V o l . 2 3 I s s u e 4

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ISSN 0791-6161

VoLumE 23, ISSuE 4

New era engineering

Why CIT Engineering Students are spearheadinga New Era of

International/National Achievement in Design,

Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Cover Story Pages 2-5

EDuCATIoN 1

2 Special Feature: New era engineering at CIT

7 Law at NUI Galway

9 Health studies at DCU

11 Ormonde College

13 Law and Social Care at Waterford IT

14 Feature: New opportunities in flexible learning

19 Nursing at GMIT

21 College of Progressive Education

22 HP multiseat computing case study

24 Nursing and Midwifery at TCD

27 Institute of Art, Design and Technology

27 UCD Agriculture, Food Science & Veterinary Medicine

28 GMIT Hotel School

29 Nursing at UCD

30 Computing at UL

32 Screenflex

33 Feature: The Schools Building Programme

37 Cycle insurance

38 Promethean’s ActivClassroom

39 Bangor Law School

40 A3 printing with Brother

41 Business at DCU

CoVEr PIC: Cork Institute of Technology Ph.D. student, Xiao Fang Zhang, European Laureate of Innovation 2010, Innovact, Reims, France.

Xiao's International Award Winning project concerns the development of an innovative Medical Infusion System Air Bubble Extractor in conjunction with Cork university Hospital.

Inventor and Designer, Xiao drew project inspiration from Chinese/Irish sources, quoting guidance from lecturer Mr.Ger Flynn, Chief Biomedical Engineer, HSE and Dad, Mr. Gou Yu Zhang, Veterinary Surgeon, Dalian, China. Xiao served on the “Your Country Your Call”

Presidential Initiative student development com-mittee.

Achieving first in the CIT Innovative Engineer Competition, Xiao was also awarded the EI/Invest NI Young Entrepreneur Cruickshank most Technologically Innovative National Award.

An IRCSET scholar, Xiao is reading for her Ph.D. on groundbreaking research on Peripheral Nerve Regeneration. Xiao is the subject of the Video 'Postcard from the Edge of Europe', which has been extensively featured and received much acclaim at the Shanghai Exposition. See www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbMLyErvIp8

43 Fusion display technologies

45 Ink Maestro

46 Vincentians

47 Christian Brothers

48 Topaz

49 Glasnevin Museum

50 Ecovillage

51 National Wax Museum

51 Paintball Cork

52 School texting

56 Accord: relationships

56 The Organic Centre

Contents.indd 1 01/12/2010 10:01:36

2 Education

Why CIT Engineering Students are spearheading a New Era of International / National Achievement in

Design, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Engineering New Era

Cork Institute of Technology

thE development of a comprehen-sive suite of honours engineering degree, master programmes and innovative product development

laboratory modules is central and crucial to the remarkable and sustained interna-tional and national success of cit Engineering students.

the developed programme and module syllabi critically incorporate innovation in research and design projects from con-c e p t i o n , r e s e a r c h , a n a l y s i s , experimentation and validation to proto-type production, proof of concept and commercial evaluation / business plan development. Multi-discipline student teams are formed to devise and progress self-initiated product innovation and development projects, assessing and implementing safety, sustainability and engineering ethical considerations as primary driving design imperatives.

Recent Major International achieve-ments include: • Seven First Places and Three Runner

Up Finalists in the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Best Medical Engineering and design and development of a Biomedical device competitions, London (2010, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005)

Recent National student successes include: • Five Siemens Engineers Ireland

innovative Engineer of the Year Level 8 awards (2008, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003)

• Two Siemens Engineers Ireland innovative Engineer of the Year Level 7 awards ( 2009, 2007)

• Three Cruickshank Most Technologically Innovative Project First Place €7,500 award (2009, 2008, 2007)

• One Inaugural Enterprise Ireland / invest northern ireland Young Entrepreneur of the Year Solving Problems for Industry €7,500 award (2009)

• Enterprise Ireland / Invest Northern Ireland Young Entrepreneur - First Place €10,000 award ( 2007 )

• Three Enterprise Ireland I.Mech.E Speak Out for Engineering Awards ( 2007, 2005, 2004 )

• Four Enterprise Ireland / Invest

• One European Laureate of Innovation Award – European Student Innovation Finals - Innovact Reims (2010 )

• One Gold Medal – Undergraduate awards of ireland and northern ireland (2010)

• One Global Student Entrepreneur Finalist Award sponsored by the Entrepreneurs’ organisation in con-junction with Mercedes-Benz Financial at the GSEA Finals in Kansas City, Missouri, USA (2009)

• One SOFE Paris Second Place Award - institution of Mechanical Engineers (2009 )

• One First and One Second Place in the ISEA International Sports Engineering competition, London

• Two Queen’s Silver Jubilee awards for Best Mechanical Engineering degree Project in Ireland and Britain

• One Genius 2000 Award for Best new invention at the nuremburg Inventors’ Fair

• Two Society of Manufacturing Engineering outstanding Young Engineer Worldwide awards

• Three First Places for Best Published and Presented Paper at the international Manufacturing conference.

By Sean F. O’LearySenior Lecturer, School of Mechanical and Process Engineering,Cork Institute of Technology

CIT 23-4.indd 1 29/11/2010 08:19:43

Education 3

northern ireland award of Merit €4,000 award (2010, 2009, 2008, 2007)

• Two HP Invent Awards for Best Science/Engineering/IT project in ireland

• Three William Eccles Institution of Production Engineers National awards and

• One MEETA Asset Management and Maintenance national award

(See Irish National TV News archive reports at: http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/1114/nationwide_av.html?2309030,null,228 and at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKPErSn6SGs)

EducatIoN MEthods

Employing educational and research tools, methodologies and skills acquired, developed and honed over 20 years' experience of board face lecturing and industrial cooperative applied research, the laboratory and workshop based mod-ules centre on the practical development and inculcation of engineering systematic product research, design, development and production skills, experimental and modelling techniques, commercial inves-t igat ion/assessment , market ing, communication and interdisciplinary teamwork management.

Environmental impact, lifecycle, safety and hazard analysis techniques are intro-duced and implemented in the innovative product design, production, validation, optimisation, utilisation and disposal.

Product development learning out-comes are ach ieved through the

application of innovative teaching tech-niques - hands-on student exposure to state of the art product development technologies and methodologies, formal laboratories and workshops, self-initiated and self-directed learning, formal report writing, informal multi-disciplinary staff/ student round table fora, progressive presentation development, brain storm-ing, team and meeting management.

the student learning process is enhanced by academic, industrial, peer and public review through formal dem-onst rat ion and exh ib i t ion of the developing solutions.

industrial professional expertise is har-nessed through the incorporation of formal consultations and day/evening

lectures by leaders of industry and research, project managers, entrepre-neurs, patent lawyers, marketing analysts, innovation centre managers and interna-tional / national innovation award winners.

the implementation of innovative product development, market research and management in the business / work environment including intellectual prop-erty right protection and demonstration of collaboration and conflict manage-ment, team communication and team leadership and decision making skills is undertaken.

Students are introduced to the poten-tial and opportunities provided by the resources, facilities and expertise of Enterprise ireland, city and county development Boards, the centre for a d v a n c e M a n u f a c t u r i n g a n d Management Systems (CAMMS), the Institute based Rubicon innovation and enterprise and incubation centre and the newly formed faculty based Medical Engineering design and innovation centre (MEdic).

bIoMEdIcal aNd socIEtal NEEds

Many of the emerging IPD products, while critically cognisant of commercial realities and practicalities, are also driven by student idealism towards the use of engineering and innovation to better mankind - with many projects addressing biomedical and societal needs and issues. this student idealism is equally valued and nurtured.

cIt PRIzE foR INNovatIoN

The development of the CIT Prize for innovation with awards totaling €10,000 in conjunction with Enterprise ireland innovation centres and the cork city and county Enterprise Boards has been a

n CIT Student Global Success - Xiao Fang Zhang 2010 European Innovation Laureate and Kieran O’Callaghan International Medical Engineering Design First Place

Right on cue!

Enterprise Ireland/Invest Northern Ireland Young Entrepreneur of the Year competition 2010 National Enterprise award (€4,000): Jonathan howley, aidan vaughan, daniel henderson, Ronan o’donoghue, third Year Mechanical Engineering, cork Institute of technology for design, development and testing of an innovative chalk-free cue tip.

CIT 23-4.indd 2 29/11/2010 08:19:45

4 Education

Engineering New Era

major spur towards the promotion of an entrepreneurial/innovation ethos amongst the student body promotion vehicle.

the parallel development of the Innovat ive Product Development Laboratory modules has also dovetailed with this research and innovation promo-tion -IPD Multi-Discipline Start-Up innovation team research projects provid-ing the substantive backbone to the cit innovation day exhibits.

INtEgRatEd EducatIoNal stRuctuRE

technical expertise available from apprentice, technician, honours degree, Masters and PhD levels is harnessed to create an integrated educational structure within the cit engineering model.

i believe that the effectiveness of the integrated approach to engineering edu-cation has been grossly underestimated by many educational commentators. the cit integrated approach equips engineer-ing s tudents wi th the techn ica l , managerial and personal skills to effec-tively communicate and direct staff at all skill levels in contrast to the traditional graduate, whose exposure to industry and other skill levels is often very lim-ited.

ENgINEERINg ExhIbItIoN

the success of the integrated innova-tion, research and design approach and model is highlighted annually by the cork Mechan ica l , Manufac tur ing and Biomedical Engineering Exhibition.

the exhibition acts as a showcase for innovation and multi-discipline research and design projects.

the exhibition has grown from humble beginnings of just 11 stands in 1985 to over 160 stands in 2010 - becoming the largest educational engineering event certainly in these islands, if not in Europe.

the exhibition also serves as a very important academic and educational milestone, exposing the students to peer, academic, family, general public and industrial review. the development of spoken, written and computer based communication skills is also incorporated within the learning outcomes of all devel-oped engineering programmes and research and design project modules.

Major centrepiece exhibits have been incorporated into the event including a full-scale Reconstruction of the Studio of the renowned Engineer and artist, Leonardo da Vinci incorporating six scale models of his designs/inventions. Both Jordan and Ferrari Formula 1 Racing cars have also formed centrepiece exhibits.

INdustRY/EducatIoN

cooPERatIoN

the fostering of industry/education cooperation has been greatly facilitated by the exhibition, giving rise over the years to a multitude of innovation and industrial cooperative projects and pro-moting graduate placement.

the development of industry/Education links is also critical to the well-being of both responsive and pro-active engineer-ing courses.

the exhibition has also served as a major promotional tool to encourage second level students to consider careers in engineering and science with schools travelling to the event from all corners of ireland. an educational engineering event of this magnitude and multi-discipline complexity is possible only through the magnificent dedication, goodwill and indeed inspiration of many cork institute of technology staff and students.

the exhibition has also attracted sub-stantial print and electronic media attention – being featured on national television on many occasions.

cRoss-lINkagE

the exposure and cross-linkage of innovative students/projects to the major research/enterprise funding and promo-tion organisations is indeed, i believe, a most important aspect of engineering education.

Engineers ireland, Enterprise ireland, the Rubicon Innovation Centre, the Medica l Engineer ing des ign and innovation centre (MEdic), the centre for advanced Manufactur ing and Management Systems, Cork City and county Enterprise Boards have all taken major stands at the exhibition with a view to promotion of research and innovation/entrepreneurship mechanisms amongst staff and student bodies.

the exposure of students to interna-t iona l s tandards in research and development is, i believe, critical to the establishment of a world class learning and research environment and also per-forms a most important benchmarking and val idat ion role. Many of the

Awards file...

CIT Undergraduate Students David Kelleher and Ciara McKenna win Overall First and Three Awards at the22nd Annual 2010 International Medical Engineering Competition in London. Pic: Ciara McKenna, Senior Lecturer Sean F. O’Leary, David Kelleher

Kansas City, Missouri, USA: Global Student Entrepreneur 2009 FinalistAward for CIT’s Kieran O’Callaghan

Cork County and City Enterprise Boards, CIT Prize for Innovation 2010Entrepreneur of the Year 2010First Place €4,000 Award Winner: Laurence Barry of Hydrostack™Final Year Mechanical Engineering.Design and Development of anInnovative Heat Exchanger for a Chimney Flue

Enterprise Ireland/Invest Northern Ireland; Young Entrepreneur of the Year Competition 2010, National Enterprise Award €6,500 Winner: Mobilis™ of CIT; Mark Keane, Myles Murray, Gavin O’Sullivan - Mechanical Engineering

CIT 23-4.indd 3 29/11/2010 08:19:46

Education 5

international and national adjudication panels have averred to the integrated multi-disciplinary structure of the cit projects as a critical element in setting them apart from other innovation research projects.

the cooperative authoring and certifi-cation of Interdisciplinary Parallel Modules in New Product Commercialisation in conjunction with Senior Lecturers in Business Information Systems and accounting and the implementation of the delivery of these new pilot courses in September 2010 is another exciting inno-vation towards delivering a better balance in learning outcomes to the ambitious student.

WoMEN IN ENgINEERINg

the development and promulgation of much promotional material featuring female role models of cit women engi-neering graduates including international award winners Ms. niamh thompson (Queen’s Silver Jubilee Award Winner London and Siemens Engineers Ireland innovative Engineer of the Year 2004) and Ms. Kathleen Hurley (First Place for the design and development of a Biomedical Device, London and Siemens Engineers ireland innovative Engineer of the Year 2006).

National Press, Radio and Television coverage has been a significant factor in promoting these role models. the devel-opment, in conjunct ion with the Psychological Section of the Department of Education, of the women in engineer-ing promotional dVd “archimedes daughters” is an important innovation.

the just-developed Mandarin based promotional DVD “Postcard from the

Edge of Europe” by Ms. Xiao Fang Zhang, 2010 European Laureate of innovation, is to be prominently featured at the Shanghai Exposition 2010 and will appeal to a global audience. – See h t t p : / / w w w . y o u t u b e . c o m /watch?v=kbMLyErvip8

PRoMotINg ENgINEERINg

the “Engineers on the Move” promo-tional campaign, material and logo has been initiated and implemented. new engineering promotional material, includ-ing role model brochure/posters and “Engineers on the Move” tee-Shirts and baseball caps, have been developed to reflect the fundamental ethos of engi-neers as innovators and designers of all components/entities involving motion, from tiny springs to large aircraft.

the theme also encapsulates the unique ability of engineers to achieve professional employment and mobility within all sectors of industry, ranging from Biomedical/Biomechanical to Chemical/Pharmaceutical to Sustainable Energy/Environmental Engineering.

the “Engineers on the Move” cam-paign likewise avers to the strong management content of engineering and the swift movement upwards of engi-neers in management.

the cit integrated Engineering model has proven itself on many occasions over the past 20 years, has led to a great flowering of irish engineering educational achievement and will, i believe, play a major part in the recovery and future development of a powerful, vibrant, prosperous and ethical knowledge-based irish economy.

Awards file...

Enterprise Ireland / Invest Northern Ireland, Young Entrepreneur of the Year Competition 2009; Solving Problems for Industry €7,500 First Place Award Winner: Nebulaer™ Ciara McKenna – Biomedical Engineering; Luke Crowley, Kevin Gilmartin, William Murray – Mechanical Engineering

Cork Institute of Technology Prize for Innovation; Entrepreneur of the Year First Place €5,000 AwardEnterprise Ireland / Invest Northern Ireland; Young Entrepreneur of the Year Competition 2009National Award of Commendation €2,500 Prize. Winner: Rigi-Jig™ of Cork Institute of Technology, Fiona Hedderman, Damian Buttimer, William O’Shea - Mechanical Engineering; Dave Cronin - Biomedical Engineering

Enterprise Ireland / Invest Northern Ireland; Young Entrepreneur of the Year Competition 2009Cruickshank Most Technologically Innovative Project€7,500 First Place Award€20,000 Intellectual Property/ Patent Consultancy Award Winner: VisionRE™ of Cork Institute of Technology; Etaion Ni hAilpin, Norma Downing - Business Administration; Kieran O’Callaghan – Mechanical Engineering

William Butler Yeats Gold Medal presented by Mary Robinson to William Holland, CIT at the Royal Irish Academy on November 1st 2010.2010 Undergraduate Awards of Ireland and Northern Ireland, Engineering and Mechanical Sciences William Butler Yeats Gold Medal. Winner: William Holland, Mechanical Engineering, Cork Institute of Technology; Design, Modelling, Prototype Production and Testing of Innovative Sports Footwear Outsole

CIT 23-4.indd 4 29/11/2010 08:19:49

Foras na Gaeilge 23-4.indd 1 29/11/2010 08:23:40

FIND OUT MOREFor more information on any of the above programmes, please visit: www.nuigalway.ie/law

EDUCATION 7

Wide- ranging and ever- evolving options

in studying law

NUI Galway

THE options for studying law at NUI Galway are wide- ranging a n d e v e r - e v o l v i n g . T h e University’s Law School has long

had a reputation for remaining current with: developments in the jobs market, new areas of practice, and the impact of science and technology on the law. It also has an international reputation for research in human rights law and dis-ability law and policy.

