Applying for the Hibernia course, is it worth it ?

GwayGal

Hello,

I am considering applying for the Hibernia course .

Has anyone else done this course? Did you find a job afterwards? Is it true that some Principals favour Mary I graduates?

I really want to work as a teacher (once qualified). What do Principals want to see on your CV in relation to experience and activities?



GwayGal

afkasurfjunkie

Principal spelt properly?

Griffun

Principals have found that Hibernia graduates are frequently (i) mature (ii) highly motivated (iii) committed (iv) in for the long haul (v) often have kids themselves (vi) used to working with IT (vii) probably made a career change (viii) prepared to learn...and many more qualities that give them the edge over ordinary undergraduates. Go for it is my opinion.

byhookorbycrook

If you want to teach, then go for it, but remember jobs are in very short supply.

TheColl

Griffun wrote: »

Principals have found that Hibernia graduates are frequently (i) mature (ii) highly motivated (iii) committed (iv) in for the long haul (v) often have kids themselves (vi) used to working with IT (vii) probably made a career change (viii) prepared to learn...and many more qualities that give them the edge over ordinary undergraduates. Go for it is my opinion.

Are you a principal yourself? Or is this what you've heard?

Griffun

Truly I can say it is what I have heard but from the perspective one whose present work is to consort with school principals. I once was one of them, you see.

TheColl

Griffun wrote: »

Truly I can say it is what I have heard but from the perspective one whose present work is to consort with school principals. I once was one of them, you see.

I see, interesting to hear that. So Hibernia graduates are held in higher regard in many ways it seems. Ah well!

overmantle

One can't generalise about the quality of Hibernia graduates. Some are very good, as they have had a lot of experience in teaching and perhaps other fields.Others, will find it very difficult to secure employment, if the choice is between them and a conventionally trained teacher.

teddy12

As a qualified primary school teacher i would definitly advise against doing this course because there is a severe lack of jobs these days!!

And also a lot of principals do not favour post grads, they favour a teacher who has spent three years at college doing the course rather than one which takes half the time. Just because they are older doesnt make them better teachers.

maggot12345

Go for it if it's what you want. We have a teacher in our school who did it and she's permanent. I have found in general that the Hibernia students that have been in our school were mature and dedicated.

maisey123

I am a qualified primary school teacher who has a leadership role in my school. When a job is advertised and we receive applications from people, we always chose those who have qualified through the university system by doing a 3/4 year Bachelor of Education or an 18month postgraduate course. This can be done at Mary I and in St. Pat's in Dublin for example. We have found that these graduates are more equipped for example as newly qualified teachers to enter into the classroom and teach. We have had experience of having hibernia students for teaching practice and we could not get over how short the teaching practice is, 3 lessons per day I think. Also, students knew when their inspectors were visiting!!! Unheard of!! That is one example. and it is what I have experience of in my school. In short, when push comes to shove we would consider applicants who have undertaken either degrees or postgraduate studies from the traditional teaching colleges.

GwayGal

I am due to commence my Dip with Hibernia in February. However, I am also applying for St. Pats in Sept. If I am successful with my St. Pat application, I will take it over Hibernia. Simply because I am more likely to get a Job if I am a St. Pat graduate (sad but true).

BoozyBabe

GwayGal wrote: »

I am more likely to get a Job if I am a St. Pat graduate (sad but true).

If you go over to the EdPosts website & check out the 'unemployed trend' thread, you might see that this isn't exactly the case!!!!

Also, the VAST majority of my intake from Dublin have ALREADY secured work for next year.


(In saying that, if I'd the choice between 2 colleges, was already from Dub, didn't need to rely on an income while doing the course etc, I would ALSO choose St. Pats, but not for the reasons you state)

murf85

Hey folks,

Have applied for the Hibernia course two weeks ago but still havnt heard anything back.

How long would you usually be waiting for an interview date?

Kristopherus

maisey123 wrote: »

I am a qualified primary school teacher who has a leadership role in my school. When a job is advertised and we receive applications from people, we always chose those who have qualified through the university system by doing a 3/4 year Bachelor of Education or an 18month postgraduate course. This can be done at Mary I and in St. Pat's in Dublin for example. We have found that these graduates are more equipped for example as newly qualified teachers to enter into the classroom and teach. We have had experience of having hibernia students for teaching practice and we could not get over how short the teaching practice is, 3 lessons per day I think. Also, students knew when their inspectors were visiting!!! Unheard of!! That is one example. and it is what I have experience of in my school. In short, when push comes to shove we would consider applicants who have undertaken either degrees or postgraduate studies from the traditional teaching colleges.

