• Home
    • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Pay It Forward
    • FAQs
    • Contact
  • CPD Courses
    • Free CPD for Teachers
    • CPD Courses for Teachers
    • CPD Summer Courses
    • FAQs
    Menu
    • Free CPD for Teachers
    • CPD Courses for Teachers
    • CPD Summer Courses
    • FAQs
    CPD Webinar: An insight into The Irish Language Requirement

    CPD Webinar: An insight into The Irish Language Requirement

    €15.00
    Read More
  • EPV Courses
  • Events
  • Blog
    info@rahoo.ie
    Rahoo
    • Home
      • About Us
      • Our Team
      • Pay It Forward
      • FAQs
      • Contact
    • CPD Courses
      • Free CPD for Teachers
      • CPD Courses for Teachers
      • CPD Summer Courses
      • FAQs
      Menu
      • Free CPD for Teachers
      • CPD Courses for Teachers
      • CPD Summer Courses
      • FAQs
      CPD Webinar: An insight into The Irish Language Requirement

      CPD Webinar: An insight into The Irish Language Requirement

      €15.00
      Read More
    • EPV Courses
    • Events
    • Blog
      • Course Log-in

    Inspire & Empower

    Top 5 Tips for NQTs

    • Categories Inspire & Empower, NQT, Rahoo, Teacher Tips & Tricks, Thought-provoking, Worklife Balance
    • Date July 21, 2022

    Hello everyone! My name is Adam Barrett, and I run the Instagram page @mister_muinteoir_ where I showcase my day to day teaching, the ups and downs of the real teaching world, as well as support student teachers and NQTs as they find their feet in the teaching world.

    Thanks to Rahoo, I am going to share with you my Top 5 Tips for your NQT Year. It’s a minefield, but this may answer some of the 100s of question you have heading into the first year of the rest of your professional life!

    1. Planning is important, but not set in stone

    It is important to know what your planning requirements are during your NQT year:

    • Weekly Plans: These are your short term plans. They are weekly during the Droichead process, and become fortnightly or monthly thereafter, depending on your school’s planning policy.
    • Cuntas Míosúil: This is a mandatory document you must complete at the end of the month. It is a monthly reflection on the work completed or not completed during the previous month. It gives you a chance to reflect on what worked and what didn’t during the previous month, and plan accordingly going forward.
    • School Support Plans: These are primarily written by SETs but it is important for all teachers to be aware of them. They are individual plans written for children receiving additional support. They include what supports they are getting, SMARTA targets, and methods to achieve such targets. These plans are created with all relevant stakeholders, including parents, involved.
    Take a look!

    2. Droichead isn’t out to get you

    Droichead is the new(ish) probation/induction which has replaced the old ‘Dip’ model. This is a fantastic new model as it involves working closely with staff within your school, rather than having an external person come in ‘inspect’ you.

    Droichead must last for a continuous period of at least 60 schools days but can go on as long as is deemed necessary by your school. You will be assigned a Professional Support Team (PST) of 2/3 teachers who will mentor you, observe you and guide you through the process of your NQT year.

    During the Droichead process, you will be observed by your PST, and you will also get to observe them teaching too. You will also engage in a Professional Learning Activity (CPD) in an area deemed important by you and your PST.

    You will also attend Cluster Meetings during your Droichead. These are NQT support meetings and are a great opportunity to network with other NQTs.

    3. Parents want the best for their child

    Building relationships with parents is so important, as they play a huge role in their child’s education. As per the Irish Constitution, parents are the primary educator of the child, and as result must be treated with that respect.

    Here are some parent communication tips:

    • Keep communication clear and consistent
    • Use constructive feedback when talking to parents about their children: sandwich approach is a great one (positive, constructive, positive)
    • Seek and value their unique perspective on their child
    • Offer suggestions, where applicable, on how they can be a big part of their child’s education, so that their role feels valued
    • Show empathy to their unique situations, you never know what’s going on at home.
    Take a look!

    4. Know the protocols

    There are some fundamental protocols that are imperative for you to know, in case you are in a situation where they apply.

    Child Protection

    Here are some notes of importance for Child Protection:

    • Read the Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools (DES) and the Children First Act (2015)
    • Complete the Children First eLearning Course – it’s invaluable
    • Be aware of who the Designated Liaison Person (DLP) is in your school, and the Deputy Designated Liaison Person (DDLP) is, as you will need to go to them with any Child Protection concerns
    • Understand that you are mandated person, which means you are legally obligated to report any child protection related concerns to your DLP and to Tusla (Child & Family Agency)
    • Be totally sure of the school’s Child Protection Policy and the procedure for reporting concerns

    GDPR

    GDPR stands for General Data Protection Regulation, which is a legal framework of guidelines regarding the collection and use of personal information

    Schools will generally have a GDPR, Data Protection or Acceptable Use policy, and it is important for you to be up to date with this

    The main area of this to be aware of is the collection and storage of the personal information of your children in your classroom. If you need to have this data, e.g. SSPs, class lists, etc., these need to be kept in a safe, secure, lockable room or storage unit.

    To avoid concerns regarding a potential leak of data:

    • Only print the absolute necessary documents that may have personal data on them
    • Use children’s initials on general documents, observations, notes etc.
    • Put a password/code on any documents that are on a computer/USB stick that may contain personal data about ANYONE in the school, including staff.

