Coláiste Ráithín: Protest March on Wednesday, 2nd May 2012 at 14.30
May 2, 2012
Cairde Ráithín, Coláiste Ráithín’s Parents Association and its feeder schools are leading a Protest March to the gates of Dáil Éireann on Wednesday, 2nd May 2012 at 14.30, to demand a new school building for Coláiste Ráithín to open by 2014, which has been a ongoing issue for more than 17 years now. They will meet the 5 Wicklow TDs to get a progress report from them since a joint meeting in February nearly 3 months ago.
Following on from the successful parent’s Protest March to Department of Education & Skills last week, the parents of Coláiste Raithín have sent an Invitation to all Wicklow TDs to come to the steps of the Dáil and tell parents what progress has been made since a delegation of the parents committee met them in February nearly 3 months ago. At that meeting in February, parents explained in detail the plight of this north Wicklow school which needs a new building but which is stuck in a Kafkaesque nightmare of bureaucracy.
Since 1994, management, staff and parents in Coláiste Ráithín have been working towards a new building for Coláiste Ráithín. Seventeen years after the Department of Education first sanctioned a new building, Coláiste Ráithín is still in the same location – on 2 separate sites in Bray town centre with 50% accommodation in portacabins. There are little recreational and no sports facilities. Despite this, the school is one of the best schools in Wicklow and South Dublin and pupils continue to thrive academically.
While the Minister of Education opened two new schools in Wicklow yesterday (Monday, 30th April) there is still no communication of any description from his Department to the most recent correspondence from Cairde Ráithín, nor any sign of movement in this Catch 22 that this North Wicklow school has been caught up in. Coláiste Ráithín is the top non-fee paying school in Leinster outside of Dublin in the just-released 2012 school league tables and in the top ten non-fee paying schools nationwide.
In light of the Minister’s recent roll out of the DES new buildings and extensions programme for the next 5 years and beyond, which does NOT include any provision AT ALL for Coláiste Ráithín, the parents are now taking direct action to protect the valuable education resource in north Wicklow that is Coláiste Ráithín. Negotiations with the Minister and the Department of Education and Skills; Wicklow VEC (the patrons of Coláiste Raithín); Wicklow TDs and Bray Town Council, especially in the last 6 months, have all yielded no real, tangible progress.
The Parents most recent letters to the Minister have gone without any acknowledgement.
On Wednesday, 2nd May 2012 at 14.30, pupils from Coláiste Ráithín and its feeder schools, accompanied by parents from the community of the whole of north Wicklow, will protest at the Dáil Éireann. There will be an opportunity for the Co Wicklow TDs to explain to parents and pupils, why this situation has been allowed to continue for so long.
While there seems to be general agreement amongst all parties that a new school building is required, there seems to be NO URGENCY to resolve this matter. This is particularly worrying for both current and future pupils and their parents, given that a brand new state of the art school is planned for 2014 in Blacklion, Greystones, a distance of only 4 miles from Coláiste Raithín. Such a new school facility can only have a huge negative impact on Coláiste Ráithín, its feeder schools and so its future as it is right in the centre of Coláiste Ráithín’s unique catchment area. Parents are demanding that it is now time to bring this long outstanding matter to an immediate and satisfactory conclusion.
Therefore, in order that a new school building for Coláiste Ráithín be open by September 2014, the committee request the Minister and all TDs to do the following urgently:
– all outstanding issues regarding the current proposed Bray site be determined immediately;
– the Blacklion site be made a default option only to be exercised if the Old Bray Gold Club site is not available immediately;
– guarantee parity of esteem and equality of resources for the only Gaelcholáiste in North Wicklow;
– make the relocation of Coláiste Ráithín into a new school building, to open in September 2014, an absolute priority.
