Public meeting re Irish-medium post-primary education in Dublin 15 on March 26th
March 27, 2014
The public meeting organised by parents in the Crowne Plaza in Blanchardstown to assess the demand for an Irish-medium post-primary school in Dublin 15 was a great success, with a large crowd in attendance and a lot of interest shown in the campaign. An expression of interest form was handed out to everyone on the night and you can download a copy of the form here:
The meeting discussed the advantages of Irish-medium at post-primary level, the process that the Department of Education and Skills have in place to establish new schools and the growth of interest in Irish in Dublin 15, including naíonraí, schools, classes for adult learners, social events and more. There was a discussion also on the difference between an independent Irish-medium school and an Irish-medium Aonad, and it was confirmed that an Irish-medium post-primary would be open to all applicants, regardless of their linguistic, cultural or economic backgrounds.
The next step is to establish a committee to steer the campaign, and anyone interested in taking an active role is asked to contact the Development Officer in Gaelscoileanna Teo. on 01 8535193 or by emailing clare@gaelscoileanna.ie.
Darren J. Prior attended the meeting on behalf of Raidió na Life and you can listen back to his report here.
Minister Quinn secures Cabinet approval for drafting of Admissions to Schools Bill
March 25, 2014
Bill will make the school enrolment process more structured, fair and transparent
The Government has today approved the drafting of the Education (Admissions to Schools) Bill 2014. This new legislation aims to ensure that the enrolment process in all primary and post-primary schools is inclusive, transparent and fair.
A key objective in designing a new regulatory framework for school admissions is to create greater confidence for parents that the criteria laid down by schools for enrolling pupils is consistent, reasonable and applied equitably across the board.
ESRI research shows that the majority of schools, around 80 per cent, admit all the pupils who apply for enrolment. In these cases, the new regulatory framework will have a marginal impact.
Where the new Bill will play an important role is in the 20 per cent of schools where there is over-subscription.
Minister Quinn said, “The aim of this new Bill is to inspire the same levels of confidence in the enrolment of pupils in schools as the CAO system inspires for those who are applying for limited places in third level colleges.”
“I believe that the vast majority of our schools are inclusive and welcoming places. The Admissions to Schools Bill will provide an over-arching framework to ensure that how schools decide on who is enrolled and who is refused a place in schools is more structured, fair and transparent.”
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection recently published its report on the Draft General Scheme; this followed public hearings at the committee involving parents and education partners among others. The recommendations from the Committee will be considered further in the context of the drafting of the Bill.
Among the provisions in the new Bill, will be a requirement for all schools to make an explicit statement in their admissions policy that they will not discriminate against an applicant for admission on the grounds of disability, special education needs, sexual orientation, family status, membership of the traveller community or race.
The Bill will also enable the National Council for Special Education in respect of children with special educational needs and the Child and Family Agency in respect of other children to designate a place for a child for whom no school place is available.
Garry Kasparov’s visit to Ireland, March 28th-30th, 2014
March 25, 2014
In October 2013 Garry Kasparov announced his candidacy for President of FIDE (Fédération Internationale des échecs or World Chess Federation). He plans to unseat 18-year incumbent Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, from Kalmykia, in the election that takes place in August 2014 during the Tromsø Chess Olympiad. To this end, the Irish Chess Union is proud to host Garry Kasparov on this historic two-day visit to Dublin from March 28th. Mr. Kasparov’s visit shall be focused on meeting Ireland and delegates from neighbouring countries to whom he will give details of his presidential programme as well as listening to issues from their home countries. He will also meet Ireland’s chess playing school children and a special meeting of Ireland’s finest and most dedicated chess enthusiasts.
During his visit he will greet chess playing children from Gaelscoileanna throughout Leinster for the annual Comórtas Fichille Cúige Laighean which will be held in the Mansion House on Friday, March 28th. During this tournament some of our young junior stars will be honoured. These are the under 12 Bernadette Stokes team who came home triumphant from the annual 4 Nations chess tournament last summer (Ireland, England, Scotland, & Wales); 13 year old Diana Mirza, Irish Women’s chess champion; 8 year old Daniel Dwyer, Bunratty Minors Champion and 8 year old Admira Kecskemeti, under 12 chess champion of Northern Ireland.
