To view/download a copy of this letter click here.
To find all news and updates about the Leaving Certificate 2021 please click here.
Dear Sixth Years,
We now have some clarification on the path forward for reopening schools. You will each return to St Laurence College from Monday March 1st. This is fantastic news and we are delighted to be welcoming you back to school. No more remote teaching will take place for the 6 h yr cohort. You must attend school from now on to progress in your courses and subjects. Your 6th yr teachers will be in school to teach your classes, but they too will have to continue teaching their other groups remotely either from school or home. You will be the only year group present in the school for at least two weeks.
Here are some important things note:
1. You must complete and return the Return to Educational Facility Form (Sent to your Parents/Guardians)
2. We will follow our normal school timetable
3. You will be expected to wear a full school uniform.
4. You may wear a jacket to keep warm as a consequence of increased ventilation (We will have the heating on)
5. The school's code of behaviour and relevant policies will continue to operate.
6. All of us must wear masks, visors are no longer sufficient as per NPHET advice.
7. We will provide you all with FREE breakfast and FREE Hot dinner each day via our new school meals programme. You may bring a packed lunch if you would rather that
8. To reduce movement and maintain your safety, I will be insisting that you remain on site during lunchtime for the period until the Easter Break.
Mocks
Mock exams will not take place. Instead, teachers and students will use the time to continue learning and teaching. Assessment will take place within classes on an ongoing basis. This data will be useful for accredited grading as well as traditional examination practice.
Assembly
We will hold a live sixth year assembly Friday 26th at 12pm. We are inviting all Parents and Guardians to take part in this also. I will issue a Zoom link to you via Vs Ware Mail and sixth year student email addresses on Friday morning.
Mocks
Mock exams will not take place. Instead, teachers and students will use the time to continue learning and teaching. Assessment will take place within classes on an ongoing basis. This data will be useful for accredited grading as well as traditional examination practice. Thank you to each of you for participation in our surveys over the last few weels.
State Examinations (information issued 24-02-2021 to schools)
Key points to note:
● Students will have the option of whether to sit the examinations, receive SEC Accredited Grades, or both, on a subject by subject basis.
● Students who opt for both will have their better grades in each subject reflected in their results.
● Students will be required to register on the student portal; confirm their subject and level entry details; opt for the examinations and/or to receive SEC Accredited Grades. The SEC’s Candidate Portal is expected to open in the week of 8 March 2021 to allow students to make their choices. Further details will be issued in advance.
● There will be no fees payable for the 2021 examinations and no fees for SEC Accredited Grades.
● It is intended that the results of both the examinations and the SEC Accredited Grades processes will be issued to students within the required timeframe for progression to higher and further education in Ireland.
Leaving Certificate 2021 examinations
All students may opt to take Leaving Certificate examinations (the written examinations and related additional components in each subject as appropriate) in 2021.
● The timetables for the written Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied examinations have been published by the SEC and are available here. Examinations will commence on 9 June 2021.
● A revised arrangement for each subject’s coursework/practical work will be issued to schools shortly
● The SEC and the Department are continuing to engage with the stakeholders on the arrangements for the safe conduct of the examinations in June and on the support that will be provided to schools. The SEC will be in contact with schools shortly.
● Oral examinations will be arranged by schools during the Easter period and shortly after, outside tuition time and subject to public health advice. Schools will receive guidance on arranging these, as the tests should be undertaken in school by a teacher of the school, wherever possible. There will also be flexibility to source a teacher locally, should the need arise. The tests will be recorded and returned to the SEC for marking.
● Coursework will proceed in subjects where it forms a normal part of the examination. Additional time will be provided by the SEC for completion of this work. This could be from one to a number of weeks with the amount of additional time related to the type of coursework.
● Completion schedules for these components will be issued to schools in the coming weeks.
● In a small number of subjects, it will not be possible to proceed with additional assessment components given public health considerations. Further details will be advised by the SEC shortly.
● It will not be possible to mix elements of accredited grades with components of examinations.
State Examinations Commission Accredited Grades
All Leaving Certificate 2021 school students will be able to opt to receive SEC Accredited Grades on a subject by subject basis. Further information on the process of SEC Accredited Grades will be provided early next week. This information will be communicated directly to schools and also published on www.gov.ie
.● As part of the process, schools will provide the SEC with school-estimated marks in all subjects for all students. These marks will be provided following an in-school alignment process and approval at school level.
● A national standardisation process will take place. Data on the Junior Cycle performance of the Leaving Certificate class of 2021 may form part of this process.
● Students will continue to be taught in schools up until the end of the final term which will finish earlier than usual. Details of the new finish date will be given as soon as possible.
● Providing for both of these measures is essential to ensuring a fair system
● The SEC Accredited Grade process provides contingency for any circumstance in which it is either not possible to hold examinations or students are unable to attend the examinations. There will be no alternative sitting of examinations to provide for bereaved candidates.
Covid-19
● Please note that students will remain on campus for the duration of the re-opening phase
● Students must return the return to education facility form on Monday 01-03-2021
● We would ask each Parent/Guardian and student to familiarize themselves with the Covid-19 response Plan
● Students are expected to adhere to the school’s Code of Behaviour and all relevant policies
● Students must wear a facemask at all times on campus and we encourage each student to have their own supply of hand sanitizer. There are numerous stations across our campus. Please wash your hands, maintain social distancing and follow health guidelines. By keeping ourselves safe, we keep each other safe.
● Any student feeling unwell should stay at home and seek GP advice
● We have enhanced our Covid-19 school signage and our is fully deep cleaned for the re-opening
● Please see the COVID-19 Response Plan for the safe and sustainable reopening of Post Primary Schools. In here you will see the symptoms of Covid-19 as well as the guidelines on how to minimise its spread. There is an onus on each of us to be familiar with and up to date on the relevant medical advice
● We encourage you to download the Covid-19 tracker app. Yo u will find details on how to do this on our website as well as the HSE website:
https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/symptoms.html
Finally, we are delighted to have you back with us. Please use this time back in school with your teachers to prepare yourself for the choices that lie ahead for you. I must encourage all of you to have full attendance except in the case of experiencing symptoms of Covid. Together you and your teachers will prepare for your leaving certificate/accredited grades. I look forward to meeting you all again on Monday morning.
Yours sincerely,
Shane FitzGerald
Principal