ETSN Educate Together School Newsletter June 2010

In this issue:

2009 Annual Report 2

AIM High Event 3

Public Meetings 3

School News 4 Lord Mayor of , Cllr Emer Costello and student Codie Scully officially open the new building at D7 ETNS. More info on p.4

Educate Together AGM 2010

The 2010 Educate Together Departmental procedures and invite our education system. showing a consultation with school patrons on how dedication to Ireland’s youth that has to AGM took place on Saturday to meet the accommodation challenges be respected.” May 15th at Newbridge ETNS. ahead.” He concluded by stating “The At the open forum at the end of the AGM, Ruairi Quinn TD, speaking from the The key message of the AGM was audience, reiterated the 's the urgent need for new primary commitment to Educate Together and schools across the country. Educate our ambitions at second level. He went on to say that if Labour are a party in Together CEO Paul Rowe, warned Government after the next election, that that Irish schools are facing an commitment will become policy. This unprecedented level of demand, with statement was warmly received by all. 43 areas nationwide needing new schools. A high birth rate in 2007 will have a huge knock-on effect for Ruairi Quinn, TD, Paul Rowe CEO ET, Cathering McGuinness, President of the Junior Infants enrollments in 2011. Law Reform Commission and Eimear Paul said “We estimate 40 new Carey, Principal of Newbridge ETNS. schools will be needed – double the highest amount the Department has Tanaiste has an opportunity to be a real ever opened in one year.” advocate for change in Irish education. We are heartened by her words on New school announcements are taking office and are very willing to assist traditionally made in February, allowing in the implementation of long overdue six months for the school to be reforms that are needed.” established and staff recruited. But with Attendees at the AGM so many new openings anticipated, major The keynote speaker at the event was strains will be placed on patron Catherine McGuiness, President of the resources. Paul added “This is Law Reform Commission who praised The Educate Together Online unprecedented and the old way of Educate Together’s contribution to Irish announcing school openings in February education saying “The advent of Educate Training Course is open for without any consultation would be a Together in the mid ’70s was a catalyst bookings now and places are filling recipe for disaster. I am appealing to our for change in Irish education. To this day up rapidly! Check out page 2 for new Minister to accelerate reform of they continue to advocate for innovation more info. in teaching methodologies and reform of Educate Together Training

Educate Together are delighted to offer our first online Summer Course in July and August 2010; An Introduction to Educate Together and the Learn Together Curriculum. The course is fully approved by the Department of Education and Skills. All participants successfully At the launch of “The Struggle for Shared Schools” were completing the course will Paul Rowe, CEO of Educate Together, Joan Whelan, receive a certificate. Employed Principal, Ranelagh Multi-Denominational School, Dr. Cecelia Linehan, Co-Founder, ACT, , teachers completing the course Minister for Education 1982-86 and Dr. Jonathan Bardon, are entitled to Extra Personal Author. Vacation days.

