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Update letter to parents May 12th

11th May 2020

Dear Parent/Guardian

We are in a period of great uncertainty such as the world has not previously experienced. We have all been affected in some way by social isolation measures. We are also conscious that no can foresee a time when life will return to ‘normal’ again.

We at McEgan College are here to provide your children with the best education that current conditions will allow. Our ethos is to care equally for all our students. With that in mind we just want to remind you that we will continue to provide online classes during normal school hours and we encourage all students to engage with these online classes.

These classes provide an opportunity for students to contact their classmates and teachers. They are a relaxed environment where we can all keep in touch, learn and interact as a group which is important in this challenging environment.

In the light of recent decisions from the Department of Education we would encourage children to try to attempt as much homework as possible because in the future it may just be possible that this may form the basis upon which grades are calculated, as has happened this year with Leaving Cert and Junior Cert students.

Please feel free to contact me if you require any further assistance.

Kind regards,

________________________

Patricia Lynam

Video conferencing Procedures

Video Conferencing lessons led by teachers may take place during the current school closure. It is one tool that teachers in McEgan College may use to support the continuity of learning for our students and to enable teachers and students to have more face to face communication and engagement during a closure.

In order to ensure that these video conferencing lessons happen in an effective, appropriate and productive manner, we are putting in place the following procedures.

We expect full cooperation of all students with these procedures and ask parents to support the school with this, in the best interests of students.

1. Appropriate clothing should be worn during the lessons - items of clothing such as pyjamas are not appropriate.

2. Students should be prepared for the lesson - this means having pens, books, copies or any items required before the lesson begins.

3. Students should sit at a desk/table/counter - top or a similar solid work surface during the lesson where possible - not on beds, floors, couches etc.

4. Students should mute their mics on entering the video Conference to avoid echo and general disturbance of the lesson.

5. Students should not leave the Video Conference until it has officially ended. Students should not move around the room or make distracting noises that interrupts the lesson for themselves and/or other students. Students should mute their microphones unless they need to communicate or are asked to communicate during the video conference.

6. School Policies are effective during school related activities such as Video Conferences. In particular, students should pay attention to the following policies which apply during school related Videoconferences;

· ● Code of Behaviour

· ● Internet Acceptable Use Policy(currently in review)

· ● Anti-Bullying Policy

· ● Data Protection Policy

The above policies are available on the school website.

7. No recording of any kind is permitted during a Videoconference by students.

Recording during Video Conference Lessons is strictly prohibited and this prohibition includes capturing still images, video recording and audio recording.

8. An individual teacher may record the lesson and provide students with a copy after the lesson for review of topics covered or for viewing by absent students for use in education/learning only.The Teacher will make it know to the students that the lesson is being recorded.

9. Polite, patient and respectful behaviour is expected during the lessons – between students and between students and teachers.

10. Students should let other household members know before they connect to a Video Conference as they will need some space/quiet for a period of time.

11. Pets can be a distraction if brought to a Video Conference, so students should leave them to enjoy other pet activities while they are at a Video Conference.

12. The Use of Headphones and a separate Microphone will assist in the quality of sound (this could be as simple as a pair of earphones that come with a smartphone that has a built in microphone) - but please note - this is not a requirement for joining a Video Conference.

Update Letter to parents - April 24th

Update for Parents 24th April 2020

Dear parents/guardians,

I hope you and your families are all safe and well as we continue our journey through these strange times. 

I had hoped to have more definite information in relation to the state exams by now, but unfortunately, I do not know any more than what has been in the media.

In relation to the Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied, the Minister has indicated that these will begin on July 29th, but I presume that is subject to public health advice at that time. He has also said that we will hear more about timetabling of these exams by early June. 

Regarding our 3rd Year students, you will be aware that the State Examinations Commission, in conjunction with the Department of Education and Skills, notified all schools that the Junior Certificate /Junior Cycle examinations will not now take place in June. Instead they have proposed that the State Examinations Commission will send exams paper to schools and students will sit the exams in September. The proposal was that these exams would not be state certified. You will also be aware that there has been considerable discussion in the media about the possibility of staging some form of Junior Certificate /Junior Cycle assessment at the end of May. This school, through Cork ETB, has been in contact with the State Examinations Commission and the Department of Education and Skills seeking further clarification on this possibility. The Department of Education and Skills has informed us that negotiations are ongoing at national level regarding this. The Department of Education and Skills has also asked that schools make no local decisions pending the outcome of these talks. As soon as I have further information on this, I will be in contact with you. In the meantime, I would urge all 3rd year students to engage as fully as possible with their teachers and to continue with their schoolwork as much as is possible. 

For our other year groups, we are currently working on plans for summer assessments, and will be in touch with you once these are finalised.

I know that some of you have issues with technology at home, whether that is a lack of suitable devices, internet access or other difficulties, and please try not to worry too much if your students are having difficulty engaging. The Dept. Education have announced extra funding for ICT to support our exam students and we are currently compiling a list for the Dept. However, if you feel you need some extra support in this, Ms. Corkery Deputy Principal, Mr. Clarke, our Home-School Liaison teacher, Geraldine our SCP project worker, SNAs, Year Heads, Class Tutors, Subject Teachers, Base Teachers are making contact with all families and please feel free to raise any issues with him, or to email me at any stage - we are ready to help out in any way they can. 

Again, if you have any concerns or difficulties, please email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will see what we can do to help.

Every day brings us one day nearer to a return to normality.

