Community School
The Department of Education have announced an In-Person Supplementary Programme to support students with complex needs. Guidance materials in relation to the In-Person Supplementary programme can be found at the following link:
https://www.gov.ie/en/service/865df-in-person-supplementary-programme/
Please email hscl@mayfieldcs.net OR eellard2@mayfieldcs.net if you wish to apply.
Kieran Golden
Principal
Dear Leaving Certificate student,
In a press release, issued on Wednesday, 17th February, the Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD confirmed that Leaving Certificate 2021 will go ahead. You can read the full text of the Press Release in the link below:
https://www.education.ie/en/Press-Events/Press-Releases/2021-press-releases/PR21-02-17.html
Outline of Arrangements for 2021 Leaving Certificate
1. Written Leaving Certificate examinations will be held as outlined in the timetable published by the State Examinations Commission. A copy of the timetable is posted on our school website and can be seen at www.examinations.ie
2. Every student will be offered and can decide to avail of either or both of the following:
(a) Sitting and receiving grades in the Leaving Certificate exams including where applicable, your performance in the completion of additional assessment components (coursework, orals etc) associated with particular subjects.
OR / AND
(b) Receiving a State Examinations Commission Accredited Grade in each subject , based on the school’s estimate of the student’s likely performance in the conventional exams.
3. This Accredited Grades system, to be operated by the SEC, will be available whereby Leaving Certificate candidates can opt to have grades in some or all of their subjects (to be known as “SEC Accredited Grades”) issued to them at the same time as the examination results.
4. The elements of the SEC Accredited Grades system will include the following:
• The professional judgement of each of the candidate’s teachers which will not be subject to appeal
• A form of in-school alignment to ensure fairness amongst candidates at school level
• Approval by the school principal of the estimated subject scores
• A process of standardisation at national level to ensure as much fairness as possible amongst this year’s candidates
• A right for students to appeal in respect of their Accredited Grade which will comprise a process review focused on examining possible errors in the transmission and processing of student data, and
• Provision as far as practicable for out-of-school learners or students studying one or more subjects outside school to apply to receive Accredited Grades through the devising of an appropriate and practicable process
Indicative Dates.
The following indicative dates have been provided by the Department of Education:
• May 14th – Closing date for collection of evidence of learning from 6th year student for the purpose of establishing an estimated mark.
• May 28th – Schools will close for all students to allow the final week for completion of alignment process and data entry related to SEC Accredited Grades by schools.
• June 4th – Closing date for schools to enter/return all data from the school to the SEC relating to SEC Accredited Grades.
• June 9th – Written Leaving Certificate examinations to commence in schools.
• The SEC will issue revised dates for submission of Leaving Certificate course work
• Updates regarding the Leaving Certificate 2021 including an information video can be accessed through the following link Leaving Certificate 2021
While this announcement is welcome and will give some relief and clarity to students, a number of details still remain to be worked out and communicated to us.
As soon as any updates are made available from the Department, we will let you know as quickly as is possible.
We look forward to seeing you all again on Monday, 22nd February when our online classes continue. We will meet you at assembly on Monday 22nd February at 12.15pm. Your parents are very welcome to attend this meeting on Monday as well.
Looking forward to seeing you all on Monday.
Stay safe. Stay well. Stay Learning.
Take care
Kieran Golden Kathleen Daly
Principal Deputy Principal
Pre-State Exams
You will be aware that our mock (Pre) Leaving and Junior Cert exams are planned to begin on Monday 8th Feb.
The pre-exam papers for both Senior and Junior Cert have been ordered, however, given the current situation and in order to support our students, the decision has been taken to postpone these exams until after mid-term.
Depending on government guidelines, we will continue to update you on the re-scheduling of these exams.
Students need to continue to engage in their remote classes and to revise.
Regards
Kathleen Daly, Acting Principal
18th January 2021
Dear Parents,
I am writing to you as we begin our second week of remote teaching and learning. We would all prefer to be back in the classroom working with our students and doing what we do best but for now we have to stay home to keep everyone safe.
We have learned a lot from the last lockdown and hopefully the changes we have made to our remote teaching policy will ensure a richer learning experience for the students. The daily engagement on Google Classroom and the blend of live, recorded and independent learning should go some way towards reflecting real classroom teaching.
We expect all students to engage with the full timetable each day. However, we do realise that everyone’s circumstances are different and we ask that you contact us as soon as possible if there are any issues as to why your daughter/son can not engage and we will do our best to help you.
To support your son/daughter and monitor their engagement you can access MCS ParentPoint. Email mcsparentpoint@mayfieldcs.net for more details.
Our Student Support team is available at all times to listen to your concerns as a student parent or guardian. Please contact us at: careteam@mayfieldcs.net
Sincerely,
K. Daly Acting Principal
J. McMurtry Acting Deputy Principal
The Minister for Education has released the following letter for parents.
