Coláiste Lurgan – Muid lán le bród na hÉireann
June 13, 2012
The rise of An Ghaelscoil
June 13, 2012
An Foras Pátrúnachta and Gaelscoileanna Teo., will hold 2 public meetings at the end of the month to discuss 2 new gaelscoils that will open in Dublin in 2013.
The meetings will take place in Stepaside, Dublin 18, and Tallaght, Dublin 24, and will provide information regarding the new schools to both local communities.
Both schools are due to open in September 2013 under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta.
The schools are part of a scheme announced by Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn in March 2012, which will see 16 primary schools open in the year 2012-2013 nationwide, 4 of which will be gaelscoileanna.
As well as gaelscoileanna in Stepaside and Tallaght, a new gaelscoil will also open in Knockacarra, Galway, in September 2013 and Gaelscoil Chuilinn in Mulhuddart, County Dublin is due to open in September of this year.
The 2011 Census showed that the number of Irish speakers in Ireland has risen by 7.1%, an obvious factor in the rising demand for local gaelscoileanna.
Caoimhín Ó hEaghra, General Secretary of An Foras Pátrúnachta, the largest single patron for Irish-medium schools, said, “the new Gaelscoileanna will greatly add to these areas and will satisfy the huge demand there for Irish-medium education.”
The public meetings will take place at the end of June and people from the local communities, parents and volunteers are all invited to take part. Representatives from both organisations, An Foras Pátrúnachta and Gaelscoileanna Teo., will be on hand to answer any questions and provide information on the benefits of sending your child to a gaelscoil. Parents will also be given the opportunity to pre-register their child for enrolment in the new gaelscoileanna.
The first meeting will take place in Stepaside on Tuesday, 26th June 2012, in Bewley’s Hotel,
Central Park, Leopardstown, Dublin 18 at 8.00pm.
The meeting to discuss the new gaelscoil for the Firhouse/Oldbawn area will take place on Wednesday, 27th June 2012, in the Malsron Hotel, Whitestown Way (N81), Tallaght, Dublin 24 at 8.00pm.
Both meetings are open to the public.
For more information contact: Caitríona Bairéad, 01-6294110, caitriona@foras.ie; or Clare Spáinneach 01- 853 5193, cspainneach@gaelscoileanna.ie.
Widely divergent views on fairness of questions
June 13, 2012
Exams Daily – Leaving Cert Irish: It was a rocky start for some, a breeze for others.
The views of teachers of Leaving Cert Irish at both levels were mixed. Some thought the ordinary-level paper the more difficult. Others disagreed.
The higher-level paper was “not a good start”, according to Clare Grealy of the Institute of Education. The essay titles were, she said, “uninteresting, unimaginative and, in a several cases, unreasonable”.
However, Robbie Cronin of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland described the paper as “f air”. An essay title, “The dilemma in the health service – My solution”, split opinion.
“This type of essay required knowledge of the health service,” Ms Grealy said. “Even through English this essay would challenge students to have an insight into something that they probably have not encountered directly.”
Mr Cronin did not take issue with the health service topic. “The essays offered variety, although there was no sign of the much expected essay on the Olympics or the importance of sport,” he said.
“If students were adequately prepared and took their time with it they would have been fine,” said Teachers Union of Ireland representative Ruth Morrissey.
While there was one question on a sporting topic, it required students to imagine interviewing the president of the GAA.
“That might have thrown some students. A lot of people would have found that very challenging,” Ms Morrissey said.
One essay title, “The worthiness of this school”, raised eyebrows. “Would students be inclined to name their school?” Ms Morrissey asked. “It may somewhat undermine the premise of candidate anonymity,” Ms Grealy agreed.
“The ordinary-level students felt harder done by than those at higher level,” said Mr Cronin. However, he pointed out that the paper was topical and fair in the most part.
Ms Morrissey described the paper as “very accessible”.
“There was a wide choice of titles and the language used was such that the students were well able to interpret it,” she said,
The exam consisted of an aural exam followed by a written composition section. This was the first year for this type of paper, with the aural exam and the essay titles on the one paper.
“The aural component of the exam seemed to be okay,” said Ms Grealy. “However, students would have been distracted as they would have had an opportunity to review the essay titles before the aural commenced.”
www.irishtimes.com
Teacher views on both levels mixed
June 13, 2012
Exams Daily – Leaving Cert Irish: It was a rocky start for some, a breeze for others.
The views of teachers of Leaving Cert Irish at both levels were mixed. Some thought the ordinary-level paper the more difficult. Others disagreed.
