Podcasts about leaving cert

The State Examinations Commission has apologised after an error was discovered in this year's Leaving Certificate Higher Level Biology paper. While teachers and students have generally described the exam as fair and accessible, a mistake in a genetics question caused confusion for some candidates. To discuss the paper, the SEC's response, what it means for students, and the Leaving Cert in general, Alan Morrissey was joined by Dan Sheedy, Principal of The Tuition Centre. Photo (c) Sengchoy Int via Canva

While exams often represent a significant shift in routine, they don't necessarily need to be accompanied by a drastic change in diet. Simple, efficient ways to introduce nutrients and key sugars to ensure brain function throughout are more than enough. Joining Pat to discuss the dos and don'ts of exam dieting and wellbeing is registered dietician and nutritionist Sarah Keogh.

Pat Leahy and Ellen Coyne join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:· Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has come out this week to demand the Rotunda maternity hospital withdraw permission for consultants on public-only contracts to practise privately on its premises. If not, it could have its funding pulled.· An investigation by Swedish tax authorities alleges that Oligarch and Vladimir Putin associate Oleg Deripaska, who is under EU sanctions over his role in supporting the invasion of Ukraine, still controls Rusal, the company that owns the Co Limerick industrial plant Aughinish Alumina.· And an explosive interview from Michael Healy-Rae on Radio Kerry detailed how he was “pulled overboard” by his brother and fellow Independent TD Danny, resulting in him resigning his position as minister of state. Could the rift see the brothers run against each other in the next general election?Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week:· The joy of your first World Cup, the Leaving Cert is a tough but valuable experience, and Andy Burnham's byelection test in a Reform stronghold.Would you like to receive daily insights into world events delivered to your inbox? Sign up for Denis Staunton's Global Briefing newsletter here: irishtimes.com/newsletters/global-briefing/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Playback. Private or Public? Our maternity care under scrutiny. Popstars climbing mountains with dodgy knees. And what's your Leaving Cert song? All on Playback presented by Sinéad Mooney.

A record number of students are sitting the state exams this year. Our reporter Barry Gallagher has been asking students at Saint Aiden's Community School in Tallaght, Dublin for their reaction to the English paper one. And for a full assessment of the first paper, english teacher Conor Murphy from Skibereen Community School in Cork.

This week Mark is joined by the inimitable Calvin O'Brien and Ed Smith to dissect some of your more colourful experiences in examination halls around Ireland. Send in your stories and suggestions here: https://www.instagram.com/mehiganmark/?hl=en

It's a nervous morning in thousands of households across the country as the Leaving Cert gets under way. First up is English paper 1 and to get some advice Anton was joined by Conor Murphy English teacher in Skibbereen Community School.

 With the Leaving Certificate getting underway today, many students will be thinking about what comes next. While college remains a popular option, increasing numbers are also looking at apprenticeships and traineeships as a route into employment.   FIT, the national coordinator for Tech Apprenticeships in Ireland, is encouraging students to consider careers in the growing tech sector. Clodagh Kearns is the People, Analytics and Wellbeing Lead at FIT (Fastrack into Information Technology)  

It's a nervous morning in thousands of households across the country as the Leaving Cert gets under way. First up is English paper 1 and to get some advice Anton was joined by Conor Murphy English teacher in Skibbereen Community School.