2009 Annual Report Book Launch Who is it for? This course is primarily aimed at 2009 was in many ways a watershed year A major new work from Northern people teaching in, or planning to for Educate Together. Following the Irish historian Jonathan Bardon entitled teach in, Educate Together schools. It unprecedented opening of 12 new “The Struggle for Shared Schools in was developed in response to a schools the year before, we consolidated Northern Ireland: The History of All survey of classroom our network and planned hard for an Children Together” was launched by teachers, which identified a demand accelerated development programme for former Minister of Education Gemma for online professional development in the Learn Together curriculum. the next 5 years. The securing of long Hussey on Wednesday 26th May at Anyone interested in Ethical term funding investment at the end of Ranelagh Multi-Denominational School. Education, and/or the 2009 gave us a financial foundation on Paul Rowe, Educate Together CEO, Fintan ethical aspects of Social which to base the future expansion of Mullen, Executive Director of the Environmental and Scientific the network. This also allows for Historical Foundation and Cecil Lenihan, Education (SESE), Social, Personal improved services to schools and co-founder of ACT were present at the and Health Education (SPHE) or development of our capacity to create a launch. Intercultural Education will enjoy this vibrant, active organization that can The book chronicles how All course. achieve a lasting reform of Irish Children Together (ACT), the founding education. Although the Department movement for integrated education in What will I learn about? placed a moratorium on the opening of Northern Ireland, started in 1972 in the The origins and ethos of Educate new schools in 2009, Educate Together is face of powerful establishment Together; the four strands of the now better placed than ever before to resistance, both clerical and lay, to a Learn Together curriculum; examples of appropriate resources for significantly increase its scope and vision that would see children of all teaching the Learn Together influence. Key future objectives include; religions and no religion educated curriculum; sourcing and adapting significant growth of our primary school together. material for use in the delivery of network, the opening of our first At a political level it describes how, the Learn Together curriculum. secondary schools, the launching of a crucially, ACT persuaded the British suite of new online courses, investment Government to pass enabling legislation How is the course organised? in new staff in the critical areas of in 1978 for schools to become The 20 hour course is divided into fundraising, communications, education integrated. Author Jonathan Bardon has five four-hour modules: and volunteer support, a sustained spoken to many of those involved from Module 1 – Introduction & awareness programme to drive parent the outset of the campaign for shared Background interest, increased training for schools in schools and trawled through reports, Module 2 – Moral and Spiritual Module 3 – Equality and Justice the Learn Together curriculum and the newspapers, the unpublished records of Module 4 – Belief Systems establishment of a new national office ACT and government files recently Module 5 – Ethics and the and training centre. The whole national opened under the 30-year rule. What Environment office team look forward to working with emerges is a remarkable tale of all our members and supporters to determination, tenacity, courage, How much does it cost? deliver on these objectives. Copies of the dedication and, above all, vision by The course fee is €89. To enroll or report are available from Educate ordinary men and women from both for more information call 01 Together National Office. sides of the religious divide. 4293500 or email [email protected] APPOINTMENTS Aim High The anniversary of Hilary and Tensing’s ascent New members of the Educate of Mount Everest, May 29th, was marked by Together Team the launch of Educate Together’s Manifesto for second-level education in Ireland. Guests arrived at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin’s Mary O’Donovan city centre for a evening of fun and fine dining. Head of Development (Fundraising) “Taking the Next Step- a Blueprint for Educate Mary O'Donovan is originally Together Second Level Schools” suggests an from Dublin and has just education that delivers above and beyond a returned to Ireland after mountain of CAO points. The manifesto proposes an alternative spending almost 10 years in approach to second-level education in Ireland, focusing on a creative the UK fundraising for WWF, partnership approach to learning for students, teachers and parents, and and CARE International. Mary the nurturing of creative, communication, research and critical analysis has a wealth of experience in skills. “Taking the Next Step” can be downloaded from the Educate all kinds of fundraising and is Together website. happy to support ET schools with their fundraising efforts. She can be contacted at [email protected]. Aoife Murray Communications Officer Aoife Murray is originally from Dundalk and has a wealth of experience in Communications and PR roles, most recently at The Base Youth Center and Childcare facility in Attendees at the Aim High event Ballyfermot and Invoke PR & Events. Aoife holds a BA in Communication Studies from DCU and graduated from Trinity College in 2009 with a MPhil in Popular Literature. Aoife is Lucan and Gorey Public Meetings looking forward to working with all members of the Educate Together community. She can be contacted Educate Together's development teams held two successful public at [email protected] meetings for its second level programme in Lucan and Gorey. Both areas enjoy strong local support for the establishment