Displaying 1351-1360 of 2462 results.
Would you like some good news?
Created : 23 Apr 2020, 10:28 AM
Archived : 23 Jun 2020, 12:00 AM
Subscribe to SGN (some good news). It’s a new YouTube channel where John Krasinski (Jack Reacher actor) posts funny and good news content from around the world once a week. Check it out. (Wellbeing Committee)
www.youtube.com/channel/UCOe_y6KKvS3PdIfb9q9pGug
Leaving Cert students and parents
Created : 21 Apr 2020, 4:46 PM
Archived : 21 Jun 2020, 12:00 AM
We held an assembly on Webex with out Leaving Cert students this afternoon to inform them on how we in Blackwater Community School will be going forward with them over the coming weeks. From the assembly we are uploading the LC timetable which will be in operation from 9am tomorrow morning April 22nd.
Pdf-1
LC meeting today
Created : 21 Apr 2020, 4:37 PM
Archived : 21 Jun 2020, 12:00 AM
Thanks to our Leaving Certs for attending our year group meeting on line this afternoon . Best wishes going forward over the coming weeks !
Denis Ring
Are you anxious? Sleeping poorly? Down? Tired every day?
Created : 21 Apr 2020, 11:46 AM
Archived : 21 Jun 2020, 12:00 AM
Safe exercise opportunities for West Waterford during Covid 19
Created : 21 Apr 2020, 10:05 AM
Archived : 21 Jun 2020, 12:00 AM
3rd Year Update
Created : 20 Apr 2020, 1:22 PM
Archived : 20 Jun 2020, 12:00 AM
Hi All,
Welcome back after the Easter Holidays. As you are aware the JC has been cancelled for June. The DES are working on some way of having an in-school assessment for Junior Cert students at some point in September. This is all we know so far . We have no details as to how this will operate. I will let you know as soon as I do.
Meanwhile, your online lessons will commence from Tuesday/ Wednesday onwards. Today, we have had staff meetings and planning sessions with some online training of our own tomorrow. We are planning for the next 6 weeks and in the final week of May you will have school based exams which will be counted towards your Profile of Achievement for your JC.
I know that the uncertainty re the exact structure and format of the September exams is upsetting and unsettling for you . This is perfectly understandable and it is the case all over Ireland for all JC students.
I will bring clarity at the first available opportunity to you re the new JC arrangements for September.
Best wishes with your studies over the next 6 weeks.
Ní neart go cur le chéile,
Denis Ring
Welcome Back after Easter Holidays
Created : 17 Apr 2020, 9:57 PM
Archived : 17 Jun 2020, 12:00 AM
Hi all,
Welcome back next week after the Easter Holidays. I hope you all have had a well earned rest during the break .
During the holidays , we have received invaluable feedback from a combination of Students, Parents , as well as the Parents’Council and Students’ Council .
Based on the feedback we received, we are planning a way forward for the next 6 weeks (and further for the LC and JC Students). We are having an online Staff meeting on Monday to agree on a pathway forward for all students.
For that reason, online engagement will take place from Tuesday/ Wednesday onwards.
Thanks to Parents and Students who made contact re concerns during the break. If there are personal issues that you feel we need to be aware of please contact me at denisring@blackwatercs.com
We also need to be made aware of any further practical and realistic assistance we may give by means of Pastoral support , Mentoring or counselling or in the area of Learning Support going forward.
Once again, we ask all parents/ guardians to monitor and support your son(s) and daughter(s) level of engagement with our variety of online teaching supports offered by all our staff !
Meanwhile, enjoy the remainder of the weekend and come back recharged for work from Tuesday/ Wednesday onwards.
Ní neart go cur le chéile,
Denis Ring
School Transport
Created : 14 Apr 2020, 7:22 PM
Archived : 14 Jun 2020, 12:00 AM
Re the New JC and LC arrangements
Created : 13 Apr 2020, 11:36 AM
Archived : 13 Jun 2020, 12:00 AM
Dear Students, Parents and Guardians,
I hope you are getting some rest over the Easter break and that all of your families are keeping safe .
Following the announcement re the LC and JC ,on Friday last, I know you have felt a mixture of emotions ranging from upset at the postponement of the LC (cancellation of the JC), to the frustration of having to wait to complete the LC in late July/ August . I know many of you are finding this difficult to cope with. Equally ,it is problematic for your teachers and your parents/guardians . Many practicalities regarding the exams still need to be clarified for all of us in the coming weeks .
However, this is the situation that all students throughout Ireland find themselves and everyone is in the same boat going forward in preparation for our state examinations. On a positive note , it is great to have clarity as to the plan going forward . Also ,it is better to have an exam ,than not to have one, after all your hard work for the past 2 years .
After Easter, along with your teachers , you will plan a new course of action going forward for the newly assigned timeline . The actual revised LC state exam timetable will be made available in the 1st week of June. The 1st week after Easter you will have contact with your Mentors as support. Any students in special need of support please email me at denisring@blackwatercs.com
To the JC students, while the JC is cancelled, we are told you will still have your exams on return to school in September, so you will still need to work towards that. The practicalities of how these exams work will be clarified for us at a future date by the DES. You will be informed once we know.
Meanwhile, to all our students , I think it is vitally important that you take a good break from study this week. You need a rest from school work to recharge your batteries. We will all reengage with study next week and have had an opportunity to sit back, relax, process the new DES announcement , review where we are all at,and go again in full confidence to prepare for the state examinations .
Please enjoy the week ahead and best wishes to all BCS families and their loved ones . Keep safe!
