Open night in Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh
September 9, 2014
New Gaelcholáiste opens in Balbriggan!
September 5, 2014
The new Gaelcholáiste in Balbriggan took in its first group of first years on Monday, 1st of September.
Coláiste Ghlór na Mara is the first Gaelcholáiste in this area. 26 pupils have started in first year and the school will cater for between 700 and 1,000 pupils in the future.
The school is located in temporary classrooms at the moment. The school will move to a temporary school soon and will remain there until building work on the permanent school building is complete.
“The opening of this school this morning is a reason for great joy,” said Aoife Elster, the school principal (above, second from the left).
“It is great to see such a positive result come from all of the work done by local people to found a Gaelcholáiste in this area.
“We are very grateful to the Dublin ETB and to Mr. O’ Leary especially for giving us the use of the temporary classrooms as we await our own building.
“We are also very grateful to Clodagh and to Siobhán, principals in the local Gaelscoileanna, for all the support they have given to us.”
Caoimhín Ó hEaghra, General Secretary of An Foras Pátrúnachta said:
“An Foras Pátrúnachta is delighted that Coláiste Ghlór na Mara is opening and providing Irish medium education at second level to Balbriggan and the surrounding areas.
“I would like to thank the founding committee, parents and everyone who has helped throughout this process. I am sure that this school will have a great impact in the area not only in the provision of excellent education but supporting and nurturing an Irish language culture in the community as a whole.”
Update on registrations for Gaelcholáiste an Phiarsaigh
September 5, 2014
Enrolment in Gaelcholáiste an Phiarsaigh for 2015-2016 school year (Rang 6 now) will remain open until 30th September and for 2016-2017 school year (Rang 5 anois) for one full year. Enrol now on www.gaelcholaiste.com.
Minister O’Sullivan announces the first major review of education and training programmes for early years sector
September 4, 2014
Advisory Group on Early Years Education issues to be established for the first time.
The Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’ Sullivan TD, has announced the first major review of education and training programmes that lead to qualifications in the early years care and education sector.
This area has received increased attention in recent years through the introduction in 2010 of minimum requirements for those delivering the free pre-school year, and through the findings of a major study by the European Commission in 2011 on ‘Competence Requirements in Early Childhood Education and Care’.
The review will be conducted by the Department of Education and Skills, with input from relevant stakeholders as appropriate.
There will be a public consultation process to gather the views of those involved in delivering programmes leading to early years’ qualifications, as well as graduates of these programmes.
Announcing the review, Minister O’Sullivan highlighted the importance of the sector: “Through early years education, we can ensure that all children receive the necessary supports to enable them to develop to their full potential. The education and training sector has a key role to play in ensuring that those working with young children are appropriately qualified to facilitate that process.
“This review will make sure that we are equipping graduates with the necessary knowledge, skills and disposition to enable them to support children’s educational development”.
The review will examine a number of different issues including:
- The extent to which relevant education and training programmes are being delivered efficiently and by appropriately qualified experts;
- The quality assurance procedures in place within institutions;
- The appropriateness of learning outcomes;
- Whether programmes are meeting the learners’ needs in terms of progression routes and recognition of prior learning;
- The quality of work placements; and
- Whether graduates are appropriately prepared for workplace challenges such as social diversity.
The Minister also announced her intention to establish an Advisory Group to advise the Department on early years education issues, including the review of education and training programmes. The Advisory Group will also help to strengthen the integration of early years education into the overall education continuum, and co-ordinate existing education-related activity in the sector.
The Group will be established later this year and will be chaired by a senior Department official. It will have representatives from relevant stakeholders, parents, non-governmental organisations, and statutory agencies.
Both the review of qualification programmes and the establishment of the Advisory Group will ensure a coordinated policy response to children’s early educational needs. The Minister noted: “My Department has policy responsibility for early years education. It is already significantly involved through initiatives such as Aistear, Síolta, the Early Start pre-school programme, and the provision of infant classes in primary schools.
“However, I want to ensure that early years education is effectively integrated into the overall education continuum, and these new developments will make a large contribution to making sure that this happens.”
Fáilte ar ais ón bhForas Pátrúnachta
September 4, 2014
Cultural weekend in Gaeltacht na nDéise commencing on Culture Night, September 19th
September 4, 2014
Creative service providers in West Waterford’s Gaeltacht, An Rinn and an Sean Phobal, have joined forces to offer a really different visitor weekend-package kicking off on national culture night Friday, September 19th. The package, which includes a choice of accommodation (B&B or self catering), meals, music, walks, talks and art, is aimed at small groups or couples who are interested in Irish culture and Irish cultural experiences. A knowledge of Irish is not a prerequisite but a positive disposition to spending time in a largely Irish speaking community is important. There are 22 places available for this weekend with minimum bookings for two people sharing accommodation and maximum for a group of 22 people (subject to availability). The all inclusive cost of the weekend is €130 pps for the selfcatering option or €150pps for the B&B option (Fáilte Ireland 5* and 4*).
Further details of the weekend are available from our on-line shop here.
This is a new initiative for our community and I would be delighted to hear what you think of the offering and perhaps to answer any queries you might have. Finally, we would be delighted if you would like Comhlucht Forbartha na nDéise’s Facebook page and perhaps share the posting regarding this weekend.
Máire Seosaimhín Breathnach
Oifigeach Gaeilge
Comhairle Contae Phort Láirge
(058) 20884
Gaelchultúr: Newsletter #28
September 4, 2014
Online version here: gaelchultúr.com.
Work underway on the new school building for Gaelscoil Shliabh Rua
September 1, 2014
Gaelscoil Shliabh Rua are very excited to see the building work underway on their brand new school, have a look at their photos on Facebook. Places are available in the school for 2014 and 2015, visit their website for more details: www.gaelscoilshliabhrua.ie.
Laurel Hill Coláiste FCJ Luimneach – Éacht agus buaicphointe i Stair na Scoile
September 1, 2014
Gaeilge 24 with Conradh na Gaeilge
September 1, 2014
The aim of this challenge is to inspire young people to speak Irish for 24 hours: at home, at school, in shops, with businesses, around their hometown, in sports clubs, at youth clubs and everywhere else too! Details available on the Conradh na Gaeilge website, www.cnag.ie.
