be followed.

	Class on Tuesdays	Class on Wednesdays
Term 1
January	10th 17th 24th 31st	11th 18th 25th
February	7th   21st   28th	1st  8th 22nd
March	7th  14th    21st	1st  8th  15th 22nd

Venue 
online

Course Fees
FREE (from January to March, for 10 weeks, 15 hours) 

Registration
To secure your place, please visit the link to complete registration before 5th January 2023:
  https://forms.gle/ptrbLM3xgaQ1nXUZA

If you wish to continue the class after the first term, there will be a second term from April to June 2023, for 10 weeks.

We will continue to work with you to promote Chinese language and culture in Ireland. 

Please do not hesitate to contact our Programme Coordinator Ms Lirong Peng at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. should you have any queries or require any further information about our programmes.
Wishing you a festive and joyful season ahead. 

Kind regards,

UCD Confucius Institute

Supporting Multilingual Classrooms – A training workshop

We are delighted to invite you or a school colleague to the training workshop,  Supporting Multilingual Classrooms, Wednesday 30^th November in Waterford Teachers’ Centre. The workshop is limited to 20 attendees who will receive sub-cover and travel expenses.

This training workshop will be facilitated by the world renowned Professor Terry Lamb, @DrTerryLamb,  who is Professor of Languages and Interdisciplinary Pedagogy at the University of Westminister.  Professor Lamb’s visit to Waterford is being sponsored by the European Centre for Modern Languages. This training workshop is only being delivered in Waterford Teachers’ Centre.

The workshop will address among other issues

• supporting teachers with language development, including the language of schooling, across the curriculum
• supporting teachers with how linguistically diverse learners  cope with the complexity of the classroom
• developing language-aware schools

A timetable and further details of the workshop will be sent later.

We expect a lot of interest in this workshop and we would advise that you book early. A waiting list will be created should the need arise.

Please book your place on this LINK:  https://www.wtc.ie/cpd-courses-2/primary-courses/1950-face-to-face-supporting-multilingual-classrooms.html

 

 A fun way for children and young people to explore opera (School Resource)

Wexford Education Support Centre are delighted that a fun new resource for children and young people is now available which captures some of the fun and magic that is Wexford Festival Opera, including a Virtual Tour of the theatre in the National Opera House.

Once Upon a Time in Wexford is written by Elizabeth McKiernan and Lucy Small, and takes you on a journey from the origins of the Wexford Festival Opera, through its unique traditions and shows children and young people, that opera is for everyone.

After researching and writing a history of the festival for children and sourcing images and historical texts, Elizabeth McKernan and Lucy Small engaged artist Mirona Mara who designed stunning, colourful illustrations for the interactive slideshow to create a visual and auditory feast. They worked alongside stage director Roberto Recchia to ensure that Once Upon a Time in Wexford is an interactive and fun experience and a reminder to young readers that opera has something to offer everyone.

Like some of our favourite stories, it opens with Once Upon A Time…

In this historic location, two doctors, a postman and a hotel owner created what is now an international opera festival.

Ove six fun and interactive chapters take a step back in time and behind the scenes of this internationally renowned festival

 

Once Upon a Time…

Written by Elizabeth McKiernan and Lucy Small, it takes you on a journey from the origins of the Wexford Festival Opera, through its unique traditions and shows children and young people, that opera is for everyone.

Once Upon a Time in Wexford is both an educational and fun way to relate the essence of the Wexford Festival Opera to a young audience.

An interactive slideshow with stunning, original illustrations by Mirona Mara, sound clips, fun facts and a description of opera and opera voices, it is a visual and auditory feast.

Like some of our favourite stories, it opens with Once Upon A Time…

In this historic location, two doctors, a postman and a hotel owner created what is now an international opera festival.

The scene is now set, the year is 1951; let the magic begin…

Chapter 1: What is Opera?

Download What is Opera presentation.

Chapter 2: Dr Tom Walsh and the First Festival

Download Dr. Tom Walsh and the First Festival presentation.

Chapter 3: The National Opera House

Download The National Opera House presentation.

Chapter 4: Wexford Tradition

Download Wexford Traditions presentation.

