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Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Letters to the Editor: Department must respect decisions from ASTI
As a post-primary teacher, I am writing to express my concern regarding the accelerated timeline of the senior cycle redevelopment programme. I strongly urge education minister Helen McEntee to pause this acceleration and not to penalise ASTI members who have voted overwhelmingly (68% to 32%, 73% turnout) to reject the senior cycle redevelopment implementation support measures. In a separate ballot, ASTI members also voted 67% to 33% in favour of industrial action if necessary. This is a powerful signal of the profession's genuine and widespread concern. ASTI's position is based on well-researched and well-documented realities. Many schools, especially Deis and smaller rural schools, currently lack the capacity and resourcing to deliver such wide-ranging changes effectively. Teachers are being asked to take on significantly increased workload without adequate training, time, or infrastructure. The risks of insufficient authentication of additional assessment components (AACs), challenges around AI, and inequality of provision are very real and have not been sufficiently addressed. The department of education's press release outlines several measures, but these do not address the core issues raised by teachers. Moreover, the decision to accelerate this reform by a full year under Ms McEntee's predecessor has created deep mistrust. Teachers were not consulted on this change of pace, which is being imposed on a system already under strain. The current approach risks harming the very students it is meant to serve. Science, in particular, is already under-resourced in many schools, and introducing new specifications under these conditions will result in a postcode lottery of educational quality. The minister needs to: Respect the clear democratic decision of ASTI members; refrain from using the public service agreement to force through measures without consensus; and restore the original timeline to allow genuine consultation and proper preparation across all schools. The minister stated a commitment to supporting students, but sustainable reform cannot be achieved without bringing teachers along. Rushing ahead risks creating deeper divisions, damaging morale, and ultimately harming educational outcomes. I appeal to Ms McEntee to act with leadership and wisdom and pause the timeline, re-engage with teachers, and deliver a reform process that will truly serve students, teachers, and the wider system. Michael McGrath, St Augustine's College, Abbeyside, Dungarvan, Co Waterford Housewife column hits nail on head Jennifer Horgan's article 'Being a homemaker is hard, even harder when it's no longer valued' is an excellent and compelling piece of journalism. As a male clinician who, over the years, has heard countless women say that their roles are unappreciated, I am acutely aware of how challenging being a homemaker is. I totally get where Ms Horgan is coming from. I believe she is correct in saying: 'Irish society knowingly exploits women. We need their duties, but just can't mention them.' I do believe that, for many women, being a homemaker is thankless in that it's never-ending. It offers no salary and is a profession in which many women sacrifice just about everything in order to provide a home and upkeep for their families. With more women working outside the home, there is an increased demand for daycare and early pre-schools — which is very exacting and demanding. Fewer women today are able to stay at home and care for their children as a result of the high cost of living. However, there are some women who are still able to remain full-time homemakers — thus providing an atmosphere for their families that is seldom seen anymore. It is my contention that raising children and being a housewife is one of the hardest jobs for any one person. I find Ms Horgan's summation to be somewhat poignant and heartbreaking yet true when she says: 'As with every type of oppression women endure, we see but we don't see. Such is our way.' In response to the same, I would like to see society recognise the valuable contributions of our homemakers as their worth is essential for the wellbeing of families and communities. Homemakers provide the foundation for stable and loving homes, which are crucial for child development and overall societal wellbeing. John O'Brien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary Are we a nation of animal lovers? It's a peculiar fact that the first known attempt to legislate against animal cruelty anywhere in the world was here in Ireland. In 1635, a law was enacted to criminalise the practice of pulling wool off sheep (as distinct from shearing them) and the equally cruel custom of attaching ploughs to animals' tails. It has been argued that the law was motivated as much by a desire to raise revenue as by concern for the unfortunate animals, but it's still a milestone. It represented a first tentative step towards humane treatment of animals. And in the 19th century, Irish MP Richard Martin of Galway founded the world's first animal protection society, as well as campaigning against the 'sports' of bull-baiting and bear-baiting. With this remarkable record, it's all the more baffling and abhorrent that animal cruelty is so widespread in Ireland today. Abandoned horses can be found weekly, dead or dying of neglect or ill-treatment, in fields or on roadsides nationwide. An