Tóstal na Gaeilge 2013
February 8, 2013
National Heritage Week 2013
February 7, 2013
17 August 2013 – 25 August 2013
National Heritage Week will take place from the 17th-25th August 2013. One week nationwide celebrating Irelands natural, cultural and built heritage.
National Heritage Week aims is to highlight the rich and varied built heritage that Ireland has to offer and to encourage all owners of historic buildings to open their doors to the public during National Heritage Week.
Up to 400,000 people attended National Heritage Week events in 2010 and in the past two years crowd participated in many free events all over the country. A series of free events will take place all over Ireland to celebrate our culture and heritage.
Events include medieval fairs, night time bat walks, classical music, poetry, theatre, traditional music, storytelling, historical re-enactments, local history walks and talks, maritime and coastal events, food fairs, traditional skills workshops and archaeological digs, traditional thatching techniques exhibitions lus much more.
There’s something for everyone and most events are free!
Many heritage sites and stately homes offer free admission or concessions during the week so everyone can take part and get involved in Ireland’s heritage.
For a full list of what’s happening in your area visit: www.heritageweek.ie
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
Dianchúrsa Gaeilge don Ardteist – Intensive Irish course for Leaving Cert. Students in Loughrea
February 7, 2013
Irish for the Leaving Certificate
Tuesday 12th Feb., 09.30 – 13.40
Gaeilge Locha Riach would like to announce that they are now registering for an intensive course organized for leaving cert. students. This course will take place in Loughrea’s Irish Centre, Gaeilge Locha Riach, during the mid-term break. The course fee of €20 and places must be booked in advance.
The course is aimed at both pass and honours students and will focus on conversation, aural comprehension, the written exam including poetry and prose. The course will be given by a native speaker and qualified Irish teacher. Numbers are limited.
Anyone interested is advised to contact Gaeilge Locha Riach at 091 870718 or oifig@lochariach.com.
Clár an lae
9.30-9.45
Fáiltiú & cur in aithne
9.45-10.45
An chúrsa liteartha – idir fhilíocht agus prós
10.50-11.30
An chluastuiscint
11.35-12.35
Gramadach agus scríbhneoireacht
12.40-13.40
An scrúdú cainte
Féile Bríde le Cleamairí Ard Mhacha
February 7, 2013
Comhdháil Meitheal na mBeag 2013
February 5, 2013
Young debaters lead the way at Gael Linn’s Comórtas Uí Chadhain
February 5, 2013
Two schools achieved all Ireland victory at the final of Gael Linn’s Chomórtas Díospóireachta Uí Chadhain 2013 in Trinity College Dublin on Wednesday January 30th.
It was good news for Coláiste Eoin’s team who went head to head with teams from Choláiste Rís, Dundalk, Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair and Coláiste Íde, Dingle in the junior final. The topic for debate was ‘Tá an stát seo rófhlaithiúil lena chúnamh don tríú domhan’ (The state is too generous with third world).
In the senior final it was the team from Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin, An Cheathrú Rua (Fionnuala de Bhailís, Síofra Ní Shé and Muireann Ní Fhatharta) which made it to first place with the motion ‘Tá mórchinntí an rialtais seo ar leas an náisiúin’ (This Government’s major decisions will benefit the nation).
Teams from Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, Dingle, Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair and Coláiste Eoin, Baile Dublin competed for the winning title but in the end the cup went to Galway.
The winning teams in both sections were each presented with a cheque for €1,000, while prizes of €250 each were awarded to the other teams who had participated in the final.
As well as that, the winners of the junior final, Coláiste Eoin, have been invited to take part in ‘Ri Chéile’, a public speaking festival organized jointly by Gael Linn and Comunn na Gaidhlig, Scotland.
There were five adjudicators on the panel, most of them former speakers in the competition – Dr. Róisín Ní Ghairbhí, Liam Mac an Mhaoir, Kevin de Barra, Máire Mhic Mhathúna and Dr. Regina Uí Chollatáin.
Guest chairperson on the night, Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh, Sinn Féin, praised the participants in both debates. In his speech, Senator Ó Clochartaigh referred to the economic crisis in the country but said we must be hopeful about the future.
Since last October, over 50 teams have participated the different rounds of the competition across the country.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport
Registration night for Irish classes, Loughrea
February 5, 2013
Public have “lost ownership” of Irish language Strategy
February 5, 2013
Conradh na Gaeilge believe that the public are losing ownership of the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language, according to Conradh President Donnchadh Ó hAodha.
The Irish language strategy was the focus of a meeting of held by Conradh na Gaeilge in the Menlo Hotel in Galway on Friday February 1st last, which was attended by a large group of students and members of community organisations.
Speaking at the meting, journalist Harry McGee discussed the nature of political lobbying and advocacy in the Irish political system. The meeting was chaired by CEO of Glór na nGael Lorcán Mac Gabhann (pictured left).
Conradh na Gaeilge are now proposing that a planning unit be established which would reflect the view of the public to ensure that the effective co-ordination of the strategy at all levels of society.
Participants of the meeting also expressed disappointment with the decision of the Department of Education and Skills to merge the Irish language education body, an Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.
Julian De Spáinn, Secretary General of Conradh na Gaeilge said that the move was another attack on Irish language institutions which have the support of the Irish language and Gaeltacht communities.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
Comhdháil Chomhairle na Gaelscolaíochta 2013
February 5, 2013
New national Guidelines on promoting positive mental health and suicide prevention in post-primary schools published
January 31, 2013
“Well-Being in Post-Primary Schools” important tool for schools
The Minister for Education and Skills, the Minister of State for Disability, Older People, Equality & Mental Health and the Director of the National Office of Suicide Prevention launched new guidelines for mental health and suicide prevention for post-primary schools today (31st January).
