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Education News in Ireland
Blue Star Programme Celebrates 10 year Anniversary
Posted by Schooldays, Newshound, on 07/05/2021.Tags: Parenting Education And Politics
The Blue Star Programme today celebrated its 10-year anniversary with schools across Ireland, Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD and Minister for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne TD. Today’s celebrations also saw schools in counties Clare, Westmeath and Dublin receive awards for 10 years of participation in the programme. The programme, implemented by European Movement Ireland (EM Ireland), allows primary school pupils across the country to learn about Europe and the EU through creative activities and projects which complement the national curriculum. Pupils carry out projects on the history, geography, culture and creativity and Institutions of the EU.
Attending an online event to celebrate the anniversary of the Programme and Europe Week, Minister for European Affairs Thomas Byrne TD said,
“Blue Star is an exciting programme that allows our primary schools to learn about, and get creative on, our European identity and culture. I am pleased to see this learning and creativity, over a long number of years, being recognised with the 10-Year Legacy Award. I would like to say a big thank you to the three schools who have stayed with the programme over the last decade, and to all the schools participating this year.
“As Minister for European Affairs I am honoured to support the Blue Star Programme and have seen at first hand the enthusiasm that our young people are bringing to the programme. I want to commend the work of European Movement Ireland who manage this excellent programme and I am really hoping to visit some participating schools in person as soon as it is safe to do so.”
Noelle O Connell, CEO of EM Ireland said,
"Over the last 10 years, over 1,000 primary schools from across the country have taken part in the Blue Star Programme, but only 3 schools have taken part in all 10 years of the Programme – Scoil na Maighdine Mhuire, Co. Clare; Gardiner Street Primary School, Dublin and St. Thomas' National School, Co. Westmeath. We are delighted to present them with the 10-Year Legacy Award today to recognise all of the wonderful work they have done over the past 10 years in fostering the core values of the Programme and incorporating the Blue Star Programme as an important element of their classroom learning. It is wonderful to celebrate their achievements today while also marking the Blue Star Programme’s own 10-Year Anniversary.
“Educational initiatives such as the Blue Star Programme are so important in today’s world as they promote a sense of openness and understanding among young people, in an increasingly diverse and vibrant Ireland. This year, there are over 15,000 primary pupils from across all 26 counties taking part in the Programme. These pupils are learning all about the history, geography, art, culture and values of Europe and they are gaining an awareness that not only are they citizens of Ireland, but they are also citizens of a wider European, and international, community."
Watch the #BlueStar10 Celebration event back here now.
The Blue Star Programme is a venture of the Communicating Europe Initiative, supported by the Office of the Minister of State for European Affairs, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Education and Skills, the European Commission Representation in Ireland and the European Parliament Information Office in Ireland. European Movement Ireland is the National Implementation Body of the Programme. Since it was established in 2011, there has been over 1,000 primary school registrations, covering all 26 counties, with approximately 90,000 pupils having taken part.
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Gaeltacht summer courses cancelled for second year
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 07/05/2021.Tags: Parenting
The Minister of State, with responsibility for the Gaeltacht, Jack Chambers, has said on RTE News that Irish language courses in the Gaeltacht have been cancelled for ... click to read full post & comments
New RSE Programme for Schools Causing Waves
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 27/04/2021.Tags: Parenting Education And Politics
A new Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) programme called Flourish released by the Department of Education is hitting headlines over the last few days. Flourish is a programme set out to be used in all Catholic Primary schools in Ireland, which accounts for approximately 90% of schools. While opting out of Religion classes is an option that is taken by some, the question heavily debated is, should religion be featuring so heavily in children's Relationship and Sexuality Education? ... click to read full post & comments
€100k Fund for Grants for Music Education
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 26/04/2021.Tags: Parenting Education And Politics
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD today invited applications for grants under the €100,000 Non-Mainstream Music Education Bursary Scheme 2021.
Minister Foley said: “The last year has been an extremely challenging time for our children and young people. During the periods of remote learning, they were unable to engage in many in-person group activities such as music classes in the community.
“Music is an important way for people to express themselves and show their creativity. It is vital that we provide these opportunities to our children and young people.
“Community organisations that provide music lessons to children and young people have also had a challenging time. I hope that these grants can enable them to continue providing music tuition and classes for the remainder of this year. Bursaries available under this scheme will help organisations get resources they need to continue working with children and young people.”