Chapter 5: Children and the Opera Festival

Download Children and the Opera Festival presentation.

Chapter 6: Fantastic Festival Facts

Download Fantastic Festival Facts presentation.

FRENCH TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2022

Register here: Register here: https://fta.ie/

Oireachtas Essay Competition

 

We invite you to submit essays in English or Irish on the subject ‘Parliamentary Politics Matters’ or ‘Tábhacht na Polaitíochta Parlaiminte’.

This essay competition is open to all Senior Cycle students on the Island of Ireland, i.e. 5th Year and 6th Year students in the Republic and to all AS level/A level students.

Its purpose is to encourage you to explore aspects of politics in an original and thought-provoking way.

It is not limited to the school curriculum. You are free (and encouraged) to explore beyond the curriculum.

Naturally, you can use what you have learned so far to inspire you. What you have studied, or are currently studying, in History, Economics, Business Studies, Religious Education, Politics and Society, Irish, English, and other subjects can provide avenues for further research.

Think about times you have wondered:

– Why is something the way it is?
– Where did this idea or concept or way of doing things come from?
– Who benefits and / or does not benefit from this?
– Are there other, better, or worse alternatives?
– etc…

Use newspapers and magazines, newspaper archives, your school or local town or college library, academic papers, the internet etc to aid your research. Be conscious of the quality of your sources.

Expect to draft and re-draft your essay before you are completely happy with it.

Ask teachers, family members, and friends to read your draft and offer feedback. (NOTE: The essay must be your own work, although you may avail of technical assistance in putting it into digital format and submitting it.)

https://oireachtasessay.ie/

 

 

NEPS - Responding to Critical Incidents in Schools

Register here: https://elearning.education.ie/browse/neps/courses/responding-to-critical-incidents

IPPEA Conference 2022

Link to Registration: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/irish-primary-pe-association-conference-october-2022-tickets-412216690217

