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Post Date: 22 March 2023

Engineering – Upcoming Live Webinar

Title: Supporting Pedagogical Practices in Junior Cycle Engineering Through Innovative Use of Laser Technology.

In this live event, the JCT Engineering team explores why, when, and how to effectively utilise the Laser Cutter to support teaching and learning in the junior cycle Engineering room.

Mar 30, 2023 06:30 PM

Register here. We look forward to meeting you online.

Post Date: 21 March 2023

State Examinations Commission Information Note, March 2023

Junior Cycle Examinations, 2022: Information note on Junior Cycle examinations in a range of subjects is available here.

Post Date: 21 March 2023

Arts in Junior Cycle Workshops

Style & Purpose Spring 2023 
Arts in Junior Cycle with Poetry Ireland 
Some places are still available in this popular online series which supports you to develop your writing craft in a chosen genre, facilitated by a professional writer.
Date: Wed 22 March 2023 
Time: 7:30pm - 8.45pm 
Venue: Zoom
Register on www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie 

Artistic Performance and Coding 
Junior Cycle for Teachers (JCT) 
Only a few places remain in these in-person workshops developed for JCT's Festival of Professional Learning. The workshops are designed to support engagement with junior cycle short courses in Artistic Performance and Coding. 
Artistic Performance: Reflect and Connect 
Date: Saturday 25th March 2023 
Venue: Drumcondra Education Centre, Dublin 9 
Time: 10:30am - 3:30pm 
Creative Coding with BBC Micro:bit 
Date: Saturday 25th March 2023 
Venue: Laois Education Centre 
Time: 10:00am - 3:45pm
Register on www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie 

NEW!
A Stitch in Time 
Arts in Junior Cycle with the National Library of Ireland 
In this in-person workshop, facilitated by paper conservator Louise O'Connor, you'll learn about the history of paper, engage with practical ways of preserving unique documents and artworks, and discover the social, historical and scientific significance of selected objects. 
Date: Saturday 6th May 2023 
Time: 10:00am - 2:00pm
Venue: National Library of Ireland, Kildare St Dublin 2
Register on www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie 

NEW!
Journalism in the Digital Age 
Arts in Junior Cycle with Newsbrands Ireland and journalists Sybil Mulcahy and Chris Maddaloni 
Join us for this two-part online workshop in which you'll gain insights into digital and video journalism, support your own digital literacy and be inspired to engage with and create multi-modal texts in the classroom. 
Sybil Mulcahy - Digital Journalism 
Date: Wednesday 19th April 2023 
Time: 7.00pm - 8.30pm 
Venue: Zoom 
Chris Maddaloni - Video Journalism 
Date: Tuesday 25th April 2023 
Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm 
Venue: Zoom
Register on www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie 

Post Date: 15 March 2023

Philosophy

Join us for our engaging and informative workshop:

Navigating Philosophy with Worldviews 
This experiential workshop explores how to use the frame of worldviews as a tool for teachers to strengthen students’ understanding of themselves, the world they inhabit and of philosophy.
Schools can register teachers for any of the workshops below. via the JCT registration portal, www.jctregistration.ie 
•  These workshops are face to face.
•  You do not have to be teaching the Philosophy Short Course to attend.
Final workshop on the 25th of March 2023, Laois Education Centre, 10.00 - 16.00 

Post Date: 15 March 2023

Important: CSPE Workshop Registration Deadline

Register by Thursday, 16th March 2023
Title – Making Connections 
When: 19th April - 5th May
This workshop comprises of three engaging sessions:
Session 1: Connecting the Strands
Explore practical ideas to integrate learning across the strands
Session 2: Consider-Create-Collaborate
Co-create learning experiences that are classroom ready
Session 3: Connecting the Learning
Consider interdisciplinary approaches to CSPE in your school.
You are invited to register your CSPE teachers for a workshop on one of these dates via the blue button called “Register for CSPE Workshops 2023” on the dashboard of our registration site, www.jctregistration.ie by Thursday, 16th March 2023. 

Post Date: 09 March 2023

Upcoming CSPE Workshop: Making Connections

When: 19th April - 5th May
This workshop comprises of three engaging sessions:
Session 1: Connecting the Strands
Explore practical ideas to integrate learning across the strands
Session 2: Consider-Create-Collaborate
Co-create learning experiences that are classroom ready
Session 3: Connecting the Learning
Consider interdisciplinary approaches to CSPE in your school.
You are invited to register your CSPE teachers for a workshop on one of these dates via the blue button called “Register for CSPE Workshops 2023” on the dashboard of our registration site, www.jctregistration.ie by Thursday, 16th March 2023. 

Post Date: 09 March 2023

Upcoming Religious Education Webinar

‘Exploring the Research-rich Classroom in JCRE’

DATE:       Tues14th March 2023 and Wed 22nd March 2023

TIME:        7pm to 7.45pm on both dates

VENUE:    Online via Zoom

This Religious Education webinar will be run by Associates as part of an ongoing JCT and ESCI collaboration. This webinar will focus on developing an understanding of research in the Junior Cycle Religious Education Specification. The webinar will explore how the elements of Enquiry, Exploration and Reflection and Action can come to life in the Religious Education Classroom.

14th March, register here

22nd March, register here

We look forward to meeting you online! 

Post Date: 06 March 2023

Circular 0015/2023

Circular 0015/2023: Amendments to Junior Cycle Irish T1 and T2 specifications and assessment arrangements for Classroom-Based Assessments 1 and 2

This Circular, available here sets out adjustments to the:

•  minimum volume of literary texts with which students engage over the three years of Junior Cycle for T1 and T2 as well as the genres to be explored,

•  the recommended list of literary texts for first year T2 and prescribed lists of literary texts for second and third year T1 and T2

•  assessment arrangements for Classroom-Based Assessments 1 and 2 for T1 and T2.

Post Date: 06 March 2023

Philosophy

Join us for our engaging and informative workshop:

Navigating Philosophy with Worldviews 
This experiential workshop explores how to use the frame of worldviews as a tool for teachers to strengthen students’ understanding of themselves, the world they inhabit and of philosophy.
Schools can register teachers for any of the workshops below. via the JCT registration portal, www.jctregistration.ie 

Workshop Dates:
11th March 2023, Limerick Education Centre, 10.00 - 16.00 
25th March 2023, Laois Education Centre, 10.00 - 16.00

•  These workshops are face to face.

•  You do not have to be teaching the Philosophy Short Course to attend.

Post Date: 06 March 2023

Senior Cycle Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE)

Arising from the review of Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) in primary and post-primary schools, the need to update the Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum was identified as a key priority.

The first step involved a public consultation on the Background Paper and Brief for the redevelopment of Senior Cycle SPHE. This report has now been published and is available here.

The report on the consultation will inform the Development Group for Senior Cycle SPHE as they work on the redevelopment of the curriculum.

Post Date: 02 March 2023

Exploring the Research Rich Classroom in Religious Education

Date: Monday 6th March 2023
Time: 7:00- 8:00pm

This Religious Education webinar will be run by Associates as part of an ongoing JCT and ESCI collaboration. This webinar will focus on developing an understanding of research in the Junior Cycle Religious Education Specification. The webinar will explore how the elements of Enquiry, Exploration and Reflection and Action can come to life in the Religious Education Classroom. Please click on to this link to register.

Post Date: 02 March 2023

Arts in Junior Cycle

Register for all our events on www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie 

The Art of Curating
The Role of Curation Today 
Arts in Junior Cycle with Kilkenny County Council Arts Office, Kilkenny Education Centre and curators Valerie Connor and Eamonn Maxwell. 
Join us for this NEW online workshop in which you will explore the role of curation today and gain valuable insights into the work of contemporary curators and their impact on the art world and broader society. 
Date: Tuesday 14th March 2023 
Time: 7:00pm – 8:30pm 
Register on www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie 

Tartuffe: Text to Performance
Arts in Junior Cycle with the Abbey Theatre 
Places still available in Tartuffe: Text to Performance, Dublin. 
Workshop includes performance of the Abbey Theatre’s new production of Molière’s 17th century classic comedy Tartuffe. 
Dates: Saturday 11th March 2023 
Time: 10:00am - 12.30pm (workshop) & 2pm (performance)
Venues: Drumcondra Education Centre and the Abbey Theatre, Dublin 
Date: Monday 13th March 2023
Time: 6:00pm - 7:00pm (follow-up online workshop)
Register on www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie 

Let’s Dance!
Arts in Junior Cycle with JCT Physical Education team and dancer Alessandra Azevedo
Workshop places available in Dublin Saturday 4th March & Cork Saturday 11th March 2023
Create and choreograph a dance piece and explore Afro-Brazilian and Capoeira dance. 
Dublin
Date: Saturday 4th March 2023 
Time: 10:00am - 1:30pm 
Venue: Mash House, Dublin 1 
Cork
Date: Saturday 11th March 2023
Time: 10:00 - 1:30pm 
Venue: Christ King Girls' Secondary School, Cork 
Register on www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie 

