Kildare Education Centre - Ionad Oideachas Cill Dara

This workshop is designed to assist NQTs to plan in a focused, effective and efficient manner. School Self-Evaluation is discussed and the implications for the planning process are explored. Requirements regarding planning, preparation and recording of progress are presented. This workshop provides examples of planning templates that can be used to support NQTs’ work over the year. Opportunities to discuss and share strategies and ideas will be a central element of this workshop.

Date:     Monday 24th Sept 2018

Time:    5.30pm-7.30pm

Venue:  Kildare Education Centre

Member LOGIN

New REGISTER

 NEPS Workshop on Planning for and Responding to

Critical Incidents in Post-Primary Schools

(As this workshop is being offered on 2 different dates, in 2 different venues, please ensure you are booking in for the workshop date & venue of your choice)

Date:     Thursday 27th September 2018

Time:     1.30pm-4pm (Tea/Coffee/Biscuits available on arrival from 1pm)

Venue:   Kildare Education Centre  

Under the Action Plan for Education, the DES is requesting representatives from all Post Primary Schools to attend workshops on prevention, preparation for and responding to Critical Incidents. See attached flyer outlining the aims and objective of each workshop.

This workshop is aimed at Principal teachers, Guidance Counsellors and/or members of the Schools Critical Incident Management Team or Student Support Team and will be delivered by psychologists from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).   To determine the effectiveness of this training and to improve outcomes for schools, attendees will be asked to complete short ‘pre’ and ‘post’ and follow-up questionaires.

Aim of the workshop:

• To outline four steps in developing a critical incident plan

• To consider what constitutes a critical incident in various school settings.

• To share ideas on the promotion of a caring ethos of physical and psychological safety in a school which can lessen the impact of a critical incident, should it arise.

• To consider appropriate responses in sample cases which have occurred in Irish primary schools and to share learnings and good practice from experiences of previous incidents.

Participants will have the opportunity to:

• Review a NEPS template to generate a critical incident management policy appropriate to the needs of a post-primary school community.

• Review new 2016/17 NEPS guidelines and practical resources to see how these could provide welcome support at a time of great stress and challenge. (Please bring a school copy of ‘Responding to Critical Incidents – NEPS Guidelines and Resource Materials for Schools to the workshop)

• Leave the workshop with a clear plan of the steps they need to take in order that their schools will be in a stronger position to deal with the significant challenges which a critical incident may bring in both the short- and long-term.

 Please Note:  A separate booking must be made by each person wishing to attend this workshop - facility for group bookings for teachers from the same school is NOT available. 

  Active School Flag – FIND OUT MORE meeting

Join Us
The purpose of the meeting is to explain the ASF process, the benefits, the challenges and the structure of the application process. A coordinator from a local school that recently achieved the ASF will be invited to attend to share their ASF experience.

Who is if for?
ALL schools (new applicant & renewal schools) working towards the flag are welcome to attend, in particular:

-   NEW schools that haven’t previously engaged with the ASF.

-   NEW ASF coordinators in schools wishing to renew their active flag.

Resources
All schools in attendance will receive an ASF information booklet.

All bookings must be made on www.activeschoolflag.ie

This course introduces teachers to the concepts of computational thinking and coding to develop student’s problem solving skills. Participants will explore a combination of “offline” and “online” activities that will focus on the development of student’s problem solving abilities. Teachers will learn how the methodologies of computational thinking are fundamental to developing the problem-solving skills of reasoning, integrating and connecting and communicating and expressing.

Teachers will use and develop a variety of offline lessons that can be used without any need for computers. The course will also use STEM-focused manipulatives such as Lego and Bee-Bots that can be incorporated into teaching and learning from the infant classroom up to sixth class. While primarily focusing on problem solving skills for Mathematics the course will look at ways that computational thinking methodologies can be used across curricular areas.