Post-primary schools have a unique role to play in supporting the positive mental health and well-being of young people. They do this by creating caring environments, by educating young people about their health, and by providing support for those experiencing difficulty.
The Guidelines provide a clear framework, with information for schools and agencies supporting schools, on how to address issues of mental health promotion and suicide prevention. The Guidelines are for all members of the school community, boards of management and in-school management teams who play a central leadership role in mental health promotion. They will also be useful for the statutory and non-statutory partners, parents, parents’ associations, students, student councils, health and other personnel who are seeking an understanding of how to best work in and with schools.
It is estimated that one in ten children and teenagers experience mental health disorders which impact on their relationships and day-to-day coping skills. Many mental health problems emerge in childhood and early adolescence.
Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn T.D. said, “Young people learn more effectively if they are happy and feel supported in school. Building resilience and emotional well-being is crucial to their school progress and their success in life.
“The promotion of well-being and the prevention of suicidal behaviour among young people in Ireland is a major public health concern for the Government and these Guidelines will be an important tool is assisting schools to support our teenagers.”
Minister of State for Disability, Older People, Equality and Mental Health Kathleen Lynch T.D. commented, “Youth suicides and youth mental health are serious issues that need to be addressed urgently. It is vital that we support our young people in their social, emotional and mental health needs in order to ensure that they reach their potential and develop into happy well adjusted adults.
“We must ensure early detection of problems and timely intervention for any young person experiencing mental health difficulties, because we know that early intervention leads to the best health outcomes and reduces the likelihood of long term disability. I very much welcome the publication of these important guidelines which will be an important resource for schools in supporting the positive mental health of young people.”
Schools play a vital role in the promotion of positive mental health in young people. The “Well-Being in Post-Primary Schools: Guidelines for Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention” outline a whole-school model which was informed by the completion of an extensive literature review and consultation process.
A whole-school approach refers to an approach which goes beyond the learning and teaching in the classroom to pervade all aspects of school life. This includes involvement by students, teachers, principals, all other school staff, health personnel, school managers, school visitors and the wider school community who interact with the school.
The initial consultation process involved stakeholders from the voluntary and statutory sectors including teachers, principals, parents’ councils, school support services, young people and health professionals.
The Guidelines are divided into three main sections:
- School Support for ALL provides a whole-school approach to mental health and suicide prevention.
- School Support for Some specifically focuses on the early identification of a small number of young people or groups who are at risk of developing unhealthy patterns of behaviour or who are already showing early signs of mental health difficulties.
- School Support for A Few outlines how schools can support young people with more complex or enduring needs relating to their mental and emotional well-being.
Schools are in a unique position to identify and support those who are experiencing distress and to provide an environment which encourages young people to bring to attention any incidents or issues of concern.
It is important to recognise that mental health and well-being are not the sole responsibility of schools. Parents and the wider school community also have complementary roles, each supporting the other.
Gerry Raleigh, the Director of the HSE’s National Office for Suicide Prevention, who co-funded the development of the Guidelines, commented, “I welcome the publication of the guidelines. The documents provide advice and information for all external agencies including the HSE, on how we can all work with schools in a safe and evidence-based way to support and develop the mental health and well-being of all young people.
He added “The fact that the guidelines were developed in partnership between the DES, the HSE and the DOH shows how no single agency alone can promote mental health and prevent suicide. We need to develop effective inter-agency relationships if we are to make a difference to suicide rates among young people in Ireland.”
It is important for schools to be aware of available services and supports in their communities. Young people with good school connectedness are less likely to experience subsequent mental health problems and are more likely to have good educational outcomes. School connectedness includes relationships with peers, adults, and learning.
The Guidelines present in an integrated way the existing elements of good practice, which schools should have in place. These include whole- school implementation of SPHE, a whole school guidance plan, which includes planning to deal with critical incidents. The HSE’s Health Promoting School Process (HSP) is also outlined and the Guidelines show how the HSP can be introduced to schools to complement existing good practice.
Copies of the Guidelines will be distributed to schools in the coming weeks.
They can be downloaded from: http://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Education-Reports/Well_Being_PP_Schools_Guidelines.pdf
The Summary is available at: http://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Education-Reports/Well_Being_PP_Schools_Guidelines_Summary.pdf
In response to Action 2.1 of Reach Out: National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention 2005-2014 (HSE, 2005), the Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) interdepartmental committee established a sub-committee on mental health in 2009 to develop a mental health framework taking into account the views of stakeholders and relevant research. This subcommittee included representatives from the Department of Health and Children (DoHC), the Department of Education and Skills (DES) and the Health Service Executive (HSE). Funding was provided by the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) and the Department of Education and Skills (DES) to support the development of this work.
These are the key strategic actions for positive mental health promotion that school personnel can undertake to promote well-being in post-primary schools:
- Developing and maintaining a safe and caring environment within the school where a sense of belonging and connectedness is fostered
- Building positive teacher-student and student-student relationships to promote participation, social interaction and pro-social behaviour
- Actively involving young people and their parents/guardians in developing and implementing school policies to support mental health and health promotion
- Adopting a whole-school approach to health promotion, where health is promoted by all and not just a few members of staff
- Supporting and implementing a well planned, consistent and integrated SPHE/RSE curriculum to enable young people enhance their coping, resilience, communication, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills
- Developing a whole-school systems and structures to support the early identification of young people experiencing social, emotional, behavioural or learning difficulties
- Actively involving, supporting and encouraging young people’s participation in extra-curricular activities
- Fostering a whole-school ethos that accepts and values diversity within the student and staff population
- Providing easy access to information for students and staff on supports available to them within the school and wider community
- Facilitating access to continuing professional development for school staff on the promotion of the mental health and well-being of young people.