A Fresh Perspective: Poetry with Luke Morgan 
Join us in Galway Education Centre for an exciting workshop developed with poet and filmmaker Luke Morgan, in partnership with Poetry Ireland. This workshop is designed to inspire your imagination and creativity and support engagement with poetry in the Junior Cycle classroom. 
Date: Saturday 25th March 2023 
Times: 10:30am - 3:30pm 
Venue: Galway Education Centre 
Register on www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie 

Festival of Professional Learning 
Junior Cycle for Teachers (JCT)
As part of JCT's Festival of Professional Learning from 25th - 30th March, Arts in Junior Cycle present three in-person workshops in Dublin, Cork and Portlaoise designed to support engagement with the junior cycle short courses in Artistic Performance, Coding and Digital Media Literacy. 
Date: Saturday 25th March 2023 
Register via this link 

Find the Seeker - Reading and Writing Poetry
Arts in Junior Cycle with poet Colm Keegan 
This NEW two-part online workshop offers an opportunity to expand your repertoire of methodologies for engaging with and creating poetry. You will consider approaches to reading and understanding poetry and engage in creative expression through oral language and writing. 
Dates: Monday 24th April and Monday 8th May 2023 
Times: 7:30pm - 9:00pm 
Register on www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie 

Post Date: 28 February 2023

JCIS Webinar

The recording of our recent JCIS webinar, ‘Strategic Planning for Awarding the 2022 JCPA’ is available at this link

Post Date: 24 February 2023

SLAR Evening Workshops for 2022/23 (March 13th-15th)

JCT in collaboration with Monaghan Education Centre will host a final week of SLAR Evening Workshops for the 2022/23 school year from March 13th-15th. Further supports and resources for both SLAR Facilitators and Participants will be provided at each workshop. See the poster below for further details and to access the registration links. You can also register at the links below.

The SLAR Process: Effective Facilitation 
(Wednesday March 15th: 16.30-18.00) 
Register by clicking on this link.
An online workshop for all SLAR facilitators that will enable facilitators to explore the purpose and value of the SLAR process, develop an understanding of the role of the facilitator in the SLAR Process, and discuss key considerations for the SLAR facilitator before, during and after the SLAR meeting. Resources and further supports available!

The SLAR Process: Effective Participation 
(Tuesday March 14th: 16.30-18.00) 
Register by clicking on this link. 
An online workshop for all SLAR participants. It will enable participants to explore the purpose and value of the SLAR process, develop an understanding of the role of the participant in the SLAR process, discuss key considerations for the SLAR participant, before, during, and after the SLAR meeting, and examine the role of the Features of Quality in learning, teaching and assessment. Resources and further supports available!

Post Date: 23 February 2023

Arts in Junior Cycle

Let's Dance! Arts in Junior Cycle with the JCT Physical Education team and dancer Alessandra Azevedo.
Touring to Dublin, Cork, Monaghan and Galway March – May 2023
During this dance workshop, you will engage in warm-up dance activities, explore Afro-Brazilian and Capoeira dance, and create and choreograph a dance piece with others. This workshop may be of particular interest to junior cycle teachers of PE. No prior experience of dance is required. 
Dublin: Saturday 4th March 2023 Time: 10:00am - 1:30pm at Mash House, Dublin 1, D01 A9N7 
Cork: Saturday 11th March 2023 Time: 10:00am - 1:30pm at Christ King Girls' Secondary School, Cork, T12 R22C
See flyer for details on Monaghan and Galway dates and venues.

Register on www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie 

Tartuffe: Text to Performance 
Arts in Junior Cycle with the Abbey Theatre.
Dublin, Donegal and Cork, March – May 2023
Would you like to explore how a play in performance communicates its message to an audience? Tartuffe: Text to Performance provides an opportunity to do just that. This elective consists of two workshops and a performance of the Abbey Theatre’s new touring production of Molière’s 17th century classic Tartuffe, directed by the Abbey's artistic director, Caitríona McLaughlin. 
Dublin: Saturday 11th March 2023 10:00am - 12:30pm (workshop) & 2:00pm (performance) 
Venues: Drumcondra Education Centre and the Abbey Theatre, Dublin 
Online workshop on Monday 13th March 2023 6:00pm - 7:00pm 
See flyer for details on Cork and Donegal dates and venues.
Register on www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie 

A Walk Through Time 
Arts in Junior Cycle with Mark Kelly, The School of Irish Archaeology.
Join us for this in-person workshop in the grounds of Bective Abbey, Trim, Co Meath. Developed with Mark Kelly from The School of Irish Archaeology, this experiential workshop will focus on exploring archaeological techniques and ancient objects. You will also participate in a walking tour of Trim Co. Meath. 
Date: Saturday 4th March 2023 Times: 10:15am – 3:30pm Venue: Bective Abbey, Trim, Co Meath
Register on www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie 

The Art of Playwriting 
Arts in Junior Cycle with Fishamble: The New Play Company.
Are you interested in writing your own tiny play? 
Join us for two online playwriting workshops with Gavin Kostick, Fishamble’s literary manager, in which you will explore what makes an effective short piece of drama and write your own tiny play of 600 words. 
Dates: Thursday 23rd March 5:00pm – 6:30pm and Thursday 30th March 5:00pm – 6:30pm online 
Register on www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie 

Post Date: 20 February 2023

Exploring the Research Rich Classroom in Religious Education

Date: Monday 27th February 2023

Time: 7:00- 8:00pm

This Religious Education webinar will be run by Associates as part of an ongoing JCT and ESCI collaboration. This webinar will focus on developing an understanding of research in the Junior Cycle Religious Education Specification. The webinar will explore how the elements of Enquiry, Exploration and Reflection and Action can come to life in the Religious Education Classroom. Please click on to this link to register.

Post Date: 15 February 2023

Modern Foreign Languages

What's Your Story? National MFL Digital Story Award

Date: Tuesday 07th March 2023
Time: 18:00-19:30
Register by clicking on this link

This is an online interactive workshop where teachers of Modern Foreign Languages explore how to support students in 1st, 2nd and 3rd year to write and produce a digital story of their choosing. When students have completed their story, they can submit it for entry to What's Your Story? National MFL Digital Story Award.

This workshop will also be repeated on the following dates, which you can register for by clicking on the relevant link below. 

Date: Wednesday 15th March 2023
Time: 18:00-19:30
Register for this workshop by clicking on this link

Date: Thursday 23rd March 2023
Time: 18:00-19:30
Register for this workshop by clicking on this link

Post Date: 13 February 2023

Maths Elective Webinar

The Process of Classroom-Based Assessment in Junior Cycle Mathematics

Date: Wednesday 22nd February 2023

Time: 17:00-18:00

This webinar is designed to support teachers who are new to the process of classroom-based assessments. It will include an introduction to the assessment guidelines, an overview of classroom-based assessments and SLAR meetings and will include input from teachers on their experiences of classroom-based assessments to date.  Click on this link to register.

Post Date: 11 February 2023

Arts in Junior Cycle

Arts in Junior Cycle offer a range of elective arts workshops, both online and in-person, open to Junior Cycle teachers from all subject disciplines.  
Register on www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie

NEW!
Demystify the Writing Process 
Arts in Junior Cycle with award-winning author Dave Rudden 
Date: Saturday 25th February 2023 
Time: 9:30am – 1:00pm
Venue: Blackrock Education Centre, Dublin 
Interested in writing your own stories? Join us for an in-person creative writing workshop with Knights of the Borrowed Dark author Dave Rudden. You will explore ways of finding inspiration, begin to craft ideas into stories and develop sustainable writing practices.  The workshop is designed to expand your repertoire of creative writing methodologies you may wish to use in professional classroom practice.   Register on www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie

NEW!
Explore Film 
Arts in Junior Cycle and Irish Film Institute 
Dates: Monday 27th Februay, Tuesday 7th March and Wednesday 22nd March 2023  
Times: 5:00pm – 6:00pm (online workshops) and 4:15pm – 6:15pm (IFI cinema Dublin)
Venue: online on 27th February & 7th March; in-cinema on 22nd March
Are you interested in learning more about film texts, film language and the IFI Schools streaming platform? Explore Film is our new collaboration with the Irish Film Institute (IFI). The series includes two online workshops, an in-cinema film screening and talk, and is designed to support engagement with film in the junior cycle classroom.   Register on www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie 

NEW!
A Walk through Time 
Arts in Junior Cycle with Mark Kelly, School of Irish Archaeology
Date: Saturday 4th March 2023 
Times: 10:15am – 3:30pm 
Venue: Bective Abbey, Trim, Co Meath 
Join us for this in-person workshop in the grounds of Bective Abbey, Trim, Co Meath.  Developed with Mark Kelly from The School of Irish Archaeology, this experiential workshop will focus on exploring archaeological techniques and ancient objects. You will also participate in a walking tour of Trim Co. Meath.  Register on www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie 

