Education Magazine 28-2i

Education Since 1987 | Volume 28 Issue 2 | w: educationmagazine.ie | t: 01-8329246 | e: education@clubi.ie

Telling stories from 1916 A filmmaker's view

Plus: Looking out for Dyslexia The Education Interview: Frank Mulrennan - Celtic Media Group Asian Studies at UCC | GMIT Letterfrack hosts Leonardo da Vinci project meeting New QQI Award brand for Further and Higher Education

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Education Volume 28 Issue 2 Editor Niall Gormley

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News: Irish researchers leading the way for cardiac defect repairs

Production Michael Farrell

News: Twenty-five new programmes to expand apprenticeship offerings

Publishers Ard Education Ltd. Tel: 01-8329246 Email: education@clubi.ie www.educationmagazine.ie Design Real Issues 086-8986827

News: â‚Ź3.8 billion over six years in direct education investment

News: INTO launch 'Stand Up for Primary Education' campaign News: National survey to look at costs of autism spectrum disorders in Ireland 9

New QQI Award brand for Further and Higher Education

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The Education Interview: Frank Mulrennan - Celtic Media Group

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Mary Immaculate College is in expansion mode

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Special Feature: Telling a story from 1916 in movie form

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Accounting Technicians Ireland: A stepping stone to professional accountancy

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UCC Asian Studies: New course launched to train Chinese language teachers.

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Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

Information Technology: Compu b announce Chief Executive appointment

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University of Limerick Computing

ISSN 0791-6161

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FIT: ICT Associate Professional Programme Launches

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Robert Chambers Academy: Providing professional hairdressing training for Irish and international students

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GMIT Letterfrack hosts Leonardo da Vinci project meeting

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Harvard Hair Training Academy and Salon

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NCEF: A professional qualification in fitness education

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Student theatre awards celebrate drama in schools around Ireland

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Special Feature: Looking out for Dyslexia

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Opinion: Opportunity to back equality-based education system

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Inchicore College of Further Education: One of Ireland's largest providers of further education courses

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Pearse College of Further Education: Your future can start or restart here

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Reviews

Printers Nicholson & Bass Ltd.

At the time of press information in Education is believed to be accurate and authoritative. However, some information may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Acceptance of advertisements, does not constitute an endorsement of products or services by the publishers. Š2015. All rights reserved.

Education Magazine is available to read online in the same format as the paper edition.

Education Since 1987 | Volume 28 Issue 2 | w: educationmagazine.ie | t: 01-8329246 | e: education@clubi.ie

Telling stories from 1916 A filmmaker's view

Plus: Looking out for Dyslexia The Education Interview: Frank Mulrennan - Celtic Media Group Asian Studies at UCC | GMIT Letterfrack hosts Leonardo da Vinci project meeting New QQI Award brand for Further and Higher Education

www.educationmagazine.ie

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NEWS ................................................................................................................................

RTÉ and UL host MoJo workshops

€3.8 billion over six years in direct education investment

THE first of a series of workshops aimed at enhancing UL students’ understanding of cutting edge mobile journalism (MoJo) techniques took place recently.

The pilot project, a collaboration between RTÉ and UL Journalism, saw a five person team from RTÉ led by News Now and Online Editor Declan McBennett and RTÉ News Journalist and MoJo champion Philip Bromwell carry out a day-long training session with 18 students on the UL campus.

The workshops aimed to get students to understand and produce content by and for mobile devices and give them the opportunity to contribute content to RTÉ for several major upcoming news events, such as the Budget, General Election and the 1916 centenary.

Lecturer in Broadcast Journalism Fergal Quinn said:“This type of mobile technology enabled journalism is very much the direction that major media organisations such as RTÉ are going in."

THE government has announced that over the next six years some €3.8bn in direct funding will be invested in education projects. By comparison the initial allocation under the previous five year capital programme was €2.2bn An additional €200m in PPP funding over the life time of the capital programme will result in more than €4bn in public investment.

Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’Sullivan said that an additional 60,000 school places at primary and post-primary level has already been provided by the government through new build and extensions projects.

She said that the new six year investment programme will fund the construction of 62,000 additional school places at primary and post-primary level to address demographic demand. Funding will also be available for the refurbishment of schools in older buildings that require improvement.

The plan also provides for investment of

€210m in IT and wireless broadband capacity in schools.

The plan includes funding to replace prefabs with permanent accommodation.

At third level some €350m will be invested in improving facilities at campuses across the country, with €40m dedicated to the major DIT development underway at Grangegorman.

The funding was announced as part of the state's €27bn capital programme.

INTO general secretary Sheila Nunan said schools all over the country would wait for specific details before passing judgement on the plan. She said schools requiring new or refurbished premises will want to see specific completion dates.

“Most primary schools have completely inadequate broadband and out of date ICT equipment,” she said. “The funding in place is well below what was generally recognised as inadequate a decade ago.”

She called for this figure to be reviewed as a matter of priority.

Good news or bad news?

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THIS is the table where we must determine good news from bad.

It tells us how many minutes per day students in school are spending on the internet. We're eighth from the bottom. But since the OECD found that there is an inverse relationship between time online and school progress it seems we're better off at the bottom.

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NEWS Barnardos

Irish researchers leading the Queen’s makes Internet andtop 200 way for cardiac defectSafety repairs global

Cyberbullying Workshops

RESEARCHERS, including four Irish researchers have jointly designed a fundamentally different way to implant an innovative patch to close a heart tissue defect that eradicates the need to place a Is Cyberbullying anTheir issuework your was school is patient on bypass. pubconcerned about?

Barnardos can make lished recently in Science Translational sure that and students, teachers and parents Medicine features as the cover article. areEllen aware of what they need to Roche, PhD actions and a graduate from take to keep safe online.

Barnardos up to the Biomedical Engineering Program at NUI date workshops important Galway was the provide first author of the internet paper. s aThe f e t researchers y t i p s a ninvented d w a y sa tflexible, o t a c kUV le Cyberbullying. light-containing catheter that can be inserted through atraining: vessel, and to Child Protection Aredirected your staff the defectthat within theknow heart.

Twotoballoons, confident they how respond onechild on either side oforthe hole, are inflated to protection neglect concerns? when the catheter is in place.

One of the Barnardos Child Protection training equips balloon’s surfaces has mirror-reflecting staff with the skills to acta appropriately and quality thatwhen reflects UV from a about small confidently they arelight concerned optic to cure the adhesive. All ainternal child’s fibre safety or welfare. components of the device are soft and can Friendship Are there students in deflate forGroup: easy loading and removal your class could do with some help through thewho outer catheter shaft. making friends and forming relationships?

Dr Roche said: “This system has proven Barnardos Friendship group may be able to

successful in closing tissue defects in a number of experiments described in the paper. As well as correcting heart defects, the patch and the catheter can be used in a variety of situations - for example, abdominal hernia repair or peptic ulcer closure.”

The other Irish authors who contributed to the research with Dr Roche were Professor Conor Walsh, joint senior author and a Trinity College and Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate who runs the Harvard Biodesign Lab, Dr Eoin O’Cearbhaill, Lecturer at UCD and a Biomedical Engineering and PhD graduate from NUI Galway, and William Whyte, a current PhD student at Trinity College Dublin the Royal College Surgeons help by and providing children agedof6-13 years in Ireland of age with(RCSI). the social skills they need to do this. Children learn in a supportive way View the paperworking on Science Translational about feelings, together and probMedicine website: lem solving. www.stm.sciencemag.org/ Promoting Positive Behaviour: Would you content/7/306/306ra149.abstract like support in implementing a positive

QUEEN’S has moved up 75 places to number 200 in the world according to the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2015-16.

The World University Rankings are whole school approach toprestigious supporting arguably the world’s most children’s increasing pro and widelybehaviour? referencedBy university ranksocial interactions and reducing challengings. Queen’s performance is based on ing this training supports five behaviours, criteria – teaching, research, citastaffs’ understanding that children are tions, industry income and international unique individuals who express their feeloutlook. ings through their behaviour.

The training The University’s Vice-Chancellor, gives staffPatrick an insight into said: the meaning Professor Johnston “This is behind the for behaviour tools good news Queen’sand andprovides for Northern on how and best confirms they can our intervene to change Ireland position in the it. top 1% of universities in the world. It complements the University’s recent For more information on these proSunday gimpressive r a m m e s performance p l e a s e c o n in t a the ct M artina Times Good University Guide in Dumpleton, Barnardos Best2016, Practice which the University moved up to numTraining & Consultancy, Christchurch ber 31 inDublin the UK, and01 also the Research Square, 8. Tel 4530355.

Email: Excellence Framework (REF 2014), martina.dumpleton@barnardos.ie which placed Queen’s joint 8th in the For information about Barnardos UK formore research intensity." visit www.barnardos.ie.

Barnardos Training for Schools Barnardos can provide expert training and workshops at your school on the following topics: • Cyberbullying Making sure that students, teachers and parents are aware of online safety and demonstrating ways to tackle cyberbullying.

• Child Protection Equipping staff with the skills to act appropriately and confidently when they are concerned about a child’s safety or welfare.

• Promoting Positive Behaviour Giving staff an insight into the meaning behind children’s behaviour and providing tools on how best they can intervene to change it.

• Friendship Group Providing children aged 6-13 years with the social skills they need for making friends and forming relationships

For more information visit www.barnardos.ie/training-schools Contact Martina Dumpleton in Barnardos, to find out how we can help: By phone 01 4530355 | By email martina.dumpleton@barnardos.ie

EDUCATION Education ??

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NEWS ................................................................................................................................

Twenty-five new programmes to expand apprenticeship offerings TWENTY-FIVE new apprenticeship proposals will see an expansion of the existing range of programmes offered under the Apprenticeship system, and are part of ongoing work to ensure that the system remains responsive to economic and employment needs.

The new proposals are the result of an evaluation process undertaken by the Apprenticeship Council. The Council has assigned these 25 new programmes Category 1 status, meaning that they are both sustainable and at an advanced stage of design, planning and industry/education collaboration. They will now enter a detailed development phase.

The 25 proposals are focussed on a wide range of skills and sectors, including Manufacturing and Engineering, Tourism and Sport, Financial Services, Information Technology, Transport Distribution and Logistics, and Business Administration and Management.

The new types of apprenticeships being proposed are very flexible, ranging in duration from two to four years, and will be offered at Levels 5 to 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications.

Important milestone Speaking at the announcement, Minister Jan O’Sullivan said: “I want to thank the Apprenticeship Council for all the work it has done in bringing us to this point. It represents an important milestone in what has been a concentrated effort to improve the options available to those who wish to participate in apprenticeships, whether they are employers or prospective students.

“I can see from the volume of proposals received that there is a genuine interest from employers in the apprenticeship model. Employers gain not only from taking on committed and ambitious young people, but also from engaging with the education and training system, which ensures that

apprentices have the full range of skills required by employers.”

