Displaying 1241-1250 of 2684 results.
Couch to 5K Update
Created : 18 Feb 2021, 9:13 PM
Archived : 18 Apr 2021, 12:00 AM
A huge thank you to all of you who have completed the BCS Couch to 5K Event. We have had a good number of entries in the last few days which has changed the leaderboard. The current leaderboard sees the BCS staff at the top! Leaderboard as of 18/02/21 1. Staff of BCS 2. 1st Year Students 3. Parents and Family of BCS Students 4. 2nd Years and TYs 5. Members of the Community 6. 3rd Years/5th Years/6th Years We are appealing to everyone connected to BCS to make one last big push from here to Sunday evening. It does not matter how fast or slow you do the event. The aim is to get as many of our students/staff/parents and families of students/past pupils/members of our community etc to complete a 5K Run/Walk in the next 3 days. I would appeal to you all to please send evidence of your 5K to Mr Murphy (seanmurphy@blackwatercs.com) in order for the total entries and categories to be recorded. Anyone who has their 5K sent to Mr Murphy, will be in with a chance to win an Elverys voucher. We have 2x€50 and 2x€25 vouchers to be won. If you’re not in, you can’t win.
DES Press Release
Created : 17 Feb 2021, 6:55 PM
Archived : 17 Apr 2021, 12:00 AM
Home > Press & Events > Press Releases > 2021 Press Releases 17 February, 2021 - Minister Foley confirms Leaving Certificate 2021 written, coursework, oral and practical performance examinations will be held and a corresponding process of grades accredited by State Examinations Commission will be available to students 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 bilaterally and through the Planning for State Examinations 2021 Advisory Group and sub-group. This decision ensures for every student a method to assess their learning and attainment at the end of their post-primary education and to progress to higher and further education, and the world of work. Putting in place both the examination and a corresponding measure of SEC-Accredited Grades is essential to ensuring a fair system, having regard to the extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic and the loss of learning that has occurred for this group of students due to the interruption of in-person teaching and learning during the periods of school closure. The timetable for the written examinations in June will be published tomorrow by the State Examinations Commission. For those choosing to take the Leaving Certificate exams, oral examinations will be held during the Easter vacation or shortly after. Coursework will proceed in subjects where these form a normal part of the examination. Additional time will be provided by the SEC for completion of this work. In some subjects the holding of practical examinations will not be possible given public health considerations and this will be advised as soon as possible. Details of revised schedules will be issued to schools in the coming weeks. The Minister’s strongly held view is that students must be afforded the choice as to whether to sit the examinations, including the oral and coursework components, as it would be entirely unfair to students to require them to participate in these elements, given the disruption in learning which has occurred. The oral and coursework components of the examinations will not form part of the Accredited Grade process. Further details and guidance on both processes will be provided to schools and students and publicised widely over the coming weeks, as these become available. Minister Foley said: “The Government has today approved a plan which was developed during intensive engagement by my Department with education stakeholders, students, parents, teacher unions, school management bodes and the State Examinations Commission, National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, the Higher Education Authority and representatives of higher education, to ensure a fair process so that Leaving Certificate students can progress to the next stage of their lives. “All stakeholders have worked extremely hard to get to this point. I have listened carefully to all, and we have worked together to find solutions. Students and parents have been clear on the need for both clarity and choice which I believe his decision gives them. “As requested by the student representatives we explored thoroughly the option of providing the SEC-Accredited Grades to students in advance of the written examinations, but this option is not possible. “I am conscious that many students are concerned that they have not covered the full curriculum for their subjects in class, due to the interruption of in-person learning caused by the pandemic. “Everyone wants a system that is fair and that provides the opportunity for real progression for students. “I want to thank sincerely all the stakeholders involved in the Advisory Group process, and I look forward to continuing to work together over the coming months in further developing and implementing these plans.” All aspects of staging the examinations will be guided by public health advice and schools will be supported and given clear guidance on the staging of the examinations. The holding of the examinations in November last year, even with a relatively small group of students, has provided valuable experience and insights that will be applied in the coming written examinations. The results of the Leaving Certificate 2021 process will issue to students within the required timeframe for CAO admission to higher and further education. The Department will engage with the Department of Higher and Further Education, Research, Innovation and Science in this regard. The results will also issue within the timeframe currently required by UCAS. Junior Cycle Examinations The Junior Cycle examinations will not be run in 2021. Schools will be provided with guidance on continuing to engage this year group in online learning and assessment during the period of school closure and through in-person learning when schools re-open. ENDS
LC & JC Update
Created : 17 Feb 2021, 6:33 PM
Archived : 17 Apr 2021, 12:00 AM