Creating Texts & Telling Stories: A Zine*- Making Workshop 
Arts in Junior Cycle with Sarah Maria Griffin at MoLI
Date: Saturday 4th March 2023 
Time: 10:30am – 3:30pm 
Venue: Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI), Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2
Join us for a zine-making workshop at MoLI with writer, poet and zinester Sarah Maria Griffin.  Zine-making is an innovative way to support students to tell stories and complete projects across a range of subjects. Workshop participants will create zines using a variety of materials and will explore the use of colour, pattern, word and image in the process. This workshop may be of particular interest to teachers of students with EAL and teachers of L1LPs/L2LPs.  Register on www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie 

Website, Podcasts and Films   
For more, including our latest podcast and film releases, go to: www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie 

Post Date: 10 February 2023

Philosophy Elective Workshop

Navigating Philosophy with Worldviews 

This experiential face-to-face workshop explores how to use the frame of worldviews as a tool for teachers to strengthen students’ understanding of themselves, the world they inhabit and of philosophy. Participants will consider the complexities, benefits and challenges of worldviews, and reflect on their own perspectives on the world.   Schools can register teachers for any of the workshops listed below via the JCT registration portal, www.jctregistration.ie 

4th March 2023, Blackrock Education Centre, 10:00 - 16.:00 

11th March 2023, Limerick Education Centre, 10:00 - 16:00 

25th March 2023, Laois Education Centre, 10:00 - 16:00 

Post Date: 08 February 2023

JCT Music Face to Face Learning Event

Have you registered for our DLT Music elective workshop titled Amplifying the Learning?

Date: Saturday 25th February 2023
Location: National College of Ireland, IFSC, Dublin 1
Time: 9:30am-3.30pm
Register on JCT Music DLT Registration Doc or by clicking on the flyer below

Post Date: 08 February 2023

Applied Technology Elective Workshop

The Applied Technology team is delighted to announce that registration for our Spring Elective workshop, “Exploring how the sensor circuit board can further enhance teaching and learning in Applied Technology” is now open.
This face-to-face elective will take place in Applied Technology rooms in schools around the country. Details of each event and their location can be found in the advertisement below. Click on the image or the link below to access the registration form.
Places in each event are limited to a maximum of twenty participants. Applicants will be treated on a first come basis. Please click on the image below or this link for the Registration Form.

Post Date: 04 February 2023

Business Studies Online Learning Event

The JCT Business Studies team will be hosting an Online Learning Event entitled Exploring Ireland’s Membership of the European Union with guest speakers Billy Kelleher, MEP and Patrick O’ Riordan, European Parliament Liaison Office. This event will explore Ireland's 50 year membership of the European Union and will resonate with Learning Outcome 3.8 from the Business Studies Specification.

Date: Thursday, February 23rd, 2023 

Time: 7:00 - 8:00 pm 

Register for this Online Learning Event by clicking on this link or by clicking on the image below.

Post Date: 01 February 2023

Webinar for MRH Teachers / Junior Cycle Coordinators

The JCIS team will be hosting a webinar focusing upon the process of planning for the award of the 2022 Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA) for students who completed Junior Cycle in June 2022

Date: Tuesday, February 7th, 2023 

Time: 7:15 - 8:15 pm 

Event: Online Webinar for MRH Teachers / Junior Cycle Coordinators 

Register by clicking on this link. 

Post Date: 26 January 2023

JCPA

Details for schools on the process of creating the Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA) for students who completed Junior Cycle in June 2022 are now available by clicking on this link.

Post Date: 26 January 2023

English

JCT in collaboration with Sligo Education Centre are pleased to offer an online elective event- Shining The Spotlight: UDL in the Junior Cycle English Classroom. Emer Whyte, English teacher and JCT Associate will host the webinar, which will take place on Thursday 23rd February 2023 from 7-8pm.

This webinar will explore some practical suggestions for how one teacher combines the Universal Design for Learning(UDL) principles into learning experiences in her third-year Junior Cycle classroom. The learning experiences will demonstrate how a text like The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare can be used in an inclusive approach to learning in the classroom. The aim of this webinar is to allow teachers to share and explore practical suggestions on what works well for teaching a diverse range of students in the Junior Cycle classroom.

Please click on this link to register.

Post Date: 25 January 2023

Arts in Junior Cycle Workshops

Get your World Turning with woodturner Willie Creighton:

Arts in Junior Cycle and the JCT Technologies team (JCt4), in collaboration with woodturner Willie Creighton, are pleased to offer ‘Get your World Turning’ workshops again in early 2023.

Eight workshops will take place in four school venues over the coming weeks in counties: Sligo, Kerry, Offaly, and Waterford. Workshops are now full but you can still register for workshop waiting lists. Please visit the Arts in Junior Cycle website, or click on the image below, for further details about the workshop events, and to register for a workshop waiting list.

SKETCH IT with Jim O’Farrell:

 Arts in Junior Cycle and the JCt4 Technologies team, in collaboration with retired Technologies subject teacher and artist Jim O’Farrell, are delighted to offer SKETCH IT an elective sketching workshop for technologies subject teachers. Please visit the Arts in Junior Cycle website, or click on the image below, for further details about the workshop, and to register for a SKETCH IT workshop.

Post Date: 19 January 2023

STE(A)M in Junior Cycle 2023

JCT are pleased to announce that registration for the STE(A)M in Junior Cycle 2023 online series has now opened. Workshops are developed in partnership with experts in the fields of STEM and the Arts and are of interest to all teachers from all subject areas who are interested in engaging with societal issues in the context of their Junior Cycle Specifications. Click this link or the image below to see a description of the workshops and to register.

Post Date: 18 January 2023

Religious Education Elective Workshop

Date: Wednesday, January 25th
Time: 7.15-8.15pm
Event: Online learning event
Title: Webinar to support engagement with Classroom- Based Assessment 2: The Human Search for Meaning.
The focus of this webinar is to provide teachers of Religious Education with an overview of Classroom Based Assessment 2: The human search for meaning. This webinar will explore what is involved in the process of conducting CBA 2 within the Religious Education classroom. It will also direct teachers to resources developed to support students in their engagement with CBA2.
Register by clicking on this link.

Post Date: 17 January 2023

Science Elective Workshop

Date: Tuesday, January 24th
Time: 7 pm
Event: Online learning event
Title: Developing Students’ Skills for a Science in Society Investigation - Moving Towards Classroom-Based Assessment 2
This live online learning event is to support teachers in developing their students’ skills towards the Science in Society Investigation, Classroom-Based Assessment 2. This event will be interactive where teachers can have professional conversations around their experiences so far and discuss/share ideas on how best to develop our students’ investigative skills from 1st year. It will particularly benefit new or returning teachers to Junior Cycle Science or any teachers that would like to further collaborate on how these skills can be implemented in the Science classroom. Developing these research and investigative skills from 1st year will ensure students are well-equipped with the necessary skills to engage with CBA 2 in 3rd year. You can register to attend at this link.

Post Date: 17 January 2023

English

JCT English in collaboration with Arts in Junior Cycle were delighted to chat with comic book illustrator Will Sliney last year. In this conversation, Will discusses how he came to work for Marvel Comics. He also delves into the art of telling stories through comics! A particularly helpful podcast for anyone considering Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse from the new Prescribed Text List.

Click on this link to listen .

Post Date: 11 January 2023

Arts in Junior Cycle

Arts in Junior Cycle offer a range of elective arts workshops, both online and in-person, open to Junior Cycle teachers from all subject disciplines.  

Register for all our workshops on www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie  

NEW for Spring 2023! 
Creating Texts & Telling Stories: A Zine*- Making Workshop 
Date: Saturday 21st January 2023 
Time: 10:30am – 3:30pm 
Venue: Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI), Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2
Join us for an in-person zine-making workshop at MoLI with writer, poet and zinester Sarah Maria Griffin.  This workshop may be of particular interest to teachers teaching students with EAL and teachers of L1LPs/L2LPs.   Participants will:

• Explore the world of zine-making 
• Consider the use of zines as multi-modal texts in the classroom
• Take inspiration from the environs of the museum to explore approaches to zine-making 
• Collaborate with other participants to enhance and enrich the workshop experience 

*A zine is a small-scale, self-published work, similar to a magazine, which can focus on a variety of topics. It can contain writing and/or images and can also be a digital publication offering opportunities for audio and visual content.
Register on www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie 
 

Digital Storytelling with Stop Motion Animation 
Dates: Monday 23rd January & Tuesday 7th February 2023 
Times: 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Venue: Zoom
Developed with Peter Baxter from createschool.ie, these two online workshops focus on taking stories off the page and into a digital space. 
Participants will: 
• Explore how to tell stories through the medium of stop motion animation films 
• Consider what makes a good story and learn how to craft ideas into simple stories 
• Understand how digital devices can capture and enhance stories 
• Learn how to animate inanimate objects and create simple sets and backgrounds 
• Collaborate, share ideas, and reflect in a safe, supportive online space 
• Experience practical and creative methodologies that may be used in professional classroom practice 

Creative Coding with LERO

Date: Thursday 19 Jan 2023
Time: 7:00pm – 8.30pm 
Venue: Zoom 
This is the final workshop in the series developed with LERO and designed to support engagement with the junior cycle short course in Coding. 