Pat O’Doherty, Chairperson of the Apprenticeship Council, said: “The Apprenticeship Council was really encouraged by the number and quality of the proposals we received. We believe that there is now an excellent pipeline of potential new apprenticeships in Ireland and we look forward to working with proposers to develop and deliver these new programmes.”

M i n i s t e r f o r S k i l l s , R e s e a rc h a n d Innovation, Damien English TD said: “If Ireland is to be both competitive and innovative we need a highly skilled workforce.

Apprenticeships offer a tried and tested method of developing highly skilled workers using a powerful mixture of course work and practical on the job learning. We are now about to double the number of schemes to better serve the needs of a whole new range of industry sectors."

INTO launch 'Stand Up for Primary Education' campaign THE Irish National Teacher’s Organisation (INTO) set out their roadmap for Budget 2016 and the General Election at a briefing event for TDs and Senators in Dublin at the end of September.

The INTO say that their ‘Stand up for Primary Education’ campaign sets out their vision for primary education in Ireland and their key areas of focus: smaller class sizes; increased funding; and greater support for school leaders.

Speaking at the briefing event, Sheila Nunan, General Secretary of the INTO said: “Ireland is in a new phase of growth and now is the time to be investing in primary education. Not everyone will complete secondary education or go to university, but almost every child in Ireland will attend primary education, and every child should be given the opportunity to develop to their fullest potential.

“This means smaller classes, which will allow teachers to support each child individually, and well-funded schools with professional, dedicated teachers who are led and supported by excellent school leaders. Early investment will reap real rewards for society and for the economy.”

The INTO claim that classes in Irish primary schools are among the most overcrowded in the EU, with an average of 25 pupils per class compared to an EU average of 21 per class. More than 100,000 pupils in Ireland are in classes of 30 or more.

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National survey to look at costs of autism spectrum disorders in Ireland A PhD scholar from NUI Galway, in association with Irish Autism Action is leading a research study and seeking participants as part of a national survey calculating the economic costs to families raising a child or children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Ireland.

The national survey, which is strictly confidential, is being conducted by Áine Roddy, an Irish Research Council and Hardiman PhD Scholar in Health Economics under the supervision of Professor Ciaran O’Neill at the J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics at NUI Galway. The study aims to establish what the economic costs of autism spectrum disorders are in Ireland for children aged between 2 to 18 years.

This is the first international study that will provide an in-depth analysis and evidence-based research on issues that affect families such as the financial costs, level of debt as a result of the condition, health services accessed, educational supports in place, impact on employment and household income. In addition to the time involved in caring for their child’s special needs and safety.

This research will be used to inform public

policy about the economic burden on families raising a child or children with an autism spectrum disorder in Ireland. Limited research has been carried out on this issue in Ireland, which makes this survey and the involvement of parents particularly important.

It is hoped the findings will help inform the development of evidence-based policies to meet the needs of those whose lives are impacted by autism.

The research has been supported and advanced by Kevin Whelan, CEO of Irish Autism Action, and everyone who returns a completed survey has a chance to win 1 of 5 iPads kindly donated by Irish Autism Action. To date, the survey has been distributed in the post by Irish Autism Action, Shine Ireland and Dóchas autism organisations.

Parents and families from every county in Ireland have the opportunity to contribute to the survey so that their voice can be heard.

The survey can be downloaded as a pdf file from the Irish Autism Action website http:// www.autismireland.ie/news-events/news/1445/ and returned by email or freepost to Áine Roddy.

Alternatively, participants can request that the survey is posted to them.

Education and Continuous Professional Development The Professional Development Centre offers a wide variety of outstanding meeting and education opportunities for nurses and midwives, in a range of geographical areas, with face-to-face workshops, seminars, master classes, conferences with online research and reading options. Our contemporary, clinically relevant courses assist nurses and midwives to consolidate foundation knowledge, update their professional and specialty knowledge and contribute to life-long learning within their profession.

On-site Education

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This is a vital requirement for any nurse/midwife working in the private health care sector.

Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation,

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With over 80 education programmes delivered in our facilities by expert facilitators, we also provide an on-site service across the country. On-site education is a more cost and time effective solution. Our fees are based on ‘per day’ rather than ‘per head’ with no other additional costs, which makes our education affordable and available to all. All our current education programmes are Category 1 approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland with Continuing Education Units.

If you are interested in on-site education or would like a copy of our latest Education and Continuing Professional Directory for Nurses and Midwives please contact the INMO Professional Development Centre.

INMO Professional Development Centre The Whitworth Building, North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7 Tel: 01 6640641/2 Email: pdc@inmoprofessional.ie www.inmoprofessional.ie 12/06/2015 10:44:20

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Quality and Qualifications Ireland

New QQI Award brand for Further and Higher Education QQI was established in November 2012.

Our mission is: to promote the enhancement of quality in Ireland’s further and higher education and training; to quality assure providers of education and training; and to support and promote a qualifications system that benefits learners and other stakeholders.

We are responsible for the external quality assurance of further and higher education and training (including English language provision) in Ireland.

We validate programmes for certain providers in these sectors and make awards to learners.

QQI is also responsible for the maintenance, development and review of the NFQ (National Framework of Qualifications).

Qualifications are statements of learning and are increasingly necessary to access employment and further education.

In 2015, QQI launched its new award brand QQI Award for further and higher

education and training. It is anticipated that increasing number of learners achieving QQI further education and training awards will use these qualifications to achieve entry to higher education programmes in the coming years, including directly through the CAO system.

Along with the new ‘QQI Award’ logo, and depending on the award, the new wording on certificates issued to students is: QQI Award - Further Education and Training Award or QQI Award - Higher Education and Training Award. The level of the award is described and the institution of higher or further education where the student attended is listed.

For further details about the QQI award brand and the NFQ please visit www.QQI.ie and www.nfq.ie Education 9

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Giving local pa The Education Interview: Frank Mulrennan - CEO Celtic Media Group

By Niall Gormley ARE we witnessing the death of the newspaper? How long can newsprint hold out against the internet? And does it really matter?

There is little agreement among commentators worldwide, both inside and outside the media, on these questions. What is agreed is that the newspaper is facing unprecedented challenges from new information techology and the consequent migration of advertisers in pursuit of readers.

In Ireland, as elsewhere, newspapers have faced a perfect storm over the past 10 years. The first iPhone was released in June 2007 and changed the world of communication. The first iPad arrived less than three years later in April 2010 and laid down a challenge to a broader swathe of the media.

At more or less the same time, the floor fell out of the Irish economy.

Advertising budgets, always vulnerable to short-term cash flow difficulties, dropped off a cliff.

Circulation revenue fell away as well.

While the economy has stabilised and advertising spend is recovering, newspapers are still left with the same long-term problems.

Frank Mulrennan is the CEO of Celtic Media, a company in ownership of a number of local newspapers in the north midlands. He has had a long career in print journalism, both as a writer and editor. He now faces the challenge of making local newspapers live into the future.

Starting out Frank left UCD with a degree in agricultural economics and joined Stokes, Kennedy, Crowley (now KPMG) to become a trainee chartered accountant. After only four months a role became vacant at RTE as a producer/presenter in a daily farming programme in Radio 1. He went through the RTE broadcast training course to bring himself up

to speed on radio production.

He spent three years there and recalls making a huge number of contacts across the agricultural sector. The programme was called “20 past Six” and he describes it as “an institution among the farming community”. His work broadened out to a weekly slot called “Agriview” and even to gardening matters in “Ask about Gardening”.

He moved on from there and spent 15 months as press manager for the Irish Farmers Association (IFA). This proved to be a tough role and brought him into contact with senior politicians such as Charles Haughey. He recalls “very, very, trenchant” meetings between the farmers and the government. Some very wet summers in the mid-1980s led to crisis meetings between the IFA and government ministers and Frank was in the middle of it.

His opposite number at the time was the legendary PJ Mara. After one particularly gruelling meeting Mara said to him: “You and I have exactly the same job. We have thousands of masters”. To which Frank replied: “Yes PJ, but there’s a lot more glamour attached to what you do”.

In to print It proved an invaluable training ground and he made the move into print when he joined the Irish Independent as Agriculture Editor in 1987 at the age of 26. This role gave him the room he needed to develop his broader editorial and managerial skills. He had the task of producing the Farming Independent supplement, which was not

even a supplement when he began, but a single broadsheet page. After six years at the helm the supplement had moved on to being a separate 32 page tabloid.

He was also involved in the commercial side of the Farming Independent and the advertising revenue grew with the pagination. “I was very pleased that Tuesday became the second biggest sale day for the Irish Independent after Saturday. The Independent is a mid-market paper and is particularly strong outside Dublin,” he says.

This role lasted eight years and he thinks he may have stayed too long. The 32 page mark was a technical one and the paper’s presses could not go bigger. “When you can’t grow, things become a little bit stagnant and I was ready to move on”.

On to business In 1995 Frank departed from the world of agriculture journalism. When Matt Cooper left the Irish Independent to become the editor of the now defunct Sunday Tribune, the role of business editor became vacant and it was a natural move for him. Before he took up the business editor position, the Independent sent him off to the Cranfield School of Management in England. “The idea, I think, was to give me a break from newspapers for a couple of months, a break from the ‘deadline’ that is newspapers and also to augment my business education,” he says.

He also spent a month on the business desk of the London Independent which he

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papers a future describes as a ‘terrific experience’.

The time out had an impact on him.“You know the way lots of us, no matter what we do in life, get stuck in routine and this couple of months in England broke the routine for me”.

The business unit had around ten journalists but Frank brought in some new talent in news and production.

His task at the Independent was to take on the Irish Times’ virtual monopoly on business coverage and prestige. “Business people in Dublin tended to gravitate first to the Times but we went at it very strongly and I had a lot of confidence that our ability to get stories and package them was as good and better than the Irish Times. We still had the difficulty getting business people to admit that they came to us first for news because the Times had that cachet. But we built the brand”.

Management After his stint on the business desk, which included both an editorial and managerial side, he was offered a wholly executive management role as Managing Director of the Drogheda Independent group, which included the Fingal Independent, the Dundalk Argus as well as the eponymous title. So how did that go?

Firstly there was culture shock. “I missed writing and I hugely missed the camaraderie of the newsroom. I had withdrawal symptoms for a long time. At ten-to-four in the Independent you would have a mad dash around having stuff ready for the four o’clock conference. That ten-to-four body clock stayed with me for about a year.”

Being in charge, on the other hand, was a breeze. “I had a first year when I thought ‘my god, management is so easy’. The money was rolling in, relatively speaking, as the economy was so strong”.

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It didn’t last. In 2001 there was a crash, the dot-com crash, forgotten now in the wake of the most recent collapse. Nevertheless, it had a big impact at the time and the managem e n t ro l e b e c a m e a l o t m o re onerous as revenue declined. He had to find a new set of skills.