On Tuesday's Football Daily, David Wilson brings you news from the international game, the World Cup and Europe.Ireland Women's National Team continue preparations in Cork ahead of Friday's crucial World Cup qualifier against the Netherlands.Carla Ward's side remain in contention for automatic qualification to the 2027 Women's World Cup following victories over Poland.Ward discusses Ireland's approach to a must-win clash with the Dutch at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.Netherlands injury concerns include the absences of Vivianne Miedema, Daphne van Domselaar and Jill Roord.Ireland face their own selection challenges with Denise O'Sullivan and Emily Murphy suspended.Katie McCabe confirms her move from Arsenal to Chelsea after a decade-long spell with the Gunners.Ward labels McCabe the best left-back in world football as the Ireland captain begins a new chapter.Cork native Megan Connolly reflects on returning home and how her move to Lazio has developed her game.Heimir Hallgrímsson's Republic of Ireland men's squad continue preparations in Montreal ahead of their friendly against Canada.Several League of Ireland players feature in the senior setup, while Jaden Umeh balances international duty with Leaving Cert exams.St Patrick's Athletic goalkeeper Joseph Anang earns a place in Ghana's World Cup squad.Scotland midfielder John McGinn speaks about the nation's first World Cup appearance since 1998.England arrive in the United States, with Thomas Tuchel discussing the challenge of adapting to summer conditions.Tim Clancy assesses England's World Cup prospects and whether expectations could work against them.Jim Crawford names a youthful Ireland Under-21 squad for upcoming friendlies against Croatia and Qatar.Liverpool open talks with Andoni Iraola as the leading candidate to replace Arne Slot at Anfield.Southampton boss Tonda Eckert apologises for the club's 'Spygate' scandal, while the show also features interviews with Clarence Seedorf and Troy Parrott.Become a member and sign up at offtheball.com/join

Paul Byrne talks to Aoife and Jack TMSCC students doing their Leaving Cert about the points race and what AI means to the future of work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the Leaving Cert begins tomorrow with English Paper 1 in the morning and Home Economics in the afternoon, we wanted to have a little chat about how students who may feel they aren't prepared enough can spend this evening and tomorrow morning.Joining Shane to give some last-minute tips is TJ Hegarty, Founder of BreakThroughMaths online tutoring, and Aoife O'Driscoll, an English teacher in Cork CBC, a textbook author and webinar deliverer at Tralee ED.

As students careen towards the leaving cert, they may feel overwhelmed by what they know, what they have yet to learn and the impact the exam has on their lives. Years of schooling have prepared them for this and yet, as the date inches closer, it is up to them and their families to ensure they perform at their best. counsellor and education columnist for the irish times brian mooney joined Pat in the studio today to present tips on how to feel pressure only when it counts.

On Friday's Football Daily, David Wilson brings you news from the League of Ireland and the international game.Republic of Ireland edge past Qatar 1-0 at the Aviva Stadium thanks to an early Nathan Collins header.Jack Moylan provides the assist before being sent off for a high challenge just before half-time.Qatar reduced to 10 men as Almoez Ali sees red after an off-the-ball clash with Jayson Molumby.Stop The Game protests dominate headlines as tennis balls are thrown onto the pitch twice during the first half.Supporters voice opposition to Ireland fulfilling upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel.Heimir Hallgrimsson says he respects the fans' right to protest after the match.Off The Ball Breakfast discusses the difficult position Ireland players now find themselves in amid the controversy.An FAI Extraordinary General Meeting on boycotting Israel fixtures moves closer after enough support from General Assembly delegates.Jaden Umeh, Corrie Ndaba and Mason Melia all make senior Ireland debuts, while James Abankwah earns his third cap.Teenager Jaden Umeh prepares to sit his Leaving Cert exams in Canada while on international duty, with FAI staff helping organise logistics.Ireland fly to Canada on Saturday ahead of a June 6th clash with the World Cup hosts in Montreal.Shamrock Rovers host St. Patrick's Athletic in a huge League of Ireland showdown as first faces second in Tallaght.Stephen Kenny's St. Pats still searching for their first goal and first win against the champions this season.Derry City, Shelbourne, Bohemians and Drogheda United all in action as a full Premier Division schedule takes place before the mid-season break.Ireland international Lily Agg takes her first managerial role after being appointed Athlone Town women's boss on a two-and-a-half-year deal.Arsenal and PSG prepare for a blockbuster UEFA Women's Champions League final in Budapest this weekend.Argentina confirm Lionel Messi in their World Cup squad for what will be his sixth tournament, while Alejandro Garnacho misses out.Become a member and sign up at offtheball.com/join

Students and households across the country are preparing for Leaving and Junior cert exams which kick off next week, but what is the best way to approach the paper when it is put in front of you, and is it ever wise to use AI to predict what will come up on the paper?Joining Shane to give some practical advice is Aoife O'Driscoll, English teacher in Cork CBC, textbook author and webinar deliverer at Tralee ED centre.

