Displaying 2041-2050 of 3798 results.
Reminder to empty lockers
Created : 06 Aug 2020, 9:43 PM
Archived : 06 Oct 2020, 12:00 AM
Archived : 06 Oct 2020, 12:00 AM
Please have your son come into school by Wed 12/8 to empty his locker. We can’t remove lockers until this is complete. Tomorrow, Friday, the school is open from 9-5 and all next week from 9-6. I am bringing back the emptying to Wed 6pm at latest, so that on Thurs Sodexo can start taking them to the containers for storage. Thank you. M
Clarification for parents about the use of non Wriggle iPads in school
Created : 05 Aug 2020, 7:54 PM
Archived : 05 Oct 2020, 12:00 AM
Archived : 05 Oct 2020, 12:00 AM
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Several have asked us can students bring in other tablets, laptops and unmanaged iPads for use in school, when we are now so reliant on the use of IT both in the classroom and at home. This is a valid question especially with the year that is in it. We have given this question due discussion and consideration and made the decision that the only IT devices which we will allow in school are the Wriggle managed iPads. I will explain the reasons how we arrived at this decision.
When we say ‘Wriggle managed’ it means that a student is unable to download any app which is not placed on it by Wriggle when they purchase it through Wriggle, unless the teacher specifies it on the yearly booklist. The iPad is basically for education and never for games etc. It is locked. This is an advantage for both teachers and parents who may not always be in a position to oversee what the student is doing on his device.
Wriggle management also allows the teacher in the classroom to have a view of the class iPads, so they know without walking around and looking over shoulders, that the student is on the page in the e-book, watching the assigned video, answering questions ie ON TASK. This is a huge leap forward for the correct usage of iPads in the classroom since the time we introduced them in 2012-13. It is useful for teachers obviously and especially so this year when teachers will have to teach from their desk, while filming their class live for those not in the room (see my letter to Parents/Guardians last night). It has made the old problem of misuse of the iPad in class more or less a thing of the past. And parents can also do the same at home from their own phone and know what is being done when doing homework.
For these two reasons we know that it would have a disastrous effect on classroom management if some students had free usage of their device during school and it would set back the improvements made over the years by both Apple and Wriggle. This is not a year for any extra disruption to the flow of learning.
On the other hand, if you have another device at home it will be a great help to your son for accessing assignments, work and files which teachers will be sharing on OneDrive. We all turned a corner since March in the use of IT in every walk of life. Students need to continue this, and we will be spending time with each year group during the first few weeks upskilling all students with or without an iPad so they are better equipped for learning at home. All third level education and workplaces revolve around the use of IT and our job is to prepare your sons for those destinations.
This year will be so different. For example…if a student feels sick and needs to go home from school, he can’t return until he is proven to be Covid-free or has 2 weeks self-isolation done. The guidelines may change on this over time, but if a student is at home, yet not unwell, I’m sure you would prefer him to be following his classes on Microsoft Teams between 9 and 4 than being idle. Enough time has been missed.
To wrap up, the question is certainly valid and did deserve consideration. But the reasoning for sticking to the managed iPad is stronger and better for the school, classroom management and keeping on task. I hope you can understand our reasoning and thank you for reading. Maura Murphy
Please Read Re-opening our School
Created : 04 Aug 2020, 9:20 PM
Archived : 04 Oct 2020, 12:00 AM
Archived : 04 Oct 2020, 12:00 AM
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I know that you have many questions about the re-opening of our school. I don't have all the answers this evening, but I will share what I do know at this time.
Staff will be in school for Covid Training, Staff Meetings and other necessary school planning on both Wed and Thurs 26th & 27th August. On Friday, August 28th, we will welcome all new First Years into school from 9-1.15.
I am awaiting final confirmation of when the First Year Induction can take place, but I will ask you to pencil in Monday August 24th, 9-1. Also please pencil in Tuesday August 25th for IT Training, from 9-1 - even if a student does not have the school iPad, they will need to know how to log into the school PC's, use Microsoft Office Suite and 365, send emails, save documents on OneDrive, etc. There will be several sessions during the first few weeks for our First Years to bring them further along this road.
During the week of August 31st to September 4th, all years will come in but we haven't finalised how that will be done. I can however, give you the dates that each will begin.
Mon 31st Aug - 6th Years
Tues 1st Sept - 3rd Years
Wed 2nd Sept - 5th
Thurs 3rd Sept - 2nd years and TY's
Friday 4th Sept all classes will be in together from 9-1.15.
We are still in the planning stages with regard to how many days each year group will attend between Mon 31st and Thurs 3rd. We have been advised to begin slowly, to bring in the classes gradually, prepare the students for their new responsibilities while in the school. There are new practices for absolutely everything. By the time all 820 students are in school on Friday, we want each year group to know what's expected of them and for them to know what to do and to feel confident that school is a safe place with safe practices protecting their health. This may also take a bit of tweaking, as you can imagine. Please bear with us during these 2 weeks - there would be little gained by bringing all in at once if it was chaotic.
Some of the new practices we are putting into place (on DES and JMB advice) include:
1. A one way system for corridors and stairways.
2. Only 1st years will have lockers and these will be spread out around the school, for social distancing.
3. All other years will have to come into school in the next 10 days to completely empty their lockers.
4. The lockers will be removed and put into storage.
5. Lunch and breaks will be staggered to reduce the number of students out of their classrooms at the same time.
6. Many classes will employ a version of blended learning. If 24 is the maximum number in the classroom (due to its size) there will be a rota of the number in excess of 24 who will learn from another classroom, under supervision. The teachers will be recording their classes live, the overflow students on that day will view and listen with earphones to the teacher on a device as their class is being taught live and participate as required. (This may be on a school iPad, it may be on their phone/iPad and it may be on the digital projector in the classroom) There will be a supervisor in this room and to reassure you, the students with their own iPads will not be the ones sent out. All students will take their turns being on this rota. Having their own iPad is a big advantage for their own organisation, but we are investing in additional ones for student use during each day, for one period at a time. Keeping track of them will be another onerous task, but it has to be done. There will never be enough to go around, but we will do our best.
7. As you can see, all year groups will need additional training on Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, etc to meet the challenges of the new school year. We have been planning this all summer. Putting this training in place is part of the reason we will bring the class groups in slowly. PREPARATION is KEY.
This year's 3rd, 5th, 6th and TY year groups must begin coming into school over the next 10 days to EMPTY their lockers COMPLETELY. All contents go home. Bag racks will most likely be left on the corridors for bags but all students will have to organise their bag each day for their 6 classes. Teachers will have to be specific as to what materials will be required in the next class, to reduce the weight of bags. And students will have to be clued into this, or their bags will be unnecessarily heavy and they will miss out without the correct materials. Borrowing and sharing is also a thing of the past. These are strange times.
If you are still reading, you are probably in shock! Needless to say there is a very small window for us to to complete this massive task ahead and we are working extremely hard with Sodexo to do so. We ask your cooperation in having your sons come in from Thursday 6th until Friday 14th August between 10am-5pm . They will be asked to wait in a queue if there are several others near their locker. Social distancing will be the order of the day. We need all lockers empty by Friday 14th August at 1pm. After that time, the lockers will be loaded up, removed to storage and there will be no further access to them.
There are many more changes coming in, but I think I have given you a fairly good glimpse of the new normal. As always, you have been a fantastic support to us as a Staff and to me as a Principal, which has always been appreciated. I have come to know many of you since lockdown through phone chats and emails and I am aware of some of your difficulties during that time, and there have been many. Likewise your sons will have had sad and trying experiences that they are carrying with them. By putting in place a safe school in the first two weeks, we hope to offset the natural anxieties you and your sons may have in the following weeks and months. Those who are uncertain or suffer anxiety will be looked after in the same way we have always done so - with great care and through liaising with home . I hope to see and hear the smiles and laughter return to the rooms and corridors of the CBS and I have no doubt it will very soon - youth have a way of always carrying us through, don't they?
Thank you. Maura Murphy
Day off
Created : 22 Sep 2020, 1:36 PM
Archived : 30 Sep 2020, 1:00 AM
Archived : 30 Sep 2020, 1:00 AM
As per our school calendar we returned 3 days earlier than required. To this end we will have no school on this Monday, September 28th. We hope all our students enjoy their day off.
Colin Conroy nominated for Republic of Ireland U16 Player of the Year Award
Created : 29 Jul 2020, 3:11 PM
Archived : 29 Sep 2020, 12:00 AM
Archived : 29 Sep 2020, 12:00 AM
SHAWS : CBS Customer Evening
Created : 28 Jul 2020, 11:15 PM
Archived : 29 Sep 2020, 12:00 AM
Archived : 29 Sep 2020, 12:00 AM
Shaws are holding a customer evening in our school uniform department for CBS pupils on Wednesday 12th August. This will be by appointment only. This is so we can provide you with a safe shopping experience in these challenging times. Can you please select your desired shot and we will confirm by return. Please click on this link to book your place.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeDkg9MkBIRGH9m9o5xccdooRdKbdjC3JTXQhsJBqYNTHDFWQ/viewform
Minister for Education Norma Foley's Letter to Parents
Created : 28 Jul 2020, 9:10 AM
Archived : 28 Sep 2020, 12:00 AM
Archived : 28 Sep 2020, 12:00 AM
The Minister for Education, Norma Foley, has asked us to share her letter to parents relating to yesterday's announcements about the re-opening of schools. Please click on the pdf link to read it here.
I am also asking parents and students to turn on their App notifications so that when information becomes available all are kept up to date. This will be a very intense few weeks for school management and office staff running up to the end of August. It will always be our aim to keep you informed as required and we ask for your patience and understanding during this period of preparation and in the first few weeks of school when we will all be adjusting to a totally new school life experience. We are still all in this together, the health safety and wellbeing of all our school community - students, staff and families - will always be our priority and it depends on the cooperation of all of us to keep everyone safe. Thank you. Maura Murphy
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Former CBS Student Graduates from Cambridge University in the Top 100 Graduates
Created : 25 Jul 2020, 1:57 PM
Archived : 25 Sep 2020, 12:00 AM
Archived : 25 Sep 2020, 12:00 AM
TJ Alabi, who was in our 6th Year class of 2013-14, has graduated with First Class Honours in English literature from
Cambridge University, UK. He has also made the List of Top 100 Graduates! This is a very proud moment for TJ, his family and for his teachers who will remember TJ for his extraordinary ability in both English and Maths, in particular. We wish TJ a fulfilling career ahead in whatever path he chooses to follow.
