Corporate News - ddletb

Inaugural Review of DDLETB’s Further Education and Training Quality Assurance System

November 29, 2022/in Corporate News /by Jennifer Farley

QA Self Evaluation Report DDLETB cover 1

QQI has recently completed an external review of DDLETB’s Further Education and Training (FET) Quality Assurance (QA) systems.

Preparation for this first (inaugural) review of the ETB’s QA system began in the late summer/autumn of 2021 and concluded in May 2021 with the week-long visit of an External Review Panel consisting of national and international experts who met with over 200 FET staff.

Preparations for this review included the development of a Provider Profile and an in-depth self-evaluation of DDLETB’s FET services, which was published in a detailed Self-Evaluation Report.

QQI has now published its report of this external review process. The report found that DDLETB has a comprehensive and robust QA system and commended the dedication of DDLETB staff to achieving a productive and inclusive learning environment. As an ETB, we welcome the commendations and recommendations made to support to further development of our QA systems, and look forward to the next exciting phase of QA development, to ensure we continue to keep the learner at the heart of all we do.

For more information on DDLETB’s FET services, please see the Provider Profile.

For details of the Self-Evaluation of DDLETB’s QA system, please see the Self-Evaluation Report.

For details of the External Review Panel’s evaluation, please see the QQI Review Report 2022.

Active Consent Awareness Week

November 28, 2022/in Corporate News /by Jennifer Farley

ETBI Active Consent Awareness Week

DDLETB is proud to support Active Consent Awareness Week, taking place from 28th November to 2nd December.

What is consent?

Consent is an ongoing, mutual and freely-given agreement to take part in sexual activity. It applies to all relationships, all genders, and all sexualities.

You can find out tons of information about consent and why it is important on the Active Consent website.

ETBI Patron’s Framework on Ethos Launched

November 28, 2022/in Corporate News /by Jennifer Farley

The ETBI Patrons’ Framework on Ethos has been launched.

You can download a PDF of the framework here.

Below you can read the foreword to the document from ETBI General Secretary, Paddy Lavelle.

I am delighted to introduce this publication, the ETBI Patrons’ Framework on Ethos. This document is central to the Education and Training Board (ETB) sector achieving its goal of becoming Ireland’s largest provider of multi-denominational, equality-based education at primary and post-primary level (ETBI Strategic Plan, 2022 – 2024).

This Framework is the culmination of 10 years of empirical research, critical reflection, consultation, and visionary policymaking involving all ETB schools, their 16 patron ETBs, ETBI and other relevant stakeholders. I have watched this work evolve over the past number of years with great interest and am delighted to see it reach this significant milestone.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all ETB schools well as they work with this Framework. They will be supported locally by their Ethos Coordinator, Director of Schools, Chief Executive and nationally by ETBI as they implement it. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the members of the Patronage Task Group and the CNS and ETB Patronage Directorate in ETBI who have shown remarkable leadership in bringing this Framework to this crucial stage.

I would like to thank Dr Shivaun O’Brien (DCU) for her central role in translating 10 years of reports from various consultation events, relevant research and numerous policy background papers developed by ETBI into a coherent set of domains, standards and statements of effective practice which are fundamental to this Framework. The positive reaction of school leaders to the statements of effective practice is testament to how accurately she captured all the work that has been carried out to date. I want to pay particular tribute to Dr Séamus Conboy who has worked exceedingly hard over the past number of years to bring this work to fruition.

I look forward to working with the sector on the implementation of this Framework across our schools over the coming years.

Download a PDF of the framework here.

ETBI to launch new Ethos framework for DDLETB schools

November 18, 2022/in Corporate News /by Jennifer Farley

ETBI Ethos

Tá BOOÉ chun Creat Nua Éitis a Sheoladh le hAghaidh Scoileanna BOOÁCDL

Seolfaidh Boird Oideachais agus Oiliúna Éireann (BOOÉ) Creat Phátrúin BOOÉ ar Éiteas do scoileanna Bhord Oideachais agus Oiliúna Átha Cliath agus Dhún Laoghaire ag ócáid Dé Céadaoin, an 23 Samhain ó 10-1in in Óstán Cill Uasaille, Bóthar Chill Chuillinn, Cill Uasaille, An Nás, Co. Chill Dara.

