Teachers, school leaders and SNA’s from 10 equality-based Educate Together secondary schools today gathered in Dublin for a unique event in Irish education. The staff came together to pool their resources, skills, knowledge and practice with the ultimate goal of setting up virtual spaces to continue this valued networking online. It is envisaged that this sharing of best practice will enhance the learning experiences of students in Educate Together’s fast-growing network of second-level schools nationwide.
The event took place in Hansfield Educate Together Secondary School. Host Principal, Bernie Judge stated:
“The staff and Board at Hansfield are delighted to welcome teachers, SNA’s, principals and Deputy Principals from across the Educate Together network to spend the day with us at Hansfield ETSS. We’re really excited about the learning being shared today, including inputs on assessments and reports, Universal Design for Learning and supporting students with autism, as well as allowing space for teachers of specific subject areas to work together.”
Susan Campbell, Principal of Drogheda Educate Together Secondary School and one of the organisers of today’s event, commented:
“Educate Together Principals have had lots of opportunities over the past number of years to collaborate and build our network of support as leaders of Educate Together schools. This has been so important as Educate Together builds its presence within the second-level education space; today is an amazing opportunity for many of our teachers to build similar links and networks of support that will sustain them into the future. and this can only mean better outcomes for our students too.”
Another unique aspect about today’s event is that SNA staff from many of the schools are also meeting to pool their learning and experience in parallel sessions. Sandra Irwin-Gowran, Education & Support Manager with Educate Together National Office commented:
“We hope that out of today we’ll build virtual communities of practice amongst the staff in our schools so that they can continue to support each other over the coming school year and beyond which will result in richer learning experiences for our students.”
Participating Schools:
- Bremore ETSS, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin
- Celbridge Community School, Co. Kildare
- Clonturk College, Dublin 9
- Drogheda ETSS, Louth
- Firhouse ETSS, Dublin 24
- Galway ETSS, Galway
- Hansfield ETSS, Dublin 13
- Malahide Portmarnock ETSS, Co. Dublin
- North Dublin ETSS, Dublin 5
- Sandymount Park ETSS, Dublin 4
- St. Kevin’s Community College, Dublin 12
