Dear Parent/Guardian
We appreciate how challenging the Covid-19 crisis has been for families, and particularly students. Please rest assured that we are working hard to support all students and parents/guardians in our school community as the pandemic evolves. We have learned a lot since March 2020 and this will stand to us all as we work through the next few weeks. We will focus our efforts for the three weeks of school closures on teaching, learning and the provision of effective feedback to students. Your child will have a blend of on-line live and pre-recorded classes, assignments and homework. Teachers will communicate this information to students. We advise that students get up early in the morning and connect with their learning in accordance with their restructured school timetable. It is also important to ensure students get exercise and
take a break from schoolwork and study.
Transition Year:
To date, all parents of our TY students have received an email from Alan Coleman, TY Coordinator, outlining some online learning programmes and opportunities:
TY Co-ordinator Parent Email (Fri 8th January, 2021):
“Schools are facing into a period of remote learning and I just wanted to remind the boys of some of the opportunities they have available in order to carry on some of their learning.
The boys have all been registered for an online learning programme by myself and Ms Mullally. They can still access and continue their learning in the areas of Driver Theory, Career Skills and ECDL. This programme which they had been using in school is self-guided and can be completed from home on most devices (eg; phone, tablet, laptop, games console with a plugged in mouse).
The boys will also be able to carry on their work for programmes such as YSI and Mini Company. They should be progressing their individual roles and also staying in touch with their team mates.
There are some valuable online learning opportunities coming up in February, which you should be aware of also, just in case:
Look Into Law – This is available on lawlibrary.ie. I have registered the school for the programme. They will release work every Monday starting on the 22nd February. It is a very well run programme and beneficial to all the boys.
Mini Med Programme – This virtual programme also gets great feedback. It will run from 22-26 February. Boys need to register themselves before 12th February using the link below.
https://rcsi.eventsair.com/rcsi-mini-medical-sciences-2021/minimed-2021/Site/Register
I hope that this will give little roadmap for the boys over the next 3 weeks.
Stay safe & best regards,
Alan Coleman
In order to give the school and its teachers the opportunity of setting up their Microsoft TEAMS for their Transition Year classes, we will begin a blend of online/pre-recorded classes and /or assignments/ project work/homework from Monday next 18th January. All teachers of TY will issue all their classes and assignments through TEAMS directly with their students on a set timetable which we will distribute to both parents and students this Friday afternoon. This timetable will focus in on the core subjects (Irish, English and Maths) as well as their Modern Language (French/German), Business Modules (Accounting, Economics, Business and Enterprise) and their Science Modules (Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Applied Maths).
School Chaplain:
Tom Conneely, our School Chaplain, wants to inform all parents with boys in the school that there are people on the staff in St. Munchin’s who the boys can talk to or they themselves can contact if they are worried about their son. They are more than welcome to contact him on his email address and make arrangements to chat directly-(conneelyt@stmunchinscollege.ie)
Zoom is probably the best and easiest way then to conduct a meeting if required.
Tom will continue to be in regular contact with students who he meets regularly during normal school time.
Career Guidance/ Well Being:
This is a very challenging time for all students, in particular, students who would tend to meet with our School Career Guidance and Counsellor on a regular basis.
John O’Neill wishes to remind any student or parent that may benefit from a chat , that he is available, by e mail: joneill@stmunchinscollege.ie at a time that suits. Also, if there is any anxiety around the CAO or post 6th year progression opportunities, that there is a bank of information in the parent’s section at careersportal.ie.
Students in Sixth Year and Third Year:
We are especially mindful of how any school closure affects our students in Sixth Year and Third Year regarding the Leaving Certificate and Junior Certificate Examinations.
We have decided that Pre-Examinations will not go ahead as planned in late January/early February but will be rescheduled for a later date. More information will follow in relation to this decision and alternative arrangements in due course following advice from both the Department of Education and the HSE.
The State Examinations Commission will be looking at all timelines of the practical examinations, submission of project work and the oral examinations. We will communicate any updates to both students and parents immediately as we are appraised of same.
The Department of Education & Skills and the State Examinations Commission are making every effort to support all students through this challenging time.
Live Webinar will help students as CAO deadline looms:
‘What Students Need To Know’
Wednesday, January 13th, 7pm – Live on www.Facebook.com/mayodot.ie
As the Central Admissions Office (CAO) deadline looms, students and their families are invited to attend this Live Webinar: ‘What Students Need To Know’.
We have attached a poster and press release this email for the attention of all parents and all of your senior students.