While he was still Business Editor at the Independent, he was sent to do a two year post-graduate course, (from 2002 to 2004), an MSc in Management Practice, at the Irish Management Institute at Trinity College. He says he found the education invaluable. “I realised that management was about more than personality, experience, motivation and empathy which I thought would carry me through. But when the going got tough, we had to do a lot of cost cutting and the two years at Trinity IMI were invaluable in terms of gaining an appreciation for strategy and managing people.”

Leaving the Independent In 2005 Frank finally moved from Independent News and Media to the Celtic Media Group which was the Irish arm of the Scottish Dunfermline Press and joined as Business Development Manager. Dunfermline had bought a number of Irish local papers for huge sums of money, paying around €65 million for some modestly profitable publications.

Frank’s role was to bring cohesion to the group as the papers were mostly family-run businesses. Again, for the first two or three years things held together as the Celtic Tiger was still roaring. “In September 2007 advertising fell off a cliff,” he recalls. “And thereafter our bankers began to question seriously the ability of the company to meet loan repayments.

So integration had to happen then because we had no choice and there was a lot of pain.”

In 2008 the company put through around 50 redundancies. Though traumatic, he says that he can meet each of those people now in the knowledge that they were treated fairly. In 2010 the bank, and the board, installed Frank as CEO. “Things were very difficult. There was a fractious relationship between the board and the bank. Myself and finance director Frank Long basically became intermediaries between head office, based in Edinburgh, the bank also based in Edinburgh, and we were sitting in Ireland trying to save the company.”

There was a lot of cost-cutting and by 2012 the bank wanted to exit Ireland altogether and they

advanced a new loan of €5.5 million to the management to buy out the Celtic Media Group. Disaster and closure had been narrowly avoided and 125 jobs and six local newspapers had been saved.

But for how long? The two basic problems facing newspapers remained: readers migrating to the web and advertisers following them.

As Frank Mulrennan says, nobody owes newspapers a living, there’s no subsidies and no safety net.

Newspapers must respond to the threats.

The first response has been to strip out unnecessary costs.

The Celtic Media approach is to centralise all the elements of the newspapers that don’t have to be local. Therefore all the graphic design work is completed at Celtic Media’s main hub in Mullingar. The newspaper and ad design are completed by communication with the local ad sales reps and journalists over the internet. It has meant the shutting down of local production rooms at each paper but Frank believes that is essential for the sustainability of the papers. “Unless we keep modernising and being selfcritical, we will go put of business,” he says. “There is no denying that we are managing a business sector that is in decline. It has only been in recent months that I can say that out loud without wincing.”

The future of print Asked if he thinks newspapers will be around in 10 years he responds with an emphatic “I do”. Asked about the situation in 20 years, he pauses before saying that newspapers will still be around but that “the online version will be more important”. “There won’t be as many papers printed - the online version with be more important.

When it gets to a certain stage it will be possible to digitally print papers which will be less expensive. In Dublin we have 120,000 copies of the Northside and Southside People printed. In 20 years’ time I would see that mainly online with about 20,000 copies being mailed to people. In rural areas I think there will be

hard copy versions of the local papers but probably at less than half the volume it is now.”

But even with the reputed ‘long tail’ of newspaper decline, Celtic Media is moving the papers online. Already, readers from all corners of the globe can buy and read replica editions of the paper on the web. The company is also developing local apps for smartphones and tablets to accompany and complement their papers.

As well as implementing cost reductions in its own papers, Celtic Media also supply services to other, independent papers in the areas of design, credit control and sales. All local papers are going to be faced with change and that “the entrepreneurial abilities of people in the local newspaper sector is going to be tested.”

Asked whether the old model, that of placing ads and news beside each other, can survive the move to digital, he says that it may be that the advertisers and the commercial community might lose out.

“There’s an element of the ‘king’s new clothes’ about the rush to digital and many advertiser may not be best served by going online. It’s important to us still involved in hard copy to get that message across. Also, there’s higher agency commission in digital.”

Education's value On the value of education in the entrepreneurial world, Frank thinks education complements initiative.

“There are people who say ‘Oh, education drives the creativity out of entrepreneurs’. I don’t agree with that, but I have a bias because education has been good for me. I think it allows you to make decisions.

You can decide to dump all the strategic stuff that you’ve learned but if you’ve never come across it you’re not going to know the value of it.”

“The reason I went back to studying was the I knew that I didn’t have all the answers. We all have to be self-critical. We have to ask ourselves, ‘how are my skill sets?’, ‘what deficiencies do I have?’, ‘what screw-ups have I made?’ and I have found education very important in dealing with all that,” he concludes.

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Mary Immaculate College

Increased student numbers, an expanded geographical footprint and additional programmes at MIC MARY Immaculate College, founded in 1898, is a university-level College of Education and the Liberal Arts, academically linked with the University of Limerick. The College now has a student population of over 3,500, enrolled in undergraduate programmes for B.Ed. and BA degrees, a new and exciting Contemporary and Applied Theatre Studies programme and in a range of postgraduate programmes at Diploma, MA and Ph.D level.

The College’s geographical footprint has also expanded with the recent announcement of the incorporation of St. Patrick’s College, Thurles – another well-established College offering four degree programmes that prepare students to become second-level teachers.

Commenting on the incorporation Minister for Education & Skills, Minister Jan O’Sullivan T.D. said “This is a very significant development that will be of great benefit to the students, staff and broader stakeholders of Mary Immaculate College and St. Patrick’s College”.

Pre-eminent role She went on to say “The announcement underlines Mary Immaculate College’s pre-eminent role in the provision of initial teacher education in Ireland. The quality and dedication of teaching staff in the Irish education system is recognised internationally as one of our great strengths. MIC has contributed hugely to this positive aspect of education in Ireland and this new development will ensure that the College continues to go from strength to strength.”

“Clearly,” according to MIC President Professor Michael A Hayes, “MIC is held in the highest regard by the Minister and the Department of Education & Skills and is seen strategically as the ideal vehicle for the

continuation of the important subject areas taught at St. Patrick’s College, including Irish, Religion, Business Studies and Accounting, all of which are in high demand by secondary schools searching for the most highly qualified graduates.

"There is also an obvious complementarity in both campuses’ cultures, where the student is placed at the centre of both institutions’ missions and a campus environment conducive to a warm and friendly community ambience is at the centre of all its activities.”

Nine programmes Following the incorporation MIC will now offer a choice of nine undergraduate honours degree programmes, for intake in September 2016. MIC, St Patrick’s Campus, Thurles’ four undergraduate programmes are specifically geared towards initial teacher education for the second-level school sector in Ireland.

The programmes, which are accredited by the University of Limerick and the Teaching Council, have been comprehensively redesigned to meet the requisite standards of these bodies and the needs of graduates entering the teaching profession. The programmes offer unique content and subject combinations that are valuable to the education sector as a

The announcement underlines Mary Immaculate College’s pre-eminent role in the provision of initial teacher education in Ireland. The quality and dedication of teaching staff in the Irish education system is recognised internationally as one of our great strengths.

whole and to the economy offering very favourable employment prospects to graduates.

MIC Campus, Limerick will continue to offer two four-year B.Ed. programmes, for those wishing to become a primary teacher (with the option of having a specialisation in Educational Psychology), a programme for those who wish to work in the area of professional childhood care and education, a Liberal Arts programme offering a wide array of subjects such as Media and Communication Studies, Psychology, English; and an exciting new BA in Contemporary and Applied Theatre Studies.

MIC will also continue to offer a host of postgraduate programmes to doctoral level in Education and in the Liberal Arts, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses, and numerous access and inclusion pathways.

Tailored programmes Mary Immaculate College is also committed to improving access to higher education for adults. The College has a range of tailored programmes and supports that make the journey for adult learners as easy as possible. Mature students choose MIC as their College of Choice for a number of reasons, which include, amongst others: • MIC’s commitment to Lifelong Learning • Alternative pathways in gaining access to third level education • Tailored support systems available to mature students • State-of-the-art city centre campus • Highly sought-after programmes • Friendly and relaxed atmosphere • Small class size For further information visit www.mic.ul.ie Education 15

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1916 Centenery

Telling a story from 1916 I HAVE spent many years telling stories through the medium of television and sometimes the big screen.

Once it hits the screen however you tend to ‘file it away’ and move on to the next project. When I made A Terrible Beauty in 2013 with my two sons Keith and Colin, I had the inescapable feeling this was one I was not going to be able to ‘file away’.

Set during the Rising in Dublin in 1916 the 93 minute docudrama tells the story of ordinary men and women, Rebel, British soldier and civilian caught up in those pivotal events in Dublin during Easter week 1916. The film is centered on the two linked battles of Mount Street and North King Street culminating in the massacre of civilians on this street as British forces took revenge for the heavy losses they suffered at Mount Street.

We used the first hand accounts of ordinary people to drive the narrative, cutting to the action they describe as events are unfolding, which takes the viewer to the very heart of the conflict, giving them an up-close and personal experience of

■ John and Thomas O’Connor in Irish Volunteer uniform

By Dave Farrell

the rising. Thomas Clarke had wanted him to return to his ship but he refused and with his brother John participated in the fighting during Easter Week.

Tile Media Ltd the often brutal and bloody fight which so affected the lives of the men and women caught up in the chaos. With the exception of Ned Daly we deliberately avoided the already well told stories of the leaders of the rebellion. After screenings of the film we had people coming to us asking if we could help them tell their family stories and boy did we get some great stories!

Fascinating accounts We were being told fascinating accounts of ‘ordinary’ men and women, involved in the Rising, who have never had their voices heard or their stories told before. We felt that documenting these individual accounts was extremely important in completing the story of the 1916 Rebellion. For us there was no way to just forget these great stories, with many more to be told. One such story is that of Tommy O’Connor and his brother John.

It is often said that truth is stranger than fiction and that is certainly true of Tommy’s life. A seaman in 1912 he finds himself on the ship Carpathia that came to the aid of the Titanic, for which he was awarded a bronze commemorative medal.

Coming from a family with strong nationalist views he joined the IRB (Irish Republican Brotherhood) in 1915 becoming the transAtlantic courier, the link man between Ireland and the US. As well as delivering coded messages back and forth he also carried significant amounts of cash back from America which would help to fund the Rising in 1916 and the War of Independence that followed. He arrived back in Dublin days before

"He was arrested in New York under an assumed name and convicted and sentenced to a year's imprisonment under the 'Trading with the Enemy Act'

His luck ran out After his release from Frongoch Internment Camp in Wales he returned to his role as a ‘spy’ or courier plying the Atlantic on various ships. He continued to act as the link man between Ireland and America.

Finally his luck ran out and he was arrested in New York under an assumed name and convicted and sentenced to a year's imprisonment under the ‘Trading with the Enemy Act’, the enemy in this case being the Germans with whom he would undoubtably have had contact. He did not finally serve his sentence until 1920 and in the meantime he accompanied many Irish rebels on their tours of America continuing to raise huge sums of money for the cause at home.