Is scoileanna stáit, comhoideachais, il-sainchreidmheacha iad scoileanna BOO a bhfuil na croíluachanna seo a leanas mar bhonn agus mar thaca acu – barr feabhais san oideachas, cúram, comhionannas, pobal agus meas. Tacóidh Creat Phátrúin BOOÉ ar Éiteas, ar fhorbair BOOÉ agus an Lárionad um Meastóireacht, Cáilíocht agus Cigireacht in Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath (OCBÁC) é, le gach scoil BOO i mBaile Átha Cliath agus Dún Laoghaire chun a n-éiteas a forfheidhmiú. Baineann an Creat le Scoileanna Náisiúnta Pobail agus Coláistí Pobail atá faoi phátrúnacht BOOanna. Is cúis bhróid do BOO Átha Cliath agus Dhún Laoghaire go bhfuil sé ina phátrún ar 10 Scoil Náisiúnta Phobail agus 31 Coláite Pobail.

Is í an tOllamh Anne Looney, Déan Feidhmiúcháin Institiúid Oideachais Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath a thabharfaidh an phríomhóráid ag an ócáid, agus déanfaidh Carl O’Brien, Eagarthóir Oideachais ag an Irish Times, plé painéil a stiúradh ar an téama ‘Éiteas ag Feidhmiú’, ina mbeidh baill foirne, foghlaimeoirí agus tuismitheoirí ó ar fud na hearnála BOO maidir le húsáid phraiticiúil an Chreat éitis

Ag labhairt di roimh an ócáid seolta, dúirt Caitríona Murphy, Príomhfheidhmeannach BOOÁCDL: “Cuirimid fáilte roimh sheoladh Chreat Phátrúin BOOÉ ar Éiteas a athdhearbhaíonn an obair iontach atá ar siúl inár scoileanna go léir, go háirithe na nuálaíochtaí san fhoghlaim agus an teagasc, ár gcleachtais ionchuimsitheacha agus an rud is tábhachtaí, as ár dtiomantas do shármhaitheas an oideachais agus an chomhionannais araon. Soláthraíonn an Creat bealach struchtúrtha dár scoileanna freisin chun machnamh a dhéanamh ar a gcuid cleachtas. Níl aon amhras orm ach go mbeidh an Creat seo thar a bheith dearfach ag ár scoileanna BOO. Mar sin féin, cuirfidh an Creat ar chumas ár scoileanna réimsí a aithint ina bhféadfaidís a gcuid bunluachanna a chomhlíonadh ar bhealach níos éifeachtaí. Tá BOOÁCDL agus BOOÉ lántiomanta do thacaíocht a thabhairt dár scoileanna agus an Chreat seo á chur i bhfeidhm acu”.

Tá Comhordaitheoir Éiteas ceaptha ag BOOÁCDL chun tacú le scoileanna BOO ar fud Bhaile Átha Cliath agus Dhúl Laoghaire an Creat a chur I bhfeidhm. Ag labhairt dó faoi thionchar an Chreata Éiteas, dúirt Comhordaitheoir Éiteas BOOÁCDL, Caroline Daly, “Tá an Creat seo mar bhuaic ar dheich mbliana de chomhairliúchán fairsing náisiúnta, de thaighde agus de cheapadh beartais fhíseach. Cuireann sé in iúl don chéad uair cad a chiallaíonn sé a bheith mar scoil BOO. Is lá stairiúil é inniu do phobal scoile an BOO.”

Is féidir leo siúd sna meáin ar spéis leo freastal ar an imeacht, Seoladh Chreat Phátrúin BOOÉ ar Éiteas, ríomhphost a sheoladh chuig media@alicepr.com le clárú.

Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) will launch the ETBI Patrons’ Framework on Ethos for Dublin and Dún Laoghaire ETB schools at an event on Wednesday 23rd November from 10-1 p.m. in Killashee Hotel, Kilcullen Rd, Killashee, Naas, Co. Kildare.

ETB schools are state, co-educational, multi-denominational schools underpinned by the core values of excellence in education, care, equality, community and respect. The ETBI Patrons’ Framework on Ethos, which was developed by ETBI and the Centre for Evaluation, Quality and Inspection at Dublin City University (DCU), will support all ETB schools in Dublin and Dún Laoghaire living out their ethos. The Framework applies to the Community National Schools and Community Colleges under the patronage of ETBs. Dublin and Dún Loaghaire are the proud patrons of 10 Community National Schools and 31 Community Colleges.