Tutor:  Ciaran Costello

This workshop builds on the learning at ITE in exploring the additional needs that can be experienced by some students in the area of behaviour management. It will aim to give NQTs an understanding of a range of behaviour management strategies suitable for managing individual and group behaviour. The Guidelines on Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties: A Continuum of Support (NEPS: 2010) is used as a key reference for this workshop. Support materials and resources from DES support services are explored, such as NBSS. There are additional online extension materials if the NQT would like to investigate elements of classroom management.

Date:      Mon 1st Oct 2018

Time:     5.30pm-7.30pm

Venue:   KILDARE EDUCATION CENTRE

Member LOGIN

New REGISTER

This workshop provides NQTs with an opportunity to reflect on the concept of an effective teaching and learning environment. The following topics are explored in this context: positive relationships, the social and learning environment, effective classroom organisation, a systematic approach to responding to behaviour, and teacher attitudes and behaviours. Opportunities to discuss strategies and share ideas will be a central element of this workshop.

Date:    Mon 1st Oct 2018

Time:   7pm-9pm

Venue: KILDARE EDUCATION CENTRE

Member LOGIN

New REGISTER

Kildare Education Centre invites you to four evening workshops to explore the concepts of:

Personal & Team Coaching in Schools

 Dates /Time:  Mon 1st October, 8th October, 5th November & 12th November 2018 (7pm-9pm)

Facilitator:  Carmel Lillis M.Ed., Adv.Dip. in Personal, Leadership and Executive Coaching.( European Mentoring and Coaching Council Affiliated)

 Coaching is an essential element in an effective professional development programme. Coaching can develop will, skill, knowledge and capacity. It taps into the intellect, behaviour, values and feelings of an educator. It can foster deep reflection where learning can take place. It supports professional conversations, collaborative practices and school improvement. It can develop joyful, resilient school communities.  

VENUE: ARDCLOUGH VILLAGE CENTRE, ARDCLOUGH, STRAFFAN, CO. KILDARE.

DATES: 3rd October 2018, 7th November 2018 , 5th December 2018, 6th February 2019, 6th March 2019, 3rd April 2019, 1st May 2019, 5th June 2019

TIMES: 4-6 pm.  Tea/Coffee and biscuits provided. 

COURSE CONTENT: See ‘Working in Tandem with the Seasons’ on www.schoolearthed.ie The course will broadly follow the content covered in each of the articles.

SUMMARY: This course will enable teachers and people who have an interest in nature education to (a) discover through engagement with practical activities what is of relevance in the natural world each month; (b) to teach the content of the strand units, Plant and animal life, Rocks and soil, Environmental awareness, and Caring for the environment using all the senses;  (c) to learn about the benefits of engaging with nature regularly for the development of a person’s mental and physical well-being, and his/her spiritual and aesthetic awareness.

PRESENTER: Paddy Madden.  Paddy is the author of ‘Go Wild at School’ and ‘The School Garden’ and co-founder of SEED -  an organisation which promotes school gardening.  He worked for many years as a primary teacher and a lecturer in a College of Education.  He is a Heritage in School specialist since 1999 and has recently completed a doctorate on the state and status of nature awareness, appreciation and education in the Irish primary educational system.

Following the launch of the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) Wellread National Award in 2015, the PDST would like to invite schools to register for a possible award in October 2019 or thereafter.

The PDST Wellread National Award aims to promote the development of a reading culture in school communities towards supporting the personal and academic development of our young people. It involves all stakeholders including students, teachers, parents, Board of Management and the wider community in reading and associated activities.

The PDST would like to invite teachers to attend a two-hour Information Session taking place in Education Centres around the country. This session will outline ways in which schools might explicitly foster and nurture a reading culture in their school, including exploring practical considerations concerning the reading environment and establishing reader networks.  This session will also consider ways in which schools might capture their ‘Wellread’ journey.  Further information can also be found on the PDST website.

For schools who are already on their Wellread journey and registered in the academic year of 2016-2017, you do not need to re-register. Schools who registered in the academic year of 2015-2016 will need to re-register for the Wellread Award.