    5. Don’t be scared of subbing

    People think it is the end of the world when they don’t get a job, but with teaching, we have the unique opportunity to work through subbing. Subbing is a great way to gain experience and see lots of different schools.

    Here are some tips for getting started with subbing:

    • Send out your CV with an expression of interest email to as many schools are you are willing to travel to
    • Be sure to have your paperwork in order – Statutory Declaration & Garda Vetting especially
    • Have a few back up lessons for each class level and each subject ready, YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU ARE HEADING INTO
    • Keep track of your days subbing to ensure you get paid for everything you do!
    • Build relationships with the staff, principals and secretaries in the schools, you want to be memorable enough to be called back – don’t hide!
    • Record all work you complete with a class and leave it for the teacher returning
    • Always leave the classroom as tidy as possible

    Again, thank you so much to Rahoo for giving me the chance to contribute to your NQT journey! If you have any further questions, I can be found on Instagram @mister_muinteoir_

    All the best for your NQT Year!

    Adam / Mister Múinteoir

    Join Adam & other passionate teachers at NQT Picnic 2022 where all things NQT year will be discussed! Hope to see you there!

    Take a look!

    Top 5 Tips for NQTs

    July 21, 2022 No Comments

    Hello everyone! My name is Adam Barrett, and I run the Instagram page @mister_muinteoir_ where I showcase my day to day teaching, the ups and downs of the real teaching world, as well as support student teachers and NQTs as they find their feet in the teaching world.

    Read More »
    nqtfest_rahoo_cpd

    Virtual Conference for Teachers: NQT Picnic 27th July 2022

    June 14, 2022 No Comments

    NQT Picnic is a specially designed online event for NQT’s in July 2022.

    It is a daunting experience starting your very first teaching position – whether it is subbing or your own post! College seems like a long time ago now and you may be starting to feel a tad nervous.

    Following the huge success of NQT Fest & Picnic in 2021, we are delighted to share this special event for NQT’s in July 2022 with you!

    Read More »

    Free Resources for Teachers: End of School Year Activities

    June 9, 2022 No Comments

    Free Resource for Teachers – End of School Year Activities!

    Read More »
    rahoo_nadine_muinteoirn

    11 Ideas for End of Year School Activities

    June 8, 2022 No Comments

    What an exciting time of the year! Your main lessons and topics are complete and the pupils are getting excited for their summer holidays. It can be a challenging time to keep pupils engaged in classroom lessons due to exciting events on the horizon like school tours or sports days, so I like to keep things light and fun and still try to ensure the learning is taking place.

    Read More »

    3 Things Teachers Should Know Before They Start Teaching

    June 8, 2022 No Comments

    Ciara McGuane is the Summer Course Director for Rahoo.ie.

    Her career highlights include being filmed by BBC London teaching in the classroom and guest-lecturing at the Institute of Education in London. She has worked as a teacher, school leader, teacher trainer and initial teacher training tutor prior to setting up Rahoo.

    Read More »

    3 Classroom Management Mistakes to Avoid

    May 18, 2022 No Comments

    This is always a hot topic for teachers and so important to get it right.
    Here are some mistakes that teachers have shared with us when they did our EPV Summer Course on Classroom Management with Niamh Byrne, Irish Primary Teacher.
    We have dipped in and out of the CPD course to learn what to do instead!

    Read More »
    Find out more!
    • Share:
    author avatar
    Rahoo

    Previous post

    Virtual Conference for Teachers: NQT Picnic 27th July 2022
    July 21, 2022

    You may also like

    nqtfest_rahoo_cpd
    Virtual Conference for Teachers: NQT Picnic 27th July 2022
    14 June, 2022
    Course Image
    Free Resources for Teachers: End of School Year Activities
    9 June, 2022
    rahoo_nadine_muinteoirn
    11 Ideas for End of Year School Activities
    8 June, 2022
    CPD Summer Courses

    Search

    Categories

    • Assessment
    • Assessment for Learning
    • Back To School Tips
    • Career
    • Classroom Management
    • Course of the Month
    • Dear NQT
    • Empowering Expat Teachers Series
    • Events
    • FEILTE
    • Free CPD for Teachers
    • Free Resources
    • Homework
    • ICT
    • Inspire & Empower
    • Job Interviews
    • Lesson Ideas
    • Lesson Planning
    • Mental Health
    • Middle East
    • NQT
    • PME
    • Questioning
    • Rahoo
    • SET
    • Short Course News
    • Summer Course News
    • Teacher Finance
    • Teacher Tips & Tricks
    • Teacher Wellbeing
    • The Not-So-Secret Diary of
    • Thought-provoking
    • Worklife Balance
    Summer-Course
    Rahoo

    info@rahoo.ie

    Floor 1,
    56 O’Connell Street,
    Ennis,
    Co. Clare.

    Useful Links
    • About Us
    • Blog
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
    Rahoo Courses
    • Free CPD for Teachers
    • CPD Courses for Teachers
    • CPD Summer Courses
    • FAQs
    Keep Updated

    Website Design & SEO by Agile Digital Strategy. Copyright 2022 Rahoo. All Rights Reserved.

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT