Date / Time:   Mon 25^th February 2019 (5.30pm-7.30pm)

      Venue:  Kildare Education Centre

This workshop at its essence will explore what it is to be a learner. It will reconnect with the NQTs understanding of themselves as a learner as developed at ITE and emphasise the impact that the teacher has on students learning. A virtual class will be used by NQTs to help them to investigate the different learning styles students have and adapt their methodologies to meet these needs. Particular emphasis will be placed on the learning profile of students with SEN.

Date / Time:   Mon 25^th February  2019 (7pm-9pm)

Venue:  Kildare Education Centre

This workshop builds on the Classroom Management workshop by focusing on teaching behaviour(s) essential for learning. The Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties: A Continuum of Support -Guidelines for Teachers (NEPS: 2010) is a key reference for this workshop which aims to give NQTs an understanding  of the Classroom  Support Process and the development and use of Individual Behaviour Support Plans. Relevant case studies and resources will be examined and participants’ own concerns will also be explored.

Why should you attend?

These meetings will give you a chance to address personal needs, build relationships with other local stakeholders and discuss issues relating to the development & practice of computing in education. At meetings we will begin by catching up, then negotiating activities to collaborate on, and finally forming groups to work on those activities.

Activities in the meeting are to address YOUR needs in practice and might include:

• EVALUATING resources to contribute or curate the CompSci database,

• IMPROVING knowledge of a new programming language,

• EXPLORING data structures or queries,

• MAKING artefacts driven by micro-controllers,

• DISCUSSING student misconceptions about a particular curriculum topic,

• SHARING assessment techniques both formative & summative or

• DESIGNING a lesson and evaluate its effectiveness by joining in a lesson study group.

  Please register your interest in the group and say what you need, whether or not you can attend, by following this link

• cesi.ie/cesi-cs and completing the form, in addition to registering on-line via the relevant education centre website.

• Contact Richard Millwood at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or +44 7790 558 641

Date:  Tues 26^th February 2019 (5pm-7pm)

Facilitator:  Brendan O’Regan

Course description:

The objective of this workshop is to provide CSPE teachers with guidelines for managing and reporting on ‘actions’ or ‘action projects’ in the new CSPE Short Course Specifications or in the CSPE Syllabus. There will be advice on appropriate timetabling of CSPE, as part of Wellbeing, and the options for ongoing assessment arrangements into the future. For those currently working on Action Project Reports for the CSPE exam this June there will also be guidelines for effective completion. This will also be an opportunity to share experiences and resources.

Notice for Primary NQTs undertaking Droichead as a route of Induction:

From September 2017, Droichead is the sole route of Induction for NQTs in SEN settings.

From September 2018, Droichead is the sole route of Induction in large primary schools of 16 (or more) classroom teachers. 

NQTs who are engaging in the Droichead process must attend one 2-hour cluster meeting per term for the duration of their Droichead process. 

 Cluster meetings may be attended only by NQTs who have applied for Droichead to The Teaching Council via ‘My Registration’ portal on its website (www.teachingcouncil.ie) and received a confirmation email.

The National Cluster Meeting Schedule will accompany the confirmation email and NQTs must register with the Education Centre to attend a cluster meeting. 

All NQTs engaging in the Droichead process must attend Cluster Meeting 1 before attending Cluster 2 and/or 3. 

 At cluster meetings, NQTs will present Form D to be stamped by the facilitator as proof of attendance. Form D is available at www.teachingcouncil.ie.  Please have this form with you on the night. 

In addition to cluster meetings, NQTs who are engaging in the Droichead process should also engage in one other professional learning activity. This may include attendance at an NIPT workshop which NQTs must register with the EC to attend.

Notice for Post-Primary NQTs undertaking Droichead as a route of Induction:

Droichead is the sole route of Induction for NQTs with a contract of 200 or more hours in large Post-Primary schools with 400 or more students or in SEN settings. 