To book a place on any of the venues below visit www.pdst.ie/onlinebooking 

Please feel free to contact Laois Education Centre on 057-8672400 extension 5 and speak to Margaret Mary Grant should you have any queries.

Timetable of Venues and Dates 

A revamped and revised course for 2018 from PDST TiE based on the purposeful use of tablet technologies, namely the iPad in this instance, and how it can be used to support teaching and learning in the Irish primary classroom.

Firstly, teachers will examine the key educational and whole-school considerations in the deployment of tablet technologies through a range of participant oriented tasks and activities. Participants will explore areas such as developing literacy and numeracy lessons with tablet devices, investigating accessibility and SEN practices in Irish classrooms before planning for the possible integration of tablet devices across the wider curriculum.

The course will also explore how tablet devices can be used to develop whole school assessment practices by developing a portfolio of sample teaching and learning resources for all class levels over the week. Finally, the development of safer internet practices and whole school planning for e-learning will be also be prioritised throughout the course.

Tutor:  William Carroll

  NEPS Workshop on Planning for and Responding to

Critical Incidents in Post-Primary Schools

(As this workshop is being offered on 2 different dates, in 2 different venues, please ensure you are booking in for the workshop date & venue of your choice)

Date:     Thursday 4th October 2018

Time:     1.30pm-4pm (Tea/Coffee/Biscuits available on arrival from 1pm)

Venue:   Áras Bhride Parish Centre, Kildare Town  

Under the Action Plan for Education, the DES is requesting representatives from all Post Primary Schools to attend workshops on prevention, preparation for and responding to Critical Incidents. See attached flyer outlining the aims and objective of each workshop.

This workshop is aimed at Principal teachers, Guidance Counsellors and/or members of the Schools Critical Incident Management Team or Student Support Team and will be delivered by psychologists from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).   To determine the effectiveness of this training and to improve outcomes for schools, attendees will be asked to complete short ‘pre’ and ‘post’ and follow-up questionaires.

Aim of the workshop:

• To outline four steps in developing a critical incident plan

• To consider what constitutes a critical incident in various school settings.

• To share ideas on the promotion of a caring ethos of physical and psychological safety in a school which can lessen the impact of a critical incident, should it arise.

• To consider appropriate responses in sample cases which have occurred in Irish primary schools and to share learnings and good practice from experiences of previous incidents.

Participants will have the opportunity to:

• Review a NEPS template to generate a critical incident management policy appropriate to the needs of a post-primary school community.

• Review new 2016/17 NEPS guidelines and practical resources to see how these could provide welcome support at a time of great stress and challenge. (Please bring a school copy of ‘Responding to Critical Incidents – NEPS Guidelines and Resource Materials for Schools to the workshop)

• Leave the workshop with a clear plan of the steps they need to take in order that their schools will be in a stronger position to deal with the significant challenges which a critical incident may bring in both the short- and long-term.

Please Note:  A separate booking must be made by each person wishing to attend this workshop - facility for group bookings for teachers from the same school is NOT available.

Date / Time:  Thurs 4th October 2018 from 5pm-8pm

What is Y-PATH PE 4 ME?

Y-PATH (Youth Physical Activity Towards Health) PE 4 ME is a junior cycle post-primary programme which aims to improve physical activity among children and young people through the physical education (PE) module in the school curriculum. The programme is bought to you as a result of a collaboration between the Irish Heart Foundation and Dublin City University.

What is involved?

The programme is available only to PE teachers.

There are two parts to the Y-PATH PE 4 ME programme:

• A 1-hour online course on the Irish Heart Foundation website www.irishheart.ie which must be completed by teachers before attending the workshop
• 3-hour face to face evening workshop held in Education Centres nationally

How much does it cost?

The workshop is free for teachers to attend. Teachers receive free resource pack at training containing lesson plans, booklets and posters

How do teachers register?

Please note, teachers must complete a 1-hour e-learning course on the IHF website www.irishheart.ie before attending the workshop.

