Christ King Girls' Secondary School, Cork - Ceist
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Christ King Girls’ Secondary
School, Cork
Principal: Richel Long
Principal Richel Long has published special video messages to
students of Christ King Girls School, Cork. The first video was
directed to Leaving Certificate students regarding remote study
and remote learning techniques during school closure. A second
video addressed to all students was also created recently. Richel
used Zoom to record these message and is also using this tool to
for video conferencing with staff. During her message Principal
Long advised our students to structure their day and timetable
study throughout the day. Being sure to take time for mindfulness
and breaks. Principal Long also expressed how proud she is of all
our students who are adhering so respectfully to all the warnings
given by the HSE and An Garda Siochana re social distancing and the corona virus.
Please click below to view video messages:
• Week 1: Leaving Certificate Students Message
• Week 2: Message to all students
Coláiste Bríde, Clondalkin,
Dublin 22
Principal: Marie-Therese Kilmartin
As we enter a whole new environment for schools in Ireland,
as school leaders I believe it is so important to support our
staff, students and parents in a variety of ways. As a school
leader it is important to look forward, look outside to learn
and bring this back to our school team. It is also important for
school leaders to avail of all the networks of support that
exist via the NAPD, school management bodies and PDST
especially.
By engaging on twitter over the weekend, it was great that by Saturday night many key twitter in
education users in Ireland had agreed that #EdShareIE would be the commonly used hashtag toshare resources, supports for teachers in addition to all that already exist via Scoilnet, PDST etc. ( At this point I am presuming that the Ed tech leaders will cover all issues re Teaching & Learning – I shall look at surrounding issues) Having an understanding and experience of leading change is very important for school leaders as many staff are at various stages of engagement with digital technologies, many may need greater support than others, many too have various home circumstances and we can learn a lot about all of this from other organisations who have already got experience in this area. Over the weekend I both tweeted and posted on LinkedIn an article from a US teacher based in China, sharing insights and advice from the experience in China who just like us had to learn to adapt together. Simon Sinek, a global leader on change posted a great video on LinkedIn saying that organisations should do a weekly check-in with staff – Have a Huddle. Getting everyone simply to connect on a personal basis, that this is so important for promoting teamwork and as we move forwards using our school system this is something I wish to do. By linking remotely, this can help to move to a virtual staff room for the down time, to build the ever important relationships. I heard of a staff sending photos to each other last week showing where they were, bits of wellbeing advice etc. Check-ins with staff are very important as our staff adapt to this ‘new working environment’. Schools thrive on teamwork and collaboration, we need this to continue. Teachers are each other’s best resource and support. We are planning to develop wellbeing resources via a newsletter to students/ parents as this is so important. Students need to engage in physical activity and we intend to build this into homework. Through our Tutor and Year head teams we can continue to support students as we do in school but I am sure new issues shall emerge and together we can seek solutions based on the experience of others. Our 6th year students in particular articulated their fears about their orals, practicals, exams, getting to College, having the course covered etc. These are real fears throughout the country and being lived by their parents too as we all look for certainty and answers where they are non yet in this ever changing global crisis. We as school leaders need to be cognisant of our own contexts, our families that we work with. Some students may have to mind siblings as their parents go out to work. Indeed we sadly know that some parents may not have work as we are hearing of temporary lay-offs etc, a truth that was real for parents I spoke with on Thursday last. Equally healthcare workers with children are worried too, so we as educators can do our bit to support them by ensuring that they know their children have work to do, have their time being filled with activities to do and followed up on, that learning continues and feedback from teachers is effective and develops student skills, understanding and knowledge. As everyone embraces social distancing, the getting closer in homes can be a new source of stress for many, access to digital technology can be an issue too, the sharing of the computer in the house as parents too may be working from home. Getting the balance on this shall be a new learning for us all. It will be important that students continue to receive the important messages about using social media appropriately. Students who experience anxiety, mental health difficulties shall not suddenly be fine, these students need supports yet the challenge is to provide this is new ways. How do our Guidance
Counsellors and Learning Support teachers provide these supports in an effective way? All new
issues to address.
Therefore there are many new challenges for schools to address. There are many new moral/
ethical issues? What about the family facing financial difficulties that schools may already support
through The School Meals Scheme? I am aware that one of my Deputy Principals has been working
on this over the weekend with inter organisational supports being planned and some teachers
have volunteered to help if distribution is required. These are all new challenges but with
teamwork, creativity, asking questions, sharing solutions, we can all help each other.
These are my thoughts as we begin to adapt focussing on Teaching and Learning and Wellbeing of
the school community.
Equally other challenges are emerging for Boards of Management, planning forward, policy
development, doing our usual work behind the scenes in schools but one thing I am confident
about is that as educators we shall give our best to the students we serve and the school
communities we work in.