On Wednesday's Morning Focus, Daragh Dolan was joined live in-studio once again by Tommy Corbett of Carey Corbett Financial Solutions. Tommy Corbett gives parents advice on preparing for the cost of third level education ahead of the Leaving Cert next week.

If you couldn't tell by the weather, the Leaving cert is creeping up faster than we think. So how can you prepare with just over a week to go? Dan Sheedy, Principal of The Tuition Centre is here to tell us.

If you couldn't tell by the weather, the Leaving cert is creeping up faster than we think. So how can you prepare with just over a week to go? Dan Sheedy, Principal of The Tuition Centre is here to tell us.

War erupted on this episode! A mum called Ciara is heartbroken after her daughter finishes 5th year and drops a bombshell: she doesn't want to do the Leaving Cert… she wants to do a nails course instead! Ciara says her daughter is too intelligent for it and fears she's “throwing her life away” when she could've gone to UCD to study psychology.

PJ hears about a nasty new scam that preys on Leaving Cert candidates from George Foley of ESET Ireland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Conradh na Gaeilge will appear before the Oireachtas to protest the lack of Irish-medium education. This comes following record-breaking numbers of Irish exemptions in schools. Julian De Spáinn, Ard Runaí of Conradh na Gaeilge joins Ciara Doherty.

Conradh na Gaeilge will appear before the Oireachtas to protest the lack of Irish-medium education. This comes following record-breaking numbers of Irish exemptions in schools. Julian De Spáinn, Ard Runaí of Conradh na Gaeilge joins Ciara Doherty.

Last year, just 213 students from Northern Ireland started university in the Republic, yet thousands went to college in England, Scotland and Wales. Why is there such a discrepancy and should more be done to create more equity between the Leaving Cert and A-Level systems?Joining Seán to discuss is Michael Cairns, the former Head of Comms at the Northern Ireland Assembly and parent who has been writing about this in the Belfast Telegraph…

As over 61,000 students prepare to sit the Leaving Cert, the National Association of Principals and Deputies say CAO points are being treated as currency rather than a reflection of ability. Anton discusses this further with the Director of the National Association of Principals and Deputies, Paul Crone.

As over 61,000 students prepare to sit the Leaving Cert, the National Association of Principals and Deputies say CAO points are being treated as currency rather than a reflection of ability. Anton discusses this further with the Director of the National Association of Principals and Deputies, Paul Crone.

Last year, just 213 students from Northern Ireland started university in the Republic, yet thousands went to college in England, Scotland and Wales. Why is there such a discrepancy and should more be done to create more equity between the Leaving Cert and A-Level systems?Joining Seán to discuss is Michael Cairns, the former Head of Comms at the Northern Ireland Assembly and parent who has been writing about this in the Belfast Telegraph…

Sickness has hit I'm Grand Mam towers this week, after a run of Irish tour dates and a busy period for the lads. Kevin is gearing up for this birthday, and the boys are addressing the allegations that their Cork accents are all for show; you got them, gals!The theme for this week is intelligence. As the old adage goes, you can't judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, so Kevin and PJ are unpacking what it means to be clever. They talk through the different types of intelligence, how street smarts are just as valuable as Leaving Cert results and how being funny is the smartest thing you can be.Purchase Happy Campers Tour Tickets here

Linda Jones, owner of the Travel Boutique in Bray and Jen Hogan, parenting columnist at The Irish Times

