Belvedere College SJ
Headmaster’s Weekly Parent & Student Update
Wednesday, 29th April 2020
1 Message From The Headmaster
2 Assessment Update
3 Online Learning Resources
4 Guidance & Chaplaincy
5 Co-Curricular
6 Useful Resources ¢ Message From The Headmaster
Dear Parents, Guardians and Students,
We hope you are safe and well. I want to thank parents for their support and their kindness. At the end of every lesson the lads were in the habit of saying “Thank You” to the teacher. When you teach, a large part of your energy and enthusiasm is powered by the response of the students. We, as teachers, miss that engagement, that energy. So, it is great when a teacher receives a simple email of thanks from students and parents. It need not be an epistle but it has a powerful impact on teachers, in the same way as positive feedback and engagement has a powerful motivating effect on students.
Similarly, a request from a student to his teacher for help, more support, greater clarity, or simply more time, is a vital part of how e-learning evolves to meet the needs of the student. This feedback, coupled with feedback to the Form Tutor is vital in ensuring that parents and the College staff work together as a community of learners.
I was reminded of the Gospel account of the healing of the Ten Lepers when I was in a supermarket doing our weekly shop. “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” (Saint Luke 17:17-18).
At a fundamental level, we need to give thanks for the very gift of life itself and at a time of our heightened awareness of all we have lost it is even more important to say thanks. In the supermarket I watched the reaction of the cashier when she received a gift of a box of chocolates with the receipt from a customer (my wife). A tiny gesture to somebody doing their job and making all the difference. I do not have a box of chocolates for each of you, but “THANK YOU” and well done to all our students for their continued enthusiasm and resilience.
The Block Timetable has been very successful in its first three days judging from the feedback we have received from the students. I would ask for your support in ensuring your son attends the online lessons, preferably not in his PJ’s, lying in bed! Work continues on Edmodo, so please check with your son as to how he is managing. The normal procedure for following up on absence or failure to submit work continue. The teacher will inform the Form Tutor, who will contact the parent. As I and the deputies continue to check in with Form Groups (we will have met all Rhetoric groups by Friday), we are listening to their experiences. We plan to work our way through all the Form Groups over the next week and hear how they are experiencing this prolonged closure. Naturally, they are giving feedback to their Form Tutor and we discuss this so that we continue to improve how we support the students learning. ¢ Message From The Headmaster
I would like to thank the teachers, students, parents and the IT Department who have put an enormous amount of work in to ensuring that we have a sustainable plan for the rest of the year and that we are prepared fully should this ever happen again. The present block timetable review will lead to a contingency plan should there be further prolonged school closure in the future.
Please read and discuss the Assessment Update with your son. You will receive every official update we receive from the Department of Education and the State Exams Commission. In the meantime, please ignore speculation circulating in social media.
Our Pastoral programme continues to be fully engaged with our students through these challenging times. Form Tutors have been meeting with their Forms since before Easter and as always are the first point of call for all pastoral issues. All Rhetoric students will have by now been spoken to by a Guidance Counsellor and the Guidance Department are running lessons for Poetry on the Block Timetable. The virtual Lunchtime Talks continue and are open to all age groups (upcoming talks can be found here).
All Grammar and Poetry students have been contacted by the Chaplaincy team. Any parent or students can contact the Guidance or Chaplaincy team or go through the Form Tutor for an appointment if needed. Thanks also to the parents and past pupils who have volunteered to organise online competitions and activities. If you feel you can assist we welcome your support.
Finally, may you and your family stay safe and well.
Sincerely,
Gerry Foley Headmaster ¢ Assessment Update
Assessment Week
The week of 25th May will be Assessment Week.
Elements, Rudiments and Poetry will have exams as below:
• An assessment of up to 80 minutes
• A combination of open book tests, Edmodo timed tests, oral exams, practicals and project work can all be used for the final grade
• Timetable to be released next week
Grammar Students
Following the DES announcement today, we will be having assessments for Grammar in the Assessment Week as above. The students, as outlined previously will not be having exams in September.
These assessments will not cover the whole course and the overall grade will be made up of a combination of the final assessment and work completed before the closure of March 12th including House Exams and/or CBA results.