Workshop will take place on Thursday 4^th October 2018 from 5pm-8pm in Kildare Education Centre

If you have any further questions, contact the Irish Heart Foundation schools team on:  (01) 6685001 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dates:  Mon 8^th & 15^th October 2018 (4pm-6pm)

Facilitator:  Mary Brennan

Each session will include teaching ideas for reading writing and oral language and how to integrate them into a typical English lesson. Assessment of students and ICT links will be discussed. These workshops could be of particular interest for NQTs or anyone who would like some fresh ideas or clarification on particular elements of the English curriculum.

Session One:

A general overview of:

Session Two:

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.

Member LOGIN

New REGISTER

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.

Member LOGIN

New REGISTER

Date / Time:  Wed 10^th October from 7pm-9pm

Facilitator:  Sinéad Nooney

Looking for some fun ideas for Halloween Visual Art lessons for your class?

This workshop will enable you to go home with some practical ideas for use in the primary classroom. Learn some simple print making techniques suitable for use on fabric and paper.

Dates:  Thurs 11^th October, 18^th October & 25^th October 2018 (7pm-9pm)

Facilitator:  Ann-Marie Ireland

 Within this ‘Teacher Breathing Space’ course you are offered that all important space to: 

·        address stress in the life of the teacher/school leader and offer practices to alleviate this stress and improve your well-being

·        address the term ‘self-care’ and look at your life in terms of renewal both personally and professionally through mindfulness and well-being practices as well as reflecting upon patterns of thinking and habitual behaviour

·        pause, notice and breathe through engaging in simple, short practices in mindful awareness and learning how to bring these practices into your daily life in simple, practical ways

·        engage in short CBT exercises that can help to identify your stressors and ‘declutter’ your mind

·        learn how to appreciate the present moment in order to cultivate a more enriched and fuller life each day

This course is focused upon the teacher’s needs in terms of your emotional and mental well-being, with a passionate belief that in any school community, the very essence and foundation of all teaching and learning begins with the educator and so this course strives to bring care and attention to the teacher/school leader in order to create an improved and enjoyable work/life balance for you.  Whilst the life of the teacher will be looked at in terms of their well-being, this course will not be covering classroom lesson plans or practices.

This workshop focuses on the importance of developing positive working relationships with parents. NQTs are encouraged to work closely with parents to achieve optimum learning outcomes for their pupils/students. Effective communication skills and strategies for building positive relationships are explored through discussion and role play. Parent-teacher meetings, both formal and informal, are a key focus of this workshop.

Date:      Mon 15th Oct 2018     

Time:    5.30pm-7.30pm

Venue:  KILDARE EDUCATION CENTRE

Member LOGIN

New REGISTER

This workshop focuses on the importance of developing positive working relationships with parents. NQTs are encouraged to work closely with parents to achieve optimum learning outcomes for their pupils/students. Effective communication  skills and strategies for building positive relationships are explored through discussion and role play. Parent- teacher meetings, both formal and informal, are a key focus of this workshop.

Date:    Mon 15th Oct 2018

Time:    7pm-9pm

Venue:  KILDARE EDUCATION CENTRE

Member LOGIN

New REGISTER

This course will provide participants with practical examples of how to use iPads in their classroom. The Apps covered in this course can be applied to numerous subject areas thus not limiting the use of iPads in your classroom.

Through active and engaging activities participants will get to experience the same benefits and excitement that a class would receive when technology is used in the classroom.

While exploring the use of iPads the tutor will provide a module detailing how your IWB (namely ActivPanels) can be used in conjunction with iPads and also how the ActivPanel is much more than just a projector.