NIPT Associate (Primary and Post-Primary) Recruitment 22- 23 NIPT, under the remit of the Teacher Education Section (TES) of the Department of Education (DE) may                have a number of opportunities for the position of NIPT Associate for the academic year 2022/2023.                    Full information   is available in The Recruitment section of our WEBSITE.  Please click for Associate Overview Form Closing date for the receipt of electronic applications to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. is Thursday, March 3rd 2022 at 1.30 p.m.   Late and/or incomplete applications will not be considered.  **********************************************   Building Connectedness In Our School Communities  “Building Connectedness In Our School Communities”, is a series on online talks that are now available for post primary schools throughout Co. Wexford.  Wexford Children and Young People’s Services Committee (CYPSC) developed this series of talks and the team here in the HSE Regional Suicide Resource Office is a partner in the initiative. There are nine individual talks available and they are specifically targeted at teachers, parents and young people with three talks for each cohort.  The talks are of very high quality and feature inputs from professionals in the area of mental health and resilience.  They are a valuable resource for the wider school community especially now as you are dealing with unprecedented times where the issues facing school staff are especially challenging.  To access the talks click here<https://scanner.topsec.com/?d=1466&t=59f2e3ef12c434eee685fc56dfdaf0d40859282c&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wexfordcypsc.ie%2Fbuilding-connectedness-in-our-school-communities&r=show>. If you have any questions, please contact Sheila Barrett, Wexford CYPSC Coordinator at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   Junk kouture edweb series Register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__8HyjAZETvy4o8e398AwJQ N.I.P.T. Droichead is the new integrated induction process for teachers and is available to both primary and post-primary teachers.  The traditional processes of Probation, Post-qualification Employment (PQE) and the Induction Workshop Programme have either concluded or are being phased out.  It is important to note that Droichead is the only route of induction for all primary and post-primary teachers registered from 1 June 2020.  Teachers requiring information on the Droichead process should click here.  Teachers requiring information on Induction Workshops should click here.  Teachers requiring information on School Support should click here.  Teachers requiring NIPT team contact details should click here. For queries relating to the traditional process, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..   Autumn 2021 Dear Colleagues and Friends, We are delighted to invite you to the launch of our brand new resource for teachers of 1st and 2nd class; HTML Heroes: Welcome to the Internet. The HTML Heroes Programme has been designed for teachers of 1st and 2nd class to introduce pupils to the first steps of accessing and using the internet in a safe and responsible manner. The resource has five lessons that can be explored separately or delivered as a whole unit. The lessons explore areas including using the internet safely, communicating online, playing and learning online, getting help and support. Through five short illustrated stories pupils will learn the basic skills for being safe and secure online, including why it is essential to STOP, THINK, CHECK when accessing the digital world. The five lessons in the resource provide opportunities to engage with digital technology and highlight the benefits and opportunities the internet brings while also equipping pupils with the skills to safely navigate the digital world. The event will include a showcase of the new online safety programme and hear from special guests from education and broadcasting sectors. We would be delighted if you could attend. Event Details  Wednesday 29th, September, 2021 3.30pm - 4.30pm Webinar: Zoom (details to follow)   Please RSVP via Eventbrite: here.     Jane McGarrigle Project Officer - Webwise, PDST Technology in Education.                                                                                                                                                                                                             In the context of planned school reopening,  there is a range of materials available for schools to support communication with parents and students and re-inforce public health messaging. These include video messages from public health doctors on the safety of schools, posters/digital graphics and digital animations and videos. Posters can be printed and the digital resources can be emailed or uploaded to school channels such as Aladdin connect or seesaw as well as social media channels. Further material is being added to this list and further updates will issue in the coming days as new material is added. All materials will be available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/5572b-back-to-school-advice-for-parents-students-and-families/   and on the Department’s twitter feed @Education_Ire You may find these useful in your work. Please see the text of yesterday’s announcement also for your information.                 3 February 2021 #BeKindOnline - Safer Internet Day 2021 To mark Safer Internet Day, the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD, the Department of Justice and the Irish Safer Internet Centre invite you to the launch of the #BeKindOnline Webinar Series on Tuesday, 9 February at 2pm.  Register for the Safer Internet Day 2021 Launch Event Launch Event  Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD, will deliver the opening remarks to launch Safer Internet Day 2021 before commencing Coco’s Law, or the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill. Professor Brian O’Neill (member of the National Advisory Council for Online Safety) will then host a panel discussion with the Irish Safer Internet Centre partners, including: §  Chief Executive of ISPCC Childline, John Church; §  CEO of the National Parents Council Primary, Áine Lynch; §  Project Officer of Webwise (PDST Technology in Education), Jane McGarrigle; and §  Chief Executive of Hotline.ie, Ana Niculescu #BeKindOnline Webinar Series As part of Safer Internet Day, the Irish Safer Internet Centre will also host a series of webinars to help keep you and your families safe online:   Tuesday, 9 February: 7.30pm-8.15pm  ·     Title: Empowering Healthy Online Behaviour in Teenagers ·     Guest Speaker: Dr Nicola Fox Hamilton, Cyberpsychology Researcher, member of the Cyberpsychology Research Group at the University of Wolverhampton and lectures in Cyberpsychology and Psychology in IADT, Dun Laoghaire. ·     Audience: This webinar is for parents of teenagers. ·     Register here Wednesday, 10 February 7.30pm-8.15pm ·     Title: Empowering Healthy Online Behaviour in Younger Children ·     Guest Speaker: Mark Smyth, Consultant Clinical Psychologist ·     Audience: This webinar is for parents of younger children. ·     Register here   Thursday, 11 February 7.30pm-8.15pm ·     Title: Empowering students to build digital resilience and manage their online wellbeing ·     Guest Speakers: Jane McGarrigle and Tracy Hogan (Webwise) ·     Audience: This webinar is for teachers, educators, school leaders and education stakeholders. ·     Register here     About the Irish Safer Internet Centre  The Irish Safer Internet Centre exists to promote a safer and better use of the internet and digital technologies among children and young people. Co-ordinated by the Department of Justice, the Irish Safer Internet Centre partners are: ·     ISPCC Childline: www.ispcc.ie/childline ·     National Parents Council Primary: www.npc.ie/primary ·     Webwise (PDST Technology in Education): www.webwise.ie ·     Hotline.ie: www.hotline.ie If you have any questions about the launch event or the evening webinars, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Click here to register https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ud38pV6kQZywzBBFs2BA7w