The Head of the School of Law at NUI Galway, Professor Liam O'Malley, com-ments "Although there is no doubt that students will be facing into a more diffi-cult jobs market, a degree in law opens up many more options than simply prac-tice. Many senior business people, administrators and policy- makers have backgrounds in law.

PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS

"Training in the law provides: problem-solving skills, an understanding of how society functions and a capacity to pick up new information quickly; all of which are very valuable in the modern world. Many of our graduates go on to success-ful careers in practice, but many go on to work in areas that you wouldn't expect a lawyer to venture into.”

There are a number of different routes to a career in law available at NUI Galway. There is, of course, the Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) degree, which is a pure law degree aimed at those who have decided their career objectives lie in legal practice.

For those who want to mix law with a solid grounding in business, NUI Galway has created an innovative programme, the Bachelor of Corporate Law (BCorp). This combines elements of the BCL with modules from the Commerce degree offered by the Business School. It gives students the best of both worlds, equip-ping them for a career in either law or

(BComm) degree. Modules in Human Rights law are offered as part of the innovative BA Connect programme.

Those taking degrees other than the BCL who wish to go into practice as a solicitor or barrister will need to pick up some additional subjects in order to sit the entrance examinations for the rele-vant professional bodies - the Law Society of Ireland and King's Inns.

To cater for this demand, students who have studied sufficient law at under- graduate level are admitted to a special one- year version of the post- graduate LL.B. Degree, which allows them to meet all of the requirements in a short space of time.

business and preparing them to work at the highest level in major law firms.

LAW OPTIONS

However, this is not the only way in which students can mix law with other disciplines. For those who want an even broader choice of subjects, and who have not yet fixed on a definite career path, NUI Galway also offers law as a major option within the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree.

Commonly referred to as the BA in Law, the route gives students the oppor-tunity to combine law with a language, a policy- focused discipline like economics or politics, or a subject of personal inter-est such as history or classics.

Law is also an important element of the BA in Public and Social Policy. In addition, Law is also a popular option for students taking the Bachelor of Commerce

Law at NUI Galway…Be Inspired

“I will always be glad that I chose NUI Galway to study law. The staff here in my opinion are of the highest standard available,” Tara Gibbons, 2nd Year B. Corp. Law

NUI Galway is one of Ireland’s most innovative universities. Situated in the vibrant city of Galway, it is the perfect place to begin your university experience.If you’re looking for:

• A fi rst-rate degree in Law

• The opportunity to be taught by leading experts in the fi eld, and

• The chance to study at one of Ireland’s leading universities

Then, Law at NUI Galway is for YOU

For more information:Tel: 091 492389Email: law@nuigalway.ieWeb: www.nuigalway.ie/law

NUI Galway Law 23-4.indd 1 29/11/2010 08:25:15

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Education 09

BSc in Health and Society at DCU

Faculty of Science and Health, Dublin City University

the BSc in Health & Society is concerned with health matters from the cellular to the global levels and with various forms of

health action. More specifically, the course is addressed to the following kinds of questions:

• Whatkindsofbodiesarewesupposed to have? How does this relate to the society in which we live?

• Whatisitliketoexperienceillness,disability or trauma?

• Whatdeterminesthedistributionofhealth within and between societies?

• Howishealthaliveandcontroversialissue in contemporary societies?

• Whatarethevaryingformsofhealthaction at individual, community, societal and global levels?

in addressing these questions, students develop a rich understanding of health and learn how to engage in health action projects that involve doing something with a view to some positive health out-come.

Content of the Course

the BSc in Health & Society at dcu is a three year, full-time course in which the following content or student activity is included:

in addition to the university’s minimum entry requirements as outlined in the prospectus, oc3 or Hd3 in Mathematics and od3 or Hd3 in one of Physics, chemist ry, B io logy, Phys ics wi th chemistry, or agricultural Science are required.

Career ProsPeCts

this course is suitable for anyone who wishes to pursue health-related roles in overseas development, community devel-opment and the voluntary sector. Graduates of this degree will also be well placed for a future career in a health-related profession or in health research.

there are postgraduate entry routes into a variety of professions which include occupational therapy, speech therapy, medicine and health promotion. the BSc in Health & Society provides a highly suitable basis for further study in these areas.

• Biological,psycho-social, political, economic and ethical perspectives that are employed in examininghealthissues;

• Methodsofresearchinquiry into health matters;

• Developing‘healthyqualities’ and personal strengths;

• Focusonparticularhealth-relatedissues that are of contemporary significancelike‘drugsinsociety’,‘growingolder’,‘food,nutritionandhealth’and‘traumaandabuseinsociety’;

• Activeengagementinhealthactionprojects and campaigns.as part of the course, students have

ample opportunity to negotiate learning activities and project work that are per-sonally relevant and interesting. also, in the second year of the degree, there are two option modules drawn from a menu whichincludes‘interculturalcommunica-t i o n ’ , ‘ h e a l t h p s y c h o l o g y ’ a n d‘complementarytherapies’.

in keeping with the emphasis on health action, students participate in a voluntary community project in the first year of the course, design and implement a small

health campaign in the second year, and conduct a health action project as part of a dissertation in year three. through each year of the course, stu-dents also undertake modules in which they develop their own per-sona l s t rengths and ‘healthyqualities’.

find out Morefor further details Please Contact: dr. Mark Philbinschool of nursing, dCuteL: (01) 700 8543eMaiL: mark.philbin@dcu.ieWeB: www.dcu.ie/dc209

CAO Code: DC209

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Crawford College 23-4.indd 3 29/11/2010 10:05:58

Education 11

At the heart of KilkennyOrmonde College of Further Education

LocatEd at the heart of the medi-eval city, ormonde college is Kilkenny’s college of Further Education, offering the broadest

range of further education courses in the county. the college offers programmes that have been developed to provide internationally recognised qualifications to students who have completed the Leaving certificate or adults wishing to return to education to study for a quali-fication.

Further Education is a significant sector in the educational landscape of the nation and has for many years provided access routes to employment in sectors as diverse as the beauty and holistic thera-pies, childcare, exercise and health fitness, horticulture, equestrian studies, business studies and the arts. it is an ideal forum for those wishing to return to full-time education or seeking to launch a career change.

the programmes offered by the ormonde college have been developed to address current needs for innovative and creative graduates with qualifications that enable individuals to compete in the labour market and progress to Higher Level education. the college has nine

lege growing organical ly into the community.

the diversity and vibrancy of the col-lege is reflected in the fact that the campus operates two professional stan-dard Beauty therapy salons on the same campus as an animal grooming salon equipped to train students in the field of animal handling and grooming. this doubles as a commercially operated dog grooming enterprise operated by the trainees.

Kilkenny is marketed as a hub of craft and creativity and two spacious studio spaces enable students to study for awards at FEtac level 5 and 6 in Fine art. the quality of the work produced is such that end of year exhibitions are held in prominent artistic venues. the Level 6 award offers students the opportunity to study marketing and exhibition organisa-tion to supplement their artistry and creativity.

academic departments with a range of courses in animal care, Fine art, childhood Studies, Business, Exercise and Health Fitness, nursing and Healthcare, Media Studies, Security and Beauty therapy.

the deputy Principal of the college, Mr. John Kavanagh claims that the col-lege has grown significantly in terms of the number of applications it receives, the range of courses it offers and the facilities that the college operates. the college has developed gymnasium facilities to accom-modate a FEtac level 5 certificate award in Sport and Recreat ion and the certificate in Exercise and Health Fitness from the ncEF/university of Limerick. the students also use the gym and spa facilities of the local omonde Hotel in Kilkenny so that training is conducted in a real, functioning and commercial facil-ity. this year also sees the launch of an exciting partnership with Kilkenny-based Young irish Film Makers (YiFM) to run a minor award in tV and Video Production as part of a Media Studies course that already offers awards in Radio Production and Print Journalism. Mr. Kavanagh points to these initiatives as a prime example of community based adult col-

Find OUT MOREA full overview of the courses offered by the college can be obtained from www.ormondecollege.ie, or by contacting the college directly at 056 7763321, or at ormondec@eircom.net.

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letsomeoneknow.ie

HSE 23-4.indd 1 29/11/2010 10:07:51

Education 13

If you are interested in a career in social care then consider this…

Waterford Institute of Technology

Q. What do Australia and Alaska, Bantry and Bristol, California and the Channel Islands have in common?

a. these are just some of the locations around the world where Wit Social care Graduates have found work. their time in Wit has prepared them for working, in a professional capacity, with a broad range of individuals, groups and com-munities including:• Vulnerablechildren,youngpeople,

families and the elderly.• Thosewithphysicaland/or

intellectual disabilities.• Ethnicminoritiesandmarginalisedor

disadvantaged groups. in addition many of our graduates

progress to post graduate study in aca-demiaand/orassociated/specialisedprofessional fields. e.g. Social Work, Play therapy, art therapy or counselling.

the course is therefore specifically designed to facilitate those of you who wish to pursue a professional career in the field of social care. Students will study the related academic disciplines of Sociology, Psychology, Social Policy and Law. they will especially have the opportunity to engage with practice in a series of Skills Laboratories and Practice Placement in the field of Social care.

in addition, students have the oppor-tunity to integrate practice and theory in series of applied Social Studies Seminars. all practice related and Personal and Professional classes are restricted to small group size in order to maximise learning and student development.

mature students. this approach has resulted, in the past, in a rich mix of stu-dents in terms of enthusiasm and experience. (Note: All applicants must undergo Garda Vetting.)

the course is run in the department of applied arts in the School of Humanities which is, presently, located on the college Street campus. this results in a more 'intimate' atmosphere for the first time student.

as outlined there is an emphasis on both the 'academic' and 'practical' ele-ments of the course. therefore the experience of the teaching staff also reflects this diversity of subject matter, i.e. all practice subjects are taught by staff that have extensive experience of work-ing in the field. there is also a strong emphasis on research in all academic and practice related areas. in addition, stu-dents are offered a range of practical supports from administration, personal and pastoral.

the course is open to both school leav-ers (who meet the entry criteria) and

FINd OUT MOREFor more information contact us at AppliedArts@wit.ie or Humanities@wit.ie

at t h e Wa t e r f o rd i n s t i t u t e o f technology, we run a variety of legal programmes to give our students the best chance of having a career when they leave. there are 3 entry level courses available: • The 3 year B.A (Honours) in Law

degree (level 8);• The 3 year B.A (Honours) in Criminal

Justice Studies degree (level 8); • The 2 year Higher Certificate in

Legal Studies (level 6).

PROGRESSIONif you choose the 2 year Higher

certificate course, you will have the option of progressing to one of our two 1 year level 7 Law degrees followed by a one-year level 8 Legal and Business Studies degree in your fourth year of studies.

LegAL CAreerSStudents who complete a level 8 Law

degree are eligible to sit the entrance examinations for the Law Society (Solicitors’ training school) and are eli-gible for admission to the Honourable Society of King’s inns (Barristers’ training school) provided the correct subjects have been chosen during their degree course.

Many of our former law students have chosen law as a career and have used their law degree to become suc-

cessful solicitors or barristers.

NoN-LegAL CAreerSif law is not the career for you, these

programmes will be very useful in the following areas of employment:•AnGardaSíochána;•PrisonService;•ProbationService;•CivilService;•Journalism;•PostgraduatelegalstudyatMasters

andPhDlevel;•Insurance;•Banking;and•Politics.

CONTACT INFORMATIONShould you have any queries regard-

ing any of our programmes, please visit our website:www.wit.ie/Schoolsdepartments/SchoolofHumanities/deptofAppliedArts/Courses

alternatively, please contact any of the following course leaders who would be happy to deal with your query: B.A. (Hons) in Law (Elliott Payne: epayne@wit.ie)B.A. (Hons) in Criminal Justice Studies (Walter o’Leary: woleary@wit.ie)Higher Certificate in Legal Studies (Louise Walsh: lwalsh@wit.ie)

Q: Not sure what degree to choose?A: Choose a degree that gives you

options – choose LAW at WIT

WIT Law & Social Care 23-4.indd 1 30/11/2010 09:55:23

14 Education

How flexible learning can help you build a better future and open up new employment opportunities

Flexible Learning

Education has long been appre-ciated in ireland. From the days of the hedge schools through the introduction of free secondary

education in the 1960s to the present where we have one of the highest par-ticipation rates in higher education in the world, education has been recognised as a life and society changing force. But, the problem of catering for adult part-time learners remains a problem, one which we aim to address with the introduction of www.bluebrick.ie.

Whilst we have one of the highest participation rates in higher education in the world for school leavers we have very low levels of educational attainment for

fications but also adults who thought their schooling ended a long time ago. Enter another problem. our educational system is structured to meet the needs of school leavers and not adults.

Aimed At school leAvers

ireland has a relatively low proportion of students registered as part time. We should not be surprised. Most education

people over the age of 35 compared to the rest of Europe and other developed regions.

ignoring the needs of adult learners was not a problem in the past as the structure of our economy provided a huge selection of employment opportuni-ties for those with various skill levels. ignoring the needs of adults is no longer an option. Because of the pressures of globalisation, the move towards the knowledge economy and ageing, our society needs an increasingly larger pro-portion of its population skilled to a higher level than is currently the case.

this means that it is not just school leavers who should aim for higher quali-

By Dr. Richard ThornDirector of Flexible Learning, Institutes of Technology Ireland

Future Flexible

Carl Cleverdon – tradesman who decided to upskill

i'm a self employed electri-cian and in the past few years work has been on the decline, rather than sitting around doing nothing i decided to look into upskilling.

When i looked for electri-cian jobs on various job sites and in the newspapers i dis-covered there were probably about four jobs nationwide, however when i looked at

electrical engineers there were probably four hundred and four! the difference was phe-nomenal.

the specification for the engineering jobs included everything that i was already capable of doing but didn’t have the qualifications for so i decided to up-skill and get the qua l i f i cat ions i needed. up-skilling would open many

more employment opportuni-ties for me so it was a fairly easy decision.

i found that the institute of technology Blanchardstown had very good facilities, the workshops are well maintained and there's a lot of equipment to hand. the whole experi-ence really opened up my eyes to how far education has come in terms of trade jobs.

Flexible Learning 23-4.indd 1 29/11/2010 10:32:33

Education 15

For generations,

Ireland has

ignored the

needs of adult

and part-time

learners,

focusing mostly

on meeting the

needs of people

who leave the

education system

at age 21 or 22.

