Low uptake on patronage survey so far in Castlebar
November 6, 2012
With under a week left until the closing date for the survey on the future patronage of schools in Castlebar, the Department of Education is worried about the low uptake of the survey by parents.
Labour Party town councillor Harry Barrett told the Mayo Advertiser this week: “I’ve been in contact with Minister Quinn’s office about this during the week and they are concerned about the low uptake of the survey in Castlebar. A low turn out could skew the results and give a result that might not reflect the views of the majority. I urge all parents to take part in the survey and shape the future of their children’s schools.”
Castlebar is part of a small number of areas that were included in the initial survey phase and it can be completed on www.education.ie and the closing date is Thursday, November 8.
www.advertiser.ie/mayo
Cúrsaí Gaeilge i gConamara le linn Seachtaine na Gaeilge 2013
November 6, 2012
Spéis agat sa bhunmhúinteoireacht nó i ngairm san oideachas?
November 5, 2012
Journal launch “In ard an thráthnóna siar r-Nuachtlitir Chorca Baiscinn”
November 5, 2012
Coiste Stiúrtha Ghaeltachta Chontae an Chláir and Coiste Forbartha na Gaeltachta: Contae an Chláir with assistance from Clare County Council plan to launch a new title called “In Ard an Tráthnóna Siar” – Nuachtlitir Chorca Baiscinn in Kilrush Golf Club, Kilrush, Co. Clare on Friday, 30th November 2012 at 8 pm.
Leading Irish language writers from the Kilrush area who are coming to the fore today are behind this project. But the title contains 60 pages and was compiled since last April.
The title is about Cill Mháille and Irish language life long ago. There is also newly composed poetry in the Irish language journal. Among the other subjects that will be discussed in the context of language planning in the journal are threatened languages, Dubhghlas de hÍde, the history of Corca Baiscinn, Windtalkers, the speech of the people, reawakening nationhood, a glance at the Irish language as a mother tongue or heritage language: strategies in raising children with Irish, storytelling like the donkey ‘Billy’ and a look ahead at The Gathering 2013.
Guest speakers such as Seósamh Mac Ionnrachtaigh, Máire Ní Rónáin, Maire Uí Hamiltún, Siobhán Nic Sheoirse and Seán Mac Mathúna will describe what they have written about in the journal the same night.
Under the project, each writer will get a copy of the first edition ever free. The journal will be available for sale at €10 each at this launch.
It promises to be a pleasant social evening. The occasion will come to a conclusion at 10.00 pm the night of the launch.
Further information:
Seósamh Mac Ionnrachtaigh,
An Coiste Stiúrtha,
Sprioc-Cheantair Gaeilge,
11 Croí na mBaile,
Bóthar an Ghleanna Mhóir,
Cill Mhíchíl,
Contae an Chláir
Fón: 087 1379018
R-phost: joseph.r.enright@gmail.com
Bronnadh Seice ar Ghaelscoil na Deirge
November 5, 2012
Prestigious Gael Linn quiz prize for St Mary’s Irish language students
November 5, 2012
Pupils from St. Mary’s Limavady have for many years entered teams in the quiz and have been successfully placed in the top positions.
This year has been no different with one of the school entry’s achieving runner up in the competition. Pupils from across Londonderry attended the Gael Linn Quiz held in the White Horse Hotel. The quiz which is organised by Gael Linn takes place each year and encourages the use of the Irish Language. The annual quiz forms one of many activities organised by Gael Linn with the main aim of fostering and promoting the Irish language and its heritage throughout Ireland as a living language and as an expression of identity.
Year 10 pupils, Eoin Mc Mahon, Liam Mc Guinness, Michael Donaghy and Matthew O’ Kane were delighted to take the prize and Head of Modern Languages at the school, Miss Cairns said that she was: “very proud of the boys on their achievement and it was events such as these that allows pupils to see the practical application of their skills when studying a language”
www.londonderrysentinel.co.uk
Public Lecture – Towards an Integrated Language Curriculum in Primary Education: Issues and implications
November 2, 2012
Pádraig Ó Duibhir
St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, Dublin 9
In a recent research paper for the NCCA, Pádraig Ó Duibhir & Jim Cummins addressed the following questions: How can the idea of an integrated language curriculum be defined? Where is the evidence for it in policy and practice? What kinds of structures are implied in an integrated language curriculum? This talk will address some answers to those questions & discuss the issues that arise & their implications.
Pádraig Ó Duibhir is a senior lecturer in Teagasc na Gaeilge in St Patrick’s College. Prior to this, he worked for many years as a principal in an all-Irish primary school. He has conducted research on the acquisition of Irish by pupils in all-Irish schools. He is a member of the Early Childhood & Primary Language Committee of the NCCA.
