Well done on your results!
PRESS RELEASE 13/08/2014
Well done on your results!
Irish Second-Level Students’ Union sends best wishes to class of 2014
The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all examination candidates upon receiving their Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied results today.Speaking today, the ISSU President, Craig Mc Hugh said;"Regardless of what results lie in that envelope, remember all the dedication and hard work you put in, and that is what really counts. The assessment methods in the Leaving Cert may not be tailored or suited to your best skill set, and if you are left in any way disappointed by your results, there are many ways into nearly every career path and now you can take your first steps. I would like to congratulate everyone who sat the examinations; making through the final exam in school is in itself a major achievement and shows diligence and perseverance. Be sure to take the opportunity to celebrate your five or six years of hard work."ISSU Education Officer, Joanna Siewierska added;“I would like to wish all students receiving their Leaving Cert results the very best of luck and I hope that all students are happy with how they get on. This can be a very stressful time but remember that this is just an exam and not the end of the world. For all of those worried about the results and their next steps please use the free phone helpline; 1800 265 165, which will be operated by guidance councillors for students and parents.”The ISSU urges students to use the National Parents’ Council post-primary (NPCpp) exam helpline (1800265165) to seek independent advice from qualified guidance counsellors if you are unsure of your options over the upcoming days.The ISSU is currently surveying students who have completed their Leaving Cert about their experience of the exams. Students can complete ‘Leaving the Leaving Cert’ on issu.ie. *****************ENDS *****************Contact:Craig Mc Hugh, President: 086 270 8434, craig@issu.ieJoanna Siewierska, Education Officer: 085 702 7706, joanna@issu.ieISSU Office: 01-4434461, info@issu.ie Notes to Editor:The Irish Second-Level Students' Union is the national umbrella body for school Student Councils, aiming to representing and connecting Irish second-level students the length and breadth of the country, ensuring that the voice of the Irish second-level student is heard and striving for innovation and democracy within the education system. See www.issu.ie
Take stock and plan for your future. Bonus points certainly add up
PRESS STATEMENT 20/08/2012
Irish Second-Level Students' Union
Take stock and plan for your future
Bonus points certainly add up.
Consider you options carefully and say thanks to bonus points pushes you closer to where you want to be.
The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union would like to wish all students the very best of luck with their CAO applications today, however the ISSU urges all students to take time to asses your options. Most students are very apprehensive this morning as they consider their options carefully. Many have close to the same points, or slightly less than what their course was last year, they are extremely concerned that the points could rise and they will miss out. The Union has welcomed the overall improvements in Maths results this year, however we caution the success of ‘Project Maths’. Speaking today, ISSU education officer, Brendan Power spoke of the calculated decision risk by some students. “Exam candidates made the rationale and calculated decision to work harder, to put themselves under pressure, and exhausting themselves to get them where they needed to be. Project Maths is still far from perfect and must be seriously looked at. However I would like to compliment and praise the decision to increase the points allocated to higher level maths”. Maths results overall have improved, and the main reason for this, we believe is the introduction of bonus points in the subject two years ago - adding to the pressure and the pressure cooker that is the points race and moving us further and further from an equitable and fair college entry system. Dylan Grace, President of ISSU echoed this ‘’unfortunately students who have taken the Ordinary Level Paper are now at a severe disadvantage, and many are struggling to obtain their required college course. More students took the Higher Level maths paper to cash in on the points incentive, adding further pressure on students and adding fuel to the already pressurised points race. I, like many am still not convinced nor satisfied with Project Maths”. Students are urged to take time to asses their options and consider their futures carefully. The NPCpp helpline is available on 1800 265 165 and further information is available from the ISSU website (issu.ie) or by contacting the ISSU Team directly. We would like to remind students that if you do not get your first choice it is not the end of the world. There are many different routes into your course and you should seek advice if you are in this situation. It is recommended that you view all exam scripts should you have a concern about particular grades, and exhaust all efforts in getting where you want to be. *****************ENDS *****************Contact: 01 443 4461, communications@issu.ieNotes to Editor:The Irish Second-Level Students' Union is the national umbrella body for school Student Councils, aiming to representing and connecting Irish second-level students the length and breadth of the country, ensuring that the voice of the Irish second-level student is heard and striving for innovation and democracy within the education system. See www.issu.ie
Well done on your results!
Press Statement 15/08/2012
Irish Second-Level Students' Union
Well done on your results!
Second-Level Students’ Union sends best wishes to class of 2012
The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all examination candidates upon receiving their Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied results today.Speaking today, the ISSU Education Officer, Brendan Power said:“Today is a new beginning for all Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied Candidates, not an ending. It is the start of a new chapter of your life, and we here at ISSU would like to formally congratulate you on your results and wish you all the best for the future. Remember to take stock and evaluate over the next few days.There are plenty of facilities available to students including school Guidance Counsellors, parents, exam helplines and online resources to help students during this time. Students should enjoy today and tonight, but do so sensibly. There is a lot more to life than your results and your results night.”The ISSU urges students to use the National Parents’ Council post-primary (NPCpp) exam helpline (1800265165) to seek independent advice from qualified guidance counsellors if you are unsure of your options over the upcoming days. Online advice and support is available from ISSU on issu.ie.
