(Gaeilge) Folúntas: Oifigeach Tionscadail (Bunscoileanna) le Gaelbhratach
January 10, 2017
(Gaeilge) Folúntas: Múinteoir Tacaíochta Foghlama
January 9, 2017
(Gaeilge) 2 Leabhar Nua ag Cois Life
January 6, 2017
Which school?
January 6, 2017
That time again. This week parents will be putting in applications for places in different types of schools. It is a difficult decision. I have wide experience in schools both here in Ireland and in Scotland and I have to say that it would be difficult to find any better than the English medium schools here in Derry with regard to educational standards and the enthusiasm of the teachers. So I would not order a parent ‘Send your child to an Irish medium school.’ Parents should discuss the matter and come to a sensible decision. I know I am biased, but I would say that a Gaelscoil has advantages that other schools do not have. The website gaelscoileanna.ie points out some of these advantages, for example, according to research, bilingual children are more attentive, they are better at undertaking tasks, and they have more effective listening and communication skills.
Irish medium primary schools in Derry do very well despite one huge disadvantage: the three of them are accommodated in temporary buildings, although the parents are fighting hard to change that situation. Parents are very supportive of Irish nursery education in the city. Two out of the three nursery schools have taken in maximum numbers over the past few years.
The same can be said of post-primary education in Derry as has been said about primary education: first rate facilities and first rate teachers in every school. Parents must choose the school most suited to their child’s needs. Children who have been studying in an Irish medium school and who wish to continue learning through Irish are very fortunate. The Irish medium stream in Saint Brigid’s College is going from strength to strength. It is accommodated in a modern building in a progressive school under the direction of a highly experienced staff.
Incidentally, Irish medium education is also advancing in Inishowen. At present, Charlie Mc Connelogue TD is putting pressure on the Minister of Education to locate an Irish nursery school, primary school and secondary school on the one site in Buncrana.
Read more at: http://www.derryjournal.com/news/opinion/cen-scoil-1-7759857
(Gaeilge) Folúntas: Stiúrthóir Cúnta Naíonra in Éadan Doire, Co. Uíbh Fhailí
January 5, 2017
Montessori to bid for patronage of primary school
January 5, 2017
The race for control of a new primary school in Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin, due to open next September, is hotting up.
St Nicholas Montessori Society, which runs a teacher training college and a small private school in the south Dublin town, has announced that it plans to bid for patronage. “This is a new departure for us”, St Nicholas director Ian McKenna said. “We have a waiting list and we haven’t got the capacity to take them.”
He said the board of trustees saw it as an opportunity to establish a primary school, based on Montessori principles, within the State system. Mr McKenna said changes to the primary curriculum in recent years brought it closer to the Montessori model.
The St Nicholas school is based on the Montessori teaching philosophy and has 120 pupils from pre-school up to sixth class. Annual fees are €2,800 for three to four year olds and €3,475 for older pupils. The proposed new school will have 16 classrooms, with two classes for each year. The Education Department is planning for an intake of 27 for each of two junior infant streams next September.
Fees
If St Nicholas Montessori School was awarded patronage, it would have to stop charging school fees, but Mr McKenna said a benefit being within the State system would be that it would qualify for funding from the Education Department.
Dún Laoghaire is the location for one of three new primary schools opening in September 2017 for which Education Minister Richard Bruton invited potential patrons to apply. There is already keen competition for the school. Other patron bodies quick to announce their bids include Educate Together, Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board, for a community national school, and An Foras Pátrúnachta, which runs Irish-medium schools.
Parental preference is a key factor in the decision-making process and the Education Department has given patrons until January 6 to submit their applications. Patrons are now asking parents to sign up to them. The Education Department will announce the outcome of the process in February.
Mr McKenna said all the patron bodies did “fantastic work”, but St Nicholas wanted to offer parents another option. The St Nicholas school, which has been running for more than 35 years, describes itself as multi-denominational, with a Christian ethos.
Irish medium education going from strength to strength in Limavady
January 3, 2017
Naíscoil and Gaelscoil Léim an Mhadaidh, Limavady’s Irish medium pre-school and primary school, have reached a “massive milestone” in school development. Principal, Mrs Charmaine Deery, says they’re “going from strength to strength” with 100 pupils being educated through the medium of Irish (101 to be exact) not to mention those in the school’s three-year-old programme.
Mrs Deery said she is delighted for her staff, governors, parents and pupils. “We have come so far in just seven years,” she said. “Who would have thought that the little Gaelscoil in Limavady that opened its doors in 2010 with just six pupils would be celebrating such success in 2016?”
Mrs Deery said phase three of the Gaelscoil will begin in January 2017. The school community is also celebrating gaining two new classrooms, a new car-park and playground facilities. “This year will see the first pupils who entered the doors in September 2010 leave and move on to post-primary education,” said Mrs Deery. The school currently provides ‘Out of School’ care for pupils whose parents work full-time. The club is part funded and is fully registered with the WHSCT.
Gaelscoil Léim an Mhadaidh is the second Irish medium school to train with ‘Roots of Empathy’, Canada in delivering a new innovative programme to develop children’s attitudes to others and develop them as loving, caring contributors to society. It is delivered in several countries worldwide. Mrs Deery said: “This growth is testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff and the school’s reputation in the Limavady community. “Parents are very supportive and we appreciate each and every one of them who have helped us get to where we are today. Our kids are happy, well mannered and very hardworking. “I am very proud of our success and look forward to the future of Irish medium education here in Limavady.”
(Gaeilge) Riarthóir Oifige ag teastáil
January 3, 2017
Nollaig Shona!
December 21, 2016
Preschool teacher required in Lucan
December 20, 2016
Preschool teacher required for Naíonra Montessori in Lucan, January start. Hours 1:15-4:30 Monday to Friday. Ideal candidate will have level 7 qualification in Early Childhood Education, have a good command of spoken Irish, be able to work as a team and on their own initiative, work with both Montessori and Aistear curriculums and above all, have a natural love and understanding of children and their development. Competitive terms for right candidate.
Further information from Sharon at info@montessorimatters.ie
