Kilkenny Student Brendan Power Elected to European Students’ Board
The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU) is delighted with the news that Kilkenny student Brendan Power was elected to serve on the Board of OBESSU (Organising Bureau of School Students’ Unions) at a recent meeting in Vienna. He will serve on the Board for the next two years. Brendan received his Leaving Cert results and hopes to work on the Board alongside his college studies for the duration of his term. Brendan Power said; “It is a huge privilege to have been chosen to serve on the Board of OBESSU, the platform for European School Student Unions. The General Assembly took place in Vienna Austria with representatives from all over Europe. I, along with my colleagues on the Board will strive to further the interests of the students and build upon the solid foundations handed down from our predecessors.”
Well done on your results!
PRESS RELEASE 13/08/2014
Well done on your results!
Irish Second-Level Students’ Union sends best wishes to class of 2014
The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all examination candidates upon receiving their Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied results today.Speaking today, the ISSU President, Craig Mc Hugh said;"Regardless of what results lie in that envelope, remember all the dedication and hard work you put in, and that is what really counts. The assessment methods in the Leaving Cert may not be tailored or suited to your best skill set, and if you are left in any way disappointed by your results, there are many ways into nearly every career path and now you can take your first steps. I would like to congratulate everyone who sat the examinations; making through the final exam in school is in itself a major achievement and shows diligence and perseverance. Be sure to take the opportunity to celebrate your five or six years of hard work."ISSU Education Officer, Joanna Siewierska added;“I would like to wish all students receiving their Leaving Cert results the very best of luck and I hope that all students are happy with how they get on. This can be a very stressful time but remember that this is just an exam and not the end of the world. For all of those worried about the results and their next steps please use the free phone helpline; 1800 265 165, which will be operated by guidance councillors for students and parents.”The ISSU urges students to use the National Parents’ Council post-primary (NPCpp) exam helpline (1800265165) to seek independent advice from qualified guidance counsellors if you are unsure of your options over the upcoming days.The ISSU is currently surveying students who have completed their Leaving Cert about their experience of the exams. Students can complete ‘Leaving the Leaving Cert’ on issu.ie. *****************ENDS *****************Contact:Craig Mc Hugh, President: 086 270 8434, craig@issu.ieJoanna Siewierska, Education Officer: 085 702 7706, joanna@issu.ieISSU Office: 01-4434461, info@issu.ie Notes to Editor:The Irish Second-Level Students' Union is the national umbrella body for school Student Councils, aiming to representing and connecting Irish second-level students the length and breadth of the country, ensuring that the voice of the Irish second-level student is heard and striving for innovation and democracy within the education system. See www.issu.ie
Students' Union welcomes new Minister for Education
PRESS STATEMENT July 11th, 2014Students' Union welcomes new Minister for EducationThe ISSU today welcomes, An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny’s announcement that Jan O’ Sullivan will be the new Minister for Education and Skills. The ISSU looks forward to engaging with the newly appointed Minister on all relevant issues that affect the Irish education system and the country’s second-level students.ISSU President, Craig McHugh, stated "Deputy O'Sullivan has the potential to make an excellent Minister for Education, and I would personally like to congratulate her on her promotion. We look forward to working with her, and are hopeful for continued innovation and progression as started by Minister Quinn over the past three years"."We hope to meet with the new Minister in the next few weeks and are hopeful that she will engage with and work with students as equal partners in Education".ISSU's, Education Officer, Joanna Siewierska said "I would like to congratulate Jan O'Sullivan on her appointment as Minister for Education and wish her the very best of luck. I am looking forward to working with her and the Department on key policy issues, and that she will engage working with us to increase students' participation in decision making. I look forward to meeting with her soon".*****************ENDS *****************
Statement on the Resignation of Ruairí Quinn as Minister for Education and Skills
PRESS STATEMENT July 2nd, 2014 Irish Second-Level Students' Union Statement on the Resignation of Ruairí Quinn as Minister for Education and Skills The ISSU notes Minister Ruairí Quinn’s announcement that he will resign as Minister for Education and Skills next week. Minister Quinn pioneered mainly vital and student-focused reforms to the education system which would likely not have been introduced by others due to their controversial nature but which were hugely important in improving the quality of Irish education and for this, the ISSU is very grateful. Minister Quinn has had a strong working relationship with the ISSU for a number of years both as a Minister, and as an opposition spokesperson before this. Minister Quinn was very supportive of the importance of student voice in second-level education, and much of the progress the ISSU has made in recent years would not have been possible without his support. ISSU Deputy President, Robert O’Donnell said; “I would like to thank Minister Quinn for his service in the Department of Education and skills, including his engagement with the ISSU. He showed great interest in the second-level Student movement and gave us a lot of help and support. I wish Minister Quinn all the best in the future.” ISSU Education Officer, Joanna Siewierska said; “We have really enjoyed working with Minister Quinn during his time in the Department of Education and Skills, and particularly appreciated the opportunities provided for students to engage with the Department on a number of issues, particularly in the past year when we conducted a study on the student experience of the Transition Year. On behalf of the ISSU I would like to wish him all the best in the future.”*****************ENDS *****************
Irish Second-Level Students' Union Launches 2014 Exam Blog
For immediate release:
The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU) would today like to wish the very best of luck to students nationwide who are beginning their Leaving Cert, Leaving Cert Applied and Junior Cert examinations this week.The ISSU annual exam blog will go live on Wednesday the 4th of June, and students from across the country will be blogging throughout the exams, letting us know how they’re finding the exam process, and what they think of the exams themselves.
