CBS The Green: Empowering Performance to Improve Attendance
Name: Des Healy
Title: Retired maths and English teacher. Former SSE and SIP co-ordinator
School: CBS The Green, Tralee
Key Takeaways:
– Athena Tracker supports structured student mentoring conversations
– In-house training and a pilot helped embed the system
– Student access to data improved engagement and ownership
How St. Farnan’s Are Changing How Students See Themselves
Name: Sinéad Noonan
Title: AP1 Holder, and 6th Year Year Head
School: St. Farnan’s Post Primary School
Key Takeaways:
– The best advice that the school ever received about roll-out.
– How Sinéad helped a student with Imposter Syndrome.
– Integrating the Athena Tracker into all aspects of school life.
The Impact of the Athena Tracker in Ballymakenny College, Co. Louth
Name: Eddie Burke
Title: Deputy Principal
School: Ballymakenny College, Drogheda, Co. Louth
Key Takeaways:
– Changing perceptions related to student achievements.
– The role of the Athena Tracker in opening important conversations.
– Setting incremental targets and getting students involved.
Academic Tracking in the Largest Secondary School in Ireland
Name: Davnet Neary
Title: Guidance Counsellor
School: Gorey Community School, Wexford
Key Takeaways:
– Gorey’s main objective related to students in the ‘forgotten middle’.
– 5 keys to Gorey’s successful tracker roll-out.
– A novel way that the school is now rewarding student performance.
Using the Athena Tracker as an Academic Tracking Post Holder
Name: Alan Lawlor
Title: Academic Tracking Post Holder
School: Blackwater Community School, Waterford
Key Takeaways:
– Using Athena Tracker to put interventions in place.
– The role of the tracker in monitoring attainment.
– How the Athena Tracker can draw attention to other issues
Sacred Heart Secondary School’s Phased Approach to Rolling Out the Tracker
Name: James Campbell
Title: Academic Monitor
School: Sacred Heart Secondary School, Drogheda
Key Takeaways:
– The importance of having an overall vision and key objective.
– How roll out is enhanced by appointing a dedicated academic monitor.
– James’s advice on how to effectively roll out the Athena Tracker.
A More Collaborative Approach, Where Students and Teachers Set Goals Together
Name: Rachel O’Connor
Title: Principal
School: Ramsgrange Community College, Co. Wexford
Key Takeaways:
– The role of the Athena Tracker in student attainment.
– The concentrated approach the school uses, incorporating the deputy principal, year heads, tutors, teachers, and students.
– Athena’s part in identifying which students are ‘coasting along’.
Allowing Teachers to Monitor Class Groups in a More Targeted and Specific Manner
Name: Niall McVeigh
Title: Principal
School: Castleblayney College, Co. Monaghan
Key Takeaways:
– The different ways that year heads and teachers use the platform.
– How parent-teacher meetings have become more effective.
– The Athena Tracker’s role in replacing the old teacher journal.
Spotting When Students are Overachieving and at Risk of Burn-Out
Name: Dr. Orla Walsh
Title: Deputy Principal
School: Mount Sackville, Co. Dublin
Key Takeaways:
– Her previous experience of using academic tracking.
– Discovering students that were at risk of burning out.
– Making Athena Tracker analysis a daily habit for teachers.
– Engaging with students in a more data-driven way.
Creating More Meaningful Conversations Between Students and Teachers
Name: Martina Donnellan
Title: Principal
School: Fingal Community College, Co. Dublin
Key Takeaways:
– How Fingal introduced Athena by starting small.
– Why she believes Athena should be brought in from 1st year.
– Using the Athena Tracker as a conversation tool.
A 100% Approval Rating Amongst Teachers Who Are Using The Athena Tracker
Name: Máirín Brady
Title: Maths Teacher
School: Fingal Community College, Dublin
Key Takeaways:
– How Máirín introduced other teachers to the platform.
– The role of word-of-mouth in getting more teachers involved.
– Using the platform to inform conversations with students and families.
– Getting a more holistic overview of students with the Athena Tracker.