David McGowan – Professional Rugby Player

In 2003 when I completed my leaving cert I attended Athlone Institute of Technology where I studied Civil Engineering.

during this time i was training full-time with connacht Rugby and was also on the irish u-19 team. the severity of my training regime and the time spent travelling left me with very little time for my academic pursuits. the time had come to make a choice, i could only play for the irish u-21 team while i was under 21 but i knew that i could resume my academic career at a later date.

after completing my first year with atlantique Stade Rochelais (La Rochelle, France) i decided that the time was right to continue my education but was unable to do so in the French system.

a friend suggested online learning and informed me of Sligo it’s online learning facility. after researching pos-sible courses and talking with other online students i decided to pursue a course in Manufacturing Management with Sligo it.

throughout the course my lecturers, the staff at the college and my fellow

students have been very helpful and accommodating. i hope to complete my course at the end of the current aca-demic year and may well pursue other courses online in the future.

courses are designed to meet the needs of school leavers who have few family responsibilities, who march through the system full of the confidence that goes with being young and who can afford to devote most, if not all, of their time to studying and socialising.

the prospective adult learner, in con-trast, is confronted with a whole range of disincentives and concerns. Who will mind the children? Will i be able for this? Will i be able to afford this? i was not very good in school so why should i be

any better now? Will i be able to balance my family responsibilities with study or am i being selfish in even thinking that i can? Will i not embarrass myself going into a classroom with bright, intelligent students who are much younger than i am?

Enter a solution; forget old ideas about classroom based learning and start think-ing about learning flexibly – information on these courses is available on www.bluebrick.ie.

IT's AbouT ThE lEArnEr

Flexible learning is not e-learning or distance learning or part-time learning or online learning: it is all of these, and more. Flexible learning is about education that is at a pace and in a place that meets the needs of the learner and not neces-s a r i l y t h e n e e d s o f e d u c a t i o n provider – the school, college or univer-sity.

Flexible learning may be as simple as having a classroom based activity on a

bluebrick.ie allows you to search and compare hundreds of accredited courses from 14 Institutes of Technology. The website is a unique tool which will allow members of the public who are interested in developing their career oppor-tunities to find a course to best fit their schedule.

the site has several key functions, all of which have been designed to be highly user-friendly.

the search function allows visitors to simply enter their query on the home page, or alternatively the advanced search option allows a more specific search such as institution, learning method, or location.

the comparison function allows visitors to save courses of interest to them, and compare them side-by-side, a crucial function to allow comparison of costs and duration of courses.

online application is a core feature of the site, allowing

visitors to conveniently and speedily apply online for any of the courses available.

a unique feature of BlueBrick.ie is the course recommenda-tion system, which automatically generates recommendations for visitors which might be relevant to their needs which is generated through the use of various technologies.

BlueBrick.ie shows people a better way forward: a more flexible way to build better career prospects.

Fact File:

BlueBrick.ie – It’s time to click the brick

>>>

Flexible Learning 23-4.indd 2 29/11/2010 10:34:27

BALLYHAISE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGECO CAVAN

COURSES CONDUCTED:

AGRICULTURE:• FETAC Certifi cate in Agriculture – Levels 5 & 6• FETAC Certifi cate in Agriculture – Levels 5 & 6 (part-time)• FETAC Advanced Certifi cate in Dairy Herd Management• HETAC – Joint course in Agricultural Science with Dundalk Institute of Technology- National Certifi cate in Agriculture (2 years)- Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (3 years – Pass)- Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (4 years – Hons)

FORESTRY:

• FETAC Certifi cate in Forestry – 2 years, (Levels 5 & 6)

For further information please contact:

College Principal - Tel. No. (049) 4338108 e-Mail: ballyhaise.college@teagasc.ie

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St. Angela's College, SligoColáiste San Aingeal, SligeachA College of the National University of Ireland, Galway

University Learning in a Unique College Environment

Contact • T: 071 9135658 • E: schoolsinfo@stangelas.nuigalway.ie www.stangelas.nuigalway.ie

• AS052 Bachelor of Arts (Health & Disability Studies) (new for 2011)• AS051 Bachelor of Applied Science in Food and Business Management (new for 2011)• AS001 Bachelor of Education: Home Economics with Biology• AS002 Bachelor of Education: Home Economics with Religious Education• AS003 Bachelor of Education: Home Economics with Irish• AS004 Bachelor of Education: Home Economics with Economics • AS110 Bachelor of Nursing Science – General• AS111 Bachelor of Nursing Science – General (Mature Students)• AS130 Bachelor of Nursing Science – Intellectual Disability• AS131 Bachelor of Nursing Science – Intellectual Disability (Mature Students)• GY120 Bachelor of Arts (Environment and Society/Youth and Family Studies)

St Angela’s College, Sligo also offers a range of programmes at Postgraduate Level, Adult and Continuing Education Programmes, Professional Development Modules as well as an Access/Foundation Course.

Visit www.stangelas.nuigalway.ie for more details

The recently established Centre for Lifelong

Learning (CLL) provides a wide range of fl exible programmes and skills training to adults on a part-time basis involving customised training and learning opportunities to suit both individual and organizational needs.

Visit www.cll.ie for more information.

Page 16.indd 1 29/11/2010 08:36:39

Education 17

Find OUT MOREWeb: www.bluebrick.ie Tel: 01 708 2954Email: info@bluebrick.ie.

Michelle McMahon – Studied part time on a self funded basis

My academic achievement is something i can be very proud of due to the fact that all my academic achieve-ments are self-funded and based on part-time study due to personal circumstances.

in 1990, 3 months before i started my full-time degree in the university of ulster, my s ister and brother were involved in a near fatal car accident, which left my sister confined to a wheel chair for the rest of her life.

With my sister being only 11 months older than me, i was left devastated and shat-t e r e d b y t h e e n t i r e

experience. as the 2nd child in a family of 9 i felt a huge sense of responsibility to be at home helping my parents instead of being a financial burden. So i quickly dropped out of college and returned home.

at 18 years of age, i took a local job with dunnes Stores as an administrator and eventually i moved into a Personnel Management position and then finally into a Recruitment consultancy role before relocating to the Republic of ireland and set-ting up a home and family.

Eventually in 2007, just

after i had my third little girl, i returned to education part-time where i attended dKit and successfully achieved a high 2.1 result in a BBS spe-cializing in HRM. With my

degree in hand i then applied for a M.Sc. in organisational Psychology/Behaviour in dcu. i could really identify with a program which would present me with the oppor-tunity to work in an area of business which i used to only dream about.

the experience of return-i n g t o e d u c a t i o n h a s empowered me as a person and brought me on a journey which i find most fulfilling and rewarding. i love to study and learn; i also feel very strongly about getting the most out of every day and every given opportunity

Sinead Worth – Mature student & mum to five kids

i aM married and have five children. around three years ago i made a deci-sion to apply through the CaO for the Psychiatric nursing degree programme at GMiT Castlebar. i worked as a care assistant for more than 16 years and it seemed to be a natural next step. it just took me a bit longer than most to get round to it.

the process for a mature applicant for a nursing programme can be a lengthy one. You have to pass an aptitude test and also an interview. Places are limited and competition is high so i was delighted to secure a place.

the college offers a wide range of

support structures and for mature stu-dents this is really invaluable, especially when it comes to study tips, and finan-cial and career advice.

the campus is warm and friendly and because of smaller student numbers compared to bigger colleges i consider it to be a very conducive learning envi-ronment.

My biggest challenge so far is, like many other mature students, juggling family life with my studies. i do however have a great support network.

overall the decision to return to col-lege is one of the best decisions i have ever made.

Saturday morning instead of a tuesday afternoon because that is when it suits most learners.

Flexible learning may be as sophisti-cated as a full Masters programme online where you can study at your own pace and where visits to the college or univer-sity or are minimal, maybe as little as once per term.

irish higher education institutions are converting more and more of their pro-grammes to flexible delivery and the numbers studying flexibly are growing the whole time. a big problem up until now has been finding out about these flexible programmes, but we have now addressed this with BlueBrick.ie.

OnE sTOP shOP

BlueBrick.ie is a government funded initiative, developed by the institutes of technology to provide a ‘one stop shop’ service for people interested in flexible learning.

the website provides information on over 400 higher education, non full-time, accredited programmes. on the site you can filter and compare the courses by institute and method of delivery (online, part time, etc).

there is also an online application facil-ity. the service is free of charge, so if you’re interested in finding out more, go online and “click the brick”! Many of our flexible learners have gone on to change their lives, and we encourage you to check out the site, and the course options available, to build a better future for yourself.

>>>

Flexible Learning 23-4.indd 3 29/11/2010 10:34:52

NursiNg aNd social studies iN gMit @ castleBarBachelor of science (Honours) in general NursingCourse Codes:GA880 (Standard Applicants) • GA881 (Mature Applicants)Places: 25 • Course Duration: 4 years • NQAI Level: 8

Bachelor of science (Honours) in Psychiatric NursingCourse Codes:GA882 (Standard Applicants) • GA883 (Mature Applicants)Places: 15 • Course Duration: 4 years • NQAI Level: 8

Certificate in Science (Nursing) Special Purpose Award Apply direct to Department of Nursing & Health SciencesPlaces: 30 • Course Duration: 13 weeks, every Tuesday from 11th January 2011NQAI Level: 7

Bachelor of science (Honours) in Nursing(One year add-on part time degree)Apply direct to the Department of Nursing & Health SciencesPlaces: 30 • Duration: One year • NQAI Level: 8

Recovery in Mental Health – Special Purpose Award(13 week, 10 credit module)Apply directly to the Department of Nursing & Health SciencesPlaces 30. Course. Duration 13 weeks. Every Tuesday from Sept 14th 2010.NQAI Level 8.

Bachelor of Arts (Ordinary) in Applied Social Studies Part timeApply direct to the Department of Nursing & Health SciencesPlaces: 40 • Duration: 2 years • NQAI Level: 7

This programme will be delivered on a part time basis over 2 academic years on Friday afternoons.

Entry Requirements: The requirement is a higher certificate in applied social studies or equivalent with a minimum of 2 years’ experience in social care work. Applicants must be over 23 years old. It is also available through ACCS mode.

Bachelor of Arts (Ordinary) in Applied Social Studies Full TimeCourse Code: GA879Places: 30 • Course Duration: 3 years • NQAI Level: 7

Entry Requirements: Entry will be in accordance with the current GMIT admissions policy for entry to Bachelor of Arts (Ordinary) Level 7 programmes.

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Applied Social Studies Part TimeApply direct to the Department of Nursing & Health SciencesPlaces: 30 • Course Duration: 2 years • NQAI Level: 8

The programme will be delivered on a part-time basis over 2 academic years on one afternoon per week. It is designed to prepare the student for professional practice and to enhance the student’s employability as a basis for a long-term professional career in a broad range of social care settings, youth work, community development and interpersonal services.

Entry Requirements: BA (Ordinary) in Applied Social Studies or equivalent. It is also available through ACCS mode.

Further information:Visit our website www.gmit.ie/campus/castlebar or telephone: 094 9043141/3192

GMIT Nursing 23-4.indd 1 29/11/2010 08:48:56

Education 19

Nursing - current and future

challenges

Galway Mayo Institute of Technology @ Castlebar

MaYo is the third largest county in i re land and castlebar is the county town with a population of

10,655 with an additional 6,185 in the urban area.

castlebar is a busy town with good infra structure and many businesses cov-ering a vast spectrum of products and services. Students can avail of a wide range of facilities in castlebar including swimming, bowling, golf, horse-riding, tennis, and cinema. the town is only a 15 minute drive from the beautiful coastal town of Westport which provides for a variety of water sports.

the Ga lway Mayo ins t i tu te o f technology at castlebar is located on approximately 20 hectares of land less than 10 minutes walk from the town centre. the institute with its extensive mature grounds and elegant buildings constitutes a pleasant and productive environment for study. there are over 1300 students currently studying at castlebar not just from around ireland but from many countries outside of ireland also.

Ten years of experience

the department of nursing & Health Sciences is now operating ten years. Having first opened its doors in 2000, it was 2008 which marked the first year of activity following the transformation of St. Mary’s Psychiatric Hospital in to a third level academic institution now known as the Galway Mayo institute of technology @ castlebar. Within this building lies the department of nursing & Health Sciences.

Registration with an Bord altranais is essential in order to practice as a nurse in ireland. Here in GMit @ castlebar, we provide for undergraduate degrees in

to enhance their qualifications by under-taking a certificate in Science (nursing) Special Purpose award and /or a Level 8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in nursing as appropriate.

the function of the certificate in Science (nursing) Special Purpose award programme is to afford registered nurses from all disciplines an opportunity to study to degree level and beyond. critical thinking and reflective practice are enhanced with opportunities provided to explore and develop existing nursing and related scientific knowledge. Progression from this award may then lead to the Bachelor of Sciences (Honours) in nursing.

Stand alone modules are also offered. an example is 'Recovery in Mental Health', which is a 10 credit, level 8 mod-ule which enables students to develop an independent working knowledge of the

both General and Psychiatric nursing. these degrees deliver a curriculum, which prepares students not only to be gradu-ates from Higher Education but also fit for practice, purpose award and profes-s i ona l s t and ing a t t he po in t o f registration.

You will be able to respond to the cur-rent and future challenges of an ever changing health care sector. the degree is the first stage in pursuing a career in either of these disciplines of nursing.

this undergraduate degree is a four year programme which enables students to develop knowledge, skills and profes-sional practice. the curriculum also provides for lifelong learning, and encour-ages ref lect ive practice to enable identification of future training needs.

the department provides for a variety of teaching and learning methodologies including lectures, tutorials, group work, and practical exercises amongst others. clinical placements form much of the four year course undertaken in a variety of health care agencies to include Mayo General Hospital, Roscommon county Hospital, Galway clinic, Bon Secours Hospital, and Galway Hospice for the General programme and Mayo Mental Health Services and other external agen-cies outside co. Mayo for the Psychiatric programme.

Year four of each programme provides for 36 weeks in the clinical environment whereby students become “interns” and are paid employees of the health service. these Health care agencies are integral to the successful delivery of both pro-grammes.

enHanceD opporTUniTies

the department also offers registered nurses, who trained in the old apprentice-ship or diploma model, the opportunity

By Geraldine MurrayHead of Department of Nursing and Health Sciences

GMIT @ Castlebar

GMIT Nursing 23-4.indd 2 29/11/2010 08:49:16

Find OUT MORE

department of nursing & Health Sciences, GMiT, Westport Road, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.www.gmit.ie/campus/castlebar

Geraldine Murray (Head of department) nursing & Health SciencesTel: 094 9043249/3141E-mail: Geraldine.murray@gmit.ie

ivana neary (dept Administrator)Tel; 094-9043141 / 3192E-mail; ivana.neary@gmit.ie

principles and practice of recovery for the mental health user and also to critically evaluate the range of skills necessary to work innovatively with service users, car-ers and their families.This module is aimed at all mental health workers in areas of rehabilitation and recovery.

The Department of Nursing & Health Sciences also offers a Bachelor of Arts, Level 7 and Level 8 (Ordinary and Honours) in Applied Social Studies, both on a part time and full time basis. This course opens up new opportunities for school leavers and for mature students to

have fulfilling and challenging careers in the social care sector.

Both programmes help prepare stu-dents for social care practice in a structured and supported setting with a wide variety of work areas such as people with disabilities, childcare, youth work, community development, members of the traveller community, homeless people, elderly people, asylum seekers and many more. Both programmes are internation-ally recognised so it not just equips people to work in Ireland but many other coun-tries worldwide.

Men and women entering these pro-fessions can look forward to graduating with a career for life from a professional, financial and personal perspective and be highly regarded members of the com-munity

All lecturing staff within the depart-ment have worked in various areas of nursing and social care for many years and will share their experience and exper-tise with all students so that they will be highly qualified and trained to work to excellent standards both as nurses and social care professionals.

Increasingly our department is looking outwards and embracing international collaborations and opportunities.

n The staff at the Nursing & Health Studies Department at GMIT

20 EDucATION

HELPfor god’s sakE,

givE a LittLE

Support your local SVP collection or

send what you can to:

Po Box 1234, dublin 1.

GMIT Nursing 23-4.indd 3 01/12/2010 11:39:00

Education 21

Quality in montessori educationCollege of Progressive Education & Montessori Education Centre

thE col lege of Progress ive Education established in 1986 is based in Blackrock a leafy suburb of dublin. the college has been

the leader in care training in the country since its foundation and currently delivers FEtac Level 5 and 6 internationally rec-ognised, accredited programmes in the areas of childcare, Montessori and healthcare.

pursue a career in care. in the current challenging employment

market there is clear evidence that the employment opportunities for many of the college graduates is as strong now as it was in the height of the economic boom. the new EccE scheme is giving rise to an increase in demand for trained childcare practitioners as is the changing population profile giving rise to an increase in demand for trained healthcare assistants.