Register on www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie 

Get your World Turning 

27, 28 Jan; 3, 4, 10, 11 Feb; 3, 4 March 2023  

Arts in Junior Cycle and the JCT Technologies Team (JCt4) have collaborated with professional woodturner Willie Creighton in this hands-on woodturning workshop series.  

Register on www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie 

DesignCIRCLE 2022-23
A small number of places are still available in DesignCIRCLE 2022/23. This online community of practice gives teachers from any subject the opportunity to explore creative processes alongside a professional designer. 
Register on www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie 

Website, Podcasts and Films   
For more, including our latest podcast and film releases, go to: www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie 

Post Date: 06 January 2023

Information Note TC11/2022

Please find an Information Note TC11/2022 published by the Department of Education by clicking here. It provides updates on the implementation of the Framework for Junior Cycle with particular reference to the school year 2022/2023. To be read in conjunction with Circular 0059/2021 which is available by clicking here.

Post Date: 23 November 2022

Arts in Junior Cycle

Arts in Junior Cycle offer a range of elective arts workshops, both online and in-person, open to Junior Cycle teachers from all subject disciplines.  Register for all our workshops on www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie  

NEW 
Digital Storytelling with Stop Motion Animation 
Arts in Junior Cycle with Peter Baxter from createschool.ie 
Date: Saturday 3rd December 2022 
Time: 10.15am – 3.30pm 
Venue: Blackrock Education Centre
Explore how to tell stories through the medium of stop motion animation films. Consider what makes a good story and learn how to craft ideas into simple stories using digital devices. 
Places still available. Register on: www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie 

Communities of Practice 
DesignCIRCLE 2022-23
DesignCIRCLE, launching with an online introductory workshop on Tuesday 6th December, 7.30pm – 8.30pm, is an opportunity to join a community of practice with a professional designer. This community of practice will include 5-6 online meetings and one in-person engagement. Some places still available. 
Register on www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie  

Artistic Performance 2022-23
Our next community of practice meeting takes place online, Tuesday 29th November 2022, 6pm – 7pm. New members welcome. Contact: info@jct.ie if you would like to join us. 

For more, go to www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie  

Post Date: 21 November 2022

SPHE

Consultation on the Background Paper and Brief for the redevelopment of Senior Cycle SPHE is now open and will remain open until Tuesday the 6th of December 2022.

You can read the Background Paper and Brief for the redevelopment of Senior Cycle SPHE and provide feedback through an online survey or written submission here. 

Post Date: 14 November 2022

English

JCT English were delighted to chat with Kathyrn McCance, from the Listen Now Again Seamus Heaney exhibition curated by the National Library of Ireland. Kathryn gives a fascinating insight into Heaney's 'The Burial at Thebes.' The play is a version of Sophocles' Greek tragedy 'Antigone.' Kathryn discusses the creative departures that Heaney took from the original play and the various dramatic techniques he used to bring the play to a new audience.  

Listen at this link

Post Date: 10 November 2022

Community of Practice meeting for teachers who have the allocated Management Resource Hours in schools 

The JCIS Team has rescheduled the live, interactive online Community of Practice meeting for teachers who have the allocated Management Resource Hours in schools for Thursday, November 17th from 7:00-8:30pm using the Zoom platform.  The online meeting will focus upon strategic planning for MRH personnel. The meeting will not be recorded. Register using this link

Post Date: 27 October 2022

English

Calling all English teachers based in Limerick! English teacher and former JCT advisor Catherine Leddin will host a face-to-face workshop in Limerick Education Centre on Tuesday, November 15th 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm. The workshop will look at teaching the novel in Junior Cycle English. Registration and information at this link.

Post Date: 24 October 2022

New Arts Electives from November 2022

Register for all our events on www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie

Creative Coding
Arts in Junior Cycle with Lero, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Software.  Three online workshops designed to support engagement with creative coding in Junior Cycle.
Workshop 1 HTML/CSS, Workshop 2 SCRATCH, Workshop 3 PYTHON.
Dates: Tuesday 8th November 2022, Wednesday 7th December 2022, Thursday 19 January 2023
Venue: Online
Time: 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Carousel: Exploring Theatre
Arts in Junior Cycle with Youth Theatre Ireland
Join us at Maynooth University for practical theatre workshops in Commedia Dell ‘Arte, Stage Combat, and Techniques in Devising Theatre, all in one day.
Date: Saturday 12th November 2022
Venue: Maynooth University (North Campus)
Time: 10:00am – 3:30pm

Handbuilt Ceramics
Arts in Junior Cycle with ceramicist and artist Mairead Stafford
Explore, experiment and create in these studio-based workshops with ceramicist and artist Mairead Stafford.
Dates: Saturday 12th and Saturday 26th November 2022
Venue: Ballyelland Pottery, Co Wexford
Times: 10:30am – 3:30pm

Checking the Facts
Arts in Junior Cycle with Ricardo Castellini da Silva
Tackle disinformation and misinformation in this hands-on practical workshop designed to support digital media literacy.
Date: Saturday 19th November 2022
Venue: Dublin West Education Centre
Time: 10:15am – 3:30pm

An Introduction to Animation
Arts in Junior Cycle with Rory Conway
Gain an insight into the processes and methodologies employed by an award-winning professional animator in this one-day practical workshop.
Date: Saturday 19th November 2022
Time: 10:15am – 3:30pm
Venue: Portlaoise College, Co Laois
 

Visual Thinking Strategies
Arts in Junior Cycle with artist Claire Halpin and Highlanes Gallery, Drogheda
Two Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) workshops, providing an opportunity to experience the VTS method of looking in a collaborative and supportive environment.
Dates: Saturday 19th November 2022 and Saturday 3rd December 2022
Venue: Highlanes Gallery, Drogheda
Times: 10:30am – 3:30pm

Drawing in Space
Arts in Junior Cycle with sculptor John Langan and School of Design & Creative Arts, Atlantic Technological University (ATU)
This workshop provides an opportunity to explore visual culture with an emphasis on artists working in the environment, and develop your own artistic responses using sustainable materials and media. 
Date: Saturday 26th November 2022
Venue: School of Design & Creative Arts, Atlantic Technological University (ATU)
Time: 10:15am – 4:00pm
 

For more, visit our website www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie
The Arts in Junior Cycle Team  

Post Date: 17 October 2022

Music

Our ‘Junior Cycle Music Planning Elective Workshop’ takes place on Wednesday Oct 19th from 7-9pm. Looking forward to a great event. Registration and information at this link. 

Post Date: 12 October 2022

Autumn 2022 Arts Elective Workshops

We are delighted to confirm more arts elective workshops, open to Junior Cycle teachers from all subjects. See below for the details.   

NEW!
Creating Worlds: Set Design
Starts Thursday 20th October
Venue: online
Time:  7:30pm - 8:30pm
Would you like to design and create your own model set? 
Join us for Creating Worlds, a set design workshop series developed with artist Joanne Donohoe designed to support and inspire you to explore your own creative voice and design aesthetic.
Further information on www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie  

NEW! 
The Sustainment Experiments  
Date: Saturday 22nd October 2022 
Venue: Butler Gallery, Kilkenny  
Time: 10:30am – 3:30pm  
Join us for a new, multi-sensory workshop exploring The Sustainment Experiments exhibition by artist Deirdre O’Mahony in Butler Gallery, Kilkenny. An opportunity to explore how an artist interacts, researches and is influenced by the environment and the physical world (soil health, food histories and production, farming, ecology of rural places and climate change).
Register on www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie  

 
NEW! 
Social Fabric
Date: Tuesday 1st November 2022 
Venue: Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) 
Time: 10:30am – 4:00pm 
Arts in Junior Cycle with visual artist threadstories and Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) offers participants an opportunity to utilise the Slow Looking framework to decode and decipher a range of imagery as a stimulus to explore surface and form through textiles. 
Register on www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie 

Back by popular demand! 
Get your World Turning 
October – November 2022  
Arts in Junior Cycle and the JCT Technologies Team (JCt4) have collaborated once again with professional woodturner Willie Creighton in this hands-on woodturning workshop series. Participants will experience a range of specialised turning techniques including segmented and laminated turning.
A total of 10 workshops will take place over October and November in a range of regional venues. Visit www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie for dates, venues and times. Places are strictly limited
Register on www.artsinjuniorcycle.ie

Post Date: 05 October 2022

Autumn 2022: Online Learning Events

JCT are delighted to share details of events that will take place for JCT's Online Learning Events (OLE) from Monday 24th to Thursday 27th of October. There are a wide range of subjects/topics to choose from. Register today via the links on our Online Learning Events Page 

Post Date: 05 October 2022

MathsMeet 2022

MathsMeet 2022 is a joint conference organised by the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST), Junior Cycle for Teachers (JCT) and the Irish Maths Teachers' Association (IMTA).