This episode with Harry O'Connell is one of the most unique stories I have had on this podcast. Harry is a current law student at Griffith College Dublin and the blogger behind Across the Pond Under the Law, but before any of that, he was a member of the Irish boy band Next In Line, signed to a record deal at 18 with legendary manager Louis Walsh (the same guy who helped form One Direction). Harry takes us through his journey, from only singing in front of people for the first time at 16 to getting out of class in his school musical, to auditioning alongside 4,000 people and making it into the group, to signing publishing, recording, and merchandise deals in London at 18 years old.What makes Harry's story so interesting is how his time as the point of contact between his band and their lawyer sparked his interest in law. He got a front-row seat to the legal side of the music business, and when he left the band at 22, it just felt right. Law school in Ireland is an undergraduate degree, which is wildly different from the U.S. system, and Harry breaks down how the whole process works, from the Leaving Cert to the three-year program he is now almost done with his first year of.This was a fantastic and genuinely fascinating conversation with someone whose path to law school is unlike anyone else I have had on. One you don't want to miss!Harry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harry-o-connellAcross the Pond Under the Law: https://acrossthepondunderthelaw.wordpress.comBe sure to check out the Official Sponsors for the Lawyers in the Making Podcast:Rhetoric - Empowers your teaching and training with AI that strengthens learning, protects integrity, and proves authentic understanding, for students and professionals alike, with CICERO. Find them here: userhetoric.comThe Law School Operating System™ Recorded Course - This course is for ambitious law students who want a proven, simple system to learn every topic in their classes to excel in class and on exams. Go to www.lisablasser.com, check out the student tab with course offerings, and use code LSOSNATE10 at checkout for 10% off Lisa's recorded course!Start LSAT - Founded by former guest and 22-year-old superstar, Alden Spratt, Start LSAT was built upon breaking down barriers, allowing anyone access to high-quality LSAT Prep. For $110, you get the Start LSAT self-paced course, and using code LITM10, you get 10% off the self-paced course! Check out Alden and Start LSAT at startlsat.com and use codeLITM10 for 10% off the self-paced course!Lawyers in the Making Podcast is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Lawyers in the Making Podcast at lawyersinthemaking.substack.com/subscribe

