Principals congratulates Leaving Cert students on results, urges renewed focus on senior cycle reform agenda

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Principals congratulates Leaving Cert students on results, urges renewed focus on senior cycle reform agenda

Comment from Clive Byrne, director of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD): “Amidst the excitement and emotions of today’s exam results, it is important that we don’t lose sight of the pressing issue of Senior Cycle reform” 

The director of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD), Clive Byrne, has offered his congratulations to Leaving Certificate students receiving their exam results today, while also highlighting the need for Leaving Certificate reform.

Commenting, Mr Byrne said: “On behalf of Irish principals, deputy principals and the NAPD, I would like to congratulate all those students receiving their Leaving Certificate results today.  Today’s results represent the culmination of two years of hard work and dedication from our students, and their achievements should be celebrated, and the support of their families recognised.

“For those students who have been fortunate enough to match or exceed their expectations, today will represent a happy and very affirming conclusion to their second level schooling and a positive launching pad in their pursuit of third level education or other career opportunities.  For other students who may be feeling disappointed, I would encourage them to remain positive.  Thankfully, there are more pathways than ever before into third level education and their chosen careers beyond that.  Additionally, today’s employers are becoming increasingly open to sourcing talent from non-traditional disciplines and do so with a greater appreciation, than ever before, for the diverse experience and skillsets this can bring.       

Senior Cycle Reform

“Finally, amidst the excitement and emotions of today’s exam results, it is important that we don’t lose sight of the pressing issue of Senior Cycle reform.  On 30 July, we saw the publication of National Council for Curriculum and Assessment’s (NCCA) interim review of the senior cycle.  While these findings may have helped re-invigorate a national dialogue on Leaving Certificate reform, we all have a responsibility as educators and policymakers to ensure this discourse is not in vein.  This means working together to progress this dialogue into coherent and achievable action points capable of delivering upon the desired reforms.  To this end, we in the NAPD look forward to working with the Minister on the development of a sustainable and modern senior cycle programme in the period ahead.”

ENDS

Celebrating the work of schools committed to entrepreneurial education

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Junior Achievement Ireland announces Microsoft as partner for the inaugural TESA Summit 2019

The Summer Edition of the Leader Magazine out Now!!

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Summer Edition of the Leader in all schools and online now!

Bloomsday marks the start of summer, as does the arrival in your letterbox of the summer edition of Leader Quarterly. We’ve combined the two, by featuring James Joyce on the back cover, in a collage from a Creative Engagement project. All in all, you’ll have twenty items of serious summer reading to peruse in Leader.

David Forde and Deirdre Hanamy report extensively on the FET Symposium, Towards the FET College of the Future,  held on 2 April in Dublin. We cover the John Hattie Symposium and the Mike Hughes & Graham Powell workshops.

Leader pays close attention to the Legal Fees Indemnity Scheme, one of the newer services available to NAPD members. Paul Byrne looks at how middle management might be strengthened in our schools and looks to the expansion of NAPD to include Associate Members drawn from aspiring leaders, such as Assistant Principals.

We consider some schools that can claim our interest – St Andrews College, the Catholic school, the Rosses Community School – each for different compelling reasons.

Click here to download

Join Now or Renew your NAPD Membership for 2019-2020 Today!

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As we come closer to the end of term, we look forward to a new one.

By now you should have all received the NAPD Magazine The Leader in schools along with a renewal form for the next Term ahead.

Please note the term of membership will be 1st September 2019  – 31st August 2020.

You can also complete this form by clicking on the link: https://forms.gle/Kr9qgkQxhMtiW3HQ9

Benefits of being an NAPD Member:

  • The only professional association to represent all post-primary principals and deputy principals
  • A major voice in Irish Education with The Department of Education and Skills, IPPN, Management Bodies, NCSE, NCCA, Teaching Council, Teacher Unions, College Awareness Week, BeLonGTo
  • Key Contributing partner with the Centre for School Leadership (CSL)
  • Legal Expenses Indemnity through DAS
  • Mentoring through the NAPD Local Support Service
  • Full Access to the NAPD Website, Very Useful Guide and the monthly Bulletin
  • Eligibility to attend the Annual Conference and Regional Branch Meetings
  • Dedicated specialist sub-committees and working groups, including Further Education & Training
  • Access to Leading 4 Learning Workshops
  • Access to arts-in-education funding through Creative Engagement
  • Free Quarterly Journal – NAPD Leader
  • Discounts for NAPD Publications
  • Pre-retirement advice and access to NAPD-Retired

NAPD would like to wish you all a happy and well deserved Summer Break! And we look forward to working with you and supporting you through the new Term.

