Westport school hoists country’s first anti-bullying flag
October 10, 2014
A Westport Gaelscoil has become the first school in Ireland to fly the Blue Shield Flag for its robust anti-bullying policy.
An Taoiseach Enda Kenny was in Gaelscoil na Cruaiche yesterday (Thursday ) to raise the Blue Shield Flag, which is an initiative by the ISPCC.
The Blue Shield Flag recognises schools who have strong anti-bullying policies and promote a climate of openness and support in responding to any bullying concerns.
Some of the measures introduced at Gaelscoil na Cruaiche include an anti-bullying awareness week and appointing an anti-bullying coordinator.
School principal Mairéad Ní Ruáin said the school had carried out considerable work with the ISPCC to “sustain and develop a warm and caring atmosphere where all children feel safe and secure.”
Speaking at the flag raising ceremony, An Taoiseach congratulated the school on their achievement.
“The ISPCC Blue Shield Flag is a testament to their positive action and determination to ensure a safe and secure school environment for all children and is a great example for all schools to follow to combat bullying,” he said.
Last year the ISPCC worked with 100 schools in reviewing and developing their anti-bullying policies, and it has worked with 71 schools so far this year.
Fiona Jenning, regional ISPCC representative, said bullying is a consistent issue that needs to be addressed.
“Through the Shield My School campaign, the ISPCC offers support to the whole school community in actively responding to this concern,” she said. “We hope that Gaeslscoil na Cruaiche will be the first of many schools [to win the Blue Shield Flag] nationally.”
For more information on the campaign visit www.ispcc.ie or telephone (01 ) 676 7960.
Learn Irish for less at Coláiste na nOileán
February 24, 2014
Located in the heart of the Connemara Gaeltacht, Coláiste na nOileán is one of the longest-running Irish colleges.
The college offers a number of course options. Five day summer Gaeltacht course for fifth and sixth class primary A specially designed five day residential course for fifth and sixth class primary students, this completely separate and fully supervised course is especially designed around parents’ requests and caters specifically for this age group.
Three week summer courses
The extremely popular three-week courses have made the college stand out from the rest with special courses for those sitting the Leaving Cert and Junior Cert 2014. Great emphasis is placed on the oral Irish test which accounts for 40 per cent of the awarded grade.
One, two, and three day Gaeltacht activity courses
The college also runs one, two, and three day mini Gaeltacht activity courses during the school year that would suit all ages from fifth and sixth class primary students to transition year in secondary. The courses include a huge range of activities, all through the medium of Irish, which make it a fun packed adventure.
Coláiste na nOileán believes that learning Irish should be fun as this helps to cultivate a love for the Irish language and its culture, a formula that has made Coláiste na nOileán a huge success for over half a century.
It is also running special offers for mid-term break and Easter. For further details on all courses and to download a brochure visit www.colaistenanoilean.ie or contact the college on 091 551933/595890 or email colnanoilean@gmail.com.
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Coláiste Muire Tuar Mhic Éadaigh offers something for everyone
February 17, 2014
Meánscoil mheasctha Chaitliceach is ea Coláiste Muire, Tuar Mhic Éadaigh, a chuireann oideachas d’ard-chaighdeán ar fáil trí mheán na Gaeilge.
Coláiste Muire is a Catholic voluntary secondary school in the Gaeltacht dedicated to the promotion of Irish as the first language of the community. The school is operated on the basis of the fundamental Christian principle of treat others as we ourselves would like to be treated.
For a small school Coláiste Muire offers an extensive range of subjects at both Junior and Leaving Cert levels as well as LCVP and the transition year programme. Students at the coláiste enjoy the benefits of small classes in a friendly learning environment. A tradition of excellent Junior and Leaving Certificate results exists in Coláiste Muire. One quarter of the students in 2013 obtained more than 525 points in the Leaving Cert with one student getting 600 points. Past pupils have excelled in a wide variety of careers and third level courses. These achievements range from winning university scholarships to national awards.