PJ talks to ASTI President Padraig Curley about some fears people have expressed about ongoing changes to the way the Leaving Cert is examined Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PJ talks to teacher Michael McGrath about the row between the government and the ASTI that will see many schools without coordinators for projects that count towards the Leaving Cert Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of “If I were the Minister for Education”, I interview Gavin Doyle, a Dublin secondary teacher and founder of Examinaite, about AI and technology in education. Gavin describes his path from teaching and high-level basketball to software development after time in San Francisco, and explains Examinaite's aim to reduce teacher workload through a bank of 25,000 Leaving Cert past questions with AI-supported marking, feedback, progress tracking, and generation of new differentiated mock questions, with potential for printable resources. They discuss using AI to tailor learning to pupils' interests, varying tech access in primary schools, and tools like NotebookLM and Claude for turning long texts into podcasts and creating engaging resources. They address concerns about AI cheating, limits of AI detection, assessment changes, and suggest more in-person exams, oral work, and teaching responsible, gradual AI use. Gavin also outlines “Craicathon”, a Gaeilge-focused hackathon at Dogpatch Labs with projects like Irish sign language translation, Irish-friendly venue maps with phrases, and an Irish-event rating app, and shares views on AI driving more personalised education and the importance of grit, resilience, and open-mindedness.00:00 Welcome and Subscribe00:47 Meet Gavin Doyle01:51 Gavin's Teaching and Tech Journey04:15 AI for Teachers Explained06:33 Cutting Admin and Corrections07:41 Examinaite for Leaving Cert Prep11:12 Primary Tech Reality Check12:04 Personalised Learning and New Questions16:13 AI Makes Coding Accessible18:28 Irish Language Tech Hackathon25:25 Creative Classroom AI Tools26:35 AI for Learning Styles27:09 NotebookLM Classroom Magic28:02 Claude Quizzes and Websites29:42 Cheating and Detection Limits32:25 AI Proof Assessment Ideas33:30 Teaching Responsible AI Use35:15 Internet to AI Parallels37:09 Personalisation and COVID Shift38:30 Alpha School Future Model42:23 Minister for Education Vision44:36 Future Skills Grit Resilience48:16 Wrap Up and Contact Info49:34 Host Closing Reflections This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonmlewis.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of “If I were the Minister for Education”, I interview Gavin Doyle, a Dublin secondary teacher and founder of Examinaite, about AI and technology in education. Gavin describes his path from teaching and high-level basketball to software development after time in San Francisco, and explains Examinaite's aim to reduce teacher workload through a bank of 25,000 Leaving Cert past questions with AI-supported marking, feedback, progress tracking, and generation of new differentiated mock questions, with potential for printable resources. They discuss using AI to tailor learning to pupils' interests, varying tech access in primary schools, and tools like NotebookLM and Claude for turning long texts into podcasts and creating engaging resources. They address concerns about AI cheating, limits of AI detection, assessment changes, and suggest more in-person exams, oral work, and teaching responsible, gradual AI use. Gavin also outlines “Craicathon”, a Gaeilge-focused hackathon at Dogpatch Labs with projects like Irish sign language translation, Irish-friendly venue maps with phrases, and an Irish-event rating app, and shares views on AI driving more personalised education and the importance of grit, resilience, and open-mindedness.00:00 Welcome and Subscribe00:47 Meet Gavin Doyle01:51 Gavin's Teaching and Tech Journey04:15 AI for Teachers Explained06:33 Cutting Admin and Corrections07:41 Examinaite for Leaving Cert Prep11:12 Primary Tech Reality Check12:04 Personalised Learning and New Questions16:13 AI Makes Coding Accessible18:28 Irish Language Tech Hackathon25:25 Creative Classroom AI Tools26:35 AI for Learning Styles27:09 NotebookLM Classroom Magic28:02 Claude Quizzes and Websites29:42 Cheating and Detection Limits32:25 AI Proof Assessment Ideas33:30 Teaching Responsible AI Use35:15 Internet to AI Parallels37:09 Personalisation and COVID Shift38:30 Alpha School Future Model42:23 Minister for Education Vision44:36 Future Skills Grit Resilience48:16 Wrap Up and Contact Info49:34 Host Closing Reflections This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonmlewis.substack.com/subscribe

A Greenland Shark stranded in Co Sligo last week - the first such recording on Ireland's coast - made news headlines around the world. Leaving Cert students Hammad Chaudhry and James Winters O'Donnell reported it to the IWDG, and they join us to share what they found, while Emilie de Loose of Atlantic Whale Deal provides further analysis...

A Tralee student is making history by being the first Irish student of non-Chinese descent to take on Mandarin for his Leaving Certificate exams.Ethan Gilroy, 6th year student at Mount Hawke in Tralee, joins Seán to discuss.

It's Opinions Matter Extra — the uncut, totally unedited weekend episode… and it goes completely off the rails. Adrian and Jeremy kick off with a “studio scandal” involving a can of 7Up and a certain someone's lipstick (yes, it's as disgusting as it sounds), before somehow ending up in a full-blown argument about beetroot on a turkey roll and why everyone seems to hate it. Then it's onto Jeremy being called out (again) over his Leaving Cert timeline, a chaotic chat about swearing and “God forgive me”, and a surprisingly serious dream: Jeremy landing a job doing Tube announcements in London… “Ding dong… next stop, Cockfosters.”

Kieran Christie, General Secretary ASTI, joins today's panel of Jerry Buttimer, Fine Gael TD for Cork South Central and Minister of State for Charities, Gaeltacht and the Islands & Rural Transport, Mairéad Farrell, Sinn Féin TD for Galway West and Sinéad Gibney, Social Democrats TD for Dublin Rathdown.