The higher-level paper was “not a good start”, according to Clare Grealy of the Institute of Education. The essay titles were, she said, “uninteresting, unimaginative and, in a several cases, unreasonable”.
However, Robbie Cronin of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland described the paper as “f air”. An essay title, “The dilemma in the health service – My solution”, split opinion.
“This type of essay required knowledge of the health service,” Ms Grealy said. “Even through English this essay would challenge students to have an insight into something that they probably have not encountered directly.”
Mr Cronin did not take issue with the health service topic. “The essays offered variety, although there was no sign of the much expected essay on the Olympics or the importance of sport,” he said.
“If students were adequately prepared and took their time with it they would have been fine,” said Teachers Union of Ireland representative Ruth Morrissey.
While there was one question on a sporting topic, it required students to imagine interviewing the president of the GAA.
“That might have thrown some students. A lot of people would have found that very challenging,” Ms Morrissey said.
One essay title, “The worthiness of this school”, raised eyebrows. “Would students be inclined to name their school?” Ms Morrissey asked. “It may somewhat undermine the premise of candidate anonymity,” Ms Grealy agreed.
“The ordinary-level students felt harder done by than those at higher level,” said Mr Cronin. However, he pointed out that the paper was topical and fair in the most part.
Ms Morrissey described the paper as “very accessible”.
“There was a wide choice of titles and the language used was such that the students were well able to interpret it,” she said,
The exam consisted of an aural exam followed by a written composition section. This was the first year for this type of paper, with the aural exam and the essay titles on the one paper.
“The aural component of the exam seemed to be okay,” said Ms Grealy. “However, students would have been distracted as they would have had an opportunity to review the essay titles before the aural commenced.”
www.irishtimes.com
Principal appointed to Gaelscoil an Chuilinn, new school to open in September 2012
June 11, 2012
AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA and GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. would like to congratulate the newly-appointed principal of Gaelscoil an Chuilinn, Fergus Ó Conghaile. Gaelscoil an Chuilinn is a new, coeducational Irish-medium school under the patronage of AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA which will open for the first time in September 2012 on the Powerstown Road in Tyrrelstown, Dublin 15.
With plenty of experience of the Irish-medium education system and previous posts held in developing schools, Fergus is very keen to take up his new role. “I’m honoured to take the lead role in the development of Gaelscoil an Chuilinn” he said. “The goal will be to provide an excellent standard of education through the medium of Irish, as well as a sense of Irish cultural heritage and mutual understanding in a temperate environment. I saw this in practice when I taught in Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh and Gaelscoil na Camóige, two schools which provide an excellent standard of education. Our aim in Gaelscoil an Chuilinn will be to encourage the children, to bring out the best in every child and to help them to pursue goodness in all aspects of their lives.”
The school will open with junior and senior infant classes and will have an inter-denominational religious ethos. Caoimhín Ó hEaghra, General Secretary of AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA, wishes Fergus every success in his new role. “This is a great opportunity for him and for his staff to establish a valuable educational, cultural and Irish-language resource for the area” said Mr. Ó hEaghra. “Irish-medium schools are catalysts for all kinds of development in their local communities. AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA has every confidence in Fergus. Gaelscoil an Chuilinn will flourish under his direction and AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA will be there to support it in every way, helping it to become an excellent school.”
“On behalf of GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. and all of the Irish-medium schools in the country, I would like to congratulate Fergus on his appointment and congratulate all those involved with Gaelscoil an Chuilinn on the tremendous progress they have made and all that they have achieved” said Bláthnaid ní Ghréacháin, CEO of GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. “We’re looking forward to supporting the school over the coming year and in all the years to come, as it goes from strength to strength.”
The opening of this new Irish-medium school provides a great opportunity for the children enrolling in September, and for generations of children to come who will enjoy the benefits of an Irish-medium education. The whole school community is looking forward to working with Fergus, and parents who have registered their children with the school will have an opportunity to meet with him soon. To register your child’s name or for further information on Gaelscoil an Chuilinn, contact the school on 086 323 6187 or email gaelscoilanchuilinn@gmail.com.
ENDS
Further information:
AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA
Caitríona Bairéad, Development Officer :: caitriona@foras.ie :: 01-6294110 :: www.foras.ie
GAELSCOILEANNA TEO.