NQTs who are engaging in the Droichead process must attend one 2-hour cluster meeting per term for the duration of their Droichead process. 

Cluster Meetings may only be attended by NQTs who have applied for Droichead to the Teaching Council via the ‘My Registration’ portal on its website www.teachingcouncil.ie and received a confirmation email. The National Cluster Meeting Schedule will accompany the confirmation email and NQTs must register with the Education Centre to attend a cluster meeting. 

All NQTs engaging in the Droichead process must attend Cluster Meeting 1 before attending Cluster Meeting 2 and/or 3. 

At cluster meetings, NQTs will present Form D to be stamped by the facilitator as proof of attendance. Form D is available at www.teachingcouncil.ie. Please have this form with you on the night. 

In addition to this, NQTs who are engaging in the Droichead process should also engage in one other professional learning activity. This may include attendance at an NIPT workshop which NQTs must register with the EC to attend.

 This five-part course for primary teachers will look at the following topics:-

- Introduction:  legislation, classification of role.
- Maths:   resources, methodologies and strategies
- English:   resources and methodologies
- Assessment:   screening, standardised and diagnostic tests
- Team Teaching:   outline, definition, programmes of work and planning
- IPLPs:   formation of individual and group IPLPs 

 Dates:  5 consecutive Wednesdays:  27/02, 06/03, 13/03, 20/03, 27/03/2019

Tutor:    Ann Goggins

Date / Time:   Wed 27^th February  2019 (5pm-7pm)

Venue:  Kildare Education Centre

This workshop builds on the Classroom Management workshop by focusing on teaching behaviour(s) essential for learning. The Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties: A Continuum of Support -Guidelines for Teachers (NEPS: 2010) is a key reference for this workshop which aims to give NQTs an understanding  of the Classroom  Support Process and the development and use of Individual Behaviour Support Plans. Relevant case studies and resources will be examined and participants’ own concerns will also be explored.

Date & Time:   Thursday, 28^th February 2019, 5-7pm

About the Speaker: Teresa Hand-Campbell is unique as an Occupational Psychologist who has 30 years’ experience as Principal, blending extensive experience in education leadership at the coalface with the science of behaviour at work and how we, as humans, relate and respond to everyday happenings and crises as we navigate a very different and relentlessly demanding, modern work place.Teresa is Director of THC Consultancy Ltd., working across public and private sectors - coaching, mediating, assessing, advising and motivating - merging the interdependent worlds of business and education, synergising the best of both for mutual benefit as we prepare our young for a very different and unpredictable future. 

In to-day’s hectic school environments, the ‘Secretary’ works the front line more than any other school employee.   The list of duties and tasks has expanded in line with the mounting workload in our schools – administrative, curricular, social, interpersonal – and the secretary, as Personal Assistant to the Principal, has become an invaluable asset in staying on top of mounting paperwork and duties.

This course seeks to clarify the role and explore time-saving strategies:

• The role of the Secretary in modern day education establishments
• The Schedule of Tasks, Duties and Responsibilities
• Key skills and competencies required for success – from people management, interpersonal communication, decision-making to organisational, administrative etc.
• Time saving ideas which are applicable to primary and post primary schools of all sizes.
• Tips for staying on top of the workload, achieving work-life balance and remaining healthy at the same time.

  IMPORTANT - Please Note:  When booking in for this workshop, in the fields where it requests School Roll No. and Teaching Council No. you will need to insert 00000 in order to process your booking.

This course will introduce teachers to the use of Beebots and Lego in the classroom, as well as other coding activities.

Teachers will engage in hands on learning tasks with examples of how to integrate activities into busy classroom life.

Activities will be varied across all age groups.

Basic coding enables pupils to problem solve, create and work collaboratively.

All resources will be available to borrow from Kildare Education Centre after the course is completed.

No coding experience is necessary.  