Marie-Therese Kilmartin
Principal , Coláiste Bríde, Clondalkin Dublin 22
School Resources
As we all adjust to our new reality, students and staff alike, we are going to
provide weekly updates via newsletters. There will be one dedicated to
students/parents/guardians and one for stuff. Our amazing team at the
Learning Hub have also put together an amazing resource to help students
through this new challenge. They are hoping to put out a bi-weekly
newsletter. As always keep an eye on twitter @colaistebride for tips and
tricks, not just for study but for Wellbeing and physical activities also.
• Teacher Newsletter
o Teachers – Week 1
o Teachers – Week 2
• Learning Hub
o Learning_Hub_Ed1
• Students
o Students_wk1
o Students wk2Coláiste Bríde, Enniscorthy,
Co. Wexford
Deputy Principal: Niall Moynihan
Since the month of February, before the closure of schools, Mr. Lee
Watson, a student-teacher at Coláiste Bríde Enniscorthy, organised
a team of student journalists ranging from 1st to 5th Year.
The students were tasked with writing articles in response to the
current events unfolding in the world, their first working title,
“COVID-19: Can we stop it?”. Their articles were to be hosted by
Mr Watson’s website (co-developed by Mr. Aidan Roche, also of
Coláiste Bríde), JCScience.ie. This would be under the format of the
first issue of an online magazine.
The purpose of this project, as outlined by Mr Watson, is to provide secondary school students with
a platform for their voices to be heard on the current issues of the world, offering an alternative
way for students to take ownership over their learning and education.
The magazine was further developed via Microsoft Teams following the closure of schools, and has
since gone live on the website www.jcscience.ie, and heavily promoted on twitter (@jcscience_ie)
by Coláiste Bríde, UCD’s School of Education and many more.
Coláiste Bríde and Mr. Watson thank the following students for their involvement: Marcelina
Brudek, Daara Durodola, Emily Cleary, Hannah White, Aoife Browne, Sienna O’Neill & Jenny
Murphy.
There are hopes to continue this project into future issues, involving not only the original team, but
due to the nature of the website, it is also possible for any student around the country to get
involved via the website’s contact page.
Please click the link below to view
http://www.jcscience.ie/publications.html
Niall Moynihan
Deputy Principal , Coláiste Bríde, Enniscorthy, Co. WexfordColáiste Muire, Ennis, Co. Clare
Principal: Jean Pound
Here at Coláiste Muire we have gathered all equipment for local
hospital & nursing homes. Can I just say Teaching Staff have been
amazing. They have really taken on the task of remote Teaching and
Learning. They are using Teams, Screen Casting and a number of other
digital platforms. I have had to remind them that Easter break is coming
up and that they and students need a well-deserved rest.
Jean Pound
Principal , Coláiste Muire, Ennis, Co. Clare
Mercy Secondary School,
Ballymahon, Co. Longford
Principal: Josephine Donohue
We are an iPad school which has really helped us in dealing with
this new situation but it really is everyone’s Wellbeing that most
concerns me. In the last couple of days, my Deputy Principal and
I have rang each member of staff, spending up to half an hour
with each person and I have found this to be very reassuring.
We have also started our virtual team meetings, which helps to
bring staff members together and ease feelings of isolation. I
have encouraged subject departments to contact each other
and share resources and work on resources together. There is
great collaboration happening. We have a young staff, many are
at home with babies, toddlers and teenagers, but I have to say they are doing trojan work.
We are also mindful of our students and parents and the difficulties they may be experiencing at
this time . Many parents have lost their jobs. We are especially mindful of the students in our two
special ASD classes. We have linked in with the parents by phone and the timetable has been
rearranged for them, so as to help ease stress at home.
Josephine Donohue
Principal , Mercy Secondary School, Ballymahon, Co. LongfordOur sincerest condolences to the staff and school community of Mercy SS, who are reeling after
the death of their beloved colleague Inma De La Fuente on Friday evening. This morning the father
of two of their students passed away suddenly. May they be granted eternal peace. As Josephine
says ‘ It is just so difficult not to be physically present to comfort people in the usual way’.
Our Lady of Mercy Secondary
School, Drimnagh, Dublin 12
Principal: Pádhraic Gibbons
An update on what we have put in place in Our Lady of
Merch, Drimnagh:
• Microsoft 365 being used for Teaching and
Learning purposes by setting up Teams.
• Webex in its infancy to facilitate face to face
meetings (currently with staff only but could be
rolled out to facilitate check and connect with
tutor groups)
• HSCL linking in with parents.
• School landline has been transferred to office mobile to facilitate calls.
• Daily emails, WhatsApp and calls with staff for any issues.