Clare Spáinneach, Development Officer :: cspainneach@gaelscoileanna.ie :: 01- 853 5193 :: www.gaelscoileanna.ie
NOTES FOR THE EDITOR:
AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA is the largest patron of Irish medium schools is Ireland at both primary and secondary level. There are 61 primary schools and 3 secondary schools are under its patronage..AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA is a patron of Irish-medium schools that have a choice of Catholic, Multidenominational and Interdenominational (Catholic / Protestant) ethos. The vision of AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA is to develop, strengthen and promote education through the medium of Irish throughout the country. AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA is recognized by the Department of Education and Science as a patronage system which is acceptable and appropriate for first and second level schools. AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA was founded in 1993 so that new gaelscoileanna opening in the coming years would have another choice with regard to patronage www.foras.ie.
GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. is the coordinating body for Irish-medium schools. The organisation was founded in 1973 as a national volunteer organisation to support the development of Irish-medium schools at primary and post-primary level. It provides motivation, assistance and practical support to parents and local communities who wish to found new schools and it operates according to demand. There are 175 Irish-medium primary schools and 41 Irish-medium post-primary schools outside Gaeltacht areas at present.
Smiles all round as Irish higher-level is plain sailing
June 8, 2012
Students at the all-Irish Coláiste Daibhéid in Cork City were pleased with the first Junior Certificate Irish papers.
All 40 of the city centre school’s Junior Certificate candidates took yesterday’s higher-level exam, said deputy principal Richel Ní Longaigh.
Bronagh Ní Tornáil from Blarney said Paper 1 in the morning was “grand”, and thought the listening test at the beginning was particularly easy.
“I was nervous going in but it was grand afterwards, once you get in there everything is fine,” said Bronagh.
Her classmate, Aoife Nic Ruairí from Douglas, was also pleased with the morning’s higher-level exam, but felt Paper 2 in the afternoon might be a bit more stressful.
“It’s going to be harder alright, but it should be okay because we’ve been learning through Irish.
“It definitely gives us an advantage on other students,” she said.
So much so, in fact, she thought Irish Paper 1 was easier than the equivalent English exam on the first day of the Junior Certificate 24 hours earlier. One exam she was not looking forward to, however, is history next week.
“There’s so much writing and learning involved,” she said.
For Dean Ó Torpa, yesterday morning’s Irish Paper 1 was also plain sailing “There’s more pressure in the afternoon. The poetry particularly is harder,” he said.
But the teenager from Mahon was glad to have the first couple of exams behind him. “I thought English was okay as well.”
After all the pressure and build-up, said Bronagh, starting the Junior Certificate was like sitting any summer tests.
“There’s so much pressure on us to do well in the Junior Cert but when you get there, it’s just like another test,” agreed Dean.
Both he and Aoife must wait until the music exam on Wednesday week, June 20, before the Junior Certificate is over.
But Bronagh has a much quicker sweep, as she finishes next Thursday after her science exam.
All three have 11 subjects to take exams in, but students starting the Junior Certificate course in two years should have no more than eight exam subjects, an idea that this group welcomes.
“It’s a better idea, then after Junior Cert you can choose your other subjects for the Leaving,” said Bronagh.
A more immediate change, taking effect this year, is the allocation of 40% of marks for Leaving Certificate Irish to the oral test, instead of the 25% previously given to it.
“We’re learning everything through Irish already so we’ll hopefully have an advantage over everyone,” said Dean.
www.irishexaminer.com
Unexpected Irish Questions cause confusion
June 8, 2012
Trapattoni, Justin Bieber and Jedward provided topical but “challenging” questions in the higher level Junior Cert paper, one teacher felt.
For those listening to the higher level aural tape, there were a couple of “tough, bordering on unfair, and unexpected questions”, according to Robbie Cronin of the ASTI and Marian College, Dublin. “One question was to write down the title of the Réamhaisnéis na hAimsire – the weather forecast. My students were surprised and couldn’t answer it,” Mr Cronin said, adding the news item about the Young Scientist also caused confusion.
The reading comprehension pieces centred around an Irish teenage radio station, Raidio Ri- Ra, and Justin Bieber, which provided topical but challenging questions, said Mr Cronin.
However, the ASTI’s Richie Mac Liam from Chanel College, Dublin 5, felt the comprehensions were not as “straightforward” as in other years.
He said the comprehension question was still asking pupils to put answers in their own words, even though they wouldn’t get more marks than if they repeated what was in the text.
Mr Cronin said a glossary should have been provided for certain difficult words – such as ‘ craoladh sealadach’, meaning temporary broadcast. The choice of essay topics – featuring the Irish soccer team – were heralded as good and topical.