Please click below to download the letter from the minister in English or in Irish.
Letter to parents from the Minister / Litir chuig tuismitheoirí ón Aire
STEM South West’s Industry & Career Expo is back for its 2nd year next Wednesday 13th January from 5-9pm. This free virtual event will showcase careers in tech, pharma and engineering and highlight achievable pathways for students to fulfil their career goals. There will be expert speakers, virtual stands, opportunities to interact with people who work in STEM on a daily basis, subject choice discussions, interactive Q&A sessions, tech and science demos, career videos and prizes to be won.
Over 60 leading STEM organisations in Cork and Kerry will be showcasing their work with interactive displays and activities. The STEM South West executive committee are working closely with virtual event organisers Davis Events and platform-providers VFairs to ensure a fun and educational STEM experience for all attendees.
Exhibition Hall
Enjoy visiting the virtual booths in the Exhibition Hall where attendees can connect with people who work in STEM, watch demonstrations and career videos, and avail of the advice of experts in a variety of STEM areas including virtual reality, robotics and astronomy construction, mechanical engineering, software engineering, information technology, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, biomedical engineering and science, electronics, weather-forecasting, agri-technology, environmental engineering, cybersecurity and much more.
Speakers Corner
Visit the Auditorium and enjoy talks and presentations by STEM experts including European Space Agency engineer, Laurence O’Rourke; inspiring global sustainability expert and co-founder of Change by Degrees, Madeline Murray; and the innovative creator of Izak9 Maths, Franz Schlindwein; and many more.
Scavenger Hunt
Take part in the STEM South West 2021 Scavenger Hunt, follow the STEM clues and be in with the chance to win great prizes.
Students and parents can register for free tickets at www.stemsouthwest.ie.
REGISTER HERE FOR FREE TICKETS TO STEM SOUTH WEST INDUSTRY & CAREER EXPO 2021
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We hope you had a Happy Safe and Healthy Christmas and we wish you the very best for 2021.
For the next three weeks we know we will be teaching your son/daughter remotely.
Remote Learning will never be able to fully replace the traditional face to face teaching but we will work together to make sure that the experience for both teacher and pupil is as productive as possible in the coming weeks. The teachers will be following the normal timetable.
To ensure a positive online experience for all, we are asking you to read and discuss the following guidelines carefully with your son/daughter to ensure that his/her participation in the online classes are always respectful and productive.
The Code of Discipline applies to remote learning and any misbehaviour by a student online may result in suspension from online classes. Teaching and learning online is challenging for everyone so we expect excellent behaviour and attention.
Procedures for Students Online Classes
Online teaching is our new reality for the next number of weeks, and we expect every student to be present for class. If your son /daughter is unable to attend online classes for any reason, please email the school office admin@mayfieldcs.ie
Teachers will be moving forward with their subject curriculum and the material will not be revisited after lock-down.
Your son/daughter’s engagement is vital and any issues/difficulties he/she has in participating fully with remote learning should be brought to the attention of the school as soon as possible.
Assemblies for each year group will begin at 11:30am outlining how online classes are to be run and familiarise students with the online platform that we are using which is google classroom and we will offer parents the opportunity to join parent link in google classroom to monitor your son/daughters participation in class and homework.
We will send the link for these assemblies by text on Monday morning.
On Monday 11th January we will familiarise students with our learning platform and full classes as per your son/daughters timetable will commence at 9am Tuesday morning 12th of January.
Students assemblies accompanied by parents will run on Monday 11th of January as follows:
Kathleen Daly James Mc Murtry
Acting Principal Acting Deputy Principal
Wishing you all Happy Safe and Healthy New Year.
I’m sure you are now all familiar with this evening’s announcement and the government recommendations for the reopening of schools on January 11th 2021.
To facilitate online learning we have scheduled all year groups with the exception of 6th years to collect their books from school on this Thursday and Friday.The times are as follows:
The plans announced by the Government provide for 3 days in school attendance for 6th year students only and those days are at each school’s discretion.We will update all 6th Year students and parents on Monday evening.
Virtual information meetings will be held for all Year Groups and parents next week.
Kind regards,
K. Daly, Acting Principal
J. Mc Murtry, Acting Deputy Principal
New extension to Mayfield Community School
In recognition of the expanding pupil numbers in Mayfield Community School, where a GaelCholaiste was established in September 2020, the Department of Education & Skills has approved funding under the Additional Accommodation Scheme 2021. This funding is for a new extension to the school, including the construction of two new classrooms and supporting facilities, commencing in 2021.
Mayfield Community School is delighted with this announcement which is of substantial benefit to the school and its local community.
K.Daly
Acting Principal