• Have set up tracking sheets to monitor student engagement. Weekly collation of data
allows YH to link in directly with parents of students who are not engaging.
• Issues arising are IT access for families. Phones unsuitable for work. Looking at trying
to facilitate loans of Chromebooks to enable engagement.We will not be opening during the Easter holidays. 6th and 3rd years may receive revision work
during this time. Wellbeing for staff needs to be paramount here too. The workload associated
with online school is overwhelming in many respects. Feel free to forward this to any of our
colleagues to use, borrow, steal. We're all in this together and the feedback from the locality in
Drimnagh has been amazingly positive.
Pádraic Gibbons
Principal , Our lady of Mercy, Drimnagh, Dublin 12
Presentation Secondary School,
Ballyphehane, Co. Cork
Principal: Nicole Barrett
Presentation Ballyphehane shared a special video message from
Principal Nicola Barrett titled “Feel Good Friday”. In this video
Nicola shares her feel good moment, (her puppy Croí), and
acknowledges the hard work completed by all students and staff,
encouraging them to take care of themselves and enjoy the
sunshine.
• Click here to view this videoPresentation Secondary School,
Mitchelstown, Cork
Principal: Lorraine O’Keeffe
We are working our way through the current situation
with credit to the Digital Strategy team who set up a
great plan with Microsoft Office 365 over the past year.
More so two weeks before school closure where the
transition to remote learning went very smoothly. Each
student received a new 1-hour timetable and we only
expect them work within the school day. Many teachers
are getting to grips with finding the best ways to engage
with them. However there is huge stress among students
with difficulties around internet connections, family at home constantly, minding younger siblings,
house work and accessing space and computers with parents working from home also.
We are continuing to issue our weekly newsletter to staff, compiled by our Deputy Principal
Martha Kent, where staff can contribute advice, pictures or quotes. Also we put together a Parent
and Student Wellbeing newsletter to help them stay connected to school. Both are available for
view on our Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pressecmtown) and Twitter
(https://twitter.com/PresMitchelstwn) pages.
Recorded messages are also shared with the school at the beginning of each week. The CEIST
Morning Prayer is included in this message. Then at the end of each week a catch-up with staff
and students is conducted. The CEIST Evening Prayer is also included here. This is similar to the
school times where the same process would be followed over the school intercom on Monday and
Friday.
We have a weekly "Positive Slip' where teachers and students can nominate each other. All
nominations were usually read out over the intercom on a Friday. This has now also changed to a
shared recording.
We are also trying as best as possible through the various school supports to keep in touch with
students who are most vulnerable.
Lorraine O’Keeffe
Principal , Presentation Secondary School, Mitchelstown, Co. CorkSacred Heart Secondary School,
Drogheda, Co. Louth
Principal: Leoni Carroll
It is hard to believe that our lives have changed so dramatically over
the past few weeks. There is plenty to be gained from this experience
although it is extremely challenging for all. I have certainly learnt that
comments such as this generation of young people are the snow flake
generation could not be further from the truth. They are managing so
well considering all the uncertainty that is in their lives. The spirit
and resilience they have demonstrated during the past three weeks
can only be admired.
On a normal day in the Sacred Heart School we have assembly every
morning for the whole school community at 8.50am. We have
continued with our assembly at 8.50am by sending it out to our school community email which
includes all staff. I have been completely taken aback by the comments that parents and students
have shared with us on how keeping their day normal and continuing to provide a sense of
belonging has been extremely beneficial. Something that Deirdre and I take for granted has
impacted so positively on keeping the girls motivated. The students have contributed to our
assembly through reflections they wished to share, prayers and inspirational quotes and most
importantly the feel good Friday song suggestions, all of which are part of our normal assembly. I
asked the Head Girl would she like to share some thoughts on this crisis with the school community
as a form of support and I have attached the presentation she shared. I thought when I read the
presentation how I hoped that every member of school community took the time to read it as if
they did they would know that they were not on their own, they were an important and valued
person in our school community and we had the Head Girl willing to do all she could to help. Most
importantly she put a smile on their face through the kind thoughts and pictures she shared.
In the challenges we face it is our hope that a rainbow shines through the darkness. In our school
community and I know in every other community we are blessed to have rainbows shining through
each and every day by the kindness and care shared among the members our school community.
At this time our school community spirit and our shared faith help us get through and I thank God
every day that I am the Principal of a faith based school. Thank you to Clare Ryan and all the team
in CEIST for continuing the work of the founders of our schools. I am aware that this is an uphill
battle but it is battle worth fighting.
Warmest regards,
Leoni Carroll
Principal , Sacred Heart Secondary School, Drogheda, Co. LouthHead Girl: Megan Devin
Below is a special message from Sacred Heart Secondary School,
Drogheda Head Girl Megan Devin. In this message Megan gives tips for all
her fellow students to help keep them motivated and positive and this time.