The purpose of the scheme is to provide support by way of a cash grant to established, smaller-scale, non-mainstream music education/community music initiatives with limited or no access to other forms of public funding. Grants can be used to purchase instruments, other musical equipment and tuition. Grants are not intended for use on capital expenditure such as structural or building costs. The total budget available in 2021 is €100,000.
Interested parties can find the application form on the Department’s website at the following link.
Applications will be considered by the Committee for Non-Mainstream Department of Education Funded Non-Mainstream Music Education.
Source: education.ie
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Education Bill 2021 for Leaving Cert Published
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 26/04/2021.Tags: Parenting Education And Politics
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD has today (Friday 23 April) published the Education (Leaving Certificate) (Accredited Grades) Bill 2021.
The Bill provides for a system of Accredited Grades in respect of Leaving Certificate 2021 by conferring powers on the State Examinations Commission to run such a system. ... click to read full post & comments
Schools Commit to Promoting Positive Mental Health
Posted by Schooldays newshound, on 21/04/2021.Tags: Parenting Education And Politics
Schools showcase commitment to promoting positive mental health. Despite extraordinary challenges faced by schools over the past 12 months, students and teachers across the country have showcased their commitment and determination to promoting positive mental health, with over 50 applications across the country entering their mental health and wellbeing initiatives into the Walk in My Shoes’ annual Mission Possible School Achievement Awards. ... click to read full post & comments
Establishment of New Special School in Cork
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 19/04/2021.Tags: Parenting Education And Politics
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD and Minister of State with responsibility for Special Education and Inclusion Josepha Madigan TD have today (16 April, 2021) announced a significant expansion of special school provision in Cork through the establishment of a new special school and increased capacity in an existing special school to meet the needs of children in the Cork area. ... click to read full post & comments
National Action Plan for Childminding Launched
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 16/04/2021.Tags: Parenting Education And Politics
The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Mr Roderic O’Gorman T.D., has today launched the National Action Plan for Childminding. ... click to read full post & comments
Minister Foley launches 2021 Active School Week
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 14/04/2021.Tags: Parenting Teachers
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD today launched details of this year’s Active School Week.
National Active School Week (#ASW21), part of the Government’s Keep Well campaign, ... click to read full post & comments
Diversity Inclusion & Belonging for Little Minds
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 13/04/2021.Tags: Parenting Teachers
All the Rainbows Colours is the fourth book written by Irish mum of two, Emma Ledden. Having written two books for adults, this is Emma’s second children's book. ... click to read full post & comments
Teacher Unions to ballot for industrial action on vaccines
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 07/04/2021.Tags: Teachers Parenting
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All three Teacher Unions, (INTO, ASTI and TUI) have today agreed to ballot for industrial action, including strike action, if the government does not meet their demands to reverse the recent changes to the priority listing for teachers within ... click to read full post & comments
Upskilling programmes for post-primary teachers
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 07/04/2021.Tags: Teachers Education And Politics
The Minister for Education Norma Foley TD and the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD are delighted to announce additional places in 2022 on programmes to upskill registered post-primary teachers ... click to read full post & comments
Sport Ireland Keep Well Campaign
Posted by Schooldays Newhound, on 06/04/2021.Tags: Parenting
As part of the Keep Well campaign Sports Ireland are committed to helping people keep active during Covid-19. Over the past number of weeks Sports Ireland have been working on developing a suite of online exercise content to support the people most in need in our society with their physical activity. ... click to read full post & comments
Development of a New Digital Strategy for Schools
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 06/04/2021.Tags: Teachers Education And Politics
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD today announced the development of a new Digital Strategy for Schools, commencing with a wide-ranging consultation process.
The new Digital Strategy for Schools will replace the existing strategy, ... click to read full post & comments
ASTI shocked at change in vaccination programme
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 31/03/2021.Tags: Teachers
The ASTI has said it is shocked and dismayed by reports of a Government decision to abandon the vaccination of key workers, including school staff, as part of the national vaccination programme.
“The Government has continuously stated that a key objective is to keep schools open. Today’s decision is ... click to read full post & comments
School Transport On-Line Application / Tickets
Posted by Schooldays Newhound, on 30/03/2021.Tags: Parenting Teachers
To use School Transport Scheme Services, pupils must be in possession of a valid ticket for travel. ... click to read full post & comments(4)
Hot School Meals Programme 2021 Launched
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 26/03/2021.Tags: Parenting Education And Politics
Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, has today launched the Hot School Meals Programme 2021, ... click to read full post & comments
Additional supports for schools for Leaving Cert 2021
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 26/03/2021.Tags: Parenting Education And Politics
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD yesterday announced the details of the additional supports that will be provided to schools to support the running of the Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied Examinations and the ... click to read full post & comments
2021 Written Leaving Cert Exam adjustments
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 24/03/2021.Tags: Parenting Teachers
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The State Examinations Commission (SEC), has published a 64-page document setting out further adjustments to the 2021 written Leaving Certificate papers. The document states that the "aim of these further adjustments is to ... click to read full post & comments
Minister O Gorman launches an online consultation
Posted by Schooldays Newshound on 22/03/2021.Tags: Parenting
Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, T.D., has today launched a public consultation on the development of a national model of parenting support services. The consultation will be open until 16th April 2021.