An Tánaiste, Eamon Gilmore will attend, as will the Deputy Lord Mayor Dermot Lacey to honour chess playing children. This event will be entirely in Irish and we certainly hope for a few “foclaí” from Mr. Kasparov. Irish and Russian will be the only languages spoken in the Mansion House during this event. Fiachra Scannan and Daniel Dwyer will speak in Irish and Russian on behalf of the children. The secretary general of the ECU, Sava Stoisavljevic will meet the FIDE Delegates to discuss their involvement in European chess. Jan Callewaert (Belgium), president of the Kasparov Chess Foundation, Europe and a candidate as FIDE Deputy President in Kasparov’s ticket will also attend.
Garry Kasparov’s vision: “to elevate the game of chess from grassroots level; to spread the game in education as a cultural touchstone as well as a successful commercial sport.”
Run for Gaelscoil Mhic Aodha!
March 20, 2014
Follow in Cú Chulainn’s Footsteps in 3D
March 19, 2014
On the 23rd of January, Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh officially launched ‘In Cú Chulainn’s Footsteps’ in Croke Park, a new innovative aid designed to engage children in learning while promoting Irish culture and the language at the same time. The video game was designed and created by Irish company Duineacu.
The game, which features hurling at its centre, sees the main character travel through a mystery island solving puzzles and riddles as he goes and encountering famous places and names from the worlds of music, literature, sport and folklore as part of his tasks.
The game is a 3D adventure, driven by mouse clicks or screen taps and a school version is available which is adaptable depending on the needs of teachers.
The game features amongst others Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, Clannad, Kíla and Sharon Shannon.
Francisco Blásquez, company owner, spoke at the launch and said “we are really happy that Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh was able to launch this game ‘In Cú Chulainn’s Footsteps’ here in Croke Park today. We are very grateful to all the people who helped us during the project and we are delighted that most of them are here with us today. We are very proud of the game and we are hopeful that there will be a good demand for the game in schools and amongst young people.
Speaking on behalf of Foras na Gaeilge, CEO, Ferdie Mac an Fhailigh said ‘games like this are extremely important in promoting the Irish language among young people and the educational aspect will give it particular importance in the school setting and for young people in the home. I have no doubt that this will greatly enhance language acquisition of pupils. As the language can be changed or the level of language and game material can be adapted to the age of the children, it will be very useful for teachers for a wide range of subjects.
Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Liam Ó Néill: “It is heartening to see the Irish language and various other aspects of our rich culture sitting at the heart of this exciting project.
“As a school teacher I am acutely aware of the benefits of modern innovative aids such as these when they are used in the correct way.
“I laud everyone in the project and wish it well and especially congratulate Francisco whose interest and passion for the Irish language and Irish culture is hugely impressive given his Spanish background.”
Duineacu is an Irish company based in County Meath and provides a series of advanced internet technology services and interactive/educational services and games.
Duineacu was founded in 2012 to develop these kinds of games and projects, ICF being the starting point. The company has a background in the development videogames company in Spain with a very successful track record.
In 2005 they were lauded as creators of VCS, a new technology that allows visually impaired people to move around 3D environments as a new way of integration.
Based on this technology, they developed a 3D videogame dubbed in 5 languages with the collaboration of top Spanish celebrities.
The game was supported by ONCE, the big organization in Spain for Blind People. They created as well a videogame called Piopa, in order to detect bullying in schools. The Video intro of this game was also well received.
After this, the company founders decided to create a new game based on the Irish mythology, and focused on Cú Chulainn as one of the most important epic references of Irish Mythology. In 2009 they came to Ireland to start working on the project being launched today.
Company Contact – Francisco Blásquez – 086 7878909
Company Website – www.duineacu.com
Aoife Elster appointed as prinicpal of Coláiste Ghlór na Mara, Balbriggan
March 19, 2014
Gaelscoileanna Teo. would like to wish Aoife every success in her new role. You’ll find further information on the school here.
A special visitor to Gaelscoil an Chuilinn!
March 13, 2014
Minister Joan Burton paid a visit to Gaelscoil an Chuilinn to help them to launch Seachtain na Gaeilge and to discuss a permanent site for the school. Nach álainn an pictiúr!
Blitz Tras-Tíre na nGaelscoileanna 2014
March 10, 2014
Rith Linn!
March 3, 2014
Information Evening in Gaelscoil Mhic Aodha, Kildare
March 3, 2014
Gaelscoil Mhic Aodha is having an open evening in the school on Tuesday the 11th of March at 7.30pm. The address is Tower View, Kildare Town, and all are very welcome.