Thank you very much once more and please look after yourselves,

Trish Lynam

Principal

Update letter to Leaving Cert Parents

6th Year Letter to Parents and Students

Dear Students and Parents,

We hope you had a good break over the Easter holidays, got to enjoy the good weather and were able to relax a little.

The Minister’s announcement over the Easter weekend that the LC was being postponed until late July/early August must have been hugely disappointing and a source of deep frustration for you. We know how hard you have worked around sitting your exams in June, that your study plans were worked on to the max in May and that all your emotional, physical and mental energies were directed at achieving your very best in June. You now must get your head around sitting exams maybe 7 weeks later, refocusing your study plans and steeling yourselves for a long, tough Summer.

There is a lot of talk about the new arrangements in the media and on social media. Some of it is true, some of it not. We have outlined below what we know as fact now.

(i) The new Leaving Cert timetable will be confirmed in June

(ii) Students with special educational needs will be fully supported in sitting the rescheduled Leaving Certificate examinations in line with the reasonable accommodations as already arranged for them

(iii) Leaving Certificate oral language and some Leaving Certificate practical performance examinations had been scheduled to take place between 23rd March and 3rd April. These were cancelled and candidates awarded 100% for these components. The Minister’s announcement does not change that position

(iv) The deadline for the completion of the practical coursework in Engineering, Construction Studies, Art, and Home Economics (Textiles) will be immediately before the start of the exams in late July/early August

(v) The Art life Sketching and LCVP exam be rescheduled for late July/early August

(vi) It is likely that some candidates will be unable to take their examinations on health grounds, as they may be ill or in quarantine or isolation. The SEC and the Department are considering appropriate alternative arrangements so that candidates in this situation are not disadvantaged compared to their peers.

(vii) Minister McHugh has said the intention is to allow two weeks of class time, in school, before the Leaving Certificate examinations begin. The exact nature of how this will occur is the basis of discussions between the teaching unions and the Department of Education.

We will continue to update you as more accurate information becomes available from the Department of Education and Science and or the State Examinations Commission

We and your teachers will continue to do everything we can to help you through this very difficult period. You deserve nothing less. Your teachers will continue to engage with you online, complete courses and help you build revision plans. Your Year Head, Class Tutor, Guidance Counsellor, HSCL, SCP, Ms Corkery and I are all available to advise or indeed chat if needed.

As you begin your final term, we advise the following:

Engage with your teachers in this term as you would ordinarily have done.

Work to the best of your ability until June and then take 2 weeks off.

As the completion deadlines for projects have been extended until mid -July, take this time to refine and improve on them.

Think positively, you now have extra time to get that Leaving Cert you deserve!

Kind regards

Patricia Lynam

Principal

Update letter to Leaving Cert Parents

6th Year Letter to Parents and Students

Dear Students and Parents,

We hope you had a good break over the Easter holidays, got to enjoy the good weather and were able to relax a little.

The Minister’s announcement over the Easter weekend that the LC was being postponed until late July/early August must have been hugely disappointing and a source of deep frustration for you. We know how hard you have worked around sitting your exams in June, that your study plans were worked on to the max in May and that all your emotional, physical and mental energies were directed at achieving your very best in June. You now must get your head around sitting exams maybe 7 weeks later, refocusing your study plans and steeling yourselves for a long, tough Summer.

There is a lot of talk about the new arrangements in the media and on social media. Some of it is true, some of it not. We have outlined below what we know as fact now.

(i) The new Leaving Cert timetable will be confirmed in June

(ii) Students with special educational needs will be fully supported in sitting the rescheduled Leaving Certificate examinations in line with the reasonable accommodations as already arranged for them

(iii) Leaving Certificate oral language and some Leaving Certificate practical performance examinations had been scheduled to take place between 23rd March and 3rd April. These were cancelled and candidates awarded 100% for these components. The Minister’s announcement does not change that position

(iv) The deadline for the completion of the practical coursework in Engineering, Construction Studies, Art, and Home Economics (Textiles) will be immediately before the start of the exams in late July/early August

(v) The Art life Sketching and LCVP exam be rescheduled for late July/early August

(vi) It is likely that some candidates will be unable to take their examinations on health grounds, as they may be ill or in quarantine or isolation. The SEC and the Department are considering appropriate alternative arrangements so that candidates in this situation are not disadvantaged compared to their peers.

(vii) Minister McHugh has said the intention is to allow two weeks of class time, in school, before the Leaving Certificate examinations begin. The exact nature of how this will occur is the basis of discussions between the teaching unions and the Department of Education.

We will continue to update you as more accurate information becomes available from the Department of Education and Science and or the State Examinations Commission

We and your teachers will continue to do everything we can to help you through this very difficult period. You deserve nothing less. Your teachers will continue to engage with you online, complete courses and help you build revision plans. Your Year Head, Class Tutor, Guidance Counsellor, HSCL, SCP, Ms Corkery and I are all available to advise or indeed chat if needed.

As you begin your final term, we advise the following:

Engage with your teachers in this term as you would ordinarily have done.

Work to the best of your ability until June and then take 2 weeks off.

As the completion deadlines for projects have been extended until mid -July, take this time to refine and improve on them.

Think positively, you now have extra time to get that Leaving Cert you deserve!

Kind regards

Patricia Lynam

Principal

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Address:   McEgan College, Macroom, Co. Cork
Phone: 026 41076
Email: [email protected]
   

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