 Tutor:  Ciaran Costello

Date / Time:  Mon 4^th March 2019 (4pm-5.30pm)

Accelerated Reader Programme - Encouraging reading for pleasure through differentiated reading practice.

This programme offers unparalleled opportunity to provide personalised practice for students, offering insight into individual reading habits and abilities, while fostering a lifelong engagement with reading among students.

Schools will be introduced to the Accelerated Reader Programme and its benefits for Literacy development.

Spreadsheets are great for classroom management, collecting money, book bills, homework grades and test results.

Spreadsheets can enhance learning as students can use spreadsheets for conducting surveys, data collection, creating graphs and recording results.

Create a class schedule.

And many, many more!

Tutor:  Brian Sweeney

 JOIN US:

 This practical workshop is for schools well advanced with the process and intending on applying for, or wishing to renew, the ASF during 2019.  ALL schools (new applicant and renewal schools) are advised to attend.

RESOURCES:

All schools in attendance will receive:-

• Active School WALKWAY resource pack

• ASF Whistles

• #ASW19 print materials

• ASF Slideshow Presentation

TOPICS:

Topics include:

• Running Initiatives

• Active School WALKWAY

• Active School Week

• Preparing for the ASF accreditation visit

On-line booking required via www.activeschoolflag.ie

Date & Time:  Thurs 7^th March 2019, 5pm-7pm

Facilitator:   Teresa Hand-Campbell, M.Sc.

Teresa has 30 years’ experience as a Principal and now works as an Occupational Psychologist, Business Executive & Personal Coach, Mediator & Registered Psychometric Test User 1 & 2 – Ability and Personality (British Psychological Society). Teresa is also a Certified Professional Behavioural Analyst. She is Director of ‘THC Consultancy Ltd’, working extensively across both public and private sectors, helping organisations identify and grow their best talent; helping individuals with their career progression planning, offering motivational Talks, Training, Coaching, lecturing part-time on Masters Programme at Mary Immaculate College and Tutoring on PDSL at University of Limerick base.

  The role of the Principal, Senior & Middle Management Teams in building and maintaining a Resilient Workforce

• Understanding ‘resilience’ as a concept – personal resilience and organisational resilience.

• Connecting Resilience and Social & Emotional Intelligence.

• Are you a ‘resilient’ person?  Learn how to measure and strengthen your resilience levels.

• How do your ‘resilience’ levels impact your Leadership style, workplace culture and those you lead?

          ·        What are the benefits of ‘resilience’ when managing change, collaborating and building relationships?

Date / Time:  Saturday 9^th March 2019 (9.30am-4.30pm)

Facilitator:  Tony Hayes

A one day course covering aspects of Strand 5, the Functions section of the Leaving Certificate Higher Level Mathematics Syllabus.

This one-day course will focus on:-

The meaning of the derivative of a function and its application to properties of the given function.

To begin with there will be a review of material from the Junior Cycle specifications in particular Section AF 7. d

·        Make connections between the shape of a graph and the story of a phenomenon, by looking at time/distance graphs.

Time will then be spent looking at -

·        Slope of a line as average velocity of a function between two given points.

·        the behaviour of a function in terms of

o   Increasing/decreasing.

o   Positive negative.

o   turning points

o   maximum/minimum

o   inflection/saddle inflection

·        The slope of the tangent to a point on the graph of the function.

·        First/second derivatives as indicators of the behaviour of the original function.

There will be ample opportunity for participants to engage with the material by working through examples and there will be full worked solutions to all examples.

A pdf version of the presentation will be made available to all participants via e mail on completion of the course.

Notice for Primary NQTs undertaking Droichead as a route of Induction:

From September 2017, Droichead is the sole route of Induction for NQTs in SEN settings.

From September 2018, Droichead is the sole route of Induction in large primary schools of 16 (or more) classroom teachers. 

NQTs who are engaging in the Droichead process must attend one 2-hour cluster meeting per term for the duration of their Droichead process. 

