(Gaeilge) Múinteoir Ionadaíochta Gaeilge á lorg i mBÁC
February 10, 2017
(Gaeilge) Fíbín: Comórtas Náisiúnta Ealaíne
February 10, 2017
(Gaeilge) Folúntas: Múinteoir Eacnamaíochta Baile
February 10, 2017
New Principal appointed for Dunamase College
February 10, 2017
The newest post primary school in Portlaoise, Dunamase College, has announced the appointment of its first principal, Aoife Elster. Ms. Elster will take up her new role in March at the temporary school premises in Railway Street.
Speaking about the appointment, Paul Fields, Director of Schools at Laois Offaly ETB, stated that, “the appointment of the principal is a significant step in establishing the school within the community.
“The fact that the principal will be in place from March onwards will ensure that all of the necessary preparations for the opening of Dunamase College will be in place before the school opens its doors to students in September”, he said.
The new principal, Aoife Elster is originally from Dublin but has been living in the Midlands for almost three decades.
Her background is in science and she worked for several years in the oil industry in London before moving to Laois. She has been involved in education for over two decades and has worked in both Irish and English medium schools.
She has extensive experience in the setting up and development of new schools, having been involved with Gael-Choláiste Chill Dara in Naas from its inception in 2004 and most recently she has been the founding principal of Choláiste Ghlór na Mara, a 1000 pupil second level school in Balbriggan, Co. Dublin.
Science and mathematics are a lifelong passion, and this has been reflected in her own learning and teaching.
She has recent postgraduate qualifications in Mathematics and Education from NUIM, in association with the University of Cambridge. She also developed distance learning strategies, teaching physics in two counties simultaneously over the internet.
Her vision for education involves the widespread use of appropriate technologies and modern teaching methods. She is particularly interested in using technology to increase accessibility to additional subjects and learners. She also has a strong interest in culture and music.
She is a keen walker and walks in the Sliabh Blooms most weekends and has walked several parts of the Camino de Santiago in recent years. Aoife is married to Stephen, and has two adult children; Naomi, a cancer researcher and writer, and Ciarán, a musician and teacher, both of whom are working abroad at the moment.
Chief Executive at Laois Offaly ETB, Joe Cunningham expressed his belief that, “the appointment of the new principal is another practical step in establishing Dunamase College as a significant provider of post primary education within Portlaoise”.
He took the opportunity to remind parents that an information meeting will take place on Thursday 16th. February @ 7.30, Railway Street, for any interested parents.
http://www.leinsterexpress.ie/news/home/234636/new-principal-appointed-for-dunamase-college.html
(Gaeilge) Acmhainn Nua Oideachais do Bhéaltriail Ghaeilge na hArdteistiméireachta
February 8, 2017
(Gaeilge) Fóras na Gaeilge Information Nights
February 8, 2017
(Gaeilge) Meabhrúchán faoi Spriocdháta Ghradam!
February 8, 2017
(Gaeilge) Oícheannta Eolais Fóras na Gaeilge
February 8, 2017
Speaking Irish to my baby son in London is creating a special bond
February 8, 2017
The first word I said to my newborn son was “Fáilte”, and eight months later, I’ve spoken to him almost entirely in Irish.
Up to that point, as is the case for many Irish people, my Leaving Certificate oral exam was the longest conversation in Irish I’d ever had, in all it’s ten minutes of nervous banality.
When I decided to speak to my first child in Irish, I had no idea the adventure that was about to begin. His mother didn’t speak a word, and we live in London, but I hoped our child would have a stronger sense of his Irish identity – and a unique connection with me – if we could communicate through my second language, Irish.
It’s been a huge learning curve, but no more than every other aspect of becoming a parent. I’ve learned to change nappies, while also learning the Irish word for nappy (clúidín). I’ve realised the most fundamental gaps in my Irish – from what to say when he sneezes (Dia leat) to all the verses of Baidín Fheilimí (though with the names of the Donegal islands sometimes exchanged for East London neighbourhoods).
The reaction from other people have been the biggest surprise, with friends and family using their cúpla focail with our son from time to time. Even his mamaí George has picked up a few words, and can ask him if his bainne is blasta and to say slán with him when I leave for work in the morning. When we’re out and about, people don’t bat an eyelid, as it’s nothing unusual to hear just one of the hundreds of languages in London.
The repetitive nature of speaking to a baby turns out to be perfect way for a learner like me to increase their vobabulary, and it certainly helps prevent the mundane things such as feeding, clothing and bathing getting tedious.
After a few months though, I was feeling a bit isolated as the only person properly speaking Irish to my son. I knew that if he was to speak as well as understand Irish properly, he’d need to hear other people speaking it too, so I started making enquiries to find any Irish speaking playgroups or naoinraí in London. It turned out that there hadn’t been one in London for over ten years, but with the support of the London Irish Centre and the wider Irish community, a few of us parents have now started an Irish playgroup for a new generation.
The London Irish Playgroup has since attracted dozens of families from across London and neighbouring counties, with children from newborn up to eight years old. We meet monthly at the London Irish Centre in Camden to sing songs, read stories, and use the bit of Irish we have with our children.
Research suggests this bilingual upbringing has numerous benefits for mental development, not only connecting children to the language of some of their ancestors, but also giving them a headstart in learning other languages so they can connect with the wider world.
In the meantime, it’s a great source of fun for my son and I, and a special way I have chosen to communicate my love to him.
For more information, join the London Irish Playgroup on Facebook, or email shanakee@gmail.com.
(Gaeilge) Ceadúnas an ICLA – suirbhé ar bun
February 8, 2017