For further information, please contact: Paul Moore, spokesperson from Coiste Cóiríochta Coláiste Ráithín / 086 838 5049 /
pmoore@iol.ie
Members of north Wicklow community can sign the petition in hard copy at Coláiste Ráithín or online at: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/colaisteraithinnewschoolbuilding2014/
Eagla ar Choláiste Ráithín go mbeidh a rás rite go luath
May 2, 2012
Sligo group wins Siansa Gael Linn
May 1, 2012
Young traditional music talent took the stage of the National Concert Hall on Sunday for the grand final of Siansa Gael Linn with Sligo’s newest musical hope, Teaspach taking the Siansa Gael Linn crown for this year.
The octet from the Sligo Grammar School, followed the footsteps of other alumni who previously won the national title in 2009.
Members of the group include Áine Ní Mháirtín, Nell Ní Cheallaigh, Gearóid Ó Duibhir, Íde Ní Chionnaith, Jason Mac Aonghusa, Hannah Ní Cheallaigh, Peadar Ó Maonaigh and Pádraig Ó Gabháin.
Fataí Fánacha from Coláistí Eoin and Íosagáin in Dublin took second place with Galwegian’s Macalla from Corofin in third place.
New Language Support Scheme to replace Scéim Labhairt na Gaeilge
May 1, 2012
A new government scheme to promote the Irish language will focus on Gaeltacht families but information will available to other families wishing to raise their families through Irish.
Last Thursday Minister State for the Gaeltacht Dinny McGinley TD announced the Family Language Support Scheme. The new support scheme will replace The Scéim labhairt na Gaeilge scheme that ceased at the end of the last school year.
Speaking at the launch in Indreabhán, Co. Galway. The Minister of State said the language support scheme involves a “new approach” that will make a “considerable difference” to the implementation of the 20-Year-Strategy on the ground.
The date implementation of the full programme is stlll unknown but it is set to be done in twelve policy areas.
Information leaflet
The first step was the publication of an information leaflet for families availaing of maternity services in Galway, Letterkenny and Castlebar. The bilingual leaflet advises parents of sever advantages of learning Irish. The leaflet will be introduced to other hospitals serving families from other Gaeltacht areas over time.
Families will have to contact the Department however if they want to order a copy of the support pack upon receiving the leaflet.
The support scheme includes developing an awareness campaign in conjunction with the Health Service Executive (HSE) through distributing an information leaflet detailing the advantages of raising children through Irish, to expectant mothers and mothers of new-born babies.
An awareness campaign directed toward pre married couples in conjunction with the relevant church authorities will also be developed and assistance will be provided to community based organisation in organising language related events.
Summer Camps Expansion
The Department intends to broaden out its summer camp schemes currently available to 4-7 year old age group, to those aged 3-6 years old and 7-14 years old and the Department will no longer recognise summer camps with more than 50 participants.
The language assistance scheme will be further developed under the new support scheme by developing the programme to cater for students in Gaeltacht Schools to increase their standard of Irish. Extra reading, visual and oral support will be provided to the language assistance and a working and training programme will be developed for language assistance in conjunction with organisations who operate the scheme on behalf of the Department.
Programme to go “Viral”
The new scheme will also develop teenagers aged 15-17 years leadership skills by organising training programmes where the can qualify to be Gaeltacht Summer College assistants.
The programme will also develop asocial media strategy using viral videos will be directed at young people with the aim informing them of the benefits of speaking Irish. A new portal web site will also be developed to inform parents of the Irish language resources available to them.
Until the website is developed however, the main point of contact will be through email and phone. Parents interested in taking part in the programme should call 091 503700 or email ctt@ahg.gov.ie
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
Gaeltacht Scholarships
May 1, 2012
Trips to Irish colleges can be out of the reach of many but scholarships are available in many of the Irish language summer schools for many students.
Colaiste Laichtín on Inis Óirr is one such summer college which offers scholarships covering the cost of accommodation for the duration of the stay on the island.
Summer Colleges reward students who would like to improve and develop their Irish, if it is for Junior or Leaving Certificate exams or even just to gain confidence with the language according to Caomhan Ó Conghaile, Principal of the summer college.
