Wishing our members a very Happy Christmas - Head Office will re-open at 9 am on Monday, January 5th, 2026.

This year, the ASTI was proud to allocate €1,000 of the Development Aid Fund to ActionAid to support their work tackling period poverty and improving access to menstrual products, education, and dignity for women and girls: actionaid.ie/endperiodpov...

Are you thinking of applying for an API or APII post in 2026? Do not miss this invaluable School Leadership Training we are holding in Dublin in January. There will be a focus on interview skills, preparing for the leadership role and more. Just email [email protected] to sign up.

Do you need a forum to discuss the issues that you may face as an LGBTQI+ teacher? Or, would you like to be part of a group which can influence ASTI policy on its LGBTQI+ Members? Join our LGBTQI+ group: www.asti.ie/news-campaig...

Members, did you know you can opt to get ASTIR digitally instead of receiving a printed copy? Just go to the Preferences & Consents page of your MyUnion account to change your choice from 'Printed' to 'Digital'. Log in to your MyUnion account here: www.asti.ie/my-union/

Pádraig Murphy (Honorary National Organiser) met Roisin Lavery and Emer Nugent (School Stewards) and Diarmuid Mullins (Principal) at Crescent College Comprehensive SJ today.

ASTI Press Release: ‘Expansion of school guidance counselling services key to tackling drugs use amongst second-level students’ – ASTI to tell Oireachtas Committee For the full press release please see: www.asti.ie/news-campaig...

Three more wonderful causes we were proud to support this year were Street Children of Bucharest, St. Lawrence High School in Lesotho (for the purchase of a new water pump), and @concernworldwide.bsky.social

In March 2025, a devastating 7.7 earthquake struck Myanmar and neighbouring regions. www.unicef.ie/donate/myanmar-earthquake-appeal/

This year, the ASTI was proud to allocate its Development Aid Fund to a number of worthy charities and causes, one of which was The Hope Foundation who received €3000 for their Umeed Project.

General Secretary Kieran Christie addresses the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Youth about the recruitment and retention of teachers today - read the ASTI press release here: www.asti.ie/news-campaig...

ASTI Press Release: ‘Teacher shortages a threat to young people’s education’ – ASTI to tell Oireachtas Committee For full press release please see: www.asti.ie/news-campaigns/latest-news/teacher-shortages-a-threat-to-young-peoples-education--asti-to/

Pictured Pádraig Murphy, ASTI Honorary National Organiser, Alison Duffy Regional Organiser & CEC, Gerada Barry, Chairperson Tipperary Branch & CEC, Paula de Barra,Tipperary Branch Secretary & Lisa Williams in Cashel Community School, Co. Tipperary

Pictured below Pádraig Murphy, ASTI Honorary National Organiser, Simon Kelliher ASTI Cork North Branch Secretary & CEC, with staff from North Monastery Coeducational Secondary School, Cork City

Pictured below Pádraig Murphy, ASTI Honorary National Organiser with Frank Lombard, Gail O'Carroll, School Steward, Simon Kelliher, Secretary of the ASTI Cork North Branch & CEC, Julianne Harrington & Julie Ryan on a school visit to Coláiste an Chroí Naofa, Carrig na bhFear, Co. Cork.

Pictured below Pádraig Murphy Honorary National Organiser, Deirdre Murphy, Cork North Branch Treasurer, Edward Newman, Tricia Murphy, Marie Casey, Simon Kelliher, Cork North Branch Secretary & CEC Member, on a school visit to Christian Brothers College (CBC), Cork

Members of the ASTI Salary Protection Scheme - there is a limited number of MyHealthCheck appointments left available before the end of January, so book now to avail of this comprehensive medical assessment!

Liam O'Sullivan, Lucia Damas Garcia, Creeda Mahon, Pádraig Murphy, Honorary National Organiser on a school visit to Harold's Cross Educate Together Secondary School, Dublin 6.

HNO Pádraig Murphy, SC Rep for Region 12 Louis Callaghan, Enda Tourish, Colin Deering, Edelle McCrudden, Leona McKenna, Andrew Mayne, VP Richie Bell, Dave Carolan and Regional Organiser Region 12, Pat Deery at a Monaghan Branch Meeting in The Four Seasons Hotel, Monaghan Town.

Pictured below Pádraig Murphy, Honorary National Organiser with Pauline Queally (Principal), Ola Sofola, Joanne Burke, Nathalie Brady (School Steward), David Cunningham, Carol Cullinane and Eire McQuillan on a school visit to C.B.S. James' Street, Dublin 8

Pictured below Donal Cremin, Immediate Past President, Seán Costello, Richie Bell, Vice President, Ryan Wilson and Pádraig Murphy, Honorary National Organiser at Engineering Technology Teachers Association Conference, at the Raheen Woods Hotel, Athenry, Co. Galway

Pictured below Pádraig Murphy, Honorary National Organiser, Richie Bell, Vice President, Seán O'Gorman Chairperson, Engineering Technology Teachers' Association & Donal Cremin, Immediate Past President at the Engineering Technology Teachers Association at the Raheen Woods Hotel, Athenry, Galway

Important message for ASTI Principals and Deputy Principals - Do we have your details? www.asti.ie/news-campaig...

Deputy General Secretary Diarmaid de Paor delivers the final Board of Management training of the year today. We are holding many other training events, online information sessions and retirement seminars over the coming months - find out more here: www.asti.ie/member-benef...