A further update on what will be assessed in each subject will be published to parents and students this Friday. ¢ Online Learning Resources New Block Learning Timetable (Updated 29.04.20) Elements Syntax Time Mon Tues Weds Thurs Fri Time Mon Tues Weds Thurs Fri 9.15-10.35 History Options 1 MFL 9.15-10.35 Classics Science Options 1 10.45-12.05 Maths Geography Options 2 10.45-12.05 Maths Options 2 12.15-1.35 Irish Science English 12.15-1.35 Env Studies MFL English Irish Option 1 SD, NT, SMCG, PB, PH, TK, AM, DOH Option 1 MR, ML, NS, SMCG, TK, PB, DOH, AB, LOS Option 2 ML, NS, CMCC, LKE, LC, TK, DD, AB Option 2 PH, MR, NS, HS, NT, JOC, TK, DD, MF
Rudiments Poetry Time Mon Tues Weds Thurs Fri Time Mon Tues Weds Thurs Fri 9.15-10.35 History Geography Options 2 MFL 9.15-10.35 Options 3 Maths 10.45-12.05 English Science Irish 10.45-12.05 MFL English Options 1 Maths 12.15-1.35 Options 1 Maths 12.15-1.35 English Irish/Bus Options 2 Option 1 PH, ML, CMCC, NT, NR, TK, DOH, AM Option 1 PH, RD, JD, LH, SM, LK, DD, MD, SC, Option 2 MR, SMCG, NT, HS, AM, PH, DD, AB Option 2 CMCC, LH, SS, ML, ES, NS, SK, DM, DKI Option 3 NT, MR, SC, HS, SCY, PB, SMCG, BOS, AM, DOH
Grammar Rhetoric Time Mon Tues Weds Thurs Fri Time Mon Tues Weds Thurs Fri 9.15-10.35 MFL English Irish Geography 9.15-10.35 Options 2 Maths 10.45-12.05 Maths Science 10.45-12.05 Options 1 Irish/Geog English 12.15-1.35 Options 1 Options 2 History 12.15-1.35 Maths English Options 3 MFL Option 1 PH, MR, NS, SMCG, HS, AM, DOH, DD, LKE Option 1 PH, ML, ES, HS, LH, SMCG, TD, NOD, TK, DKI Option 2 ML, NS, HS, JOC, TK, AM, PB, DOH, MF Option 2 NT, MR, LH, NS, BOS, PB, DD, CMC, SCY Option 3 CMCC, SS, LHA, JD, SCY, PB, SM, DM, DOH
Additional Information Poetry Guidance Classes • RE and short courses to continue to be taught via Edmodo and Teams where appropriate L, A, X - Mon 1.45-2.15 • Options are on teachers timetables as 1.1, 1.2 etc. For 6th Year it is named differently. Option 1 is 3.1, 3.2 K, F, S - Weds 1.45-2.15 etc., Option 2 is 5.1, 5.2. etc., Option 3 will be 8.1, 8.2 ¢ Online Learning Resources
Online Learning Access Virtual Classroom Expectations
As a school we use Edmodo and Microsoft Office Be safe Be responsible Be respectful 365 as our primary remote learning tools, some Notify parents that you are Join the lesson on time Use appropriate volume and teachers are also using other applications that joining a virtual classroom academic language they are familiar with. All students now have a before sessions begin Microsoft 365 account and can be logged on to End/ Leave the meeting Immediately turn off Be courteous and respectful Microsoft Teams. Over the next few days and when your teacher says to microphone when entering a of other students weeks of the closure, teachers and Form Tutors do so meeting will continue connecting with students through Do not share the session Send questions using the Wait your turn to be invited Edmodo and more will run face to face sessions link with anyone else chat feature to speak on Teams. Microsoft Teams has more When using the video Follow all expectations and Respect others privacy functionality and has excellent capacity for feature consider your guidelines set by your larger group sessions. surroundings, you may use teacher an avatar rather than a web Please respect that online working can erode cam image if preferred. boundaries. Set yourself a timetable for the day Turn on and off audio when to ensure balance and respect that staff are also requested by your teacher. working from very changed circumstances at Remember Staff home, so avoid emails after 4:00 pm unless it expectations on behaviour affects an immediate submission of work for a and participation in a virtual deadline set by a member of staff classroom remain exactly the same as a physical As with all and any other learning tools Teams is lesson. covered under the College Acceptable Use College Acceptable Use Policy. It is prohibited for students to use this Policy applies to all virtual tool for anything other than educational classrooms. Please follow purposes. The IT department continue to staff instructions to make monitor usage and check for appropriate use , this a positive learning the College expect that all students will respond experience for all involved. responsibly and any student who does not will face sanction as per the code of behaviour. ¢ Online Learning Resources
Guide To Microsoft Teams
As we continue to adapt to online learning, we are mindful that additional resources and refreshers can be helpful even to those students and parents who are already well-versed in using Teams.
