NACED in the 21st Century

argued strongly that the Director of Adult Education post was linked to that of Deputy Principal which was exempt from the moratorium. NACED worked closely with the ASTI and TUI and put forward a motion supporting our campaign at the ACCS Conference in March 2010. This motion was passed unanimously.

After a yearlong campaign, in July 2010 Minister for Education Mary Coughlan issued Circular 42/2010 which essentially removed the Director of Adult Education post from the moratorium. NACED was very pleased to see that Circular 42/2010 contained a section titled ‘Director of Adult Education at Deputy Principal Level’. Our contention was that the post of Director of Adult Education was linked to the post of Deputy Principal and therefore should have been exempt from the moratorium. Critically, there were now two Department Circulars, 46/2000 and 42/2010, confirming this link.

However, there followed a nine month delay in the implementation of Circular 42/2010. In November 2010, the then Labour Spokesperson for Education, Ruairi Quinn TD, gave an address entitled ‘A Vision for Adult Education in a Time of Recession’ at our Annual Conference. NACED members informed him that the delay in implementing Circular 42/2010 would effectively end the The Future provision of adult education in Community and Comprehensive At the time of writing, NACED’s membership has dropped below schools. forty. A variety of factors have contributed to this: very few Community and Comprehensive schools have opened in the last Within three months, Mr. Quinn was appointed as Minister for number of years; delays in or the non-replacement of retiring Education and Skills. In January 2011, NACED embarked on an Directors; and Adult Education being considered as an ‘optional intensive round of communication to harness support for the extra’ in Community and Comprehensive schools. This view of implementation of Circular 42/2010. Finally in May 2011, the adult education is in direct contrast to the documents which logjam was cleared and faour NACED schools were given the go founded Community and Comprehensive schools in the early ahead to appoint replacement Directors of Adult Education. The 1970s. The challenge for NACED in the future is to work with alleviation also applied to Directors in VEC schools. NACED is ACCS and ensure that the rich and long-established tradition of very appreciative of the support of Ciarán Flynn, then General adult education provision in Community and Comprehensive Secretary of ACCS, Diarmaid de Paor, Deputy General Secretary schools is maintained and actively supported and promoted. of ASTI and Peter McMenamin, then TUI General Secretary, in our campaign to save the provision of adult education in Community and Comprehensive schools.

Joint Further Education Representative Group (JFERG) At the NACED conference in November 2010, Finola Butler from the Further Education Service (FESS) informed members about Validated Programmes and FETAC Awards. Ms Butler was giving similar presentations to teachers who were running Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses in Joint Managerial Body (JMB) secondary schools. During discussions subsequent to the NACED conference, it was suggested that future FESS presentations should be made jointly to the relevant teachers from ACCS and JMB schools.

Further meetings took place and, in June 2014, a Memorandum of Understanding on Joint Engagement with Certain Aspects of Further Education was agreed by representatives of NACED, ACCS and JMB. This JFERG will have the authority to represent JMB and ACCS schools which provide further education in negotiations and discussions with the Department of Education, SOLAS, QQI, FESS, and Education and Training Boards (ETBI). At the 2008 NACED Conference were (l-r): Sean McCann, Eileen Salmon, General Secretary of ACCS, and Michael ACCS General Secretary from 1994-2004 with Ciaran Redmond, Assistant General Secretary of JMB, have done great Flynn, ACCS General Secretary from 2004-2014. work to form this alignment of providers from ACCS and JMB schools. Page 15 - NACED - 40th Anniversary 1974 - 2014 NACED - Through the years

Listening attentively at a NACED Conference.

At the Further Education Exhibition in the RDS, , in 2008 were NACED representatives (l-r): Donal Digan, Pobalscoil Rosmini, and John O’Neill, Newpark Comprehensive School.

Anne-Marie Daly, Ballincollig Community School (right) At the 2008 Conference were Pat Hurley, then ASTI President, pictured with Susie Hall, former ASTI President at a with Maria Kenny, Bishopstown Community School, Cork, NACED conference. and ASTI Executive.

