Cork Educate Together Secondary School

"Fantastic school. Teaching is excellent. Very happy child attending."

"Inclusive and democratic, a great school to attend."

"I never wore my seat belt while driving to this school because i wanted to kill my self before I got there"

"your not even aloud go in the building for break , even when its -2 degrees outside your forced to stay outside"

"I go here. I have a lot to say. We have to buy a ton of books ( 20-30 hardbacks) even though we could use the iPads instead. The constant promotion of "positivity" is incredibly mind-numbing and sounds like we're 3 year olds to be coddled ("positive punishment" is detention and "community action" is school community service). These oxymorons are not good, they're infantile-sounding and honestly really infuriating. Taking notes can get you in trouble sometimes. The huge "say not do" stuff (wanna stop climate change, talk about it but not actually have any class activities doing something about it. Really, is it hard to organize an activity where we make signs that are a reminder to turn off lights or plan ways to get a green flag?). The lie. They say no books at all. This year I had to buy 4 textbooks. We could just do all of this online, but no we need to buy books. The iPads were very expensive, then the mountain of copies, then these too. Thankfully we get lockers to keep the mountain of books we have. We have no ability to do things without supervision. Even in clubs and things like watering plants. If we are being prepared for the world, we should learn how to be able to do things ourselves and alone. I know that Health and Safety exists but supervising in a club like Animation that easily poses no health and safety concerns is kinda silly to have a teacher required since all we do is animate, draw, plan animations or act in them. Basketball, Creativity, Maker's Space and Drama do need teachers to supervise since they A: Plan the activities or B: Are there to manage the activities so no one is injured. 3rd years get everything. During Wellbeing week (be nice week) they went bowling and got pizza. 2nd and 1rst years, nothing. I think we should get a fair chance at that too. Also Spook for Simon, 1rst years weren't allowed to watch the movie that was set up to be seen. Only Nova (maybe cause I'm in Nova and I started the Spook for Simon event) and the 3rd years. The 2nd years + 1rst years should've been allowed to se the film. I understand (but would still hate) why only Nova would be a thing but the 3rd years, I don't understand aside from the assumption "they just get everything." Good stuff (why the school isn't bad) We have inside jokes and joke about anything. We have great freedom of expression. You can dress up in some costumes (there are a few limitations there but overall you can wear a simple getup that still looks like normal clothings) which is pretty great. The teachers have personalities and good senses of humor. They make little jokes or funny references during lessons that make them feel more human. They are ok with bringing in food. During the last week of school last I made cake and cookies all week and not one teacher objected. In fact they love it when you do. We can name the classes. Each class is allowed to be named by the students who choose them. It's pretty neat. Teachers don't seem to mind debating them on stuff in the lesson. I did it once and the teacher was ok with it. It was in line with the lesson so it was fine. Things I Mind and Don't Mind at the Same Time Huggae (non-religious celebration): It's ok. I mean the non-religious part irks me a bit. Political Correctness: Everything is non-religious and inclusive which sounds "woke" and "progressive" but at the same time you can joke about communism, all that jazz with friends without getting in trouble. Lots of awards. I mean getting an award for my viewpoints is honestly really stupid. They seem like participation trophies. Wellbeing Week. A week about feeling good. Not something worth time personally. Ethics Class: Honestly, kinda pointless. All we do is talk about philosophy and ethical stuff. Also, we have to do a philosophy competition and I hate philosophy. We have to do it though, we have no choice. S.P.H.E. Class: It has a slightly more proactive approach than Ethics. It's just full of feelings and I hate that stuff."