You are not saying it as such, but I get a strong smell of snobbishness in your post.In my opinion there is a snotty backlash from teachers who have gone the traditional route of bricks & mortar. In short they will pick a St Pats or Mary I. graduate before the Hibernia one, no matter what the qualifications of the Hib candidate.

BoozyBabe

maisey123 wrote: »

we always chose those who have qualified through the an 18month postgraduate course. This can be done at

Hibernia
Hibernia IS an 18month postgraduate course, recognised by the department as being equal to the others. So how are you to see a distinction between the 2, when those who actually KNOW what they're talking about don't.

We have found that these graduates are more equipped for example as newly qualified teachers to enter into the classroom and teach.

How exactly do you see that 21-22year old who went straight from the LC to an Arts degree to the post grad with ZERO work / life experience whatsoever is MORE equipped to teach in a classroom for the 1st time than someone with maybe 1-15years experience in quite often a related field of work & has the added maturity on top.
Those 21-22 year olds (as recognised by the department) are no better / worse prepared to teach after 18months training than a 40 year old who's after getting 18months training, regardless of the institution.

We have had experience of having hibernia students for teaching practice and we could not get over how short the teaching practice is, 3 lessons per day I think.

I know as little about the other college's TP structure as you know about Hibernia's, but didn't I hear that other colleges have a buddy TP system where 2 students are on TP together, supporting each other?
Also, isn't Hibernia the only college who sends their pupils out for 4, 5, & 5 weeks placement at a time?
TP1 for 4 weeks, 3 lessons per day.
TP2 for 5 weeks, 4 lessons per day.
TP3 for 5 weeks, all day teaching.
Isn't TP all about learning. If you're teaching all day, when do you get the opportunity to watch the experts at work, & see how it's supposed to be done. Also, while not teaching, the Hibernia students assist the teacher in whatever way the teacher requires, including team teaching.

Also, students knew when their inspectors were visiting!!! Unheard of!!

This is true AND UNTRUE. & I'm fed up of people only mentioning one side of the story to make their point sound good.
Again, I know as LITTLE about the other colleges as you know about Hibernia, so I won't go making stuff up as FACT. So, I'll be honest & say I don't know what happens in the other colleges. (Something you should try)
Hibernia has 3 TPs.
2 definite visits for each TP from the same inspector.
Before the first visit, most inspectors will phone you to introduce themselves, put you at ease & tell you the day & time they'll be coming. (Some can be a little more vague)
On the 2nd of these visits, you get ZERO warning. Absolutely NONE. You do NOT know when the inspector will arrive for the 2nd visit.
Also, there are UNANNOUNCED visits from grade moderators, another type (whose name escapes me now) & the department itself, ALL of which you've no prior warning, & most people will also get one of these visits at least once over the course of their 3 TPs.

it is what I have experience of in my school.

So, you're basing EVERY Hibernia student there has ever been on a very limited experience in ONE school! & going from your FACTS above, I think I'm write in saying they weren't even your student.

Now that I've straightened out your errors, I know that you were only trying to justify your schools reason for not choosing Hibernia. Ther reasons are unfounded, but they exist all the same.

Maybe if they gave them a chance, they'd get a pleasant surprise. I've spoken to a few principals who have Hibernia trained teachers & they have said they were wonderful. Not because they were Hibernia trained, just because they are!

Miose

Agee wholeheartedly with the above post. Just to add that I wouldn't be overly concerned about the decision making authority of the poster who doesn't understand the HETAC qualifications system and doesn't mention those that qualify in the UK, another very common route to primary teaching.

maisey123

You are not saying it as such, but I get a strong smell of snobbishness in your post.In my opinion there is a snotty backlash from teachers who have gone the traditional route of bricks & mortar. In short they will pick a St Pats or Mary I. graduate before the Hibernia one, no matter what the qualifications of the Hib candidate.


Snobbish no...Realistic yes. It is fair to say that the level of Teaching Practice leaves a lot to be desired in relation to Hibernia College. Students are aware of when inspectors are visiting and they do not teach full days.
And yes there are interview boards who will chose a St. Pats or a Mary I graduate over a Hibernia graduate, not because of the qualification, but because of the quality of teacher training the former receives.

D4RK ONION

I think this thread had run it's course, no need to restart the debate.

Closed.