There is also lots of fun to be had when students learn languages in a different environment to school. Various sports and other games are played in Irish such as soccer, basketball.
Courses last for three weeks and begin on June 4th, June 27th and July 20th. Application forms, rules and other information are available on http://www.colaistelaichtin.ie/
Fíbín in search of New Acting Talent
May 1, 2012
Fíbín are looking for fresh young acting talent from all across the country to take part in this year’s Drama School of Excellence in Irish this summer.
Fíbín is a theatre company based in the Connemara Gaeltacht that specializes in drama for the younger audience and has a unique innovative approach to theatre. Auditions will be arranged across the country and the best students will be chosen to proceed to the workshop in July.
Auditions will take place in the coming weeks in various locations all over Ireland.
The workshop itself will take place between the 2nd – 13th of July 2012.
The Drama Workshop will be open to teenagers between 15- 17 years on the 1st of September 2012.
Fluent Irish is a necessity, as is a passion for drama
Date: 30/04/12
Venue: Seanscoil Sailearna, Conamara, Co. Galway
Time: 4-6pm
Date: 02/5/12
Venue: Áras na Gaeilge (NUI Galway)
Time: 6-8pm
Date: 14/05/12
Venue: Jury’s Inn, Cork
Time: 6-8pm
Date: 22/05/12
Venue: Sligo Park Hotel, Sligo
Time: 6-8pm
Students who are interested in participating in the Fíbín Drama School of Excellence must send a CV with a recent photo to:
Angela Seoighe
Fíbín Teo.
Na hAille
Indreabhán
Co. na Gaillimhe.
For more information on the Fíbín Drama School of Excellence, contact Angela Seoighe at Fíbín, on 091-505855 or via email at meangadh@gmail.com
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
Major announcements for Irish language
May 1, 2012
Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, Dinny McGinley T.D., has announced two significant initiatives under the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030.
“The Family Language Support Programme and the language planning process in the Gaeltacht involve a new approach that will make a considerable difference to the implementation of the 20-Year Strategy on the ground,” the Minister of State said at the launch in Galway.
The aim of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht’s Family Language Support Programme is to strengthen the Irish language as the household and community language in the Gaeltacht in accordance with the 20-Year Strategy. Under this programme, the Department intends to undertake 12 specific measures to support Gaeltacht families who are raising their children through Irish or who wish to raise their children through Irish.
The Minister of State announced that the Department has agreed with the co-operation of the Health Service Executive (HSE) to circulate an information leaflet, regarding the advantages of raising children through Irish, to expectant mothers and mothers of newborn babies. This awareness campaign will be initiated through the maternity services operating through the HSE in Galway city, Letterkenny and Castlebar. It is also intended to broaden this campaign to maternity services which serve other Gaeltacht areas.
In addition to the awareness campaign, the Minister of State announced the following new measures which will be implemented in conjunction with key stakeholders under the Family Language Support Programme:
* The Department’s Summer Camps Scheme will be enhanced to focus separately on 3 to 6 year olds and on 7 to 14 year olds (as opposed to the current 4 to 7 year old age group);
* Special training courses will be held for Gaeltacht teenagers between 15 and 17 years old who speak fluent Irish to enable them to work as assistants in the Irish language summer colleges;
* Community-based Gaeltacht committees/organisations will be assisted in organising suitable activities, e.g. parent and toddler/child groups;
* The Department’s Language Assistants Scheme will be developed in order to better serve children in Gaeltacht schools with regard to enrichment or acquisition of the Irish language; and
* A portal website for the Irish language will be developed to provide easy access to the public to Irish-language materials and resources. As part of this portal website, content will be developed online which will assist parents raising their children through Irish.
Language Planning Process
The Minister of State announced that the language planning process in the Gaeltacht is to begin. “I am delighted to get the language planning process in the Gaeltacht underway today. Under the Gaeltacht Bill 2012 which is currently being drafted, the Gaeltacht will be given a new definition based on language criteria as opposed to geographical areas, as is currently the case. In accordance with the 20-Year Strategy, a language plan will be developed at community level in all Gaeltacht areas,” the Minister of State said.
