Annual Conference & AGM–Osprey Hotel, Naas. Co Kildare. March 3rd 2018

9.15 / Registration (Tea and Coffee)
9.45 / Opening Prayer
10 -11am
/ UNDERSTANDING AND LIVING THE ETHOS IN A CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Mr Ferdia Kelly was a member of the Catholic Schools Partnership in his previous role as General Secretary of the Association of Management of Catholic Secondary Schools (AMCSS) and the Joint Managerial Body. Prior to that appointment in 2005, he was Education Director of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust (ERST)/Christian Brothers Northern Province schools – a remit that included primary and post primary schools in both jurisdictions. He is currently a member of the Teaching Council and the Boards of Governors of Mater Dei Institute and Marino Institute of Education in Dublin.
11 -11.15am / AGM of the FED-CSSPA
11.15 – 11.30 / Break (Tea, Coffee)
11.30 – 11.45 / Presentation of Essay prizes
11.45 – 12.15
/ A FUTURE IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING OR MATHS ( STEM)
Jackie O’Dowd, Senior Executive, Education & Public Engagement / Programme Manager for Smart Futures, Careers and Education at Science Foundation Ireland (SFI). In her role as Training and Delivery Manager, Jackie delivers communications training to STEM related volunteers from industry partner companies and other stakeholder groups to equip them with the skills to visit schools and participate in events to inspire and encourage students to make informed decisions on STEM subject choices and career options
12.15– 13.15
/ PROTECTING THE MENTAL HEALTH OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN AN ERA OF TECHNOLOGY AND PROMOTING RESILIENCE IN A TIME OF INCREASING STRESS AND ANXIETY
Colman Noctoris a child and adolescent psychotherapist in St Patrick’s Mental Health Services and an Assistant Professor at TCD. His special interest area is the impact of technology on child development and mental health. Colman is the bestselling author of Cop On, a parenting book for a technological age which promotes resilience and self-esteem.
13.15 / Question and Answer session followed byLunch including tea and Coffee
Confirmed Exhibitors
/ Catherine O’Connor, Trinity College Dublin, Education Consultant and author of ‘Cracking the College Code’, a practical guide to making the most of the first year college experience.Catherine presents motivational talks to parent and student groups nationwide on how to make a successful transition to college.
These talks are unique as they are written from a third level perspective looking at the demands placed on students by the college system and how these demands can be managed. Both student and parent expectations are addressed.
Catherine will be available to talk to parents today on a one to one basis. Copies of her book are also available today at the discounted price of €10.Further information at : / 0866017036
iKydz
/ iKydz an Irish Company that offers the ultimate digital parenting tool, helping you to manage your kids’ online time. One iKydz smart device and one App lets you control all your kids’ connected devices. Being parents too they are aware of the challenges parents face and have made the simplest internet controller solution for every age of child.
iKydz believe they have the best parental internet control solution to help you manage internet safety and security for your kids, no matter what age they are. They will be available to talk to you about your individual needs on the day
Debitrak
/ Why do Irish Parents love Debitrak?
Debitrak is a new cashless system for school meals to ensure that pupils can get a healthy meal every day. Rather than receiving dinner money, Mum and Dad can load funds directly onto their child’s school meal account where the money is stored safely, ready to be spent at the canteen on site. This will ensure it can no longer be spent in local shops on sweets and drinks and also helps prevent the risk of losing it or having it stolen.
From any PC, tablet or mobile device that has an Internet connection, you can top up your child’s account by transferring funds from your debit or credit card. Simply logon to the website and follow the simple instructions. Once completed, your top up will be automatically delivered to their account in school. In addition, you will be able to see what is being purchased every day ensuring your child is eating a healthy balanced meals.Debitrak will answer any questions you might have on the day.
/ Wriggle works solely in the education market and we understand that the process for a school progressing in their teaching and learning and building a digital strategy.
Through our partnership with schools across Ireland for the last five years, we have developed our products and services to meet the challenges faced within schools in achieving their ambitions for this progression.
Our services include not just technical support around teacher and student devices, but also support to teachers, students and parents around the challenges faced in the teaching and learning aspects of their journey. Every school is unique and we bring our vast experience to each new school that we work with to support their progress for the entirety of that individual journey
/ We are passionate about young people. We are passionate about education. And we are passionate about the world we live in. We know that the world is not always fair, not always equal and not always just. We also know that young people can be powerful catalysts for social change when given opportunitiesand supports.
That is exactly what we do -YSI programmes promote education for social innovation.We want young people to use their creativity to respond to social issues and contribute to a fair and equal society.By empowering young people to realise their potential as social innovators we give them the skills to tackle the social issues facing them, their communities and wider society.Visit the YSI stand today or email for more information.
/ The new junior cycle places the student at the centre of the learning process. It allows for new ways of learning and a broader range of skills. A new reporting structure at junior cycle contributes to the personaland educational development of students.
Itsupports and underpins ongoinglearningandassessment.
Gerard Duff from JCT will be available on the day of our conference with information for parents.

The Federation of Catholic Secondary Schools Parent Associations

President : Paul Beddy Vice President Sean O’ Riordan Hon General Secretary: Barbara Johnston

Treasurers: Gerard O Hara

Executive committee members: Declan Hogan, Carmel Kelly, Don Myers, Mai Fanning, Ross McMahon, Goretti Wall, Michael Mulry, Alan Whelan.