NQT Picnic 2021

A Virtual Event for NQT's: 10am - 2pm Wednesday 11th August 2021

It is a daunting experience starting your very first teaching position - whether it is subbing or your own post! College seems like a long time ago now and you may be starting to feel a tad nervous.

Following the huge success of NQT Fest in January 2021, we are delighted to share this special event for NQT's in August 2021 with you!


"Thanks so much. I learned so much and it has given me a lot to reflect on and implement into my practice. It was so reassuring to hear from like-minded people. I can't wait to go through the recording of the event again. I will definitely be doing some more courses through Rahoo and recommending it to my teacher friends". Hayley Morgan


"Fantastic - great speakers, true to real life teaching & not from a book"! Christina Phelan


"The NQT Fest was an absolutely fantastic experience! Having the opportunity to hear different perspectives, opinions and advice from people in the teaching world really made me feel part of a community. It also reassured me to hear that so many teachers and NQTs go through the same struggles as I do, again, making me feel part of a special group. I would highly recommend this to anyone feeling a little disheartened about their first year as an NQT, or even anyone wishing to find out more in general. Brilliant"! Niamh


NQT Picnic is a specially designed online event for NQT's.

This event aspires to inspire, motivate and share valuable insights to our newest teachers.

We explore topics such as:

  • Essentials for an NQT Classroom
  • Planning & Preparing for the first day, week and month!
  • Classroom Management
  • Supporting Students with Additional Education Needs
  • Effective Lesson Planning in 4 Easy Steps
  • Teacher Wellbeing
  • Jobs

We hear from experts in education and teachers who have walked the road before you and are willing to share their experience.

We take the time to reflect on how far we have come and we set goals for the year ahead.

Join us for a morning of positivity and support in a virtual space full of like-minded teachers who are cheering each other on!


"Setting Up for Success in September" with Ciara Lynch

Ciara is a 3rd Class Teacher in an Educate Together school. She is passionate about creating a positive, inclusive and welcoming classroom for all students throughout the school year". Ciara manages the successful Instagram blog called @ciarasclassroom.

"Classroom Management & Relationship Building" with Niamh Byrne

Niamh is an incoming primary school principal. She is a former member of the Professional Support Team (PST) and has supported over 20 NQT’s through the Droichead Process. She is a part-time tutor at Marino Institute of Education. She manages a highly successful educational blog www.irishprimaryteacher.ie supporting thousands of teachers every week on a range of topics. She is the author of ‘The NQT Year’.

"Lesson Planning Made Easy - A 4 Step Framework" with Ciara McGuane

Ciara is an experienced teacher, school leader and teacher trainer. Ciara has written and co-ordinated a number of CPD courses with Rahoo, including DES-Approved CPD course “ Effective Lesson Planning”.

"SEN: What I Wish I Knew in My NQT Year" with Angela O Connor

Angela qualified in 1998, going straight into working in a special school. Angela has over twenty years experience in special education In Ireland and completed a Masters in Education on integration. Angela is currently teaching in an ASD class, attached to a mainstream DEIS1 school In Dublin and is now studying for a second Masters in Education in Autism, in DCU.

Proudly Sponsored By

MadeSimple Financial Advice provide Financial Well-Being advice for Newly Qualified Teachers.

The main purpose of MadeSimple is to de jargon pension and employment benefits for employees in Ireland. Since March 2020, we started the MadeSimple free online seminars with teachers, HSE, university staff, city & county council employees and other public sector bodies.

Learn about their upcoming seminar for NQTs:

"Financial Introduction for NQTs – Prepare to Enter the Workforce, Understand your Pension and Protection Benefits" on Thursday 12th and Friday 13th August at 12pm.

Details can be found HERE.


Course Curriculum


  Pre-Event Area
Available in days
days after you enroll
  Conference
Available in days
days after you enroll
  You May Be Interested...
Available in days
days after you enroll

Frequently Asked Questions


When does the conference start and finish?
It starts at 10am on Wednesday the 11th August and finishes at 2pm.
How long do I have access to the conference?
On the morning of the event, the conference will "open up" virtually and you will be given the necessary links for each section. We aim to record all conference events so you will be able to go back and review it for up to two weeks post-event. Past attendees at NQT Fest have found it invaluable to be able to go back and re-watch the speakers and panelist sessions.

Get started now!