Course Content:

This course consists of four two hour modules:

• Revision of iPads general functions and Classroom Management
• Numeracy and Literacy Apps
• Assessment and ePortfolios
• Using IWB in Conjunction with your iPad

Learning Outcomes:

Having completed this course participants will be enabled to:

1. Use the basic tools and functions of an iPad
2. Use an iPad to support learning in any subject area
3. Use an iPad to support children with SEN
4. Assess their pupil’s knowledge through AFL and AOL
5. Use their IWB (ActivPanel) effectively in their classroom

**iPads will be provided but feel free to bring your own device if you have specific questions**

Tutor:  Eoin Stakelum

This workshop is designed to provide NQTs with an opportunity to explore and reflect on some of the professional issues that may arise for NQTs as they begin their teaching career. Key aspects include the Teaching Council Code of Professional Conduct for Teachers, working with other adults in a professional setting, caring for the voice, an outline of probationary requirements (Primary), getting started with planning and maintaining a work/life balance.

Date:     Saturday 10th November 2018

Time:     10am-12noon

Venue:  KILDARE EDUCATION CENTRE

Member LOGIN

New REGISTER

This interactive workshop will focus on the classroom environment and classroom planning to support inclusion.  NQTs will be given an opportunity to reflect on their own indivividual values, behaviours and attitudes which will determine inclusive practice in their classrooms.  Emphasis will be placed on how to develop strategies to ensure that pupils /students with special educational needs are included.

Date:  Saturday 10th November 2018

Time:  1pm-3pm

Member LOGIN

New REGISTER

The workshop aims to equip NQTs with a range of assessment methodologies which can be  effectively applied   across   the curriculum.  NCCA materials are central to the workshop  and an NIPT A-Z of Assessment across different subjects will be explored in order to look at how different assessment methodologies apply across different subjects. Participants share examples of work to date and examine ways of building and developing assessment to assist with effective planning, teaching and learning in the classroom.

Date:  Mon 12th Nov 2018

Time:  5.30pm-7.30pm

Venue:  KILDARE EDUCATION CENTRE

Member LOGIN

New REGISTER

The aim of this workshop is to build on prior knowledge in relation to assessment methodologies. Resources from www.ncca.ie including Assessment in the Primary School Curriculum: Guidelines for Schools, The Aistear Toolkit and ACTION website are key references for the workshop.

Date:  Mon 12th Nov 2018

Time:  7pm-9pm

Venue:  KILDARE EDUCATION CENTRE

Member LOGIN

New REGISTER

In this popular course for 2018 by PDST TiE, emphasis will be placed on guiding participants to create their own digital teaching, learning and assessment resources, while also exploring useful online tools to support and enhance pupils’ cross-curricular work.  

Each module includes ample opportunity for discussion centred on classroom application and includes specific reference to the use of digital technologies in creating meaningful learning opportunities in the areas of literacy, numeracy and assessment. Each module refers to classroom-based examples of differentiation across the curriculum so as to cater for all pupil’s levels of ability and the variety of needs that exist within every class.

Other important related areas of course content to be explored during the course include digital citizenship and internet safety, finding and selecting good quality digital content online and exploring the newly constructed Digital Learning Framework and how a school may go about creating their digital learning plan in this regard.

Tutor:  Brian Sweeney

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.

Member LOGIN

New REGISTER

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.

Member LOGIN

New REGISTER

The aim of this workshop is to build on prior knowledge in relation to assessment methodologies. Resources from www.ncca.ie including Assessment in the Primary School Curriculum: Guidelines for Schools, The Aistear Toolkit and ACTION website are key references for the workshop.

Date:  Wed 14th Nov 2018

Time:  5pm-7pm

Venue:  KILDARE EDUCATION CENTRE

Member LOGIN

New REGISTER

This workshop will focus on the practical skills and strategies that can be of support to students as they move from a primary classroom to a post-primary classroom. A primary and post-primary facilitator will be present and will give valuable insights into the many transitions that  occur  in  the  context  of  supporting and making the best connections with curricula, teaching, learning and social and emotional needs.

Date:      Mon 26th Nov 2018

Time:     5.30pm-7.30pm

Venue:  KILDARE EDUCATION CENTRE 

Member LOGIN

New REGISTER