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File photo. School closed today due to snowy conditions. RollingNews.ie

Cork school allowing students to sit their mocks at home during the freezing weather

The principal of the school doesn’t think students would use the opportunity to cheat on their exams.

AS THE BEAST from the East hits the country hard, one school in Cork is not letting the freezing, snowy weather get in the way of students sitting their exams.

Hewitt College informed students and their parents this morning that due to the “hazardous footpaths and roads, and disruption to water services”, the school would close.

Students at the private school, however, will still sit exams today at home.

Principal Trish McGrath told TheJournal.ie: “All of our 4th, 5th and 6th year students do pre-examinations. The conditions are so bad, we made a decision last night to close today.”

She said that the exams have been sent by email, with parents given instruction on how to ensure “supervision and examination-style conditions” for their children to do the tests.

A decision will then be taken over the coming days on whether to send further exams home if the conditions persist.

And, as for whether students may take the opportunity doing the exam at home to take a peek at their textbooks, McGrath was doubtful.

She added: “I don’t think so. We’ve given full instructions to parents regarding exam conditions.

It’s not important what mark they get here, but it’s important they have a trial run for the real thing. I don’t think there will be any cheating.

Read: PHOTOS: Many parts of Ireland are covered in snow

Read: ‘Now is the time’: People asked to clear snow from outside their home before snow worsens

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    Mute Ohhh_reeally
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    Feb 28th 2018, 10:04 AM

    Not really an issue if they do cheat. Nothing gained only a false sense of security going into the actual exam

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    Mute Dave.
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    Feb 28th 2018, 10:43 AM

    @Ohhh_reeally: You could give some people the book along with the test and they still wouldn’t pass an exam.

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    Mute Lad
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    Feb 28th 2018, 10:58 AM

    @Dave.: “It’s not important what mark they get here, but it’s important they have a trial run for the real thing”… Except your at home, with unlimited time, not supervised and you can cheat if you want… ya great trial run of the real thing

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    Mute Tony Dowling
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    Feb 28th 2018, 12:32 PM

    @Lad: get up half way through. Pot of tea? Fk it, put on a whole fry while im up. Maybe stick on a few youtube vids while its cooking…etc

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    Mute David Sinclair
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    Feb 28th 2018, 10:00 AM

    ‘ with parents given instruction on how to ensure “supervision and examination-style conditions” for their children to do the tests’
    Great to have impartial mothers and fathers on standby to ensure an honest approach.

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    Mute Jane
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    Feb 28th 2018, 10:12 AM

    @David Sinclair: what would be the point in helping them cheat? Only codding yourself.

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    Mute Alan Madden
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    Feb 28th 2018, 10:14 AM

    @Jane: human nature

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    Mute Nick Allen
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    Feb 28th 2018, 10:18 AM

    @Alan Madden:

    I wouldn’t let my kids cheat. It would be a stupid thing to do and a complete waste of time

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    Mute Mr Jerry Curtin
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    Feb 28th 2018, 10:00 AM

    There is Trust, well done to that school.

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    Mute Seeking Truth
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    Feb 28th 2018, 10:24 AM

    It is up to you if you want to use the opportunity to actually test yourself or if you want to use the books and pretend you know the material. It is your life and your path so either use opportunities to their full extent or take the easy route. You will reap what you sow either way.

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    Mute James Kennedy
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    Feb 28th 2018, 10:29 AM

    Brilliant. Great decision by principal to trust pupils. Should be more of this.

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    Mute Nick Allen
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    Feb 28th 2018, 10:00 AM

    Very late to be doing mocks.

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    Mute Veronica
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    Feb 28th 2018, 10:33 AM

    @Nick Allen: not necessary was around this time of year i did both Junior & Leaving mocks back in the day as well.

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    Mute Trish Loughman
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    Feb 28th 2018, 1:11 PM

    @Veronica: Back in the day we did them just before Easter. Now most schools do them before the February mid-term break. I think this place is a grinds setup though, not a school. Not seeing them listed on any list of schools.

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    Mute Dr Rex Butts
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    Feb 28th 2018, 10:01 AM

    No one in the Rebel county would cheat

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    Mute Declan Hourihan
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    Feb 28th 2018, 10:13 AM

    Dear parents.. The fees for this year are 10’000 and that includes the cost of you supervising exams… Some set up

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    Mute Raymond Dennehy
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    Feb 28th 2018, 10:22 AM

    That’s one way to screw up a snow day

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    Mute Canspell Somtimes
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    Feb 28th 2018, 10:11 AM

    AS i always say to my teenage children ,you can only do your best

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    Mute Pollux Malone
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    Feb 28th 2018, 10:37 AM

    Exams are passport to next level, never about learning, just ticking the box.

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    Mute Trish Loughman
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    Feb 28th 2018, 1:08 PM

    Quite late for mocks. Most schools did them before the mid-term break.
    Is this a grinds ‘school’? Handy free advertisement.

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    Mute OCallaghan TP
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    Feb 28th 2018, 6:45 PM

    Poor students..

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