The school offers a wide range of extra curricular activities for boys and girls such as Gaelic football, hurling, table tennis, soccer, public speaking, drama, and school tours. The purpose of such activities is to foster and develop social and personal skills not directly addressed in the formal curriculum.
Coláiste Muire caters for all students from a wide catchment area, with school bus transport bringing students from all the local primary schools and from Newport, Westport, Ballinrobe, and Castlebar.
Coláiste Muire will be hosting a enrolment and open evening, on Thursday, March 6 from 7pm to 9pm. For more information call 094 9544107, email colmuirtuar@eircom.net or log on to www.colaistemuire.scoilnet.ie
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Coláiste Íde Boarding School
September 30, 2013
Coláiste Íde is an all-Irish 7 day boarding school for girls situated in the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry. The college a very high standard of post-Primary education to students. Dedicated teachers and staff along with daily supervised study ensures consistently high academic results.
Coláiste Íde has a strong focus on personal development and each student reaches her potential in an environment that fosters self-confidence, independence and self-esteem. Students leave Coláiste Íde confident, capable, well-educated and are well prepared to enter third level education and take their place in society.
Contact Siobhán on 066 915 1211
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Seachtain na Gaeilge in the Quay School Westport goes viral
April 5, 2013
The students of the Quay School in Westport who took part in Mamma Mia as Gaeilge.
The Quay School in Westport was taken totally by surprise last week when a short video recording they made as part of Seachtain na Gaeilge was viewed almost 8,000 times.
As part of Seachtain na Gaeilge a large range of activities was organised to take place in the school over several days. These activities included setting up an Irish speaking restaurant in the school for a day, recording children presenting the “School News” and hosting several traditional music sessions in the school hall. A teoraíocht taisce (treasure hunt) was organised for third and fourth classes and younger children took part in bingo – as Gaeilge.
The whole idea of organising these activities was to present Irish language and culture in a fun way for children to use. The enthusiasm of the children was electric. Congratulations to the children and teachers involved and in particular to Katrina Chambers for her work in co-ordinating the different activities.
For one of these activities, the sixth class pupils worked with their class teacher, Susan Murray, to produce a version of Mamma Mia, as Gaeilge. Numerous practice sessions took place in the school over the course of the week, and on Friday, Mamma Mia was ready.
All of the children in the school were invited to the school hall and sixth class dressed in 1970s style clothing. There was a really wonderful atmosphere in the hall as Mamma Mia was performed and a short recording of the performance was added to the school website.
Over the course of the weekend, a large number of past pupils logged onto the school website and emailed messages of congratulations to the children.
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Win the gift of Gaeilge at Mayo’s Seachtain na Gaeilge
March 8, 2013
Gnó Mhaigh Eo in conjunction with Oifig Gaeilge Mhaigh Eo is celebrating Seachtain na Gaeilge 2013 with a Bronntanas na Gaeilge (Give the Gift of Gaeilge) campaign.
A toy, book, or gift will be available to win each day for the duration of Seachtain na Gaeilge (March 4-17) on the Gaeilge Mhaigh Eo and Gnó Mhaigh Eo Facebook pages and on Twitter, as well as spot prizes at some of the Seachtain na Gaeilge events.
Many of us have seen Bábóg Baby and Scrabble through Irish but did you know that there are many Irish language products that are made in Mayo?
It was two Mayo publishers who published two of the best selling Irish language books in the last year. The publishing company Evertype, based outside Westport, recently published an Irish version of The Hobbit, the English version of the book celebrated its 75th year last year. An Hobad features the original pictures and maps by JRR Tolkien. Cló Mhaigh Eo also added to its series of graphic novels with An Béal Bocht, one of the most popular books in Irish based on the original novel by Flann O’Brien/Myles na gCopaleen.