The purpose of the conference is to promote the study of Mathematics, to share best practice in teaching, learning and assessment of mathematics and to provide opportunities for developing understanding of mathematics education across the continuum of primary, post-primary and third level.

The conference will take place in Maynooth University on Saturday the 15th of October. We are delighted to welcome Ed Southall as our keynote speaker and to have Andrew Jeffrey as a special guest, with thanks to Maths Week Ireland. Visit www.mathsmeet.com for a full programme of events and to register.

Post Date: 04 October 2022

Thank you to all who are attending workshops online, facilitated for teachers who teach more than one subject.  Registration is required so please check if you are registered with your principal.  All materials / resources used during these workshops are available via this link...

Post Date: 26 September 2022

8th Edition, Education for Sustainable Development Newsletter

Please find the latest edition of the Department of Education Newsletter on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Keep up to date with all lots of school events that are happening in schools along with a list of useful links and resources to help you to play your part in sustainable development. JCT - STE(A)M in Junior Cycle is detailed on page 28 & 29.

Post Date: 26 September 2022

Post-Primary Music Teachers' Association (PPMTA) Annual National Conference 2022

The PPMTA Annual National Conference will take place in the Mullingar Hotel from Friday 30th September to Sunday 2nd October. The theme of this year’s conference is “Raise Your Voice!”

The JCT Music team are delighted to attend the event. We will facilitate a 1.5-hour hands-on workshop entitled 'Your Voice in Junior Cycle Music'. We very much look forward to meeting with and speaking to teachers over the three days.

Post Date: 26 September 2022

JCT English Webinar

JCT English team are delighted to run a repeat webinar for teachers exploring ‘The Merchant of Venice’ or ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ with their students. This webinar will run on Monday, October 3rd at 7pm for anyone who may have missed it earlier this year. Teachers are reminded to register in advance.

Post Date: 23 September 2022

Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) / Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE)

A reminder that the consultation process on an updated Junior Cycle SPHE curriculum is open until October 18th, 2022.

Read the Draft Junior Cycle Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) Short Course curriculum specification.

SPHE Short Course consultation 2022 - Teacher survey

SPHE Short Course consultation 2022 - Student survey  

This updated course will provide 100 hours of learning in SPHE (an increase from 70 hours) over the three years of junior cycle.

Post Date: 23 September 2022

Management Resource Hours Teachers’ Community of Practice

The JCIS team will host a community of practice meeting on Thursday, October 6th, 2022 from 7:00-8:30pm with a focus upon the strategic planning of the implementation of Junior Cycle in your schools and the use of JCT Registration. You can register to attend by clicking here. 

Post Date: 20 September 2022

Arts in Junior Cycle

Arts in Junior Cycle offer a range of elective arts workshops, both online and in-person, open to Junior Cycle teachers from all subjects. You may be interested in registering for one or more of the following:

Style & Purpose

Wed 21 Sept | 6:00pm – 7.30pm

Style & Purpose, our popular series of writing genre workshops developed with Poetry Ireland, is an online series of elective workshops which also includes an in-person reflection and sharing event.

Writing our Place Too

Tues 4 Oct | 6.30pm – 8.30pm - Introductory online workshop

Sat 8 Oct |10am – 2pm in-person workshop at Graffiti Theatre Company, Cork

We welcome the return of this series of writing workshops developed with Fighting Words. This year the in-person workshops will take place in Cork city, hosted by Graffiti Theatre Company.

In the News

Wed 5 Oct | 5:00pm – 6.30pm Opinion writing with Irish Times columnist Jennifer O’ Connell 

Mon 24 Oct | 5:00pm – 6.30pm News reporting with Noirin Hegarty of the Sunday Times

This new online workshop series, developed with Newsbrands Ireland, aims to demystify the news. Featuring award-winning journalists and editors throughout, workshops will focus on different aspects of journalism, including opinion writing, reporting, features and more.

Call for Expressions of Interest – DesignCIRCLE 2022-23

If you would like to join a community of practice with a professional designer, you may be interested in joining DesignCIRCLE.   There will be 5/6 online meetings and will include an in-person preparation and planning meeting.  

Call for Expressions of Interest - Artistic Performance Community of Practice

Are you teaching Artistic Performance and would like to share practice with teachers also engaging with this junior cycle short course? We are inviting expressions of interest from teachers who would like to join our Artistic Performance community of practice. 

Please visit our website for more information and to register for all upcoming workshops.

Post Date: 15 September 2022

Upcoming Poetry Competitions

In collaboration with IMRAM, Poetry Ireland has launched two exciting new initiatives that aim to bring life to the Irish language as part of their post-primary school programme.  

Guth na hÉigse is a pilot Poetry Speaking Competition for Post-Primary Schools and Duais Bashō Haiku Poetry Competition asks post-primary students to compose a haiku in the English or Irish language or a hybrid.

The deadline for Guth na hÉigse entries is 4 October 2022. The deadline for Duais Bashō Haiku Poetry Competition haiku submissions is 24 October 2022. Gabriel Rosenstock will adjudicate.  All details are available here.

Post Date: 09 September 2022

Irish Learning Support Association

JCT look forward to facilitating a workshop on 'UDL- Every Child in every classroom' as part of the upcoming ISLA conference on Friday 23rd September. For tickets, visit the ISLA website.

Post Date: 09 September 2022

Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate Examinations 2023

The Department of Education has published an updated document which sets out the adjusted assessment arrangements for post-primary students taking certificate examinations in the 2022/23 school year.

While the level of disruption to the learning experience due to Covid-19 reduced in the 2021/22 school year compared to the previous year, these arrangements are designed to take account of the disrupted learning experienced by students.

Post Date: 07 September 2022

CBA Calendar Dates, 2022/2023

Revised arrangements for the completion of Classroom-Based Arrangements (CBAs) for students in third year and second year in 2022/2023 are available here.

Post Date: 06 September 2022

NCCA - Leaving Certificate Business

As part of the broader redevelopment of senior cycle it is envisaged that a new specification for Business will be introduced in network schools from September 2024. The public consultation on the review of Business is now open. There are several ways to participate in the consultation which are outlined here.

The consultation will close on October 28th, 2022, at 5pm.

Post Date: 05 September 2022

Adjustments to State Examinations, 2023

The Minister for Education Norma Foley TD has announced that adjustments will be made to the assessment arrangements for students due to sit State examinations in 2023, to take account of the disruption to their learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.  A document detailing the adjusted assessment arrangements for every subject/ module descriptor in the Leaving Certificate Established, Leaving Certificate Applied, Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme and Junior Cycle programmes will be issued to schools and schools will be asked to ensure that all students are made aware of these changes.

Post Date: 02 September 2022

NCCA SPHE School-based Consultation Meetings

If your school would like to facilitate NCCA in conducting school-based consultations with some of your students and SPHE teachers please register your interest before 2.00pm Friday September 9th.

Post Date: 30 August 2022

Looking at Our School 2022: A Quality Framework for Post-Primary Schools

Looking at Our School 2022: A Quality Framework for Post-Primary Schools is a framework that provides a shared understanding of what effective and highly effective learning, teaching, leadership and management practices look like in the Irish school system. This document replaces the previous version published in 2016.

Post Date: 26 August 2022

ASEF CLASSNET SCHOOL COLLABORATION 2022

*Extended* closing date for applications – now open until September 12th, 2022.  The ASEF Classroom Network (#ASEFClassNet) connects high school students, teachers & school leaders, teacher trainers, researchers, policy makers and EdTech experts from the 51 ASEM Partner countries. Further information is available here.

The projects run from September and are expected to be completed by December 2022 (Virtual Event). Participating teachers need to commit to set aside ca. 2-4 hours per week to participate fully.  There is no application or participation fee.

Post Date: 23 August 2022

Recruitment

JCT is currently recruiting to fill Advisor positions across the following 7 curricular areas for the school year 2022/2023;

• Home Economics
• Business Studies
• Gaeilge
• History
• English
• Mathematics
• Modern Foreign Languages

Further details on all of these positions, including a job description and application form, are available here.

The closing date for applications is 2nd September 2022 at 4PM.

Post Date: 17 August 2022

NCCA - Board for Junior Cycle

The NCCA is looking for two people to work as members of the Board for Junior Cycle. This opportunity is open to educators or researchers working within or outside the formal education sector.

