Dear Parents,

 Results are in… now what?

Friday’s results brought excitement for some and anxiety for others. Now families are turning toward the next big date: CAO Round 1 offers on Wed, 27 Aug at 2pm.

To help you and your teen through this crucial week, we’ve released three brand-new NPC Podcast episodes packed with expert advice, parent voices, and student perspectives.

✨ Episode 1 — Mind the Stress

Exam stress doesn’t disappear after results. This episode explores sleep, pressure, and self-care with input from Jigsaw, a parent, and a student who’s been there. Learn how small actions at home can make a big difference.

🎓 Episode 2 — From Exams to Campus

CAO points, offers, moving out, and those first weeks of college. A Trinity College admissions expert, a guidance counsellor, and a first-year student break down what parents need to know (and what myths to ignore).

🔧 Episode 3 — Beyond College

Apprenticeships, PLCs and direct-to-work routes are no longer “Plan B.” Hear from a young apprentice in tech, a PLC graduate, and a SOLAS expert about how these choices open real opportunities.

Key Date to Know

• CAO Round 1 offers: Wed, 27 Aug 2025 — 2pm

📞 Support when you need it

• NPC Helpline (parents, year-round): 01 887 4477, Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm
• Leaving Cert Helpline (results week): 1800 265 165 — open daily for queries about results, CAO, and choices
• 📲 Text service: Text GUIDANCE to 086 1800 685 to connect with an experienced guidance counsellor

🎧 Listen now — pick your platform

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5KNpFWDHrjyZ5JqxaI4G6l
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/the-npc-podcast/id1772055386

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ad65671c-9106-469e-b374-2f37c3043328/the-npc-podcast

Final Thought

This week isn’t just about points — it’s about possibilities. Whether your teen is heading to college, considering apprenticeships, or just needs reassurance, remember: there’s more than one way to build a future.

National Parents Council — Supporting parents to support their children
www.npc.ie

Survey:

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more integrated into everyday life, it is also starting to shape how children learn and engage in school.

The National Parents Council (NPC) has been invited by the Oireachtas Committee on AI in Education to a meeting on the topic “Introduction to AI: Children and Young People.” To prepare for this, we are conducting a short survey to gather parents’ views on the use of AI in education.

We want to hear your thoughts on how AI is being used in classrooms, your level of awareness, and any hopes or concerns you may have. The survey explores key areas such as personalised learning, AI tutors, automated grading, privacy, ethics, and the role of teachers in an AI-supported classroom.

Your responses will directly inform the NPC’s submission to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on AI in Education.

👉 Take the survey here: https://forms.office.com/e/SiFtw11nQN

🕒 The survey will remain open until the 8th of September 2025.