The Cabinet Education Sub-Committee has signed off on a proposal to give Leaving Cert students the option of a calculated grade or a written exam in each subject. They would receive one set of results at the end of the process. Students will be able to opt to receive calculated grades in all subjects, to be issued to them at the same time as the examination results. Government hopes the proposal will act as an incentive to get students to sit the written exam. An official announcement is expected later. Minister for Education Norma Foley is now understood to be briefing teaching unions. The Junior Cert has been cancelled. Non-exam assessments such as orals and practicals will also go ahead this year, but with certain aspects not running due to public health requirements. The Junior Certificate exams have been cancelled. The Leaving Certificate exams will run in the normal time of June subject to public health advice. They will include adjustments that were introduced last year and early this year. These adjustments offer students more choice in exam questions. The combined approach is being adopted because the department believes it would be unfair to require students to sit exams where a sizeable portion of their senior cycle education has been negatively impacted by the pandemic. The Department of Education has said it is imperative that results be issued in a timely manner to allow students to progress to the next level. The calculated grades to be offered will be similar to last year but it is planned that they will be administered by the State Examinations Commission. It is understood that legislation will be drawn up to, if possible, prohibit the release of the ranking of students carried out by teachers for the purpose of awarding calculated grades. The legislation will also enable the State Examinations Commission to award calculated grades, and also to prohibit the canvassing of teachers by students or any person on their behalf. Legislation is also planned to provide indemnity for teachers, schools and school patrons. The Department says that the drafting of this legisation will be accorded the highest priority. A procurement process will be run for coding and psychometric expertise. Like last year, this year's calculated grades process will entail a national standardisation process. Labour Education Spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said the move is welcome, adding that "if legislation is required, we will work with the Government so that the grades have the same status as previous Leaving Certificates. We will work with Government." Reporting: Micheál Lehane and Emma O'Kelly
School Transport for Special Classes
Created : 17 Feb 2021, 6:28 PM
Archived : 17 Apr 2021, 12:00 AM
School Transport arrangements from the 22nd February to support the return to school for children in primary and post primary special classes. 17 February 2021 Dear Principal , School transport services will operate fully from the 22nd February to support the return to school for children in primary and post primary special classes. Where children attending these classes currently avail of mainstream transport on the Department’s School Transport Scheme and for whom transport will be required from the 22nd February, schools are asked to contact their local Bus Éireann office with details of these children. Bus Éireann regional offices are aware that schools may contact them in this regard and are checking their own records in regard to transport arrangement requirements from the 22nd February. For children currently availing of the Special Needs Transport Scheme no further action is required. As outlined in the framework document Parents must notify schools three days in advance where they would prefer not to avail of school transport services during this interim phase. In such circumstances the Department will make temporary grants available for transport. Parents can resume using their tickets when schools reopen in full. Yours sincerely Special Education Section An Roinn Oideachais, Corr na Madadh, Baile Átha Luain, Co na hIarmhí, N37 X659 Department of Education, Cornamaddy, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. N37 X659 Email supplementaryprogramme@education.gov.ie
BCS Virtual 5K-Update
Created : 16 Feb 2021, 9:44 PM
Archived : 17 Apr 2021, 12:00 AM
Well done to all of you have completed the BCS Virtual 5K over the last few days. We now have entries from all categories. The current leaderboard for number of entries is: 1. Parents and siblings of students 2. 1st Years/Staff 3. 2nd Years/TYs 4. Members of the Community 5. 6th/5th/3rd Years Please use your time off to complete this worthwhile event. Aim for a personal best, do it for charity, compete against another family member. The most important thing is to get out, get active, challenge yourself and have fun. Don’t forget to send entries to Mr Murphy on Teams or via email seanmurphy@blackwatercs.com
A prayer to begin our Lenten Journey/Ash Wednesday for Families
Created : 12 Feb 2021, 3:01 PM
Archived : 17 Apr 2021, 12:00 AM
BCS Fittest Family-Week 3
Created : 16 Feb 2021, 1:17 PM
Archived : 16 Apr 2021, 12:00 AM
Couch to 5K UPDATE
Created : 15 Feb 2021, 10:38 AM
Archived : 15 Apr 2021, 12:00 AM
Well done to the large number of people who participated in our virtual 5K over the weekend, despite the weather conditions. Families of current students are leading the way, followed by first and second years. Sixth year students and staff are in third place. We have had no entrants from either transition years or fifth years. We encourage you all to complete at least one 5K this week. Remember to send evidence of your run/walk to Mr Murphy via Teams chat or by email to seanmurphy@blackwatercs.com. This will allow us to keep track of the amount of entrants we have and enter you in a draw to win an Elverys voucher.
TY 2017-2018 INFORMATION
Created : 04 Sep 2017, 4:13 PM
Archived : 12 Apr 2021, 3:56 AM
Induction day takes place tomorrow, Tuesday 5th September. This will be an activities based day. Students are asked to wear comfortable, casual clothes (not their uniform) and to also bring a change of clothes with them as well as a pair of old shoes/ runners for the river. Bring a hand towel also. Classes will be assigned on Wednesday and students will need to bring €10 for their TY Journal. Wear full PE uniform. Students interested in signing up for Young Scientist Competition or Artifice Art Exhibition must do so on Wednesday. You cannot sign up for both. An optional trip to the Ploughing Championships takes place on Tuesday 19 September and the cost is €20. This must be paid to Ms Lineen by this Friday at the latest. The due date for the final TY payment of €150 is Monday 11 September. This covers all activities for the year.
Leaving Cert
Created : 15 Aug 2017, 10:11 PM
Archived : 12 Apr 2021, 3:56 AM
Wishing all our Leaving Cert students the very best of luck as they await results tomorrow