ISSU Congratulates Students on their Junior Cert Results
12th September 2012 On the day of their results, the Irish Second-level Students’ Union (ISSU) wishes all those receiving their Junior Certificate results today the very best of luck. However, the ISSU appeals to students to be responsible and mindful to others in their celebrations. Results this year are broadly in line with previous years, and we are encouraged to see an increase in the proportion of students opting for higher level in core subjects such as English, Irish and Maths. The ISSU is encouraging all students to enjoy celebrating their well-deserved results, but to stay safe and do so responsibly. ISSU Education Officer, Brendan Power said: “Getting their Junior Certificate results is a landmark in most young people’s lives and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all students on their hard-earned results. It is heartening that there has been an increase in the proportion of students taking core subjects at higher level, and I hope that this trend will continue in future years”. ISSU President, Dylan Grace said: “While many people are currently discussing the new Junior Cycle syllabus, it is important that we all take a moment to congratulate all students of what will soon be the “old” Junior Cert on the three years of hard work and effort which has hopefully been rewarded with today’s results”.
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
Think of the Students. It's real life, not just a timetable
PRESS STATEMENT 13/06/12Irish Second-Level Students' Union*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***
ISSU Calls for Increased Security Measures in Wake of Leaving Certificate Security Breach
PRESS STATEMENT 08/06/12
Irish Second-Level Students' Union
*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
The Irish Second-Level Students' Union (ISSU) is disappointed by the Security Breach which will result in new Leaving Certificate Irish Paper One Exams and Aural CDs being distributed to schools in advance of Monday afternoon's exam. ISSU believes that more stringent security measures need to be put in place in the future to prevent further mistakes - particularly as there have been a number of similar incidents in recent years. The Leaving Certificate Aural Exam was played to a number of groups sitting the Junior Certificate Exam yesterday morning, meaning that the recording and associated exam paper have to be replaced for the equivalent Leaving Certificate Exam on Monday.ISSU President, Dylan Grace said; "The State Examinations Commission are lucky in this case as there are a number of days between the Junior and Leaving Certificate Irish Aural exams so there is time to rectify the error without creating mass disruption. However, we simply cannot keep having repeats of past mistakes which result in the significant costs of printing exam papers, producing CDs and distributing them nationwide. While this won't create a direct disadvantage to any student, it is could potentially be playing on students' minds and causing them additional stress at an already stressful time. We need to improve security measures to prevent these mistakes being repeated yet again."The ISSU are runnning a daily exam blog throughout the exams on www.issu.ieFor more please contact ISSU Communications Office, 01-443 4461, communications@issu.ie*****************ENDS *****************
The ISSU would like to remind all students that it is the State Examinations Commission prepares 2 papers for each exam every year, and that the contingency paper would have been made at the same time as the first paper in line with SEC examination protocol. Students should not be concerned about the implementation of an contingency paper, it means the SEC is protecting the integrity of the exam paper to ensure a fair exam for all candidates. Simply put, comparing the differences between the first paper and the contingency paper would be like comparing two different brands of milk. Candidates should concentrate on preparations for their Irish Exam as normal and try not to get distracted by any media hype this creates.