 Cluster meetings may be attended only by NQTs who have applied for Droichead to The Teaching Council via ‘My Registration’ portal on its website (www.teachingcouncil.ie) and received a confirmation email.

The National Cluster Meeting Schedule will accompany the confirmation email and NQTs must register with the Education Centre to attend a cluster meeting. 

All NQTs engaging in the Droichead process must attend Cluster Meeting 1 before attending Cluster 2 and/or 3. 

 At cluster meetings, NQTs will present Form D to be stamped by the facilitator as proof of attendance. Form D is available at www.teachingcouncil.ie.  Please have this form with you on the night. 

In addition to cluster meetings, NQTs who are engaging in the Droichead process should also engage in one other professional learning activity. This may include attendance at an NIPT workshop which NQTs must register with the EC to attend.

Notice for Post-Primary NQTs undertaking Droichead as a route of Induction:

Droichead is the sole route of Induction for NQTs with a contract of 200 or more hours in large Post-Primary schools with 400 or more students or in SEN settings. 

NQTs who are engaging in the Droichead process must attend one 2-hour cluster meeting per term for the duration of their Droichead process. 

Cluster Meetings may only be attended by NQTs who have applied for Droichead to the Teaching Council via the ‘My Registration’ portal on its website www.teachingcouncil.ie and received a confirmation email. The National Cluster Meeting Schedule will accompany the confirmation email and NQTs must register with the Education Centre to attend a cluster meeting. 

All NQTs engaging in the Droichead process must attend Cluster Meeting 1 before attending Cluster Meeting 2 and/or 3. 

At cluster meetings, NQTs will present Form D to be stamped by the facilitator as proof of attendance. Form D is available at www.teachingcouncil.ie. Please have this form with you on the night. 

In addition to this, NQTs who are engaging in the Droichead process should also engage in one other professional learning activity. This may include attendance at an NIPT workshop which NQTs must register with the EC to attend.

This JCT 2-Hr evening workshop:

1.   Is aimed at teachers of English, Science, Business Studies, MFL, Visual and Gaeilge that will be facilitating a Subject Learning and Assessment Review meeting in their school in the academic year 2018/19.

2.    Will explore key considerations for the facilitator before, during and after a SLAR.

3.    Aims to further complement and develop facilitation skills from core JCT subject in-service.

4.    Provide advice, support and resources to assist facilitators in their work.

Dates / Time:  Thurs 14th & 21st March 2019 (5pm-7pm)

Facilitator:  Catherine Dunphy

Workshop 1.  The Magic of Music will examine the main aspects of the literacy strand and demystify the main rhythm notes via fun stories, practical and simple activities and ideas for lesson plans which have been tried and tested successfully on 1000's of children from ages 4 yrs - 18 years nationwide.

Workshop 2. The Magic of Music will examine the main strands of the composing strand and provide exciting, fun composition exercises that teachers of all musical abilities will be able to use in their classroom.

Click here to visit the Magic of Music YouTube page

Notice for Primary NQTs undertaking Droichead as a route of Induction:

From September 2017, Droichead is the sole route of Induction for NQTs in SEN settings.

From September 2018, Droichead is the sole route of Induction in large primary schools of 16 (or more) classroom teachers.

NQTs who are engaging in the Droichead process must attend one 2-hour cluster meeting per term for the duration of their Droichead process.

Cluster meetings may be attended only by NQTs who have applied for Droichead to The Teaching Council via ‘My Registration’ portal on its website (www.teachingcouncil.ie) and received a confirmation email.

The National Cluster Meeting Schedule will accompany the confirmation email and NQTs must register with the Education Centre to attend a cluster meeting.

All NQTs engaging in the Droichead process must attend Cluster Meeting 1 before attending Cluster 2 and/or 3.

At cluster meetings, NQTs will present Form D to be stamped by the facilitator as proof of attendance. Form D is available at www.teachingcouncil.ie.  Please have this form with you on the night.