By 1927 Tommy was a happily married man quietly working as an accountant in New York. Having a criminal record is probably not a good idea if you are an accountant, so what does Tommy do? Somehow he manages to obtain a presidential pardon from Calvin Coolidge, 30th President of the United States!

The problem of course in bringing

■ The medal awarded to Tommy O’Connor in recognition of his efforts in helping to rescue people from the sinking Titanic.

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■ Ned Daly (Owen McDonnell) takes aim at British Lancer extraordinary stories like Tommy and Johnny’s to the TV or big screen, is that it is an incrediby expensive business to do so and the competition for space on those screens is enormous. We were hooked on the stories but where to take them? The answer lay in the somewhat smaller screen of the desktop computer, laptop and smart phone and so “Stories from 1916” was born.

Online digital portal We decided to setup an online digital portal storiesfrom1916.com, an interactive multimedia project which uses contemporary techniques to enhance the storytelling process.

By working closely with families, we are seamlessly mixing family held archive material, much of which has never been seen by the general public, with photographs, video, audio and text to build a more complete picture of who the men and women of 1916 were.

Audiences, both young and old, can enjoy learning about these previously untold tales at their own pace, choosing to view the stories in one sitting or to come back at their leisure. With the increasing ease of access that mobile technologies bring, followers of the project can pick when and where they would like to explore these fascinating pieces of our shared history.

Through the prism of those who were a part of this transformative event in Irish history, audiences have the opportunity to explore the conflict, reflect on past traumas and

Audiences, both young and old, can enjoy learning about these previously untold tales at their own pace

discover the lessons to be learned from this pivotal moment in history.

A natural extension of the work we are doing is to create an educational interactive traveling exhibition which is just what we have done. In addition to featuring stories in traditional formats we have ipads where people can view clips, read more about the stories and listen to podcasts we have recorded.

This aspect of our project was launched at the Milwaukee Irish Fest (the biggest in the US) in August 2015 where the response was fantastic and we found a real yearning to learn more about the events of 1916.

The challenge for us is how to keep going with our not for profit project. Our goal is to create and

maintain a resource for all. We have a team of five dedicated people working to maintain and build on the storytelling already completed. We believe our style of interactive story telling is ideally suited to introducing a young audience to events which many of them will have little knowledge of. The exhibition and docudrama is available to schools around the country.

If you would like to help us to continue with our work you can do so by either purchasing the DVD of the film at www.1916film.com, Or by making a donation to the project.

You can learn more about the project at www.storiesfrom1916.com or follow us on facebook or Twitter @1916film or https://twitter.com/ storiesfrom1916

■ Stories from 1916 Stand at Milwaukee Irish Fest 2015 Education 17

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Accounting Technicians Ireland

Stepping stone to professional accountancy

A

CCOUNTING Technicians Ireland is the leading national Accounting Technician body with over 10,000 members and students across the Island of Ireland. Founded in 1983, the organisation prides itself on providing an internationally recognised accounting qualification and promoting the highest standards of excellence in education to both its students and members. With 95% of members in employment, it’s a qualification in high demand with employers.

A qualification with Accounting Technicians Ireland combines professional examinations with practical work experience. As qualified members, individuals can use the respected and valued MIATI designation after their name, seen by many employers as essential when hiring.

Accounting Technicians are qualified accounting professionals employed throughout all levels of finance across the public sector, industry, commerce and private accountancy practices. They can perform a wide range of financial roles typically associated with fully trained accountants including: Financial Accounting

and Budgeting; Costing and Credit Control; Payroll Administration and Tax Returns; Auditing and Assurance work; Corporate Finance; and Tax Planning.

POSITIVE EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS As our economy begins to improve, the overall jobs market in the accountancy and finance sectors in Ireland remains very positive. A recent analysis of the labour market (National Skills Bulletin 2014) confirms continuing shortages for accounting technician skills, deeming it a niche area.

In fact the overall outlook for job creation

in business and financial occupations is favourable, with employment growth projected to be higher than average over the medium term.

Accounting Technicians can be employed in a wide variety of finance roles including Manufacturing, Local and central government, Financial Services including banking and insurance, Private accountancy firms or all sectors of commercial industry.

Self-employment is also a career possibility for qualified technicians with many members taking the option of opening their own accountancy services.

In addition, many individuals who qualify as accounting technicians enrol in further study, and use the qualification as a stepping stone to eventually become professional accountants.

Accounting Technicians Ireland has offices in Dublin and Belfast and links with more than 70 local college networks throughout the country.

FIND OUT MORE: Go to www.accountingtechniciansireland.ie for more details.

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Asian Studies at University College Cork

Asian Studies at UCC greets first intake of trainee Chinese language teachers IRELAND’S first MA in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (MA TCSOL), has enrolled its first fourteen students in the School of Asian Studies at UCC this October.

The group will graduate in summer 2016 with a qualification combining theory and practice, by which time they will have had plenty of classroom experience to develop their skills in a variety of settings, from local secondary schools to evening classes and language training for staff from local companies preparing for a secondment to China.

Regular opportunities The existing links between UCC’s Confucius Institute and schools across Munster have been invaluable in setting up the programme and ensuring students have regular opportunities for classroom observation and teaching practice.

As the course expands to a full complement of 25-30 students over the next few years, the School of Asian Studies aims to

recruit a mix of Chinese native speakers and local graduates in Chinese Studies.

“Irish students can bring their own experiences as second-language learners into the classroom to help their students, and may have a better idea about the aspects of Chinese that foreign learners really struggle with than do native speakers,” said Professor Jackie Sheehan, Acting Head of the School of Asian Studies.

Highly portable “As Chinese companies increase their overseas presence and global supply chains almost inevitably come to include China, a postgraduate qualification in teaching Chinese is a highly portable one.

"Demand is only going to increase, not only in Europe, but also in areas like Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, where Chinese investment and migration has run way ahead of the availability of Chineselanguage teaching, especially for adult learners. Chinese language learning is also booming in Japan and Thailand at present.”

While final decisions about Chinese as a curricular subject in Ireland are still pending, more schools have given their students a taste of Chinese through the short course now offered in the Transition Year. Next March, another group of TY students and their teachers from Cork, Limerick and Galway will spend two weeks in China trying out their new language skills, led by Mr Yongbin Xia of UCC’s Confucius Institute and Professor Sheehan.

“Chinese is a challenging language for European beginners, who have to get used to features of it like the tones and the writing of characters,” said Professor Sheehan, “and one of the best ways to encourage them early on is to get them out to China and show them that they can actually make themselves understood with what they’ve learned in class.”

Looking to Japan Japanese Studies, including language teaching, at UCC has received a boost with the appointment of Dr Till Weingärtner,

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“Chinese is a challenging language for European beginners... and one of the best ways to encourage them early on is to get them out to China and show them that they can actually make themselves understood with what they’ve learned in class.”

formerly of Manchester University and the Free University of Berlin, as a lecturer in Japanese Studies. Dr Weingärtner’s research interests include film and media, literature, gender issues, food culture, memory studies, and Japanese humour and comedy; during his PhD studies in Osaka, he performed stand-up comedy and hosted a radio comedy show in Japanese. “We hope that students will be inspired by Till’s example of the mastery of spoken Japanese that can be achieved by a foreigner,” said Professor Sheehan.

New association 2015 also saw the launch of the Irish Association for Asian Studies (IAAS), with membership open to all academics publishing on Asia and based in the island of Ireland, with Professor Jackie Sheehan as its first President. The School of Asian Studies also set up, as a parallel venture, the online Irish Journal of Asian Studies (http://irishjournalofasianstudies.org/), a peer-reviewed journal under the editorship of Dr Kevin Cawley, with its inaugural edition focused on Korea.

With Korean language classes again attracting healthy numbers, and undergraduate enrolment in the BA Asian Studies sharply increasing in September 2015, Asian Studies looks set for a strong year across the board at UCC. FIND OUT MORE: w: www.ucc.ie/en/asian/ t: 021-4902825 e: asianstudies@ucc.ie School of Asian Studies, 3rd Floor, O'Rahilly Building, UCC.

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UCC School of Asian Studies

Undergraduate courses for 2015-16 Chinese Studies BA - CK101 This course aims to develop students’ understanding of the history, culture, economy, politics, religion and philosophy of China.

Chinese Studies can be taken over three years or as a four-year Chinese Studies Pathway, with the third year spent at a partner university in China

Taught-postgraduate courses for 2015-16:

MA or Higher Diploma Contemporary Chinese Culture and Business These courses are designed to equip students with knowledge of the Chinese language (Mandarin) and provide them with the expertise to work in a China-facing multi-cultural and Commerce (International) with Chinese international business environment in the future.

Studies BComm International - CK211 Based at UCC for the first half year, students This is a broadly based degree that combines then go to China for further language training a range of business modules, the study of and a work placement with a Chinese organizaMandarin Chinese and courses on contempo- tion, before returning to UCC to complete their rary Chinese society, popular culture and course. media, politics and modern history to provide students with the necessary tools to work effec- MA Asian Studies tively in an international environment This one-year full-time course offers graduates from the arts, humanities, social sciences, busiAsian Studies Arts BA (Hons) - CK101 ness, science and engineering an understanding This three-year course focuses on contemporary of Asian societies including culture, education, Asia. It begins with an overview of the entire social systems, politics, business and manageregion from the Middle East to the Far East, ment, as well as the opportunity to develop the including Asian diasporas worldwide. In subse- linguistic and intercultural skills necessary to quent years students choose modules from a work in or relate to Asia and Asian countries. variety of disciplines focusing on Asia and It includes opportunities to experience living and language options working in Asian countries.

Contact Details: School of Asian Studies, O’Rahilly Building, UCC Tel: 021-4902825 Fax: 021-4903825 www.ucc.ie/calendar/arts/art025.html

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Information Technology

Compu b announce Chief Executive appointment Compu b, Ireland’s leading Apple Premium Reseller, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ciaran McCormack as Chief Executive Officer.

Ciaran joins Compu b from Apple Ireland where he held the role of Commercial Channel Manager and was responsible for the growth of Apple’s Corporate, Apple Premium Reseller, Business and Public Sector segments. Prior to joining Apple, Ciaran was a leading Creative Industries Consultant and Business Coach with a client base of leading multinational organisations and educational institutions.

At Compu b, Ciaran will oversee Irish & United Kingdom Operations and drive the continued growth of the company across all sectors. Compu b’s Irish operation includes six Apple Premium Retail Stores and established Business-to-Business, Channel, Education, Service and Training departments. The expanding UK business

includes an Apple Premium Retail Store and Service Department in Selfridges on Oxford Street, London, Business-toBusiness, Channel and Education Departments in Soho, London and a recently opened Logistics Centre in Milton Keynes.