Page 16 - NACED - 40th Anniversary 1974 - 2014 Hands On... Arts and crafts have always been a huge cornerstone of adult education. Here are the results of some night class students' handiwork

Page 17 - NACED - 40th Anniversary 1974 - 2014 Collaboration in Cork

Community Schools in Cork operate a unique co- operative – from as early as 1976 after UCC ran a course for those running adult education in the county, the city’s schools have worked in tandem with each other.

Mayfield Community School was the first school to offer adult education in 1976, followed shortly by Douglas, Ballincollig, Ashton, Bishopstown, and Carrigaline. On a purely voluntary basis, and supported by their principals, those running adult education in the six schools agreed to meet once a month to pool ideas and agree a collaboration that lasts to this day.

The schools agreed that they would not compete with each other and would advertise night classes as a unit. In addition, the schools agreed to the training and sharing of tutors. If a class could not run in one school, the students and tutor would be referred to the nearest community school. Significantly, the community schools run a shared stand at the annual Adult Education Adult education directors in Cork (from left to right): Jerry O’ Mahony, Douglas Community School; Gene Cahill, Exhibition in Cork’s City Hall. In addition, the six schools Carrigaline Community School; John O’Sullivan, Ashton have a joint open evening in Cork and all night classes Comprehensive School; Anne-Marie Daly, Ballincollig Community School. Missing from photo: Michelle O’Brien, across the schools start on the same date and cost the Bishopstown Community School. same.

The impact of this collaboration has also had a national impact. In the late 1980s, early 1990s, the directors of adult education in Cork identified financial accountability as an issue given the amounts of cash that were being generated by the success of the night class programmes. Protocols were established around record-keeping and transparency and subsequently led to the use of online booking.

Serving almost 5000 night class participants each year, it’s clear that this model of collaboration in Cork works.

Night classes appeal to all ages. Here, an older gentleman attends an art class in Ballincollig Community School.

Ashton Comprehensive School: www.ashton.ie Ballincollig Community School: www.balcs.ie Bishopstown Community School: www.bishopstown-cs.ie Carrigaline Community School: www.carrigcs.ie Douglas Community School: www.dcscork.ie Mayfield Community School: www.mayfieldcommunityschool.ie

Page 18 - NACED - 40th Anniversary 1974 - 2014 From ancestors to computers... Here, retired adult education director Patrick Clarke of Moyne Community School, Co. Longford, recounts the changing trends in night classes.

I became adult education officer in Moyne in 1998 and tend to think of our mortality and Bible Studies and prayer inherited a tradition of providing night classes going back groups were making a comeback as I retired and passed to the early 1950s when Ballinamuck Vocational School was on the baton. founded, known in Irish as the Ceard Scoil where a great In the midst of the success and failure of trying to organise emphasis was placed on the practical subjects. This classes, tutors, dates and times, you could always ring provision of a night class programme was continued on in NACED and get advice and help. I want to place on record the new amalgamated Moyne Community School. my sincere gratitude to the different members of that Computer classes ranging from beginners up to completing committee who helped me over my twelve-year tenure. I the seven modules for ECDL were the most sought after at always looked forward to our two-day conference each the end of the 1990s and 2000s, coupled with courses like November, meeting up with such great friends and coming welding, car maintenance, furniture restoration, arts and away with renewed enthusiasm and vigour for the following crafts. year. I haven’t been back to night classes since I retired but I still harbour thoughts of learning to play the fiddle or accordion. I have been busy since retiring, between farming and restoring an old stone-built farmhouse and racing trips to Cheltenham, Punchestown and Leopardstown with a fellow retiree from Moyne. Last year, I fulfilled a lifelong ambition of visiting the Holy Land for two weeks and what a lesson in Religion, Politics, History and Geography that was!

Pat Clarke (left), retired adult education director in Moyne Community School, Co Longford, with Ruairi Quinn TD, then Labour spokesperson for education, pictured at NACED’s 2010 conference in Athlone, Co Westmeath.

