Latest news with #TransitionYear
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Beloved former RTE star bags totally different role 12 months after shock station departure after 37 years
FORMER RTE star Bryan Dobson is set to chair the new State Commemorations Advisory Committee. The group has been set up to "guide future commemorative efforts", according to Culture Minister Patrick O'Donovan, following recent work on the Decade of Centenaries programme that concluded in 2023. 1 Bryan Dobson is set to chair the new State Commemorations Advisory Committee Credit: Fran Veale The committee will include Professor Marie Coleman, former ministers Heather Humphreys and Eamon O Cuiv, Orlaith McBride, Professor Paul Rouse and Dr Audrey Whitty. Ex- RTE reports that the committee is tasked with maintaining an inclusive, respectful, and consensus-based approach to all commemorative matters. Minister O'Donovan said today: "The Decade of Centenaries was a period of deep historical and national significance. Read more in News "As Minister, I am proud of how we, as a nation, commemorated that complex and formative chapter always with respect, sensitivity, and scholarly integrity. "Today, we build on that legacy by establishing a new Commemorations Advisory Committee to guide future commemorative efforts." Minister O'Donovan and some of the committee members met today at the new HQ of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to view a historical document recently acquired by the State, a signed agreement between Eamon de Valera, Austin Stack, Arthur Griffith and Michael Collins relating to the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty. They were also shown a memorial card of Michael Collins. Most read in Celebrity Mr Dobson, 65, He said at the time: "I will miss working with some wonderfully talented and hardworking colleagues. RTE's Bryan Dobson 'looking forward to retirement' as TV veteran issues emotional final message after retirement " "I am grateful too to the listeners and viewers who have given me their time and attention over the years. "I hope to Recently, the former RTE presenter told how he reckons his career in journalism started way back in Transition Year in Newpark Comprehensive school in Dublin, where he made his first radio programme. 'I WASN'T ACADEMIC' Speaking to the Roasted with Mark Moriarty podcast, he said: "I wasn't academic, didn't do a very good Inter Cert or Leaving Cert… I just knew journalism was for me. "And the broadcasting came about because I was never a very good speller, so maybe written journalism wasn't for me." He then ventured into pirate radio, joining Radio Nova, before heading to the BBC. Then, he joined the RTE newsroom in 1987, where he was appointed as anchor of the Six One News in 1996. STANDOUT MEMORIES One of the standout memories of his career was covering 9/11. He was due to do an interview in Government buildings that morning and instead ended up on a marathon session on the news from 3pm that afternoon. Mr Dobson also covered the Good Friday Agreement being announced, the historic visit of Queen Elizabeth II and many more moments. He moved to RTE Radio One's Morning Ireland in 2017 before presenting the News At One throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. DAD WISH Speaking to the Roasted with Mark Moriarty podcast, Mr Dobson also told how he believes that reporters are becoming increasingly subjected to hostility, often as a result of fake news and protests around asylum seekers, and how some reporters are now going for 'Hostile Environment' training. Asked about who his four dream dinner guests would be, he chose "If I could shoot the breeze and maybe go for a pint… I would like that chance."
The Herald Scotland
7 days ago
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Could Scotland learn from Ireland's exam-free fourth year?
