Tag Archives: secondary schools

The results are in from the 2023 Model Council of the European Union debating competition. Six teams rose above 21 other secondary schools across Ireland for their convincing portrayal of the positions taken by EU Ministers for Energy while discussing how to accelerate the EU’s Renewable Energy Transition. The debate mirrors the format of a real meeting of the Council of the European Union (also known as the Council of Ministers) so students can explore how the EU decision-making process works. The Model Council has been organised by the European Commission Representation in Ireland every year since 2007. The 2023 event was held in City Hall in Dublin. Scoil Muire agus Pádraig from Mayo won first place for their representation of Poland during the debate. Second place went to Christ King Secondary School from Cork, and third place to Deansrath Community College from Dublin. Those schools role-played Slovakia and Hungary respectively. Honourable mentions were given to the following schools: Ardscoil Rís …

AN ENNIS principal has appealed to the education minister for a speedy conclusion to talks on the system of allocation of secondary school places in Ennis. In recent years, there has been an unprecedented demand, with some schools receiving more than twice as many applications as available places. As Minister Norma Foley visited Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg this week, Príomhoide Dónal Ó hAiniféin availed of the opportunity to highlight the issue. He said the stress of trying to secure a place gave the “wrong impression” of secondary school as students were making a key transition out of primary education. Referring to an ongoing consultation process, which was developed in response to the controversy, Mr Ó hAiniféin expressed the hope that it might soon be brought to a successful conclusion by the autumn. “For children in sixth class, it gives the totally wrong impression,” he said. “I’m certain the secondary schools will benefit from the positivity that will come from this, and …

PRIMARY and secondary schools across Ireland are being challenged by NUI Galway to produce an entertaining and educational short science video for this year’s ReelLIFE SCIENCE competition. Supported by the Science Foundation Ireland Discover programme and the CÚRAM Centre for Research in Medical Devices at NUI Galway, ReelLIFE SCIENCE will award €3,000 directly to the winning schools for science promotion. Since launching in 2013, more than 5,000 students in almost 200 schools around Ireland have taken part in ReelLIFE SCIENCE, while the videos produced have been viewed 70,000 times in over 100 countries worldwide. Director general of Science Foundation Ireland, Professor Mark Ferguson said, “We are delighted to support this initiative, which cleverly combines science literacy and creativity, provides a great opportunity for students and teachers to engage with science in a novel way. ReelLIFE SCIENCE encourages young people to connect with the science and technology in their everyday lives, and to bring that knowledge to a wider audience, while …

The Local Enterprise Office Clare will host the annual Student Enterprise Awards finals, featuring more than 250 secondary schools students, at Treacy’s West County Hotel, Ennis, on this Thursday morning. The Programme is part of the National Student Enterprise Awards competition, which sees over 17,000 students compete annually on the national stage. It seeks to stimulate the creation of real-life businesses in secondary schools, by encouraging students to research and manage their own business, with the support from local business mentors. The event will see students presenting their enterprise ideas at various stalls throughout the venue. Prizes will be awarded in various categories, including Best Display, Best Business Plan and Best Innovative Business. Category winners from the Clare final will advance to the national final, to be held in Croke Park in April.