The Department’s Wellbeing Office has updated the Guidance for Schools on supporting the wellbeing of school communities as schools reopen.  This is attached here for your information and is also published at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/52642-supporting-the-wellbeing-of-school-communities-as-schools-reopen-guidance-for-schools/ .  In addition, a shorter document outlining a summary of the resources that are being made available to support wellbeing at this time is also attached.  The Gaeilge versions of both of these documents are being finalised and will be available shortly. 

SUPPORTING THE WELLBEING OF SCHOOL COMMUNITIES AS SCHOOL REOPEN GUIDANCE

BRIEFING NOTE RESOURCES TO SUPPORT WELLBEING RETURN TO SCHOOL SEPT 2020 

Induction Workshops:

As you are aware, a number of Induction Workshops became available online during Term 3 2019/20. That online suite continues to be available to NQTs who require them throughout the term ahead via the NIPT online learning platform https://onlinelearning.teacherinduction.ie.

Unfortunately, face-to-face workshops will not run in Term 1 2020/21 as the Induction Workshops will be entirely online for this term.

Two new online workshops will be added to the suite mid-way through this term:

 Teacher Professionalism and Well-Being NIPTWS01 (Cross-Sectoral)

 Múineadh na Gaeilge NIPTWS12 (Primary)

Droichead:

Cluster Meeting 1

As in previous years, NQTs must apply for Droichead via the ‘My Registration’ portal on www.teachingcouncil.ie and receive a confirmation email from the Teaching Council before registering for Cluster Meeting 1.

Cluster Meeting 1 will be available online only during Term 1 2020. It is anticipated that this provision will begin during early October via our online learning platform https://onlinelearning.teacherinduction.ie. NIPT will monitor the completion of Cluster Meeting 1 during this time.

Our website will be updated when this becomes available and the Teaching Council (www.teachingcouncil.ie) will publish the date on which applications for the Droichead process will open.

PST Training

Unfortunately, PST Mentor Training will  not be facilitated face-to-face in Term 1. Initially, RDOs will facilitate this training via the Zoom platform. It is anticipated that these events will begin late September/early October. NIPT Office, Dublin West Education Centre, Old Blessington Road, Tallaght. Dublin 24. Tel: 01-4528020, e: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.teacherinduction.ie

Ian Mc Donagh, Arts Officer, Cork County Council together with Dr. Dympna Daly Director of the West Cork Education Centre, launch a “Call Out for Artists”.

The Teacher Artist Partnership CPD Summer Course & Residency programme is open to Artists (in any art forms) that are committed to sharing their practice with children and teachers in a modern primary school environment. This Arts in Education initiative is a Creative Ireland, Department of Education and Skills led, approved Summer Course offering specialist, week-long training based at the West Cork Education Centre, The Square, Dunmanway, Co. Cork from the 17^th to 21^st August 2020 inclusive and from 9.30-2pm daily. A training allowance of €150 per day over the initial 5-day training week (€750 in total) is available, travel expenses and daily lunch are also provided. There is a guarantee of a paid, follow- up in-school-residency within a West Cork Primary School (Fee €900, plus €100 travel in total) to carry out a 20-hour project (14 contact hours plus 6 preparation hours) in partnership with your teacher partner throughout the 2020/2021 academic year. Due to Covid 19 restrictions, please be aware that this residency may take place face to face or via Zoom or some other online platform.

Artist must have:

• a track record of a minimum of three years professional practise in any art form and demonstrate an interest in the principles of Arts-in-Education and Creativity
• be willing to learn about modern classroom culture and to work in equal partnership with teachers
• combine a sense of fun, joy and collaboration with professional dedication and high artistic vision
• be willing to undertake child protection training as part of the induction week, and undergo standard Garda vetting before taking up project placements

Artists can apply to be part of the scheme via the West Cork Education Centre and should be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. no later than 5pm on Friday 10^th July 2020.

Expressions of interest should be in the form of a letter of max 600 words, accompanied by a CV or short Bio with links to images or samples of relevant work. Places on this national Creative Ireland CPD initiative are limited to two Artists in 2020. Final decision on offers of places will be taken by the Director of the West Cork Education Centre in collaboration with the Local Authority Arts Office and successful applicants will be notified.