The ‘expression of interest’ form should be completed by 5pm on Friday 16th September.

Post Date: 18 July 2022

Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) / Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE)

Consultation on an updated Junior Cycle SPHE curriculum is now open.  Read the Draft Junior Cycle Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) Short Course curriculum specification.

SPHE Short Course consultation 2022 - Teacher survey

SPHE Short Course consultation 2022 - Student survey  

This updated course will provide 100 hours of learning in SPHE (an increase from 70 hours) over the three years of junior cycle.

The consultation will remain open until October 18th 2022.

Post Date: 28 June 2022

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Newsletter

The latest edition of the Department’s Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) newsletter is available here.  

This quarterly newsletter features a wide variety of interesting articles from a host of departments, organisations, bodies, and educational institutions on programmes, initiatives, resources, competitions, and general information on issues surrounding Education for Sustainability.

You can sign up to receive the newsletter directly here.

Have an idea or a piece you would like to see included in the next issue? Get in touch by emailing the ESD Team directly at: ESD@education.gov.ie.

Post Date: 21 June 2022

NCCA Co-option

The NCCA is looking for two people to work as members of each of the three new Leaving Certificate Development Groups. These new groups will begin working in September 2022 and will play a key role in developing new specifications for:

Business

Climate Action and Sustainable Development

Drama, Film and Theatre Studies

Expression of Interest forms should be completed by August 19th, 2022.

Post Date: 17 June 2022

E.A.L. Summer Course

An online ‘English as an Additional Language’ summer course will run from August 15th - 19th. Register via your local education centre. Find detailed information in the poster below.  

Post Date: 08 June 2022

SEC Recruitment

The State Examinations Commission (SEC) is currently recruiting for the role of Examination & Assessment Managers in three subject areas.  Please find links to the relevant information booklets and application forms below.

E.A.M. Construction Studies

E.A.M. Engineering

E.A.M. Music

Closing Date for Applications: 23rd June 2022

Post Date: 02 June 2022

Summer Programme 2022

The Department of Education encourages schools to provide the summer programme for primary and post-primary students with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage. Find out more about this programme by watching this short video.

Post Date: 01 June 2022

Important Update - Management Resource Hours

The Department of Education has decided, on an interim basis, to continue to allocate the Management Resource Hours for the school year 2022/23. All Post-primary schools have been sent a letter outlining this arrangement in further detail. Please find a wealth of supports developed by JCT for MRH personnel here.

Post Date: 31 May 2022

Newsletter – JCToday

We have just published the final edition of our newsletter, JC Today for the 2021-2022 academic year. The theme for this edition is ‘Reflection in Junior Cycle’. Inside this issue you will gain an extensive insight into many of the activities that have been happening across JCT. Click on the image below to read more!

Post Date: 30 May 2022

RIAI Graphics Exhibition 2022

The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) and the JCt4 Graphics team are delighted to announce that the “Creativity is intelligence having fun” exhibition is now available for viewing on the RIAI website. To visit the exhibition please click here or on the image below. The student work can be viewed in the Exhibition Video and in a walk-through Virtual Gallery.

Post Date: 26 May 2022

JCIS CPD for 2022/2023

Schools will have received a letter regarding the scheduling of a day of whole-school planning and self-evaluation for Junior Cycle implementation 2022/2023.

The theme of next year’s JCIS workshop is to review your Junior Cycle implementation and identify areas for consolidation and further development.

Further details of this whole staff workshop are found in the JCIS CPD Brochure. The earliest day for bookings will be Monday, 12th September 2022. Please contact your Regional Team in order to book your JCIS day.

Post Date: 26 May 2022

EsiNet – Update on Reporting on Wellbeing

An important message was sent to all post-primary Principals via EsiNet in relation to the Reporting on Wellbeing Areas of Learning in the Junior Cycle 2022. Please check your in-box for details.

Post Date: 25 May 2022

Management Resource Hours Newsletter (Issue 8)    

Issue 8 of our newsletter for teachers who have been allocated their school’s management resource hours is available to download as a PDF by clicking on the following link:  

Management Resource Hours Newsletter

Post Date: 25 May 2022

JCt4 - CBA 2 updates

Graphics: The NCCA have published the domain for Classroom-Based Assessment (CBA) 2 – Graphical presentation skills in Graphics, which is to be completed by third year students in the 2022/2023 academic year. The domain can be accessed through the green panel on the Graphics section of www.curriculumonline.ie.

Engineering: The NCCA have also published the theme for Classroom-Based Assessment (CBA) 2 - Research and development in Engineering for third year student in the 2022/2023 academic year. The theme can be accessed through the green panel on the Engineering section of  www.curriculumonline.ie.

Post Date: 25 May 2022

JCt4 Summer Newsletters 2022  

The Summer Newsletters for each of the Technology subjects are now available and may be accessed by clicking on the relevant subject link below.

Applied Technology Newsletter

Engineering Newsletter

Graphics Newsletter 

Wood Technology Newsletter 

Post Date: 13 May 2022

Professional Time Resource

The most recent professional time resource created by the JCIS team offers ideas for teachers' individual and collaborative reflective practice. This Individual-Collaborative Reflective Practice Professional Time resource includes a Padlet and a one-page document with an explanation of each section of the Padlet. These sections are entitled Professional Reading, Professional Dialogue, Professional Learning and Professional Practice and consist of relevant readings, screencasts, PowerPoints, videos, support documents and reflective templates. This resource is located on the JCIS section of the JCT website in the Resources section under the heading Professional Time.

Post Date: 13 May 2022

Music

For all music colleagues participating in their Subject Learning and Assessment Review meeting in the coming weeks, please click our webinar 'A Shared Understanding: CBAs and the SLAR in Junior Cycle Music' for further support.

Post Date: 12 May 2022

Arts in Junior Cycle Summer Elective Workshops

Hold On to the Now: A Creative Writing Workshop

Dates: Tuesday 7th and Wednesday 8th June | 10.30am – 4.00pm

Venue: Museum of Literature Ireland, Dublin

Arts in Junior Cycle and poet and writer Colm Keegan.

Register here.

Like a River Flows Visual Art and Creative Writing Workshop

Dates: Wednesday 8th and Thursday 9th June | 10.30am – 3.30pm

Venue: Butler Gallery, Kilkenny

Arts in Junior Cycle with visual artist Caroline Schofield and poet Lani O’Hanlon.

Register here.

Music Makers Choral and Instrumental Composition, Conducting and Group Performance Workshop

Dates: Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th June |10.30am – 4.00pm

Venue: Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick

Arts in Junior Cycle with vocal coach Aisling Kenny, choral conductor Lynsey Callaghan, composer Elaine Agnew and orchestral conductor Sinead Hayes at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick.

Register here.

Contemporary Life Drawing

Dates: Tuesday 21st and Wednesday 22nd June |10.30am – 3.30pm

Venue: Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts (RHA), Dublin

Arts in Junior Cycle with visual artists Colin Martin, Dorothy Smith and Sahoko Blake in the RHA.

Register here.

Translating Theatre: A Text to Performance Workshop

Dates: Monday 27th and Tuesday 28th June

Day 1 Workshop 2.00pm – 4.00pm; Translations at Abbey Theatre 7.30pm

Day 2 Workshop 10.30am – 4.00pm

Venue: Drumcondra Education Centre

Arts in Junior Cycle and Abbey Theatre. Workshop includes attending a performance of Lyric Theatre Belfast and Abbey Theatre’s co-production of Brian Friel’s play Translations.

Register here.

For more, visit our website here.

Post Date: 06 May 2022

Examiners for the 2022 Examinations

Post Primary Teachers are needed to do this vital work. Please find further information here.

Post Date: 06 May 2022

Europe Day - Monday, 9th May 2022

Subject and cross-curricular opportunities for junior cycle students

Europe Day, a day when we celebrate being European.  For our junior cycle students there are a myriad of opportunities to engage in learning about the European Union through the lens of individual subjects. There is also the potential for teachers to collaborate with colleagues on a chosen European theme, using a cross-curricular approach, to foster a broader student engagement in learning more about Europe within a variety of subject perspectives.

Europe Day celebrates the signing of the Schuman Declaration on the 9th May 1950, while the 10th May 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the 1972 referendum in Ireland when 81% voted in favour of joining the (then) European Economic Community. This year, Europe is also celebrating European Year of Youth.

The JCT resources are available in the relevant subject sections of this site (under ‘Resources’). We hope you find the materials helpful and that your students enjoy discovering more about Europe and the European Union while also building on their skills, developing understanding and identifying values as part of reflecting on their learning.

Post Date: 05 May 2022

SPHE Resources

Thank you to all of the SPHE teachers for their positive engagement in our SPHE Online CPD 2021/2022 workshops. 

Resources are available here.

