Promoting Individuality

Inclusive education in Bremore Educate Together second-level school means the provision of a learning environment within which all young people - whatever their ability, language, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic, social or cultural origin, will be provided with real learning opportunities and teaching practices that explicitly take account of the multiple ways all students learn. Differentiated instruction and curriculum organisation which supports the inclusion of all students, which improves transfer from primary to second-level as well as engaging and motivating learners will be shared, developed, reviewed and evaluated as part of school curriculum planning. Pupils in Bremore ETSS do not wear a school uniform. We encourage diversity and self-expression however; a dress code is part of the personal education of pupils here. Pupils are encouraged to become aware themselves of what is, and what is not, acceptable in terms of what they wear in the school environment. In order to facilitate this learning pupils and their parents/guardians are given guidelines known as the Dress Code to help them make the right choices in terms of their school clothes and to realise that some forms of clothing are not appropriate for school. Pupils in Bremore ETSS will be encouraged to develop entrepreneurial skills such as personal responsibility, creativity, leadership, problem solving and risk taking. Students will have time to reflect on, and take a critical and ethical view of various issues with a focus on developing presentation, technical and leadership skills.

Affirming Culture

Our school community is vibrant and energetic, leading to exciting activities both in and out of the Learning Lab. Bremore ETSS is multi-denominational, co-educational, student-centred and democratically run. In terms of student life at Bremore ETSS, we have a culture of joining in, trying new things, discovering talents and passions, and achieving personal bests. All students are encouraged to become involved in the Students Council, where they will help to make decisions about our school. In addition to the academic, athletic, and arts activities that are available to all students, Bremore ETSS is home to an extensive array of extracurricular activities. Students are often members of multiple clubs, and also encouraged regularly to take the initiative to form their own club. This is all part of the process of developing personal and group interests, shaping individuals into independent, proactive, and engaged students. Leadership development is a valuable part of today’s education. Bremore ETSS is committed to providing our students with the essential skills that are transferable to many areas of everyday life in addition to providing networking opportunities and developing potential leaders. This involves teaching communication skills, sharing, and the ability to motivate individuals through positive social influences. Some of our student’s leadership opportunities include;

Participation in competitive sports
Student council involvement
Community & volunteer activities
Entrepreneurship
Organized leadership and team-building classroom activities

Student Centred Academics

Students at Bremore ETSS can expect to be challenged and stretched by all their teachers in the various subjects we offer. We focus on the development of strong reading, writing, creative and technology skills, while infusing our students with a passion for learning. In addition, we offer extracurricular activities, particularly in the arts and athletics. Our learning labs are collaborative spaces, guided by teachers who care deeply for their students. This is an atmosphere where individuals are encouraged to try things outside of their comfort zones, without needless anxieties and pressures to conform. A caring, nurturing, safe and supportive environment, characterised by positive teacher-student relationships. Bremore ETSS places an emphasises on the importance of developing lifelong learning skills that will enable the graduates of our schools to be active and responsible citizens.

Bremore ETSS Hoodies and Beanies - A Student Council Initiative

The Student Council requested the option of having optional school hoodies and beanie hats; they have chosen various different colours and they are available to order online. These items are not compulsory as we do not have a school uniform. However if you do want to buy them, you can order and pay online at www.schoolwear.ie. The items will be delivered to the school on a weekly basis. If you do not wish to pay online, you can choose the “Cash On Collection” option on the check out page. Payment should be made directly to the Schoolwear Representative. Please note the school cannot collect money for these items.

Buy Bremore ETSS Hoodies Here

Our student council meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They are full to the both meeting counting management to discuss food options as indicated by a student council survey. Our junior cycle students meet on Tuesday and our senior cycle students meet on Thursdays. Each class has two representatives and are responsible for communicating with the student body. They are play a vital role in the development of policies and decisions in the school. Students gain the opportunity to develop a variety of skills when undertaking the role.

Anti-Bullying Disclosure Form

Parents and pupils are required to co-operate with any investigation and assist the school in resolving any issues and restoring, as far as is practicable, the relationships of the parties involved as quickly as possible.

Teachers take a calm, unemotional problem-solving approach when dealing with incidents of alleged bullying behaviour reported by pupils, staff or parents.

It may also be appropriate or helpful sometimes to ask those involved to write down their account of the incident(s).

The Anti Bullying Policy is available on the school website under the Policies Section

To make an Anti-Bullying Disclosure please click HERE

Student Voice in Action in Bremore ETSS

During June 2023, five of our students helped to make history at the European Commission. They were invited to participate in the first General Assembly which was co-created and co-chaired by European children to discuss and work on child participation at EU-level. Sixteen countries were represented, together with national government representatives from many EU (European Union) countries, and people from EU organisations that work with children.

Our students had a wonderful time together in Brussels working with other children aged 7-17 from all over Europe.

The meeting was co-created and co-run by the Children’s Panel. Everyone worked to make sure children’s voices were heard. The students and participants met with EU officials and worked together in groups on some important subjects – they also made lots of new friends. The two days consisted of Ice breaker activities, team building sessions, meetings with government officials, and small working groups to discuss the different topics. The five subjects, which were chosen as important:

Children’s rights
Children for a fairer and greener Europe
Protection from violence
Child poverty
Co-creating consultations

The student's work on these topics will help in the plan the actions and activities of the EU Child Participation Platform.

The students also got time to visit the European Parliament, they did a tour of Brussels city centre, and they sampled the delicious waffles and chocolates.