Students who have attended the college are well regarded in their sector and have found it relatively easy to secure permanent employment. Students will find all the support they need from the highly trained college staff.

the programmes are on the national Framework of Qualifications, which gives students the valuable option to progress their studies in the future in one of ireland’s renowned third level colleges.

Recognising the cao route is not suited to every student the college has over the years developed a range of high quality full time vocational based training programmes for learners who wish to

Find OUT MOREFor further information on the College programmes contact irene Keane the Principal on Tel: 01 4884302 or Email: irene@progressivecollege.com.

Progressive College 23-4.indd 1 29/11/2010 11:58:46

22 Education

A novel solution to scarce computer resources

HP customer case study:Presentation Girls’ Primary School, Maynooth

PrEsEntation Girls' Primary school in Maynooth, co. Kildare, ireland is a catholic primary school catering for girls from

ages four to thirteen, as well as running pre-school classes for children with autism.

it seeks to provide a broad and bal-anced education in an atmosphere of mutual respect with an appreciation of the individual needs of pupils, staff, par-ents and the wider community. at present, the school caters for 465 pupils.

the teaching staff consists of an administrative principal, 17 mainstream teachers, five resource teachers and two language support teachers. the school has a pleasant, happy working atmo-sphere and its motto is "aoibhinn Beatha

an scolaire" which means school days are Happy days.

Outdated cOmputer facilities hamper learning

Presentation school had a dedicated computer room as well as a number of Pcs in classrooms, but it was clear that the computing resources were not being used to their full potential and that a number of issues surrounded the set up of the computer room, which housed 19 Pcs – the maximum number that could fit in the small space.

this posed a number of problems for the school. Most significantly for class sizes ranging from 28 to 35, meaning that some pupils would have to share a com-puter. not only did this result in crowded

teaching conditions, but the combined heat generated by the Pcs in the con-fined space made the room stuffy and unpleasant.

in addition to this, the power often tripped due to the drain on the electricity feed, so it became clear to it administra-tor and Year Five teacher, ann Kelly, that the room in its current state was not fit for teaching purposes.

“teachers had become reluctant to use the computer room because it couldn’t cater for every pupil, and the fact that the Pcs were running all day in an enclosed environment made it very warm.

"in addition, the vast amount of cabling presented a health and safety risk,” explains Mrs Kelly. “Plus, Pcs were out of date with some of the network Pc’s running Microsoft Windows 2000. it became clear that we needed to revamp the facilities in order to provide a welcoming learning space.”

Following a recent extension to the school, it was provided with a small bud-get to provide it equipment for the newly built classrooms, as well as a new, larger room to serve as the computer lab. However, this room was only equipped with four Local area network ports, mak-ing connectivity a major issue. this provided the impetus to rethink its approach to it.

“We had the larger room but there was no way we could use it to connect the number of Pcs we needed,” adds Mrs Kelly. “We were seriously considering shutting down the computing facilities for a term and moving back to the smaller, less comfortable room in the new school year,” says Mrs Kelly.

a new apprOach tO cOmputers in schOOls

HP Project Manager and parent of one of the Presentation school’s pupils, tyrone Williams, was familiar with the HP Multiseat solution and came up with a novel solution for the school. the Pc sharing solution extends the student computing environment by delivering the

HP 23-4.indd 1 30/11/2010 11:46:21

Education 23

Objective:Presentation Girls’ Primary School wanted to modernise its computing facilities, while minimising environmental impact and reducing costs.

Approach:the school worked with HP to deploy an HP MultiSeat solution that allows it to almost double the number of Pc seats in the computer lab with minimal expenditure.

IT improvements:n Four HP MultiSeat units make administration, management and support much easier.n Less cabling results in a safer learning environment for pupils.n nineteen power-hungry Pcs have now been reduced to four easi ly administered HP Multi- Seats.

Business benefits:n the computer room can now cater for even the largest class, ensuring all pupils get a dedicated terminal.n the reduction in energy use will save the school an estimated e8 per day.n With much less heat generated, the learning environment is more pleasant, less cluttered and now much more conducive to teaching.

familiar, reliable experience of a dedicated Pc to multiple users for maximum cost savings, management and power effi-ciency.

Presentation School opted for four HP ms6000 MultiSeat units, installed by HP partner net communications, each sup-porting up to eight users on widescreen HP LE1851w monitors. By retaining three of the existing Pcs, the school could meet its goal of catering for the largest class which is made up of 35 pupils. the remaining Pcs were either decommis-sioned or distributed among the new classrooms, meaning all classrooms are now prepared for the interactive white-board technology that the school hopes to roll out next year.

Reaping the RewaRds of Multiseat coMputing

now, instead of having 19 power-hungry Pcs to manage in the computer room, there are four easily administered HP MultiSeats; the benefits were immedi-ate and significant

“Most importantly, the largest class can

now ensure that every pupil will have access to their own screen. But there are numerous other advantages,” continues Mrs Kelly. “the room is much less clut-tered with more space for pupils and because there are only four Pcs, the heat emission is reduced and with it the energy costs. administration is also easier because applications need only be installed in each MultiSeat.”

the MultiSeats run a number of appli-cations, including Microsoft office and a range of educational tools.

Presentation Girls’ Primary is also a Green Flag School, which means that environmental considerations play a key role in decision-making. the new solution has helped the school reduce its energy consumption and save money. it is esti-mated that, courtesy of the new solution, the school saves €8.00 every day it is open – over the course of a year that adds up to considerable savings.

Hardware performance has also not been an issue for the School. “Even with eight pupils streaming live video from eight different websites, there is no appreciable deterioration in service,” concludes Mrs Kelly.

“as far as the pupil is concerned, the experience is identical to using a dedi-cated Pc. it has also helped our children learn about networking and gain a broader knowledge of how computers work. Given we don’t actually teach it as a subject, this is an invaluable bonus.”

as a result of the success of the deploy-ment Presentation Girl’s Primary School’s sister establishment, Maynooth Boys’ Primary School will also be rolling out a

HP MultiSeat platform to support its computer room.for more information call our partner net communications on 1890 89 89 89

HP 23-4.indd 2 30/11/2010 11:46:33

24 Education

The Trinity Experience - Nursing & Midwifery in TCD

Nursing & Midwifery

trinity college dublin is ireland’s leading university, consistently topping university rankings in ireland and rating highly amongst

other European universities. the School of nursing & Midwifery in tcd was recently evaluated by an international panel of experts as “the leading institu-t ion within ireland” in nursing & Midwifery education & research. We in the School of nursing & Midwifery are always interested in hearing what the real experts have to say – our students!

We asked four first year students, Eoin Macarthur and Saoirse collins from dublin, abbey deane from donegal, and Lisa Kirwan from Westmeath about their experiences as a Fresher in tcd.

How are you settling in as a new nursing student?

Saoirse: i’m settling in very well and a lot of that is down to the societies and the activities set up to get us socialising together the second you are in the first day of Fresher’s week. Lisa: i found it a bit overwhelming, but the lecturers and everyone are really help-ful. and you know there are loads of people you can go to if you need help. Eoin: i just found it real easy, i haven’t been going to any of the society things

of people in lectures and you meet dif-ferent people every day. and then with the clubs and societies, i’ve started fenc-ing which is absolutely brilliant, i’ve met so many different people in college. you meet a whole different range of people, and also it’s not even just first years, i’ve met fourth years too, people all different ages.Lisa: My favourite part of the course so far has been the clinical skills labs, because they’re very practical, and espe-cially for nursing you’re getting into exactly what its actually going to be like as a nurse.

What attracted you to a career in nurs-ing?Saoirse: i see it as a vocation, a calling, so i guess it was to work with people and help people.Lisa: For me it was because i wanted to care for the person as a whole, both physically and emotionally, i want to be more of a carer as well as a curer. its also about meeting people, people from all walks of life, that’s what i’m looking for in my career.Eoin: taking care of people, anytime i’ve been in hospital its been the nurses that make me feel alright about it and i just wanted to do that for other people.Abbey: i want to be a nurse and in trinity especially. also with nursing you can go

but you meet people so easy on the nurs-ing course because you’re just sitting beside different people every day and getting to know them and everybody’s so friendly.

As part of your orientation did you get information on where to go if you needed advice or support?Lisa: the course co-ordinators informed us about the different services, like coun-selling services, disability services and others, so if you ever need anything you know where to go. Abbey: i just find that there is so much help, you can talk to other students, or the course coordinators, or nightline which you can just ring up, there’s so many different things on offer.

What have been the highlights of your experience so far?

Lisa: For me the highlight was the people because i had this vision of college being a place full of people who don’t care about you but i was mistaken because everyone and anywhere i go is so lovely. i didn’t think there’d be a much help in college as there actually is and as much support. i don’t feel as scared as i was at the start. Abbey: yeah, i find that too definitely, the people are really nice, coz i’ve met loads

Trinity Coll Nursing 23-4.indd 1 29/11/2010 12:00:13

Education 25

School of Nursing &Midwifery

T1006 half page A4 90 x 270

Ireland’s leading School of Nursing & Midwifery delivers acomprehensive range of nursing & midwifery courses for studentsentering the profession whilst also offering lifelong learningopportunities for qualified health care professionals.Undergraduate registration courses:• Bachelor in Science (Nursing) / B.Sc. (Cur.) in 4

disciplines:- General Nursing (CAO codes, TR091, TR092, TR093,

TR094)- Psychiatric Nursing (CAO codes, TR095, TR096)- Intellectual Disability Nursing (CAO codes, TR097, TR098)- Integrated Children’s and General Nursing (CAO codes

TR911, TR912)• Bachelor in Science (Midwifery) / B.Sc. (A. Obs.)

(CAO codes TR913, TR914)Postgraduate courses:• M.Sc. in Nursing/ PG Dip in Professional Nursing

Studies (Options in Clinical Health Sciences Education &Advancing Clinical Skills: Clinical diagnostic skills forAdvanced Nurse Practitioners in Emergency Nursing)

• M.Sc. in Midwifery/ PG Dip in Professional MidwiferyStudies (Option in Clinical Health Sciences Education)

• M.Sc./PG Dip in Gerontological Nursing (in associationwith St. James’s Hospital)

• M.Sc./PG Dip in Cancer Care (in association with St. Luke’sHospital, Rathgar)

• M.Sc./PG Dip in Mental Health (in association with theNational Forensic Mental Health Service)

• M.Sc./ PG Dip in Mental Health – Child, Adolescent andFamily Strand (in association with St. Patrick’s UniversityHospital)

• M.Sc./PG Dip in Palliative Care (in association with StFrancis Hospice, Raheny)

• PG Dip in Clinical Health Sciences Education• M.Sc./PG Dip in Dementia• Higher Diploma in Children’s Nursing (R.C.N) (in

association with National Children’s Hospital, AMNCH,Tallaght)

• Higher Diploma in Midwifery (R.M.) (in association withThe Rotunda Hospital and The Coombe Women’s andInfant’s University Hospital)

• Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Nursing (see the widerange of specialities available at our website)

Research Degrees• M.Sc. by research• Ph.D.Funding opportunities for Ph.D. students may be available. Forinformation, please contact the School. Further information on all our courses is available at www.nursing-midwifery.tcd.ieSchool of Nursing & MidwiferyUniversity of Dublin, Trinity College24 D’Olier Street, Dublin 2+353 (0)1 608 2692nursing.midwifery@tcd.iewww.nursing-midwifery.tcd.ie

into anything and you can go to any part of the world, so it’s the perfect job! and especially with the reputation trinity has, it opens doors for you all over the world.

Why did you choose to study at TCD?

Lisa: trinity is right in the city centre, so i thought that was really handy, it’s so accessible, the facilities are fantastic, there are so many societies, and as well the history of trinity.Saoirse: i was looking at other colleges, and other places were just way too big and really impersonal whereas when i got to trinity it’s like a village and chances are you’re going to see somebody again if you see them in say the Buttery…it feels like a community.Abbey: My sister is in second year and just everything she said basically advertised it to me.Lisa: trinity and especially nursing in trinity, is recognised all around the world. also in nursing in trinity we have a higher standard of education that means there’s more expected of us. i know some people will think that’s a bad thing, but personally i think it’s a good thing because it motivates you more, it pushes you to do better.Eoin: My sister just got her degree from trinity so i was always like trinity, yeah! i just prefer it to other dublin universities which are more out-of-the-way, whereas in town there’s so many different colleges here you can meet up with friends who are in different colleges. My decision was just ucd or trinity because i didn’t want to leave dublin and i’m glad i got trinity, my number one choice.

What are your career aspirations?

Saoirse: i can’t wait to get travelling. i want to go everywhere, i want to see everything! and that’s what’s great about nurs-ing, you can see everywhere. Maybe i’ll come back to ireland, move on with my education but i think i want to end up liv-ing in another country, settling down there. i want to do everything in nursing that i can, i want to get to the highest level.Abbey: I think probably travel. i’m not certain but the great thing about it is that you have so many different areas in nursing, you’re not just stuck with the one. i might like to do children’s nursing after because i’m doing general now and i’ll see what it’s like.Lisa: the lecturers talk about nursing research and that might be interesting. the future is research to be honest. i know a few people who have done their degree and came back here and done masters so i think trinity is a popular place. they kind of push you to do the best you can and that’s what i like.

the School is commit-ted to excellence in education, research and in training students to deliver quality care and lead improvements and innovat ions in i r ish Healthcare. For more information about the School and our courses and to read the inter-view in full, including the student’s views on the School and post-graduate opportunities, log on to www.nursing-midwifery.tcd.ie

Trinity Coll Nursing 23-4.indd 2 29/11/2010 12:00:29

Suppliers of quality cleaning and hygiene products, paper products and refuse sacks. n Irish owned Company. n We offer competitive prices n Quality products n Excellent delivery service. n Personal service. Unit 2, Bray South Business Park,Killarney Road, BrayCo Wicklow P: 01-276 0930 • F: 01-276 0933

www.irishdistributors.com

Page 26.indd 1 29/11/2010 08:44:46

IADT: Creating FuturesDun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology

IADT’s vision is to be at the forefront of teaching, research and innovation at the convergence of the arts, technology and enterprise, and to contribute to Ireland’s development as a creative knowledge economy. IADT graduates are well-placed to contribute to economic, social and cultural development.

IADT offers unique Level 7 and Level 8 Degrees in Computing, Animation and Visual Communication Design with career opportuni-ties in multimedia, games development, e-learning, software development, web design, graphic design, etc. Also on offer are a Level 8 Degree in Model Making, Design and Digital Effects and a Level 7 Degree in Audio Visual Media Technology.

Application to these programmes in through the CAO. Please note that the degrees in Animation and Model Making require the submis-sion of a portfolio to IADT as part of the entry requirements.

IADT's learning environment caters for students as individuals. Small class groups, a project-oriented approach and a continuous assess-ment process ensure a high level of learning support. IADT students enjoy excellent library, computing, studio, sports and other specialist facilities. The Digital Media Incubation Centre houses start-up com-panies and provide opportunities for graduate entrepreneurs.

A comprehensive range of student services (counselling, career guidance, assistive technology, writing and research, etc) is offered to IADT students. And the growing number of clubs and societies make campus life even more colourful, catering for all interests from rugby, soccer, hockey, jugger, martial arts and GAA to music, film, and computer games.

FInD OUT MOREDun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and TechnologyKill Avenue, Dun Laoghaire, Co. DublinTel: (01) 239 4000; Email: info@iadt.ie; www.iadt.ie

Excellent Degree OptionsUCD School of Agriculture, Food Science & Veterinary Medicine

ThE UCD School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine is the only academic institution in Ireland that delivers education and research on the complete food chain from initial on-farm production through processing to final

consumption by the consumer. With 14 highly recognised CAO pathways available for 2011 entry, there are lots of options for students to choose from.