However, as Ireland began to enjoy the prosperity of the Celtic Tiger years, demand for courses changed. We were now putting on courses in Spanish and French as we abandoned the caravan park in Rosses Point and headed for sunnier climates. Aerobics and toning, beauty and skincare, and style coaching were now in popular demand and even some reflexology just to keep the head clear. Alas the Tiger years didn’t last and the dreaded ‘R’ word - recession - arrived. Now, computers and ECDL were popular again and Trace your Ancestors became a favourite as our siblings, now in their droves in Australia and Canada, An impressive wood sculpture from Malahide wanted to know if they had any relations out there whom Community School. they could look up. Indeed, it is when times get tough, we

Page 19 - NACED - 40th Anniversary 1974 - 2014 Annual conference: vital for networking, support, and knowledge

Here, Andrew Farrell explains how beneficial NACED’s annual conference has been to him in his new role as Adult and Community Education Director in Hartstown Community School. And he explores the wider benefits of the conferences

As a relatively new Adult and there was a huge support network conference each year, with members Community Education Director, I have available to all NACED members. The travelling from every corner of the found the annual conference to be a conference helps to improve the country to contribute. During other priceless support and resource to programmes offered by each sessions held by NACED, we, as improving the programmes that we individual school further. I, personally, Directors, can understand first-hand offer in Hartstown Community School. have to admit that the level of what ideas and systems are working As Directors, we are forever striving communication and development that well in other member schools. to improve the level of service can be done at the annual conference provided to the communities we far outweighs what could ever be Specific knowledge serve. The key to this is networking, done over the phone or online. The At previous conferences, communicating, and sourcing new personal relationships that I have presentations have been given by ideas to be incorporated into the gained allow me to deal with the experienced Adult and Community programmes that each NACED challenges that I encounter on an Education Directors, highlighting the member school offers. At a time ongoing basis, safe in the knowledge merits of their own programmes and where support systems to schools are that I have a wider support network how they have sought to improve being withdrawn, the annual NACED available to consult with, should I so them further. We gain a wealth of conference is an opportunity to meet need. unrivalled knowledge on numerous and focus on the provision of Adult issues, eg. the recruitment and and Community Education. But what takes place at the NACED contracting of tutors, managing our annual conference and why is it so financial accounts and budgeting, Due to the isolated nature of adult important to us as Adult and marketing and advertising, education as a stand-alone Community Education Directors? development of courses, the department within each school, it can Each year, the sessions generally understanding and filing of sometimes prove difficult for Directors take two forms, both equally Department of Education returns, to network with other members of beneficial: understanding the allocation of hours staff within each school. As well as (1) The meeting of NACED members and posts of responsibility within the this, due to our primary teaching to discuss matters arising within the field of Adult and Community commitments to our schools, it can field of Adult and Community Education, to name but a few. also prove difficult to communicate Education, and with other Adult and Community (2) Practical presentations given by At the conference, we have an Education Directors in the Community outside bodies and speakers to the opportunity to circulate our brochures and Comprehensive school system, NACED member representatives and outline the programmes that we as a whole, on a regular basis. As a professional body, NACED can offer. This allows us to see which hold its AGM at the annual courses are trending now and why The NACED Annual Conference fills this void. It provides an essential forum where Directors can pool our knowledge, experiences, skills, and ideas each year. Although it is possible to keep in contact with Adult and Community Education departments in other schools, through phone calls and emails, nothing compares to the forum given to us by the annual conference. There is no substitute to meeting as a large professional group and discussing, in depth, the issues that affect us on a daily basis. Support network When I took up my duties as an Adult and Community Education Director over three years ago, I was unsure of some of the challenges that lay ahead of me. However, my attendance at the annual conference only a few months into my tenure set my mind at ease. It opened my eyes to the fact that At the 2007 Conference.