Ciaran holds a Masters Degree in Education and Digital Learning from Dublin City University and St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra and a Bachelor’s degree at BA in Film and Television, Film, Media, Television, Production from Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design & Technology.

Compu b has been in operation since 1992 and opened Ireland’s first Apple Premium Retail Store in Limerick in 2007.

Compu b currently employs 130 staff in Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Further Info: Kieran O’Brien, Marketing Manager, Compu b, 00 353 87 2337038

■ Ciaran McCormack

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Why Study at CSIS?  A wide range of courses in digital and software disciplines  Excellent facilities  Dedicated and enthusiastic staff  Graduates are highly sought after by employers 24 Education

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What Is Unique About UL?

 Scenic riverside campus  Pioneering and European leaders in Cooperative Education  Outstanding sporting facilities  Excellent on-campus accommodation  “UL graduates continue to be the most sought after Irish University graduates as they are 22% more likely to be employed after graduation than any other Irish University Graduate”

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ICT Education

ICT Associate Professional Programme Launches Current evidence from around the world reveals that companies which invest in such apprenticeships derive many long term business benefits from doing so.

For participating technology companies like IBM, the programme is designed to ensure that not only will they have an employee who is being trained to industry standards, but they will also have an employee who understands their unique workplace conditions.

By Peter O’Neill, Managing Director, IBM Ireland.

IBM has been involved with FastTrack to IT (FIT) for many years, as one part of an extensive programme to hire and develop the skilled people we need for our operations in Ireland. We were delighted when FIT approached us to help with the development of their new ICT Associate Professional Programme and to support its launch in December 2014.

For this certification programme FIT has produced an innovative syllabus focusing on equipping the IT professionals of the future with the skills to meet the business needs of today and tomorrow.

It draws on FIT’s own extensive experience in working directly with IT companies and its close collaboration with government departments and national education and training agencies.

College setting The IT apprenticeship will take place over two years and combines workplace learning in a technology company, with classroom teaching in a college setting.

There are many merits to this dual education approach for both the participating companies and the apprentices.

Future It ensures that future skills needs will be met and also provides a pool of skilled employees from which future supervisors and managers could be internally recruited.

By training within a technology company’s working environment apprentices use the tools and IT equipment that will be needed to carry out their specific job role.

As a result, the skills they learn are of immediate use and benefit to the participating company.

Confidence The apprentice also practices under the supervision of more experienced employees of the company, allowing them to gain more confidence in their work and to integrate quickly into the company.

The training that apprentices receive during the college-based part of the course is state-of-the-art, so as technology and industry moves on, companies can be assured that new developments or certification skills will be incorporated within the programme of study.

Would a career in the tech sector tick all your boxes?

FIT ICT Associate Professional is a new IT apprenticeship-style (learn & earn) pathway to a career in the technology sector.

Over 7,000 jobs are currently available in ICT sector – as highlighted by the FIT ICT Skills Audit 2014 – 75% of which are at entry and competent levels.

The ICT Sector Wants YOU! The technology sector is not all about STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) – there is a larger and growing requirement for people just like you who attain good technical skills, combined with project management, employability and customer facing skills. The technol-

On-the-job As the apprentices learn by a combination of attending college and learning on the job, many find that it is a more effective approach than the traditional college course, allowing them to apply classroom learning immediately to an on-the-job situation.

The newly launched FIT Associate Professional Programme modernises the apprentice model for the digital age. It is a very exciting new initiative with serious potential to secure Ireland’s reputation in the tech space.

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■ Business and Education Leaders Unite to Launch new Earn & Learn route to ICT Careers - right to left are Liam Ryan SAP, Peter O’Neill IBM, Paul O’Toole SOLAS, Jacinta Stewart CDETB and Peter Davitt FIT

ogy sector in Ireland is much broader and more varied than most people realise – with an appetite for ‘Smart People with Smart Skills’ – who have a wide range of talents and attributes, and most importantly the enthusiasm to work in the sector.

We know it works!

What is FIT ICT Associate Professional?

FIT ICT Associate Professional is a dualeducation apprenticeship-style format of ICT skills training which has been endorsed by the industry and government.

This ‘learn and earn’ model of provision is a two year programme during which you will attain a Level 6 ICT and Professional Development Qualification and will be awarded the title of FIT ICT Associate Professional by the industry. The first 6

months are college-based where candidates will acquire the technical acumen.

The remaining 18 months are a combination of work-place application and college-based learning where candidates will further their skills development and apply their learning to live projects within their sponsoring company.

A FIT ICT Associate Professional spends much of their time training with a company, helping them to effectively learn the skills needed in the work place using modern technology and equipment and getting involved in real-life work processes.

What does it cost?

The FIT ICT Associate Professional training is funded by SOLAS and the Education & Training Boards so there's no fees.

What will I earn?

Once you commence your work experience with your Sponsor company in the 7th month of the programme, you will receive an allowance of between €260 and €290 per week for the reminder of the first year. In the second year of the programme, you will receive between €340 and d€385 per week.

How do I sign up?

If you are a keen tech enthusiast and are interested in participating in the FIT ICT Associate Professional programme, then contact FIT at ICTAP@fit.ie or call us on 01 8825570 or lo call on 1890 815 704.

See www.fit.ie for further information.

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Robert Chambers Academy

Providing professional training for Irish and international students

A Career with style Ireland’s Premier Hairdressing Academy!

Advanced Diploma Course Leaving Cert Special!

Become a Qualified Hairdresser in 16 Months!

ENROLLING NOW!

DOWNLOAD OUR BROCHURE: WWW.ROBERTCHAMBERS.IE CONTACT NADINE FOR AN INTERVIEW: ACADEMY@ROBERTCHAMBERS.IE GRAFTON ST, D2 / UPPER LIFFEY ST, D1 TELEPHONE: 01 6771323

FOUNDED in 1982, The Robert Chambers Academy is the foremost hairdressing Academy in Ireland. Robert Chambers is himself an icon of Irish Hairdressing fame. He established the first formal teaching Academy to provide professional training for Irish and international students, paving the way for many talented hairdressers to learn and hone their craft. He recognised that learning ‘on the job’ was not the most efficient way to teach students the intricacies of cutting, colouring and styling. In this he was very much ahead of the field.

The core Academy course, the 16 month Diploma Course, admits students three times a year, usually March, July and October.

Although students do not need to have any previous experience a passion and energy for hair is essential. This is a full time course and professional teachers with years of experience and expertise in hairdressing lead the students through the intensive, comprehensive modules.

Creative career ‘Our aim is to educate, stimulate and motivate our students by improving technique, precision and technical discipline,’ explains Tamar Chambers, MD of the Robert Chambers Hair Group.

‘Nurturing our students is very important. This is a creative career underpinned with discipline. We want our students to learn the professional way to cut, colour and style hair, to build confidence and have a solid understanding of modern hairdressing.’

The course covers the foundations of hairdressing before finetuning the core strengths. Modules cover aspects of theory, practicalities of blow-drying and dressing hair, Up styling and GHD styling. Perming and its opposite, permanent straightening, are covered as are advanced colour, highlighting and colour techniques.

Thorough grounding ‘All our students get a thorough grounding in the theory and application of all hairdressing techniques,’ says Tamar. ‘In particular we teach the best cutting techniques with the most modern approaches. All our students graduate as professional cutters – the cornerstone of all quality hairdressing.’

The Academy also covers the less tangible aspects of hairdressing that are essential for future career growth. It is vital that the stylist interacts with his/her clients, assessing their needs. In addition to salon etiquette, customer service is taught, with an emphasis on fully meeting, and exceeding, the expectations of the customer.

The new term begins on September 29, 2015. Future dates to be advised. All interested students should visit www.robertchambers.ie for more information and to schedule an appointment to apply for a coveted place.

‘Our students are the celebrity hairdressers of the future,’ says Tamar.

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GMIT Letterfrack hosts Leonardo da Vinci project meeting THE final partner meeting of the IQ for European Credit system for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET) project was hosted in GMIT Letterfrack on September 28th 2015. The overall goal of the IQ for ECVET project is the improvement and development of VET (vocational education and training system) in partnership countries by applying ECVET. ECVET is one of the tools focused on promoting lifelong learning, flexibility of learning pathways to qualifications and mobility of students and other learners (including teachers) across Europe. It is based on learning outcomes, defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competences needed to achieve a qualification. It enables the recognition, validation and documentation of achieved learning outcomes acquired abroad, facilitating the transnational mobility. This system contributes to the transparency and recognition of qualifications and learning outcomes in VET and lifelong learning.

Skills and competences The main outcome of the IQ for ECVET project is the creation of a common matrix of competences, skills and knowledge for selected professions in furniture, textile and flooring. This enables people interested in working abroad to get a clear image about what skills and competences are necessary to qualify in the any of the five trades featured in one of the partner countries, thereby enhancing workers' transnational mobility across Europe.

A new website (http://iqforecvet.info) is being developed within the project. As well as presenting information about ECVET and how this project delivers on the goals of ECVET, there are several interactive features within the site which introduce the user to technical information about each of the five trades featured. The target groups for the

project are the professional community, teachers and students, primarily in Further Education. The lead partners in the project are; • TZU - Textilni zkušebni ustav, s.p., (Textile Testing Institute), Czech Republic The other Project Partners are; • MENDELU - Mendelova univerzita v Brne, (Mendelu University Brno), Czech Republic

• GMIT - Galway Mayo Institute of Technology, Ireland • APMR - Asociatia Producatorilor de Mobila din Romania, (Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania), Romania • OIGPM - Ogolnopolska Izba Gospodarcza Producentow Mebli, (Polish Chamber of Commerce of Furniture manufacturers), Poland This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This article reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

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Hairdressing

Harvard Hair Training Academy and Salon HARVARD Hair Training Academy and Salon is an Itec approved College. We are the most progressive academy in Dublin offering a full range of hairdressing courses from complete beginners to advanced. Itec level 2 and level 3 diplomas are recognised internationally.

Our full time courses run Monday Tuesday and Wednesday 10am to 5.30pm for level 2 diploma 9 months with an additional 3 months for the level 3 diploma.

Our award winning team of educators have over 20 years experience each in the hairdressing industry.

We are an official Loreal salon and teach to the highest standards. We use live models and classes are small with a maximum number of 12 students.

Located just 5 mins from city centre with free parking. Call now on 01 8689416 for more information or to arrange to meet one of our educators email info@harvardhair.ie

PEOPLE’S COLLEGE For Adult Education 31 Parnell Square, Dublin 1

The People’s College for Adult Education organises adult education in a wide range of subjects for trade unionists, their families and the general public at very reasonable prices.

Most are evening classes but Spanish, Yoga and Creative Writing are offered in the morning.

Courses offered include Creative Writing, Languages, Music & Art Appreciation, Yoga, Painting, Photography and History.

New this year are Qigong, Felting and Positive Psychology. The college also has a choir, debating society and a drama group.