The purpose of the webinar is to arm students and families with key information on the various options available to them upon completing their second-level education. Admission is free of charge.
“Brian Mooney is an Irish Times education columnist and a guidance counsellor with many years’ experience, and we are delighted that he will be on hand to dispense his wisdom. There is no need to register, just go to the webinar live on Facebook.com/mayodotie shortly before 7pm on Wednesday, January 13th ”.
“You can also send your questions beforehand to liam.horan@slinuacareers.com.”
If you have any queries about this event, please do not hesitate to contact us at nmayocareersfair@gmail.com.
Admission is free of charge.
E-books:
With schools going to on-line learning this week, students and parents can get free online access to primary school and secondary school textbooks.
For more information, simply follow the links below:
For books by CJ Fallon click https://my.cjfallon.ie/dashboard/student-resources
For books by EDCO click https://www.edco.ie/
For books by Folens click https://www.folens.ie/news-and-events/parents-teachers-get-access-to-all-our-digital-teaching-materials
For Primary Books by Gill Education click https://www.gilleducation.ie/primary
For Secondary Books by Gill Education click https://www.gilleducation.ie/secondary
Microsoft Teams Instructions
Please click on the link to view instuctions on how to use Microsoft Teams
Wellbeing including physical activity:
NEPS, the Department’s National Educational Psychological Service, has developed advice and resources for keeping Children and Young People well during Covid-19. These resources aim to support children and young people’s learning and wellbeing at this time. In the context of wellbeing, NEPS has a range of supports available on gov.ie/schools in the parents section which you may find useful. This material is being updated regularly so please check back: Gov.ie/schools/wellbeing.
There is an excellent range of supports available on www.loveparenting.ie specifically for parents to help with this.
For additional information on wellbeing, the relevant text can be found at the following links: https://www.education.ie/covid19/wellbeing/
Message for Students:
While we have no control over the decisions that the government is making or will make for us going forward, you can play your part now. The one aspect of our lives that we do have control over at the moment is how we behave and what actions we take over the coming weeks. Difficult as it is, please stay at home and practice social distancing when you do go out in public. Try to remain positive, because your actions now can save lives and ensure that we get through this difficult time faster. That’s a pretty big responsibility but it’s the least we can do when we think of the medical staff putting their lives at risk every day and the vulnerable people in our families that we love, whose lives we put at risk if we don’t adhere to what the government is asking of us. It’s really important that you look after your mental health too. The prospect of not being able to leave your house much, if at all, may be upsetting, and can negatively impact your mental health. Therefore it is important that you take proactive steps to give yourself a sense of normality, maintain a routine, and do things you enjoy. Some examples of things you can do include:
Stay in touch – keep in contact with your family and friends, you can still connect from a distance – call your friend, have a video-call catch up with your family or check in with someone on social media.
Continue the things you enjoy – try reading that book you’ve been meaning to start, watch that new series or try a new skill.
Get into a daily routine – you might find it helpful to plan out your time in advance and know what you are doing each day, so you have something to look forward to!!
Look after your personal environment – create a space that you can feel comfortable in.
Take a break from social media if you need to – if the updates are getting too much it is okay to take a step back.
Supporting Students with Additional Education Needs:
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has developed resources for parents of children with additional needs who may benefit from specific advice during the period of school closure. All resources are available on the NCSE website at: www.ncse.ie/online-resources
Studyclix:
Studyclix is an excellent revision resource available to all students in St. Munchin’s College. The College purchased a school licence for Study clix last August and therefore all students have access to the resource. Past exam paper questions, topic specific, can be accessed on the website as well as marking schemes and sample answers. It really is an excellent resource for all 2nd level students but in particular, for exam and senior cycle students. The information leaflet along with the access code has been attached to this e mail, for any students who have yet to log into the website.
Coronavirus, and helping children with Autism:
Podcast, please share with relevant networks.
Dr. Ann Ozsivadjian and Dr. Marianna Murin discuss issues that may arise for autistic children including the disruption of closing schools, anxiety and obsessive behaviours. They focus on practical tips like how to help manage anxiety, maintain structure and support and explain the situation to young people. Additionally, tips on how to keep well as a parent and reliable sources for coronavirus updates.
Contacting the School during Closure:
Please do not hesitate to contact us at the school by phone or email and we will do all we can to address your query as soon as possible.
In the meantime, please follow the advice of the HSE and the Government: Everyone needs to stay at home to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Thank you for your continued support of our school and we look forward to being in contact with you soon again.
Take Care
David & Lorraine