Things I have done with the NCCA.

1. Board

1.1. I went to board twice while I was interning with the NCCA. Here I got to sit in on discussions around postponing the maths curriculum, making changes to the language curriculum and hearing about the school forum meetings the NCCA were conducting. I also got to hear from outside speakers on things like classroom assessment and educational practices around the world.

2. School forum meetings

2.1. I attended three school forum meetings with the NCCA where I got to help out with the various activities planned and note take for one of the forums. I really got to work on my communication skills when attending these types of meetings as I was constantly interacting with either my colleagues or the attendees. I really enjoyed these meetings as I got to hear the principal and teachers opinions and feelings towards the review of the primary school curriculum.

3. School visits

3.1. I have gone on two school visits as part of the RSE review team. Both were primary schools, one in Dublin and the other in Waterford. I went as a note taker for one and helped out with tasks and questions for the other. I got to engage with a 5th class about their thoughts on RSE and I really enjoyed this. I found this to be an interesting aspect of the NCCA's work and thought it is very useful for gathering parents, students and teachers opinions on a matter within education.

4. The Primary language curriculum

4.1. I was part of the new primary language curriculum. I attending meetings surrounding this curriculum, went to board with them and also attended the council meeting that approved the final draft of the curriculum to go to the minister.

5. Portlaoise

5.1. I went to the Portlaoise office for many things. I attended a child protection course. I also sat in on an Early childhood team meeting there where they discussed a new section upload on the site and lastly I attended a Primary school team meeting on learning outcomes and the 2019 budget.

6. Council

6.1. I got to attend a council meeting in December with the NCCA. This was one of my least favourite tasks I did with the organisation. I found the first half of the meeting quite boring as it was about corporate things I didn't quite understand yet. However, I noted down anything that confused me and got clarification on them after. While it wasn't interesting to me I still realise the need and importance council plays in curriculum design and review.