In addition to cluster meetings, NQTs who are engaging in the Droichead process should also engage in one other professional learning activity. This may include attendance at an NIPT workshop which NQTs must register with the EC to attend.

Notice for Post-Primary NQTs undertaking Droichead as a route of Induction:

Droichead is the sole route of Induction for NQTs with a contract of 200 or more hours in large Post-Primary schools with 400 or more students or in SEN settings.

NQTs who are engaging in the Droichead process must attend one 2-hour cluster meeting per term for the duration of their Droichead process.

Cluster Meetings may only be attended by NQTs who have applied for Droichead to the Teaching Council via the ‘My Registration’ portal on its website www.teachingcouncil.ie and received a confirmation email. The National Cluster Meeting Schedule will accompany the confirmation email and NQTs must register with the Education Centre to attend a cluster meeting.

All NQTs engaging in the Droichead process must attend Cluster Meeting 1 before attending Cluster Meeting 2 and/or 3.

At cluster meetings, NQTs will present Form D to be stamped by the facilitator as proof of attendance. Form D is available at www.teachingcouncil.ie. Please have this form with you on the night.

In addition to this, NQTs who are engaging in the Droichead process should also engage in one other professional learning activity. This may include attendance at an NIPT workshop which NQTs must register with the EC to attend.

The Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST), in conjunction with Kildare Education Centre, invites schools to nominate a Special Educational Teacher(SET) and one other teacher (maximum) to attend a one-day seminar.  This is a full day seminar for SET and mainstream classroom teachers to further deepen their understanding of inclusive practices and the SEN Guidelines for Primary Schools (2017). The day will be framed around the six actions from these guidelines, including how to identify pupils with SEN, how to set literacy targets, planning team-teaching methods and approaches that may be used to meet the targets and organising early intervention and prevention programmes. 

Please note the following:  

• The content of this seminar is a development of previous Team-Teaching for Literacy seminars and principals could consider offering it to those who did not attend last year. 
• This seminar will be delivered by PDST Associates who are practising teachers with expertise in this area.
• Those attending should bring a copy of the SEN Guidelines which are available to download:  https://www.education.ie/en/The-Education-System/Special-Education/Guidelines-for-Primary-Schools-Supporting-Pupils-with-Special-Educational-Needs-in-Mainstream-Schools.pdf
• Please note that there is substitute cover available for the day.
• Lunch will be provided.

 This seminar is being offered in Kildare Education Centre on Wed 20th and Thurs 21st March 2019 - schools to book in for their preferred seminar date.

Teachers who wish to attend should apply through the PDST online booking system. Click on this link 

(https://pdst.ie/onlinebooking?combine=Making%20Connections&subject=Literacy&ec_name=All&sector=All)

The system will allow no more than two teacher registrations from each school. 

Date / Time: Thursday 21st March 2019 (6pm-8pm)

Facilitator:  Susan Gibney

This Information Session on Nurture Group Theory and Practice is an introduction for school personnel on the theory behind Nurture Groups and how to engage in the practice of running a Nurture Group and being a Nurturing School. 

During this session, the following will be addressed:

• The practicalities of setting up and running a nurture group – early years, primary and secondary.
• An outline of up-to-date research in attachment theory and neuroscience.
• Nurture Groups and child development and learning.
• An introduction to the Boxall Profile and how it is used to refer children and youngpeople, set targets and put in place practical strategies to address the challenges children have.
• Linking to the curriculum.
• Developing a whole-school nurturing approach.
• Monitoring and evaluation through a structured, evidence-based, planned approach.

This Information Session will be of interest to those who wish to set up and run a nurture group. It is also suitable for schools who want to adopt a more nurturing approach while working with children who have any or all of the following: social, emotional and/or behavioural difficulties, low self-confidence, low self-esteem, low resilience, self-regulation difficulties and/or self-expression difficulties.