Click here to register https://www.ecwexford.ie/%20https://ims.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mIZ6YVCgRb2PDGvZj1WQew

Strategic partnerships for Cruinniú na nÓg 2021  Call for Applications  Cruinniú na nÓg is Ireland’s national day of free creative activity for children and young people up to 18 years of age. Over the past 3 years it has become a key date in Ireland’s cultural calendar. We provide opportunities for Ireland’s 1.2 million children and young people to be inquisitive and curious, to be inventive and innovative, and to fulfil a creative ambition or showcase an inner creative talent. In 2021, Cruinniú na nÓg will take place on Saturday 12th June. The Creative Ireland Programme wishes to increase the suite of events and initiatives available, alongside those produced by each local authority, in order to further develop, diversify and expand the offering and audience for Cruinniú na nÓg in 2021. We are seeking applications from individuals/ organisations who have the capacity to devise and deliver content and activities for a national (rather than local) audience of children and young people. ­ ­ ­ ­

­ ­ ­ ­ CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: Thursday 11th February 2021 ­ ­ ­ ­

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NCSE supports for schools and parents

For teachers in special schools and special classes that are delivering remote teaching and learning

• NCSE has a number of dedicated advisors in the area of behaviour, autism and other special educational needs. The NCSE is setting up a phone line where teachers in a special school or special class can speak directly to an advisor. This new phone number is 01 603 3233 (from Monday 11 January).
• NCSE will be developing a brand new suite of short videos for teachers on how best to support children and young people with special educational needs when they are learning remotely. These will include tips and strategies for engaging learners with online learning as well as more general advice about supporting the well-being of students.
• The NCSE has a Visiting Teacher Service which provides direct support to children who are blind/visually impaired and deaf/hard of hearing and their teachers. This service will continue to be delivered online.
• Schools can continue to access NCSE online support https://ncse.ie/school-support provided in the form of telephone support, email support, or via video conferencing. Teachers in special classes and special schools can request support specific to their needs or the needs of the children in their school/class. Bespoke training is designed by NCSE Advisors, with input from Behaviour Practitioners, OTs and SLTs as required and will be delivered using appropriate online platforms.
• Schools who established their first ASD Special Class for 2020/21 were assigned a link advisor during the 4 day training course in September/ October 2020. These advisors remain assigned to these classes and are available to provide support and advice to the special class teacher.
• NCSE will continue to deliver a range of online seminars for teachers https://ncse.ie/for-schools/connect-teacher-professional-learning-events-catalogue covering a range of topics including supporting children with autism in school, positive behaviour management, assistive technology etc. These courses are designed to increase teachers’ capacity to support and teach students with special educational needs.
• The NCSE has a Visiting Teacher service which provides direct support to children who are blind/visually impaired and deaf/hard of hearing and their teachers. Visiting Teachers continue to be available to provide advice and support. Contact details for visiting teachers are available at https://ncse.ie/vt_contact_details. If teachers experience difficulties contacting their Visiting Teacher they should call 01 603 3200.

For teachers of children with special educational needs in mainstream schools that are delivering remote teaching and learning

• NCSE has created a dedicated phone line for teachers to seek advice with regard to delivering remote teaching and learning to children with special educational needs. Teachers calling this line can access a number of NCSE advisors with expertise in a range of special educational needs. This new phone number is 01 603 3233 (from Monday 11 January).
• NCSE will be developing a brand new suite of short videos for teachers on how best to support children and young people with special educational needs when they are learning remotely. These will include tips and strategies for engaging learners with online learning as well as more general advice about supporting the well-being of students.
• Schools will continue to have access to NCSE online support https://ncse.ie/school-support provided in the form of telephone support, email support, or via video conferencing. Teachers in in mainstream schools can request support specific to their needs or the needs of the children in their school/class. Bespoke training is designed by NCSE Advisors, with input from Behaviour Practitioners, OTs and SLTs as required and will be delivered using appropriate online platforms.
• NCSE will be delivering a range of online seminars for teachers https://ncse.ie/for-schools/connect-teacher-professional-learning-events-catalogue covering a range of topics including supporting children with autism in school, positive behaviour management, assistive technology etc. These courses are designed to increase teachers’ capacity to support and teach students with special educational needs.
• The NCSE has a whole range of resources https://ncse.ie/teacher-resources covering a wide range of topics, including useful apps to facilitate remote teaching and learning https://ncse.ie/useful-apps and other useful resources that were prepared in response to the last period of remote teaching and learning.
• The NCSE has a Visiting Teacher service which provides direct support to children who are blind/visually impaired and deaf/hard of hearing and their teachers. Visiting Teachers continue to be available to provide advice and support. Contact details for visiting teachers are available at https://ncse.ie/vt_contact_details. If teachers experience difficulties contacting their Visiting Teacher they should call 01 603 3200.

