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Education News in Ireland
School expels 4 pupils for 'disparaging Facebook comments'
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 17/05/2012.Tags: Secondary School News
Abusive remarks posted on Facebook about teachers at a school in Dublin have led to four pupils being expelled.
The students, who were all in their fifth-year at Oatlands College, are alleged to have made "vile sexual allegations" about a male and female teacher, as well as disparaging remarks about the work of another female teacher, the Irish Times reports.
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Measles outbreak sparks vaccination warning
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 16/05/2012.Tags: Parenting Kids Health
Parents have been urged to ensure their children are vaccinated against measles following an outbreak of the disease.
West Cork has witnessed 25 cases of the condition in the last four weeks, with all those affected aged between 12 and 18.
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DES issues Circular on implementation of new Literacy & Numeracy Strategy
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 16/05/2012.Tags: Teachers Education And Politics
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The Department of Education and Science has issued new Circular Letter 0018/2012 to schools setting out the reporting processes for the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy announced by the Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn TD, last year.The circular sets out the background to standardised testing and details the NCCA report card templates and the reporting processing along with the grants available.
The INTO has issued a statement that they have had discussions with the DES re the provisions and have clarified the following ... click to read full post & comments
Anti-bullying week initiative planned for Limerick schools
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 15/05/2012.Tags: Secondary School News
Latest statistics show incidents of bullying in schools increased by 12 per cent across the country last year, with a new initiative launched in a bid to tackle the problem.
Members of the County Limerick Comhairle na nOg (Youth Council) have announced plans to post a series of anti-bullying messages in secondary schools to raise awareness of the problem.
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Disability funding cuts 'will leave school leavers stranded'
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 14/05/2012.Tags: Parenting Parenting Kids
Hundreds of children with intellectual disabilities face being turned away from essential services when they finish school next month.
This is according to the Irish Times, which reported on the planned funding cuts to such services announced via the Health Service Executive's (HSE's) service plan for 2012.
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Sex education improving, study finds
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 11/05/2012.Tags: Parenting Parenting Kids
Teenagers that receive sex education at home or in school are 1.5 times more likely to use contraception than those who received education from other sources.
This was one of the findings reported in the Irish Contraceptive and Crisis Pregnancy Study 2010, which has been published by the Health Service Executive.
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Schools to hold 1 minute silence in memory of the Great Famine
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 10/05/2012.Tags: Primary School News
From noon tomorrow (Friday May 11th), schoolchildren across Ireland will hold a minute's silence in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the Great Famine.
Primary and secondary establishments will take part in the national tribute, as a mark of respect for those who suffered between 1845 and 1852.
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Vetting of over 42,000 teachers expected to be delayed
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 09/05/2012.Tags: Teachers News
Staffing levels mean additional delays are expected to be placed upon the Garda vetting of more than 42,000 teachers.
The Irish Examiner reports how the Teaching Council has just 28 of the 48 employees required to ensure the process is completed in the three-year timeframe.
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Preparing for school – whose job is it anyway?
Posted by School Run Mum on 09/05/2012.Tags: School Run Mum Parenting
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It is that time of year when parents like me, whose child will start school in September, have lots of conversations about this significant milestone. We can’t believe our ‘baby’ is going to school. We can’t believe they have grown up so quickly and we can’t believe that they are ever going to be able to put their straw into their juice box ‘all by themself’ without spilling it everywhere.Starting school is a big deal – for parent and child. And even if this is your ... click to read full post & comments
PE lessons putting girls off exercise for life, research reveals
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 08/05/2012.Tags: Secondary School News
New research suggests school PE lessons are putting girls off exercise for life, with many claiming they feel self-conscious or do not enjoy the activities on offer.
A study by the Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSFF) found 51 per cent of young women are put off physical exertion due to their experiences at school, according to the Irish Independent.
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Inspections highlight failing schools
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 04/05/2012.Tags: Education And Politics
The government's chief inspector has revealed there are 60 schools in Ireland that are rated as seriously underperforming.
Nearly half of these continue to have severe weaknesses despite the intervention of the Department of Education's school improvement group, the Irish Times reports.
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New Chinese module launched in secondary schools
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 03/05/2012.Tags: Secondary School News
A new Transition Year module is to be rolled out in Irish secondary schools today (May 3rd), as part of a plan to introduce a short course in Chinese for Junior Cert students.