Post Date: 27 April 2022

Post-Primary SPHE/RSE Teachers

Minister Foley announces initiative to provide a new postgraduate upskilling programme for post-primary SPHE/RSE teachers. Find detail of the press release by clicking here.

Post Date: 27 April 2022

Parents’ Information Leaflet – Russian

Junior Cycle Information for Parents of Post-Primary Students is available in Russian at the following link.

Post Date: 27 April 2022

Parents’ Information Leaflet – Ukranian

Junior Cycle Information for Parents of Post-Primary Students is available in Ukrainian at the following link.

Post Date: 27 April 2022

WWGS

The WorldWise Global Schools Grant Call 2022/2023 is now open. School grants of €500 (starter schools) & up to €900 (established schools) for activities related to Global Citizenship Education/Education for Sustainable Development are available. The deadline is May 13th. Register your interest at the following link.

Post Date: 27 April 2022

Circular 0027/2022

The new Digital Strategy for Schools 2021-2027, which will build on the progress made under the previous Digital Strategy, will be underpinned by an investment of some €200m included in the National Development Plan 2021-2030. Please find a link to the circular here.

Post Date: 27 April 2022

Circular 0011/2022

Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022: Post-primary schools in Gaeltacht language-planning areas participating in the Gaeltacht school recognition scheme: Ongoing implementation of the Scheme (2022 - 2024). School authorities can access the circular published on 26th April 2022 by clicking this link.

Post Date: 27 April 2022

Circular 0030/2022

Arrangements for Inspectorate Engagement with Post-Primary Schools - April to June 2022. Please find link to circular here.

Post Date: 26 April 2022

Graphics Student Exhibition

The JCt4 Graphics team in partnership with the  Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI)  is accepting final submissions for the Creativity is intelligence having fun exhibition.

Click on the poster below to get further details of this year’s exhibition and how your students can participate. For further details and updates, please keep an eye on Twitter @JCt4ed and @RIAIonline.

Post Date: 08 April 2022

MFL

The presentation from the MFL SOLE elective workshop, “Formative Assessment in the Modern Foreign Languages Classroom” which was held recently has been uploaded to the MFL section of JCT’s website and is available at  this link.

Post Date: 07 April 2022

Music

All cluster day materials from our recent workshop entitled ‘Connectedness in Junior Cycle Music’ are now available to download from our website. To access click here

Post Date: 05 April 2022

Education for Sustainable Development Newsletter

The Department of Education’s 6th Edition newsletter on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) can be viewed by clicking on this link

Post Date: 24 March 2022

MFL

The resources associated with our recent elective workshop titled Oral Communication in Junior Cycle MFL: Sharing learning from classroom experience & supporting our students towards Classroom-Based Assessment 1, can be found by clicking on this link.  This workshop is to support teachers in developing the skill of oral communication in the Junior Cycle MFL classroom. 

Post Date: 23 March 2022

Spring Online Learning Event 2022

Our *SPRING ONLINE LEARNING EVENT* will run from Monday 4th to Thursday 7th April 2022. Teachers can register to attend one or more of our 16 online events to be broadcast that week. A wide range of subjects/topics to choose from. Register today via the links on our Online Learning Events Page

Post Date: 16 March 2022

JCT Newsletter- JCToday

The latest edition of JCToday Newsletter is available to view here

Post Date: 15 March 2022

Management Resource Hours Newsletter (Issue 7)     

Issue 7 of our newsletter for teachers who have been allocated their school’s management resource hours is available to download as a PDF by clicking on the following link:   

Management Resource Hours Newsletter 

Post Date: 14 March 2022

Spring Online Learning Event 2022

Our *SPRING ONLINE LEARNING EVENT* will run from Monday 4th to Thursday 7th April 2022. Teachers can register to attend one or more of our 16 online events to be broadcast that week. A wide range of subjects/topics to choose from. Register today via the links on our Online Learning Events Page 

Post Date: 14 March 2022

English

The Department of Education has published the new English Prescribed Text List for 2nd and 3rd year students presenting for examination in 2024, 2025 and 2026. Click to access this list. 

Post Date: 10 March 2022

Step Up Project Launch

Thank you to all who attended the launch of the Step Up website yesterday. The project story of the SSE journey of 9 schools is told in the videos, podcast, school reports and composite report on http://stepupproject.ie

Post Date: 14 February 2022

JCt4 Newsletters Spring 2022

The Spring newsletters for each of the Technology subjects are now available and may be accessed by clicking on the relevant subject link below.

Applied Technology Newsletter Spring 2022

Engineering Newsletter Spring 2022

Graphics Newsletter Spring 2022

Wood Technology Newsletter Spring 2022

Post Date: 11 February 2022

MFL

Please be advised that our current CPD day and all of the associated resources have been uploaded to the website and are available by clicking here.

Post Date: 10 February 2022

JCt4 in conversation with GMIT Letterfrack (Part two)

The JCt4 Wood Technology team were delighted to recently record a two-part podcast with GMIT Letterfrack Head of Department, Paul Leamy for the latest episode of the ‘Hands On’ podcast series. 

In part two of this recording, Paul talks about the need for responsible use of wood, developing transferable skills with students and how GMIT Letterfrack has developed its facilities to include converting and seasoning their own timber for use in student projects. 

You can listen to the full podcast by clicking here or on the image below.

Post Date: 10 February 2022

Junior Cycle Examination Timetable 2022

The Department of Education has published the timetable for the 2022 State Exams for Junior Cycle. A copy can be accessed by clicking here or by clicking on the image below.

Post Date: 03 February 2022

Department of Education Announcement on 1st February 2022 about the 2022 State Examinations

Following a Government decision, the Minister for Education Norma Foley TD on 1st February announced that the Junior Cycle examinations will take place this summer, for the first time since 2019. You can read the full arrangements for Junior Cycle here

Post Date: 02 February 2022

English

The latest episode from the JCT English podcast series 'Conversations from the Classroom' features English teacher Emer Whyte from Galway Educate Together Secondary School.
Emer describes how she and her colleagues have incorporated planning for students following an L2LP in their Junior Cycle English Classes. Emer also offers an insight into some key steps that work for her and her colleagues when collaboratively designing learning. A must-listen for those looking to learn more about supporting students following Level 2 and Level 3 in the Junior Cycle English classroom!

Post Date: 28 January 2022

Management Resource Hours Newsletter (Issue 5)  

Issue 5 of our newsletter for teachers who have been allocated their school’s management resource hours is available to download as a PDF by clicking on the following link:  

Management Resource Hours Newsletter Link 

Post Date: 26 January 2022

JCt4 in conversation with GMIT Letterfrack (Part one)

The JCt4 Wood Technology team were delighted to recently record a two-part podcast with GMIT Letterfrack Head of Department, Paul Leamy for the latest episode of the ‘Hands On’ podcast series. In part one of this recording, Paul talks about the joy of designing and making with wood and the importance of developing the key principles of hand skills at GMIT Letterfrack, the National Centre for Excellence in Furniture Design and Technology.   You can listen to the full podcast by clicking here or on the image below.

Post Date: 19 January 2022

Graphics: CBA 1 Resources

The Graphics team have recently created some new resources as a support for teachers as their students engage with CBA 1: Communicating through sketching. These include a PowerPoint presentation entitled ‘Exploring Classroom-Based Assessment 1’ and a supporting interactive poster and video. Please click on this link or on the image below to access these resources. 

Post Date: 12 January 2022

JCAD

JCAD is now open to schools to allow the input of data for some student’s certificates of completion. This state certificate is to issue to each student through their schools, confirming completion of their Junior Cycle programme of study, including the list of subjects, short courses and/or priority learning units and the level at which the subject was studied. JCAD relates to Junior Cycle 2021 students who were following a Level 1 or 2 Learning Programme only.  JCAD should appear on ESINET for schools. Any schools who have queries related to JCAD should contact JCPA@education.gov.ie

Post Date: 10 January 2022

Suggested Management Resource Hours Teachers’ Action Plan (To Do List)

A suggested Action Plan to support the ongoing work of the teachers who have been allocated the management resource hours in schools is available to download as a PDF by clicking here.

Post Date: 07 January 2022

We look forward to meeting Subject Teachers online from Monday 10th January for our 2021-2022 subject CPD. We have created a video that will help you prepare for these subject clusters. This can be accessed by clicking on the following video link: How to engage with JCT Subject CPD via Zoom 2021-2022

Post Date: 17 December 2021

Religious Education

Check out the video capturing some of the highlights from the ‘National Forum Seminar on Valuing Teaching and Learning about Sacred Artefacts from the Worlds’ Major Religions’, which included a presentation from Dr Ailís Travers, Team Leader for Religious Education with Junior Cycle for Teachers. The video is available at the following link: Video Highlights Link The event was hosted by Chester Beatty Library Dublin, with MIC Limerick and Dublin City Interfaith Forum.

