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Conor Murphy

@conorsmurf.bsky.social

1.4K followers 1.2K following 360 posts

English/Film teacher.

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Conor Murphy @conorsmurf.bsky.social · 4d

I wrote about how the exam has devolved into one aimed primarily at teachers, rather than one for students to show off what they have learned/developed.
The SEC response, above, indicates that I was correct.
thevideotrolley.blogspot.com/2025/06/juni...

Junior Cycle English, Ten Years on

Ten years in and how is the Junior Cycle English specification going? Simply put; not great. This year’s exam has highligh...

thevideotrolley.blogspot.com

Conor Murphy @conorsmurf.bsky.social · 4d

The JC English Specification, and particularly the exam, now holds zero value amongst many teachers.
How can it?
Questions that students can't answer.
Questions with incorrect film terms.
Questions that require hours to answer but given minutes.
The whole thing is devoid of value

Conor Murphy @conorsmurf.bsky.social · 4d

This is from today's Irish Times and reveals just how ridiculous the Junior Cycle English Specification is.
There's no way to cover all the material, yet we are expected to cover it all.
In the same sentence that short stories "non-literary" texts are mentioned.
How many?
What kinds?
No idea.

Conor Murphy @conorsmurf.bsky.social · 10d

I'm not going to comment.

And by not commenting it seems that I have..

Conor Murphy @conorsmurf.bsky.social · 14d

And the last one yesterday.

Conor Murphy @conorsmurf.bsky.social · 14d

On Friday there was a reply in the letters page.

Conor Murphy @conorsmurf.bsky.social · 14d

Happy with all disagreements!

But, yes, that reply was...interesting.

Conor Murphy @conorsmurf.bsky.social · 14d

And here's a reply to my article, also published in The Irish Times.

Conor Murphy @conorsmurf.bsky.social · 14d

My article in Tuesday's Irsish Times asked whether it is time to make Shakespeare an option at Higher Level English rather than being compulsory, as he is now.

Reposted by Conor Murphy

Julian Girdham @sccenglish.bsky.social · 15d

Fortnightly 192:
Nicholas Carr's 'Superbloom' | Rachel Cusk |
@j-amesmarriott.bsky.social on reading in crisis | @conorsmurf.bsky.social
on Shakespeare | @timothysnyder.bsky.social on Ukraine and kindness | AI guidelines from @irishsciteach.bsky.social

juliangirdham.substack.com/p/192-wherev...

192: Wherever life pours ordinary plenty

Nicholas Carr, Rachel Cusk, Caoilinn Hughes, Kyra Davis Lurie, James Marriott, Daisy Christodoulou, Conor Murphy, Mary Oliver, Timothy Snyder. And more.

juliangirdham.substack.com

Conor Murphy @conorsmurf.bsky.social · 22d

I loved it.
The scenes from Robot's haircut through the party in the front garden are simply perfect. You sit back knowing you're in good hands.

Exceptional.

Conor Murphy @conorsmurf.bsky.social · 22d

Just out of a screening here in Cork.
You can guess the reception.

Exceptional film.

Reposted by Conor Murphy

The Hand that Rocks the Jaydle @jaycoyle.bsky.social · 23d

I have been waiting a good many years for a new Shane Meadows to come along and it turns out he is Irish. Canty is a major talent.

Conor Murphy @conorsmurf.bsky.social · Sep 7

Thanks!

Conor Murphy @conorsmurf.bsky.social · Sep 7

Anyone know where I can get a DVD copy of Song of Granite?

Want to use it in school.
(Easier when it's a dvd)

Conor Murphy @conorsmurf.bsky.social · Sep 6

Highest 2 Lowest doesn’t quite work. The pacing is off and the a turning point feels unearned.
But the film is fascinating in its exploration of culture, of doubles, of "class."
It's a film with lots to say, and lots for us to discuss.
Watch it.

Reposted by Conor Murphy

conorcrean.bsky.social @conorcrean.bsky.social · Sep 2

To be fair though the oral is mentioned, and they don't seem capable of implementing it, so isn't this just a fantasy text?

Conor Murphy @conorsmurf.bsky.social · Sep 2

There are loads of issues left unanswered.
How, exactly, will the written AAC work in the world we live in and remain educational?
Can't see how they fix that one without turning it into a other exam.

Conor Murphy @conorsmurf.bsky.social · Sep 2

Has Shakespeare been removed as a requirement for HL Leaving Cert English?
He's not mentioned in the new spec, published today.
He was in the Requirements section if the draft, but absent from it now!
www.curriculumonline.ie/getmedia/cea...

www.curriculumonline.ie

Conor Murphy @conorsmurf.bsky.social · Aug 31

Thanks!

Reposted by Conor Murphy

Julian Girdham @sccenglish.bsky.social · Aug 30

Fortnightly 190 is out:

Florence Knapp, Adrian Lester on Othello, R.C. Sherriff, Anne Enright and Joseph O’Connor on John McGahern, essays on Leaving Certificate English, Oscar Wilde's trials and more.

juliangirdham.substack.com/p/190-all-th...

190: All things begin in dreams

Florence Knapp, Adrian Lester on Othello, R.C. Sherriff, Anne Enright and Joseph O’Connor on John McGahern, essays on Leaving Certificate English, Oscar Wilde's trials and more.

juliangirdham.substack.com

Conor Murphy @conorsmurf.bsky.social · Aug 30

This blog asks whether it's time for Shakespeare to be optional at Higher Level Leaving Cert English.
It opened up an interesting debate on Facebook, but not much on twitter.
Which is interesting.
thevideotrolley.blogspot.com/2025/08/is-i...

thevideotrolley.blogspot.com

Conor Murphy @conorsmurf.bsky.social · Aug 27

At a guess, rights issues.
Surprised they managed to get them all onto one platform.

Conor Murphy @conorsmurf.bsky.social · Aug 27

Imagine an Art room with no paint.
A Home Economics class taking place in the woodwork room.
Metal work where they have to imagine the tools because they won't arrive for a few months.

Why?
Because it was rushed through.
Because it was announced without any research or planning

Conor Murphy @conorsmurf.bsky.social · Aug 27

Drama, Film and Theatre, an LC subject, update:
1. No equipment
2. Last minute text change
3. Possibly no computers. Thus, no ability to actually complete the Film aspect of the course. (That's 50% of the course)
4. Schools still struggling with finding, adapting, rooms