Professor Anne Looney, Executive Dean of Dublin City University’s Institute of Education will deliver the keynote speech at the event, and Carl O’Brien, Education Editor at the Irish Times, will moderate a panel discussion on the theme ‘Ethos in Action’, featuring staff, learners and parents from across the ETB sector on the practical use of the ethos Framework.

Speaking in advance of the launch event, Caitríona Murphy, Chief Executive of DDLETB, said: “We welcome the launch of the ETBI Patrons’ Framework on Ethos which reaffirms the fantastic work that is happening in all of our schools, in particular the innovations in learning and teaching, our inclusive practices and most importantly our commitment to both excellence in education and equality. The Framework also provides our schools with a structured way of reflecting on their practices. I have no doubt that our ETB schools will find this Framework extremely affirming. However, the Framework will also enable our schools to identify areas where they could live out their core values more effectively. DDLETB and ETBI are fully committed to supporting our schools while they implement this Framework”.

An Ethos Coordinator has been appointed by DDLETB to support all of our schools across Dublin and Dún Loaghaire in the implementation of the Framework. Speaking about the impact of the Ethos Framework, DDLETB’s Ethos Coordinator, Caroline Daly, stated “This Framework is the culmination of ten years of extensive national consultation, research and visionary policymaking. It articulates for the first time what it means to be an ETB school. Today is an historic day for the ETB school community.”

Media interested in attending the event, the ETBI Patrons’ Framework on Ethos Launch can register their attendance by emailing media@alicepr.com.

Remembering Vicky Phelan

November 15, 2022/in Corporate News /by Jennifer Farley

Photo: Leah Farrell | Credit: RollingNews.ie | Copyright: RollingNews.ie

This week in DDLETB and across all the Education and Training Boards of Ireland, we are standing up for the rights of individuals & tackling bullying and promoting our ETHOS and core values: Excellence in Education, Care, Equality, Community and Respect.

So it seems particularly appropriate to remember Vicky Phelan, a woman who was clearly infused with each of these values.

It is rare that a single person has such an impact on the public in the way that Vicky Phelan had. Her determination to confront wrongdoing and her strength to not back down in the face of her own illness and difficult circumstances have inspired so many of us in Ireland.

She gave a voice to women who were suffering in silence. Through her tireless efforts, she has improved the safety and protection of women’s healthcare now and for future generations. She was not afraid to speak truth to a powerful medical establishment. She exposed a scandal in Irish healthcare and made it better for everyone.

In the words of our President, Michael D. Higgins :

“All of us who had the privilege of meeting Vicky will have been struck by the powerful inner strength and dignity with which she not only faced her own illness, but with the sense of commitment to the public good and the rights of others with which she campaigned.

“Vicky, in all of this, made an enormous contribution to Irish society. Thanks to her tireless efforts, despite the terrible personal toll she herself had to carry, so many women’s lives have been protected, and will be protected in the future.”

Our sincere condolences to Vicky’s family, friends and all the people who loved her.

ETHOS – THE VALUE OF CARE IN OUR SCHOOLS

November 15, 2022/in Corporate News /by Jennifer Farley

WHAT DOES THE VALUE OF CARE LOOK LIKE IN DDLETB?

This school term DDLETB took the opportunity to explore what the value of care looks like. It has provided a great opportunity to highlight and celebrate the incredibly high level of care
provided to all members of the DDL community.

The Mentimeter word cloud captures the response of several DDL networks that were asked to identify what care looked like in their context.

This school term saw the first DDLETB ETHOS Lead Network take place. Thank you to the 28 teachers who have taken on this role.

Below we have two fantastic examples of how our students are approaching the idea of care in schools.

CARE IN GRIFFEEN CC

TY students in Griffeen CC along with their teachers have been very busy ensuring they raise awareness about the ETB Ethos.
Jim the Care bear has been spotted everywhere and has even been on a few TY trips.

Ethos Jim The Care Bear Badge

THE VALUE OF CARE

‘SHOUT OUT’ POSTCARDS AT COLLINSTOWN PARK COMMUNITY COLLEGE ACTIVITY:

‘Positive postcard’ will be sent home or given to students who deserve a ‘shout out’ for good work, behavior or both.

WHEN:

Tutors will send postcards during the time they are sending monthly attendance and punctuality letters.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION:
Students put forward for a ‘shout out’ are not necessarily candidates for Student of the Month. They could be individuals that are working hard, have displayed good citizenship or have
improved over a period. In many ways, this should be used to recognize those students that are doing their best but might not necessarily get top student honours.

