The Mocks results are now accessible by logging into VSWare.dunmorecs.ie Please note, not all results are back, so please check again in a few days if there are any missing. If you can’t remember your password for VSWare, you need to reset it by following these steps.
Please find attached a link to the Press release from the Minister of Education from this evening. Schools will remain closed until the 19th of April. Please see the video I sent out to your phones today explaining how to check your child is engaging with our online learning. I hope you find it useful.
https://www.education.ie/en/Press-Events/Press-Releases/2020-press-releases/PR20-03-24.html
The Department of Ed has released a document of FAQ about the recent oral/Home Ec and Music practical cancellations. These can be read here.
This is the latest update from the Minister for Education detailing that the Music Practical, Home Ec Practicals and the French, Irish and German orals are now cancelled. I am well aware that this will be a very upsetting time for our exam students, if you would like to speak to one of us, please feel free to email mscarry @dunmorecs.ie, bclesham @dunmorecs.ie, principal@ dunmorecs.ie or deputyprincipal@ dunmorecs.ie with your number and we will call you back as soon as possible.
Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh TD has today (Thursday 19 March 2020) announced the cancellation of oral and practical performance tests of the state examinations which were originally scheduled to take place from Monday 23 March to Friday 3 April 2020.
All students who were due to take these tests will be awarded full marks for this portion of the exam.
The decision was taken in light of the closure of schools as a result of the Covid-19 virus and it will be implemented by the State Examinations Commission (SEC).
Minister McHugh said: “This is a difficult time for all. Students are facing a challenging period out of school and our decision on this element of the exams is being taken with their best interests at heart.
“It is the fairest response we could take in the circumstances. It guarantees that no student will score less than they would have if schools had been operating as normal.
“We have seen a new emphasis on remote learning amid the uncertainty about the impact of Covid-19 and the closure of all schools. I hope this decision will ease some of the pressure that students are feeling and allow them to focus more clearly on completing project work and preparing for written exams.”
The change to the 2020 state examinations means all students who were due to take oral and practical performance tests in the following subjects will be given full marks for this part of the examination:
Minister McHugh also confirmed changes to deadlines for students to complete project work and coursework in a number of subjects.
Students were originally scheduled to complete these elements of the state examinations on a number of dates from Friday 20 March to Friday 24 April 2020, depending on the subject.
Students will now be given until Friday 15 May 2020 to complete this work.
Minister McHugh said: “We know we are asking a lot of people in order to stem the spread of Covid-19. In response to that I want students and their parents or guardians and teachers to be given flexibility as they work towards the exams.
“All of Government is hugely grateful for the effort, commitment and energy that students and teachers are putting in to continue education in difficult circumstances. I urge you all to keep up the momentum and focus on preparing for the exams.”
Minister McHugh also said the Department will continue to work with the State Examinations Commission to monitor the Covid-19 situation in terms of its potential impact on the other later scheduled components of the state examinations.
“We will continue to respond at the right time and in the right way, with the impact on our students at the forefront of our minds,” Minister McHugh said.
The Minister also advised of steps taken by the Department to minimise the impact on teaching and learning of the current school closures. All schools have been asked to continue to plan lessons and, where possible, provide online resources for students or online lessons where schools are equipped to do so. Schools have also been asked to be conscious of students that may not have access to online facilities and to consider this actively in their responses. School buildings are available to staff if they wish to access the facilities in order to provide online delivery, or essential services once this is in line with Health Service Executive (HSE) advice.
The Department of Education and Skills will continue to provide supports to the education sector at this time, particularly schools with students taking State examinations.
The Department of Education and Skills has been liaising closely on a continual basis with the Department of Health in relation to Coronavirus/Covid-19 since early January. This will continue.
Re: Senior Cycle Enrolment. Emails have now been sent out to all 3rd and TY students with instructions and a link to our online application form. Closing date for applications is next Thursday, the 26th March.
Please carefully go through the information here before applying. http://www.dunmorecs.ie/index.php/senior-cycle-enrolment-2020-2021/
Kind Regards, DQuinn
Unfortunately, we will be unable to hold our annual Senior Cycle options night this year due to the uncertainty of COVID-19. Therefore, we will be using an online application process. The link to the application form will be sent to all 3rd year and TY student school based email accounts tomorrow morning. The form requires both the student and parent/guardian to complete and I would advise doing so from a laptop or computer. The form can only be filled in from the link sent to the students’ email account. I will text parents to notify them when this link has been emailed.
Prior to the filling in the application form, please have a browse of the presentations from last year and some websites of relevance that will assist you in making the decision on what option your child should apply for.
Please get in contact if you have any queries at principal @dunmorecs.ie or mscarry @dunmorecs.ie or deputyprincipal @dunmorecs.ie
PLEASE NOTE: DEADLINE FOR COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM IS THURSDAY the 26th MARCH.
Wishing all our students, parents, guardians and staff a Happy and safe St. Patrick’s Day during this time of COVID-19. Hoping you are all well and enjoying quality family time.
I have emailed a letter to parents tonight (to their child’s email address) outlining ways they can assist their child and us, as a school, over the coming two weeks. All students should be able to login into their school email account via www.office.com If they are having any difficulties, please contact me at principal @ dunmorecs.ie and I’ll get back to you.
The Government has closed pre-school to third level schools to help minimise the spread of Covid-19. The school is closed until the 27th March to help in achieving this. We are reminding staff, students and the wider public to practice social distancing, and to minimise physical contact with each other, to help avoid the spread of Covid-19. This should include minimising social contact, avoiding meeting up and keeping physical space between them. Parents and guardians are urged to support their children to maintain this approach.
Please find attached the press release issued by the Department of Education today with useful information and advice for parents.
Also, I did notice some of our students were quite worried about Covid-19 today and although I did try to allay their fears, I’m sure many other of our students are as well, so I’m attaching a letter from the Dept of Education to assist you in talking to your child about Covid-19.
