Keep in mind that using, and especially editing, video files is a memory hogger – both for storage space (an externalhard drive will help if you’re running out of space), and working space (RAM memory – 2 GB for XP and 3 GB forVista will help). If you’re using an older computer upgrading <strong>the</strong> RAM memory will help greatly, but you may still belumbered with a slow processor. If you’re considering changing your machine prices are good now, but it might bebetter to wait for <strong>the</strong> new operating system Windows 7, which is due in October.This will have an “XP mode”, incase some of your older software and hardware are incompatible with <strong>the</strong> new system.Finally, be aware that <strong>the</strong>re may be copyright issues with video files.You can always create your own of course – withyour own digital video camera, or <strong>the</strong> video facility in most digital still cameras. For example if you’re visitingGlendalough, film <strong>the</strong> sites! You can use <strong>the</strong> raw clips or edit <strong>the</strong>m (e.g. adding narration) later.Anyone trying to come to grips with this kind of work is welcome to use <strong>the</strong> email link below if you run intodifficulties or if you want any fur<strong>the</strong>r advice.boregan@hotmail.comNoteReligious Education <strong>Support</strong> is offering an evening course in learning how to download video clips and use <strong>the</strong>m as part ofPowerpoint presentations or as part of a sequence of clips, using Moviemaker. It would be time well spent to come along and learn<strong>the</strong> nuts and bolts of this at in service in November/December. See http://www.ress.ie homepage ‘Latest Notices’ for details andregistration form, or go to http://www.slss.ie and click on ‘Course schedules’ on <strong>the</strong> left side of <strong>the</strong> screen.WANTED: LOCAL FACILITATORS!One of <strong>the</strong> great things about working under <strong>the</strong> umbrella of <strong>the</strong> SLSS is that it encourages <strong>the</strong> development of various coursesfor teachers at local level through <strong>the</strong> Education Centre Network. If you visit <strong>the</strong> SLSS website you will see an open invitation toteachers to become involved as local facilitators.What this means is that if you have a particular interest in an area relevant toLCRE, or a particular competence such as ICT, methodologies etc, you can offer to become involved in SLSS as a local facilitator,subject to <strong>the</strong> approval of your Board of Management.You would consult with <strong>the</strong> National <strong>Support</strong> Officer and avail of a shorttraining session, after which time you would deliver your course over one or two days/evenings in your local Education Centre.Details of remuneration etc will be available from SLSS should you express an interest in running a short course for R.E. teachers.This initiative is a great way of involving teachers around <strong>the</strong> country in <strong>the</strong>ir local areas, and allows those who feel <strong>the</strong>y havesomething in particular that <strong>the</strong>y would like to share with o<strong>the</strong>rs a chance to do so. It also builds capacity within <strong>the</strong> system andensures that <strong>the</strong> strengths and expertise of a group of teachers are maximised in <strong>the</strong> design and implementation of future inservices.Additionally, SLSS is hoping to commission a small group of teachers to write / create new teaching resources for LCRE.If you are interested in this type of part-time work please let me know by email.34TEACHING RELIGIOUS EDUCATION ISSUE FOUR SEPTEMBER 2009
Religious Eductaion at KINSALECommunity SchoolBy Diarmaid O’DonovanDiarmaid O’ Donovan,teacher of ReligiousEducation at KinsaleCommunity School,shares with us a profile ofReligious Education in hisschool. Famous aswinners of <strong>the</strong> BTYoungScientist’s Competition,Kinsale CommunitySchool also has cause tobe proud of <strong>the</strong>excellence of <strong>the</strong>irReligious Educationtradition; <strong>the</strong> dedication,skill and enthusiasm ofmembers of <strong>the</strong> R.E.department and <strong>the</strong>undeniable learning andwisdom which emanatesfrom its students andpast pupils of ReligiousEducation. Sincere thanksto Diarmaid for supplyingthis article, and to <strong>the</strong>students and past pupilswho share here <strong>the</strong>irexperience of LeavingCertificate R.E.HISTORY, ETHOS & PHILOSOPHYKinsale Community School officially began on August 1st1996, following <strong>the</strong> amalgamation of Our Lady of <strong>the</strong>Rosary <strong>Second</strong>ary School and KinsaleVocational School.It embodies <strong>the</strong> best traditions of both of <strong>the</strong>se schools.The school was originally built to cater for 450 students,but in recent years that number has swelled to just over700 students. As <strong>the</strong> only school in <strong>the</strong> town we caterfor all secondary school students from KinsaleTown andsurrounding districts.The school motto, “Omnes Communiter Discendo”adopted by <strong>the</strong> first Board of Management, states thatwe are ‘All Toge<strong>the</strong>r in Learning’ and stresses ourcommitment to <strong>the</strong> education of all <strong>the</strong> students in ourcare.Kinsale Community School aims to cater for <strong>the</strong>curricular, personal and physical needs of each individualstudent.We try to create a positive atmosphere, where<strong>the</strong> emphasis is on personal achievement, moraldevelopment and character formation. All students areencouraged to find <strong>the</strong>ir own strengths in order to growinto self-confident and responsible adults.With a firmlyestablished programme of pastoral care, we seek alsoto enhance <strong>the</strong> spiritual aspects of <strong>the</strong> lives of ourstudents through a programme of religious and moralinstruction in keeping with family traditions.RELIGIOUS EDUCATION ATKINSALE COMMUNITY SCHOOLWhile Kinsale Community School has enjoyedunprecedented national success in science by winning<strong>the</strong> BTYoung Scientist’s Competition twice in <strong>the</strong> past fouryears (2006 and 2009), Religious Education has alwaysbeen a priority for management, staff and parents.Theschool management have been hugely supportive increating a favourable climate for <strong>the</strong> delivery of bothnon-exam and exam Religious Education.Religious Education is compulsory for both Junior andSenior Cycle and is delivered by a dedicated team ofseven qualified RE educators.The RE team is comprisedof an RE co-ordinator, Chaplain, and five RE teachers.The RE department meet regularly throughout <strong>the</strong> yearto plan <strong>the</strong> delivery and assessment of courses, organiseliturgical celebrations in <strong>the</strong> school, and to connect with<strong>the</strong> Pastoral Care structure in <strong>the</strong> school. Recently wehave had our Religious Education Policy accepted by <strong>the</strong>school’s board of management, which will secure <strong>the</strong>status of <strong>the</strong> subject for many years to come.Our RE team was involved in phase one of <strong>the</strong>introduction of Religious Education as a Junior Certexam subject back in 2001. Junior Cert exam RE is nowcompulsory for all Junior Cert students at <strong>the</strong> school.Building on <strong>the</strong> success of this course at <strong>the</strong> school, weintroduced Leaving Cert exam RE as a subject option in2005. The uptake by Leaving Cert students has beenconsistently strong (for instance in 2010 twenty fivestudents are due to take <strong>the</strong> exam), and studentfeedback has been very encouraging.As an exam subjectLeaving Cert RE has been a major success for studentswho have achieved consistently high grades in <strong>the</strong>subject. In 2008 for example, six students received an Agrade with <strong>the</strong> rest achieving a B or C grade – all athonours level.Leaving Cert exam RE holds many cross-curricularopportunities and resonates well with o<strong>the</strong>r Humanitiessubjects such as English and History. Many students find<strong>the</strong>se connections beneficial and <strong>the</strong> skill-sets requiredare transferable. There is no doubt that Leaving Certexam RE can present challenges for <strong>the</strong> teacher due tosome perceived inadequacies in <strong>the</strong> textbooks and <strong>the</strong>academic nature of <strong>the</strong> course content. However, once<strong>the</strong>se initial obstacles are overcome <strong>the</strong> benefits forstudents, RE teachers, and indeed for <strong>the</strong> status of <strong>the</strong>subject generally are incalculable. Here at KinsaleCommunity School both management and staff arecommitted to <strong>the</strong> continued development of ReligiousEducation as both a non-exam and exam subject thatpermeates our entire culture of learning and experienceinto <strong>the</strong> future.The best way to illustrate <strong>the</strong> merits of Leaving Certexam RE for <strong>the</strong> educational culture of a school is toconsult with <strong>the</strong> students <strong>the</strong>mselves.What follows are<strong>the</strong> experiences of some Leaving Cert exam REstudents, both past and present at Kinsale CommunitySchool:Nicholas Croke (A1 student, LCRE class of 2008):“As a student who typically prefers <strong>the</strong> sciences to <strong>the</strong>humanities I set out to study Religious Education aspurely a means to an end. I could never have realisedthat by <strong>the</strong> end of <strong>the</strong> course it would grow to be notonly my favourite subject but also <strong>the</strong> one whoseknowledge has resided longest in my mind.TEACHING RELIGIOUS EDUCATION ISSUE FOUR SEPTEMBER 200935
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