Counselling Course Two Year Diploma Course in Counselling and Psychotherapy

Information about

at Galilee House of Studies, Athy, Co. Kildare.

Commencing October 5th 2015.

available from November 2015

This course can be upgraded to level 8 Honours Degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy by participating in a 3rd Year.

January Courses VENUE: PEOPLE’S COLLEGE, 31 PARNELL SQUARE, DUBLIN 1 For further Information:

Tel: 8735879 • Email: info@peoplescollege.ie www.peoplescollege.ie

Contact Carmel at: 087 232 7642

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National Council for Exercise and Fitness (NCEF)

A professional qualification in fitness education

D

O you have a genuine interest in physical activity and in helping others to lead healthy & active lifestyles? Are you energetic, motivated and eager to learn about health & fitness?

If yes, then becoming a fitness instructor will give you the opportunity to work at what you love. Fitness instructors work in a variety of settings such as fitness centres, leisure clubs, gyms, community centres, hotels and cruise ships. Many fitness instructors set up their own businesses while others work part time or on a freelance basis.

The NCEF is an academic affiliate of the University of Limerick (UL) and provides education and training of outstanding quality in the area of exercise and health fitness.

The NCEF network of Certified Providers has been in place for over 20 years and all course fees are fully bonded with course provision guaranteed.

YEAR 1: Certificate in Exercise & Health Fitness (CEHF) course provides education and training in such areas as Anatomy & Physiology, Fitness Assessment and Programming, Circuit Training, Step Training, Resistance Training and Body Conditioning. Qualified fitness instructors can design individual fitness programmes and teach a variety of classes. Students also complete Occupational First Aid (OFA) and are awarded a FETAC Level 5 OFA qualification.

YEAR 2: Higher Certificate in Exercise & Health Fitness (HCEHF) builds on the skills and competencies achieved at CEHF level to special in areas such as Personal Training, Strength and Conditioning, Pilates & Corrective Exercise, Active Aging for the Older Adult, Children’s Activity, Studio Cycling, Facility Operations and Fit for Life.

Year 2 is predominantly based at the University of Limerick; however, there are many E-Learning options available.

The CEHF & HCEHF offers professional university accredited qualifications. They are the only University statutory award Fitness Instructor qualifications in Ireland.

The CEHF is placed at Level 6 minor and the HCEHF at Level 6 Major on the National Qualifications Framework (NFQ) and Level 5 on the European Qualifications Framework (EQF). The NCEF has completed the mapping of the CEHF & HCEHF Level 6 NFQ, to the European industry standards, Exercise for Health Specialist EQF Level 5.

CEHF Course Options: October 2016 - The CEHF can be undertaken part-time or full-time midweek and part-time at weekends. Locations include, Limerick,

Waterford, Dublin and Galway HCEHF Course Options: October 2016 - The two year full-time HCEHF can only be undertaken at the University of Limerick (Mon to Fri). Applicants are eligible to apply for SUSI Funding.

Graduates of the CEHF & HCEHF can progress on a flexible learning pathway to, Diploma in Exercise & Health Fitness (DEHF), NFQ Level 7 and finally the B.Sc. in Exercise & Health Fitness (NFQ Level 8).

FIND OUT MORE Further information at www.ncef.ie email ncef@ul.ie phone 061-202829

BECOME A FITNESS INSTRUCTOR QUALIFY WITH THE BEST Fitness Instructor Certificate in Exercise & Health Fitness (CEHF) – 1 Yr Part-Time Day or Weekends Specialist Instructor Higher Certificate in Exercise & Health Fitness (HCEHF) – 2 Yrs Full-Time • The only Fitness Instructor qualification in Ireland awarded by an Irish University • National Framework Qualifications (NFQ) at Levels 6, 7 & 8 • European Qualifications Framework (EQF) Levels 5, 6 & 7 and in addition audited and aligned to European Industry Standard Health Fitness • Flexible Learning Pathway to a B.Sc. in Exercise & Health Fitness • Course Fees are Secure

www.ncef.ie

For More Information P: 061-202829 E: ncef@ul.ie Education 31

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GREEN NEWS.....................................................................................................................

Windiest June on record for Irish wind energy IN the first six months of 2015, one-quarter of Irish electricity demand was met from wind energy, as a new report confirms wind’s role in bringing down power prices, according to the Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA).

A blustery start to the summer period and new wind energy projects which came into operation helped wind energy meet one-fifth (20%) of Ireland’s entire electricity demand in June, making last month the most productive June on record in terms of wind energy production.

The peak for the month in terms of wind energy production was recorded on June

1st when Irish wind energy output hit 1805MW, enough energy to power over 1.1 million homes, according to figures published by EirGrid, who monitor electricity generation and usage.

Overall, since the beginning of 2015, wind energy has met one-quarter (25%) of Irish electricity demand.

Wind reducing prices The half-year figures for Irish wind energy are released as a Moody’s Investor Services Report confirmed that increased Irish wind energy will contribute to a fall in the wholesale power prices over the next

three years.

Last month saw a record number of over 2,000 people visiting Irish wind farms across the country, doubling the figure from 2014, as a record number of wind farms across the island of Ireland opened to the public throughout June as part of Global Wind Day celebrations.

There were 25 events held at various wind farms across 16 counties including walking tours, charity runs, school visits, photo competitions and family fun events.

There are currently 191 wind farms operating in Ireland with the industry employing over 3,400 people nationwide.

Students asked for One Good Idea on Climate Change THE Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is calling on primary and post primary students to put their minds to the test and come up with creative ideas to tackle climate change and enter this year’s One Good Idea competition. The competition, sponsored by AIB, encourages students to run energy awareness campaigns to change behaviour and improve energy efficiency in their homes, schools and communities.

Since it first launched in 2008, over 5,000 students have created energy saving campaigns which targeted almost 100,000 children, teenagers and adults throughout the country.

Students are encouraged to research and plan their energy saving campaign; run the campaign in their home, school or community; then create a pitch video of their campaign; and if successful they will be chosen to take part in the national final which takes place in 2016.

Currently, a national public awareness campaign is being run using last year’s winners’ posters which are on display in AIB branches and billboards around the country.

For more information on the One Good Idea project log onto www.seai.ie/onegoodidea, email onegoodidea@realevents. ie or call 01 5224830.

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■ Amy Huberman launches third Bord Gáis Energy Student Theatre Awards with some enthusiastic future thesbians

Bord Gáis Energy Student Theatre Awards

Student theatre awards celebrate drama in schools around Ireland ACTRESS and writer Amy Huberman was joined by students from 5th & 6th class at Kildare Place National School in Rathmines today to launch the annual Bord Gáis Energy Student Theatre Awards.

The popular actress, and mum of two, also revealed that she will be joining the judging panel for this year’s awards. Additional judges will be announced later in the year.

This is the third year of the highly successful Awards which were set up

by Bord Gáis Energy to recognise and reward participation in drama in schools. Last year saw over 3,300 entries from schools across Ireland culminating in an awards ceremony at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre with 2,000 students representing 57 schools in attendance.

The Bord Gáis Energy Student Theatre awards are open to primary school students from 3rd – 6th class and all secondary school students.

There are 12 categories ranging from group categories such as best overall school musical, best overall school

play and best set design to individual categories such as best short scene script, best dramatic critique and best performances in a leading role (male and female).

The deadline for entries for this year’s competition is 5pm, Friday 29th January. Shortlisted schools will be invited to a special awards ceremony at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre on 5th May 2016 and will also be in with a chance to perform on stage. Winning schools will share a prize fund, and receive a commemorative trophy and plaque for their school.

A great platform Commenting on the launch, Amy Huberman said; “I am delighted to officially launch this year’s Bord Gáis Energy Student Theatre Awards. This is a fantastic competition which recognises all the hard work and effort that students, teachers and parents are putting into schools drama around Ireland. It’s a great platform for anyone wanting to participate in

"This is a fantastic competition which recognises all the hard work and effort that students, teachers and parents are putting into schools drama around Ireland

the arts and I would have absolutely loved to have taken part in something like this when I was a student.”

“I was involved in the first year of the Awards and it is fantastic to see how much interest in the competition has grown since. I like that it is not just about acting or being able to sing. Behind the scenes roles such as set and costume design are equally recognised. There are also two really great writing categories to enter.

“As a judge I’ll be looking for stand-out talent across the categories and I am really looking forward to seeing all the amazing entries we receive.”

To enter the awards, log on to bgesta.ie where you can download an entry form to go with your written or video submission. Completed entry forms should be sent to sta@ bordgais.ie or by post to Bord Gáis Energy Student Theatre Awards, Real Nation, Fumbally Court, Fumbally Lane, Dublin 8.

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Learning Difficulties

Looking out for Dyslexia Dyslexic difficulties occur on a continuum from mild to severe and affect approximately 10% of the population. The Dyslexia Association of Ireland's campaigns for mandatory teaching training, equitable access to identification and supports, and funding support services for children and adults with dyslexia.

THERE are many definitions of dyslexia. A very simple one would be that dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty which makes it hard for some people to learn to read, write and spell correctly.

The Dyslexia Association of Ireland defines dyslexia as a specific learning difficulty affecting the acquisition of fluent and accurate reading and spelling skills. This occurs despite access to appropriate learning opportunities.

Dyslexia is characterised by cognitive difficulties in (1) phonological processing, (2) working memory, and (3) speed of retrieval of information from long term memory. Dyslexic difficulties occur on a continuum from mild to severe and affect approximately 10% of the population. People with dyslexia may experience greater stress and frustration as they endeavour to learn, resulting in heightened anxiety, particularly in relation to literacy acquisition. People with dyslexia may also have accompanying learning strengths.

The Report of the Task Force on Dyslexia (2001) suggests the following definition: "Dyslexia is manifested in a continuum of specific learning difficulties related to the acquisition of basic skills in reading, spelling and/or writing, such difficulties

being unexplained in relation to an individual’s other abilities and educational experiences. Dyslexia can be described at the neurological, cognitive and behavioural levels. It is typically characterised by inefficient information processing, including difficulties in phonological processing, working memory, rapid naming and automaticity of basic skills. Difficulties in organisation, sequencing and motor skills may also be present. (p.31)" The report goes on to say that the learning difficulties arising from dyslexia: • occur across the lifespan, and may manifest themselves in different ways at different ages; • may co-exist with difficulties in the area of numbers; • may be associated with early spoken language difficulties; • may be alleviated by appropriate intervention; • increase or reduce in severity depending on environmental factors; • occur in all socio-economic groups; • can co-exist with other learning difficulties such as Attention Deficit Disorder, and may or may not represent a primary difficulty.

Causes of dyslexia A great deal of research has been

People with dyslexia may experience greater stress and frustration as they endeavour to learn

done in recent years on the cause of dyslexia and it may be that a great deal more needs to be done before we have a definitive answer.