Staff Officers Caroline and Emer were on hand yesterday evening to give an online seminar on teachers' sick leave entitlements and to answer members' questions.

Pictured below Pádraig Murphy, ASTI Honorary National Organiser with Aidan Kearney, Paul Ó Lochlainn, Shauna Ní Bhaoil, Emma Gordon and Conall Ó Dufaigh (School Steward) on a school visit to Coláiste Ráithín, Bray, Co. Wicklow

The ASTI Achievement Awards recognise the outstanding contribution teachers make to schools, students and society - read about the 2025 winners in the November issue of ASTIR.

Listen back to Newstalk Podcast with Jess Kelly - Behind The Screens: Parenting teenagers in the digital age - includes interview with ASTI member Jean-Marie Ward - tinyurl.com/5f6wnn4h

Members are reminded of the following NCCA Senior Cycle Redevelopment consultations: 📌LC Computer Science (*NB*) - the closing date to submit your views is Nov 26th 📌Elective modules for the Senior Cycle Level 1 and Level 2 Learning Programmes 📌LC Design and Communications Graphics

Teachers in the classroom are faced with the challenge of helping students to navigate our digital world - find a range of high-quality digital media literacy resources are available to support teachers, parents, and students in the November issue of ASTIR: www.asti.ie/news-campaig...

Mary Madden, Director of Schools in Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB, gave part two of our School Leadership Training on Saturday focusing on preparing for the role and the interview.

Director of Schools at Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board Pauline Egan delivers the first half of our School Leadership Training this morning in the Ashling Hotel.

Pictured below Pádraig Murphy, ASTI Honorary National Organiser with Kayleigh McNeill, Tom McSherry, Peter Finn, Katie Boyle, Paul Wheatley and Mark McManus on a school visit to Waterpark College, Waterford

Pictured below Pádraig Murphy, ASTI Honorary National Organiser, Laura Caulfield, Eóin Tallon (School Steward), Marcellus Hynes, Jenny Lanigan (Co-Steward), Pete Munroe and Aoife Harris on a school visit to De La Salle College, Waterford

In the November 2025 issue of ASTIR in schools and online now: 📉 Ireland ranks last in OECD for investment in second-level education - just 0.8% of GDP. Find the full article here: www.asti.ie/news-campaig...

ASTI is encouraging members to get involved in NCCA in Senior Cycle Redevelopment consultations - see link - tinyurl.com/3w9tmvtm

Members, remember to have your say on the Draft Specification for Leaving Certificate Computer Science before the closing date of 26th November.

Deputy General Secretary Diarmaid de Paor giving Board of Management training to members this morning in ASTI Head Office. For more information and to sign up for ASTI training sessions please see: www.asti.ie/member-benefits/events/search/?keyword=&type=3&submit=

Pádraig Murphy Honorary National Organiser on a school visit to Mountrath Community School, Co. Laois with David Whelan, Cillian Hegarty, Elaine Copeland, Rita Moore School Steward, Principal Kathryn O'Brien, Ruth Kelly, Collette Byrne and Aisling Ní Bhroin

Thanks to all the ASTI School Stewards who attended online training today with Desmond O'Toole and to those who attended our three other sessions last month. Keep up to date with our upcoming training days and seminars here: www.asti.ie/member-benef...

Pictured below Honorary National Organiser Pádraig Murphy, Glenn Webster Deputy Principal, Caitríona Nic Éinrí school steward, Barry Hennessy and Zoe Windsor at a school visit to Coláiste Éanna, Ballyroan, Dublin 16

Deputy General Secretary Diarmaid de Paor delivered online training for teacher representatives on Boards of Management yesterday - we are holding two more BoM training days in 2025: - Wed 12th Nov: Head Office - Wed 19th Nov: Online

IR Official Conor McDonald delivered an online information seminar yesterday evening on job sharing and career break - we are holding many more seminars and training days in 2025/2026, sign up here: www.asti.ie/member-benef...

Members, remember to have your say on the Draft Specification for Leaving Certificate Computer Science before the closing date of 26th November.

Members are reminded that the NCCA are consulting on the Background Paper and Brief for Tranche 4 Leaving Certificate subjects: - Art - Economics - Gaeilge - Modern Foreign Languages - Politics and Society - Technology Don't forget to take part in the process before the deadline of 12 November.

Denis O’Boyle, (West Mayo) & Ger O’Donoghue, (Limerick South), were recently reselected to represent the ASTI on the Irish Congress of Trade Unions Retired Workers Committee for 2025 to 2027. They attended the first meeting of the new committee recently - pictured below outside the ICTU office.

At DCU Union Open Day today Immediate Past President Donal Cremin, Industrial Relations Official Desmond O'Toole and Honorary National Organiser Pádraig Murphy are ready to explain the importance of joining a union and the benefits of ASTI membership.

Meeting members in Rice College, Ennis, Co. Clare. Pictured are Eimear Holly (school steward), Siobhán Dunne (school steward committee member), Laura Whelan, Sarah Rooney, Erica Grehan and Pádraig Murphy, ASTI Honorary National Organiser

Members Mmaeze Amaeze, Shauna O'Donovan and Peter O'Grady welcomed ASTI HNO Pádraig Murphy to Mungret Community College Limerick today.

HNO Pádraig Murphy visited St.Louis Secondary School Monaghan Town where he met members Principal James Sherry, Cian Brennan, Taylor Foy and Dylan Foley.