For parents of children with special educational needs

• NCSE have created a dedicated phone line for parents to get advice and support from SENOs. The SENO will provide support and advice to parents and where relevant provide specific resources e.g. behaviour strategies, NEPS well-being resources. If necessary parents can book a subsequent appointment with the SENO assigned to their child’s school. This new phone number is 01 603 3456 (from Monday 11 January).
• For students who might be moving between schools in September 2021, SENOs will undertake structured engagement with relevant students and their families. This engagement will involve advice and support on transition strategies appropriate to the student, along with support in securing a school placement where required.
• SENOs will continue to provide a series of webinars for parents of students with special education needs starting primary school in September 2021.
• The NCSE has a Visiting Teacher service which provides direct support to children who are blind/visually impaired and deaf/hard of hearing and their teachers. Visiting Teachers continue to be available to provide advice and support to parents, students and teachers during this period of remote teaching and learning. Visiting Teachers will undertake structured engagement with the families of students to whom they currently provide support to. This engagement will involve an initial check in with advice on available supports and resources. In particular, the Visiting Teacher will provide support on the use of assistive technology in the home. The Visiting Teacher will agree a programme of regular engagement with the student and family as required and will remain available to respond to emerging queries over the course of remote teaching and learning. Contact details for visiting teachers are available at https://ncse.ie/vt_contact_details. If parents experience difficulties contacting their Visiting Teacher they should call 01 603 3200.
• NCSE will also be releasing a brand new suite of short videos for parents. Topics will include managing behaviour; establishing positive routines; building in movement breaks etc.
• NCSE will also be updating and enhancing its range of resources for parents available at https://ncse.ie/parent-resources many of which were created with specific reference to remote teaching and learning.

  

Write a pOEM 2021 

Once again, PDST is inviting students to Write a Poem under two categories: Junior Cycle and Senior Cycle. We hope that this popular competition will encourage young writers to compose poetry and assist teachers in supporting the writing of poetry.

Rules of the Competition
➢ All entries must be submitted electronically via email and typed (not scanned or handwritten)
➢ Each entrant may submit one poem
➢ Each entry must include
1. the Title of the Poem
2. the Name of the Entrant
3. the Name and Address of the School
4. the Category
5. Teacher Name, email address & mobile number
➢ Emailed entries must be sent by the teacher or school and not by the student
➢ Where an entry is inspired by or written in response to a particular poem, the name of the poem and the poet must be clearly stated on the entry and, where possible, a copy of the original poem should be attached
➢ The competition is aimed at individual writers. Class sets of poems will not be considered as entries for the competition.
Please note that entrants should keep a copy of their poems, as poems will not be returned.

Prizes for the Writers
The winning poets in each section will receive a commemorative plaque and their poem will be published on the PDST Post-Primary website and printed in the PDST National Poetry Award booklet.
Prizes will be presented at an online award ceremony organised by the PDST in association with Laois Education Centre on March 25th 2021 from 4.15-5.15pm

All entries should be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Closing date for receipt of entries is Friday 12th February 2021

 

Best of Luck ! 

 

Storyboard Storytelling Competition

The FÍS Storyboard Storytelling competition provides an opportunity for pupils to visually interpret a story or concept or topic, use artistic media and different types of shots to convey that story in an imaginative and creative way.  A full brief, judging criteria and how to enter this exciting competition is available here.