• Click here to view
Scoil Chríost Rí, Portlaoise,
Co. Laoise
Student: Kate Corrigan 6th Year
Taken from interview with Scoil Chríost Rí student Kate Corrigan for Laois Today
1 – What is your daily routine at the moment?
I try stick to my typical school day by using my timetable to keep things as normal for me as
possible. So I will study or do assigned work from 9am-4pm according to my timetable and try
keep the breaks the same as well which can be difficult at times but I find it is the best way for me
to keep on track.2- What supports have your school provided for you and have they been useful? My school, Scoil Chríost Rí, have set up numerous groups on the likes of Edmodo and Microsoft Teams which are online resources which we can communicate through and receive and share our assignments and homework. This enables us to keep in contact with all our teachers, year head and guidance counsellor. Our teachers have been amazing in guiding us through this strange and difficult time and ensure that we have all the resources we need to continue on with our courses and our study. 3 – Are you getting out for much exercise? Yes, I make sure I get out of the house for a walk or run everyday as it can be difficult to motivate yourself to study or do school work being stuck inside for the day, I think it’s essential to clear your head and find a balance. 4 – How do you feel about the decision to scrap the oral/practical elements of some subjects and give everyone 100% across the board? Personally, I think it was a huge weight lifted off many students shoulders as it gave us some clarity and allowed us to focus on the written exams going forward and took away some of the uncertainty. However, I do feel as though it can be disheartening for many students who have put in immense work over the past two years for the oral sections of the exams which carry a huge amount of marks but I realise that this was the only fair and realistic outcome to be made. 5 – Do you find it hard to motivate yourself to study for the exams as it is unclear if the exams will even go ahead as currently scheduled? Yes definitely at times, even with the constant encouragement from our teachers it is exceptionally difficult to find the motivation with the uncertainty of it all. However, keeping the mindset that the exams will go ahead in June and keeping a routine helps keep the motivation flowing and pushes me towards my end goal. 6 – Are you able to interact with your friends? And if so, how are you doing this? Using social media I’m able to keep in contact with my friends. However not being able to see the people that I’ve spent everyday with for the past 6 years is proving very difficult and also it is heartbreaking knowing that there is a possibility that we may not get to spend another day in school together or even graduate. 7 – How do feel young people are being portrayed in the media at the moment? They are being blamed a lot for ignoring social distancing guidelines. Do you believe this is a fair criticism? I feel as though young people are being portrayed unfairly as the majority of people that I know and on social media are promoting the social distancing guidelines and sticking to it themselves so I do not believe that this is fair criticism from what I see myself.
8 – If the Coronavirus crisis continues and you can’t sit your exams in June, do you think they should be postponed or should exams be facilitated online? I think that if the exams are postponed it would be even more difficult to remain motivated and will cause unnecessary stress on a student. It would rob students of crucial time to save up and prepare for college or whatever they’re planning on doing post leaving cert. Also, by postponing the Leaving Cert I don’t see how it would be possible to get exams corrected fairly and in time for students to go on to their third level education by September. Facilitating them online could be a fair solution however it could prove unsuccessful and unfair. Personally, I would love to see it go ahead in June however I understand that people’s health is the number one priority. 9 – Anything else you would like to add? This is obviously a really difficult time for anyone let alone a leaving cert student and I think we’d all like some clarity. Please click here to view full article from Loise Today.
Scoil Mhuire Trim, Co. Meath
Student Videos
Two videos have been shared with CEIST
from Scoil Mhuire Trim regarding the Covid-
19 epidemic. The first video was created by
Head Girl and Deputy Head Girl to encourage
social distancing and HSE guidelines. The
second video was created by Leaving
Certificate members of the school band
Gluais who recorded the song "Hero" from
the social distancing of their own homes to
honour the Front-Line Health Care workers.
Special thanks to Mícheál Kerr for sharing
these wonderful videos with us.
• Click here to view
St. Joseph’s Secondary School,
Rochfortbridge, Co. Meath
Deputy Principal: Niamh Sheridan
As a Deputy Principal in St Joseph's Secondary School , Rochfortbridge, I can say that whilst this
situation is frightening, stressful and scary for so many, it has, on its flip side, brought out the best
in us. Our own staff have been so resourceful and are continuously coming up with new ideas to
keep our students engaged. We have a keep fit challenge, a photo of the day competition, a
"through the gap" soccer challenge, guidance updates on mindfulness, religious reflections shared
to every student to help them reflect in this new quiet time they have and teachers who are
delivering online curriculum in new and exciting ways. Check out our facebook page (link below)
to get a flavour of our school community and how, even remotely, we have come together.