Feeding and caring for a growing population, provision of energy and protection of the environment are the biggest global challenges facing society and these are areas where UCD Agriculture, Food and Nutrition graduates play a central role. All programmes have a new CAO code for 2011 entry and the options available are:

Agricultural Science, DN250; Agri-Environmental Sciences, DN250 AES; Animal and Crop Production, DN250 ACP; Animal Science, DN250 ASC; Engineering Technology, DN250 ENT; Food and Agribusiness Management, DN250 FAM; Animal Science - Equine, DN251; Dairy Business, DN252; Food Science, DN261; human Nutrition, DN262; Forestry, DN271 and horticulture, Landscape and Sportsturf Management, DN272.

UCD Veterinary Medicine is the only centre for veterinary medical education in Ireland and enjoys a long and proud tradition. Students undertaking the Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Nursing pro-grammes at UCD enjoy excellent facilities and the UCD Veterinary Medicine programme has been granted full accreditation by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), which is recog-nised as the 'gold standard' in veterinary education. Options available are: Veterinary Medicine, DN300 and Veterinary Nursing, DN310.

This year’s UCD Open Days take place on Friday 10th December (10am-4pm) and Saturday 11th December (10am-2pm) and pro-spective students can visit the following website at www.ucd.ie/myucd to plan their day and find out more about the wide range of activities scheduled to take place.

Page 27.indd 1 29/11/2010 12:37:38

Travel the world with GMIT

Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT)

THE Hotel School in GMIT is a leading provider of Hotel, Tourism and Culinary Arts programmes in Ireland, and many of our graduates pursue international careers.

Students can opt for a two year higher certificate, a three year degree, or a four year honours degree programme - the choices are endless. Students on most degree programmes undertake a 12 week work placement at the end of year one. This is followed by a 30 week international work placement in year two. Recent placement locations for students include the USA, China, New Zealand, Russia and many European destinations.

Graduates from the Hotel School can be found in every corner of the globe, for example:

• Catherine Toolan - Executive Director, International Sports Events, ARAMARK (Head of catering operations, 2008 Beijing Olympics)

• Sean Worker - Chief Executive Officer at Bridge Street Worldwide, USA

• Jim Murphy – Managing Director Prem Group, Ireland

If you are interested in finding out more about our programmes and how they might help you develop an international career, log on to www.gmit.ie/thehotelschool

NEW! Hotel School Video: The Hotel School recently launched a new video which features staff and students from the school. Check it out on the website.

Jump start your career with a qualifi cation from the Hotel School GMIT,

and travel the world

The Hotel School at Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) invites you to consider the world of

hotels, restaurants, bars, events, retail and tourism.

Programmes available in:Hotel Management • Event Management & PR • Culinary ArtsTourism • Hospitality Studies • Bar Supervision & Management

Retail & Customer Service

For further information visit www.gmit.ie/thehotelschool

Hotel School, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT), Dublin Road, Galway.

Tel: 091 742343

PALLASKENRY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE

Pallaskenry, Co. Limerick061-393100

Courses leading to:

• Level 5 Certifi cate in Agriculture • Advanced Certifi cate in Agriculture • Advanced Certifi cate in Agricultural

Mechanisation• Higher Certifi cate in Technology in

Agricultural MechanisationCAREERS OPEN DAYS:

Thursday 2nd December 2010 Thursday 24th March 2011

GMIT Hotel 23-4.indd 1 01/12/2010 11:25:28

Education 29

Studying Nursing/Midwifery at University College Dublin

UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems

thE ucd School of nursing, Midwifery and health Systems aims to provide students with the very best opportunities to pursue

studies in nursing, midwifery or health systems and to promote safe, person-centred and effective practice. We offer a choice of four majors on our BSc (hons) undergraduate degree programme:• GeneralNursing• PsychiatricNursing• Children’s&General (Integrated)

nursing• Midwifery

as a ucd student nurse or midwife you will have a unique opportunity to engage in hand-on clinical practice in one of our partner hospitals:• StVincent’sUniversityHospital• Mater Miser icordiae Univers i ty

hospital• StMichael’sHospital• StJohnofGodHospital,Stillorgan• Our Lady’s Chi ldren’s Hospital ,

crumlin• NationalMaternityHospital,Holles

Street

our partner hospitals are national spe-cialist centres and will provide you with a variety of unrivalled clinical learning

opportunities and experiences. the ucd School of nursing, Midwifery

and health Systems is located in the health Sciences centre in Belfield. Lecturesaredeliveredinapurpose-built,state-of the art learning environment with top-of-the range lecture facilities, library, information and computing resources, clinical skills laboratories and student resource rooms.

the School has more than 50 academic

Find OUT MORE

UCd Open days will take place on Friday and Saturday 9 and 10 december 2010. All are welcome.Web: www.ucd.ie/myucd/nursing

staff working together to provide instruc-tion in a comprehensive range of subjects relating to clinical and professional prac-t i ce , research, management and education in nursing, midwifery and health systems.

as a ucd nursing or midwifery student you are afforded the opportunity to embrace the full university student life experience. We encourage our students to interact with students from different disciplines across the university. We have a very active student exchange pro-gramme, whereby students can choose to study abroad for one semester.

as the largest and oldest university School of nursing and Midwifery in ireland, the School has played a leading role in the development of nursing and midwifery education, practice and research nationally.

By choosing to study at the ucd SchoolofNursing,Midwifery&HealthSystems you become part of a greater community of people working together to shape the future of Nursing &Midwifery in ireland.

n Maria Jarosinski Stage 4 UCD Student Nurse and President Mary McAleese. Prize winner: Undergraduate Awards of Ireland 2009

UCD Nursing 23-4.indd 1 29/11/2010 12:43:51

UL Computer Science 23-4.indd 1 29/11/2010 12:44:52

UL Computer Science 23-4.indd 2 29/11/2010 12:45:18

32 Education

Making the most of your investment in portable furniture

Screenflex

'REtuRn on investment' is a term usually more pertinent t o c o r p o r a t i o n s t h a n schools, but in a troubled

economy and its more difficult fundrais-ing environment, how money is invested becomes a concern for all.

investments in furniture, specifically ought to be justified not only on immedi-ate satisfaction but also on product life. this trend is decidedly true with a grow-ing school where the need for new capital seems endless and spending money replacing short-lived furniture is agonizing.

But, how do educational leaders with little furniture expertise and less time sort the good-value, long-life products from the bad?

Buyer Beware

Virtually any furniture product your school might need is only an internet search away. this is both an opportunity and a problem in that "internet resellers' may have only a superficial knowledge of the products they are selling. Some are literally taking an unfamiliar product, adding a profit margin, and sending your order to a warehouse operation. this lack of product experience translates into risk for your school - risk that products will be shipped with damage, that they will not hold up over time, that the internet reseller will be out of business when you have a problem.

Start with the BaSicSthe most basic way to eliminate risk is

to know the company with whom you are doing business. For example, how many years has the company been in business? do they manufacture the prod-ucts or just resell them? can they offer at least five references of other satisfied

Give Some attention to portaBility

if you're buying bench units and chairs to be moved, used, moved again and stored, then some attention to portability is warranted. ask your chosen supplier what is it about their products that make them move and store conveniently? For movement, individual item weight must be a consideration, but some suppliers have excellent rolling cart solutions that allow safe, easy movement of multiple items at once.

With a small investment of time and a strong dose of common sense, your school's purchases of portable furniture can be an excellent use of precious capi-tal in products that last for years and years.

buyers? Being thorough with knowing the company is a necessary step.

chooSinG the BeSt value productS

doing business with an established company is no guarantee of best product value. the reality is that even among credible companies, some products are better than others. the smart buyer must have some idea of what makes some furniture products better than others, and this information is found in the 'specifica-tions'.

this information, usually supplied in a separate 'specifications' document, iden-tifies not only the materials used to make the furniture, but also how parts we fastened, what painting process is applied, and other important manufactur-ing details, including the applicable manufacturer's warranty.

to learn from this information, ask the manufacturer to explain why they have chosen the materials and manufacturing methods they offer and to contrast their choices with those of other manufactur-ers.

your school's multipurpose room can function as your gymnasium or perfor-mance space, among other uses. this versatility translates into a lower con-struction cost per square metre. there are challenges, however, with meeting the demands of different users who need the space to function in many different ways.

one of the most challenging func-tions is when you want your multipurpose room to be used as a per-formance space. a typical performance space requires special lighting, curtains, and a raised platform for good site lines, limiting its ability to be used for anything else.

a demountable stage - complete with portable raised platforms. opera-ble curtains, and stage lighting - can be an answer to this dilemma. When it is not being used as a performance plat-form. it can be stored on trolleys, so that the space can be reclaimed for other uses.

the ease of set up and take down

helps facilitate easy transitions for vari-ous programs. this concept is nothing new, as hundreds of schools, churches, and community centers use demount-able stage platforms. the versatility, ease of operation, and low mainte-nance costs make it extremely attractive when budgets are tight and expectations are high.

one of our customers recently com-mented: "we use our stage for school musicals, talent shows... you name it. When the night of the performance comes, you would guess that you are entering a professional auditorium, not a gymnasium that has been trans-formed to an auditorium. the beauty of it is that, by the next morning, it is a gymnasium again, allowing the physi-cal education class to carry on as normal."

additional stage lighting, from follow spots to suspended lighting pipes, along with audio reinforcement, can easily be added to further enhance the needs of the venue.

Solutions for multipurpose rooms

Convertible bench seating: can be used in the classroom or the cafeteria.

Find out moreScreenflex, the State house, Fahalea, carrigaline, cork.Tel: 021-4887851 • Fax: 021-4887780email: hs.screenflex@gmail.comor es.screenflex@gmail.comwww.screenflex@gmail.com

By Hugh Shields

Screenflex 23-4.indd 1 01/12/2010 11:37:14

>>>

Education 33

Operating the Schools Building Programme

Education capital spending

the 2010 capital allocation for the schools building programme was €579m. the main components of this programme are:

• Largescaleprojects• Summerworksscheme• Siteacquisition• Additionalaccommodation

(prefabricated units and small permanent extensions)

• Emergencyworks• Minorworksgrant(primary),

furniture&equipmentgrants,remediationworks(asbestos,dustextraction,etc.)

• Miscellaneous

Currentlythereare49largescaleproj-ects under construction with a further 10 projectshaving reachedsubstantialcompletionthisyear.Inadditionthereare52projectsattenderstageandweexpectmore than half of these to be under con-structionbeforetheendoftheyear.

TheSummerWorksSchemeprovidesgrantaidtoprimaryandpost-primaryschoolstoundertakesmallandmediumsca le bui ld ing works such as gasupgrades,mechanicalandelectricalworks,roofrepairsandreplacements,windowreplacement,toiletupgrades,structuralrepairsandaccessimprovementworks.Althoughlatecommencingthisyear,over1,500hundredschoolshaveprojects either completed or wel ladvanced.

Withincreasingschoolgoingpopula-tion (see under Forward Planning below) there is a constant demand for new sites andsiteextensions.Someofthecapitalbudgetisreservedforthepurchaseofland.

additional accommodation for immedi-ateneedsisfundedthroughdevolvedgrants and the remaining headings are selfexplanatory.

t h e c a p i t a l a l l o c a t i o n i n t h e Government’smulti-annualprogrammeforprimaryandpost-primaryschoolsforeachyearfrom2011to2016isapproxi-mately€450m.Thisisaverysubstantialamount on an annual basis and will

DepartmentnowreceivesdetailsofbirthsinthecountryonaquarterlybasisandalsoreceivesfromtheDepartmentofSocialProtectiondetailsofchildreninreceipt of child benefit allowance in each areaofthecountry.

in addition to these sources of informa-tion the department is also in regular contact with local authorities regarding developmenttrendsandreceivesdemo-graphic statistics from the central StatisticsOffice.Accesstothisrangeofstatistics allows the department to run variousdemographicscenariosforschoolfeederareasinordertoidentifytheareaswhich will see growth in school accom-modationneedsoverthecomingyears.

Procurement

TheDepartmentiscontinuallyresearch-ing new and innovative means ofprocuring the design and construction ofSchoolProjects,seekingtoanticipateissuesandproblemsandcontinuallyseek-ing to accelerate the design and construction process while maintaining valueformoneyandahighstandardofeducational design.

the department is also committed to ensuringequalityofaccessforSmallandMediumEnterprises(SMEs),bothforConsultancyservicesandConstructionContracts,andisalreadydrawingupguidelines on the implementation of DepartmentofFinanceCircular10/10,withspecificemphasisonadvertisingandonOpenTenderingforsmallervalueprojects.

Design guiDelines

Priortoinitiatingaproject,inadditiontodeterminationofneedandpriority,adecision is made on the optimal procure-

ensureabusyprogrammeofconstructionworkinthecomingyears.

ForwarD Planning

DemographictrendsinIrelandhavebeenonanupwardtrajectoryforsometime. the annual total of births in ireland has been increasing since 1995 with the 2008figureforbirthsof75,065approx-imately37%higherthanthefigurefor2000. the number of births in 2009 was 74,278.

the most recent forecasts indicate that theoveralllevelofprimaryenrolmentswillrisefrom505,600in2009/10tobetween549,800and596,900bytheyear2016dependingonwhichmigrationandfertilityratesprevailwithinthatperiodandpost-primaryenrolmentswillrise fromapproximately312,200 in2009/2010tobetween328,700and332,700by2016dependingonthelevelof retention within that period.

Ingeneralterms,populationgrowthleadingtopressureonprimaryandpost-primaryschoolaccommodationislikelyto be strongest in the areas along the east coastcommuterbelt,thegreaterDublinarea and in the areas surrounding other majorcities.However,manyotherareaswillalsoexperiencepressure,albeitatalowerlevel.

In2008theForwardPlanningSectionof the department procured and installed aGeographicalInformationSystem(GIS).ThissystemallowstheDepartmenttousean up to date technical solution to help in planning the location of schools in the future.TheGISsystemiscapableofdeliveringamapofthecountrywithschool locations and demographic trends. InthiswaytheDepartmentisabletodevelopadigitalpictureofthecountry,usingvarioussourcesofpopulationrelateddatathatwillgivebothschoollocations and the location of potential gapsincurrentorfutureprovision.

ForwardPlanningSectionhasputinplace an arrangement with the General Registers office and the department of Social Protectionwhichmeans the

By Larry McEvoy, FSCS, FRICSManager (Professional & Technical)Planning and Building Unit, Tullamore

Schools building programme 23-4.indd 1 01/12/2010 10:55:47

Media Scene 23-4.indd 1 29/11/2010 13:50:51

EDUCATION 35

Operating the Schools Building Programmement route for the particular project such as traditional appointment (Employer design) or Design and Build. Extensive and regular ly up-dated Technical Guidance covering both procurement procedures and design guidance is avail-able on the Department’s website for the information of schools and external design consultants working on school projects to ensure a consistently high quality of design and a high level of regulatory compliance both at national and EU level.

The Department has used Design and Build contracts to deliver a number of rapid build schools using off-site con-struction. The Department has also developed Generic Repeat Design Primary schools to ensure the delivery of a high standard of educational accommodation in developing areas within a reduced time period and at a reasonable cost. In accor-dance with the Design Team Procedures, to further assist in ensuring that projects are delivered within budget, projects are fully designed and detailed prior to going to tender, and tenders are sought on a fixed price lump-sum basis using the new Government Conditions of Contract. A rigorous methodology for Post-Contract cost-control is also detailed in the Design Team Procedures.

In addition to this the Department is

working with Vocational Education Committees (VECs) with a view to VECs taking responsibility for directly procuring some major school building projects and it is planned to extend this approach. A pilot project is also being undertaken by Louth County Council to directly procure a pr imary school bui lding for the Department.

DESIGN RESEARCH

The Department continues to be at the forefront in relation to low energy public sector buildings with 39 different research strands. Primary schools designed and built in accordance with the Department’s published 2004 guidelines are capable of achieving an A3 Building Energy Rating.