Post – Primary Inspector with the Department of Education and Skills

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Interested in becoming a Post-Primary Inspector with the Department of Education and Skills? The Public Appointments Service launched a recruitment competition for Post-Primary Inspectors of Irish, Chemistry and or Biology, Italian, Geography, History and Computer Science on 24 May. The closing date for applications is 13 June 2019. Full details available on www.publicjobs.ie

 

An bhfuil suim agat a bheith i do chigire iar-bunscoile leis an Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna? D’fhogair an Coimisiún um Cheapacháin Seirbhísí Poiblí comortas earcaíochta do chigirí iar-bhunscoile Gaeilge, Ceimice agus nó Bitheolaíochta, Iodáilise, Tíreolaíochta, Staire agus Ríomheolaíochta ar an 24ú Bealtaine. Is é an 13ú Meitheamh an data deireanach d’iarrataisí. Tuilleadh sonraí ar www.publicjobs.ie

School Payments – Easy Payments Plus powered by Payzone

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School Payments

Primary and secondary schools throughout Ireland use Easy Payments Plus to process a range of school expenses. Our solution enables parents to pay school expenses online 24/7. Your school can reduce administration, manage pupil data and improve security for everyone with our convenient payment options. Completely eliminate cash from your school by enabling parents to pay at their local Payzone shop.

Following a lengthy tendering process Easy Payments Plus were selected by the Education Procurement Office to supply payment solutions to both primary and post primary schools.

 

For more information please click here

Mental health campaign aims to help young people preparing for exams – Breakingnews.ie

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By Digital Desk staff

The HSE has launched a new phase of a mental health information programme called Mind Monsters for young people preparing for exams.

The Mind Monsters campaign was initiated in 2018 and aims to help adolescents and young adults through tough times with their mental health.

READ MORE

Mental health campaign aims to help young people preparing for exams – Irish Examiner

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Thursday, May 02, 2019 – 12:04 PM

The HSE has launched a new phase of a mental health information programme called Mind Monsters for young people preparing for exams.

The Mind Monsters campaign was initiated in 2018 and aims to help adolescents and young adults through tough times with their mental health.

READ MORE

Mind Monsters Launched – HSE

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Statement by Clive Byrne, Director National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals, in relation to the HSE’s latest launch of Mind Monsters

 

“We welcome the HSE’s launch of the latest phase of Mind Monsters, an information sharing mental health programme for young people.

 

However, we welcome this with slight caution. Mental health support for students, particularly for those studying for their Leaving Certificate, or Junior Certificate are currently lacking, as are the processes in place to identify issues from outset.

 

Access to mental health services in schools is a constant topic for several Government Departments, however, political intervention has been frustratingly slow.

 

As part of an extensive research programme the NAPD carried out last year, we found that 37% of the students surveyed alluded to mental health issues impeding their studies and, or their exams. Causes of such issues ranged from bereavement, physical illness and operations to relationship breakdowns, and personal family issues.

 

Coupled with the personal and peer pressure for success, this can lead to severe anxiety and depression. The HSE’s campaign advises students on measures they can take that can have a huge benefit on them such as sleep patterns, putting down the phone and regular study breaks, and it is this sort of advice that students, teachers and parents need more of.

 

But so too is access to appropriate, assessment and treatment driven services in schools. This new phase is a positive move from the Government and HSE, and it is encouraging to see that this is on their agenda. It is important that all relevant stakeholders are proactive in working with the Government to address this issue, and we look forward to playing our part in that. Best practice is important, solutions focused is essential, and leadership is required to take an immediate, physical and practical approach to addressing this issue.”

 

ENDS.

HealthCare Ireland Training for Schools

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HealthCare Ireland Training for Schools

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