• https://www.facebook.com/mercyrochfortbridge.ie/
Niamh Sheridan
Deputy Principal , St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Rochfortbridge,
Co. MeathSt. Leo’s College Carlow
Principal: Leoni Carroll
The staff and students of St. Leo’s College are certainly living proof of
this. As Principal, I am just so proud of the commitment, innovation
and absolute determination of both staff and students since our
school closed almost two weeks ago. Colleagues in other schools
might agree when I compare the past fortnight to a whirlwind. It is
really important and helpful for us all to step back momentarily, to
reflect and take stock.
The word ‘coronavirus’ first entered into our vocabulary in January
and grew in prevalence at a rapid pace in February and early March
as the virus spread across Europe and crept even closer to us.
Constant media coverage coupled with regular school intercom
announcements on the importance of proper handwashing and correct coughing and sneezing
etiquette, impressed upon all of us the increasing seriousness of its reality and potential impact.
And yet in the face of it all, it was incumbent on us as leaders to allay fears and maintain structure,
routine and a sense of calm throughout the school day.
As a school community we had been actively preparing for the inevitability of school closure for
several days before the Taoiseach’s announcement on Thursday 12th March and felt somewhat
‘prepared’ for the commencement of distance teaching and learning. Formal preparations for
potential school closure ranged from very basic email and password checks with the entire student
body, to a revision of instructions for accessing the Microsoft 365 suite. Class Tutors from first to
sixth year delivered a ‘Staying Connected’ PowerPoint presentation, and a ‘Staying Connected’
journal insert on which students recorded teacher names, email addresses and the revision/study
topics was distributed. Our Digital Strategy Team facilitated lunchtime refresher workshops and
prepared practical resources for teachers. In order to facilitate ongoing connectivity between
teachers and students, we considered Microsoft Teams an ideal platform to connect with students,
to send and receive work. The vast majority of staff and students were already proficient as we
have been using it for some time now.
Students had ample opportunity to clear lockers on Thursday. It also gave me an opportunity to
compose a letter of reassurance for parents detailing our preparations and the plan going forward
to ensure educational continuity. Teachers and students returned to their homes that evening
armed with teaching and learning resources, the rest was down to effective leadership and
technology.
From Day 1 of closure, communication with all stakeholders has been my primary focus as
Principal- students, teachers, parents, ancillary staff and Board of Management. Our ancillary staff
are also working from home and communicate via a bespoke Administration Team. Daily and
weekly tasks are assigned and work diaries submitted by each member at the end of each week.
In addition to publishing a weekly school newsletter, important information is posted on our school
website, Twitter and Instagram. We have set up a dedicated Leos Community Team for all
students and teachers which we update every day with key information and advice. Our Guidancedepartment upload useful documents to the Wellbeing folder such as how to optimise the home learning environment, hope to cope with the impact of coronavirus, how to manage anxiety and stress. Our PE department has put together a suite of resources for ‘Drop Everything and Exercise’. Our Music department has posted a selection of Karaoke options for ‘Drop Everything and Sing’. Staff and students have been encouraged to participate in both and send their videos/photos for Twitter and Instagram. There is a real emphasis on physical and mental wellbeing as well as academic progress. We continue to put every measure in place to facilitate ongoing connectivity between teachers and students. Both have been encouraged to communicate regularly online and to structure their day around the school timetable. Students are required to use their own initiative in terms of revision and study. Our Digital Strategy Team provide regular online support for all and send a ‘Supporting online teaching and learning newsletter’ every few days containing questions, suggestions, videos and links to assist teachers and students in their work. There are so many examples of highly effective practice, even at this early stage. Several teachers are live streaming their classes using the online/video meeting option in Teams. I have also encouraged teaching staff to collaborate and complete subject department planning work during the school closure period including a review of subject department plans, subject specifications and assessment guidelines, child protection guidelines, analysis of results, reading of school inspection reports and an exploration of the possibility of conducting virtual SLAR meetings. Adapting to this new educational format is a challenge for all of us. Having sought feedback, I know that some students are finding it quite overwhelming and struggling to keep up to date with work assigned. Third and sixth year students are coming to terms with the cancellation of their oral and practical performance tests but must now look forward to the written examinations, project and coursework. For our Leaving Certificate students the change is huge and they need constant encouragement and reassurance. We are cognisant of students who have no/limited access to internet and those who are simply not engaging. I have asked teachers and year heads to report online attendance concerns to one of our Deputy Principals who is making contact with parents of these students as the need arises. On Thursday 12th March we said goodbye to many of our international students. Some students made the decision to stay in Carlow and we thank their host families for creating a ‘home away from home’ for them. Two of our teachers are maintaining contact with all remaining students. Our SEN department and SNAs are communicating with SEN students and their parents via telephone and Teams. Guidance counsellors, our HSCL teacher, Deputy Principals, Year Heads and I have undertaken to connect with and support our most vulnerable students, those with mental health issues and complex family circumstances. I am conscious that for some students school is not only a place of learning, it is where they receive much-needed personal support including breakfast and lunch/dinner. We are currently researching options to continue providing such assistance for those most in need. It is important that we do our very best to reach all students on both academic and pastoral care levels. The CEIST core values are being lived out through this experience, in our attempts to support and nourish all members of our school community. As Leo Varadkar said during his televised address to the nation last week ‘We are in this together.’ There is a wonderful sense of unity and collegiality that will sustain us all in our minds and in our work throughout this period of challenge and uncertainty. Never have technology and the partnership between students, teachers and parents been more important in education. Our collaboration is key to the realisation and success of distance teaching and learning.
