Following feedback from a recent SSE survey and from listening to parents' feedback at parent teacher meetings, a three-part Study Skills Workshop has been organised for parents and students through our local Education Centre. Motivation is the focus of workshop two which was a key area in your feedback. This workshop is not exclusive to our school. It is open to all post primary school parents, so please book early to avoid disappointment.  

Our Guidance Department will also begin the 6th years Study Skills refresher sessions this week, while our SPHE teachers will complete a follow up Study Skills lesson with 3rd year students. 

Our Mocks begin in three weeks’ time (January the 30th and run for two weeks) and are an excellent way of helping students to identify areas they should focus their learning on in preparation for the real exam. They can also help to build students' confidence. They are a milestone in the students' preparation for the State Exams and provide an objective record of their progress at that point. 

Please read the information below, which gives an outline of topics and tactics covered in the online workshops.  

Study Skills for Post-Primary Parents and Students - Three evening workshops on 30.1, 2.2 & 9.2.23 

This three-evening webinar series on 30th  January, 2nd  & 9th  February 2023, from 7-7.45pm each evening, is suitable for all post primary students and their parents. Each family member would benefit from them and are welcome to attend.  This short series of webinars will encourage students, with the support of their parents, to develop positive learning and study habits.

Webinar 1: 30.1.2023
Content Explored:
- Enhancing the learning environment 

- How our memory works 

- Organisational Skills 

- Dominant Learning styles  

- Misconceptions about study

 -Misconceptions about study

Webinar 2: 2.2.2023
Content Explored:
- Strategies to motivate students
- Strategies to avoid procrastination
- Coping skills for students

Webinar 3: 9.2.2023
Content Explored:
- Strategies to enhance information retrieval
- The power of mindmaps
- The importance of 'work-life' balance 

Facilitator: Kieran Sweeney is a Post Primary Mathematics Teacher. @kieranlec is on Twitter. 

Booking:              https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_E1vUYT-GSyy_iEsJMNFd3w

Night study resumes tomorrow, Thursday, Jan 5th 4.15pm to 6pm in the school library.   Students just need to turn up any evening to get an application form. 

The Parents' Councils of both the CBS and Scoil Chriost Ri are running a Table Quiz for all students of both schools, in all years, next Thursday, March 2nd at 7 pm in the CBS GPA. 

Each table of 4 will cost €20. TY students will be selling tickets next Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday in advance, here in the school during lunch times. By Monday posters will be up around the school, providing you with more information. 

As an added incentive, for all who attend on the night, they will receive a 'No Homework Pass' to excuse them from any homework which was set ON Thursday 2/3 for Friday 3/3. (Please note that if homework was assigned on Wednesday 1/3, or before, for Friday 3/3, this pass will NOT excuse you!)

ASD Parent Support Group - Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) 21.2.23

This Support group is for parents of primary and post-primary children with Autism. The aim of the group is to provide support, share ideas and a platform for parents to ask questions. Please note, this webinar is for parents only and will deal with the Theory of ASD from a parenting perspective and not a school perspective. Therefore, we would appreciate if SNA /Teachers did not book a place on this support webinar. 

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is contended to be a distinct presentation within autism that can result in complex interactions with service providers in education and health settings, impacting on outcomes for individuals and their families.  This webinar will introduce the history and principal characteristics of PDA as a distinct profile arising from extreme anxiety-based demand avoidance, together with an overview of helpful strategies and approaches.  Delivery got one hour from 7 – 8 and then 30 minutes for Q&A.

Dr Alison Doyle has practiced as a teacher, School Principal, and Educational Psychologist across primary, secondary, and higher education contexts internationally for almost 40 years. She has a particular practice and research interest in supporting young people with neurodiverse conditions to manage the transition from school to college and employment.  Alison is also a part-time lecturer to postgraduate programmes within the Institute of Child Education and Psychology Europe, Dublin City University, and Trinity College Dublin.

Shaun Greville has returned to school in the Esker Centre, Ballinamere after 5 years secondment to the SESS and latterly NCSE. He fulfilled the roles of Advisor and Assistant National Coordinator for the autism team with a focus on in school support for teachers and both in school and external CPD regarding autism.

Date:                     Tuesday 21stFebruary 2023

Time:                     7-9pm

Booking link:      https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0rdu6qpjwvHNVJakpwq4movowkbf2WFU0q