RTÉ report exposed the selling of unwanted racehorses that ended up in the EU food chain, and the merciless flogging of horses in an abattoir. Livestock raised on Irish farms are sent on long, stressful sea journeys, profit trumping any objections to their sad and lonely plight. Animal shelters are full to overflowing with dogs and cats, animals that once happily dwelt in homes, only to be ejected from the company of those they adored. We applaud when efforts are made to reintroduce a long absent species of wildlife, only to read a few weeks or months later that they've been blasted out of the sky or poisoned. Illegal poaching has worsened over the past five years, with farmers living in fear of hunters who trespass to kill wildlife. The badger, a shy nocturnal mammal, can end up being snared as part of the bovine TB eradication scheme, if it's lucky enough to have avoided the baiting gangs or the loss of habitat due to building projects. Even as State wildlife rangers struggle to contain poaching, a State licence facilitates the setting of dogs on our supposedly 'protected' native hares. Hare coursing is almost unknown outside Ireland. The countries that once permitted it have long since consigned it to oblivion, with the exception of Pakistan and Iberia. And we retain the quintessential British tradition of fox hunting, which Britain has outlawed, so that our wild dogs can still be chased to exhaustion and death for fun. Despite that promising start back in 1635, I'm afraid we can no longer consider ourselves a nation of animal lovers. To reclaim our humane status, we need to enforce existing anti-cruelty laws and end the savagery of hare coursing, fox hunting, and badger snaring. We can be a light to the world; instead of a hell on Earth for the voiceless. John Fitzgerald, Callan, Co Kilkenny Cork GAA must act to arrest downward spiral in football As a lifelong Cork GAA supporter, it is worrying to see the continuing downward spiral at all levels of Gaelic football. History was created recently with defeat to Kerry at U20 level for the fourth year in a row. Never before has this happened. The minor statistics are even worse. The senior team continues to flounder in Division 2 of the National Football League with little hope of promotion to Division 1. The standard of Cork club football is appalling. If we thought the late 1970s or early 1980s at inter-county level was bad, this is a new low masked by a couple of close encounters with the arch enemy, Kerry, in the last few years — not on Saturday, May 31, though. The question must be asked what if any kind of plans are in place to bring Cork football back to the top level where it should be for a county with the most football clubs in the country. Finally, let's hope the Cork senior hurlers finally reach the holy grail this year with Liam McCarthy Cup returning after a 20-year absence. Tom Harrington, Connaught Avenue, Cork
Daily Mirror
17-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Pope Leo's surprising favourite summer destination where he 'feels at home'
It's not the summer destination you'd expect from the head of the Catholic Church, but Pope Leo XIV's friend has revealed his favourite summer destination Surfing, beaches, camping and long road trips - not your typical summer for the man leading a billion Catholics. But for Pope Leo XIV, that lifestyle feels like a second home. While Rome is now where he lives, it was in Australia where he truly enjoyed spending his down time. The 79-year-old has visited Australia many times and is said to have fallen in love with its lifestyle - its beach culture, vast roads and famous laidback spirit. A close friend revealed it wasn't just the beaches he fell in love during his trips, but he genuinely connected with the country's pace and spirit. Father Banks, originally from Melbourne is a close friend of Pope Leo XIV revealed he visited the country many times and "loved the beaches". Banks has lived in Rome for the past 12 years and has witnessed how the Pope's bond with Australia has grown stronger over time. "He felt very much at home in Australia, as a second home," he added. "He enjoyed being in our company." But it wasn't only the sun that he enjoyed, Pope Leo also saw the beauty in the country's scale and silence. "He enjoyed driving from Brisbane to Sydney," Father Banks said. It was the "the loneliness of the distances" that he was really drawn to. However his connection with Australia was deeper than holidays. He once visited during World Youth Day - a Catholic gathering, typically held every few years. In 2008, it was hosted in Sydney's Randwick Racecourse. Over that time, he also stopped at St Augustine's College in Brookvale and met students and staff in a warm, down to earth exchange. "He has many great memories of Australia," his friend added. Australia is known for the relaxed atmosphere, surf scene and beautiful nature, which may seem a world away from the Vatican, but it seems the contrast is exactly why the new Pope loved it. The country offered something he often didn't find elsewhere, a place to slow down and just be - enjoying the outdoors and easygoing attitude. Whether it was the freedom of an open road or the casual warmth of a location conversation, Australia gave Pope Leo something beyond a holiday - it gave him a feeling of home, according to Father Banks. Pope Leo was appointed last week and as he steps into one of the most powerful spiritual roles in the world, the memories he made in Australia will undoubtedly stay with him.