Microsoft Teams is really wonderful. As a staff we are trying a live staff break time meeting on
Teams and Zoom. It is another opportunity for me to connect with teachers and acknowledge their
commitment to ensuring that learning moves forward every day, albeit in a very different format.
It’s hard to believe that we are almost two weeks into closure now and with no end in sight as of
yet, it is timely that we conduct an evaluation of experiences and practices. We need this to gauge
what exactly is going on, how people are feeling about it all and how we can best move forward. A
simple Microsoft 365 Forms survey for all stakeholders with a ‘what’s working well, even better
if…’approach will help us to streamline planning and approaches. It will also help us to further
identify who is really struggling.
There is no template for this unprecedented event, no handbook entitled ‘What to do in the event
of indefinite school closure due to coronavirus’ but we are living it now and writing it every day. I
am heartened by the conscientious efforts of so many but acutely aware that not everyone is at
the same level. We must mobilise the troops and make every effort to reach them. It is critical that
we, as school leaders and CEIST school communities, work through this together with the interests
of our students at the centre of our thinking and actions. The support of CEIST, the school
management bodies and professional networks are valued and appreciated, now more than ever.
Niamh Broderick
Principal , St. Leo’s College, Carlow
Deputy Principal: Leoni Carroll
I woke up on Wednesday morning, 18th March, with the best intentions
in the world – to be Deputy Principal, Maths teacher, Primary school
teacher, Montessori teacher and a mother – all at the same time. I
thought I had it all figured out and that I was well prepared. It became
overwhelming very quickly and I imagine this was a feeling felt in most
homes up and down the length and breadth of the country.
Our school had spent a week preparing for the event of a possible
school closure. We ensured that students were able to access their
Microsoft 365 accounts; passwords were reset; teachers upskilled
through workshops delivered at lunchtimes by the Digital Strategy
Team; a Staying Connected document was distributed to each student so that they could gather
their teachers’ email addresses in a central place and document the work that they should be
completing at home in the event of a school closure; Registration each morning focused solely on
all of the above for the full week. So, when An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced the closure of
all schools, we felt as prepared as we could be in a short period of time.
We encouraged our students to follow their timetable each day but as both teachers and students
grappled with distance learning it was successful for some and overwhelming for others yet
determination and resilience prevailed. Teachers are supporting each other in creating shared
lessons and video demonstrations in using features of Microsoft 365 for teaching and learning.
Others are leading the way with online classes and video conferencing. There are so many
resources and websites out there and many would advise – ‘do not reinvent the wheel’ and yet it
takes time to explore these websites. Keep it simple.Remember, some students do not have access to the internet and so it is important that these students remain connected in a different way. When assigning work to students, keep it manageable for both them and you and easy to follow in particular for junior classes. Collaborate with colleagues and share lessons. Take time out of your day for exercise. Why not try a Drop Everything and Exercise or Dance or Sing or Read with your school! My experience of the first three to four days has highlighted that, above all, the health and wellbeing of our students, their families, ourselves and our families are most important at such a challenging time. It is important to remember that students and families are struggling, they may have been struggling long before this and those struggles or complex issues do not disappear during this crisis. Indeed, they most likely will be heightened. It is important to connect with these students and families. Some of our students and families have lost parents and grandparents during this time. We are deeply saddened for them and we are limited in the support we can provide them at this time, but we support them through prayer and remembrance. I begin Week 2 with renewed energy and more realistic goals for myself, my students and my family and I am thankful that the weather is good! Stay safe and keep well. Imelda Whelan Deputy Principal , St. Leo’s College, Carlow Student: Meadhbh Brown 6th Year Taken from article written by Leaving Certificate Student Meadhbh Brown of St. Leo’s College, Carlow for Extra.ie Plenty of Irish people are missing going for pints with their friends and normal working conditions at the moment, but spare a thought for the sixth year students of 2020 who are studying for the Leaving Certificate With all oral and practical examinations cancelled and with uncertainty surrounding the written exams due to take place in June, sixth year students all over Ireland have experienced more disruption than most in recent weeks, and a dark pall of instability hangs over their immediate futures. Speaking to Extra.ie, Leaving Cert student Meadhbh Browne described the bizarre nature of the situation she and her classmates have found themselves in, and the difficulty of staying focused amid all the upheaval.