Please click this link for a brief video guide by CloudDesignBox (Office 365 experts) for using Microsoft Teams for remote learning.
DCU Facebook Live Series – Learning From Home
Dublin City University's Institute of Education has launched a new Facebook Live series aimed at parents of school-age children learning from home during the COVID-19 restrictions.
The first series kicked off on Tuesday (April 21st) with Prof Anne Looney*, Dean of the Institute of Education taking questions and queries.
Prof Looney focused on the subject of “distance learning” and how since preschool and schools have shut, everything is now at a remove from the classroom, which poses myriad challenges.
Find out more here! Watch a recording of Prof Looney’s talk here.
* Prof Anne Looney is actively involved in the life of Belvedere College SJ – serving on the Strategy and Self-Evaluation Committees ¢ Guidance & Chaplaincy Update For Rhetoric Students It is our intention to run the Sixth Year graduation in the autumn term, following the normal format as closely as possible. We don’t want the Class of 2020 to leave Belvedere College S.J. without formally celebrating their journey through the College. Further details will follow as circumstances allow and will be dictated by our ability to organise larger gatherings.
The Guidance Department continue to connect in with Rhetoric students. A reminder to all 6th years that the CAO Change of Mind facility opens on the 5th May. The SUSI grant is now open for applications. Guidance Counsellors are available to support students who are eligible to make an application. You can check your eligibility at www.susi.ie. Please contact your link Guidance Counsellor if you would like support.
Update For Poetry Students Poetry students have begun their weekly online guidance class this term starting on Monday on Teams. Loyola, Aylmer & Xavier have their online class on Mondays, 1.45 – 2.15. Kenney, Finlay & Scully have their online class on Wednesdays, 1.45 – 2.15. It is important that all students attend each class.
Guidance Counsellors are currently working their way through Poetry students for a guidance check in to provide individual feedback on their RightCareers4Me reports and to outline the next steps of their guidance process. These one to one sessions will be conducted on Teams and will continue over the coming weeks.
It is strongly recommended that Poetry students attend our virtual lunchtime talks each Tuesday and Thursday. Details will be sent via Flexibuzz in advance to allow students to register. This should be considered an integral part of the Poetry guidance programme.
Latest JMB Statement (14 April 2020)
Please see page 11 of last week’s Weekly Parent Newsletter for the full JMB Statement (link here), or click this link to more information on the JMB website. ¢ Guidance & Chaplaincy
New Guidance Website We are delighted to announce the launch of our new Guidance webpage on the school website. Please visit the webpage for up to the minute Guidance updates.
Virtual Lunchtime Talks Coming The Guidance Department is currently running a series of virtual lunchtime guidance talks with past Soon! pupils. These talks are open to students from all year groups, but we would particularly encourage 4th, 5th & 6th years to attend. Upcoming talks are advertised on the school noticeboard section of our Keep an eye out new Guidance website, guidance social media pages and Flexibuzz. for virtual assemblies with On Tuesday, we hosted an excellent talk from past pupil, Ciarán Stanley (OB15), who spoke about his the Headmaster Political Science course in the University of Amsterdam. He shared his experiences of studying in a and Form Dutch university and of moving to a new country. Tutors. A number of these This Thursday, we will hear from past pupil Dylan Dimond who is currently studying Medicine in have taken Trinity College Dublin. Dylan will chat to us about doing the HPAT and will share insights gained place with from his first year as a medical student. On Tuesday 5th May, we are delighted to welcome past pupil, Rhetoric Henry Costello, who is currently studying Marketing, Innovation & Technology in DCU. students. Students must register in advance to attend the talk by emailing [email protected]
Whole School Guidance Task
We would encourage all other year groups to engage in the Whole School guidance tasks that were sent out in the last bulletins. Course investigation and career research is a really productive way to spend some spare time. You can find lots of resources and do lots of research using our new guidance website – just remember to capture your research as you go using the Course Investigation sheets. Link here! ¢ Guidance & Chaplaincy
AEN Department
The AEN core team and a number of support teachers are continuing to work with individual students, their parents, form tutors, year heads, leadership team and subject teachers.