Page 20 - NACED - 40th Anniversary 1974 - 2014 Annual conference: vital for networking, support, and knowledge

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The annual conference, over the years, has allowed NACED to heighten the awareness of our organisation and promote the work that we do. Having political representatives, e.g. Government Ministers, attend our annual conference allows us to showcase the programmes on offer in member schools and their importance within the community. The attendance of union representatives, i.e. ASTI and TUI, and representatives from ACCS again allows us to outline the fantastic work being carried out in Pictured at the 2006 NACED conference were (l-r): Seamus Scully, Clane Adult and Community Education. Community School; Sile de Valera, Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Securing their support and advice Islands; and Sean Canning, Colaiste Chiaráin, Leixlip. over the years at our annual conference further encourages us programmes that we offer. This organisation. In recent years, for that we hold a significant role within allows us to see which courses are example, we have gained greatly the wider education system. trending now and why certain courses from presentations surrounding social have lost their appeal in recent years. media and how it can be harnessed Another noteworthy benefit is the This is hugely beneficial as we seek to promote and manage the to improve our own programmes on a programmes that we offer. Another strength that the annual conference continued basis. pivotal moment was the development provides NACED, as a professional of online enrolment and payment, body, to negotiate with other Presentations from guest speakers through a secure booking system, for organisations. For example, and groups have also proven the courses that we offer. companies wishing to offer their extremely beneficial. It allows other services to NACED may offer more experienced professionals to impart To have guest speakers from other competitive rates to a larger group their expertise to the whole NACED areas of further education highlight like ours than they might to an the importance of Adult and individual school. With all NACED Community Education to the member schools invited to our annual communities that we serve is conference, a strength in numbers extremely uplifting. Knowing that gives us a powerful voice when students attending our courses go on engaging with others, as well as to obtain further and higher education allowing us to pool our wealth of qualifications validates our role as resources and knowledge. Directors. This feedback is rewarding to know that our programmes benefit our local communities.

In conclusion, I must say that, whether it be in a formal session or an informal chat over a cup of tea in the lobby, it’s amazing how many “Eureka” moments come to light when talking face to face with other Directors and guest speakers. The annual conference is a constant source of support, ideas and professional development to us all, a forum that this Director is eternally grateful for. NACED chairperson Robbie Harrold (left) with Sean Haughey, then At the 2008 conference were (l-r): Minister of State at the Department Sean Clarke, Pobalscoil Iosolde, of Education, at the 2008 NACED Palmerstown, and Tom Collins, Professor conference. of Education at .

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i Sharing Expertise f

o “It’s all about trying to better myself r so that people can learn more from me” P Christopher White is an award-winning florist and his Flower Art classes in Ashbourne Community School have proved a big hit, both for his arrangements and his personal approach and encouragement It’s not every day you get a Silver medallist from the Since then, he has been a worthy participant, winning Chelsea Flower Show teaching you about flower Silver Gilt, Silver and two Bronze medals at the renowned arranging. But that’s what the night class students enjoy show. Now the florist in residence at Newbridge House in on Monday nights in Ashbourne Community School when Donabate, he remains conscious of how the recession Christopher White shares his expertise. affects the spending capacity of his night class students. “You can produce lovely arrangements with a small A night class tutor in Flower Art for the last five years, number of flowers, so we set a budget on how much they Christopher makes sure his class learns everything from can spend. Our class is very hands on and it’s all about traditional to contemporary arrangements suitable for small producing arrangements that the class is happy with.” arrangements for at home or wedding bouquets or larger ones for weddings and churches. “I love the night class, I love sharing what I know with the people in the class and I love it when they go home with a great arrangement,” says Christopher who has also won gold medals at Ireland’s Bloom Festival.

Not content with just teaching flower arranging, Christopher himself undertook exams in London in March to become one of a handful of National Demonstrators in Ireland. “It’s all about trying to better myself so that people can learn more from me,” says Christopher, who also attended this year’s Chelsea Flower Show in May. “Chelsea is the biggest flower show in the world where you compete against other countries. You have to be invited to Christopher White (front left) with Flower Art nightclass attend – I spent 13 years applying.” participants in Ashbourne Community School. Night Class best move I ever made ... Tena Shiel’s professional life was transformed when she attended night classes in Gorey Community School. Over the next few years, she attained top marks in Accounting and now runs her own training and accountancy business.