Meadhbh, who is a student at St Leo’s College in Carlow, said the massive change from strictly regimented timetables to total uncertainty about when or if schools will re-open is disconcerting, stating: ‘The situation is OK so far but the uncertainty about the length of time that we will be off for is daunting. ‘For the past six years in school we have always been told when exactly exams and deadlines are and we always follow strict timetables, so this new situation is a total contrast. Personally, I feel as though the Leaving Cert this year will be more of a test of each student’s perseverance and self-motivation, rather than their ability to study’. On March 19, the Department of Education and Skills announced that all Leaving Certificate and Junior Certificate oral and practical exams would be cancelled, and all students would receive full
marks. This decision caused some consternation, as it was argued that students who had studied hard for the exams would be left in the lurch, and some students would gain an unfair advantage. Initially, Meadhbh was disappointed by the decision, as she explained: ‘When I first heard the news I was devastated. I was immediately reflecting on the hours upon hours of work that I had put in to the oral exam and I felt extremely frustrated. ‘I was so annoyed that people could have done no work at all, yet I poured hours of endless work into this section, just for us all to be awarded the same marks. However, I came around to the understanding that not all of this study would go to waste, and I realised that it was the “least unfair” option. No student is being penalised for the current situation and the top students will still excel in the written exams.’ Meadhbh went on to speak about the difficulty of structuring her time while the schools remain closed, as she and her classmates attempt to balance carrying on with revision and completing the syllabus in various subjects. Meadhbh said: ‘Being someone who likes a definite time frame, it is hard to balance revision work while also trying to finish the course. ‘It is difficult not knowing when exactly the Leaving Cert will be, and whether it will go ahead at all. For now, I have plenty of work to keep me motivated with trying to finish the course, but it will definitely be hard to keep going once all we have facing us is endless hours of revision work.’
5 Meadhbh went on to speak about the difficulty of structuring her time while the schools remain closed, as she and her classmates attempt to balance carrying on with revision and completing the syllabus in various subjects. When asked if she is concerned that the written exams in June may also be cancelled, Meadhbh said: ‘It is not a concern exactly, but all the speculation is hard to filter. It is difficult when family members and friends are presuming that the Leaving Cert will not go ahead, or will be postponed, when really no changes have been made at all. ‘I know it is hard for the Department of Education to make a decision now, when the situation can change in a matter of days, but it would be reassuring to receive more updates from them.’ The 18-year-old was full of praise for the support provided to Leaving Cert students by her school, St Leo’s, saying: ‘All my teachers are sending us plenty of notes and resources, and continue to prescribe homework and revision questions. All the teachers have helped each other out with using the on line methods of teaching, and all are accessible when we have any questions at all.’ Amid all the madness and the uncertainty, Meadhbh and her friends are able to see some silver linings, as she explained: ‘In one way we are lucky. We are the one Leaving Cert year that have the chance to study, but also have plenty of time to exercise and relax.
‘Daily walks definitely help me to study, and I don’t mind studying as much when I have more of a chance to relax in the evening. I feel like this is a chance for all of our mental health to improve, as Leaving Cert students are usually always exhausted and sleep deprived.’ One major downside, however, is being separated from her classmates, an unfortunate necessity that can leave some students feeling isolated and overwhelmed: ‘It is difficult not seeing our friends each day. Lunchtime is always a chance to vent about Leaving Cert stress, and without this it’s easy to feel as though you are the only one finding this year difficult.’ At the time of writing, the Department of Education is planning to go ahead with all written state exams in June, but the global health situation may require that position to change. Meadhbh Brown Leaving Certificate Student St. Leo’s College, Carlow Student: Niamh Phelen 6th Year As a 6th year student. It is a drastic change from my normal school routine. Distance learning is a new experience for both students and teachers. At times I think this break is helpful as I can focus on aspects that I struggle with the most and other times I feel stressed, under pressure and have a lack of motivation, as it’s hard to learn new material when you are not in a classroom learning it from the teacher. The teachers have been nothing but helpful towards us students. They have ensured that we still get the best education we can through distance learning. They are constantly giving us work and notes to help us prepare for your exams. Niamh Phelen Leaving Certificate Student St. Leo’s College, Carlow
Parent: Martina Phelan
As a parent of a daughter in 6th year I have great empathy for her as it is a hard
and stressful time because of the uncertainty of the exam dates. I do my best to
motivate her to keep up with her studies but also to get out for a walk or run
because having a good mental health in times like these is the key to success.
