A lot of positive feedback coming through
AT Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine in Kenmare, Principal Dermot Healy said that the Junior and Leaving Cert students have gone about their work calmly, adding that he hasn’t heard of any major snags thus far.
“Both cycles seem very happy, so far. From the good atmosphere around the place after the second English paper, I’d be guessing the right poets came up,” he joked.
“The Junior Cert students were a little apprehensive about timing for what was a restructured English exam but they thought it was a nice paper overall.
“The kids are doing fine, all things told; they’re not jumping up and down and they seem quite content. I haven’t heard back from Biology yet; I know that caused a bit of a ripple last year. You’d hear the occasional negative comment but, as I always say, there’s no point stressing about a paper that’s already done.”
Coláiste na Sceilge principal John O’Connor described his students as “very happy” with what they’ve encountered so far.
“It’s gone smoothly so far, and the mood on the ground has been very good thus far,” he said.
“The Leaving Certs were extremely happy with their Irish papers and the reaction to the other papers has been positive, also.
“There were a few gripes about the first Maths paper from the Junior Certs but that’s been the exception rather than the rule.”
In West Kerry, Principal Padraig Feiritéar said staff have kept their distance from the pupils to give them space as they undertake the exams, but the feedback he’s received so far has generally been positive.
“There’s a good bit to cover yet, I suppose, but I haven’t heard of any major problems with papers so far,” he said.
“With the maths, I know some people felt the Financial Maths was quite difficult but some people suggested that Paper Two was a bit easier. We like to give our pupils breathing space for the tests, and we haven’t heard a huge amount from the students as a result, but what we have heard has generally been positive.”