The brief provides suggested themes & topics, storyboard presentation tips, judging criteria and general competition guidelines for teachers. Entries will be categorized on the basis of class age / level and prizes will be awarded across a variety of categories.

The closing date is 29 January 2021

 

 

 

 

 

Presentation of 2^nd Louise Madigan Memorial Bursary in Conjunction with online Education Research Conference Saturday 10th October 20

Recently the 2020 Region Three Annual Education Research Conference, hosted jointly by the three Education Centres in the South East, Waterford, Kilkenny and Co Wexford, took place online. The theme this year was ‘Supporting EAL Students: What Works?’ A number of experienced teachers and researchers who work with and support international students in learning English presented papers on this essential and challenging education topic.  Over eighty teachers participated in this online event.

The opening address was given by Narrell Byrne, EAL Coordinator at Mount Sion Secondary School, Waterford, followed by Aoife Merrins, Primary teacher and PhD student in DCU, Caitriona O Reilly, Principal, Good Counsel GNS, Ferrybank and Marie Delaney, Co-founder of Trauma Responsive Education. The key note address was presented by Dr Fiodhna Gardiner – Hyland, Lecturer in Language and Literacy Education at Mary Immaculate College. Limerick. In order to introduce student voice to the proceedings, students from Mount Sion Secondary School shared their experiences of being supported with EAL through a video link.

During the proceedings the 2^nd Annual Louise Madigan Memorial Research Bursary was presented in memory of Louise Madigan, former Project & Course Administrator at Waterford Teachers Centre, who coordinated this Conference from 2016 – 2018. This annual award is jointly funded by the 3 Education Centres and presented to a teacher based in Region Three pursuing a post graduate degree at Masters or Doctoral level.

This year the applications were once again adjudicated by the independent panel comprising Dr Gerard Farrelly, PDST Advisor, Dr Pauline Egan, Director of Schools, KCETB and Chairperson, Dr Helen Murphy, Head of School of Lifelong and Education (WIT). The panel decided to award the bursary jointly to Grainne Mulcahy, a secondary teacher at Gorey Community College who is carrying out Doctoral research at TCD into the impact of Junior Cycle reform and John Murphy, a PE teacher at St Marys Secondary School, New Ross, and doctoral student at DCU. John’s Physical Activity and Wellbeing Study seeks to examine the associations between physical activity and mental health outcomes in Irish adolescents.

The recipients were congratulated by the Directors of the 3 hosting Centres, John O Sullivan, Kilkenny Education Centre, Lorraine O Gorman, Co Wexford Education Centre and Assumpta O Neill, Waterford Teachers Centre. John and Grainne both expressed their thanks and delight in being chosen as Bursary recipients for 2020 and also their appreciation to Louise’s family, her husband, Tom Carroll and children Cormac and Orla for the opportunity to benefit from this award in her name. In accepting her award Grainne stated ‘I am honoured to receive the bursary this year. Louise was a lovely person and it is humbling to receive the bursary in her name. Though a small comfort for her family, friends and colleagues, her memory is alive in the projects this bursary supports. In a very tangible way, she contributes to build a better world for students and teachers’

The former Director of WTC and Conference organiser, Dr Celia Walsh, congratulated John and Grainne and also paid tribute to Louise’s significant talents and skills and her friendship and good humour which are sadly missed by all Centre staff and teachers in the WTC region.  The 2019 Bursary winner, Michelle Bolger, a teacher Knockbeg College, Carlow presented the participants with an update on the progress of her Master’s Degree research.

In bringing proceedings to a conclusion, Dr Walsh thanked all those presenters who shared their experience and expertise in the area of EAL and also those who assisted in the organisation of the conference, particularly Laura Zalcmane, Conference Coordinator, who ensured the smooth running of all presentations. The Conference ended with a beautiful performance by the Mount Sion Choir under the guidance of their Director, Colette Kearney.

 

COMHAR : Leadership Development for assistant principals

Co. Wexford Education Centre is delighted to offer the PDST’s Comhar Programme for middle leaders at both Primary & Post-Primary levels. See poster below for details. Register at http://pdst.ie/onlinebooking

 

 

 

 

 

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