Ethos In DDLETB Shout Out Project Postcard

Qualities of a ‘Shout Out’ candidate

Hard-working
Completes homework
Good citizenship
Helpful and kind
Good attendance and punctuality
Responds well to correction

PROCEDURE:
Year Heads will send an email to staff members teaching their particular year group and ask if there are any students over the past month that deserve a ‘shout out’ for good work, behavior,
citizenship etc.
Teachers will email back to the Year Head names of any appropriate students Year Heads will compile a list of suggested students by tutor class Year Heads will share the names with
the tutors. Tutors will send /give out postcards during the next occasion punctuality letters are disseminated.

Find out more about ETHOS in DDLETB schools here.

Online Art Auction – Proceeds To LauraLynn Foundation & Ukrainian Appeal

November 14, 2022/in Corporate News /by Jennifer Farley

The DDLETB Adult Education Service in Blanchardstown will be holding an online art auction on the 9th of December. The auction is in aid of the Ukrainian Appeal and the Laura Lynn Foundation.

The auction is a perfect opportunity to get a unique piece of art – makes a great Christmas pressie! There are beautiful artworks available for all budgets. You can see the artwork here.

Here’s the link for the auction – https://www.adulteducationblanchardstown.ie/auction/

Haystacks in St. Vincent’s College, Castleknock. Artist William Nathans – DDLETB AES Blanchardstown Art Auction

Blanchardstown Adult Education Officer, Sharon Hennessy has given us more info below.

About The Charities

As you are aware, the war in Ukraine has led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of refugees, many of whom have now settled in Ireland. Therefore, we decided to organise this charity Art Auction to raise funds for this very worthwhile appeal. The inspiration for this Auction came from one of the learners, Jelena who donated some of her beautiful artwork for this fundraising campaign. Subsequently, other talented artist learners and staff members became involved, donating some of their high-quality original artwork for this campaign.

Additionally, the Adult Education Service Blanchardstown has been fundraising for the Laura Lynn Foundation for over 10 years. Laura Lynn is Ireland’s Children’s Hospice, which provides specialist palliative, and supportive care services to meet the needs of children with life-limiting conditions. It also provides essential supports for their families in Ireland.

About The Artists

Three of our artist tutors (Will, Marysia and Eleanor) and two of our artist learners (Jelena and Valentina) have contributed over 20 works of Art to this charitable campaign. In recognition of the quality of the work the amazing artists have donated and the essential causes that this campaign supports.

Greenhills CC Courses: Healthcare Assistant Level 5 & Medical Secretary Level 5 –

October 24, 2022/in Corporate News /by Jennifer Farley

Greenhills Community College has two fantastic courses for people interested in working in the fields of healthcare and medical administration: Healthcare Assistant Level 5 and Medical Secretary Level 5 courses.

Healthcare Assistant Level 5

This course gives students the skills necessary to work as Healthcare Assistants in a variety of healthcare settings or progression to further study through the Higher Education Links Scheme.

Find out more about the Healthcare Assistant course and how to apply at Greenhills Community College.

Medical Secretary Level 5

This course gives students the skills necessary to work in a medical administration environment or in general administration.

Find out more about the Medical Secretary course and how to apply at Greenhills Community College.

Greenhills CC Medical Secretary Course

Deansrath CC Early Learning & Care and Special Needs Assistant Courses – Places Available

October 24, 2022/in Corporate News /by Jennifer Farley

Deansrath Community College have two excellent courses with places still available:

The Early Learning and Care course and the new Special Needs Assistant (Education and Training) course.

Early Learning & Care Course

This course investigates the development, learning and support required during the first six years of life. Successful learners are awarded a nationally and internationally recognised certificate in the theory and practice of Early Childhood Care and Education. The learner will gain knowledge, skills and the competence to work under supervision and independently in a range of Early Childhood Care and Education settings. This award provides a link to Early Childhood Care and Education Degree Programmes in Ireland through the CAO system.

You can find out more information about the course here including how to apply.

Deansrath Early Learning Plc Course

Special Needs Assisting

This is a one year part time course leading to Level 5 and Level 3 QQI Component Awards.

In addition to the Level 5 Children with Additional Needs and Special Needs Assisting modules learners will obtain a Level 3 award in Communications, Irish and Maths.

