Leaving Cert Diary 2025: English Paper 1 is the exam for writers
And keep scrolling as Kerry student Maeve tells us what was cooking in Home Economics...
But, before you go any further remember to look after yourselves during exam time - here are some tips to help you eat, sleep and manage stress.
Lidiia's Exam Blog
The paper that 'you cannot study for' is also, I believe, the one that writers love the most. It is where you can play with your imagination - becoming, for example, a hotel manager and writing a response to a bad review. It is the Paper where practice is more important than knowledge.
This year's general theme for Paper One was 'Perspectives', which I was very happy with, as it can be interpreted and explored in many ways. I was also happy with all three comprehension texts, and I found all three Question A prompts manageable. Personally, I chose to answer Question A on the first text, 'The Underdog Effect', where in Part Two I managed to intertwine Shakespeare's King Lea r and The Secret History by Donna Tartt into my answer. I then answered Question B on the second text, The Perspective of a 'Wise Old Counsellor.
The part of the exam I was most thrilled about was composing. I had decided at the beginning of 6th year that I would answer the short story question, and it was lovely to see two options. I chose to write a story in 'which a plucky chancer challenges a more privileged or established opponent'. However, I believe my choice was unusual, as most of my classmates opted to write a personal essay.
Overall, I ended up writing a full sixteen pages in my script and was happy with how Paper One turned out. Nevertheless, I must confess that due to the stressful nature of the exam, I unknowingly skipped Part 3 of Question A.
In moments like these, it's important to remind ourselves that not answering one question is absolutely not the end of the world. Mistakes happen; human error is normal and should not be shamed. Student to student, it's okay to feel disappointed in the moment, but you must remind yourself to keep calm and carry on! Paper Two is tomorrow, and I'd like to wish the best of luck to everyone.
I'll sign off with a quote from Epictetus: "We cannot control the external events around us, but we can control our reaction to them."
Maeve's blog
Second exam finished today with Home Ec! Honestly after the highs of English Paper 1, this paper brought me back down to earth fairly fast. Home Ec is such a content heavy subject and it's really difficult to prepare for what will appear on the exam, as not one aspect of the course can be left behind and the paper is incredibly difficult to predict.
To start the paper, I found that the short questions in Section A were challenging at first glance but most were doable when the gears began turning.
Lipids coming up as the main macronutrient in Section B was a welcome relief and Section B question 1(a) was a really nice table to analyse. The choices for the rest of Section B were broad so they would have suited a lot of people.
Section C part 4 is where things got a little rocky, with an extensive analysis of meat required, and I found option (b) and (c) to both be difficult options to choose between. Overall a challenging paper I hope that the marking scheme will be kind to us!
Founded in 2008, the ISSU is the national representative body for school students in the Republic of Ireland. The ISSU is led by students, for students.
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The Journal
2 days ago
- The Journal
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THE FAMILY OF a young Dublin woman who took her own life whilst homeless in England say she was 'failed in life and death' by the systems meant to keep her safe. Mother-of-two Melissa Core died in Brighton on January 8 this year. Originally from Finglas, she had been struggling with mental health and addiction issues in the last years of her life. The vulnerable 34-year-old had been under the care of local adult safeguarding services, and disclosed mental health and domestic abuse concerns to outreach workers. Her mother Barbara, along with her sister Emily Kearns, believe Melissa's death was the result of 'repeated and preventable failures' by agencies including health services, police, and safeguarding bodies. 'Melissa did not die suddenly, and she did not die without warning,' her sister Emily told The Journal . 'Her death was the final result of repeated and preventable failings. She reached out, she disclosed abuse, and she asked for help. 'But time and time again, she was dismissed, misjudged, and left to face danger on her own.' Family feel Melissa was 'completely unsupported' Her family described how Melissa moved to the English seaside town several years ago to pursue a relationship, which later broke down. During this time, the young woman began struggling with alcohol and homelessness. In the months prior to her death, she disclosed incidents of domestic abuse and suicidal thoughts, and was violently attacked in the street. According to medical documents obtained by her family, and seen by The Journal , the young mum repeatedly told services that she felt unsafe. Following a suicide attempt in September 2024, she was assessed as high risk by outreach workers. However, no safeguarding referral was made to the city's adult services. By October, Melissa, who was in receipt of help from homeless charity Change Grow Live (CGL), was hospitalised after being violently attacked in the street. According to medical documents, she suffered a significant head injury which led to hearing loss. Yet, no coordinated care plan was put in place for the mother-of-two, and her case was never flagged with Brighton and Hove Council's Adult Safeguarding Board. 'She was known to services, documented as high risk, and completely unsupported,' Emily said. She begged for help. She was ignored. In the early hours of January 5, Melissa was found unconscious in the Rock Street area of the city. She was rushed to hospital, but despite the efforts of doctors, she passed away on January 8. Her family, who travelled from Dublin to be at her bedside, were left devastated and heartbroken. Melissa Core, whose family has flagged serious concerns with West Sussex Coroner's Office over her death. Emily Kearns Emily Kearns Advertisement Incorrect date of death recorded They say the trauma of losing Melissa has been compounded by unanswered questions around her death. The family say they were only told of significant injuries found on her body months later. This included a fractured C-spine and what one doctor recorded as a 'highly suspicious' carotid artery injury. In a referral from a hospital doctor to the coroner's office following her death, it was also stated that Melissa's passing 'may have been caused or contributed to by violence'. No toxicology testing was carried out while the 34 year-old was in hospital, which the family says has left them unable to understand the young woman's state-of-mind at the time of her passing. The wrong date of death was initially recorded on her death certificate, while a hospital discharge summary was issued while she was still on life support. CCTV footage showing Melissa's final moments was also not immediately seized by police, and ended up being viewed by her sister Emily after the family visited premises close to where her sister was found. These concerns have all been flagged with West Sussex Coroner's Office, which is currently investigating the mum-of-two's death, Barbara Core said. However, she says the family have been left disappointed with communications with the coroner's office on these issues. 'These were basic things that should never have gone wrong,' Barbara Core said. 'We feel stonewalled every time we ask for answers.' In response, a spokesperson for West Sussex Coroner's Office said it could not comment on the young woman's case until an inquest into her sudden death concludes. Charity 'extremely saddened' over death Brighton and Hove City Council, which oversees adult safeguarding in the city, said: 'While we are unable to comment in any detail, the circumstances are being considered by the coroner. 'We have no contact details for the family but would welcome them getting in touch… including the possibility of a review by the Safeguarding Adults Board.' 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'She was our sister, our daughter, our mother. 'She deserved dignity in life and in death. Her voice was ignored while she was alive, we will not let it be ignored now.' If you have been affected by any of the issues mentioned in this article, you can reach out for support through the following helplines. These organisations also put people in touch with long-term supports: Samaritans 116 123 or email jo@ Text About It - text HELLO to 50808 (mental health issues) Aware 1800 80 48 48 (depression, anxiety) Pieta House 1800 247 247 or text HELP to 51444 – (suicide, self-harm) Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
3 days ago
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Social media terms ‘skibidi' and ‘tradwife' among new words added to Cambridge Dictionary
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Irish Examiner
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'I fear the HSE won't step up': Pregnant women scrambling for options following closure of private midwife service
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