Learning for All - Webinar Series

The sixth webinar of the 2021 Learning for All series took place on Thursday, 24 June at 4pm. The webinar is called Tiocfaidh an samhradh – learning for all through the summer and beyond!

Schools are now approaching the end of term after a year that has been like no other. The Covid-19 pandemic has shone a light on many aspects of our education system, in particular the huge sense of community, connection and collaboration in schools across the country.

People were affected in different ways this year, some more so than others.  One of the responses to this is the provision of expanded summer education programmes for students with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage.

In this webinar, the panel offers practical advice on supporting students, parents and teachers over the summer, with a particular focus on those who have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. The importance of community and connection was also explored through the lens of inclusion, and how we can build on these core values going forward.

The panel includes:

Moderator - Tomás Ó Ruairc, Director of the Teaching Council in Ireland

1. Don Golden, Principal of Scoil Bernadette, Montenotte
2. Kate McNerney, Specialist Lead for CPD with the National Council for Special Education
3. Terri Doyle, Parent of a Post-primary student 
4. Amy O’Sullivan, 5th year student
5. Rory Collins, Professional Development Service for Teachers

The PowerPoint for this webinar is available here.

The fifth webinar of the 2021 Learning for All series took place on Thursday, 3 June at 3pm Irish Time. The webinar is entitled ‘Re-imagining on the cusp – what next for education post-Covid?’. We were delighted to welcome panellists from Ireland, Scotland, Canada and Australia to take part in the discussion.

This webinar took a look at how education has evolved over the past year. The pandemic has forced us to rethink education and what is important for our students. Last March, schools around the world had to react over night to the first pandemic in a century. Since then, schools have worked hard with communities to respond to their needs, some old, some new. It is fair to say that the creativity and capacity of education systems to innovate has been put to the test. How have we fared? What did we learn and how has our vision for the future of education changed?

There is now a greater awareness of the importance of teaching as a social and relational process, while the need for quality learning environments for all students is better understood. How can we build on and scale the new ideas and practices which have emerged?

The panel includes:

Moderator - Tomás Ó Ruairc, Director of the Teaching Council in Ireland

1. Ciara O’Donnell, Director of the Professional Development Service for Teachers in Ireland.
2. Khadija Mohammed, Lecturer in University of the West of Scotland and Vice Convener of General Teaching Council of Scotland.
3. Andy Hargreaves, Research Professor in the Lynch School of Education at Boston College.
4. Deborah Netolicky, Research Associate at Murdoch University and Head of Teaching and Learning in St. Mark’s Anglican Community School, Australia.

A copy of the PowerPoint presentation is available here.

The fourth webinar of the 2021 Learning for All series took place on Wednesday, 28 April at 4.30pm. The webinar is entitled ‘Connection or Content: Recovering Lost Learning?'.

Teaching and learning have certainly evolved over the last year. Teachers, parents, and students have shown a huge capacity to adapt, change and meet the challenges presented, together.

It has been an unprecedented year in Irish education. As schools embark on the final term, many are understandably anxious about what to focus on. Media commentary on “lost learning” can often compound this anxiety for all.

The focus of this webinar was on supporting the return to school by looking at the important questions that we need to be discussing. What really matters for learners? If we have learned how complex teaching is in the last year, and how important social interaction is for teaching and learning, how can we reflect these new insights as we return to schools?

Our panellists engaged in an open and inclusive conversation that we hope will help guide you in choosing the best approach for your school, your class, and your students.

The panel for our webinar included:

Facilitator - Tomás Ó Ruairc, Director of the Teaching Council

1. Emer Neville, 6th year student in Presentation Secondary School, Clonmel.
2. Aidan Roche, Post-primary Teacher and API in Coláiste Bríde, Enniscorthy.
3. Sinead Greene, Post-primary Inspector of Special Education, Science and Biology. 
4. Realtín Berry, Primary STEM Team Leader with the PDST.
5. Avril Byrne, Primary Parent

A copy of the webinar PowerPoint is available here.

The third webinar of the 2021 Learning for All series took place on Wednesday, 24 March at 4.30pm. The webinar was called ‘Leadership at all levels - Connecting, Partnering, and Empowering Others'.

The focus of this webinar was on leadership in our schools during the phased reopening, with an emphasis on the importance of connections and partnerships within the school community. Schools are complex, evolving places, where effective and sustainable leadership can be a challenging task.

The panel explored the role played by the entire school community in leadership and the role it plays in empowering teachers, parents, students and others. There was a particular focus on middle leaders in the broadest sense of that term.

The panel included:

Facilitator - Tomás Ó Ruairc, Director of the Teaching Council

• Cillian Doyle, Student in Wexford CBS
• Jennifer Cherry, Parent and ATP Lead in St Francis Xavier Junior National School
• Linda Rogers, Teacher in Ramsgrange Community School, Wexford
• Rachel O’Connor, Principal of Ramsgrange Community School, Wexford
• Stephen Gammell, Team Leader with the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST)

A copy of the webinar PowerPoint is available here. 

