The way forward for LC2021

Bobtheman · 14-03-2021 03:43PM

Next weeks figures will determine a lot. If much higher plus various vacinne issues. The government has failed to do enough side deals and now medical issues with the vaccines.
Beware the Ides of March!!

Str8outtaWuhan · 14-03-2021 05:04PM

Bobtheman wrote: »

Next weeks figures will determine a lot. If much higher plus various vacinne issues. The government has failed to do enough side deals and now medical issues with the vaccines.
Beware the Ides of March!!

They'll have teacher digging plague pits before they admit they have to shut schools again.

Rosita · 14-03-2021 06:37PM

Str8outtaWuhan wrote: »

They'll have teacher digging plague pits before they admit they have to shut schools again.

I think the question, if it arises, will be more about a full return post-Easter than closing of schools. Though it is worth noting that we read many times since September posts from people saying schools would never close in the first place. But they did.

With the B117 variant now dominating and Europe on the cusp of another wave I would keep an open mind on what might happen.

Bobtheman · 14-03-2021 10:58PM

Str8outtaWuhan wrote: »

They'll have teacher digging plague pits before they admit they have to shut schools again.

We have heard many such predictions before

carr62 · 15-03-2021 09:09AM

Could anyone advise me on the project aspect of accredited grades please? My son is working on his Agricultural Science project, and finding it tough going. He has decided to opt for accredited grade in the subject, and we thought he needed to get the project finished and although it wont be sent away for marking, his teacher will mark it as part of the accredited grade process. When he went into this exam portal at the weekend, he tells me he read something along the lines of " coursework elements may not be included in accredited grades" Can anyone shed any light? It would be a big relief to not spend any more time on the project when he could be studying the subjects he is actually going to be sitting exams in.

am_zarathustra · 15-03-2021 10:21AM

carr62 wrote: »

Could anyone advise me on the project aspect of accredited grades please? My son is working on his Agricultural Science project, and finding it tough going. He has decided to opt for accredited grade in the subject, and we thought he needed to get the project finished and although it wont be sent away for marking, his teacher will mark it as part of the accredited grade process. When he went into this exam portal at the weekend, he tells me he read something along the lines of " coursework elements may not be included in accredited grades" Can anyone shed any light? It would be a big relief to not spend any more time on the project when he could be studying the subjects he is actually going to be sitting exams in.

This is up to the teacher.

Personally, I would want the project in front of me and having been corrected, even by myself, to help me assess an accredited grade. Students are certainly completing all coursework/projects as normal in our school. We are being asked to accredit a grade specifically for the coursework components too so it would be difficult to do that without the completed work.

LW2018 · 16-03-2021 06:01PM

Still awaiting details from the SEC/DES regarding orals. I sent them an email this morning and they asked me to give them a ring. Couldn’t answer anything.... awaiting this document and didn’t know when it would be ready. I had heard yesterday that it was to land on the desks no later than today.... didn’t seem to happen. DVRs won’t be sent to the schools for the recording - likely to be laptops and USB sticks. Couldn’t answer about wearing masks or not etc... seemed to think it would be at the school’s discretion. Was told the person was under the impression there would be some form of guidelines for each language but that a training / conference would only be needed for the marking element of them (evenings and weekends after Easter... recruitment forms sent out to those who examine usually.

Teachers are being very accommodating, from my experience in my own school and from talking with friends in other schools, but no support or guidance from SEC/DES, you can understand how it might be daunting for teachers facilitating these...

Is it also unlikely we’ll know the changes to the papers by the 22nd?

History Queen · 16-03-2021 06:07PM

LW2018 wrote: »

Is it also unlikely we’ll know the changes to the papers by the 22nd?

It just isn't good enough if that's the case. The same ****e over and over and over again. It's bloody pathetic.

As regards the orals I'm not familiar enough with the process to comment but from what you posted it sounds like another farce.

Random sample · 16-03-2021 06:08PM

LW2018 wrote: »

Is it also unlikely we’ll know the changes to the papers by the 22nd?

They said the week of the 22nd, so I’m expecting that to be a Friday night drop on the 26th.

I can’t believe we are still waiting to hear about the orals. I had told mine I would know today. I hate telling them lies.

Wombatman · 16-03-2021 08:31PM

The way numbers are going I'm beginning to think the June LC exam may not go ahead countrywide. Students should approach AG assessments as if they will be their only marks and not be easing off in some subjects expecting to fully target them in the exams.

History Queen · 16-03-2021 09:00PM

Wombatman wrote: »

The way numbers are going I'm beginning to think the June LC exam may not go ahead countrywide. Students should approach AG assessments as if they will be their only marks and not be easing off in some subjects expecting to fully target them in the exams.

I'd be shocked if they didn't with reduced numbers sitting the exam and increased centres. Numbers are reducing overall albeit slowly.

