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.
Equal access and opportunity to progress your education is a right, not a privilege.
PRESS STATEMENT 15/06/12Irish Second-Level Students' Union*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***
The right of the child to equal access to education, is a fundamental belief on which the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union was founded. Equal access and opportunity to progress your education is a right, not a privilege. The Irish state has underpinned this belief in ensuring our young citizens are given access at primary and second-level. However, the importance of equal access to third level education cannot be overstated. We should ensure that any barriers that exist in preventing these forms of education for any for any student living in Ireland (regardless of their place of birth) are overcome providing they meet certain criteria such as having been residence in the country for a minimum number of years.As many 6th year students make the transition from second-level to third-level, this issue has been brought to the forefront. Students with full residency rights all have equal working rights. However, when it comes to third-level grants, people born outside of the E.U., that do not meet other requirements such as refugee status or leave to remain on humanitarian grounds, are unable to access college grants. This is regardless of how long the person may have been living in Ireland, even if it is most of their life. The ISSU feel that students who have lived in Ireland for many years should have access to a Higher Education Grant. Mark Caffrey, Equality Officer for the ISSU, has stated “Non-EU citizen students who have lived in this country for years are viewed by their classmates and most of society as Irish. They have worked just as hard as their friends who have been born here and are just as capable. They have access to many other forms of welfare just like anyone else and I don’t see why they shouldn’t have access to a college grant." The ISSU welcomes the Minister for Education and Skills' commitment to review this.
ISSU.ie State Exams Blog 2012
We'll be launching our 2012 Exam blog soon providing news, reviews, comment and analysis after every exam this Summer. The ultimate student review of each exam paper. The students who sit the paper are best placed to provide feedback on their exams.Coverage will begin on Tuesday June 5th 2012 @ 1pm with students' thoughts on the eve of the first exam. We'll be delving into every exam for Junior Certificate, Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied, and student feedback will be posted on issu.ie at 6.30pm every evening for the duration of the examinations.Separately, the ISSU President, Education Officer Public Relations will coordinate media coverage of the state examinations also.We're still recruiting our bloggers, so if you're up for the job email studentvoice@issu.ie or call 01-443 4461.June 2012, the only best place for student reaction and feedback on the exams www.issu.ie 
National Student Executive 2012-2013
Election Results Declared @ 4.10pm on April 4th 2012
Secretary: Ann Marie Burns, St. Anne’s Secondary SchoolEducation Officer: Brendan Power, CBS CallanEquality Officer: Mark Caffrey, Ratoath CollegeStudent Council Support Officer: Asha Aisling Doris, Confey CollegeOifigeach na Gaelige: David Minihane, Cólaiste an Spioráid Naomha, CorkPublic Relations Officer: Nathan O’Connor, CBS WexfordInternational Officer: Claire Stone, Mercy College GalwayWelfare Officer: Emmett Clarke, CBS CallanDeputy President: Gerrard Quinn, Mount Mellick Community CollegePresident: Dylan Grace, Gaelcoláiste LuiminighLeanne Caulfield was returned as Honorary PresidentJames Doorley, returning officer deemed the aforementioned duly allocated at 4.1opm
New iConnect Card ‘Means Big Savings for Students’
Please note the iConnect card is no longer available and the ISSU is now offering the ISIC Student Card -order online today!
SSG iConnect card launch NY poster card & molly with students
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Second-level students can now make big savings in almost 100 outlets across the country when they sign up to the new ‘recession-buster’ iConnect Student ID and Discount Card.And students who purchase the new iConnect card before March 31 2012 will be in with a chance to win two return flights to New York!The iConnect Card is the only dedicated ID and discount card for second-level students and young people aged 12-18 years.The card has been developed jointly by the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU) and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) as part of their innovative YouthConnect programme http://www.youth-connect.ie/The card costs just €13 and is available in schools nationwide, online at www.issu.ie, or by calling into any USIT office.Students who purchase the card before March 31, 2012 and visit the iConnect Facebook page to share the competition link will be entered into the draw for a prize of two return tickets to New York, courtesy of Delta Air Lines.Speaking at the iConnect launch, Leanne Caulfield of ISSU said: “This card is the perfect recession tonic for students and their parents – giving young people the chance to make real savings!Fiona Dunne of YouthConnect said: “Sign up and get involved, this is a great opportunity for hard-pressed students.”ENDS
Please note the iConnect card is no longer available and the ISSU is now offering the ISIC Student Card -order online today!
Minister Quinn welcomes Second Level Students’ Union proposals on naming the reformed junior cycle awards
Ruairi Quinn, T.D., Minister for Education and Skills today thanked the Irish Second Level Student’s Union for their report entitled “Naming the Reformed Junior Cycle”.Commenting on the report, the Minister said “I warmly welcome the effort that has been committed to this project by the ISSU. Their use of text messaging, social media, email and consultation sessions to engage students on the topic has set an excellent example for creating dialogue with the students themselves.”The report is being published on the Department’s website www.education.ie, and is being forwarded to education stakeholders for further discussion.The report includes a number of potential names for the reformed junior cycle, including STARS (School-based, Teacher-led Assessment and Reporting System) and ICA (Irish Comprehensive Assessment).The report shows that students strongly welcome the proposed reforms and particularly the emphasis on active learning and the changed approach to assessment. One participant in the consultation stated “I think it will prepare students for life after the exams, instead of just for the exams”.In welcoming the report, Minister Quinn said “Young people are uniquely placed to take the lead in redesigning their learning. It is precisely this engagement and enthusiasm for self directed learning which we are trying to promote in the reforms, developing important skills which will serve throughout life”.