Following Minster McHugh’s announcement that the Junior Certificate Examinations in June are to be replaced with school based examinations at the start of our next school year, we want to make parents aware that it now seems that these examinations will be set by the State Examination Commission so they will be of a similar standard to the original Junior Certificate papers but will be corrected locally.
The implications of this are that we must continue to follow the Junior Certificate syllabi to ensure our students are fully prepared to sit their examinations. To achieve this, our teachers will continue with their remote and online teaching. More importantly, it is crucial that all our Junior Certificate students engage with their teachers, attending their online lessons, complete and submit their assignment within the agreed timeframes.
Understandably, many Junior Certificates students are of the opinion that they are finished but unfortunately, this is not the case. We recognise that these changes may pose additional challenges in relation to keeping Junior Certificate students motivated thorough this extended timeframe. So we are asking you as parents to continue to work with us to ensure the best possible outcomes for your sons.
This includes getting you son to do the following:
- Check for online classes in Team, check the calendar for scheduled classes
- Check their email (Outlook) for work or reminders about work (start of every class)
- Attempt assigned work and submit the work even if not finished
- Time Management: Students should not be working after 10 pm as this can lead to students emailing teachers late at night. It can also have the knock on effect of students missing morning classes the following day”.
- If students are having difficulties please email your teacher, tutor or Year-head asap.
- Any password or other IT issues contact, psomers@arklowcbs.ie
As our Easter holidays end, our online classes will begin next Monday 20th April. All students will be marked in for their tutorial class and students that do not attend online classes (i.e.login) will be marked absent for that particular class, likewise work not submitted will be written up.
Parents can monitor student progress on VSware and please contact our office by email if your son is sick or if they have any other reasons why they cannot attend classes or submit work.
Stay Safe
Regards
Peter Somers