In Scotland, the main qualifications in upper secondary – National 5, Higher and, to a lesser degree, Advanced Higher – are one-year courses; in contrast, Ireland certifies school leavers via a two-year programme known as the Leaving Certificate. As with the Scottish system, Ireland's culminates in a set of high-stakes exams that serve a key role in university applications. But a single, two-year course for school leavers opens an obvious gap in the fourth year of secondary school, when Scottish students typically take six or seven one-year National 5 courses. The experience for the vast majority of their Irish peers is radically different. Ireland encourages young people at this age to participate in something called a Transition Year (TY), which is part of the latter stage of secondary, but is not assessed using formal exams or structured around an exam-focused timetable. The Transition Year concept was introduced in 1974 in response to what the then Minister for Education called the 'growing pressures on students for high grades and competitive success'. This phenomenon, he warned, meant that education systems were 'becoming increasingly academic treadmills' and schools, 'because of these pressures', were also 'losing contact with life outside.' In the early years results were good, but uptake was low. In the mid-80s, the provision of greater support and the effects of wider structural changes led to an increase in the number of schools offering the programme; further guidance and major senior cycle reform then sparked a huge jump in provision, with the number of participating schools jumping from 19 percent in 1993 to 60 percent the following year. At this point, just under a third of all students took up the offer of a Transition Year. Over the next two decades, both figures continuously increased: by 2021 coverage had reached 98 percent of schools, with 74 percent of pupils taking up the option of a Transition Year. According to Dr Majella Dempsey, Associate Professor of Education at Maynooth University, the programme is almost entirely unique. The only other country to offer something similar is Korea – which like Ireland, is a high-performing country in PISA international tests, and which has actually been inspired to introduce its own programme by the success of the Irish approach. Although there is 'no designated curriculum', schools do operate under a 'framework for how they can organise the year.' This decentralised approach leaves schools free to develop their own programmes, incorporating various different subjects, broader areas of study, specialist educational modules, one-off events, out-of-school learning activities, and more. 'They can't just use the class time to do a three-year Leaving Cert,' Dr Dempsey notes. 'Students tend to do a lot of project-based learning, and even travelling to other European countries all sorts of different things.' Subjects studied all year as part of the 'core' layer include Gaeilge, English, Maths, PE, ICT and RE. A 'subject sampling' layer allows students to complete modules from a range of other traditional subjects, and a 'Transition Year specific layer' provides opportunities to study areas such as photography, mental health, tourism, innovation, psychology and more. The final 'calendar' layer means that programmes such as work experience, outdoor pursuits, field trips, and dramatic or musical productions can all be included in the Transition Year model. A major part of the focus for schools is on supporting the development of independent learning skills while encouraging students to explore both existing and emerging areas of interest. Irish actor Cillian Murphy has spoken about the positive effect that the Transition Year had on him, once describing the period as a 'real oasis' and himself as a 'big advocate' of the system. According to a 2022 report as part of updates to the TY programme, 'students and teachers describe the classroom as liberated due to the learning-led focus of TY and the absence of exam-pressure.' Evidence also suggests that the benefits of the Transition Year are carried over in some way into Leaving Certificate studies. Students participating in the programme have been found to be more engaged in their studies overall, and a report for the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment states that there is 'reliable evidence that students who do TY achieve a substantially higher performance in the Leaving Certificate' – although it adds that the precise reasons for this correlation remain unclear. It's also clear that the system isn't perfect. Around a quarter of young people report being disappointed or underwhelmed by their Transition Year, with an apparently common complaint being the feeling that some teachers don't take the classes as seriously as others. According to Dr Dempsey the quality of a student's Transition Year is also affected by socioeconomic factors, because some of the activities that a school might want to consider – like foreign travel – cannot be entirely funded by schools. But even at its weakest, she adds, the research would say that the Transition Year, and being free from exams throughout that period, 'is very good for young people.'
Irish Independent
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Fitness, glam and furry friends at the centre of well-being week at Wexford school