Under the language planning process, the Gaeltacht will be delineated into 19 distinct language planning areas. Each one of these areas will be required to prepare a language plan in due course. In order to implement a comprehensive and systematic language planning process in the Gaeltacht, the Minister of State indicated that he has invited 6 language planning areas to begin this process immediately.
The Minister of State said: “The language planning process is an opportunity for Gaeltacht communities. I expect the Department, the Údarás and the community-based organisations to work together to deliver this process.”
Language Planning Areas in the Gaeltacht
Under the language planning process, the intention is to delineate the Gaeltacht into 19 distinct language planning areas of which 6 areas including Gaoth Dobhair, Rann na Feirste, Anagaire, Loch an Iúir, Cloich Chionnaola, Gort an Choirce, Toraigh, An Fál Carrach, Machaire Rabhartaigh have been invited to start this process immediately.
www.donegaldemocrat.ie
Summer Classes – Special Offer
April 30, 2012
Gaelchultúr’s Irish language evening classes for adults will be starting the week commencing 21 May 2012 in Dublin and in Carlow. The classes will take place one night a week over 6 weeks.
We’re offering a special discount to those who book a course before the 8 May. Until that date, the fee will be €100 instead of the usual €120. Don’t miss out – go to www.gaelchultur.com now to get more information and to book a place.
Most parents would choose state run or multi-denominational schools – survey
April 30, 2012
ONLY a quarter of parents with dependent children would opt to send them to a church-run primary school, a poll has found.
Some 27pc of parents would choose a primary school owned and managed by the Church, compared with the remainder, who would opt for a Vocational Education Committee (VEC) school, multi-denominational or State-run.
The survey, commissioned by the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) and carried out by RedC, also found that while only a quarter would choose a Church-run school, the majority of respondents still want religion taught during the school day.
“While there appears to be a public appetite for choice in the models of school patronage available, with most people opting for models that are not based on the ethos of a Church, there is still strong demand for religious instruction to be taught within the school day,” said IPPN president Gerry Murphy.
Despite this, he said the overriding objective of the survey is to ensure the highest standards of teaching are available to all children regardless of their background.
The IPPN-RedC poll saw a random sample of 729 adults questioned – including those with no dependent children – during March this year.
Among those surveyed who have dependent children (under 16 years), 30pc said they would send them to a VEC school, which is run by the State.
A quarter (24pc) would opt for a multi-denominational school such as Educate Together, and 20pc would choose a State-run school.
While most would not have their children educated by the church, 67pc said they would still want their child to receive religious instruction during the school day.
They would also like their children to get help with preparation for the sacraments, such as first confession, first communion and confirmation.
Some 31pc of parents would rather their children receive religious education outside of school.
Of that figure, the majority (60pc) said the responsibility to educate their children on religion should fall to the parents, 26pc believed it should be the clergy’s responsibility and 13pc teachers’.
IPPN director Sean Cottrell described the survey as a snapshot of the preferences of broad Irish society.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Ruairi Quinn launched the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism last week, which was set up to consult on the primary system to ensure the patronage of schools reflect the diversity of the population.
The idea is to ensure schools are inclusive of all pupils, regardless of their background or religion.
The Minister will consider a report compiled by an independent advisory group within the forum.
INDEPENDENT.IE
New research reveals that while the majority of parents want change in school patronage, they still want religion taught within the school day
April 30, 2012
According to an IPPN commissioned RedC poll, Three out of four parents would opt for primary schools run by patron bodies other than churches, while a similar majority want religion taught within the school. This poll provides IPPN with independent evidence of parental and wider public opinion, enabling the network to engage with, and contribute to, the debate on patronage and pluralism with a meaningful and credible voice.