Following the Information Session, participants will have the opportunity to enrol in a full 'Nurture Group Theory and Practice Course', in Kildare Education Centre, with an option for accreditation as a Nurture Group Practitioner (on submission of an assignment).

RETREAT – RENEW – RESTORE

1-Day Retreat for the SNA

Venue:  Mount St Anne’s Retreat Centre, Killenard, Co. Laois from 10am-4pm

(Lunch will be provided)

Course Fee:  €25 (non-refundable)

Facilitator:  Ann-Marie Ireland

·        Take some time out for yourself

·        Don’t wait for the Easter break to replenish your energy well; come and restore your energy in a calm and relaxing space

·        Engage in simple, enjoyable mindfulness practices in a beautiful, cozy, calm, relaxed environment

·        Renew your energy and rekindle your passion for life

·        Learn how to bring well-being practices into your personal and professional life in practical, simple ways

·        Engage in self-care in order to feel more like yourself, which will benefit those you care for and work with

·        Give yourself space to breathe and relax

·        Enjoy the company of like-minded people

IMPORTANT - Please Note:  When booking in for this workshop, in the fields where it requests School Roll No. and Teaching Council No. you will need to insert 00000 in order to process your booking. 

Date / Time:   Mon 25^th March 2019 (5.30pm-7.30pm)

Venue:  Kildare Education Centre

For Post-Primary NQTs the workshop will focus on how to connect and develop the numeracy dimension across the curriculum and to support school-wide numeracy development. Looking at how teachers can support students in the development of the essential life skill and also to support their own subject. Opportunities to discuss and share strategies and ideas will be a central element of this workshop with a view to exploring the numeracy dimension of different subjects.

Date / Time:   Mon 25^th March  2019 (7pm-9pm)

Venue:  Kildare Education Centre

The focus of this workshop is the practical implementation of the principles of good mathematics teaching in everyday classroom practice. Emphasis is placed on the development of number sense, mathematical language, problem-solving skills, and mental and oral maths activities in the classroom. ** LITERACY AND NUMERACY FOR LEARNING AND LIFE: The National Strategy to Improve Literacy and Numeracy among Children and Young People 2011‐2020 (DES: 2011) is a key reference document for this workshop.

Date / Time:   Wed 27^th March  2019 (5pm-7pm)

Venue:  Kildare Education Centre

The focus of this workshop is the practical implementation of the principles of good mathematics teaching in everyday classroom practice. Emphasis is placed on the development of number sense, mathematical language, problem-solving skills, and mental and oral maths activities in the classroom. ** LITERACY AND NUMERACY FOR LEARNING AND LIFE: The National Strategy to Improve Literacy and Numeracy among Children and Young People 2011‐2020 (DES: 2011) is a key reference document for this workshop.

Date / Time:  Wed 27^th March 2019 (7pm-9pm)

Facilitator:  Sinéad Nooney

Explore the theme of Easter and spring through a variety of art mediums, in a fun, hands on and relaxed class. Each participant will leave with new ideas and their own samples of work.

SEMINAR FOR POST PRIMARY PRINCIPALS

The Inspectorate is introducing a new model of inspection called Child Protection and Safeguarding and Inspection. This type of inspection focuses on a school’s compliance with key aspects of the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017. 

To familiarise principals with the Child Protection and Safeguarding Inspection model, the Inspectorate is facilitating a number of seminars at a number of Education Centres.  The seminars will provide an overview of key aspects of Child Protection and Safeguarding Inspection including its aims and its features, the checks conducted during the inspection and Child Protection and Safeguarding Inspection reports. Participants at the seminar will have an opportunity to discuss and ask questions about the Child Protection and Safeguarding Inspection model.

Venue:   Kildare Education Centre 

Date:   Monday 1st April 2019 (10.30am-12.30pm)  (Tea/Coffee on arrival)