of a local Gerry Breslin second level school. Principal of Portlaoise ETNS At Lucan Emer Nowlan, Ann Ryan and Amy Mulvihill presented and Originally from Co. Donegal, Gerry has taught in took audience questions on the second level blueprint to an Educate Together schools in Lucan and Newbridge, audience of nearly a hundred parents drawn from the five Educate where he also served on the Board of Together schools in Lucan. The meeting was chaired by John Management. Prior to this appointment he held a Holohan. In an vibrant Q&A session many issues regarding the post of responsibility for Ethos, IT and Pastoral Care workings of the proposed model were discussed and issues relating for the Student Council. Gerry has also worked to the ongoing patronage review of the Clonburris school were extensively in the voluntary sector for the past 15 also addressed. The local parents group are currently running pre- years. enrolement to establish an accurate forecast of future pupil numbers for an Educate Together second level school. In 2008, 737 people signed the petition calling for the establishment of the Maria Boyne school. Principal of Holywell, Swords ETNS Maria is a graduate of Colaiste Mhuire Marino and An area that has been discussed in the national media in relation to holds a Masters of Education from St Patrick’s secondary school accommodation issues, Gorey has a new and Drumcondra. In addition she has obtained a very active parents group, lobbying locally to ensure the new school Diploma in Special Needs Education and has for the area (proposed for 2012) will be under the patronage of valuable teaching experience in this field. Maria Educate Together. A well attended public meeting was held in the brings over fifteen years teaching experience to her Amber Springs Hotel on May 12 where Paul Rowe and Emer new role. Maria stated ‘I am thrilled and excited at Nolan presented our second level plans. Subsequent to the the prospect of working with such supportive meeting over 300 local parents signed up to the school and the parents and their families in helping build a strong local council has endorsed the campaign for it to open under school community in Holywell Educate Together’. Educate Together patronage. NEW SCHOOL OPENINGS Portlaoise An new Educate Together National School will open on Railway Street, Portlaoise on August 30th. The new Sensory Garden at Preparations for the school Castleknock ETNS opening are gathering pace. Teacher recruitment is ongoing. graduation and journey onto second School News level education. They are assured of a Holywell, Swords Castaheany warm welcome and a listening ear at the The new Educate Together Castaheany Educate school for years to come. National School in Swords is the Together NS officially 58th Educate Together National raised its recently Balbriggan School to open and the 3rd in awarded Yellow Flag Swords. The school will open in for Interculturalism and Thursday 17th June saw teaching staff September and is currently a Green Environmental moving furniture and resources into their enrolling pupils for Junior and Awareness Flag on new building. The development of the Senior Infants. June 17th. Principal Mary Heany new building can be watched on the expressed her pride at her school’s achievement “This is a great day for Ballbriggan ETNS website, Castaheany ETNS. The children have www.balbrigganetns.com NEW BUILDINGS worked so hard on our intercultural and environmental projects and seeing the Esker AND RESOURCES flags fly is a positive sign to everyone in our community of the great spirit and Esker ETNS recently purchased 8 new Dublin 7 attitude at this school”. Castaheany ETNS Interactive Smart Whiteboards. All classes May 16th saw Lord Mayor of is the only school in Dublin 15 to be in the school now have this state of the Dublin Cllr Emer Costello joined awarded both flags. art technology at their fingertips. The staff by children, staff and parents to would like to thank the Board for their officiate at the opening of the new work in accessing the funding for the building for the Educate Together Griffith Barracks project. National School in Grangegorman. Griffith Barracks Multi The new building is a 16 classroom Denominational purpose built school on Fitzwilliam Carlow School were very Place North. proud to formally Junior Infants at raise their 3rd Green Carlow ETNS spent Castleknock Flag at a ceremony in the last week gearing the school on the up for summer Cllr Ciaran Byrne, Mayor of Fingal 10th of June. They were very honoured holidays and creating a was on hand to officially open a new Sensory Garden at to have David Gunning, CEO of Coilte to huge new summer Castleknock Educate Together join the staff and students in this display, which is taking National School. Containing five celebration. pride of place in their classroom. raised flowerbeds, several interactive works of art and five North Dublin National School Thornleigh sensory installations with mosaic Project May 24th-28th saw design throughout, the Sensory Once again the Multicultural Week Garden was developed as a children of NDNSP take place at collaborative project involving transformed the Thornleigh ETNS, students, teachers, and members of school on Spring including a parents' the local community. Clean Day during showcase, where April. Not even the parents came into class to share traditions and cultures with pupils, and smallest piece of dirt stood a chance of Please note that all vacancies in schools surviving the day! the international food fare, which saw a must be advised to the national office high array of delicious foods from around for inclusion on the Educate Together the world. Both of these events were a Swords website. Please forward all vacancy huge success. Wednesday 23rd June will see 6th class information to students at Swords ETNS celebrate their [email protected]