From Monday 27th April, the AEN core team will also be available on-line at the following times, should any student with additional educational needs have any concerns or require additional support:
• First years: Mr McKenna: Mondays at 12.15 during the Irish period
• Second years: Mr McKenna: Fridays at 10.45 am during Irish
• Third years: Ms Crosbie: Thursdays at 9.15 am during Irish
• Fourth years: Ms Sheridan: Fridays at 12.15 pm during Irish
• Fifth years: Ms Val Hamilton: Mondays at 10.45 am out of Modern Languages and Thursdays at 12.15 during Irish
• Sixth years: Ms Val Hamilton: Thursdays at 12.45 out of Modern Languages and Wednesdays at 10.45 during Irish
We look forward to hearing from you,
Ms Val Hamilton AEN Coordinator ¢ Guidance & Chaplaincy Keeping The College Informed About Student Well-Being
Dear Parents,
We hope that you and your families remain well and healthy.
As we highlight at our parent talks at the beginning of every year, it is really important that the school are aware of any event in the family that could impact your son’s engagement with his school life. We can only respond to what we are aware of, and we do want to respond and be sensitive to anything that can effect a student and his school life. In the current circumstance that could be the challenges of learning online, the stress or anxiety of state exams, but it may also be the illness or even death of a family member. We would normally hear about such events during regular school time and we encourage you to continue to inform us of any such events during school closure. Simply contact either Colin McCarthy, Deputy Principal at [email protected] or Padraig Swan, Director of Faith and Service Programmes at [email protected].
We are offering a weekly online prayer service where we collectively pray for any requests received by the wider Belvedere Community. If you would like us to pray for a particular intention please mail Padraig.
Thank you, stay safe and go well.
Padraig Swan
Chaplaincy Update
Student Support The Pastoral Dept continue to contact all Grammar, Syntax and Poetry students via the 4 chaplains, Aoife McArdle, Trish Carroll, Eoghan Keogh and Rob Altman. In addition, the chaplains are offering additional support to a number of students that require it. ¢ Guidance & Chaplaincy St Vincent De Paul Presidential Elections
The St Vincent De Paul Student (VDP) Conference held its President elections remotely last Friday afternoon. 11 Poetry students prepared a short talk on what the VDP means to them and what they would do if elected to the role of President. In the end there was only one winner, Jack Burke. Jack was very gracious in his acceptance and he wasted no time in selecting his cabinet who will assist him with the running of the VDP for 2020-21. He sent a message to all who took part:
“Thanks to everybody who took the time to vote. To be president is an honour and it’s something I’ve always worked towards. I hope I can do this role justice. I’d like to thank last year’s cabinet who did a great job, and I hope to continue the growth of the VDP this year. I’d also really like to thank all the other candidates that ran for president. I know I will have a great cabinet around me. Thanks.”
- Jack Burke Religious Education
The Religious Education teachers met virtually during the week and began planning for next years curriculum and also discussed how we should bring this academic year to a fitting close for all students. Even though religion is not a state exam subject in the College, teachers have been active with their students delivering many online classes and sharing resources just as we would in real time.
Weekly Liturgy In the absence of our weekly mass in the College chapel, we have been offering an online prayer liturgy each week. Please visit this link for last week’s prayer, for all previous weeks, and watch out for this weeks, on Friday May 1st. Click here. We pray for many intentions at this prayer service so if you would like us to include a particular intention or prayer, please e-mail [email protected] ¢ Guidance & Chaplaincy Chaplaincy Resource Of The Week
There are many resources to support people searching for meaning through all this isolation and lockdown, or even for life in general. This week we recommend Ignatian Spirituality.com which is full of wonderful tips about prayer, faith, stillness, and how to live more presently with yourself, God and the world around you. Visit this link to access them all here.