As the middle child of six, there was facilities were perfect for a mature no expectation that I would attend student finding their feet after many third level education after my Leaving years’ absence from the academic Certificate in 1986. That scene. The sense of achievement and transformed the range of employment disappointment never left me as I the boost to my confidence when I options available to me. I am now worked in sales, retail and retail was ranked in the top ten ATI results registered with the Teaching Council management for many years. It was for 2008 was incredible. and deliver accounts training for my move into an administrative role SOLAS and private contractors. I including finance in 2001 that My ATI qualification enabled me to join have a growing range of private rekindled my interest in getting a the third year of a four-year Honours accounting clients from retail and qualification. Degree at the IPA. In 2010, I services backgrounds to payroll and graduated with the highest mark in the tax refunds. An ISME/FÁS scholarship allowed me Accounting stream and the CIMA to follow the Accounting Technician Award for Excellence in Management Well into my forties, I am as qualification through Gorey Accounting. Then, I sat my passionate and enthusiastic about my Community School’s Adult Education professional exams with the future as I have ever been in my life Department. It was the first and best Association of Chartered Certified and I put that all down to getting back step that I have ever taken. The Accountants in December 2010 and into education as a mature student, course was challenging but attainable, May 2011, achieving the equivalent of setting achievable goals and ticking the tutors were knowledgeable and a Level 9 on the NFQ. them off one by one. encouraging, and the setting and These qualifications have absolutely

Page 22 - NACED - 40th Anniversary 1974 - 2014 P r St Louis o f i l

Community School, Kiltimagh. e

St. Louis Community School in Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo, was founded in 1993 with the amalgamation of St. Louis Secondary School and Coláiste Raifteirí Vocational School, and is proud of its long history in PLC and community education.

With 500 pupils, it serves the immediate town of Kiltimagh, which has a population of about 1000 as well as a wide rural catchment area. “We are very linked in with the local community and can respond quite quickly to its demands,” said adult education director Andrea Maloney. “For instance, the women’s group in the town expressed an interest in baking and gardening courses, so I organised those. People who attend our bridge classes are then linked in with the local bridge club.”

The adult education department is also closely linked with the PLC department in the school. Andrea herself teaches 10 FETAC modules and co-ordinates the business programme, so she is able to fill any gaps that are identified in the day courses. “In addition, the school runs a PLC Hairdressing City & Guilds course by day. At night, we use those facilities to run a Barbering course, with many of those attending then deciding to continue on to complete the daytime Hairdressing course.”

With many of the FETAC accredited courses being run during the day, the night class offering focuses on craft, childcare, ECDL, Ireland Online courses, and wellbeing classes such as yoga, cookery, and gardening. And, with the Castlebar campus of Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology just a half hour away, many participants use the night classes as a stepping stone on to further education.

“As a small department, we’re able to respond very quickly to the changing needs of the community and that works for us,” said Andrea.

Adult Education Director: Andrea Maloney

Tel: 094 938 1228 E: [email protected] W: www.stlouiscs.com

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Boyne Community School Trim, Co Meath.

Boyne Community School was Classes in patchwork, and pottery, financing aspect of the night classes, founded in 2001 as a result of an basket making and wood turning were but with attendance increasing, the amalgamation of St Michael’s introduced and have tapped into a future looks optimistic. Diocesan School and Trim Vocational local interest in crafts, and also lead to School. Áine Uí Eadhra took on the a source of income for some people. role of providing night classes and ran Yoga, IT, and ECDL classes were also them successfully until her retirement provided over the years. When the in 2010. Amazingly, she ran the night allocation of hours reached 28,000, class programme voluntarily for the adult education department was another year – NACED successfully awarded an A post of responsibility argued that her Director of Adult and Máire Walsh was duly appointed. Education post not be subject to the At its peak, the night classes were moratorium on filling posts and Máire attended by 600 students per term, Walsh was duly appointed Director in more than the day school at one point, 2011. and up from the 160 who enrolled in As well as hobby courses from the the department’s very first term. beginning, the adult education Today, the department offers classes department had a strong focus on of interest to its mix of rural hinterland providing professional night classes. It and commuter-belt populations, with was ahead of its time in forming links web design and social media and start with organisations such as Accounting your own business courses proving Technicians Ireland (IATI/ATI), popular. Just 35 miles from Dublin’s Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI), O’Connell Street, competition is a and NUI Maynooth among others. The significant factor, and the department Áine Uí Eadhra, former Director of emphasis was always on providing a plans to boost the number of its Adult Education in Boyne pathway to the highest skill possible in certified courses as people seek to Community School. a night class student’s choice of upskill. As with all community schools, course. the challenge is to keep the self-

Adult Education Director: Máire Walsh Tel: 046 943 8000 E: [email protected] W: www.boynecs.ie

Page 24 - NACED - 40th Anniversary 1974 - 2014 Pics & Poems..