Bobtheman · 17-03-2021 08:34PM

Even if numbers get higher they should plough away. Sure if you can have the nation classified as an essential worker and woodies open you can do the LC in June
It would want to be worse figure wise than January

Rosita · 18-03-2021 07:37PM

Have to laugh at the Minister on the news saying that we are on course to have schools back in full after Easter before adding "but we always caveat this with the reality that Covid is still...."

Is she serious? She had never ever ever previously "caveated" things before. Remember her cringey "schools are safe, schools are safe" interviews a few months back.

Rosita · 18-03-2021 08:27PM

History Queen wrote: »

I'd be shocked if they didn't with reduced numbers sitting the exam and increased centres. Numbers are reducing overall albeit slowly.

Case numbers in the last week have actually increased for the first time since January.

km79 · 18-03-2021 10:30PM

One week until Easter holidays and we have no further information on Orals or exam papers

History Queen · 18-03-2021 10:42PM

Rosita wrote: »

Case numbers in the last week have actually increased for the first time since January.

I stand corrected, I didn't realise that.

km79 · 19-03-2021 08:44PM

Lcvp link modules written exam set for Saturday 8th May. Morning session .
I wonder will we have another precedent being set .......

Str8outtaWuhan · 19-03-2021 09:15PM

km79 wrote: »

Lcvp link modules written exam set for Saturday 8th May. Morning session .
I wonder will we have another precedent being set .......

Teachers working Saturdays for no pay. Computer science teachers apparently have to be on site for the saturday exam.

Newbie20 · 20-03-2021 05:48PM

I’m just after hearing about the set up for the orals. The examiner and student are not allowed to wear a mask. Are this crowd for real? Another Friday evening document sent to management I believe. Jesus they are some disgrace.

Aquals · 20-03-2021 05:54PM

Newbie20 wrote: »

I’m just after hearing about the set up for the orals. The examiner and student are not allowed to wear a mask. Are this crowd for real? Another Friday evening document sent to management I believe. Jesus they are some disgrace.

No way the ASTI and TUI are going to stand for this surely?! No Leaving Cert oral is worth that risk.

wirelessdude01 · 20-03-2021 06:13PM

Plug needs to be pulled.

Newbie20 · 20-03-2021 06:15PM

This simply has to be the department hoping the unions will pull the plug on it isn’t it? It’s just a disgrace. I’m so annoyed. My wife is supposed to be doing them but she’s going to say to school that she’ll do them with masks or not at all.

Northern lassie · 20-03-2021 06:16PM

There will be perspex screens between examiner and student.

rossean · 20-03-2021 06:25PM

Northern lassie wrote: »

There will be perspex screens between examiner and student.

Hardly sufficient, especially given the increased transmissibility associated with the B117 variant.

I had offered to help facilitate these exams but I will be withdrawing from the process unless masks are worn by all.

Aquals · 20-03-2021 06:43PM

Northern lassie wrote: »

There will be perspex screens between examiner and student.

Perspex screens only protect against spit droplets etc - they do absolutely nothing for virus particles in the air. Just like air particles can move around the screen, so can viral particles!

If it was me, I'd do the orals and just ask students to wear masks.

Northern lassie · 20-03-2021 06:46PM

There will also be a distance of at least 2m between examiner and student.

Aquals · 20-03-2021 07:17PM

Northern lassie wrote: »

There will also be a distance of at least 2m between examiner and student.

Again, not that much of a mitigating factor against an airborne virus.

If this has been done by the department, in the hope that the unions pull the plug on it, then that’s extremely cynical and should be shown up for what it is.

Newbie20 · 20-03-2021 07:22PM

It’s hard to see at this stage how it is anything other than a cynical move. Why wasn’t this put out there weeks ago. French Orals starting next weekend in our school. The Department is just a shambles. They are treating schools with such disrespect. A lot of the orals probably won’t go ahead now, which of course suits them. Less correcting.

Bobtheman · 20-03-2021 08:06PM

Newbie20 wrote: »

It’s hard to see at this stage how it is anything other than a cynical move. Why wasn’t this put out there weeks ago. French Orals starting next weekend in our school. The Department is just a shambles. They are treating schools with such disrespect. A lot of the orals probably won’t go ahead now, which of course suits them. Less correcting.

The department has always treated schools with disdain unless it's the latest bull **** PR thing by the Department such as transgender toilets or uniforms. Or allowing the heathens out of RE and making the ludicrous suggestion that they be offered another subject? Unless it's a piece of bull like this they don't give a ****.

History Queen · 20-03-2021 08:21PM

Newbie20 wrote: »

It’s hard to see at this stage how it is anything other than a cynical move. Why wasn’t this put out there weeks ago. French Orals starting next weekend in our school. The Department is just a shambles. They are treating schools with such disrespect. A lot of the orals probably won’t go ahead now, which of course suits them. Less correcting.

I don't know that it is cynical. There were interviews being conducted in my ETB all year with the same setup re no masks, perspex screens and 2m distancing. I think it is compliant with public health advice, that being said, I wouldn't feel comfortable doing it myself.

The way forward for LC2021

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