Calls have been made for the Connacht Football Association to review how it schedules its fixtures. This is after Real Tubber FC had to pull out of the under 18 Girls Connacht Final, because it clashed with multiple players having to do their Leaving Cert oral exams.Joining Andrea to discuss this is Louise Kilbane, who is involved with the team, and one of their players, Emma.

The Government has defended its decision to increase school bus charges from next September.This increase will see transport fees double for primary school children and increase by a third for post primary, bringing them both up to a cost of €100 per child.We are also seeing the reintroduction of exam fees for Junior and Leaving Cert students...Joining Shane to discuss is Darren O'Rourke, Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Education and Youth, and TD for Meath East.

In the final episode of our new series aimed at secondary school students, experts discuss exam tips and the importance of time managementThe latest instalment of our Growing Minds podcast examines the importance of time management and top tips for students ahead of their exam in June. This episode is in conjunction with the revision supplement published by the Irish Farmers Journal in partnership with IASTA and Agri Aware. In part two of episode four, Roisin Byrne from Agri Aware sits down with Sarah McIntosh to continue their conversation on the importance of exam preparation ahead of the Leaving Certificate ag science exam in June. It is essential for students that they know their timings and practice exam questions as often as they can to ensure they are prepared and confident when sitting their exam. They also discuss tips on time management to help students who are feeling overwhelmed and under pressure. It is a stressful time for students, but having the right resources and knowing what to expect can help them remain calm and focused. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the Leaving Cert oral exams begin this weekend, we're going to look now at some tips and tricks not just to help your kids manage the stress involved, but also to succeed.Joining guest host Tom Dunne to discuss is Dan Sheedy, Principal of the Tuition Centre and a secondary school teacher for 25 years…

Easily the most daunting part of the Leaving Cert, the oral exams can send some students into a stress spiral.In this episode of the Studyclix Podcast, Andy, Erin & Aisling chat through some of things you can do to prepare, even when time is running out. From getting the basics down to tackling nerves, this podcast is a must-listen for anyone facing into oral exams right now.------Got an idea you'd like us to cover on the podcast? Drop us a line at info@studyclix.ie, or reach out to us on social media. Our DMs are always open

⏰ TIMECODES AND LINKS BELOW ⏰There's no denying it, languages are hard. However, there are so many ways of improving a language, so many resources and so much you can do to help you get more confident. In this episode of the podcast, Nessa chats to Gabrielle who did 3 languages for the Leaving Cert, and went on to learn French while she lived in Paris.They give their tips for each part of a Leaving Cert language exam, but this podcast is for anyone looking to get better at language-learning!-----TIMECODES:0:16 - Intro3:40 - The importance of consistency 4:52 - Motivations for learning a language 06:33 - Overcoming the “I'm never going to be able to do this” mindset09:28 - Tips for the aural 10:43 - Free resources we love (links below)20:39 - More tips for the aural23:27 - Tips for the Reading Comprehension24:30 - Explainer of Studyclix's Answer Guidance tool27:20 - More tips for the reading comprehensions and improving your understanding of the language31:14 - Tips for the written exam33:31 - Tips for the oral exam46:07 - Q&A: “How do I improve my German vocab?”47:56 - Q&A” “Can you ask for a different question in the oral?”50:28 - Q&A: “What do I do if I have a really bad French teacher?”52:14 - Q&A: “How to learn off paragraphs for the orals”LINKS MENTIONED

Every year at Leaving Cert results time, you'll hear that the results don't mean everything - and that there are many career options ahead of you. For example, we have a shortage of many different types of tradespeople. Iarnród Éireann is staging an event called ‘Try a Trade' to highlight the range of apprenticeships available.Josh Crosbie sent in this report...

