Info Bulletin 07/24

1. NCCA Updates Re: PE Guidance (recommendations) and time allocation at Senior Cycle.

2. Ancillary Grant 2024.

3. SEAI Monitoring & Reporting System Training.

NCCA Updates Re: PE Guidance (recommendations) and time allocation at Senior Cycle

The Circular referenced during yesterday’s briefing is Circular Number: 0054/2023: Curriculum and assessment related developments at Senior Cycle with particular reference to school years 2023/24 and onwards. gov - Curriculum and assessment related developments at Senior Cycle with particular reference to school years 2023/24 and onwards (www.gov.ie)

Section 4 details the arrangements for Senior Cycle PE. 

Schools are reminded that all senior cycle students must be provided with the opportunity to study Physical Education in some capacity. In particular, schools are required to ensure that a double class period (totalling 80 minutes per week), or its equivalent, of Physical Education is timetabled for all senior cycle students. Schools operating a one-hour timetable must ensure that the time allocation is provided.

Ancillary Grant 2024

Please see the attached notice issuing today regarding the interim arrangements for the payment of Ancillary Services Grants (including SSSF, Basic Secretary and SSSF Secretary Grants) to schools for the period January to August 2024 for your information.

 SEAI Monitoring & Reporting System Training

SEAI have launched a new M&R-2030 monitoring and reporting system to replace and enhance the existing M&R system. This system is now open, and all schools must report their annual energy usage by 24th May 2024. We are delighted to let you know the schools M&R system is now available as Gaeilge as well as in English.

SEAI have been providing training for all schools throughout March, April & May to demonstrate the new system and how to complete your report. If you have not yet attended training, please register now for one of the final sessions. SEAI recommend ALL schools attend this training even if you were familiar with the old M&R system. You will be entering similar data to previous years, however the system itself will look and feel different.

The same training session will be run multiple times to ensure all schools can attend, and you only need to attend ONE training session. To see a list of the remaining available workshops and to book a workshop place at a time that suits you, please visit: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/publicsectorregulatoryprogrammes/. A joining link for each training workshop will be sent to all registered before the event.

 During the online workshop, trainers will give a brief introduction to the system followed by a live practical demonstration of how to use the M&R-2030 system. Schools who have gathered their main 2023 data items to the training can complete their M&R return during the training. The main data items are as follows:

•              MPRNs & GPRNs for your electricity and natural gas

•              All other energy usage by your school (e.g. heating oil, LPG, diesel)

•              Pupil numbers, full-time staff and your school’s floor area

•              Details of your energy management and any energy saving projects

 The new link for Schools to access the M&R system is https://schools.psmr.seai.ie.

If your school submitted a report previously, the login details (username and password) will be the same on the new system. If you do not have your password you can reset it here: https://schools.psmr.seai.ie/forgot-password.   

Schools that are reporting for the first time will need to visit https://www.seai.ie/business-and-public-sector/public-sector/monitoring-and-reporting/access-mr/  and follow the instructions for a new organisation.

Is mise,

le mór mheas,

John Irwin, GENERAL SECRETARY.

 ADDENDA:

 1.    Ancillary Grants Payment Jan-Aug 24

 2.    Ancillary Grants Payment Jan-Aug 24 (As Gaeilge)

ACCS NewsLiam Ryder