Martina Phelan
Parent of Leaving Certificate Student
St. Leo’s College, Carlow
School Administrator: Helena McKenna
The below resources were kindly shared with us by School Administrator Helena
McKenna. Please click the link below to view.
• St Leo’s College Carlow Resources
• St Leo’s Carlow CPD Resources
St. Mary’s Secondary School,
New Ross, Co. Wexford
Principal: John Michael Porter
The below article as taken from an interview given to New Ross
Standard by St. Mary’s Secondary School, New Ross Principal John
Michael Porter.
Secondary school teachers across the district have been going
above and beyond to help their students keep on track as much as
possible with their academic studies during these long days of
coronavirus restrictions.
Using Google Classroom and videos, teachers have upskilled,
gotten creative, made sacrifices, all to help their students. St
Mary’s Secondary School principal John Michael Porter said that in
all his years teaching and as a principal he has never seen
anything on the scale of the coronavirus. He said the worst thingthat can happen now is for the Government to announce that schools will have to re-open in mid to late-May. ‘Phenomenal work is being done at the moment. I have never come across anything like this. We have had difficulties in which students were out sick for an extended period of time. From our side we would support the individual student who would be absent from school for a lengthy period of time, not supporting a whole school of 610 students.’ Mr Porter said the school’s 40 staff have been outstanding in adapting to massive change. Preparation helped. ‘For our sixth years, earlier in the year I set up every student in the school with a Gmail account linked in with the school. Some teachers had been working on that model of Google Classrooms. This has brought all that to a head and now we have more and more staff online with the sixth years.’ Some students are missing the face-to-face, classroom setting and to help them, some teachers have been posting videos so students can see them. Mr Porter sent a survey to sixth years asking them about how they are finding the new systems and some said they miss school. ‘Even watching the teachers’ videos, some would miss being able to ask questions in a live setting so we are looking a Zoom or Skype so we can get live contact sessions.’ The battle for devices – and broadband – in some family homes is also creating difficulties. ‘All students have access to a device to work on but in a lot of areas, coverage is the problem. We have a lot of rural students and teachers and many, like in my house, are working off one megabits, at maximum. For teachers working from home trying to upload the information and documents it becomes difficult and the same goes for students. What can take three minutes in school is taking 30 minutes at home. It’s like going back to the old dial-up days,’ said Mr Porter. ‘There is also an issue where you have other family members using Netflix and there may be only one or two devices in a house that everyone wants to be on. You might have three or four children under one roof.’ Mr Porter said it is important that students and teachers don’t feel overwhelmed, adding that having a good routine is essential. He said anxiety about finances is a real issue in some houses now with parents out of work, adding that the most important thing students can learn is to be understanding of their family members. He said Leaving Cert and Junior Certificate students should continue their study preparations with the belief that they will go ahead in June. ‘The idea is that they continue on with that mindset. We, as principals, are only hearing the same as everybody else. It’s ever-moving goalposts but we want our students to keep working away.’ Mr Porter said teachers have been excellent, with some offering to help teachers who aren’t very computer savvy to get up to speed with teaching programs. ‘That has helped as teachers learning new skills have a familiar voice and face teaching them.’ He said it is a time of anxiety and stress for everyone, with parents, teachers and students experiencing anxiety. He said a survey will also be sent to first, second, TY and fifth year students. ‘Teachers have sent them out information. First years are very good at getting information back as well. It’s important for them to touch base every day, but not everyone is a self-motivated learner.’
Mr Porter said when students return to school everything will have to be re-evaluated, taking into account the interruption of studies. ‘‘We’ll have to reset things. We know not everyone will come back at the same level as we would normally expect for late in the academic year.’ Good Counsel College principal Mark O’Brien said: ‘Throughout this week we have grappled with what we hope is a new short term reality – a decline in that face-to-face contact in our community. Teachers have embraced technology to replace that valuable face-to face classroom interaction and personal relationship. Students have engaged enthusiastically and diligently with the work.’ He said parents have provided every available resource they have to support their family’s learning and safety. ‘All of this going on while life around us is different. All of the while we have carried our own concerns, questions and emotions? Our values of unity, truth and love can help to guide us in all of this where we care for each other in a spirit of team work, patience and understanding.’ Mr O’Brien said: ‘I am aware for each of us managing our day is difficult for various reasons. For some of us we just want to be left to our own devices and left to study or work without interruption. For others we need the support, the crutch if you like, of online lessons, notes and communications.”
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