Séamus’ Class by Patric Davis, a student of Seamus Cashman in the Malahide Community School poetry night class

A kindly wordsmith, sharing his views, Dispensing advice on the “dont’s” and the “do’s”.

The core of your poem is always the line, It isn’t essential always to rhyme.

Select the right word, avoid the cliché, Colons are fine: …if used the right way.

Careful of words like “heart”, “love“ and “soul”, They’re able to take a most terrible toll.

Inversion you do not, unless you have cause, And don’t ever fear … to put in a wee pause.

Don’t give your readers conclusions to draw, Learning to apply make-up during a night Let them decide what it is that they saw. class in Ashbourne Community School in 2014. Edit ten times, then ten times again, Then, only then, have you finished with pen.

You think you have finished and now you are proud? First check if it works; go read it aloud! The Power In case you think classes are all about fun, He’s given you homework that has to be done! Of Words

When we finish our classes, and leave our dear sage, Audrey O’Riordan, Ballincollig His wisdom will guide us to the end of the page. Making Words Work is a never-ending, December 2013 non-repetitive Adult Education class at Ballincollig Community School. To me, it is more than a writing class. It has helped me achieve success as a writer of short stories as well as penning two books in historical fiction, a subject close to my heart. Through Making Words Work, my interests in history, genealogy, and writing have merged in a way I never envisaged. Long- lasting friendships have been forged with talented writers of all ages. So, if you aspire to be the next best-selling novelist or heart-evoking poet, haiku it to a writing group at your local Adult Education Centre and start scribing!

Nightclass students from St. Colmcille’s Community School, Knocklyon with completed pottery work. Page 25 - NACED - 40th Anniversary 1974 - 2014 e l i f o r P

On the 27th of November 2013 at its Graduation Ceremony, Scoil Mhuire Adult Education Department launched its book to mark 30 years of providing adult education to the local and wider community. From 19 classes and 150 students in 1983, the numbers have grown steadily and impressively to today’s 250 classes and 3000 students.

Not surprisingly, society and education have changed in those 30 years and the night classes on offer reflect this. Hobby or pastime classes have developed into certified programmes. General computer programmes have now developed beyond ECDL into social media classes and Comptia courses. Aerobics has been replaced by Zumba, Cake decorating class, 2011. Kettlebells and Ashtanga. Homeopathy is no longer ‘alternative’, and the school now offers the popular Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and more.

In 1983, Scoil Mhuire Community School opened. Noel Dalton, the Kildare Education Organiser at the time, and Sr. Dominica, the Scoil Mhuire School Principal, compiled a list of night classes which were offered to the local community as soon as the school opened in 1983. This was very much in line with the policy of Scoil Mhuire which had been offering some night classes in the prefabs. Since 1983, support from the entire school has facilitated the offering of classes to people from the local and wider community, as well as people from the Picture framing in the woodwork room. neighbouring counties of Dublin, Meath, Carlow, Laois and Offaly. Today, courses are accredited by NUI Maynooth, ITEC, FETAC, Comptia, and ECDL to name but a few, giving learners a stepping stone into enjoyable learning and employment opportunities. Certified courses in IT such as Comptia A+ and Autodesk Revit have been of particular interest to men and boosted the number of male Help is always at hand. learners. Looking to the future, the adult Education Director: education department intends to Seamus Scully continue to explore and develop Tel: 045 868 255 further opportunities for all those who attend classes. The aim is to E: [email protected] reflect on and respond to the needs W: www.clanesm.com of the local and wider community. Adult Education Director: Seamus Scully.

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