PDST Leadership supports

• https://www.pdst.ie/pp/leadership/subjectleadership
• https://pdst.ie/schoolsupport
• https://www.pdst.ie/Forbairt/Primary
• https://www.pdst.ie/primary/comhar
• https://www.pdst.ie/post-primary/tanaiste-application

Partnership Schools Ireland

• https://www.npc.ie/primary/partnership-schools-ireland

Comhairle  na nÓg

• http://www.comhairlenanog.ie

GAA Future Leaders Transition Year Programme

• https://learning.gaa.ie/futureleaders

Irish Second-Level Students’ Union

• https://www.issu.ie/

Student Learning Communities

• http://www.ascd.org/Publications/Books/Overview/Student-Learning-Communities.aspx

Book: Uplifting Leadership by Andy Hargreaves, Alan Boyle and Alma Harris

• https://www.amazon.co.uk/Uplifting-Leadership-Organizations-Communities-Performance/dp/1118921321
• https://youtu.be/p6hPkRhuaqk

The second webinar of the 2021 Learning for All series took place on Wednesday, 24 February at 4.30pm. The webinar was called ‘Focusing on the Now – Supporting Students with Additional and Special Educational Needs'.

The panel focused on supporting teaching and learning for those with additional and special educational needs, also referred to as SEN. Panellists were given an opportunity to describe how they’re managing the current situation, including the return to school, things that are working well and challenges being faced. The importance of connecting with one another and focusing on what’s important right now was discussed.

The webinar helped us reflect on last year’s closures and explore what’s different this time round, and what has remained the same. Practical supports and guidance were also signposted for teachers, principals, parents, and students.

The panel included:

Facilitator - Tomás Ó Ruairc, Director of the Teaching Council

• Don Golden, Principal of Scoil Bernadette, Montenotte
• Geraldine O’Loughlin, NCSE Advisor
• Terri Doyle, Parent of a Post-primary student 
• Heather O'Doherty, Special class Teacher from Firhouse ETNS
• Megan Murphy Fields, Post-primary student

A copy of the webinar PowerPoint is available here.

Please find below a list of additional resources and supports mentioned during the webinar:

• https://ncse.ie/remote-teaching-and-learning-support-for-teachers-january-2021
• https://ncse.ie/for-schools/connect-teacher-professional-learning-events-catalogue
• https://ncse.ie/teacher-resources
• https://ncse.ie/theme-for-learning-spring
• https://ncse.ie/school-support
• https://www.pdst.ie/EAL
• https://www.middletownautism.com/
• https://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/National-Educational-Psychological-Service-NEPS-/Resources-Publications.html

The first webinar of the 2021 Learning for All series took place on Thursday, 21 January at 4.30pm. The webinar was called ‘Plus ꞔa Change – Fostering Inclusive Learning Anew’.

The first webinar of 2021 ‘Plus ꞔa Change – Fostering Inclusive Learning Anew’ addressed questions relating to the opportunities and challenges of the current way of learning. Particular attention was paid to the contexts of DEIS and inclusive education and the panel discussed and signposted practical supports available for teachers and principals. The importance of school communities connecting with each other to ensure sustainable ways of working for all was also revisited.

The panel included:

• Tomás Ó Ruairc, Director of the Teaching Council
• Michael McNamara, Team Leader, Digital Technologies PDST
• Catherine Doolan, Director of Laois Education Centre
• Mathew Colgan, Post-primary student and Secretary of ISSU
• Emmet Fahy, Parent of three primary school children
• Orla Conway, Post-primary teacher and Assistant Principal

A copy of the webinar PowerPoint is available here.

The tenth, and final, webinar in the 'Learning for All' series for the school term 2019/20 was called 'Súil Siar, Súil Aniar - Looking Back and Thinking Ahead'. It was streamed live on Friday, 19 June at 12pm

The focus of this webinar was on the return to school with also a look back over the last number of months.

The panel included:

• Evin Fleming, Incoming 5th year student in Scoil Chonglais, Baltinglass
• Dymnpna Daly, Director of West Cork Education Centre
• Daniel Hyland – Principal of Clarin College, Athenry
• Sonya Ryan, Parent
• Karina Hanley – Primary school teacher

A copy of the PowerPoint used for this webinar is available to download here.

The ninth webinar in our Learning for All series was called 'An International Perspective - What's Happening in Other Countries'. It was streamed live on Friday, 29 May at 12pm.

Our panel for this webinar included:

• Tomás Ó Ruairc, Director of the Teaching Council, Ireland
• Andy Hargreaves, Research Professor in the Lynch School of Education at Boston College
• Ciara O’Donnell, National Director of the Professional Development Service for Teachers, Ireland
• Deanne Fishburn, Director of the Queensland College of Teachers, Australia
• Andreas Schleicher, Director of the Directorate of Education and Skills, OECD, France
• Deborah Netolicky, Head of Teaching and Learning, St Mark's Anglican Community School, Australia

A copy of the PowerPoint for this webinar is available to download here.