Those in attendance that week, experienced a programme of fun, relaxation and personal growth, carefully co-ordinated by teachers Ms Whelan and Mr Curran, which was enthusiastically embraced by all. 'At CBS New Ross, we believe that academic success goes hand-in-hand with physical and mental well-being. This special week allowed us to highlight the importance of self-care practices and provide students with tools they can use throughout their lives,' a spokesperson for the school said. To kick the week off, the school community was greeted by furry friends with an animal therapy session in the form of a petting zoo visit from Nore Valley, which brought a variety of friendly animals to the school grounds. The smiles and laughter that filled the area were testament to how effective animal interactions can be in reducing stress and increasing happiness. Tuesday's event included a session to get the students moving with a Zumba dance class, and according to Ms Whelan, 'they were a huge hit'. The session was led by professional instructors, and the high-energy dance sessions got hearts pumping and endorphins flowing. 'It was wonderful to see students of all abilities joining in and enjoying the experience,' she said. Wednesday's hair and makeup workshops explored self-expression through personal style and the workshops continued the trend of being extremely popular among students. Professional stylists were welcomed to the school and shared tips and techniques while discussing how outward appearance can reflect and boost inner confidence. Many students discovered new talents and interests during these sessions. The following day, students were captivated by guest speaker, David Power, the former manager for Tipperary Gaelic football team, as he delivered a talk on building resilience. Mr Power shared valuable insights on developing mental toughness, coping with challenges, and bouncing back from setbacks. "The question and answer sessions that followed, demonstrated just how engaged our students were with these important topics and how they can relate to them in their own lives,' said Ms Whelan. When the session concluded, a bouncy castle obstacle course awaited the students for a 'fun and fitness session'. The competitive streak was strong among the students as they challenged themselves and each other to complete the inflatable obstacle course, while combining physical exercise with plenty of laughter. Thursday's events didn't end there, as the Transition Year (TY) students showcased their mini-company products at the Well-being Week market, and a wide variety of fantastic products were on sale, while later, TY student, Roan English, took on the role of fitness instructor. Roan was leading English classes with 40 students at a time, in a challenging but fun workout. They took to the yard outside to get the best of the good weather while working out. 'Roan really rose to the occasion in leading his fellow peers in this exciting workout. Roan is a rugby star and definitely one to watch for the future,' Ms Whelan commented. To round-off Well-being Week, students and staff enjoyed a whole school walk, embracing the outdoors and the benefits of physical activity together. Adding to the excitement, it was also bring your dog to school day, where several teachers introduced their furry companions to the school community. Ms Whelan explained the impact of the activity on the students. ADVERTISEMENT 'The dogs brought smiles, sparked conversations, and created a warm, joyful atmosphere, highlighting the positive impact animals can have on mental well-being. It was a memorable end to a week dedicated to health, happiness, and connection.' In highlighting the importance of Well-being Week in the school community, Ms Whelan said 'it wasn't just about taking care of ourselves, it was also about supporting others,' as charity activities also took place for the Irish Cancer Society. 'Students enthusiastically participated in our Splash the Teachers event, where they had the opportunity to soak their favourite teachers with water balloons and buckets. The laughter was contagious, and teachers were great sports for this worthy cause,' she continued, adding that the event raised over €500 for cancer research and support services. Given the overwhelmingly positive response to Well-being Week, the teachers have confirmed they are already planning similar events for next year's events. "The valuable lessons learned about self-care and mental health will continue to be incorporated into our school culture, and we would like to thank everyone who participated in the week including our external providers, staff volunteers, and the student well-being ambassadors who supported tirelessly,' Ms Whelan concluded.
Belfast Telegraph
13-05-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
Buncrana drowning tragedy: Schools pay tribute to teens ‘full of potential'
Two teenagers – Emmanuel Familola (16) from Nigeria and Matt Sibanda (18), who was from Zimbabwe – died after getting into difficulty off the coast at Buncrana on Saturday. A third teenager, believed to be aged 19, was taken to hospital. It is understood the boys had entered the water to retrieve a football. The teenagers were international protection applicants who had lived in the area with their families. The incident unfolded at around 4pm on Saturday when six teenagers were gathered at Ned's Point and three of them entered the water. The trio got into difficulty with one of the males making it back to the shore, while the other two remained in the water. A number of people raised the alarm, and two RNLI lifeboats were launched immediately from the two stations in Buncrana. The Coastguard issued a 'mayday' alarm and asked for any vessels in the vicinity to come and assist. Joe Joyce, a member of RNLI Lough Swilly, explained that a former Lough Swilly RNLI crew member was on the water at the time and immediately joined the search. 'They immediately came to the scene and recovered one person onto their boat and brought them to the lifeboat where two other crew members joined them. 'The young boy was a 16-year-old, and he was brought to the pier in Buncrana. 'The ambulance service was there and immediately started life saving treatment. 