AN INSIDER'S GUIDE TO EDUCATION: Say what you like about those fee-paying schools but you can't deny their success when it comes to the Leaving Cert.
Blackrock College is claiming record results with more than 47 per cent of pupils securing 450 points or more; this compares with the national average of about 17 per cent for the elite 450-plus club.
Other highlights from Blackrock . . .. 25 pupils scored more than 540 points, the equivalent of six As.
Not to be outdone, Blackrock's great rugby rivals from across the river, Belvedere has also posted astonishing results with one-in-four securing 500 points.
To its great credit, Belvedere has - at the same time - raised its game when its comes to special-needs students, providing expert support and guidance. Other fee-paying schools please copy!
When is a university of the year not a university of the year?
Good question. UCD triumphed in the annual Sunday Times awards, but you would never guess it from the Trinity website which congratulates TCD on its achievements in the annual jamboree. And congratulates UCD and DCU on coming second in one league table!
UCD is being very coy about the Sunday Times award. Unlike Galway and Cork, it will not be referring to the award in its promotional material.
Speaking of TCD, how come Provost John Hegarty was so quiet during the bitter poaching dispute? He is know to have very strong views on the issue and was unhappy about some aspects of the public debate.
UL and other colleges have long recognised the importance of sport for marketing purposes but has DCU now stolen a march on all the others?
Champion hurdler Derval O'Rourke generated a huge amount of good publicity for DCU over the summer while the classic Dublin v Mayo match was dominated by DCU students. The college also boasts an elite gym which is de rigueur for high performers
The end of the points race means the competition between colleges for students is more intense than ever. No surprise, then, that some other colleges are furious that DCU has been quick off the blocks in this key area.
Good fun out in the Teachers' Union of Ireland dacha in Rathgar as young (and not so young) pretenders wait for Jim Dorney to clarify his intentions.
Dorney, general secretary since sometime in the last century, could retire next year - or he could stay on until 65. Here's our best guess - Dorney will go- and one of his most able young lieutentants will replace him.
E-mail us, in confidence, at teacherspet@irish-times.ie
