Cracking the Hard Class

'Cracking the Hard Class – A Whole-School Approach'

A Series of One-day Seminars by Professor Bill Rogers Ph.D, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia

Large numbers attended the three one-day seminars organised by the SESS in conjunction with the Kildare, Wexford and Limerick Education Centres.

The speaker, Professor Bill Rogers, is an internationally renowned educational consultant.  A teacher by profession, he lectures widely on discipline and behaviour management issues. He continues to work in every area of education and teaches widely in colleges of education and universities. He is the author of many book and articles and has been awarded a range of professional accolades.

This was Professor Rogers' second series of professional development seminars in Ireland for the SESS. His depth of knowledge, along with his practical experience and engaging style of delivery, made a strong impact on his previous visit in 2007-08 and ensured big demand for the 2009 seminars. Topics addressed by Professor Rogers included:

• Managing Behaviour - A Whole-School Approach
• Behaviour Leadership - Management and Discipline
• Managing Behaviour - Addressing the Hard Class issue-identification, strategies and supports
• Behaviour and Students with Special Educational Needs

Teachers were again highly informed and enthused by Professor Rogers' presentations:

'Great to have real difficulties addressed, and even more importantly given practical solutions that work'

'I enjoyed the seminar and learned so much. All relevant to myself and school - all 'doable' and worth sharing this with the staff back in school'

'Very helpful ideas and strategies that help to make difficult situations less stressful for both the teacher and the children'

'I found the day to be really worthwhile: just enough material, no sense of being rushed, the approaches suggested were modeled and demonstrated. I appreciated the calmness about challenging behaviour'

'Great event - very empowering' 

Some Images from the Wexford Seminar, November 11th, 2009

Seán O’Leary (SESS), Bill Rogers and Nora O’Connor (SESS)

Professor Rogers speaking with one of the seminar participants

Teachers from St. Aidan’s National School, New Ross: Karolann Tyrell, Andrew Foley, Gretta Carley, Fionnuala Boyce, Aine O’Neill.

Part of the large audience of teachers at the Wexford seminar

Seamus Redmond, Prinaipal Coláiste an Atha Kilmuckridge, Co. Wexford and Paula Carolan, Director Wexford Education Centre.

Louise O’Brien (Barnstown N.S., Wexford), Liam Collins (St. Canice’s N.S., New Ross), Paul Drury (Barnstown N.S., Wexford).