We do know that developmental dyslexia is inherited, only slightly more common in males than females and that one is born with it. While no conclusive research has been carried out in Ireland to determine how prevalent it is, studies in other countries would suggest that approx.

8-10% of the population are likely to be affected. It would seem that people with dyslexia share a cluster of genes, which may, it is believed, account for the variations in the nature and extent of specific learning difficulties.

Experts are not agreed, however, on the underlying causes of dyslexia.

The prevalent research considers that a phonological deficit is the root cause of dyslexia. Evidence from brain imaging suggests that people with dyslexia do not activate the left hemisphere (the language side) in the brain as much when reading as non-dyslexic readers, and that there is less engagement of the areas of the brain which match letters with sounds.

Professor John Stein, Oxford, believes that auditory and visual difficulties are caused by abnormal magnocellular development.

Malfunction in the development of

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■ People with dyslexia may also have accompanying learning strengths as well as deficits sensory nerves happens at the foetal stage and is said to cause eye convergence difficulties and inhibit steady eye fixation.

Yet another view is that the role of the part of the brain which controls balance (the cerebellum) is crucial and that differences in this area make it difficult for children with dyslexia to acquire automaticity in tasks and may further inhibit the development of language dexterity

Famous people with Dyslexia The following list of famous people with dyslexia was compiled mostly from press reports in which people describe their dyslexia. Others, particularly those long-deceased, for example, Leonardo da Vinci, demonstrated classic symptoms of dyslexia.

Cher. Pop star, actress.

Tom Cruise. Actor.

Stuart Dunne. Actor.

Noel Gallagher (right).

Susan Hampshire. Actress.

Salma Hayek. Actress.

Anthony Hopkins. Actor.

Eddie Izzard. Comedian, actor.

Keira Knightley. Actress.

Brendan O’Carroll. Comedian, Writer & Actor.

Shane Lynch. Singer from Boyzone.

Aidan Bishop. Comedian.

Kara Tointon. Actor

and motor skills.

Experts do agree that dyslexia describes differences in the way in which the brain processes informati on, and whi l e there m ay be differences in the way in which the brain works, this does not imply any abnormality, disease or defect.

Managing dyslexia Whatever the origins of the difficulty, the truth is that children and adults with dyslexia learn differently.

If this difference is not accommodated within the education system, the student may have difficulty in learning to read, write, spell and handle numbers. Some difficulties will be mild and the individual may cope without extra support. Others are severe and the student will require specialist help and tuition.

Early identification and appropriate interventions are necessary to enable people with dyslexia to achieve their true potential.

An assessment not only diagnoses the difficulty but also gives a great deal of information about an indivi dual ’s l earni ng profi l e. Thi s information can be used to develop an education plan, and will enable teachers to identify appropriate teaching strategies which are tailored to individual needs.

Research and practice shows us that multi-sensory methods of learn-

ing are beneficial. This means using many sensory channels when learning information such as: • auditory (listening) • visual (seeing, using diagrams, colour) • kinaesthetic (touch, movement, action) • The more channels used the more effective the learning will be.

Technology has been a boon to people with dyslexia. There is a wide range of technological aids available which can also help people to manage their dyslexia independently.

Dyslexia is a life-long condition. It does not go away. However, with the right supports and aids, an individual can learn to manage their dyslexia and become an independent self sufficient learner and worker.

The DAI Founded in 1972, the Dyslexia Association of Ireland (DAI) works with and for people affected by dyslexia, by providing information, offering appropriate support services, engaging in advocacy and raising awareness of dyslexia.

The DAI vision is a dyslexia friendly society where all people with dyslexia are enabled to fulfill their potential.

See www.dyslexia.ie Education 35

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Read the latest digital edition of Education Magazine Read the current edition

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Blending academia and business John Teeling Interview

Plus: Looking out for Dyslexia The Education Interview: Frank Mulrennan - Celtic Media Group meeting Asian Studies at UCC | GMIT Letterfrack hosts Leonardo da Vinci project New QQI Award brand for Further and Higher Education

The Qualifications Framework ■ Financial Support ■ Education Statistics

Reference ■ Briefings ■ Listings ■ Calendars

www.educationmagazine.ie 36 Education

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Opinion

Opportunity to back equality-based education system EDUCATE Together welcomes the G o v e r n m e n t ’s ‘ C a p i t a l P l a n ’ announcement of funding for projects in the area of education. The commitment of €3.8 billion in spending for primary, secondary and third level education facilities is much needed and long overdue.

Crucial to this is the Government's ‘key objective’ commitment to providing 19,000 new primary school places by 2018.

To ensure that 19,000 young children don’t have to be rely on a monopoly of religious-run schools free to discriminate against them at the front gates, then the establishment of new Educate Together school places must be a priority.

300 Educate Together national schools are now needed to provide all families in Ireland with school choice. This modest number would make up just 10% of the primary education system. This capital building programme is an opportunity for the Government to accelerate the provision of equality-based primary school places nationwide. This would address the ever-increasing demand for Educate Together primary school places and bring the Irish education system more into line with that of a modern democratic State.

The Government's commitment to providing 43,000 new secondary school places by 2022 is also encouraging. There are huge levels of demand for our pioneering model of second-level education. Four second-level schools have opened since 2014, with four more to open next September. A second-level campaign group in Kildare South, as one example, currently has over 1,300 signups and rising. In meeting this fast growing demand from parents

By Luke O’Shaughnessy Communications Manager, Educate Together all over Ireland, the Government now has an opportunity to transform the second-level education landscape in Ireland.

What of those forgotten?

Educate Together notes also that the particular areas earmarked for capital investment will be named in a number of weeks. But what of the families in towns and cities who were already told by the Government that new schools would be established for their children?

In 19 distinct areas, families are still waiting for the Educate Together national schools they were promised by the Irish Government under the divestment programme three years ago. One of the key obstacles to progress in this area is Government determination that this should be a 'no cost' programme. This is unrealistic. Funding needs to be allocated to progress divestment these 19 areas, and the capital building programme represents an opportunity to do just that.

Prefabs out The Government’s pledge to ‘greatly reduce’ the use of prefabs is also welcome.

As the lead provider of new schools in Ireland, it must be said that too many Educate Together primary schools have opened in, and in many cases have languished in, unsuitable prefab accommodation.

In 2015, school buildings should be fit-for-purpose and appropriate for

In 19 distinct areas, families are still waiting for the Educate Together national schools they were promised by the Irish Government under the divestment programme three years ago

young children beginning their school lives. Our hope is that the capital building programme can eliminate the need for prefab accommodation.

Educate Together is calling on the Government to seize this opportunity and work with us to provide a national network of equality-based schools in line with what the people of Ireland want for their children.

Patronage Divestment In 2011, the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector, was set up to create diversity and inclusiveness in the Irish primary school system.The Forum recommended that Catholic primary schools in 25 areas divest to Educate Together.

Ten Educate Together schools have since opened in divestment areas since 2012. This level of progress so far barely scratches the surface of what needs to be done - of ten divested schools, only three are in buildings that have been vacated by a Catholic school, and just one – a Church of Ireland school in Co Mayo – has transferred patronage.

We know that there is evidence of huge demand for Educate Together school places in Ireland. The average size of an Educate Together school was 248 children, the largest average size of any provider in Irish primary education. In 2015, more parents than ever before want to send their children to an Educate Together school.

Educate Together provides a model that accepts and treats all children equally and will continue to lobby for a true alternative to the virtual monopoly held by religious patrons in Irish education.

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Tours and Field Trips

The Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience is Ireland’s No. 1 Natural Attraction.

LOOMING majestically over County Clare’s west coast, the Cliffs of Moher is one of 15 Signature Discovery Points on the Wild Atlantic Way. The Cliffs rise to 214 meters at the highest point and stretch for 8 kilometers over the Atlantic Ocean.

Unknown to many the Cliffs are home to 30,000 pairs of nesting seabirds, the well recognised Puffins can be seen nesting from April- July.

There are over 750 metres of safe pathways to walk with raised viewing platforms for enhanced views including the area around O’Brien’s Tower which was built in 1835 by local Landowner Sir Cornelius O’Brien.

On a clear day the Arran Islands, Galway Bay and mountains of Kerry are visible. Talking telescope are dotted along the paths to offer information.

Fossils are easily identifiable in the steps that make up the pathways to the North viewing platform and sur-

r o u n d i n g O ’ B r i e n s To w e r .

Brachiopods and Coral segments (Marine life typical of a shallow tropical sea) are easily identifiable and are evidence that the rocks that make up this part Ireland were formed in warmer equatorial regions over 320 million years ago.

Limestone forms the bedrock of the Cliffs and makes up the Burren area to the North. It was formed when calcium carbonate remnants of early marine animal life fell to the bottom of the shallow sea and were compressed and compacted together. Over millions of years, layers of calcite eventually formed the limestone we see today.

The uniquely designed ecofriendly visitor centre is set into the hillside which offers an all weather experience. A range of facilities can be found inside; gift shops, cafés, toilets, first aid room, baby changing facilities and baggage storage.

The ‘Cliffs Exhibition’ situated in

The Cliffs rise to 214 meters at the highest point and stretch for 8km over the Atlantic Ocean

the heart of the visitor centre brings to life the story of the Cliffs of Moher with recently updated interactive exhibits on the geology, history and human stories associated with the Cliffs- one of the most visited natural wonders in Europe.

Don’t miss the Green Screen ‘Post Cards from the Edge’ and the children’s Puffin Play area.

For more information on school tours email bookings@cliffsofmoher.ie or call 065 7086141

School Tours at the Cliffs of Moher ➲ ➲ ➲ ➲ ➲ ➲ ➲ ➲

Suitable for Second and Third Level Groups Learning & Teacher Resources Available No Crowds before 11am or After 4pm Great Photo Opportunities Magical Sunsets On-site Parking & Wi-Fi Meet a Cliffs of Moher Ranger Packed Lunch Options Available

38 Education

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Inchicore College of Further Education

One of Ireland's largest providers of further education courses INCHICORE College of Further Education is one of the biggest providers of further education courses in Ireland and has been at the fore front of further education development since 1984. The college offers a wide range of courses in a number of disciplines: Theatre and Dance, Care Services, Child Care, Sports & Leisure,Tourism and Creative Arts.

Facilities at the college include computer rooms, internet access, gymnasium, language laboratory, canteen, two dance studios, recording studio, student library, college theatre, study facility.

The Sports Hall and leisure complex incorporates a P.E. hall, new gym, aerobic studio, crèche and allweather pitches.

All courses are offered to full FETAC certification allowing further

progression though the Higher Education Links Scheme. Many courses also offer BTEC Higher National Diploma certification.

Students participate in many sports and cultural activities throughout the academic year and there are also opportunities for foreign exchanges with students from France, Italy, Spain and other EU countries.