Our students were invited to participate in the first General Assembly because they have been working with the European Commision and Professor Laura Lundy on child friendly documents for the last few years. They co created the child friendly ‘Rights of The Child’ Documents and the child friendly ‘EU Digital Principals’ documents for the European Commission. Two students also travelled to speak on Children’s Rights in Strasbourg and another two students travelled to Brussels at the 14^th Forum on the ‘Rights of the Child’.

The students learned a lot about child participation and the creation of child friendly documents and so they wanted to put what the learned into action. Two students Alex and Alessia while in a taxi in Brussels came up with the idea that we should do the same thing in our school. The students formed a group with other students in the school to become the ‘Bremore ETSS Student Voice Development Team’.

The students choose to work on the Anti-Bullying Policy in the school to make it a more accessible and child friendly. They decided that policy was important to students, and they wanted our school to be a safe place to be for all students.

They met every Thursday at lunch time for the full school year, discussing, designing, and working on the document together. The students were lucky enough to be awarded an SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) Grant from the Department of Education and this helped funded lunches for the Thursday meetings, a graphic designer, printing, and a trip to Queens University Belfast.

Here is what some of the students have to say about their experiences.

Alessia

“In Brussels at the 14^th Forum for Children's rights myself and Alex talked about our involvement with creating child friendly documents for the EU Strategy on Children's Rights and the child friendly version of the European Digital Rights and Principles for the European Commission. We also discussed how we worked alongside Laura Lundy to improve these documents, while we were away in Brussels Alex, and I brainstormed ideas on how we could continue these projects in our school. We had the idea of putting together a group to continue our work and improve our policies. The first policy we thought of re writing was the Anti Bullying Policy. We chose this policy first because it seemed like it would be the most important one to work on first. As bullying is a common thing in schools. We decided we needed to have a diverse group of students involved so that all voices were heard. It was great to be part of a team designing documents for children by children. It is groundbreaking work.”

Jane

“For all of second year, I met with other students to simplify the antibullying policy into child friendly language. We worked every Thursday in the meeting room, to refine & perfect our project. On the 16^th of January 2023, we went to Queens University to meet Laura Lundy. We discussed our ideas to work even better. Around April/May we compiled everything together to make the actual document. As for what I did, I took the minutes for the meeting, helped direct along with Alessia, and helped communicate with the graphic designer. In June, we went to the children's participation platform general Assembly in Brussels. We discussed many things to help the EU understand children. Now our Booklets have been printed and I can't wait to contribute more.”

Ruaíri

“I was on the Student Council when I heard about the Student Voice team, I emailed Kathy and asked if I could join the team and she accepted my offer. Two weeks after joining we had a trip planned to Belfast to meet with Childrens Rights specialist Laura Lundy who gave us many ideas. We got a grant for Sustainable development which helped with our free lunch in our meetings every Thursday. Five students including me and some of our teachers and SNAs (Special Needs Assistants) were invited by the European Commission to visit Brussels in Belgium on the 25^th of June for 3 days. We took part in activities at the EU Childrens Participation Platform General Assembly. We stayed in the Thon hotel, and it was brilliant a trip of a lifetime.”

Alex

“I started this work in 2021 with a small selection of students we were asked to join an online call for training with Laura Lundy. This was my first-time hearing about anything like this and it was exciting, on the call we were asked how our voices could be heard and what the EU could do to make us heard. A few months later a few students were asked to help make a child friendly version of children's rights, we looked at synonyms of harder English words, without dumbing the text down, to make it easier for children to understand and we added visuals and colour for better understanding. This document was launched in the European Parliament. This was a proud moment for me. In Brussels at the 14^th Forum on the Rights of the Child, we attended conferences with other adults, and we had our voice heard. We also did an online interview about our work, and this was seen by groups that work with children all over Europe.

When we returned, we were asked to go online and help train EU delegates on the production of Child Friendly documents, I felt empowered by this.

We also brought what we learned back to the school and applied it to our own school rules. It is an innovative idea; we now have more students wanting to get involved and be included in such projects. It is a valuable experience.”

Leon

“Hi, my name is Leon, I am part of a group Bremore ETSS Student Voice Development Team. I love being involved in the group talking about helping anti bullying in school. In Belfast we got to speak about our project. This project is popular and people like it.”

Lilly

“I am part of the Bremore ETSS Student Voice Development Team every Thursday we worked with Kathy at big Break. We talked about our project and as a group we decided to make a leaflet about anti-bullying. I had some ideas about the design and the face of the leaflet. I really enjoyed participating in the Student Voice Development Team. I became closer and closer to the people in the group. I really enjoyed the food; some days we would have curry or lasagna and I am very grateful to be involved.”

Kevin

“I attend the Bremore ETSS Student Voice Development Team meetings every Thursday during break. Discussing the issues on Bullying and how the documents about bullying can be complicated, so we came up with a child friendly version. When we went to Belfast, we got hoodies from Queens University, and we got to talk to a Childrens Rights specialist. We got a tour of the university which I really liked. I enjoy being part of the Student Voice Development Team in our school.”

Conor

“I'm part of my schools Student Voice Team. We discuss Child Friendly Documents for the school. We made a Child Friendly Anti Bullying document for the school. In June I went to Brussels to the European Commission, and we met many people over there. We worked on lots of ideas about child participation.”

Students Council and Student Voice

Bremore ETSS Hoodies and Beanies - A Student Council Initiative

Anti-Bullying Disclosure Form

Winter Exams Timetables

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