Date: Wednesday 7th November 2012
Time: 7.30 pm
Location: Room D115, St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, Dublin 9
Spriocdháta Siansa Gael Linn ag teannadh linn
November 2, 2012
New song collection for children to be launched this weekend
November 2, 2012
Dominic Mac Giolla Bhríde of Gaoth Dobhair, sean-nós singer and 2009 winner of the Corn Uí Riada prize for sean-nós, has put his own take on some of the most well-loved traditional songs in Irish for children, with the help of dozens of children from the Donegal Gaeltacht.
Báidín Fheidhlimidh, Songs and Poems for Children, the new collection of music and poetry, commissioned by Ionad Oideachais Ghort an Choirce, will be launched this weekend at Oireachtas na Gaeilge in Letterkenny.
Brian O’Donnell, the singer and chef, will launch the book at Oireachtas na Gaeilge at 6:30 pm, Saturday, November 3rd, in Knockalla Suite in Mount Errigal Hotel in Letterkenny. The launch will be part of the Club na Féile na nÓg, which will begin at 5pm. As part of the launch, the children who took part in the project will sing and recite poems from the collection in a special concert.
“As teacher and parent, it’s been a vision of mine for years to have such a collection readily available and I’m now delighted to have these popular traditional songs and poems together in this fantastic book and CD,” said Bernadette Ní Dhuibhir of Ionad Oideachais Ghort an Choirce. “It will be a useful resource for teachers and parents throughout the country, which will help them pass on these songs and poems to the next generation.’
Well-known musicians Dónall O’Connor, Séamas O’Kane and Cathy Potter play as guests on the CD. But the children are the real stars on these recordings and they shine in such songs as A Nóra Bheag, Tá mo Chleamhnas á Dhéanamh; A stór, a Stór, a Ghrá; Och, Och, Mo Mhadadh Beag; Teidí Beag Álainn, Bhí Bríd ag Siúl sa Ghairdín Lá. In all, 58 children from the ages of 4 to 10, from 12 different Gaeltacht primary schools, took part in the recordings.
The book also contains a second CD of instrumental versions of the songs, allowing everyone to sing along with the music, karaoke-style, in school, at home or in the car. Dara McGee and Deirdre Brennan made the artwork for the book. The book will be available in book shops from early November.
www.donegaldemocrat.ie
Arklow parents have just one week to fill in survey on patron options for primary schools
November 2, 2012
Deadline of 9th November only a week away
The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., is calling on parents in Arklow to complete the survey on primary school patronage before the 9th November deadline.
In a new initiative, launched by Minister Quinn last month, parents of pre-school and primary school children are being asked what patrons they would like to see running their local primary schools.
Earlier this year, the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector made recommendations to on the divesting of patronage where there is a stable population and a demand for diversity of school types.
Following on from these recommendations, the Minister commenced a new process to examine the possibility of transferring some schools to other patron bodies in 44 areas around the country.
Last month, Minister Quinn asked parents of pre-school and primary school children in Arklow to complete surveys stating their preferences for the type of school they would like their children to attend. Parents in Castlebar, Tramore, Trim and Whitehall (including Kilmore West and Beaumont) in Dublin are also being surveyed in this pilot phase.
The intention is to find out if parents would prefer a wider choice of school patron than is currently available to them. The responses of parents will be used to decide what changes, if any, should be made to widen the availability of other types of primary school in these locations.
Current patrons in Arklow are the Archbishop of Dublin (Catholic), the Archbishop of Dublin and Glendalough (Church of Ireland) and An Foras Pátrúnachta.
The bodies which have expressed interest in becoming patrons of divested schools in the area are An Foras Pátrúnachta, Educate Together and Co. Wicklow VEC.
Minister Quinn said, “I am urging all eligible Arklow parents to make sure that their voices are heard by taking part in these surveys. This is a historic opportunity for parents to re-shape the primary school landscape for generations to come.”
If the surveys identify demand for alternative patronage in these areas, the Department will explore with the existing patrons the transfer of patronage of schools.
The survey is available at: www.education.ie and all eligible parents or guardians are asked to complete it on-line by Friday 9th November. Parents or guardians are advised to have their PPS number to hand when accessing the on-line survey as this will be requested for validation purposes.
A free helpline is available in the Department for anyone who has any difficulties in completing the survey: 1800 303621. The helpline will be open from 9.30 to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
If parents cannot access the online survey, a paper based version can be requested by ringing the freephone number1800 303621.