The college offers a friendly and supportive environment and qualifying students are eligible to apply for the PLC Maintenance Grant.

A full career guidance service is available as well as counselling, educational and special needs support services. Applications from adults and those wishing to apply to the VTOS scheme are also most welcome.

Further Studies in previous years, students, when they had completed their course in Inchicore College, continued their studies in English Colleges or Universities. In certain instances they gained credit for their course in Inchicore. The Course Director or Guidance Counsellor will be able to advise students on the options available through the CAO and UCAS systems.

Access to Higher Education Graduates of Inchicore College who wish to progress to Higher Education may do so through the CAO, UCAS and other European colleges and universities. Advanced entry to Institutes of Technology is also possible for students who complete relevant level 6 courses.

Inchicore College of Further Education, Emmet Road, Dublin 8.

Ph. 01-453 5358/453 3330 Fax 01-454 5494 E-mail: enquiries@inchicore.cdetb.ie

www.inchicorecollege.ie

The right course for you...

Leisure, Recreation and Tourism Courses • Leisure and Recreation Management • Sports and Exercise Science (Health and Fitness) • Sports Coaching • Tourism • Travel and Tourism Management • Business and Computer Courses Computer Business Applications • Business and Legal Office Skills • HND in Business Studies • Care Services Courses Pre-Nursing Studies • Disability and Healthcare Support • Healthcare Support - Pre Paramedic Studies • Certificate in Social Studies • Social Care Diploma (Care Practice) • Childcare Courses

Childcare Studies • Advanced Certificate in Childcare and Education Performing and Creative Arts Courses • Theatre Studies - Performance • Dance Studies • Technical Theatre (HND) • Costume Design and Make-Up • Art and Design • Creative Writing and Cultural Studies Adult and Community Education • Returning to Education: Community Care and Education Studies • Lifelong Learning BTEI Childcare (Part-time) • General Studies & Employment Skills (Part-time) • Basic Fitness (Part-time)

Education 39

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archaeology grow your own food

holistic health

start your own business

fitness

warm home

heritage

all welcome

gardening

• Repeat Leaving Certificate • Food Science • Gardening • Coding and IT • Languages • Archaeology • Sports and Fitness • Leaving Certificate for Adults • Architectural Technology • Surveying • Complementary Medicine • Soccer • Business • Access to University • We also have many advanced progression opportunities to third level •

www.pearsecollege.ie

community

coaching

sport

soccer

Pearse College Clogher Road, Crumlin Dublin 12 Phone: 01-453-6661 / 01-454-1544 www.pearsecollege.ie

40 Education

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buildings

start: education • career • life 09/10/2015 17:21

Pearse College of Further Education

Start your future with Pearse College of Education AS you walk through the front door of Pearse College of Further Education, you will notice a sculpture inscribed with the words: “Education should foster, education should inspire.”

Since we began offering courses to adults in 1967 we have been motivated by these words of Padraig Pearse. We believe that if you take the first step of returning to education with us, then it is our responsibility to motivate, challenge and encourage you to take the next one to: • Start or restart your education • Start on the path to a career • Start a new stage of your life Pearse College will celebrate 50 years in adult education in 2016. Our first course was entitled 'General S t u d i e s ' a n d c o v e r e d H i s t o r y, Philosophy and English Literature. We now run over 30 courses across a range of areas from Adult Leaving Cert to Architectural Drafting to Complementary Medicine.

Our courses are designed to prepare students for employment and third level education in an adultfriendly environment. In Pearse College, mature students returning to education mix with school leavers, teachers and students, working together to discover capabilities, explore possibilities and realise potential.

It is an exciting and inspirational place to learn, with a highly qualified, dedicated and caring staff, excellent facilities, a unique atmosphere and a proven track record.

Range of courses The college has a broad range of courses suitable for both career enhancement and preparation for further studies.

The broad course areas are The Built Environment, Horticulture, Business, IT and Media Technology, Language and Culture, Health, Sport, Continuing Education and Part-time Courses. Details on all of these courses are available online at www. pearsecollege.ie Progression to Third Level Pearse College of Further Education is committed to the promotion of

By Jacqueline Nunan Principal, Pearse College of Further Education access, transfer and progression of learners in line with the National Qualifications of Ireland Authority (NQAI) framework.

Many of our courses offer opportunities for progression to third level. A high proportion of students who completed the 2 year Leaving Certificate since 1979 have gone on to third level studies at Universities and the Institutes of Technology and in the areas of the social sciences, arts/humanities, business studies and the physical sciences.

The Repeat Leaving Certificate course has seen many students progress to University/DlT/ITs over the years as well as to FETAC courses in this college and elsewhere.

The University Access Course (UAC) incorporating TAP (Trinity Access Programme) has been remarkably successful in preparing mature students (23 years of age and over) for entry to third level courses in the Arts/Social Sciences.

Over the past 20 years, more than 95% of UAC students who applied for third level courses were successful.

Even more importantly, those students have been performing excellently at third level. Most are qualifying with honours degrees while many are pursuing post-graduate studies.

We also continue the tradition of our students from the Horticulture Department going on to third level, with students from Pearse College currently in each year of the B.Sc. Horticulture degree in the Botanic Gardens.

Links with Industry Over the years, Pearse College has created successful links with industry which have led students to employment, internships and setting up their own businesses. Among these links are: our Architectural Draughting department which is consistently developing awareness of the changing technology in relation to renewable energy and practices thus keeping our students at the forefront of knowl-

edge on sustainability issues.

Internships are available to students on the Fasttrack to Information Technology courses.

Our established links with nurseries, gardens, parks and organic outlets lead to employment within the Horticulture industry and many students set up their own Landscape companies.

S i m i l a r l y, s t u d e n t s f r o m o u r Complementary Medicine courses are qualified to set up their own practices in the areas of massage, yoga and reflexology. Employment on cruise ships is also taken up by many of these complementary medicine students.

Our soccer and sports courses are FAI accredited and also equip students with ITEC, gym instruction and personal training awards.

Our Green Campus Flag and Environmental Awareness Pearse College has a strong emphasis on supporting the environment both within our campus setting and on our course offerings. This focus has seen the College earn the Green Campus Flag award for its environmental ethos. We carry this through all our courses, particularly within the Horticulture and built environment departments.

I had a very happy and successful year in Pearse College repeating my Leaving Certificate. I am now studying in Trinity College in the course of my choice.

Anthony – Repeat Leaving Certificate Course Hi… I would just like to thank you for all your effort throughout the year. I have been accepted into NUI Maynooth for Arts. I enjoyed my year in Pearse College on the University Access course and without it, I would not have progressed to third level.

David – University Access Course From practical gardening .. to botany and chemistry, the course at Pearse College gave me a great grounding and opening up a world of possibilities. It was varied and fun and the staff were encouraging and supportive.

I would recommend it to anyone considering a career in horticulture.

Annette – Horticultural Amenity Manager, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

FIND OUT MORE: Pearse College of Further Education, Clogher Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12 Phone: 01-453-6661 / 01-454-1544 information@pearse.cdetb.ie www.pearsecollege.ie Education 41

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RECENTLY PUBLISHED ...........................................................................................................

50 works of Irish art you need to know In 50 Works of Irish Art You Need to Know Dr Síghle Bhreathnach-Lynch, former Curator of Irish Art at the National Gallery of Ireland, expertly selects key works of Irish art that simply must be seen.

In sharing the unique stories behind each work, she provides a glimpse into the artist’s world, encouraging us to take a closer look – to really see and understand each work of art.

This book includes some of Ireland’s most popular talents, such as Paul Henry, Harry Clarke and Jack B. Yeats. All of the works are in public collections and available to view throughout the country. Enjoy a fun and practical art history lesson from one of Ireland’s well-known art historians.

Dr Síghle Bhreathnach-Lynch is an art historian, writer and former Curator of Irish Art at the

Waterford Whispers News

By Colm Williamson WATERFORD Whispers News is Ireland’s leading online satirical site – Ireland’s answer to The Onion. The site shot to notoriety in January 2014 when it ran a spoof story about North Korea sending a rocket to the sun. The story went viral and was picked up as genuine by a number of mainstream media outlets.

Since then Waterford Whispers News has been unstoppable, with headlines such as ‘Hundreds of Englishmen hospitalised after trying to play h u r l i n g ’ , Emigration will be offered as a Leaving Cert subject in 2015’ and ‘Garda whistleblower not invited out with the lads from work this weekend’.

From politics, to celebrity news and lifestyle, the Waterford Whispers annual brings together the best of the brilliant and original stories that have run on the site, including what Michelle Obama had to say about the Irish people, how Kim Kardashian got on during her Cork honeymoon, and the real story behind the Garda tapes scandal.

Hilarious, acerbic and witty, this is Irish humour at its brilliant best! Includes brand new material, including insights and predictions and for 2015.

Blackstaff • Around €10

By Sighle Bhreathnach-Lynch

National Gallery of Ireland (1998–2009).

‘Síghle Bhreathnach-Lynch’s book is the perfect travelling companion for those setting out on a journey of discovery through the world of Irish Art’ Robert Ballagh ‘Elegantly tells the story of Ireland, from first settlers to our current century, through 50 judiciously chosen artworks and objects that show the range and beauty of our artistic past.

The marriage of image and insightful text paints a vivid picture of the complexity and diversity of our history.’

James Hanley.

Gill & MacMillan • Around €20

Dublin – The View From Above

By Dennis Horgan

WITH his first book, Cork – The View From Above, Dennis Horgan showed that he is an aerial photographer of exceptional talent.

His aerial photographs are absorbing as they give a new bird’s-eye view of wellknown buildings, streets, monuments, the suburbs and countryside.

Here he captures the essence of Dublin city and county from above with over 250 stunning pictures. See the iconic Dublin landmarks such as Christchurch, O’Connell Street, St Stephen’s Green and Dublin Castle in a new light, many from striking angles.

New Dublin and the suburbs also feature as well as farming in north County Dublin, Dollymount and Sandymount Strands.

These images showcase the beauty and

heritage of Dublin, its man-made and natural features, from a rarely seen and often unusual perspective.

Collins Press • Around €20 • Available Oct 15

An Introduction to Sociology in Ireland

By Bernadette McDonald

REVISED and updated edition of this comprehensive introduction to the world of sociology incorporating key contemporary issues, with particular reference to the Irish perspective.

New to this edition: • Reflects all changes in the revised Social Studies module • Provides the most recent statistics related to the area of sociology • Introduces reflective and investigative skills for use on current social issues • Advises on strategies for study and preparation for examinations, as well as note-taking skills and revision methods.

• Highlights key sociological theories, concepts and topics, while introducing

and examining social stratification in Irish society.

• Facilitates an individual’s basic understanding of their position as an individual, a family member and as part of a community and wider society.

• Introduces the process and agents of socialisation by analysing family, peer groups, education and media, and their impact.

Gill & MacMillan • Around €22

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Terrible Beauty

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