A copy of slides referred to by Andreas Schleicher during the webinar are available here. Unfortunately we were unable to show these during the live session.

Our eighth webinar in our Learning for All series was called 'Supporting Online Assessment and Feedback'. It was streamed live on Tuesday, 26 May at 12pm

The panel for this webinar included a main panel with input from a sub-panel.

Main Panel

• Patrick Looby, 2nd year student - Gaelcholaiste Luimnigh
• Clare Downey, parent to three children aged from 9 to 19 years old, and Early Years Service Manager for the National Parents Council Primary.
• Nuala Taffe, Deputy Director of Policy, Research and Design, Professional Development Service for Teacher

Sub Panel

• Siobhán Ní Uptáin - 1st and 2nd Class Primary Teacher
• Stephanie Kelly - Primary Deputy Principal and SET
• Stephanie Hodgers - Post-Primary Art Teacher
• Pauric O'Donnell - Post-Primary Computer Science Teacher

A copy of the PowerPoint for this webinar is available to download here.

The seventh webinar in our Learning for All series was called 'Teagasc agus Foghlaim Ar-líne agus As-líne – Oideachas Trí Mheán na Gaeilge'. It was streamed live on Tuesday, 19 May at 12pm

Our panel for this webinar included:

• Phil Fox, Cathaoirleach agus Leas Stiúrthóir, An Chomhairle Mhúinteoireachta
• Seosamh Mac an Iomaire, Ceannaire Foirne Gaeilge don tSeirbhís Um Fhorbairt Ghairmiúil do Mhúinteoirí
• Muireann Ní Mhóráin, Príomhfheidhmeannach, An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta
• Caoilfhionn Ní Ghoill, Coláiste Naomh Éinne, Cill Rónain, Inis Mór, Co. na Gaillimhe
• Deirble Nic Conghamhna, Príomhoide Scoil Neasáin, Baile Hearman, Baile Átha Cliath 5
• Lorna Ní Choistealbha, Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh, Cnoc na Cathrach, Gaillimhe

A copy of the PowerPoint that was used in the webinar is available to download here.

The sixth webinar in our Learning for All series was called 'Leading for All, Learning for All - Supporting School Leaders'. It was streamed live on Tuesday, 12 May at 12pm.

Our panel for this webinar included:

• Tomás Ó Ruairc, Director of the Teaching Council
• Bernard McHale, Team Leader of Leadership, Professional Development Service for Teachers
• Cecilia Munro, Principal of Ballyfermot College of Further Education, Dublin 12
• Páiric Clerkin, Chief Executive Officer of the Irish Primary Principals’ Network
• Mary Gallagher, Deputy Principal and SEN coordinator at St. Joseph's National School, Tullamore
• Kieran Golden, Past President of National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals and Principal of Mayfield Community School, Cork City

A copy of the PowerPoint that was used in the webinar is available to download here.

The fifth webinar in our Learning for All series was called 'Teaching and Learning at Primary Level, Offline and Online'. It was streamed live on Friday, 8 May at 12pm.

Our panel for this webinar included:

• Tomás Ó Ruairc, Director of the Teaching Council
• Caoimhe McLaughlin, Team Leader of CPD, Research & Design, Professional Development Service for Teachers
• Tiernan O’Neill, Principal of Corpus Christi Primary School, Moyross, Limerick
• Caoimhe Ní Dhaghnáin, Sixth Class student at Gaelscoil Mhichíl Cíosóg, Ennis, Co. Clare
• Deirdre O’ Donovan, Parent
• Eimear Dilleen, Primary School Teacher working between two rural schools in east Clare

Unfortunately, we experienced a technical difficulty with the recording and only the audio and PowerPoint are available. We apologise for this inconvenience.

A copy of the PowerPoint that was used in the webinar is available to download here.

The fourth webinar in our Learning for All series was called 'Teaching and Learning at Post-Primary Level, Offline and Online'. It was streamed live on Tuesday, 5 May at 12pm.

The panel for this webinar included:

• Tomás Ó Ruairc, Director of the Teaching Council
• Anthony Kilcoyne, Deputy Director of Digital Technologies, Professional Development Service for Teachers
• Tony Collison, Principal of Rockford Manor, Blackrock, Co. Dublin
• Vivienne Hogan, Deputy Principal of Thomond Community College, Limerick
• Anna Merrick, Parent and Further Education Teacher at Pearse College of Further Education, Crumlin, Dublin 12.
• Lisa Noone, Acting Team Leader of Post Primary Health & Well-being Team, Professional Development Service for Teachers

A copy of the powerpoint used in the webinar is available to download here.