Grandparents’ Day
Today, Wednesday April 29th is our Grandparents Day where we celebrate the life and contribution that grandparents make to our students and their families. We normally invite grandparents from Elements students in for a tour of the College, a prayer service and some lovely home baked cakes and refreshments.
In our lockdown many of us have been unable to visit our grandparents, but today or this week might be a little reminder to contact them and tell them how much we love them and share with them all that is happening in our school lives.
A Person Of Faith
Elements Aylmer completed a project on A Person of Faith. Peter McCaffrey (Elements Aylmer) chose to interview his mum Úna as someone he identified as a Person of Faith. Peter created the interview questions and conducted the interview himself. Please click here to view the video on YouTube. ¢ Guidance & Chaplaincy
Asthma Awareness Week (1 - 8 May) 10 Great Ways To Be Ready For Your Next People with asthma are considered to be more at Holiday risk if they contract coronavirus. During the coronavirus pandemic it is important that people Lets be honest – we all need a with asthma, even young people, are properly holiday at this point. But at the same managing their condition. This will put them in a time, most of us probably have never better position if they do come into contact with had this much time to prepare for the virus. one!
Check out this article from The Guardian that outlines ten ideas for Keep an eye out for more information on asthma.ie what you can do now – so that you are more prepared than ever before for your next big holiday!
“How bad do you need a holiday?” Me: iHealthFacts is a helpful resource where students can quickly and easily check the reliability of a health claim circulated by social media. The goal of this resource is to help people think critically about health claims and make well-informed choices.
iHealthFacts ¢ Guidance & Chaplaincy
Children’s & Young People’s Services Committees (CYPSC) – Well-Being Resources
The five CYPSC have collated information, contacts and resources to support wellbeing of children, young people and families during Covid-19.
Click here to download this helpful document!
Parentline
Parentline helplines are taking calls from 10am-9pm Mon-Thurs and from 10am-4pm Fridays. From schoolwork, excessive screen time, isolation to loss of routine, Parentline is there to support parents in supporting their children. Ring 1890927277 or 018733500. ¢ Co-Curricular
Games Department National Test Norms Mr Doyle’s Weekly Challenge!
This week the PE department will focus on balance. Ranking Male Female What is Balance? Excellent >50 >30 • Balance is the ability to retain centre of mass above the base of support. Balance is a skill! Good 49.9 - 40 29.9 - 23 When Is It Used In Sport? Average 39.9 - 30 22.9 - 16 Fair 29.9 - 20 15.9 - 10 • Balance is needed whilst the body is stationary and moving dynamically. A sprinter uses static balance while maintaining their posture in the starting block while a discus Poor <20 <10 thrower uses dynamic balance while stating in the circle during the throw
How Can This Be Tested?
The Stork test measures static balance:
• Stand with your hands on your hips • Place the sole of your right foot against the inside of your left knee • Rise up on your toes of your standing leg and hold your balance for as long as possible • Test is stopped when your heel touches the ground or when your right foot leaves the inside of your knee • Record and test again on your opposite leg Starting Position Test Position ¢ Co-Curricular
Rugby
Lockdown has been a great time for us to create some good habits, especially when it comes to sports and exercise. Below are three links which students can use to stay connected to their coaches, complete weekly assignments (rugby specific and leadership), take part in the skill and fitness challenges', and watch bespoke 'Rugby Skills' videos crafted by our coaches and special guests - specifically catering to our players at Belvedere College SJ.
If you are in Elements or Rudiments and you want to play rugby next year join here. Password: REDACTED FOR WEB
If you are Grammar, Syntax, or Poetry, and you want to play rugby next year join here. Password: REDACTED FOR WEB
If parents or Rhetoric students would like direct access to our schools rugby video resource, follow this link and subscribe to be notified when new content is uploaded.
Athletics
From this week, the Athletics Edmodo page will have weekly updates on all Athletics learning and training methods.