Kevin Shortall, Principal of St. Aidan's Community School

As International Women's Day highlights the importance of women pursuing careers in every sector, one young woman from Athlone, County Westmeath, is sharing her story of resilience and why she believes sometimes the biggest barrier is self-doubt. Jessica Hoey, a Software Development Apprentice with FIT (Fastrack into Information Technology) and Zinkworks, did what many students do after their Leaving Certificate: she went straight to university to study Computer Science. "I went the traditional route," Jessica explains. "I finished my Leaving Cert and went to university to study Computer Science. But when Covid hit, I dropped out and worked full-time." Unsure if she would ever find her way back into tech, but determined not to give up on her passion for tech, Jessica completed a PLC course to rebuild her confidence and skills. It was there she first heard about Tech Apprenticeships. FIT is the national coordinator of Tech Apprenticeships in Ireland, with programmes in Software Development, Cybersecurity, Computer Networking, and a new Data Analytics programme launching in 2026 (subject to QQI validation). "I argued with myself about applying and wasn't sure if I should do it. But I decided to just go for it – and I was lucky enough to get a place." That decision, she says, changed everything. For Jessica, the appeal of FIT's Tech Apprenticeship programme wasn't just gaining another qualification; it was gaining experience. "I already had some technical knowledge, but getting your foot in the door of a company is extremely hard," she explains. "With the Tech Apprenticeship programme, I have two years of industry experience, and that's invaluable." She believes the combination of work and study offers something unique. "I'm learning things I would never learn in a classroom. I get to see how the industry works from the inside. And I work alongside people who have years of experience – the advice and knowledge they share will stay with me throughout my career." Tech Apprentices earn a salary while they learn, gaining a nationally recognised qualification and valuable on-the-job experience with a company over two years. As International Women's Day shines a light on increasing female representation in technology, Jessica hopes her story resonates with other young women in Westmeath who may doubt whether they belong in the industry. "If I hadn't applied, I'd still be wondering 'what if?'" she says. "Now I'm building a career I'm genuinely excited about." Since completing her Tech Apprenticeship, Jessica is now a full-time Junior Software Engineer with Zinkworks, a global leader in software innovation based in Westmeath. Applications are currently open for FIT's upcoming Software Development programmes taking place in Dublin this April, with further intakes scheduled for Dublin and Galway in October. For those considering a future in technology, Jessica's advice remains simple: take the chance. To learn more or apply, visit FIT's website at www.fit.ie or email them at info@fit.ie today. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

Disputes over freedom of speech, censorship and the shifting norms of acceptable discourse are part and parcel of modern political debate. Now the debate has come to the Leaving Cert. A review of content of the optional Politics and Society subject is underway, with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment saying consideration will be given “to potential risks associated with including theories that may be at odds with a human rights approach”. In response, one teacher wrote to Irish Times philosophy columnist Joe Humphreys to voice concern that proposed changes will prevent students from learning about 'difficult' ideas. Joe wrote about it in his latest Unthinkable column and on today's podcast he talks to Hugh about the teaching of politics in school, the leftward skew of 'key thinkers' featured in the curriculum and how the race for CAO points means the exploration of ideas is of secondary importance to second level students. Would you like to receive daily insights into world events delivered to your inbox? Sign up for Denis Staunton's Global Briefing newsletter here: irishtimes.com/newsletters/global-briefing/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“One thing the Government could do in 2026 that would improve the lives of young people would be to introduce driving lessons in secondary schools.” That's a suggestion from the Letters page in The Irish Times over the weekend. But how would that work? Should it be rolled out at the government level, and would driving schools be willing to partake in these modules? Joining Shane and Ciara was Jim Carey, Success 4 You driving school and Michael Finn, Principal of Gorey Community School, who have trailed a driving program with their TY students.

We invited TikToker (and former Studyclix ambassador!) Patrick Monaghan onto the podcast, 6 months on from finishing the Leaving Cert. Patrick chats to Andy, Erin and Aisling about his experience as a Leaving Cert TikToker, what he's learned since he left school, and tips for people approaching their mock exams.Follow Patrick on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@patrick_stm----Got an idea you'd like us to cover on the podcast? Drop us a line at info@studyclix.ie, or reach out to us on social media. Our DMs are always open