Múinteoir Gaeilge páirtaimseartha
January 11, 2013
School does enrolment U-turn after 20 appeals
January 11, 2013
A Cork all-Irish school has reversed its decision not to enrol a third first-year class next September after more than 20 appeals were made to the Department of Education.
Gaelcholáiste Mhuire in the North Monastery — the city’s only northside all-Irish secondary school — was accused of changing the goalposts when about 50 of the 110-plus applicants to start there later this year were refused enrolment before Christmas.
While management were keen to accommodate three classes, the Edmund Rice Schools Trust which owns the school wanted to restrict numbers to avoid putting strain on the school’s facilities. The trustees want any expansion to be managed properly so that the necessary building works would be carried out to meet any rising demand for the school, which is under the same ownership as the adjoining North Monastery Secondary School.
But public representatives and parents claimed they were led to understand when applying last autumn that there would be three first-year classes, the same as in three of the last four years.
After a series of meetings over the last month between the board, parents, and the trustees, a decision has now been made to admit the third class.
It means good news for 28 boys and girls who had been refused a place, most of whom are understood to have lodged appeals to the Department of Education.
The chair of the school’s board of management, Paul Moynihan, said it had been working with the trustees to resolve a number of issues.
“The trustees held a number of concerns as regards the capacity of the school to accommodate the numbers that were being proposed for the 2013/14 academic year. Until these concerns were satisfied the trustees were unwilling to approve increased numbers,” he said.
“The necessary assurances have now been given by school management to the trustees that has enabled them to give their approval to the admission of increased numbers.” Local councillor Tom Gould said the development was good news.
“I think common sense has prevailed, it’s the right decision for the children. It’s a fabulous school with a great reputation and that is why places are so sought after and hopefully work can be done over the next year to ensure we won’t be facing the same situation again.”
www.irishexaminer.com
Irish Classes with Cumann Cultúrtha Mhic Reachtain
January 11, 2013
Classes at Teach Mhic Reachtain run throughout the year, September – June. The classes are tailored to your needs – whether you are a complete novice or a fluent speaker. The classes are expertly and professionally planned and run for 10 weeks at a time.
There are night classes, coffee mornings and intensive day courses at all levels available. All information can be found on http://www.mhicreachtain.com/ or by calling (028) 90 749688.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
Bunscoil an Iúir – Is your child for school or nursery in September?
January 10, 2013
Is your child for school or nursery in September? Have you ever thought about Irish-medium Education for your child? Would you like your child to be fluent in Irish? More and more parents are considering Irish-medium education for their children.
Did you know that South Armagh and South Down has a growing Irish-medium Edcation Sector. We have Naíscoileanna (Nurseries) in Newry, Camlough and Jonesboro and Bunscoil an Iúir (Irish-medium primary school) in Newry. There is also post primary provision in Armagh and Castlewellan.
School transport is available to children attending Bunscoil an Iúir from Whitecross through to Camlough and into the Bunscoil, from Hilltown and Mayobridge and from Meigh. Educational Attainment levels are high and we have statistical evidence from CCEA to support this. Our children are happy at school and so are their parents.
At the Bunscoil we have an early bird club which is a great help to working parents, a homework club and an afterschools club. Parents you do not have to speak Irish for your child to attend Irish-medium education.
Currently there is a total of around 90 schools in the North providing Irish-medium Education to almost 5,000 children at pre-school, primary and post primary level. The Irish-medium sector has been growing steadily in recent years and this growth looks set to continue with new schools opening every year. Irish-medium schools welcome children from all faiths and backgrounds.
Before you decide where your child will go this year – come in and see us.
For more information give us a call on 028 30260860, check us out on facebook – Bunscoil an Iuir, check out our websitewww.bunscoilaniuir and for information on Irish-medium eucation have a look at www.comhairle.org.
Ranganna Gaeilge ar fud na tíre le Conradh na Gaeilge
January 10, 2013
Cúrsa Ullmhúcháin don Scrúdú Cainte Ardteiste
January 10, 2013
Gearrchúrsa i gCruinneas na Gaeilge ag Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne
January 10, 2013
Parents to be asked on alternatives to Catholic-run schools
January 9, 2013
Parents in 39 towns and city suburbs will be asked their views from next week on a choice of up to five alternative patrons to their local, Catholic-run, primary schools.
