Conference 2025: Resources now available!

Conference Programme

08.30 – 09.15: Registration, tea/coffee, networking and opportunity to view sponsors’ stands

09.15 – 10.00: Welcome and opening remarks from Honorary National President, Ciara O’Riordan, followed by a plenary presentation by Keynote Speaker: award-winning entrepreneur Lorraine Heskin, Founder and CEO of Gourmet Food Parlour

10.00 – 10.15: John O’Connor Awards Presentation

10.15 – 10.45: Tea/coffee, networking and opportunity to view sponsors’ stands

10.45 – 11.45: Workshops, Session 1 (see below for workshop options)

11.45 – 12.45: Workshops, Session 2 (see below for workshop options)

12.45 – 13.45: Lunch, networking and opportunity to view sponsors’ stands

13.45 – 14.45: Workshops, Session 3 (see below for workshop options) 

14.45 – 15.25: Closing Plenary

• The NCCA will provide an update on the next stages of Senior Cycle Reform in the Business suite of subjects
• Oide will brief us on their planned Professional Learning Experiences for 2025/2026 
• DEY Inspectorate 

15:25 – 15.45: Conference evaluation and resources, raffle and closing remarks

Workshop Detail

Leaving Certificate Accounting: Management Accounting 

This workshop will provide an overview of the Management Accounting section of the current Leaving Certificate syllabus. This workshop will provide an overview of the Management Accounting section of the current Leaving Certificate syllabus. 

Presented by Simone Dowling, Accounting Teacher in St. Vincent’s Castleknock 

Leaving Certificate Accounting: Final Accounts

This workshop will provide an overview of the Final Accounts section of the current Leaving Certificate syllabus. 

Presented by Alan Ryan, Teacher of Accounting in St. Augustine’s College, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford.

Leaving Certificate Business: Cross Cutting Theme of Ethics and Sustainability

This workshop will explore the cross cutting theme of Ethics and Sustainability in the new Leaving Certificate Business course.

Presented by Lizzy Noone, Worldwise Schools

Leaving Certificate Business: Models in New Leaving Certificate Business

This workshop will investigate some of the new concepts in the new Leaving Certificate Business course.

Presented by Joseph Coughlan, Head of School of Business in Maynooth University

Leaving Certificate Business: ABQ

This workshop will explore the Applied Business Question for Units 3, 4 & 5 which are examinable for Leaving Certificate Business 2026.

Presented by Padraig Doherty, Business teacher in Moyne Community School, Longford.

Leaving Certificate Economics: Sharpening the Economic Lens – From Classroom Practice and Resource Building to Exam Success

This workshop will share tips to ensure students maximise their marks from the start of senior cycle to the end. It will also demonstrate how to create resources with or without AI.  

Presented by Diarmuid Canning, Economics teacher in St. Andrew’s College, Dublin.

Leaving Certificate Economics: The research study

This workshop will provide valuable insights into guiding students successfully through the Economics project. 

Presented by Pat O’Leary, Economics Teacher, Coláiste and Chraoibhín, Fermoy and experienced Leaving Certificate Economics examiner.  

Leaving Certificate Economics: Sustainable Development Goals in Economics

This professional learning experience (PLE) will support teachers to explore the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with their students and support an inquiry-based approach to teaching and learning. It will provide participants with opportunities to consider where integration and exploration of the SDGs can be linked to the specification and evaluate resources that may support an inquiry-based approach to teaching and learning in relation to the SDGs.

Presented by Oide.  

Junior Cycle Business Studies: Developing reflective skills and supporting inclusion in the Junior Cycle Business Classroom.

This workshop will focus on ideas to encourage our students to become reflective learners and consider ideas and resources to create an inclusive classroom that caters for all learners, with a particular focus on EAL learners and those following the Business Studies L2LP. 

Presented by Kim Deens, Business Studies teacher, St. Kevin’s Community College, Fonthill, Co. Dublin.  

Designing effective TY Modules for Business subjects 

This workshop will discuss how to effectively structure and create engaging TY modules in order to build a foundation for Leaving Certificate subjects, of the new TY Programme Coordinator.  

Presented by Julie O’Keeffe, TY Coordinator, Business and Economics teacher in Newbridge College, Co. Kildare and Joe Stafford, TY Coordinator & Business teacher in Skerries Community College, Co. Dublin.