In Paper 2, the unseen prose question was described as “challenging but student- friendly”.
A broad glossary was provided for difficult words in the poetry section which underlines the unfairness of using similar difficult words in paper one, Mr Cronin argued.
Overall, most teachers agreed that the ordinary level paper did not appear to cause any major difficulties.
www.independent.ie
Being a true Belieber pays off academically
June 8, 2012
Junior Cert Irish: For once, the hours spent mooning over teen idol Justin Bieber weren’t a waste of time.
Being a true Belieber paid off academically as the singer played a starring role in yesterday’s Junior Cert higher level Irish paper 1.
The exam was well received by students discussing it on social networks. The higher level exam featured comprehension pieces about Bieber and Raidió Rí Rá, a teen radio station that runs throughout Seachtain na Gaeilge.
“The pieces were topical but the questions were challenging,” said ASTI representative Robbie Cronin, a teacher in Marian College, Ballsbridge. He added that there should have been a glossary of terms for some of the more unusual words. “Féirín means present, for example, but the word most people would have for present is bronntanas,” he said.
Topical essay choices were good, according to Cronin.
Unfortunately, a minor error managed to slip past the exam proofreaders. “There was a question in the grammar section which was already answered,” said Cronin. “There was no gap for them to put in the answer. It wasn’t worth many marks but it shouldn’t really be happening.”
The listening comprehension threw up a few issues.
Some of the questions asked were “tough, bordering on unfair and unexpected”, Cronin said. “Students were asked to write down the title of the Réamhfhaisnéis na hAimsire [weather forecast] announcement. My students were surprised by this and couldn’t answer it.”
The new-look ordinary level paper was well received generally, although again it was challenging in parts. Comprehension passages about Jedward and Giovanni Trappatoni were topical but some of the vocabulary used was difficult for the level, according to Bláithín Ní Liatháin, who teaches in Kylemore College, Ballyfermot.
www.irishtimes.com
Raidió na Gaeltachta to broadcast Scléip documentary series at 09.00 this Saturday!
June 7, 2012
Scléip is the national talent competition catering specifically for Irish-medium and Gaeltacht post-primary schools. The competition began in 2005 and it has grown steadily since then. The aim of the competition is to encourage pupils attending Irish medium secondary schools to use their Irish through the various performing arts by giving them the opportunity to take part in a innovative and exciting event.
Raidió na Gaeltachta recorded the regional heats and final of Scléip 2012 and we are delighted to announce the broadcast dates of the 5 programmes:
- Leinster Heat: 9th June 9.00 am
- Munster Heat: 16th June 9.00 am
- Ulster Heat: 23rd June 9.00 am
- Connaught Heat: 30th June 9.00 am
- Final: 7th July 9.00 am
Congratulations again to the winners and their schools and many thanks to Fiachna Ó Braonáin and his team at Raven Productions who recorded the competition this year on behalf of Raidió na Gaeltachta.
Irish language bodies welcome report
June 7, 2012
IRISH LANGUAGE organisations have welcomed the contents of an Oireachtas report which recommends that funding for the sector should not be subject to competitive tender.
The focus of the report, published yesterday by the Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht, was a funding model proposed by Foras na Gaeilge which would see an end to the existing grant-in-aid system to 19 Irish language promotion organisations that receive their core funding from the body.
Under the proposed model, the organisations would have to compete on a three-yearly basis for funds to implement schemes planned by Foras.
Critics say the new approach would result in a commercialisation of a sector that is community-based and would endanger the work and services offered by grassroots Irish language organisations.
Kevin De Barra, acting director of Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, described the report as “a positive step for the Irish language voluntary sector”. He said the organisations and Foras now needed to “co-operate together to undertake comprehensive research on the current work of the Irish language voluntary sector.
“All parties must work to come up with the best possible way forward for the sector, so that services can be provided to the public in the most efficient and effective manner.”
Donnchadh Ó hAodha, president of Conradh na Gaeilge, said: “Conradh na Gaeilge and Aontas Phobal na Gaeilge are recommending a system of partnerships to ensure the public gets value for money and a more efficient service by encouraging organisations to work together, not to compete against one another.
“It is a great boost to have the support of the Joint Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht for this recommendation.”
Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge and Conradh na Gaeilge have now called on Foras and the Ministers of the North-South Ministerial Council to incorporate the recommendations in any future discussions on a how the Irish language sector should be funded.
http://www.irishtimes.com/