The pilot biomass project has been completed and a report on the outcome is in the final stages of production. This report will detail the findings from 14 individual installations and will give infor-mation on the successes and problems which have arisen. The outcomes will be published on the Department’s energy website www.energyeducation.ie for the benefit of all.

Two 4 classroom schools have been designed in-house to Passivehaus stan-dard by the Department and tenders have recently been received. These are

expected to go to construction this year and will be the first public sector buildings in Ireland built to this exacting stan-dard.

Colaiste Choilm CBS in Tullamore is a new build project on the existing school grounds. It has been selected for devel-opment as a sustainable research project for Post Primary Schools.

Over 21 different sustainable design aspects have being reviewed for incor-poration on the project, and the final design includes improved air tightness, improved air control, improved insulation levels, quick response heating system, improved controls strategies, Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system and a photovoltaic system.

It will also involve extensive automated monitoring systems to establish profiles of energy consumption and user patterns for future projects.

The Department had two retrofit energy schemes over the past two years with cavity and attic insulation in 2009 and water conservation this year. These h a v e c o n t r i b u t e d t o w a r d s t h e Government public sector targets while at the same time empowering schools to reduce their energy consumption and their operating costs and providing improved comfort for both pupils and staff.

Ireland’s leading education magazine

READ THE CURRENT EDITION

READ THE

EDUCATIONREFERENCE

GUIDE & DIARY 2010/11

KEELAUN LTD9 MAYPARK, MALAHIDE ROAD, DUBLIN 5.

Tel: 8329243 • Fax: 8329246 • education@keelaun.ie

Publishers of: Education Magazine

Keelaun Website.indd 101/12/2010 10:59:56

Read the latest digital edition of Education Magazine

www.educationmagazine.ie

Schools building programme 23-4.indd 2 01/12/2010 11:01:18

Sample BreakfastCereal, Toast and JuicesStart the day well at our Breakfast Club. Available to all children. Starts as soon as the gates open. Children cannot work on an empty stomach! Get a good start!

Small BreakHealthy options available to all children every day. Parents - no need to pack a snack unless you want to. Delivered fresh each morning for every child!

Hot LunchEvery child in the school can now avail of a hot lunch on one particular day every week (Rota).Lunch always available to any child who forgets a lunch on any day - Parents relax!Delicious healthy choices on offer.Choice of two hot lunches each day, menu changes weekly

SCHOOL WITH GRANTS FREE CANTEEN

Why have sandwiches when you can have hot lunches?

We bring a state of the art canteen that will seat 300+ kids and can bring a whole new way of eating in the school. We have trained Dinner Ladies work-ing with the kids on a 1 to 1 basis. From breakfast club, mini breaks, lunches, and homework club, there will be a full kitchen going in to the canteen with a large aray of menus and authen-tic cooking with the healthy eating of course. This programme might suit schools and collages with no room available or just expanding their existing catering facilities.

THIS CANTEEN WILL HAVE NO COSTS FOR THE SCHOOL OR CHILDREN

Jonathan's Catering, Athy, Co. KildareTel: 087 614 9949

E-mail: info@jonathanscatering.ieWeb: www.jonathanscatering.ie

About Jonathan's CateringJonathan's Catering has been trading for the past 10 years going from strength to strength. We specialise in golf clubs, schools, colleges, with the healthy eating programme, events, and marque weddings. We are always on the look out for the new contracts.

Jonathan Dick

Jonathan Dick started work at fifteen years old and spent two and a half years in catering college. He spent five years working in Greece, France and Switzerland learning his culinary skills.

After moving on to Australia, he worked in a five star hotel, The Sheridan in Melbourne, with head chef Stephen Gill Ford who had one Michelin Star. This hotel had fifty two chefs and six kitchens.

From Australia he moved onto Thailand were he spent four weeks in Bangkok catering college. He then went back home to Ireland to work in the five star hotel, Hayfield Manor in Cork, as a head chef.

Finally he opened his own catering company who now have contracts in golf clubs, schools with the HEALTHY EATING PROGRAMME and cater for a lot of outdoor events around Leinster. Our mission

Our company has clear values that are incorporated into our Mission Statement. We must be commercially viable in order to survive and thrive, and we intend to achieve that viability by staying true to our purpose.

We will always be a company that provides great food for children and supports their health and well-being; that sources local produce whenever possible; that maintains the highest professional standards including food hygiene and health and safety; that values every member of staff and seeks to reward staff fairly and involve them in the company’s development; that is integrated with the local community of schools, parents and children and consults with them about our activities and key decisions.

Free Canteen and Kitchen FacilitiesQ .WHY DO MOST SCHOOLS ONLY DO SANDWICHESA .Because all schools have not been Designed for canteens and kitchens some dont have the room for catering

We are now offering FREE portable canteens to all schools fully fitted with kitchen and seat-ing from 200 to 1000 pupils. Here are some sample pictures of a large portacabin specially designed by RoanKabin for Scoil Mhichil Naofa in Athy.

With or without government grant we can bring hot meals to your school. Free kitchen or upgrade with HACCP to all schools. With the grant there is no cost at all to the children. Without the grant €2 per child per day. Each school may have a different healthy eating programme.

Jonathan's Catering 23-4.indd 1 29/11/2010 11:27:06

Education 37

Irelands first dedicated bicycle insurance website

Cycle insurance

MorE people are cycling today for many reasons, health, traffic congestion, monetary, sustainability or

just for the fun of it. the bike to work scheme has also

made it cost effective to get on the saddle too, along with traffic restrictions in cities, improved cycling infrastructure and better cycling equipment.

of course along the increase in people cycling, come the increase in bicycle theft and accidents. Last year, bicycle theft increased by 39% and is up 15% for the first six months of 2010. accidents also happen, and if you haven't had one you probably know some who has and repairs or replacements can be expensive.

first dedicated bicycle insurance

cyclesure is irelands first dedicated bicycle insurance website. We work with partners who have almost 25 years expe-rience in offering bicycle insurance and work with established organisations in uK such as ctc, Sustrans and the British triathlon Federation.

cover is flexible so you can choose options to suit the type of cyclist that you are, road cyclist, commuter, mountain biker, triathlete or leisure cyclist!

our basic package covers theft, acci-dental damage, free legal assistance, new for old on claims and up to 90 days cover within the Eu. options include race/competition cover, public liability, per-

find Out MOrewww.cyclesure.ie to get a quote or call us on 1800 85 55 57

Bicycle ownership and use in Ireland has increased significantly in recent years. Bicycle theft is also on the increase, with an increase nationwide of 39% in 2009 with almost 3,000 bicycles reported stolen in Dublin alone.

(Source CSO)

Cover a bicycle valued at e500 for as little as e0.75 per week

sonal accident, family cover and irelands first Bicycle register which includes a marking label system to help in theft

prevention. You can cover up to 12 bicycles any one up to the value from e100 to e7,500.

Cyclesure 23-4.indd 1 29/11/2010 16:26:51

38 Education

Unlocking potential through interactive learning

Promethean’s ActivClassroom

today’s digital generation of students learn and communicate differently, meaning a more flex-ible style of teaching and learning

is required in order to capture and main-tain their attention.

Whilst the use of interactive learning technology has increased steadily over the last two years, accelerating more recently with the Government’s invest-ment in digital classrooms, acknowledging technology as the key to unlocking the full potential of every individual.

it is an exciting time in education and Promethean’s activclassroom solutions in particular are in great demand, reflect-ing the pace with which schools are implementing interactive technology, and teachers’ extraordinary readiness to

benefits of interactive whiteboards: ensuring teachers have regular access to whiteboards to become confident with the technology is key. similarly, teachers need to be able to share ideas and resources to help save valuable time, stimulate creativity, and ensure that all students have access to high quality les-son material.

Promethean has built the world’s larg-e s t o n l i n e t e a c h e r c o m m u n i t y, PrometheanPlanet.com, with access to over 23,000 free resources. since January 2009, irish membership of Planet has nearly quadrupled and represents the seventh largest community by country. this is remarkable, given that Planet is available in 12 languages and has more than 800,000 members in 150 coun-tries.

RetuRn on investment

the introduction of technology should be accompanied by discussion about pedagogy and the development of a clearly defined training strategy. this will help achieve positive teacher adoption, encourage the use of whiteboards by students as well as educators, and ensure that technology is embedded effectively in teaching practice, and consequently ensure that schools see a good return on their investment.

to date, the purchase of technology has largely been driven by teacher and parent demand. With more public fund-ing becoming available, it is critical that schools research and seek advice before making any investment in technology. Promethean authorised resellers and training partners are equipped with the knowledge and expertise to support schools in selecting the right solutions and training packages.

embrace a new approach in the class-room.

the value of classRoom technology

a recent study on the effectiveness of Promethean’s activclassroom technolo-gies in the learning environment revealed four key findings: student academic per-formance was greater in classrooms where the activclassroom was used; improvement in achievement and reduc-ing the achievement gap between learners; professional development is essential; complete integrated solutions works best (Marzano, 2010).

Promethean is a world leader in inter-a c t i v e l e a r n i n g t e c h n o l o g y, i t s

award-winning activclassroom suite is a holistic range of

interactive and interopera-ble teaching solutions,

designed by and for educators.

at the heart of the activclassroom is the activBoard interactive white-

board, which enables anything that can be seen or done on

a computer screen to be projected onto the board. coupled with activinspire the specialist soft-ware, teachers are able to create audio, visual and kinaesthetic activities with multimedia con-tent, that appeal to students of all ages, learning styles and abilities. in addition, Promethean offers a range of Learner Response systems, enabling unprecedented opportunities for student involvement and assess-ment. these revolutionary tools support teachers in delivering

dynamic lessons tailored to indi-vidual learners.

getting the most fRom inteRactive technology

there are a number of practical mea-sures which can help to maximise the

find out moReto find out more about Promethean’s activclassroom, visit www.PrometheanWorld.com or to find your nearest approved reseller call 01 404 6110.

Promethean 23-4.indd 1 30/11/2010 11:48:28

Education 39

Reflecting the legal setting of the 21st century

Bangor Law School

Bangor university’s Law School was established in response to the high demand for Law provi-sion in north Wales and enjoys

the support of the region's legal profes-sion.

only 2 hours from dublin, across the irish Sea, close to Holyhead, the School is led by Professor dermot cahill, who previously worked as a specialist European commercial Law legal advisor in one of ireland’s largest law firms. it has a team of experienced and multilingual staff who have taught in the uK and many coun-tries overseas, and this expertise is reflected in the teaching of Bachelor and Masters courses.

all Bangor LLB degrees are recognised by the Law Society of England and Wales and the Bar council, and therefore enjoy Qualifying Law degree status. Bangor university LLB Law degree holders are eligible to take the irish Law Society Entrance Exams.

Bangor Law degrees reflect the legal environment of the 21st century, focusing on legal systems and the legal environ-

guest lectures enriches the academic experience.

the award winning Bangor Students Law Society organises a range of activities and events for Law students, both aca-demic and social.

Bangor Law School offers a range of scholarships and bursaries for both under-graduate and postgraduate students.

ment in the uK and internationally. courses address contemporary issues relevant to the business and political environment worldwide and they wil l equip s t u d e n t s w i t h t h e knowledge and skills required for operating success fu l ly in the global marketplace.

to he lp s tudents achieve their full poten-t ia l , Bangor Law School provides fortnightly tutorials in every core module studied in addition to weekly lecturers. tutorials generally have between 8 and 15 students, and provide students with additional support and attention, excel-lent value for money and the best opportunity to achieve the highest degree classification possible.

the school promotes an environment of learning and research, staff are active researchers published in their field of expertise and a programme of regular

Find OUT MOREFor further details: www.bangor.ac.uk/law

Bangor University 23-4.indd 1 30/11/2010 11:49:22

www.wit.ie

ENGINEER YOUR

FUTUREThe School of Engineering in WIT has approximately 1,100 students on our full-time and part-time undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Our lecturing staff includes a mix of Mechanical, Manufacturing and Civil Engineers, Construction Managers, Quantity Surveyors and Construction Technologists. Our staff, students and graduates have established an excellent reputation with industry and the relevant professional institutions.

The School has the following undergraduate courses on offer:Higher Certificate in Electronic Engineering (2 years)BEng in Electronic Engineering (1 year follow-on)Higher Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (2 years) BEng in Manufacturing Engineering (1 year follow-on)BSc (Hons) in Computer Aided Manufacturing (1 year follow-on)Higher Certificate in Building Services (2 years)BEng in Building Services Engineering (1 year follow-on)BEng (Hons) in Electronic Engineering (4 years)BSc (Hons) in Applied Electronics (2 year follow on)BEng (Hons) in Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering (4 years)BEng (Hons) in Sustainable Energy Engineering (4 years)

BEng in Civil Engineering (3 years)BSc (Hons) in Quantity Surveying (4 years)BSc (Hons) in Construction Management & Engineering (4 years)BEng [Honours] in Sustainable Civil Engineering (2 year follow-on)

BSc in Architectural Technology (3 years)BSc (Hons) in Architectural Technology (1 year follow-on)Bachelor of Architecture (5 years)

Postgraduate opportunities are also available:

Taught Programmes:MSc in Construction Project Management MEng in Electronic EngineeringMSc Sustainable Energy EngineeringMEngSc Innovative Technologies

Research Areas:Manufacturing EngineeringElectronicsConstruction Management

Further information and application forms are available from: www.wit.ie/engineering T: 051 306160 E: cmfitzpatrick@wit.ie

Claire Fitzpatrick, School Administrator, School of Engineering, WIT, Waterford.

Brother offer A3 print solutions with low running costs

Printing

Brother launched the world’s first compact multifunction A3 inkjet in 2008 and is still currently the only brand to offer all-in-1

inkjet machines with A3 printing capa-bilities. helping businesses to achieve printing capabilities often associated with larger companies, Brother’s A3 inkjet range is targeted at small and medium-sized businesses that want a versatile printing solution for their office.

the A3 line-up offers affordable A3 printing (prices start from €189.00 including vat) for ambitious businesses that want to make a big impression. Providing an all-in-one office solution, which combines copy, scan and fax func-tions along with the option of A4 and A3 printing, Brother’s professional inkjet range is the perfect partner for a small office that wants ‘big-business’ office technology.

that can often be more expensive to run and maintain. Brother A3 machines dem-onstrate the advantages of investing in a new, faster, compact and more efficient multifunction model.

All Brother colour multifunction printers allow you to print in mono even if your printer has run out of one of the indi-vidual colour cartridges and this feature has proved very useful for those people who only want to print a black and white document. With high yield original Colour Cartridges starting from just €15.75 including vat , and black cartridges cost-ing €29.99 including vat, printing from Brother’s A3 models is now a very afford-able A3 print solution.

Brother’s multifunction A3 inkjet range broadens capabilities in an office setting. these versatile solutions are being used by increasing numbers of successful SMe businesses, schools and colleges, graphic designers and architects, accountants, retailers, estate agents and restaurant proprietors. the current economic climate suggests that businesses may be holding on to office equipment for longer, result-ing in the use of out-of-date technology

Find OUT MOREFor more information visit www.brother141.com or www.brother.ie or contact sales@brother.ie

40 eduCAtion

Page 40.indd 1 29/11/2010 16:43:19

Education 41

Developing the next generation of business professionals

DCU Business School

dcu Business School prepares students today for the business and leadership challenges of tomorrow. From the outset, students are exposed to real business chal-lenges and benefit from frequent interaction and

engagement with irish and international organisations.dcu’s focus on holistic development sees students acquire

not only business know-how but also the acumen and personal effectiveness to apply it to the real world.

BEST InducTIon

BESt, dcu Business School’s innovative induction process for first year students accelerates students' transition to learning at third level. imaginative workshops and exercises enable students to learn team-working skills and to consider their learning styles. Students take part in a business game – a computer-based simulation where they make decisions about running a ‘virtual’ company. BESt is also a great way for students to familiarise themselves with campus and get to know their class-mates in a relaxed environment.