They include seven Cork and Kerry towns, nine other Munster towns and 12 areas in the Catholic archdiocese of Dublin. But the level of demand for changes to the current system could be in dispute after the interpretation by the group representing Catholic schools of the pilot survey results last month.
Although 25% to 35% of parents said they would avail of a wider choice of patronage if it was available, the Catholic Schools Partnership said this equated to just 5% to 10% of all parents, based on participation rates as lows as 24% in some survey areas.
Following the survey of families in five towns in November, the New Schools Establishment Group proposed that the Catholic bishops offer a school in each of them to multi-denominational group Educate Together. It was the most preferred patron among those who supported a wider choice of schools in Arklow, Co Wicklow, Castlebar, Co Mayo, Tramore, Co Waterford, Trim, Co Wexford, and Whitehall in Dublin.
The expanded survey of parents was to have started today but the Department of Education said patron bodies asked for it to begin next week, rather than this week when schools have just returned after Christmas.
In all 39 areas, the all-Irish schools patron group An Foras Pátrúnachta and the city or county vocational education committees (VECs) have put themselves forward to take over schools currently under Catholic patronage. The National Learning Network, a training division of the Rehab group, is an option for parents in four, and families in four towns can choose the Nigerian-founded Redeemed Christian Church of God as an alternative patron.
Educate Together is offering to be patron to schools in all but five areas, including Carrigaline, Co Cork, where it already has a school. The other Cork towns where parents of primary and pre-primary children are being surveyed are Bandon, Cobh, Fermoy, Passage West and Youghal.
Other Munster towns selected are: Shannon, Co Clare, Killarney, Co Kerry, Carrick-on-Suir, Clonmel, Nenagh, Roscrea, Thurles and Tipperary in Co Tipperary; and Dungarvan, Co Waterford.
They have little or no choice of primary schools, other than Catholic or other denominational schools, but with insufficient population growth to justify new schools being built.
Education Minister Ruairi Quinn has asked the Catholic bishops in the five pilot towns to respond within six months with proposals on how to reconfigure their existing schools to facilitate Educate Together.
www.irishexaminer.com
Irish language classes in Oideas Gael 2013
January 9, 2013
In 2010 Oideas Gael celebrated 25 years of Irish language courses and cultural activity holidays in Gleann Cholm Cille, Co. Do. Donegal.
Once again Oideas Gael are providing a great range of courses in 2013. Week long courses, weekend courses along with a Language and Culture Summer School will be held in Oideas Gael from March – August 2013 with many cultural activities taking place to coincide with the classes.
Courses range from weekend and weekly courses and these classes are suitable for all levels from beginners to individuals with more proficiency in the Irish language but who would like to polish up on their grammar.
The classes are held in the beautiful setting of south Donegal. What sets these particular courses apart from other is that course participants are given a wonderful opportunity to practice their Irish on an daily bases by participating in cultural events which are organised to coincided with the courses.
Recreational activities such as dancing, poetry, or guest lectures take place each evening, after which participants are free to practise their Irish with people from all other levels while enjoying the craic in the local pubs.
For further information regarding classes/courses please contact:
Oideas Gael
Gleann Cholm Cille
Co. Donegal
Telephone: +353 (0)74 97 30 248
Fax: +353 (0)74 97 30 348
E-mail: oideasgael@eircom.net
Website: www.oideasgael.com
Spoken Irish Classes in Áras Chrónáin
January 9, 2013
Spoken Irish classes will commence on Wednesday 9 January 2013 in Áras Chrónáin, Clondalkin.
Morning Class
– Suitable for beginners and improvers
– €50 for a 6 week term (€20 for oaps)
Time: 9.30am – 10.30am
Night Class
– Suitable for all levels
– €85 for a 10 week term (30% discount for Áras Chrónáin members)
Ciorcal Comhrá
Wednesdays at 9.15pm. All welcome.
More information:
T: +353-1-4574847
F: +353-1-4574117
E: eolas@araschronain.ie
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