ISSU President, Craig Mc Hugh said; ‘“Students in Ireland should take care to relax over the next few weeks and avoid cramming, the most important thing is for them to present what they’ve learned over the course of their studies, not in the night before. As a fifth year student myself, I can only begin to imagine the feelings among exam students, but I’d like to urge all candidates to relax and realise that they are only human and can only do their best.”
ISSU Education Officer Joanna Siewierska said; “I wish all exam students the very best of luck for the next few weeks. Exams can be stressful for many students, but I’d encourage them all to remember that this is their chance to show what they have been learning for the last few years. Ninety-nine percent of the work is already done and everyone really is in the finishing straight now!”.
The ISSU will be running a daily exam blog on issu.ie with contributions from students nationwide.
Minister Quinn welcomes report on Transition Year compiled by the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union
For immediate release:
The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., has welcomed the publication of a new report on Transition Year (TY) compiled by the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU). The ISSU undertook this quantitative and qualitative study “Transition year: exploring the student experience” at the request of the Minister. The study shows 89% of those surveyed took part in Transition Year in their school and the same percentage were happy that they did so. The overall consensus of students and TY co-ordinators is that the year should be maintained, although there are suggestions on how to improve it. Overall, - 85% of students felt they learned new skills - 85% of students agreed that their Transition Year Programme was well promoted in their school - 83% of students agreed their TY Co-ordinator was good overall - 82% of students enjoyed their experience - 80% of students either agree or strongly agree that their TY year was well organised - 77% felt that it was a worthwhile experience
Minister Quinn said, “This is a very valuable survey and will inform policy in this area. I believe it is important that we hear the voice of students in relation to matters that directly affect them such as Transition Year.”
Transition Year is made up of four set layers: core subjects, subject tasters, Transition Year specific layers (which comprises of classes specifically designed by teachers to fit students’ needs and experiences such as entrepreneurship) and calendar layer such as work experience or An Gaisce. Students surveyed reported that the core subjects, such as English, Irish and Maths are taken very seriously; they believed that less emphasis could be placed on subjects as they already did them in Junior Cycle. Subject tasters were deemed to be helpful as were the specific layer subjects where subjects of interest to students such as entrepreneurship can be undertaken. An Gaisce is perceived as a lot of hard work but the medal awarded at the end is seen as a recognition of that. Some students believe that not enough time is given to work experience (2-4 weeks) and some difficulties are reported in organising it.
Incoming ISSU President, Craig McHugh said, “We were tasked by Minister Quinn to explore the perceptions of Transition Year on a national level. Students embraced the opportunity to share their thoughts on Transition Year. I believe this report provides an objective view about this worthwhile programme.”“Students enjoyed the short courses and dynamic feel of real world learning, which echoes the concepts reinforced in the new Junior Cycle. Young people benefit from the space to mature, and the opportunity to learn and test real life skills. The Transition Year programme is a hallmark success of the Irish Education System, and I am delighted to see a report of this nature supported by the Department, and let it be the first step in real engagement with students as stakeholders in their own education”.
Trips are the most popular element to TY, from day trips to foreign exchanges or holidays. Students claim they are fun and good from an academic and learning basis. Many of the students surveyed request more group work and that they would like teachers to use different teaching methods and styles in the classes. Students also report that TY is an expensive year with the average contribution being €300 but ranging from €150 and €900. The Department gives an extra grant of €95 per student to schools who have a TY programme. Teachers were also surveyed as part of this report.Overall, they perceived the strengths of TY to be the sampling of subjects, changes in assessment to a more student centred approach, the acquisition of new skills and the space for young people to mature. Teachers had a mixed opinion on work experience and also cited lack of funding for TY as a weakness of the programme. Recommendations contained in the report include maintaining the optional nature of TY, introduce information session for third year students, costs of TY to be made clear to students and including students in decision making on activities, trips and classes.ENDS
The full report can be accessed hereImages are being supplied without charge by Maxwells Photography1,323 students responded to an on-line survey and 57 Transition Year Co-ordinator responses were collected.Focus groups were also held in Dublin, Galway and Cork and TY co-ordinators were also interviewed in-depth.