'That continued for possibly an hour and the decision was made then by the National Ambulance Service to transport him by road to Letterkenny University Hospital. 'Unfortunately, he subsequently passed away in the early hours of this morning,' said Mr Joyce. At this stage, the search was continuing. The local yacht club in Buncrana was holding a race on the water at the time of the incident and the race was abandoned as those vessels opted to assist in the search. The multi-agency search operation, which included a drone team and local boats from the Foyle Marina, consisted of about 60 rescue service personnel who searched the water for almost six hours. 'The involvement of the local boats allowed us to cover a vast area of the Lough in a very quick period and we ran a number of searches up and down the Lough,' said Mr Joyce. After 9pm, the team started to lose light and were preparing to wind down the search until low tide at midnight, when a body was found in the water close to the former Fruit of the Loom factory, a place known locally as The Fishing Greens. The body was returned to Buncrana Pier where his family and a medical team were waiting. Both those who died attended school in Buncrana, where Matt was a student of Crana College, while Emmanuel attended Scoil Mhuire and had just completed Transition Year. In a statement online, Scoil Mhuire said he was 'ambitious and full of potential' while also appreciative of the opportunities he was given and he never failed to show gratitude. 'There are no words that can fully capture the pain and sorrow we are feeling right now, We are truly heartbroken. 'Emmanuel embodied the true ethos of Scoil Mhuire. "He was known for his warm personality, gentle humour, and thoughtful nature. "He immersed himself fully in our school community and was highly regarded by staff and students alike. 'Emmanuel had just completed Transition Year and was looking forward to starting his Senior Cycle. "Just last week he completed a work experience in the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin which he thoroughly enjoyed. "He was ambitious and full of potential, always appreciative of the opportunities he was given and he never failed to show gratitude.' Meanwhile, Crana College said the entire community school community was heartbroken following Saturday's tragic events. Matt joined the school in January 2024 and he was preparing to sit his Leaving Certificate. "It is with deep sorrow that we confirm the loss of our beloved student, Matt Sibanda, who tragically lost his life at sea,' the college said. "Our heartfelt condolences go to Matt's family, who are grieving the unimaginable loss of their cherished son and loved one.' The Department of Foreign Affairs said Emmanuel had participated in its Global Ireland Young Leaders Programme last week. In a statement, the Department said: 'Emmanuel was very evidently a bright, engaging and popular young man and his passing comes as a great shock to everyone who spent time with him last week.' Funeral details are yet to be confirmed. Taoiseach Micheal Martin paid tribute to the teenagers and said it was a 'heartbreaking loss'. "Very saddened at the shocking and tragic passing of Emmanuel Familola and Matt Sibanda in Buncrana over the weekend,' he said. 'A heartbreaking loss of two young lives.
Irish Independent
12-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Buncrana drowning tragedy: Schools pay tribute to teens ‘full of potential'
Two teenagers, Emmanuel Familola (16) from Nigeria and Matt Sibanda (18), who was from Zimbabwe, died after getting into difficulty off the coast at Buncrana, close to Ned's Point on Saturday, May 10. A third teenager, believed to be aged 19, was also taken to hospital. It is understood the boys had entered the water to retrieve a football. The teenagers involved in the incident were international protection applicants who had lived in the area with their families. Both teenagers attended school in Buncrana as Matt was a student of Crana College, while Emmanuel attended Scoil Mhuire. Emmanuel had just completed Transition Year. Just last week he completed a work experience in the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin. In a statement online, Scoil Mhuire said he was 'ambitious and full of potential' while also appreciative of the opportunities he was given and he never failed to show gratitude. 'There are no words that can fully capture the pain and sorrow we are feeling right now, We are truly heartbroken. 'Emmanuel embodied the true ethos of Scoil Mhuire. "He was known for his warm personality, gentle humour, and thoughtful nature. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more "He immersed himself fully in our school community and was highly regarded by staff and students alike. 'Emmanuel had just completed Transition Year and was looking forward to starting his Senior Cycle. "Just last week he completed a work experience in the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin which he thoroughly enjoyed. "He was ambitious and full of potential, always appreciative of the opportunities he was given and he never failed to show gratitude.' Meanwhile, Crana College said entire community school community, including students, staff, Board of Management, and parents, are heartbroken following the tragic events that occurred in Buncrana on Saturday. Matt joined the school in January 2024 and he was preparing to sit his Leaving Certificate. "It is with deep sorrow that we confirm the loss of our beloved student, Matt Sibanda, who tragically lost his life at sea. "Our heartfelt condolences go to Matt's family, who are grieving the unimaginable loss of their cherished son and loved one.' The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade had said it was shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Emmanuel Familola of Scoil Mhuire in Buncrana over the weekend. Emmanuel participated in the Department's Global Ireland Young Leaders Programme last week, where he was one of 30 Transition Year students from across the country learning about the work of the Department and meeting officials engaged in different parts of the Department's work. In a statement, the Department said, 'Emmanuel was very evidently a bright, engaging and popular young man and his passing comes as a great shock to everyone who spent time with him last week. "We extend our deepest condolences to his family, his school, his community and all his many friends.' Funeral details are yet to be confirmed. Taoiseach Micheal Martin paid tribute to the teenagers and said it was a 'heartbreaking loss'. "Very saddened at the shocking and tragic passing of Emmanuel Familola and Matt Sibanda in Buncrana over the weekend,' he said. 'A heartbreaking loss of two young lives. "Thinking of their families, friends, the local community and the first responders at this devastating time.' The incident unfolded at around 4pm on Saturday when six teenagers were gathered at Ned's Point in Buncrana when three of them entered the water. The three young males got into difficulty with one of the males making it back to the shore, while two others remained in the water. A number of people raised the alarm, and two RNLI lifeboats were launched immediately from the two stations in Buncrana. The Coastguard issued a 'mayday' alarm and asked for any vessels in the vicinity to come and assist. Joe Joyce, a member of RNLI Lough Swilly, explained one of the Lough Swilly RNLI past crew members was on the Lough at the time and immediately joined the search. 'They immediately came to the scene and recovered one person onto their boat and brought them to the lifeboat where two other crew members joined them. 'The young boy was a 16-year-old, and he was brought to the pier in Buncrana. 'The ambulance service was there and immediately started life saving treatment. 'That continued for possibly an hour and the decision was made then by the National Ambulance Service to transport him by road to Letterkenny University Hospital. 'Unfortunately, he subsequently passed away in the early hours of this morning,' said Mr Joyce. At this stage, the search was continuing on Lough Swilly. The local yacht club in Buncrana was holding a race on the water at the time of the incident and the race was abandoned as those vessels opted to assist in the search. The multi-agency search operation, which included a drone team and local boats from the Foyle Marina, consisted of about 60 rescue service personnel who searched the water for almost six hours. 'The involvement of the local boats allowed us to cover a vast area of the Lough in a very quick period and we ran a number of searches up and down the Lough,' said Mr Joyce. After 9pm, the team started to lose light and were preparing to wind down the search until low tide at midnight, when a body was found in the water close to the former Fruit of the Loom factory, a place known locally as The Fishing Greens. The body was returned to Buncrana Pier where his family and a medical team were waiting. Parish Priest Fr Francis Bradley had prayed over the water at various times of the evening and was providing support to the family. Mr Joyce continued, 'Fr Bradley had come along and he anointed him. 'The family had been on the scene all day and the scenes at the pier were heart wrenching. 'Unfortunately, we did not get the resolution we were looking for but we were able to return two people to their family and maybe give them a bit of closure,' said Mr Joyce. Mr Joyce said the thoughts and prayers of Lough Swilly RNLI are with families of the young men. 'Our hearts go out to the mothers there who lost their sons. 'While it is no comfort, we were at least able to return the two teenagers to their loved ones,' said Mr Joyce. On Sunday afternoon, the community of Buncrana gathered together in a large and sombre crowd for a vigil in memory of the two teenagers who tragically lost their lives in the drowning incident. Bishop of Derry, Donal McKeown, led the service at St Mary's Oratory in Buncrana. In his opening remarks, Bishop McKeown acknowledged 'the pain and heartache that comes with such a sudden loss'. He reflected that the bright and sunny weather contrasts greatly with the cloud of grief that now hung over the town. 'Yesterday, this time 24 hours ago, the sun was shining, the sky was blue, the sea was attractive, everything was wonderful. 'Today, a dark cloud has come over everybody in different ways but especially the families of Emmanuel and Matt.' Upon learning of the tragedy, Crana College and Scoil Mhuire immediately activated their Critical Incident Plans and the schools reopened as normal on Monday, with extensive supports in place for those affected. Student Support Teams, Critical Incident Teams, and entire staff are working closely together to provide comfort and support to students, parents, and colleagues during this extremely difficult time. Psychologists from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) and Donegal ETB, are offering professional guidance to ensure the wellbeing of all affected. Since the incident, tributes have been paid to the two young men. Donegal Intercultural Platform said the team will be focusing on offering support and care to the families and all the residents. "It is deeply tragic to mourn the loss of two boys, Matt and Emanuel, in Buncrana. 'Our deepest condolences to the families and the residents of IPAS centres and the wider community. "Our thoughts also go out to the boy's school friends, teachers and the centre staff who are all doing what they can to ease the pain and loss.'