Some Prep and Planning for September
Created : 19 Jul 2020, 3:09 PM
Archived : 19 Sep 2020, 12:00 AM
Archived : 19 Sep 2020, 12:00 AM
Dear Parents of all Year Groups,
Unfortunately I am not able to tell you today what the plan for late August/September will look like, but neither is the Government. The unpredictability of Covid-19 continues to determine our movements and lifestyles. We have learned many lessons from those 3 months and that is what I want to discuss with you now. This is how I see it:
1. Schools will open, in some shape or form. They may also close partially/fully again at some point.
2. Teachers will be in the school building, teaching either in person or live on Microsoft Teams, according to the normal 9-4 timetable. Their classrooms may be full, empty or half full.
3. Your son will be expected to attend as usual from 9-4, either in person or online.
4. Attendance times may be staggered, or selective to certain year groups, in keeping with the Guidelines of the time.
5. It will be live teaching for all - with the teacher looking at the class. Last term there was a reliance on putting up assignments and sending back corrected work. Microsoft Teams did not have the capability to view at the full class on screen then, but now it does.
5. Attendance taking, homework, assignments etc will continue as per normal. Grading will have to be based on the expectation of daily attendance and submission of work.
6. Parents want their sons to be taught. You want them to be prepared for their next CBA, Xmas Exam, JC, LC, and catch up on what they missed last year. You don't want to micro-manage their work as well as cope with your own.
I am not pre-empting any announcement the government will make in the next month. I am being practical. The past week has seen us take a step back from reaching normal. I’m asking you to consider how all your school going family will cope when all schools will be doing the same 9-4/9-3 timetable? Please consider these issues within your own family’s context.
* If there is only 1 laptop or tablet in the house but more than one student in your house, how will that work for them?
* If the parent(s) is still working from home and those hours are also normal business hours?
*Their phone, which has data, may be the only education device. (in many cases)
*From September 2021, our school will require the iPad for all incoming First Years, which is something to keep in the back of your mind.
*Consider that all teachers will be using more and more of the Microsoft Teams platform to support their teaching, because it enhances both teaching and learning so much. We have come to see how the entire world is now turning on the use of IT, whether you want it or not. Covid pushed everyone over that line. We are preparing our students for the 2020's, not the 1990's. We will never return to dependence on paper copies alone, face to face meetings only and just physical books. This is the 'blended learning' you hear mentioned.
So, even if we were to be in school as normal, the usage of Microsoft 365 and Teams will be a far greater part of the teaching and learning than ever before. Because it enhances learning.
Can I ask you to consider, if you can, having your son set up with the iPad before September. It is managed, so only education apps can be downloaded. You can check their screen time usage in a second. To support parents there are ‘how to’ videos on managing what their son uses the device for. There are ‘how to’ videos for students and parents on how to use both iPad and Teams.
They will be independent learners no matter if they are in school or at home. It is a better device than a phone to view. If your WiFi is poor at home, has it ever stopped them from using social media? Probably not. Use the unlimited data which phone sims have to provide the hotspot for the iPad or laptop.
Flexi-Fi finance is available if you wish to avail of this.
The Wriggle store can be viewed at www.wriggle.ie/OnlineStoreLogin
Our School Store Code is 02742671, the same for all year group stores.
Paul Cahillane’s, (our IT and iPad Coordinator) email is pcahillane@portlaoisecbs.com and he will be happy to answer any queries you may have.
Book Rental monies will be refunded if you move to the iPad.
Thank you for your time to read this, take care and keep well, Maura Murphy
Cian MacGearailt - Winner of Creative Arts Performance Points in NUIG
Created : 18 Jul 2020, 12:08 PM
Archived : 18 Sep 2020, 12:00 AM
Archived : 18 Sep 2020, 12:00 AM
Even before this year's unique style Leaving Certificate results are released, one of our students, our very talented Cian MacGearailt, has been awarded extra points towards the course he has applied for in NUI Galway. Ireland's leading university for the creative arts, has awarded special performance points for students who show exceptional artistic promise and achievement under six areas of excellence, one of them being Music, which Cian qualified under. As we know, Cian's musical talent has been to the fore for all CBS events during the last 6 years, and he will be greatly missed next year. From playing the guitar, to singing many a song, Cian has been an example for his younger peers who will hopefully fill the empty spot his departure to bigger musical arenas has left. We are delighted to applaud Cian, as he so deserves this acknowledgement of his talents, and what better way to be awarded in this year of uncertainty than to begin with 40 extra LC points! We wish you all the best Cian in your future studies. And thank you for the music.