ThE Work PlacEmEnT dIffErEncE

intRa, dcu’s internship programme, offers students the opportunity to undertake relevant work experience for up to one year as part of its degree programmes. this programme gives students a competitive advantage in the graduate employ-ment market. Students can also demonstrate their skills and abilities to a potential employer.

InTErnaTIonal focuS

dcu Business School has links with prestigious universities across the globe. the School is a partner of the international Partnership of Business Schools (iPBS), a consortium of leading international business schools.

Strong international links mean that a high proportion of dcu Business School students travel to Europe, Japan, Mexico, the uSa and a host of other destinations as an integral part of their degree. By becoming immersed in the language and culture of the overseas host college, students benefit from valuable aca-demic, cultural and life experiences.

EducaTIng BuddIng EnTrEPrEnEurS

there is a strong entrepreneurial focus to education at dcu Business School. Students study new Enterprise development, which helps them to understand the process of starting and developing a new business and gives them the skills required for such a venture.

ThE PaThWay To SuccESS

the reputation of dcu Business School is based, above all else, on the quality of its graduates. time and again employers express a preference for dcu graduates, as evidenced in its

strong graduate employment figures. dcu Business School graduates occupy leadership positions in all sectors of business, government and society.

a degree from dcu Business School is also the ideal launch pad to postgraduate study. While its undergraduate programmes develop the next generation of business professionals, dcu Business School’s postgraduate programmes shape the next generation of managers and leaders.

n Students at DCU enjoy excellent study & recreational facilities

DCU Business 23-4.indd 1 29/11/2010 16:45:32

Saffron 23-4.indd 1 30/11/2010 12:35:08

Education 43

An extensive range of display, signal management and

distribution technologies

Fusion Technologies

Fusion technologies is an established specialist aV trade distributor, representing and supporting an extensive range of display, signal management and distribution technologies from the industry’s recognised leading brands.

conveniently located in dunboyne, co Meath they operate through a national network of dealers and system integrators across educa-tion, commercial and residential markets. they also provide institutions with free ‘no obligation’ pre-sales support in selecting products and designing affordable solutions which meet their requirements.

commenting on current market conditions, daryl Brennan, Managing director at Fusion technologies remains “confident about the continued growth of the aV market and the increasing require-ment for users to deploy new and emerging technologies and integrate ever higher-definition video formats over longer distances.“

as technology increasingly permeates most aspects of our lives, there are always sub-groups of users looking to more meaningfully deploy technology - be it to improve communication, reduce costs, re-train staff, re-brand, explore new ways of doing business, etc. there’s general recognition and consensus that ireland needs to invest in its technology infrastructure within both Education and business sectors to produce technology savvy students and a workforce capable of competing in the ‘smart’ economy of the future.

significant opportunities

the growth in interactive and collaborative technologies is a case in point. Fusion is the exclusive irish distributor for Hitachi’s starBoard interactive technologies spanning interactive whiteboards and pen displays. Whilst adoption to date has been largely within education sectors, there are significant opportunities within wider markets to adopt these technologies (including 3rd level institutions, corporate meeting rooms / conference rooms, production and emergency plan-ning).

at their simplest, interactive white-boarding technologies purport to replace flipcharts, dry-wipe writing boards and projection screens by enabling users to capture and record projected information elec-tronically, whilst adding interactivity to create more dynamic presentations.

at a deeper leve l Hi tachi starBoard systems uniquely include a digital data conferencing capability out-of-the-box. Hitachi’s ddc utility enables users from di fferent locat ions to work together in real time, collaborate and sha re ideas . up to 50 starBoard products can be con-

nected. applications include collaboration between remote users - be they business colleagues, distance learning or command-and-control applications.

cost-effective

similarly there’s increasing opportunities for cost-effective digital signage systems as a dynamic communication tool which provides a

host of opportunities for users and system integrators alike. Fusion distributes aMX’s inspired signage platform which provides networked, energy-efficient, solid-state digital signage players with interactive support. With min imal t ra in ing, insp i red signage systems can be managed in-house incorporating content from multiple formats including Ms PowerPoint, Flash, aVi, ticker tape, Rss feeds, etc. alternatively your system integrator may be able to provide a fully managed system to suit your specific require-ments.

Whatever your system requirements there’s a plethora of integration competencies required in aV system design, including integration of multiple formats / standards and control issues. the ability to install the agreed solution requires knowledgeable and technical competence to ensure your get the system that supports your requirements and potential future system needs within budget.

Fusion Technologies 23-4.indd 1 29/11/2010 16:47:45

Ink Maestro 23-4.indd 1 30/11/2010 15:56:41

Education 45

Driving down print cartridge prices for schools and colleges

Ink Maestro

Frank Walsh founded ink Maestro (www.inkmaestro.ie) in mid-2006 after identifying a gap in the mar-ket for high-quality compatible

and re-manufactured consumables, to be offered alongside the full range of oEM (original) products.

this particular product mix, along with the stock required to meet almost any order size is something that very few, if any other retailers offered at the time. the ink Maestro website (www.inkmae-stro.ie) went live at the end of 2006 and is now regarded as the reference point for printer/fax/photocopier consumables information.

We have a simple policy - to offer the best prices in ireland for 'originals', and to then offer further savings with our high-quality range of compatibles.

From a standing start we very quickly attracted some 'heavy hitters' in terms of consumables-usage throughout the coun-try with our price/product offerings, and that has helped us to grow substantially year on year.

in early 2007 we moved to a new office/warehouse premises and began to recruit. in 2009 we doubled our ware-house space by adding a mezzanine floor, and in 2011 we plan to acquire a second similar neighbouring premises to allow us expand further.

We supply hundreds of schools, dozens

2. next examine closely whether the enterprise really needs colour print-ing, which is substantially more expensive than mono. Business sta-tionary is inexpensive to buy in bulk, so there are few excuses for full colour printing.

3. Set all printers to use the 'draft' or 'toner-save' mode for all internal documents. this will use less ink or toner and will shave a percentage off printing costs.

4. use ‘after market' or compatible toners. We use several heavy-duty laserjet machines to print hundreds of packing lists, labels and invoices every day. Every one of these is printed using our generic toners. cost per page is over 60% lower than using the original toners, and in 4 years we've never touched any of the printers, other than to replace certain hardware that has reached end-of-life (drums, fusers etc).

the current climate dictates that every cost is scrutinised, and rightly so. Printing is just one of these costs, but it can be a substantial one. We have proven that one way to drive down printing costs is to simply switch over to generic consum-ables.

if a client insists on using originals only, then they’ll be very hard-pressed to beat the prices available on www.inkmaestro.ie.

of university departments and thousands of private and commercial clients around the country on a next-day basis. our web prices are next-to-impossible to beat, and our service is second to none.

clients often ask us for advice as to how to reduce their printing spend and we always have the same couple of tips:

1. Minimise the number of ink-jet machines used (they are always more expensive to run) and consider laser print-ing. Better to invest a little in network cabling and then run off a network laserjet. if that’s not an option then use com-patible cartridges and when purchasing a new inkjet printer refer to our site to make sure compatibles are available for it.

Ink Maestro 23-4.indd 2 30/11/2010 15:57:11

Vincentian Lay Missionaries

Volunteer teachers* required

for year round and summer programmes in Ethiopia

For further information and application forms please contact:

Mary hanlon, Projects coordinator:info@vlm.ie or 01-8102570 / 087 139 7069

www.vlm.ie* Three years teaching experience preferred

We are also recruiting teachers for long-term projects (6-12 months)

in Ethiopia.

Sharing your skillsVolunteering

2010 was a very interesting year for VLM (Vincentian Lay Missionaries). A group of Women from the Traveller Community went with VLM to meet with a Women’s Development Project in Jimma, Ethiopia. Since returning home the Traveller women have been delivering workshops to other Traveller organisations and secondary schools, to help people understand issues of development and marginalization.

Also a group of Deaf people from Ireland accompanied us to Ambo to facilitate a series of workshops for the Deaf commu-nity there. Communication was no obstacle as the two Deaf com-munities very quickly adapted to each other’s signs. It was an ener-getic and inspiring time for everyone involved.

The regular Volunteers who went to Ethiopia came back with a great sense of fulfillment and enthusiasm for the work they had been engaged in. The one thing that struck them about the children was their hunger and desire for education, especially the opportunity to learn English. An indication of the effect the experience had on the volunteers was a deep desire among many of them to return again next year.

VLM works in collaboration with the Daughters of Charity and the Vincentian Fathers. We are a faith based organization but are open to all volunteers, who are willing to work with us and respect the ethos of our partners in Ethiopia. For more information visit our website www.vlm.ie or contact Mary Hanlon on 087139 7069 or email info@vlm.ie.

Page 46.indd 1 29/11/2010 19:19:59

Edmund Rice and the Christian Brothers

Christian Brothers

Blessed edmund Rice founded the Christian Brothers in 1802. His life had led him to explore at a deeper level his experience of religious faith while also reaching out to the neediest in society. He decided to found schools for

the education of poor boys. The Christian Brothers have followed and adapted this tradition in more than twenty-six countries throughout the world.

In the developing world, there is still a pressing call to provide education for the poor as a pathway to liberation and human dignity. Nowadays, Brothers also work in townships, villages and slum areas as teachers while also co-ordinating health, social services and adult education among the people of these com-munities.

In the western world, Brothers still teach in schools and col-leges. In more recent times they are engaging in projects for youth, the disadvantaged and migrant peoples. They run centres for spiritual development, educational life centres and adult education.

Christian Brothers today recognise the need to engage in a new spiritual search and in a new search for meaning. There has been a rapid change in the faith and consciousness of people in the twenty-first century. scientific and religious knowledge are dis-covering each other in new and creative ways. The challenge today is for education in a new experience of religious meaning and purposefulness in the world.

Christian Brothers

In a new search for – Meaning Spiritual Living Justice with Peace

To make a difference – By living a full life with a new mission in brotherhood

Page 47.indd 1 29/11/2010 19:23:15

48 Education

Guide to school heating and fuel efficiency

Topaz Local Fuels and Leinster Petroleum

thE importance of adequately heating schools should not be underestimated. a comfortable room temperature is essential for

the productivity and general well being of students and staff. the Education Regulations and various teachers unions all have directives regarding the adequate heating of classrooms.

as schools struggle to manage expen-diture, it is important also to keep heating costs as low as possible. topaz Local Fuels understand the heating issues facing schools, ELBs and principles as they struggle to strike the balance between keeping adequate heating levels and keeping costs down. Energy efficiency, fuel economy and cost savings can be achieved by being vigilant. the following tips provide useful information to those responsible for keeping their schools warm.

• Maintain a temperature range of between 18 and 20 degrees centigrade in winter. the Education (School Premises) Regulations recommend that the heating system should maintain a temperature of 18 degrees centigrade in areas where there is an average level of clothing and activity. (e.g class-rooms)

• Ifaschooldoesnothaveathermostatregulated heating system, they should have at least one air temperature ther-mometer available so that staff can ensure that a reasonable air tempera-ture is maintained. it is important to remember that extra heat will be gen-erated from people, equipment and inadequate ventilation systems.

• Heatingsystembreakdownscanpoten-t i a l l y re su l t i n s choo l c lo su re . inadequate heating systems also burn more oil, thus costing more money. Poorly maintained or disconnected thermostats and central control systems are one of the most common sources of poor temperature regulation and high energy use in school heating sys-tems. School boilers should be serviced once or twice a year. topaz Local Fuels are offering schools a free efficiency test and €20 off boiler servicing with

external doors, erecting windbreaks near exposed doorways, ensuring sky-light vents and fans are closed off during winter.

• Ensurethereisadequate insulation of walls and floors. cover some windows with insulated panels (such as notice boards) to reduce winter heat loss. consider having the cleaners close curtains at the end of the day to retain some heat over night.

• Reviewthelayout of classroom furni-ture. check that shelves and cabinets do not impede the flow of heated air. Move desks away from draughty areas.

• Scheduleclassroomactivitytoensurecontinuous occupancy.

• Beprice conscious. topaz Local Fuels are offering Education Magazine read-ers special price this winter. Mention the Magazine to avail of price.

topaz Local Fuels and Le inster Petroleum have been delivering oil to schools in dublin and Leinster for over 30 years. our highly trained drivers have an excellent health & Safety record and our emergency and planned delivery services mean that you will never see your pupils or staff left in the cold.

every order placed this winter. • Considerusingafuel additive. topaz

Local Fuels supply a product called topaz thermo (€15). this product optimizes burner performance, cleans up sludge in your tank, your filters and fuel system, protects your fuel system against future sludge formation, inhib-its system corrosion and reduces system breakdowns and fuel degradation. using this product gives topaz custom-ers improved fuel economy, using up to 10-20% less oil and an average sav-ing of €100 – €200 per year.

• Upgrade heating systems. newer heat-ing systems all have thermostats and timer controls that can be programmed to respond to outside and inside air temperature and time of day. Boilers can shut down automatically when heating is unnecessary.

• Turn off heaters when rooms are vacant or during holidays. consider fitting locks to heaters to that only staff can turn them on and change thermostat settings.

• Reduce draughts. Excessive and uncon-trolled filtration of air is the largest source of unavoidable heat loss from school buildings. it can account for 60% of total heat loss. identify draughts by hanging a piece of plastic food wrap film over a pencil and hold-ing near areas of potential heat loss. draughts can be reduced by weather stripping, fitting heavy duty closers to

Find OUT MOREFor more information or to order, please call 1800 250 650 or visit www.topazlocalfuels.ie

Topaz 23-4.indd 1 30/11/2010 11:52:34

Education 49

A fascinating view over Ireland’s Necropolis

Glasnevin Museum

nEwly opened th i s year, Glasnevin Museum is a won-derful introduction to the wealth of national history

within the walls of Glasnevin cemetery. this interactive visitor attraction offers

a fascinating view of ireland’s necropolis and the many renowned figures that shaped the country we live in today. a trip to Glasnevin cemetery includes a guided tour of the cemetery and a visit to the museum and is a unique opportu-nity to gain an understanding of ireland’s complex history.

Glasnevin Museum is a must see for anyone interested in irish Heritage and Genealogy. the exhibitions over two floors show the social, historical, political and artistic development of modern ireland through the lives of the genera-tions buried in ireland’s necropolis. the tour also includes a visit to the crypt of daniel o connell.

Glasnevin Museum and tours bring history to life for children and adults of all ages. School groups to Glasnevin can make use of our Education Packs for Primary, Junior and leaving cert.

For Primary Schools we offer the opportunity for active exploration and investigation of our archive material. Glasnevin allows children to experience a number of the Strands for 5th and 6th class such as Era of change and conflict; Pol it ics, confl ict and Society and

monument and is a vital part of the irish Heritage story. Glasnevin trust, who operates both the museum and Glasnevin cemetery, is a non for profit organisation (cHy 5849).

Opening HoursMonday to Friday 10am – 5pmSaturday Sunday & Bank Hol iday Mondays 11am – 6pm

Cemetery Tours Daily10.30am, 11.30am & 2.30pm (additional tours on Sundays at 3.30pm)

For Groups over 10 advance booking is required please contact: museum@glasn-evintrust.ie 01 8826550.

Admission PricesExhibition & cemetery tour €10.00, Family ticket €25.00 (2 x adults, 2X children)

literature, arts, craft and culture.a visit for Junior certificate history

students can link into the curriculum in Section iii: understanding the Modern ireland, as Glasnevin is such an important place in our political and social landscape as many of those who shaped the mod-ern ireland are buried here.

transition year Students have even more possibilities as projects and visits can be developed around History, Religion, Genealogy and travel & tourism.

For students of the leaving certificate History syllabus Glasnevin offers a unique insight into three of the later Modern ireland section of the curriculum. our Religions exhibition offers a comprehen-sive view of the many different faiths which are interred in ireland’s first non-denominational cemetery.

Museum facilities include the tower cafe which offers a wide and varied menu and the Glasnevin trust Shop which stocks exclusive gifts and souve-nirs.

Glasnevin cemetery is the largest cem-etery in ireland and was first opened in 1832. it was established as a place where people of all religions and none could bury their dead with dignity. the ceme-tery has grown to become a national

FinD OUT MOREwww.glasnevinmuseum.ieFollow us on facebook!