By 2014, pupils will have the option of studying the language and culture with Chinese eventually becoming a Leaving Cert subject, the Irish Independent reports.
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Breast feeding 'helps fight obesity in children'
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 02/05/2012.Tags: Parenting Kids Health
Breast feeding children for between three and six months can significantly reduce their risk of becoming obese by the age of nine.
This is according to a new report featured in the Journal of Social Science and Medicine, which used data from the Growing Up in Ireland study to look at the benefits of being fed naturally.
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Are we nearly there yet?
Posted by School Run Mum on 02/05/2012.Tags: School Run Mum Parenting
With the May Bank Holiday looming, and then the long summer holidays, the prospect of long car journeys with the children may not fill you with joy! We've all been there - setting out full of good intentions for a calm, harmonious journey, only to end up threatening to stop the car, or turn around and go straight back home after 20 minutes.So, what can you do to ease their boredom and ensure you don’t have a ... click to read full post & comments
Schools urged to join global anti-bullying event
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 01/05/2012.Tags: Parenting Kids Health Teachers
Friday (May 4th) will see schools across the world join together to show their support against bullying.
Stand 4 Change Day aims to raise awareness of the problem and school communities are asked to stand together for five minutes at midday, as a pledge to work towards creating a safe learning environment.
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Church-run schools favoured by less than a third of parents
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 30/04/2012.Tags: Primary School News
New research has revealed only 27 per cent of parents would opt to send their children to a church-run primary school.
RedC carried out a survey commissioned by the Irish Primary Principals' Network (IPPN), which found the majority of adults would prefer to send their offspring to either a Vocational Education Committee school, a multi-denominational or a state-run establishment.
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Very Special Books
Posted by School Run Mum on 30/04/2012.Tags: School Run Mum Parenting
I've blogged here before about how shocked I am to read reports and statistics showing that a high percentage of children don't get a bedtime story. I really believe that it is never too early to introduce children to books and to create an interest in books and reading. I grew up on the stories of Winnie the Pooh and Beatrix Potter, with the adventures of Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddleduck and Mrs Tiggywinkle all becoming firm, childhood favourites. The Tale of Peter Rabbit is Potter's best-loved story and Peter is, arguably, one of the most enduring characters in children's literature.To celebrate the 110th anniversary of the first printed publication of The Tale of Peter Rabbit, a ... click to read full post & comments
Many Irish children 'hit by deprivation'
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 27/04/2012.Tags: Parenting Parenting Kids
Three out of ten young people in Ireland are growing up in deprived households, a new report has found.
The Economic and Social Research Council's study, which is based on its Survey of Income and Living Conditions, revealed single-parent families and those where adults are out of work and have few qualifications are most likely to suffer from poverty, the Irish Times noted.
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Children 'should avoid excessive use of mobile phones'
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 26/04/2012.Tags: Parenting Kids Health
Parents have been advised to discourage their children from using their mobile phones unnecessarily.
The guidance comes despite a report by the Health Protection Agency's Independent Advisory Group concluding there is still "no convincing evidence" that handsets cause adverse effects to health.
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School eBooks launch 'heralds digital learning'
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 25/04/2012.Tags: Secondary School News
Pupils may no longer have to carry backpacks full of heavy books, as a new range of eBooks designed for students has been launched.
Folens Publishers has created a free app which contains 26 Junior Certificate titles and 16 Leaving Certificate titles and will be available for Android, Apple iOS and Windows digital platforms, the Journal reports.
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Study finds 25 per cent of teens bullied
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 24/04/2012.Tags: Secondary School News
More than a quarter of secondary school pupils have been the victim of bullying or know someone who has, according to new research.
The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) conducted a study into the problem ahead of the launch of its Anti-Bullying Week campaign on April 23rd, the Journal reports.
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Quinn announces funding of €14m allowing almost 80 schools to replace prefabs with permanent classrooms
Posted by Schooldays Newshound on 24/04/2012.Tags: Education And Politics Teachers
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177 schools around the country have been given the green light to replace rented prefabs with permanent classrooms.The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., announced the first round of approvals for schools in an initiative to replace rented prefabs with permanent accommodation.
The 77 schools can now proceed with construction of the new buildings.
This round of funding will result in a total of ... click to read full post & comments
RSA ‘Check it Fits’ Roadshow Coming Up - Free Demos for parents
Posted by Schooldays Newshound on 24/04/2012.Tags: Parenting
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Do you struggle to fit your child’s car seat and then worry that your child isn’t travelling safely? Are you unsure if the child car seat you’re using is the right one for your child? If so, you’re not alone. In fact, many parents have problems with fitting their child’s car seat and up to 3 out of 4 parents get it wrong.For the past seven years, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has offered a free expert checking service to parents, guardians and grandparents through their ‘Check it Fits’ Roadshow to give them the peace of mind that their child or grandchild is travelling safely in the car. And in a couple of weeks, the RSA ‘Check it Fits’ Roadshow will be on the road again from Wednesday 9 May to Sunday 13 May to provide ... click to read full post & comments
Sleep – who needs it?
Posted by School Run Mum on 24/04/2012.Tags: School Run Mum Parenting
Young school children – that’s who. But according to recent research, over two-thirds of school children are not getting enough sleep and the average six-year-old doesn’t go to sleep until after 9.30pm.Reading the article, these two facts alone were enough to shock me into an open-mouthed stare. We usually start making ‘bedtime’ noises at 7.30pm and try to have everyone in bed by 8-8.30pm at the latest (my children are 4 and 6). But perhaps the more shocking piece of information to arise from this recent article in the Irish Independent, is the following ... click to read full post & comments
Govt looking to use schools for cheap childcare
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 23/04/2012.Tags: Education And Politics Teachers
Working parents could soon benefit from a new after-school care initiative proposed by the government in a bid to support those returning to employment.
The Times reports how officials are considering using vacant school buildings as a venue for cheap childcare, which will be offered to those with youngsters aged seven and up.
... click to read full post & comments
Paralympic Ireland launches campaign to educate kids
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 20/04/2012.Tags: Primary School News
An initiative designed to educate primary school children about paralympic sport has been launched in Dublin.
Paralympics Ireland is behind the Follow Your Star programme, which is intended to help teachers and students understand about the movement, Inside Ireland reports.
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Former athletes to discuss tackling childhood obesity
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 19/04/2012.Tags: Parenting Kids Health
Two of Ireland's most revered athletes are set to present proposals on how to tackle obesity in children through sport.
The Journal reports how senator Eamonn Coghlan and chief executive of the Irish Sports Council John Treacy will address the Oireachtas Committee later today (April 19th).
... click to read full post & comments
Financial pressures fail to reduce Communion spending
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 18/04/2012.Tags: Parenting Parenting Kids
The average amount spent on a First Communion is expected to increase by €75 this year, despite many people facing financial pressures.
New research by the EBS building society found the total spent on clothes, parties and presents by most families comes to €554 per child, the Irish Times reports.
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Survey reveals 1 in 5 kids go to school hungry
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 17/04/2012.Tags: Parenting Kids Health Teachers
The results of a new survey have revealed one in five children in Ireland have gone to school or bed hungry because there was not enough food at home.
According to the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Survey 2010, younger kids and those from lower social class groups were significantly more likely to go without food.
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Kids to be weighed on first day of primary school
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 16/04/2012.Tags: Parenting Kids Health
A proposal has been put forward that would see children weighed on their first day of primary school in a bid to target obesity.
Speaking at the annual general meeting of the Irish Medical Organisation, consultant paediatric endocrinologist at Tallaght Hospital and head of paediatrics at Trinity College Dr Edna Roche revealed the plans.
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Report of the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 16/04/2012.Tags: Education And Politics
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Last week, Minister for Education and Skills, Mr. Ruairí Quinn T.D., published the report of the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector. 247 submissions were received from interest groups, parents and members of the public and were considered by the Advisory group. Primary and post-primary pupils also participated in the consultation process. The report notes that while 96% of education provision at primary level is denominational arising from the historical development of Irish primary education, there is clearly increased demand for ... click to read full post & comments(1)Minister announces Anti-Bullying forum
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 16/04/2012.Tags: Education And Politics Parenting
The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., today announced details of a forum to explore ways to tackle the problem of bullying in schools.The Anti-Bullying Forum is due to take place on the 17th of May 2012 and will bring together a range of experts, support groups and representatives of the schools sector including parents and students.
The Forum will consider what changes to existing practices and policies in schools may be ... click to read full post & comments
Fee-paying students lead the way in reading skills
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 13/04/2012.Tags: Secondary School News
New research has revealed students in fee-paying secondary schools have higher literacy skills than their vocationally educated counterparts.
The results of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD's) latest Programme for International Student Assessment found the former were two years more advanced than those in state schools.
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Cuts to guidance support 'will lead to more school dropouts'
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 12/04/2012.Tags: Secondary School News
Guidance funding cuts announced by the government will lead to a rise in the number of early school dropouts, it has been claimed.
Speaking at the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) conference, the body's president Brendan Broderick suggested counselling for teenage pupils is vitally important, Inside Ireland reports.
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Study finds 1 in 5 secondary school kids hear voices
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 12/04/2012.Tags: Parenting Kids Health
Research has revealed one in five 11 to 13-year-old children in Ireland claim to have heard voices in their head.
A study conducted by the Department of Psychiatry at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin found auditory hallucinations are less commonplace in adolescents, with only seven per cent of those aged between 13 and 16 reporting noises.
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Teachers union slams Quinn's claims austerity gravity overlooked
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 11/04/2012.Tags: Education And Politics
Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn has accused some members of the education sector of not fully appreciating the gravity of the fiscal crisis.
Speaking at the annual conference of the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO), Mr Quinn claimed calls for the reversals of budget measures and increased investment in teaching suggests the seriousness of the situation is being overlooked by some.
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Big Mother
Posted by School Run Mum on 11/04/2012.Tags: School Run Mum Parenting
For years now, I’ve been warning my kids about ‘The Man’. You know, the one who watches them and will come and arrest them (or something like that) if they throw food in restaurants or climb up, instead of down, the slide in the playground. ‘The Man is watching,’ I whisper, pointing to a Security Guard or someone similarly officially-attired. ‘I’d behave myself, if I were you, or he’ll be coming over to have words.’ The threat of ‘The Man’ generally works. I have also used the ‘eyes in the back of my head’ trick which always seems to impress.
However, a recent report in The Independent, suggests that an extra ... click to read full post & comments
School performance 'not linked to size'
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 10/04/2012.Tags: Primary School News
A new report claims the quality of teaching, learning and assessment in primary and secondary schools is not directly linked to the size of the institution.
The study has been produced by the Department of Education's inspectorate and is set to form part of the small primary schools value-for-money review.
... click to read full post & comments
Quinn raises concerns over religious education
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 05/04/2012.Tags: Education And Politics
Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn has questioned the amount of time dedicated to the Irish language and religion in primary schools.
Speaking to the Irish Times, he claimed in some schools 30 per cent of weekly teaching time is spent on these two subjects.
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Pupils 'perform better if pre-school learning is encouraged'
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 04/04/2012.Tags: Secondary School News
New research has revealed children who have a stimulating home life before starting primary school are more likely to perform well at the age of 14.
The UK's Institute of Education's Effective Pre-school, Primary and Secondary Education Project (EEPSE) has followed 3,000 youngsters since 1997 to discover how parental interaction influences achievements, the Irish Independent reports.
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Up to 64% of second-level schools may drop Leaving Cert subjects in 2012
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 04/04/2012.Tags: Education And Politics Parenting Techers News
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Sixty-four per cent of second-level schools are considering dropping one or more subjects from their Leaving Cert programme as a result of Budget 2012 education cuts, a study commissioned by the ASTI has found.The Leaving Cert subjects most likely to be dropped by schools in September 2012 are accounting, chemistry, physics, and economics. Amalgamation of higher, ordinary and foundation level classes is another likely response to Budget cuts. Fifty-seven per cent of schools indicated that they are likely to ... click to read full post & comments
Exam fatigue blamed for poor test results
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 03/04/2012.Tags: Secondary School News
Poor performance among 15-year-olds taking part in international reading and maths tests has been attributed to exam fatigue.
The results of last year's OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) revealed a significant fall in the scores achieved by students in Ireland, the Irish Independent reports.
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Consultation planned for cross-border education proposals
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 02/04/2012.Tags: Education And Politics
Families living on the boundary between Northern Ireland and the Republic are to be consulted regarding sending their children to schools across the border.
Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn and his counterpart in the Northern Ireland Executive John O'Dowd claimed co-operation among communities in these areas is the key to improving teaching services.
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Anti-bullying campaign 'needs to be stepped up'
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 30/03/2012.Tags: Education And Politics
Calls have been made for a review of anti-bullying programmes, with one campaign claiming such initiatives need to be implemented in all schools in Ireland.
Legal expert with the National Anti-Bullying Coalition David Quirke told the Irish Examiner that he believes the country's current system is flawed.
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