The aim of this programme is to enable the learner to acquire the knowledge, skills and competence to work independently and under supervision in a range of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) settings and or to progress to higher education and training.

Learners may gain employment in school settings both Primary and Post Primary

You can find out more information about the course here including how to apply.

Deansrath Special Needs Assisting

Oh My God, What A Complete Education! Podcast

October 15, 2022/in Corporate News /by Jennifer Farley

OMG What A Complete Education

ETBI (Education And Training Boards Ireland) are delighted to announce a brand-new podcast series created in partnership with SOLAS and co-hosted by Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen, authors of the ‘Oh My God, What a Complete Aisling’ series.

As Further Education & Training alumni, Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen will be putting learner voices from across Ireland behind the microphone to explore how FET has helped people of all ages and backgrounds to find their paths!

You can find all the episodes below. We’ll add more as they come out. Or you can listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or at your favourite place to listen to podcasts.

Episode 6

Destination Anywhere – using the FET highway to get there

Emer and Sarah talk to Fiona Kavanagh, who always dreamed of becoming a primary school teacher but says she struggled to understand her own learning style in secondary school. When she didn’t get the points she’d hoped for in the Leaving Cert, she found a new route to make her dream career happen – a Childcare Special Needs course in Whitehall College of Further Education. She went on to do an education course in DCU, and then decided to go back and do her Masters of Education during the pandemic. She is now working as a sixth-class teacher.

Emer and Sarah also speak to Emer McMullin who went straight into the world of work after leaving school. After the bank she worked at left the Republic of Ireland market, she worried that while she had years of experience, she didn’t have any qualifications that would help her find new opportunities. Emer rang Donegal ETB who told her all about ‘Recognition of Prior Learning’- tune in to find out more!

Episode 5

Returning to Learning

Emer and Sarah speak to Liam Cleere, who had a bad experience in school but totally transformed his life through Adult Education in Tipperary ETB. Just eight years ago, Liam could read a little bit, but couldn’t write his own name. Now, he is about to publish a book.

Similarly, Dolores Millea has changed her life for the better by participating in Family Learning after leaving school at 13. She has taken cookery, gardening and woodwork courses, and this year she is planning on gaining IT skills through a computer course.

Episode 4

Everything you didn’t know about Apprenticeships!

Whatever you think you know about Apprenticeships, Emer and Sarah are here to turn that upside down. In this episode they meet Lorraine Carey, an Accountancy Technician Apprentice coming to us from Kerry ETB, and all-round superwoman, and Aisling Cleary who is currently completing a Supply Chain Manager Apprenticeship at Masters Level through Laois Offaly ETB.

Episode 3

Bringing the Great Outdoors into the studio.

Emer is a self-confessed lover of the great outdoors. She swims in the sea, and not only owns a pair of hiking boots, but also hiking sandals! She and Sarah chat to Mick Kane, Director of Achill Outdoor Education Centre, as he maps his journey from a teenager obsessed with the outdoors to embodying his environmental passions by working in conservation.

They also speak to Tadhg Boyden, a teacher of outdoor learning at Cork Education and Training Board. After leaving school feeling ‘lost’, he says he stumbled across outdoor education and tells Emer and Sarah how adventuring outdoors has helped him overcome fears.

Episode 2

The Leaving Cert really isn’t for everyone – PLC learners have their say!

Emer and Sarah meet two young learners who have some thoughts on the Leaving Cert.

Abbie Foley struggled during school and left without sitting her Leaving Cert but with the support of her guidance counsellor, found a path into a PLC in Journalism, Digital Media and Public Relations at Dunboyne College of Further Education which she felt was ‘made for her’. Emer and Sarah also chat to Amanda Jonaityte, who completed a Level 5 PLC in Business Studies and Computing in Ó Fiaich Institute of Further Education, Dundalk back in 2018. She is now in her final year in Law at Trinity College Dublin, and she has a special interest in data protection law.

Episode 1

A Love Letter to Ballyfermot – Emer and Sarah go back to where it all started for them.

Did you know that best-selling authors of the Oh My God, What a Complete Aisling book series Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen met at Ballyfermot College of Further Education? Listen to them recount their path through Further Education and Training (FET) after deciding university wasn’t the path for them. They also chat to John Moriarty, formerly of Ballyfermot College and now Director of Transformation and Knowledge at City of Dublin Education and Training Board and Cleo Knight, a learner who left school feeling she wasn’t academic and now inspires the next generation of students coming through Ballyfermot College.