The aim of the model is to develop a more coherent and strategic approach ... click to read full post & comments
Minister Foley approves Irish-medium satellite
Posted by Schooldays Newshound on 18/03/2021.Tags: Teachers Education
The Minister for Education Norma Foley TD has approved a proposal for a new satellite model of Irish-medium post-primary provision to be piloted in Dundalk. The model involves a satellite /Dundalk-based campus of An Foras Pátrúnachta’s Balbriggan Gaelcholáiste – Coláiste Ghlór na Mara.
Piloting the Irish-medium satellite model provides an opportunity to explore a model ... click to read full post & comments
Leaving Cert 2021 Student Portal Opens
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 10/03/2021.Tags: Parenting Teachers
The Leaving Certificate Candidate Self Service Portal opens at 12 noon today. The portal will remain open for six days until 6pm on Tuesday 16th March
All 2021 Leaving Certificate students are required to ... click to read full post & comments(1)
80% of Parents more Stressed During Home Schooling
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 10/03/2021.Tags: Parenting Education
7 in 10 express self-doubt as they compare themselves to other parents
A charity has highlighted the impact of home schooling on the mental health of Irish households as many parents report feeling more stressed and less confident as a result of the experience.
A poll carried out by RED C for Mental Health Ireland ... click to read full post & comments
CAO applications surge for some courses
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 09/03/2021.Tags: Parenting Teachers
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While the total number of CAO applicants will not be finalised until the late application facility closes on 15th May 2021, the CAO have released candidate choices to date.
The figures show a ... click to read full post & comments
My Mammy Knows Everything
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 04/03/2021.Tags: Parenting
If ever there is a year to celebrate all the amazing mums out there this is it. Whether it’s a new mum, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, a birthday, Christmas or just to show her how special she is. We have a gift she will treasure forever. My Mammy Knows Everything is a new book celebrating mums and all the magic they do and know.
Written by tv presenter and best - selling author Emma Ledden this beautifully illustrated rhythmic book ... click to read full post & comments
Back to School with a difference
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 03/03/2021.Tags: Parenting Teachers
Cork ETB to open €10 million state-of-the-art extension at East Cork school. As students and teachers all over the country went back to their classrooms on Monday, pupils at St. Colman's Community College in Midleton, East Cork had another reason to look forward to going back to school as they returned to a state-of-the-art extension and all new facilities.
Following a significant investment of €10 million by the Department of Education and Skills, ... click to read full post & comments
Measures to Tackle Educational Disadvantage
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 01/03/2021.Tags: Teachers Education And Politics
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD today (Monday 1 March) announced further supports to those schools catering for children and young people who are experiencing the highest levels of educational disadvantage. As part of the Budget 2021 measures to tackle educational disadvantage, the Minister announced: ... click to read full post & comments
Fewer questions to be answered on Leaving Cert Exams
Posted by on 26/02/2021.Tags: Parenting Teachers
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The Department of Education have issued a 27 page 'Guide to State Examinations and Accredited Grades for Leaving Certificate 2021' to schools. The document provides further details of the exam and the accredited grades process and also advises schools against the ... click to read full post & comments
Return to School Plan confirmed
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 23/02/2021.Tags: Parenting Teachers
The Government has announced the plan for a phased return to school as follows:
Patronage of three new primary schools in 2021
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 23/02/2021.Tags: Teachers Education And Politics
The Minister for Education Norma Foley TD today announced the patronage of the three new primary schools to be established in 2021.
In all cases, the Minister accepted the recommendations of the New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG). ... click to read full post & comments
Most Borrowed Books of 2020
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 22/02/2021.Tags: Parenting Teachers
Details of the 20 books and authors borrowed most often from Irish public libraries in 2020 have been published by the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), ahead of Ireland Reads Day, a national day of reading this Thursday, February 25th.