Between T-shirts from Deir Sé and T-Rex, greeting cards from Wild Ideas, Marian Heneghan and Cathal Can Sign, lovely prints from I Love Mayo and Mindful Productivity it is possible to support both the Irish language and Mayo businesses at the same time.
Make sure to keep an eye out on the Facebook page and Twitter feed from March 4 to 17, or go along to one or two Irish events for Seachtain na Gaeilge in Mayo to win your gift. A full list of the events happening across Mayo to celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge is available on www.snag.ie
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Coláiste Sheosaimh mid-term and summer courses now enrolling
January 25, 2013
Bunaíodh Coláiste Sheosaimh i 1960 agus eagraítear Cúrsaí Gaeilge rathúla gach bliain ó shin. Coláiste Sheosaimh is situated about 40 miles west of Galway city.
Since it was first established in 1960 the college has run very successful Irish courses from its two centres in Cárna (Junior College) and Cill Chiaráin (Senior College). The morning classes have been fully revised and restructured to put increased emphasis on oral work in line with the new school curriculum.
An intensive revision course will be held for Higher Level Irish Leaving Cert students during the February mid-term (Feb 8-12). The €350 fee includes full-board accommodation, transport and tuition on all aspects of the Leaving Cert exam – oral, aural and written.
There is also availability on the three-week summer courses running from June 30 to July 21 and July 21 to August 11. The €880 fee includes full board accommodation, transport and tuition. Organisers find that students enjoy their experience both in the college and in its surrounding area.
Is féidir tuilleadh eolais a fháil ó Alma Ní Fhreathaile ar 087 737 6981 nó tabhair cuairt ar an suíomh idirlín www.colaistesheosaimh.com.
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Low uptake on patronage survey so far in Castlebar
November 6, 2012
With under a week left until the closing date for the survey on the future patronage of schools in Castlebar, the Department of Education is worried about the low uptake of the survey by parents.
Labour Party town councillor Harry Barrett told the Mayo Advertiser this week: “I’ve been in contact with Minister Quinn’s office about this during the week and they are concerned about the low uptake of the survey in Castlebar. A low turn out could skew the results and give a result that might not reflect the views of the majority. I urge all parents to take part in the survey and shape the future of their children’s schools.”
Castlebar is part of a small number of areas that were included in the initial survey phase and it can be completed on www.education.ie and the closing date is Thursday, November 8.
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New school classroom announced for Gaelscoil Uileog de Burca
July 13, 2012
Mayo Fine Gael TD John O’Mahony has welcomed the announcement of the further development at Gaelscoil Uileog de Burca in Claremorris.
Deputy O’Mahony has been informed that the Department of Education has sanctioned the building of one new main stream classroom and resource room at the school.
“It’s fantastic news for everyone concerned with the school and I am absolutely delighted for them all. Ever since I was elected in 2007 I have campaigned for this development and it’s wonderful that this has been given the go ahead,” he said.
Deputy O’Mahony said he was acutely aware of the need for these rooms.
“This development is essential for the future of the school which will complement the on-going developments at the school, and at a time like this it’s only right that we pay tribute to the school principal, Marie Uí Mhurchú, all the staff, the pupils and the parents for all the work they did in developing Gaelscoil Uileog de Burca.”
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Opportunities for schools to get funding from Gleo
May 4, 2012
Foras na Gaeilge has issued a reminder that its Gleo scheme will run from now until May 31.
If schools want to enter this scheme there are application forms available on the Foras na Gaeilge website at www.gaeilge.ie/gleo
The GLEO scheme awards English-speaking schools for leading the way in promoting spoken Irish in their schools and communities throughout the year. Schools are selected on the basis of their innovation and creativity and last year 12 schools received an award of €3,000 to spend on Irish language resources and language events for their school.
In 2011 54 schools entered the competition with websites, drama, puppet shows, quizzes and debates included among the varied activities all run ‘as Gaeilge’.
Examples of the events and activities that schools have organised in past schemes are available at www.gaeilge.ie/gleo
THE MAYO ADVERTISER
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