Glasnevin Museum 23-4.indd 1 30/11/2010 11:51:51

50 Education

Sustainable living brought to life

The Cloughjordan Ecovillage

SuStainability is much talked about, not least in education – and it is not hard to find isolated examples of good pract ice.

However, ireland has few examples of a holistic demonstration of sustainability in all its dimensions, the kind of demonstra-tion that brings classroom learning to life.

cloughjordan Ecovillage provides just such an example. designed from the outset as an educational resource, it now attracts numerous visitors. Student groups, professional bodies and individu-als come from all parts of ireland – and even from overseas, reflecting the inter-national significance of the project. class visits from second and third-level students represent a wide range of subject areas, from environmental studies and planning to community development. there is material of relevance to many branches of science and engineering – and, of course, to construction-related disci-plines.

Visitors will see a diverse set of eco-houses on one site, both occupied and under construction. construction methods

range from kits assembled on site to diy self-build. building materials are as varied as timber-frame, hemp-lime and cob. there is a district heating system fuelled by wood-chip, to be backed up from autumn 2010 by a 500 m2 array of ground-mounted solar thermal panels, the largest in ireland.

Visitors will meet some of the people who had the vision to create this unique development and the commitment to plan their own futures around it. longer visits can give the chance to interact with resi-dents and with the many future residents living nearby.

the Ecovillage can cater for most edu-cational needs, ranging from half-day visits to field trips, project work and resi-dential courses – a 30-bed hostel opens in november 2010. a typical programme for a half-day visit (11am to 4pm) would be: introduction to the Project, then lunch, then a tour of the development, followed by a closing Q&a Session. alternatively, a speaker can visit you. any interested group is welcome to call us and discuss their needs.

Please note, however, that the site

remains under construction, so it is closed to casual visitors, except on advertised open days. it is not visible from any public road.

the objectives of the ecovillage include analysis of the effectiveness of all aspects of the project. We are therefore keen to play active roles in relevant research proj-ects and would welcome discussion of any such project in the planning stages. the 'research' section of our website gives more detail. again, the range of relevant disciplines is very wide.

cloughjordan lies near the offaly-tipperary border, within easy reach of most parts of ireland. it is served by trains on the dublin-nenagh-limerick railway line and the station is a pleasant 1-km walk from the ecovillage. by road, it is 10km north of the n7 at Moneygall, between birr, nenagh and Roscrea.

to arrange a site visit or a visiting speaker or to discuss a short course, email dara@thevillage.ie or call 086 8377 906.

Find OUT MOREMore information on the ecovillage can be found at www.thevillage.ie.

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40 EDUCATION

A variety of experiences

National Wax Museum

THE National Wax Museum Plus is a visitor experience unlike any other, offering you and your students a chance to journey through;

• Time Vaults of Irish History• An enchanting children's zone• Irish Heroes of Science & Discovery• The Wax Factor Video Studio• A recording studio • Hall of Irish Legends• The Grand Hall

The Museum offers a variety of experiences from the areas of Science, Irish History, Music and Entertainment and we are con-fident it appeals to students of all ages and interests. The Time Vaults and Science and Discovery zones would also meet with various course curriculum’s and help bring studies to life.

The combination of learning, technology and interactivity all lend themselves to an excellent Educational yet Fun experience. We hope your visit will sow the seeds of interest for every pupil in Science, Music, History, Invention, Entertainment PLUS much much more.

FIND OUT MOREGroup rates of 6.50 per student are available and teachers admission is free with every group. To book your class tour call 01 6718373 or email groups@waxmuseumplus.ie see www.waxmuseumplus.ie for more details. The National Wax Museum Plus Foster Place Temple Bar Dublin 2.

Could you lead your team to victory?

Paintball Cork

IN A corner of the Marina in Cork, young men once worked the paint pits deep in the bowels of the old Ford Motors factory - today, there's an altogether different activity going on….

Now the paint is being fired from semi-automatic weapons and not spray guns - and the target is not a new car, but the opposition … The old factory floor is playing host to pitched battles as friends and foe alike engage in urban warfare at PaintballCork.com, Ireland's only Indoor paintball arena.

Can you successfully lead your troops through a series of chal-lenges where only the strongest willed and best organised will emerge victorious? Do you dare attempt to rescue hostages, capture enemy territory or evade capture yourself?

PaintballCork.com has 20,000 sq ft of warehouse kitted out in an Urban Warfare style environment. We have fitted a powerful sound system so we will have the place hopping with tunes while you are trying to outwit your opponents.

Test yourself, your friends, your colleagues, your team-mates or even your enemies and come to PaintballCork.com.

FIND OUT MORECall +353 (0)21 4250444Web: www.paintballcork.com

Ireland's Largest Indoor Paintball Venue!

Paintball Open 7 DaysCALL TODAY 021-4250444

Packages from €20CALL FOR SPECIAL STUDENT GROUP RATES

Can you successfully lead your troops through a series of challenges where only the strongest willed and best organised

will emerge victorious? Do you dare attempt to rescue hostages, capture enemy territory or evade capture yourself?

Test yourself, your friends, your colleagues, your team-mates or even your enemies and come to PaintballCork.com. Outdoor action, Indoors! 7 days a week, 9am till late!

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52 Education

School texts for free!

School texts

WhEn we first began tele-phoning schools to tell them that Schooltext.ie f r o m S M S S o l u t i o n s

ireland, provides “100% Free SMS mes-saging for schools” the initial reply was usually ‘say that again’ or ‘could you repeat that please?’

the reaction usually continues with incredulous joy as school principals and administrators realise that they can save a small fortune on their SMS messaging costs using our system. this is almost irritating for our new sales people because they have a number of unique selling points about our service to get across but they don’t get the chance, because the principal on the other end of the phone wants it straight away.

Principals love the fact that the parent pays on their mobile when the SMS is received and costs the parent just the standard network rate e.g. 9 cent. For a school of 1,000 students this represents an average saving of €5,000 per year and there are no other costs whatsoever to the school or the parent!

free data entry service

administrators love the service even more than the accountants we believe, because of the free data entry service we provide for them. When a school sends home a form for parents to fill in their numbers etc. it can mean an awful lot of time for some one to type in the names, numbers, class details etc on the forms

Reduce SMS Costs to Zero with ‘Standard Rate Reverse Billing’

= 100% FREE SMS =Now availaBle foR all SChool, College, SpoRtS CluB, Npo & CoRpoRate ClieNtS.

• Encryption SEcurEd • rEply EnablEd • SimplE to uSE • data protEction act compliant •We are 100% irish and irelands only provider of Standard rate reverse billing free messaging software designed specifi-cally for Schools & colleges. our clients include over 400 of the largest Schools and colleges across ireland using our free Schooltext.ie service. our clients also include other blue chip multinationals like taxback.com (winner of the 2009 Ernst & young Entrepreneur of the year). We provide a full data transfer / set up and support service switching from or integrating with Serco, mit, anseo, iflow, Webtext, ippn textaparent, SchoolSpace, bulktext, dataset, and most other providers. We provide free 24/7 support.

Best Bulk Rate in Ireland from less than 1c

More information? Free text INFO to 50123 Please visit www.SchoolText.ie for excellent Testimonials and a list of our customers e.g.

- Holy Family Senior Swords - belvedere college dublin – cabinteely community School - St. John’s central cork – christ King Girls Secondary – dominican college Sion Hill - coláiste mhuire Kilkenny - de la Salle college - Glanmire community college - St Goban’s college- piper's Hill college - Scariff community college - donahies community School - maynooth pontifical univeristy - Gairmscoil mhuire athenry -dunmore community School - davitt college mayo - causeway comprehensive School Kerry - beech Hill college - caritas college - coláiste cholmáin – tarbert comprehensive - Gonzaga college - Jesus & mary Secondary School -

when they are returned to the school. Most administrators opt to post the

registration forms to the Enterprise centre in Mullingar where our staff enters the data free of charge. ‘absolutely delighted’ is the most commonly used phrase amongst School administrators when they see all their data online and ready to use, although in cork and Kerry it’s ‘that’s mighty!’.

We also integrate with Serco, Mit and many other software providers and we also provide seamless data transfer service for schools switching from if low, Webtext, Bulktext, iPPn etc., this means no additional work for administrators to action the switch-over upon the Principals instruction.

the Schooltext.ie software itself was

SMS Solutions, The Enterprise Centre, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath

Tel: 044-9343444

the receiver of the message pays on their mobile at Standard network rate ! e.g. 9 cent with o2

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Education 53

Find OUT MOREThe Enterprise Centre, Mullingar, Co. WestmeathTel: 353 (0) 44 93 43444Free text inFO to 50123

site to enable a secure gallery for school photos and videos. all schools registered with us can plug a free Secure Gallery for Parents into their web site. When parents want to visit the gallery, they receive a code on their mobile that they must enter into the login page. their mobile phone becomes their key to the secured area and the gallery/secure area cannot be accessed without it.

in the past four years working with schools, colleges, blue chip and award winning companies, we’ve had the opportunity to create interesting SMS applications that make an enormous dif-ference to the cost effective management of information.

With proven SMS solutions and unri-valled dedication to our clients 24/7, your organisation could only benefit from a free consultation with one of our consul-tants with over 25 years experience in the application of ict. the Principals of many of the largest schools and colleges in ireland have given us testimonials. these can be viewed at our web sites www.SMSsolutions.ie and www.Schooltext.ie.

We provide the best rates in ireland guaranteed and are one of the few pro-viders that are 100% irish owned and managed, which used to be a good thing to say. there is no doubt that ireland will recover, through education, technology, innovation and persistence, but every organisation needs to re-evaluate their ict systems with one goal in mind – make it as efficient and as cheap to run as possible e.g. compare paying 55 cent for a stamp when you could pay 2 cent and still get the full message delivered.

anything you can imagine is possible in the software industry. it’s the evaluat-ing, planning and architecture of the solution that determines its success or failure, the ‘Garbage in – Garbage out’ rule, which also sounds a bit like an appropriate catcall for an election!

designed specifically for the Education sector to be as easy to use as possible. although the software is secure and data Protection act compliant etc., it is just part of the policy in relation to the use of SMS in an educational environment. Students registering for the up Skilling Programme at St. Johns college cork receive an SMS confirmation of their online application using our service in addition to an email.

Having new applications processed online in an automated system saves college administrators a lot time and increases efficiencies in other ways too. We provide these end-to-end solutions that are always tailored to fit each client precisely.

athlone institute of technology has a strong emphasis on Student Services and has studied at length the applications of SMS in a third level context. it's long been known that debt collectors get an 80% better response rate to a non hostile text message than trying to contact some one by phone. in the same way a sup-portive message in relation to the course choice of new students can open a door to discussion should the student feel like he or she has picked the wrong course and may be considering dropping out.

BUlly sUppORT sERviCE

We’ve also provided a Bully support service via SMS for a college in Leinster with over 1,000 pupils for the past 2 years and 3% of the students have used the service. they text the word Bully to a five digit short code and this goes to the relevant people automatically with the senders mobile number. it’s disturbing to note that Sunday evening has the highest rate of Bully support requests.

this is the first such pilot of an SMS anti-Bully Support service in ireland and is also free for all schools to use. utilising SMS is not just about sending and receiv-ing text messages with parents about absenteeism, or students about essays, there is a social aspect and it is far more personal than email. Policies need to be researched and set e.g. messages need to

be easily understood by those with learn-ing difficulties.

there are many useful applications for SMS including co-ordinating fundraising activities, sports events, notice of closures etc., but it was last year when a primary school pupil in Bray was almost abducted that it occurred to us that if a pupil went missing we could notify all the parents of the school immediately. a millisecond later we realised we could in fact send this alert to all schools parents in the locality on our system.

We have over 250,000 parents across ireland with schools registered on our service. this gives us the capacity to send a free picture message to 10,000’s of parents in any locality within minutes. the Suspected abduction Message alert (SaM alert) System is being piloted in a number of schools next September. My nine-year-old daughter flatly declined to be kidnapped or to participate in any way with such a ridiculous plot, so an actor will be used.

it will be a world first in the application of such a system and we’re excited to see how it works in practice. Parents from participating Schools will receive a picture message of a missing Pupil with a detailed description of where they were last seen. Parents can then reply to this message with any leads or sightings etc, which are automatically routed to the relevant crisis Event Management command centre for a coordinated emergency service response to leads as they arrive in real time.

We hope that this system will make ireland the most difficult country in the world to attempt abduction. in the back-drop of such unthinkable events there is always a community willing to do any-thing that can help.

FREE sECURE GallERy

in the light of this danger, it is extraor-dinary that many schools publish images of pupils at sports days etc., which are there for the world to view. Perhaps in ireland there is more naivety about the dangers. Many schools simply cannot afford to install Encryption on their web

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ACCORD – caring for marriage, building relationships.

Relationships

Each year thousands of couples choose to avail of the Sacrament of Marriage. accORD has the great privilege of working with these couples as they prepare to enter into a life-time commitment to each other.

Through our marriage preparation programme ‘Marriage a Journey not a Destination’ we offer couples an opportunity to get away from the preparations associated with their wedding day , which can cause so much stress for one or both of them. In the non intrusive company of other couples and the ACCORD programme facilitators, spending quality time together, they can: explore as couple, their past, engage with the present and look with confidence to the future.

Why MaRRiagE PREPaRatiOn?

This is a question many couples ask, not just of ACCORD but of their priest. ACCORD, in inviting couples to attend their course, ask the following question: when did you spend nine hours together recently, if at all, looking at the core elements of your relationship, your family of origin, how you communicate, deal with conflict? What does being a parent mean? Your commit-ment, sexuality, fertility awareness and well-being?

Couples are encouraged to discuss all of these topics with each other even if they believe they have done so already. The major-ity of couples who attend our courses offer very positive feedback. They appreciate the opportunity to explore the various topics mentioned above and all would say that they got something from the course. For more details why not visit www.accord.ie.

Sowing a SEED in our schoolsThe Organic Centre

SEED (Schools Environmental Education Development) was founded by the Organic centre, Sonairte Ecology centre, the irish Seed Savers association and Kerry Earth Education.

The aim of this new national network is to support school commu-nities (children, teachers and parents) in establishing organic gardens and making them into living classrooms.

We believe the benefits of a school garden are:• TheLivingClassroomisahugeeducationalresourceforschools• Demonstratesimportantexamplesofnativehabitats,biodiversity,

the balance of nature and the web of life• Teacheschildrenhowtogrowlocalorganicfoodwithoutusing

chemicals• Usedasanoutdoorclassroomlinkinginwith70%ofthecurriculum,

especially SESE, SPHE, art, languages, literacy, history and maths.• Hands-onpracticalsessionspromotessensory,experientialandfun

learning which helps to develop a well-balanced individual• FullysupportstheGreenFlagProgrammeOur services for schools includes:• Siteassessment• Gardenplandesign• Creatingthegarden• Practicalgardeningsessionswithchildren,e.g.sowing,planting,

native hedgerows, ponds, wildlife gardening etc• Compostworkshops• ‘TraintheTrainer’Courses

FinD OUt MOREinfo@theorganiccentre.ie • www.theorganiccentre.ieinfo@sonairte.ie • www.sonairte.iewww.gortbrackorganicfarm,com • gortbrackorg@gmail.cominfo@theirishseedsavers.ie • www.irishseedsavers.ie

The Organic Centre - where inspiration becomes action

Ph: 071-98 54338E-mail: info@theorganiccentre.ie

Community Garden Set Up and Tuition

Professional and commercial courses up to FETAC Level 5

GIFT Vouchers aVaIlable!

Book and shop online at www.theorganiccentre.ie

Rossinver, Co. Leitrim

Promoting organic growing and sustainable living

Courses for Teachers - School Garden Set Up and Tuition

Catholic Marriage Care Service

Are you getting married in 2011?Prepare well with ACCORD

Attend an ACCORD Marriage Preparation Courses by booking on-line or

contact your local ACCORD Centre (60 locations nationwide)

Visit www.accord.ie for more details

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