Click here for link. Password: REDACTED FOR WEB ¢ Co-Curricular
The @Home Edition
Prior to the school closures and social distancing measures coming into effect a large number of students in the school were actively working towards achieving their Bronze, Silver or Gold Gaisce Awards. Due to the inherent social element of many of their challenges, their activities, and as such their pursuit of the award, were at risk of coming to a grinding halt.
Thankfully Gaisce acted to put in place an initiative called Gaisce@Home. Gaisce participants were allowed and encouraged to alter their activities mid-program so as to make them achievable within the boundaries of home and social distancing.
As we’ve had the opportunity to witness, through contact with the challengers via the Gaisce Teams Group, our students have taken to the changes with aplomb. The physical recreation challenges have shifted from the Gaelic and rugby pitches to the back gardens and driveways. Instead of matches, they’ve shifted to drills and skills. Instead of cycling to from A to B and back, they’re cycling on the spot.
Instead of music lessons or art lessons undertaken in the city, they’re practising their instruments at home or taking over the kitchen to cook and bake (now we know where all the flour went).
Most impressive has been the initiative shown in re-designing their community involvement. Since the likes of mentoring programs and volunteering in nursing homes have understandably been curtailed, our challengers have taken to their phones and tablets to continue to reach out and help in whichever way they can.
It is never too late to begin the Gaisce journey…
The award is open to all young people resident in If your son is interested in signing up and beginning his Ireland from age 15 to 25. award journey through the Gaisce@Home scheme, please The Gaisce Bronze award typically begins for encourage him to contact M. Murphy Belvedere students at the start of Transition Year at [email protected]. (although some have begun in 3rd year and others have You can also find more information on the Belvedere Gaisce begun it in 5th and 6th year). website . ¢ Useful Resources
From The Science Department
The third in a three-part series of interesting science activities and experiments, compiled by Mr Michael Grehan
Click here!
Writing Competitions
The John Daly Award for Junior Writing: Closing Date 11th May 2020. Entries submitted through Teams using the assignment facility in the Writers Group.
The George Dempsey Award: Closing Date 11th May. Entries submitted to Ms Patton at [email protected] on or before the closing date. If you would like to avail of a consultation with Dave Rudden regarding your work, please contact a member of the English Dept. to arrange.
From The Art Department
A gallery of art projects submitted by students who are working at home. This week’s updates include: • An Art In Lockdown video video collage of work by a number of students • Elements’ projects, inspired by Roy Lichtenstein • Poetry poster projects • “The Masterpiece” - Development of Final TY Pieces Click here to see more! ¢ Useful Resources
From The Sports Department
Sports Ireland have compiled a summary of some of the programmes available from a selection of Local Sports Partnerships. Their programmes cater for people of all ages and abilities and can be done from your home. Click here!
From The Guidance Department Virtual Open Days & Podcasts
Since many colleges & universities have had to cancel their open days, there has been a dramatic rise in the number of online resources available to students.
Maynooth University are hosting a Virtual Open day tomorrow, Saturday 25th April, where you can explore all MU has to offer from the comfort of your own coach.
DCU has launched a series of excellent podcasts and Live online Q&A sessions where they discuss the courses they have on offer.
Trinity College have a virtual information session planned for Wednesday, 29th April. More information can be found on college websites. The Guidance Dept recommend that students from across all year group take advantage of the new online resources! ¢ Useful Resources
Try Some Coding!
Microsoft have created an exciting series of coding activities for primary and secondary school students called DreamSpace HomeSpace. This includes a daily schedule of coding, game design and STEAM-based challenges for students who are currently learning remotely.
Find out more here!
Directory Of Free Products & Services Available During COVID-19 GiveBack Directory - a list of services that have been made available for free for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, and is being continuously updated – so do keep checking back! Website: www.belvederecollege.ie Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BelvedereCollegeSJ/
Headmaster: [email protected]
Deputy Principals: Link Deputy Elements & Rudiments: Paul Bryce [email protected] Link Deputy Grammar & Syntax: Colin McCarthy [email protected] Link Deputy Poetry & Rhetoric: Tom Doyle [email protected]
Guidance & Careers: Website Contact: [email protected] Twitter: https://twitter.com/Belvoguidance Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Belvedereguidance/
IT Department: [email protected]