Sydney Morning Herald
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Loves Tim Tams, hates Vegemite: The day Pope Leo said Mass at a Sydney beach
There was a celebratory mood at St Augustine's College on Sydney's northern beaches on Friday morning as news spread that one of their own had been named the next leader of the Catholic Church. 'It is the greatest honour that we could receive,' college chaplain Father Senan Ward said of the appointment. Not only is Leo XIV the first Pope from the order of St Augustine, according to Vatican News, but he was a regular visitor to Australia during his time as leader of the order from 2001 to 2013, with many local Augustinian leaders considering him a friend. While Pope Francis never made it to Australia, before or during his papacy, Robert Prevost travelled to the 50 or so countries where the order has a presence. That includes at least four known visits to Australia, where he developed a great love of Tim Tams and a hatred of Vegemite. Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher said it was 'very likely' the newly elected Pope would visit Australia. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has extended an invitation to him to attend the International Eucharistic Congress in Sydney in 2028. St Augustine's College welcomed Prevost to its Brookvale campus twice, in 2008 and 2009. Religious education teacher Margaret McElhone recalled the visits, remarking that Prevost's 'humility and willingness to spend authentic time in community was appreciated by all who met him'. Prevost's first visit in 2008 coincided with Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Australia for World Youth Day, during which he gave a scenic Mass at Sydney's Collaroy Beach. He returned a year later, speaking at a college assembly and presenting sports awards.
The Age
10-05-2025
- Politics
- The Age
Loves Tim Tams, hates Vegemite: The day Pope Leo said mass at a Sydney beach
There was a celebratory mood at St Augustine's College in Sydney's Northern Beaches on Friday morning, as the news spread that one of their own had been named the next leader of the Catholic Church. 'It is the greatest honour that we could receive,' college chaplain Father Senan Ward said of the appointment. Not only is Leo XIV the first pope from the order of Saint Augustine, according to Vatican News, but he was a regular visitor to Australia during his time as leader of the order from 2001 to 2013, with many local Augustinian leaders considering him a friend. While Pope Francis never made it to Australia, before or during his papacy, Robert Prevost's position saw him travel to the about 50 countries where the order has a presence. That includes at least four known visits to Australia, where he developed a great love of Tim Tams and a hatred of Vegemite. Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher said it was 'very likely' the newly elected Pope would visit Australia, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese already extending an invitation to the International Eucharistic Congress in Sydney in 2028. St Augustine's College welcomed the future pope to its Brookvale campus twice, in 2008 and 2009. Religious education teacher Margaret McElhone recalled the visits, remarking that Prevost's 'humility and willingness to spend authentic time in community was appreciated by all who met him'. Prevost's first visit in 2008 coincided with Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Australia for World Youth Day, during which he gave a scenic Mass at Sydney's Collaroy Beach. He returned a year later, speaking at a college assembly and presenting sports awards.
Sydney Morning Herald
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Loves Tim Tams, hates Vegemite: The day Pope Leo said Mass at iconic Sydney beach
There was a celebratory mood at St Augustine's College in Sydney's Northern Beaches on Friday morning, as the news spread that one of their own had been named the next leader of the Catholic Church. 'It is the greatest honour that we could receive,' college chaplain Father Senan Ward of the appointment said. Not only is Leo XIV the first pope from the order of Saint Augustine, according to Vatican News, but he was a regular visitor to Australia during his time as leader of the order from 2001 to 2013, with many local Augustinian leaders considering him a personal friend. While Pope Francis never made it to Australia, before or during his papacy, Robert Prevost's position saw him travel to the about 50 countries where the order has a presence. That includes at least four known visits to Australia, where he developed a great love of Tim Tams, and a hatred of Vegemite. Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher said it is 'very likely' the newly elected Pope will visit Australia, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese already extending an invitation to the International Eucharistic Congress in Sydney in 2028. St Augustine's College welcomed the future pope to its Brookvale campus twice, in 2008 and 2009. Religious Education teacher Margaret McElhone recalled the visits, remarking that Prevost's 'humility and willingness to spend authentic time in community was appreciated by all who met him'. Prevost's first visit in 2008 coincided with Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Australia for World Youth Day, during which he gave a scenic Mass at Sydney's Collaroy Beach. He returned a year later, speaking at a college assembly and presenting sports awards.
