‘Good to be back with a choice of exams or accredited grades’

LEAVING Cert student Robert Murphy says it’s great to be returning to class today and a semblance of normality with his studies after months in Level 5 lockdown.

The 19-year-old from Courtmacsherry, Co Cork, is a sixth-year student at Clonakilty Community College, which is reopening with the benefit of an impressive €10.5m extension.

“It feels really good to be returning to school after the lockdown. I am just looking forward to getting back to some bit of normality,” he said.

“It will be nice to see my friends again in a social setting – especially in our new school extension.”

The west Cork student, and more than 60,000 other sixth years, are returning to the classroom with clarity and choice around their Leaving Cert options.

Robert said he was pleased about being given a choice between accredited grades and/or sitting exams. “I think it is a good decision – you get the best of both worlds. It eases pressure and gives peace of mind.

“Some students may be inadequately prepared for sitting an exam, whilst by allowing the exam to take place, you are enabling students who want to sit an exam, that meets their needs.”

Robert has been working hard throughout the lockdown to fulfil his career dreams and hopes to pursue third-level studies at the University of Limerick with a view to a career as a physical education and geography teacher.

“Hopefully with the option of sitting the exams and the option of accredited grades I will be able to get enough points for it,” he said.

Principal Anne Dunne said teachers and students were overjoyed to be returning to in-school classes.

“This third lockdown was a very different experience for our college community,” she said. “Structured live classes following student timetables via a screen was exhausting for both pupil and teacher alike over the past two months. Both are very happy to reconnect in real time.

“It is time. Children are at the centre of what we do and we are excited to see them return to us.”

The school, which operates under the patronage of Cork Education and Training Board, is welcoming back 78 Leaving Cert students and 12 Leaving Cert Applied students.

“We are in the privileged position of moving into our €10.5m extension which is a ‘schools of the future’ design,” said Ms Dunne.

She said the spacious corridors’ higher ceilings would reduce the threat of virus spread.

“Rattling around in an empty school is completely empty without pupils’ smiling faces. We miss them and cannot wait for all our pupils to be back with us from April 12 – Covid-19 dependent of course,” she said.