The LGMA compiles the information as part of the Public Lending Remuneration (PLR) Scheme. ... click to read full post & comments
Choice of calculated grade or written exams for Leaving Cert
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 17/02/2021.Tags: Parenting Education And Politics
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Following a Government decision today, Minister for Education Norma Foley TD confirmed that Leaving Certificate 2021 examinations will proceed and students will also have the alternative option of applying for grades accredited by the State Examinations Commission (SEC), to be known as SEC-Accredited Grades.
This decision follows intensive engagement with education stakeholders ... click to read full post & comments
Rural School Open Day going ahead - Virtually!
Posted by Schooldays Newshound on 16/02/2021.Tags: Parenting Teachers
Rural National School based in Belclare , Co. Galway takes advantage of technology to showcase Tour of School , 365 days of the year!
Castlehackett National School is a 3 teacher school situated on the foothills of ‘Knockma’ in Belclare , County Galway. ... click to read full post & comments
ASTI confirms it will re-enter Leaving Cert talks
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 13/02/2021.Tags: Parenting Teachers
On 11th February, the ASTI withdrew from ongoing bilateral discussions regarding a new phase of planning for the State Examinations 2021 to include both the provision of Leaving Certificate examinations and also to explore a corresponding non-examination process.
At subsequent engagements ... click to read full post & comments
ASTI withdraws from discussions on Leaving Cert 2021
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 11/02/2021.Tags: Parenting Teachers
The ASTI has announced it is withdrawing from discussions on the Leaving Cert 2021 pending a guarantee that the talks will focus on the Minister’s stated objectives of planning for examinations and scoping out a corresponding measure.
ASTI General Secretary Kieran Christie said it is unacceptable that ... click to read full post & comments
Special Classes in Secondary Schools to resume 22nd Feb
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 11/02/2021.Tags: Parenting Teachers
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Following a period of intensive engagement with the education partners, Minister for Education Norma Foley TD and Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion Josepha Madigan TD announced details of a return to in-school teaching and ... click to read full post & comments
Helping Students Manage Online Wellbeing
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 09/02/2021.Tags: Parenting Teachers
Resources and training provided for teachers and students for Safer Internet Day 2021
On Safer Internet Day, Webwise, the online safety initiative of the Department of Education highlights key resources ... click to read full post & comments
New Resource Hub Available for Students
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 08/02/2021.Tags: Parenting Teachers
The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union is aware that students are currently facing numerous hurdles when it comes to having a stress-free and engaging online learning experience. As a result of this, the organisation has taken steps to provide students with the necessary resources ... click to read full post & comments
Two Leaving Cert Options to be made available
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 05/02/2021.Tags: Parenting Teachers
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Following a series of intensive engagements of the sub-group of the Advisory Group of stakeholders on planning for the State examinations, including a further meeting held today, Minister for Education Norma Foley TD has announced a new phase of planning for ... click to read full post & comments
New campaign to get Ireland reading during Covid
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 04/02/2021.Tags: Parenting Teachers
Pledge to read and find your perfect book at Irelandreads.ie
Ireland Reads is a new campaign to get the whole country reading this month ... click to read full post & comments
Make someone smile for mental health!
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 03/02/2021.Tags: Parenting
Mental Health Ireland promotes positive mental health and what better way to do that than with a smile. Mental Health Ireland are inviting you with your colleagues, friends and family to make your pancake smile on Pancake Tuesday, February 16th and ... click to read full post & comments
Three Ireland to Provide 10,000 SIM Cards to Schools
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 02/02/2021.Tags: Teachers Education
Three Ireland is providing vital connectivity to school students across the country to enable their home schooling needs. By giving 10,000 All You Can Eat data SIM cards free to schools, Three is providing families with additional support to enable their child’s learning during the pandemic.
Unlimited data from Three will be available to primary and secondary schools and will be valid ... click to read full post & comments
2,155 students receive Leaving Cert Results
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound, on 02/02/2021.Tags: Parenting Teachers
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The Minister for Education Norma Foley TD and Minister of State with responsibility for Special Education and Inclusion Josepha Madigan TD, congratulated some 2,200 Leaving Certificate students who today received results from their written examinations.
2,155 students who undertook the 2020 written examinations across the Leaving Certificate Established, Leaving Certificate Applied and Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme are ... click to read full post & comments
Deal agreed for resumption of Special Education in February
Posted by Schooldays Newshound, on 01/02/2021.Tags: Parenting Teachers
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Ministers Foley and Madigan welcome agreed plan for return to in-school learning for children with special educational needs at primary level