Post Date: 09 December 2021

Education for Sustainable Development Newsletter

The Department of Education’s 5th Edition Newsletter on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) can be viewed by clicking on this link

Post Date: 09 December 2021

Circular letter 0059/2021

Circular letter 0059/2021- Arrangements for the Implementation of the Framework for Junior Cycle with particular reference to school year 2021/22 is available now by clicking on the following link: Link to Circular letter 0059/2021

Post Date: 08 December 2021

Management Resource Hours Newsletter (Issue 4)

Issue 4 of our newsletter for teachers who have been allocated their school’s management resource hours is available to download as a PDF by clicking on the following link:  

Management Resource Hours Newsletter Link 

Post Date: 24 November 2021

Management Resource Hours Newsletter

The latest edition of our newsletter for teachers who have been allocated their school’s management resource hours is available to download as a PDF by clicking on the following link: Management Resource Hours Newsletter Link (Issue 3)

Post Date: 22 November 2021

JCt4 Wood Technology: New Podcast

The Wood Technology team in collaboration with Arts in Junior Cycle were delighted to chat with furniture maker Daniel Gill about his passion for his craft & his process from wood selection to completion of a piece of furniture. Listen to the full conversation by clicking on this link

Post Date: 17 November 2021

Music

The NCCA have published updated Assessment Guidelines for the Classroom-based Assessments dated November 2021. 

To access please click here 

Post Date: 04 November 2021

Home Economics

The SEC Guidelines for the Food Literacy Skills Examination and Assignment Briefs are available along with the Food Literacy Skills Assessment Briefs 2022 on www.examinations.ie

Post Date: 03 November 2021

Technologies Sample Papers

The State Examinations Commission (SEC) published sample examination papers (common level) for each of the suite of Technology subjects on Friday 22nd October. Please click on the relevant subjects below to access the respective sample examination paper.   

Applied Technology Sample Paper

Engineering Sample Paper

Graphics Sample Paper

Wood Technology Sample Paper

Post Date: 19 October 2021

Important Information for MRH Teachers

A screencast has been emailed to school MRH contacts this morning.  The Screencast can also be viewed by clicking on the link below.

Updating Classroom Teacher Details

Post Date: 18 October 2021

English

JCT English in collaboration with Arts in Junior Cycle were delighted to chat with poet and playwright Inua Ellams earlier this year. His text “The 14th Tale” is on the current prescribed text list for 2nd and 3rd year students.  

Listen to our full conversation in collaboration here

Post Date: 17 October 2021

Technology

The coursework briefs and project materials for the suite of Technology subjects have been published by the State Examinations Commission. Please click on the relevant subjects below to access the documentation. 

Wood Technology Coursework Design Briefs

Applied Technology Coursework Briefs

Graphics Student Project

Engineering Project Coursework

Post Date: 06 October 2021

Junior Cycle English

JCT English are delighted to release their latest podcast with Galway author Patricia Forde. Patricia talks about the power of language and her novel “The Wordsmith” which is on the new indicative text list for First Year students 2021, 2022 and 2023. Have a listen to this and other podcasts in the series by clicking on Junior Cycle Talks  on SoundCloud, or by searching for Junior Cycle Talks wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Post Date: 29 September 2021

Management Resource Hours Newsletter

The first edition of our newsletter for teachers who have been allocated their school’s management resource hours is available to download as a PDF by clicking on the following link: Newsletter Link

Post Date: 28 September 2021

Graphics CBA 2 Resources

A number of newly created resources including an ‘important considerations’ document, a PowerPoint presentation with supporting interactive poster and video for CBA 2: Graphical Presentation Skills can be accessed by clicking on resources or on the graphics image below.

Post Date: 28 September 2021

Engineering CBA 2 Resources

A number of newly created resources including a video, support documents, and details on important considerations for CBA 2: Research and Development can be accessed by clicking on resources or on the engineering image below.

Post Date: 20 September 2021

L1LPs/L2LPs

The JCT L1/L2LP newsletter, (Autumn 2021) is available here.

Post Date: 17 September 2021

New MFL Resources

Our MFL Team have uploaded new resources which can be accessed by clicking on the links below

CEFR Infographic – exploring links between the CEFR, the Junior Cycle Framework and the MFL Specification

Screencast: Planning with Learning outcomes  -a screencast to introduce our new planning resource

Planning with Learning Outcomes – a resource to support collaborative conversations around planning for learning

Learning Outcomes and Planning for Student Learning – a one page document to support MFL departments in planning for student learning

Digi Tech for Languages  - a tool to support teachers to further integrate digital methodologies into their practice.

Post Date: 06 September 2021

NCCA (September 2021)

Revised  arrangements for the completion of Classroom Based Assessments (CBA'S) for students in third year in 2021/2022 (September 2021).

Click to download PDF document.

Post Date: 06 September 2021

Department of Education (DoE) Update (18 August 2021)   

Assessment Arrangements for Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate Examinations 2022.

Click to download PDF document. 

Post Date: 22 April 2021

The NCCA has recently published revised arrangements for the completion of Classroom Based Assessments (CBAs) for students in second and third year in 2020/2021.  These documents can be found here:  Revised arrangements for the completion of Classroom Based Assessment (CBAs)

Post Date: 09 March 2021

The Department of Education published on 09th March 2021 guidelines for schools entitled “Assessment and Reporting on Students’ Learning - Junior Cycle 2021”. The guideline documents can be found here:

Assessment and Reporting on Students’ Learning – Junior Cycle 2021

Post Date: 09 March 2021

Guidelines for Schools on Assessment and Reporting on Students’ Learning – Junior Cycle 2021 issued by the Department of Education on March 9th state that the school will issue a School Report detailing the learning achievements of the student. Each school has the autonomy to choose the format of the school report that will be used and issued to students. Relevant supports for reporting can be found at this link: Reporting/NCCA

Post Date: 09 March 2021

The Junior Cycle Wellbeing Guidelines have been updated to support schools as they continue to plan and develop junior cycle Wellbeing programmes. The updated 2021 Guidelines can be found at this link:

Wellbeing Guidelines for Junior Cycle | NCCA

Post Date: 04 November 2020

Visual Arts

The themes for CBA 1: From Process to Realisation 2020/21 can be found on www.curriculumonline.ie and here.

Post Date: 04 November 2020

Home Economics

Food Literacy Skills Examination Assignment Briefs are now available on www.examinations.ie or here.

Post Date: 04 November 2020

SEC sample papers for Final Assessment are now available for the following subjects:

Geography

History

Home Economics

Mathematics Higher Level 

Mathematics Ordinary Level

Music

Post Date: 25 September 2020

Report on early enactment of Junior Cycle Business Studies and Science published by the NCCA. Click here...

Post Date: 16 September 2020

Chief Examiner’s Report

The SEC have published Junior Cycle Examination 2019 Chief Examiner’s Reports for Science, click here... and Business Studies, click here...  

Post Date: 10 December 2019

JCT in Conversation with Parents

“JCT in Conversation with Parents” video is available here...

It is found on the Communication with Parents page of the Leadership section of jct.ie, here..., along with many other resources to support schools communicating Junior Cycle to parents. 

Post Date: 01 October 2019

How are we equipping our young people to flourish in The Fourth Industrial Revolution? The role of creativity in the Junior Cycle Classroom

Article by Fiona O’Brien, Team leader for School Leadership, Junior Cycle for Teachers here...

Post Date: 27 May 2019

The Webinar "Guidance Related Units of Learning" is now available online here...

The Webinar "Exploring Other Areas of Learning in Junior Cycle" is now available online here...

Post Date: 13 December 2018

Special Schools and Further Education Sector

JCAD Handbook and User Guide

Post Date: 03 December 2018

Please find attached a handbook and appendices for schools to assist in the issuing of the JCPA

here...

The handbook also contains the following:

Appendix 1 - Checklist

Appendix 2 - Logos and Signatures

Appendix 3 -  Privacy Notice and Consent Forms

Appendix 4 - Samples of JCPAs for 2018

Please complete Appendix 2 should you wish to submit or update your school crest or signatures by Wednesday the 5th December, 2018.

(Please note, only Principal and Year Head signatures can appear on the JCPA).  Vice/Deputy Principal or Co-Ordinator will not appear on the JCPA.

Please note that the administration grant to support schools with production of the JCPAs will also issue in the coming days.

Should you have any queries please email jcpa@education.gov.ie.  Please ensure you quote your school name and roll number in all correspondence”.

Post Date: 27 September 2018

Enhancing Teacher Professional Collaboration Through Junior Cycle Reform

here...

Post Date: 14 March 2018

Our recent Leadership for Learning Conference showcased the learning from our ATS2020 Erasmus + project . This short video shows some of the highlights from the day: Video...

Post Date: 12 December 2017

Placing the Student at the Centre of Learning

here...

Post Date: 25 May 2018

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