Susana Núñez, Second-level Education Officer, Educate Together
It’s inspiring to see the wonderful initiatives and projects taking place across the network of second-level schools. From collaboration between schools to pioneering innovative ideas, these efforts highlight the commitment to educational excellence, inclusion, and meaningful student participation. Without a doubt, this is a network of schools dedicated to making a lasting impact in education.
Inter-School Peer Observation Project Update
The Inter-School Peer Observation Project, led by Blackrock ETSS, Harold’s Cross ETSS, and Gorey ETSS, is now in its third year, continuing to build on the successes of previous years. This year, 14 teachers have already held their initial online meeting, during which they were paired with a teacher from another school. Planning for school visits is underway, with a final session involving participating teachers and principals scheduled for March to share insights and discuss key findings. The UCD Education Faculty will also attend and present on teacher collaboration/peer observation of teaching.
This innovative project continues to deliver excellent results, providing teachers with valuable opportunities to learn from each other, foster connections, network, and gain fresh perspectives by visiting other schools.
Student Event Advisory Group – Senior Students Leading the Way
The network’s annual student event, now in its fourth year, is shaped and led by an inspiring Student Event Advisory Group composed of senior cycle students from schools across the network. These students play a key role in planning and designing the event, ensuring it is meaningful, inclusive, and student-centered.
The event itself brings together 1st and 2nd-year students to share learning experiences around Ethical Education and Global Citizenship Education. Since last year, it has been held in dual locations to accommodate participants from across the country, and it adheres to a sustainability pledge crafted by the advisory group.
This year, the advisory group — made up of senior students from Clonturk CC, Drogheda ETSS, ETSS Wicklow, Firhouse ETSS, Galway ETSS, Hansfield ETSS, Kishoge CC, Limerick ETSS and Malahide Portmarnock ETSS — has already met four times to plan the event’s shape and theme. Their leadership and creativity ensure that the event continues to grow as a celebration of collaboration and student participation.
Save the Dates: This year’s events will take place at Limerick ETSS on Wednesday, 26 March; and Kishoge CC on Thursday, 10 April.
If your senior cycle students are interested in joining the advisory group, there’s still time! Please contact Susana Núñez at susana.nunez@educatetogether.ie.
Educate Together National Debating Competition – Heading into the Quarter-Finals
The Educate Together National Debating Competition, founded by the late Colm Kehoe, principal of ETSS Wicklow, is now in its fourth year and continues to grow in both scale and impact. Currently spearheaded by Clogher Road CC, Galway ETSS, and ETSS Wicklow, the competition this year included 20 teams from 17 schools across the country and is heading into the much-anticipated quarter-finals. The final is set to take place in March at Clogher Road Community College.
This year’s competition has introduced a key highlight: senior cycle students taking on judging roles, fostering invaluable leadership skills and deeper engagement. These students are not only refining their understanding of debating but are also playing an essential role in shaping the competition’s success by ensuring fair and thoughtful adjudication.
The quarter-finals are shaping up to be particularly exciting, with the following matchups confirmed:
- Blackrock ETSS vs. Bremore ETSS
- Limerick ETSS vs. Cork ETSS
- Celbridge ETSS vs. Harold’s Cross ETSS
- Drogheda ETSS vs. Belmayne ETSS
The teams in the quarter-finals will debate the motion: “The Sustainable Development Goals are a waste of time.”
As always, the competition highlights the remarkable talent, critical thinking, and dedication of both students and teachers in our network, ensuring an unforgettable conclusion to this year’s event.