Contact:
Notes to Editor:The Irish Second-Level Students' Union is the national umbrella body for school Student Councils, aiming to representing and connecting Irish second-level students the length and breadth of the country, ensuring that the voice of the Irish second-level student is heard and striving for innovation and democracy within the education system. See www.issu.ie
Students Welcome Educate Together as a Second-Level School Patron
PRESS STATEMENT 25/07/12
Irish Second-Level Students’ Union
*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
Students Welcome Educate Together as a Second-Level School Patron
The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU) welcomes today’s announcement that Educate Together has been approved as patron of 2 second-level schools. Educate Together have a long tradition in the primary sector and their presence in second-level is a great leap forward for Irish Education. This will be the first new model of a second-level school since the VEC Act in the1930s, and will allow for greater level of choice for parents and students, and will change the shape of the Education Sector in Ireland. Educate Together second-level schools will be committed to placing the student at the centre of the learning process, which the ISSU has always believed is essential in delivering an effective education for all students. ISSU President, Dylan Grace said; “Educate Together finally becoming a second-level patron will set the tone for the Educational Reform Agenda. Curricula and syllabi reforms have been plentiful, but school patronage has been an issue long in need of reform and I am glad to see that it is finally happening. This will help to create a modern education system for a modern Ireland”. ISSU Education Officer, Brendan Power, who sits on the Educate Together Second-Level Working Group said; "We warmly welcome the Ministers announcement today. It is a really positive step into the future of Irish Education. It should have an extremely progressive impact as we move forward and develop our young people into every aspect of life, in modern Ireland" *****************ENDS *****************Notes to Editor:The Irish Second-Level Students' Union is the national umbrella body for school Student Councils, aiming to represent and connect Irish second-level students the length and breadth of the country, ensuring that the voice of the Irish second-level student is heard and striving for innovation and democracy within the education system. Contact: ISSU Media Office – 01 443 4461 / communications@issu.ie
State Examinations 2012
Irish Second-Level Students’ Union
PRESS STATEMENT *FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 05/06/12*
On the eve of the first day of the 2012 state examinations, thousands of Junior and Leaving Cert students across the country are thinking anxiously about their impending exams and trying to get as much last minute study done as possible.The State Exams are an extremely stressful time for students and the run up to these exams is often a time when students depend on Guidance Counsellors in schools most. For Leaving Certificate students especially, Guidance Counsellors provide an essential support as students are also faced with the stresses of deciding what path to follow when they leave school. Therefore, the Irish Second-level Students’ Union calls on the Department of Education and Skills to ensure that there will be no further threats to the provision of Guidance Counselling services in schools. A student’s mental health and well being is as important as the provision of education in schools and should not be allowed to suffer.The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union will be keeping an online blog (www.issu.ie) during the state examinations with daily contributions from Junior Cert, Leaving Cert Applied and Leaving Cert students from across the country as well as official commentary on each paper from the ISSU.Top tips on exam best practices as well as how to keep stress levels to a minimum can also be found on www.issu.ieOn behalf of all the ISSU team, we would like to wish all students beginning the state examinations tomorrow, the very best of luck. ***ENDS***Notes to Editor:ISSU is the national umbrella body for school Student Councils, aiming to represent and connect Irish second-level students the length and breadth of the country, ensuring that the voice of the Irish second-level student is heard and striving for innovation and democracy within the education system. ISSU is a not-for profit student rights organisation.At ISSU we believe that young people are not merely citizens in waiting - we deserve better, we deserve to be heard. We can and will contribute positively to society. It is so important that our voices, views and opinions are (i) heard (ii) listened to (iii) and most importantly respected. This is what ISSU is all about. We’re here for you.Our main aims include:
- To provide training and development of second-level school Student Councils, in conjunction with relevant bodies.
- To develop policies on issues affecting Irish second-level students and bring the needs and rights of students to the attention of the relevant authorities.
- To provide a transparent, democratic and reliable organisation.
- To work in collaboration with other educational institutions and bodies both in Ireland and Europe.
- To work closely with educational curriculum policy makers and teachers’ unions to continually develop a transparent, fair and modern education system.
- And most importantly, to give students a structured platform through which the voice of the Irish second-level student will be heard.
ISSU represents students at a national level and is affiliated to; the WHEEL, NYCI, Anna Lindh Foundation, Stand up for Education Alliance, Children’s Mental Health Coalition and the Children’s Rights Alliance. On an international level, ISSU works closely with OBESSU. ISSU also works with curriculum development teams and various advisory bodies.Contact:www.issu.ie, email info@issu.ie or call 01 443 4461.
ISSU concerned about second-level teacher cuts
05/12/2011
The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU) is greatly concerned by proposals in Budget 2012 to slash the number of second-level teaching posts by 700 and restrict student services for the academic year 2012/13.We are extremely concerned by any cuts on this scale, but particularly concerned as there are significant reforms taking place in the Junior and Senior Cycle which will require a more diverse range of expertise in school’s teaching staff. Cutting 700 teaching posts will hugely hamper school’s ability to implement the new Junior Cycle syllabus in 2014 – it is envisaged that students will be able to take short-courses in new subject areas, but significant teacher cuts will limit school’s capacity to maintain their current subject load. The Department is misguided in removing additional hours for guidance councilors in schools. A move which will impact directly on vulnerable students.The ISSU is also concerned at how DEIS schools are being disproportionately hit, and urge the Minister to revisit this decision. Furthermore, we are very disappointed that the allowance for 16 and 17 year olds participating in Youthreach, Community Training Centres and FAS courses is being reduced to €40, and may result in fewer vunerable students remaining in education.Speaking today, an ISSU spokesperson described the cuts to guidance and counseling services as "shocking". Sly cuts like this impact on vulnerable students directly. We must remember that guidance councillors do more than just guide students on their options after second-level education, but are also someone students can turn too when they are in need. Guidance Councilors are the bedrock of any school and it is unjust to target this invaluable service.It is also envisged that schools will have more atonomy over capitation and programme funding – which is a welcome step.Yet again, young people are suffering for the mistakes of the past decade - a decade in which, we, the celtic tiger cubs were heedless to the negligence of the policy makers that left us in the economic crisis we find ourselves.Contact:ISSU National Office: 01 443 4461www.issu.ie, email communications@issu.ie