Talented Gaelscoil pupils have their stories published
October 23, 2015
FROM penning their adventures with dinosaurs to writing about exciting escapades in space, nine talented children of Gaelscoil na gCrann in Killyclogher have now got their unique stories published in a children’s book.
Hosted by Young Writers, the book entitled ‘My First Story’, is an annual writing competition for children aged from 4-7 years-old throughout the United Kingdom.
With five different story templates to aid pupils to create their master pieces, My First Story encourages pupils to put pen to paper using a fine blend of literacy skills.
However, it is certainly tough competition as only a select few number of schools are chosen to be published out of hundreds of entries.
“The children are very proud to have their stories published in this book,” said Gaelscoil head teacher, Deirdre Uí Cheallaigh.
“They’re also delighted that they have been recognised for their good work, as is everyone involved with the school, and their families.
“Getting their work published makes it more real for the children. They are a very talented bunch.”
Flying the educational flag for West Tyrone, Deirdre also said that Gaelscoil na gCrann was the only school in the area to have their pupils’ immersive short stories featured in the novel.
“Most of the time, it’s really only children from the larger areas of the country, such as the Belfast area or Fermanagh, who get published in projects such as these.
“So we’re really proud that we’ve achieved something unique in that way too.”
The nine children of Gaelscoil were at the tender age of just seven and in P4 when they entered the competition.
Now thriving in P5, and a year older and wiser, Deirdre says that the young wordsmiths are even more motivated to keep writing.
“Sometimes parents feel slightly apprehensive about sending their child to an Irish-speaking school,” Deirdre explained.
“But to do well in a competition such as this one, the children have proved that they have great English language skills.”
She concluded, “And this has really given our young pupils the encouragement and inspiration to keep writing.”