Ní neart go cur le chéile,
Denis Ring
Minister McHugh’s Announcement
Created : 10 Apr 2020, 6:37 PM
Archived : 10 Jun 2020, 12:00 AM
10 April, 2020 - Minister McHugh Announces Postponement of State Examinations
Changes follow updated health advice regarding school closures until further notice
- Leaving Certificate written examinations postponed until late July/August
- Junior Cycle examinations in June replaced with school-based exams and assessments early in the new school year
The Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh TD has today (Friday 10 April 2020) announced a series of changes to the 2020 State Examinations as part of measures to respond to Covid-19, including postponement of the Leaving Certificate examinations.
The decisions have been taken on foot of updated advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).
Minister McHugh said plans were being put in place for the postponed Leaving Certificate examinations to begin in the last week of July or early August, subject to public health advice.
Junior Cycle final examinations due to take place in June will be replaced by school-based exams and assessments held early in the new school year.
A series of other decisions has also been taken –
• As part of the wider public health measures, schools are closed until further notice.
• Practical examinations for Leaving Certificate students which were due to have been held in May are deferred. They will be rescheduled for late July/early August.
• The new Leaving Certificate exam timetable will be confirmed in early June.
Minister McHugh said: “All decisions we are taking in relation to rescheduling exams are based on current public health advice and put the best interests of students first. The welfare of students and that of their families is front and centre in all decision making.
“The final arrangements for the exams, the exam centres, social distancing and other measures will all be determined by the State Examinations Commission (SEC) on foot of public health advice in June. I want to thank the SEC for its efforts to put in place these revised arrangements.
“Students and their families have been seeking clarity. Today’s announcement addresses that. It also provides them with several weeks of advance notice to prepare for the examinations. I hope it helps to alleviate some stress being experienced by students and their families at this time.
“Asking Leaving Certificate students and their families to refocus their attention from June to August is not something we do lightly. I know it will not be easy. However, I believe it is the fairest way of assessing students and giving them certification of achievement in school and a pathway to higher and further education and training, apprenticeship or work.”
Minister McHugh also said: “Students with special educational needs will be fully supported in sitting the rescheduled Leaving Certificate examinations in line with the reasonable accommodations as already arranged for them.”
Minister McHugh said the intention was to allow at least two weeks of class time, in school, before the Leaving Certificate examinations begin.
“Great work is being done by schools and teachers to connect with students and to keep them learning. We must give teachers, principals and school staff huge credit for their commitment to supporting students, in their schoolwork and in their wellbeing. And we want to provide students and teachers with an opportunity to build on that,” the Minister said.
As part of the changes to the Junior Cycle, discussions will take place with teacher unions and school management to allow these examinations, linked Classroom-Based Assessments, Assessment Tasks and project work to be completed as school-based assessments early in the next school year.
Minister McHugh acknowledged the positive engagement he has had with unions, management bodies, the further education and training and higher education sectors on all of these issues.
“I am grateful for the co-operation shown by all concerned, in what is a very challenging situation for our young people, their families and teachers. I am confident we can continue to work together in a supportive spirit to help secure the best outcomes for students,” the Minister said.
Minister of State for Higher Education, Mary Mitchell O’Connor said: “The third level institutions look forward to welcoming this year’s Leaving Certificate students who have applied to enter their courses. I appreciate the particular challenges these students have had to face and I welcome the flexible approach indicated by the sector to enabling these students to take up a place in the year ahead.”
The admissions process for higher education, managed by the Central Applications Office (CAO), will operate as closely as possible to the usual timeframe for offers and the entry date for first year students will be delayed.
The Department has asked the Higher Education Authority and the higher education sector to explore ways of assisting access to higher education for students from under-represented groups.
Ends
Notes for Editors
School closures
- Schools were closed on public health grounds at 6pm 12 March and remain closed until further notice.
- Students have lost 15 classroom instruction days to date, since the closure of schools.
Leaving Certificate statistics
- More than 61,000 students are expected to sit the Leaving Certificate or Leaving Certificate Applied in 2020.
- This includes 44,396 students sitting the established Leaving Certificate and 13,668 for the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme and 2,999 sitting the Leaving Certificate Applied.
Orals and Practicals
- Leaving Certificate oral language and some Leaving Certificate and Junior Cycle practical performance examinations had been scheduled to take place between 23 March and 3 April.
- These were cancelled and candidates awarded 100% for these components.
- Today’s announcement does not change that position.
Practical projects and Course Work
- A range of subjects involve these elements – Computer Science, PE Performance, Technology, Art, Agricultural Science, Agricultural Economics, History, Geography, RE, Politics and Society, Music Composition, Construction Studies and Home Economics (Textiles).
- The deadline for submission of work will now be immediately prior to the commencement of the written examinations in the late July/August period.
Practical examinations
- A number of practical examinations, supervised by school appointed superintendents and scheduled for 27 April to 8 May in Engineering, Art Life Sketching and Construction Studies and a practical and written examination in Computer Science scheduled for 27 May will now take place in the late July/August period.
Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) and LCVP Link Modules
The Leaving Certificate Applied is a distinct, self-contained two-year Leaving Certificate programme aimed at preparing students for adult and working life.
LCVP is a Leaving Certificate programme with a Strong Vocational focus. It may be taken alongside other subjects.
- LCA Personal Reflection Task, scheduled for completion by 1 May, will now be completed by the commencement of the written examinations in the late July/August period.
The following will be rescheduled for the late July/August period.
- LCA Oral Examinations
- LCA practical performance tests in Hotel Catering & Tourism; Office Administration and Customer Care; Active Leisure Studies; Hair & Beauty; and Agriculture/Horticulture
- LCA ICT practical performance and written examination.
- LCVP Link modules written examination.