The research shows that:
- 30% of parents would prefer to send children to primary school run by VEC on behalf of the State
- 27% of parents would opt for Church-run primary schools – current model
- 24% of parents would choose multi-denominational primary schools – eg. Educate Together model
- 20% of parents would opt for State-run primary schools – no patron.
Three out of four parents would send their children to schools run by patron bodies other than Chruches if they had a choice, according to the results of a major new poll carried out by RedC on behalf of the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN), the professional body representing primary school leaders.
The poll was conducted before Easter among 729 respondents aged between 18 and 54.
Of the respondents to the poll, 45% were parents with dependent children under 16 and the rest had no dependent children.
This is the first independently commissioned professional research capturing the public’s views on primary school patronage since the publication of the report of the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism which is advising the Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn, on patronage and pluralism in primary schools.
When asked which type of school parents with dependent children and those without dependent children would choose for their children, the poll found that:
- 30% of parents with dependent children and the same number of those without dependent children would choose to send their children to a primary school owned and managed by a VEC, on behalf of the State, which provides for the instruction of religions within the school day;
- 27% of parents with dependent children and 20% of those without dependent children would opt to send their children to a primary school owned and managed by a Church which provides for the instruction of its own religion within the school day;
- 24% of parents with dependent children and 25% of those without dependent children would choose to send their children to a school owned and managed by a multi-denominational group – for example, Educate Together – which facilitates the instruction of a number of religions on the school premises outside the school day; and,
- 20% of parents with dependent children and 25% of those without dependent children would opt to send their children to a primary school owned and managed directly by the State without patronage which provides for the instruction of religion outside the school day.
When asked about when religious instruction and preparation for the sacraments should be taught – for example, first confession, first communion and confirmation – 67% of parents with dependent children said during the school day and 31% said outside the school day.
When the same question was asked of those parents without dependent children, 61% opted for religious instruction during the school day and 38% chose outside the school day.
According to 4% of respondents, that question did not apply to them.
Of the parents who opted for religious instruction outside the school day, 60% wanted that responsibility to fall to parents, 26% to the clergy and 15% to teachers.
Of those without dependent children who opted for religious instruction outside the school day, 59% wanted that duty to fall to parents, 28% to the clergy and 13% to teachers.
Seán Cottrell, IPPN Director, described the poll as a ‘snapshot of the preferences of broad Irish society, which included parents with and without dependent children, on the type of school they want for their children’.
‘IPPN represents principals in primary schools of all patronage types without favouring one over another. We are committed to researching the various models and to listening to the voices of parents who are the most important stakeholders in primary education patronage. IPPN commissioned this research to gauge parental and wider public opinion on the type of patronage, ethos, religious or otherwise, that should inform primary school education as we embrace changing societal demographics,’ said Mr Cottrell.
As Minister Quinn considers the report of the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism, IPPN has a number of concerns:
Many parents will have raised expectations which may not be possible to deliver and will present difficulties due to accommodation and staffing limitations;
There will be further pressure on principals who may find themselves in a game of high-stakes diplomacy between a host of stakeholders;
While principals strive to make schools as inclusive and open as possible, the change implications from the forum report are not within the gift of principals. This is a point about which the majority of parents may not be aware; and,
The essential focus for every principal must be to lead and manage the quality of learning at a time of unprecedented change in schools.
Gerry Murphy, IPPN President, said the the ‘independent professional research will help to inform decision-making and play a constructive role in helping Government and education partners understand the preferences of parents today and those of the future’.
‘Strikingly, the vast majority of both parents with dependent children and those without dependent children believe that religious instruction and sacramental preparation should be taught during the school day – even though there is a similar majority who would prefer schools not to be owned and managed by the main churches. While there appears to be a public appetite for choice in the models of school patronage available, with most people opting for models that are not based on the ethos of a Church, there is still strong demand for religious instruction to be taught within the school day. In all this, however, we must not lose sight of our overriding objective which is to uphold the highest standards of teaching and learning for our children regardless of their background,’ said Mr Murphy.
IPPN.IE
