Gaeilge
The Abbey Vocational School, Donegal Town, under the management of Donegal Education and Training Board are pleased to announce that from September 2018 they are establishing an Aonad Gaeilge within the school. The Aonad Gaeilge will cater for students who wish to be educated in an Irish medium environment, instilling a love of Irish language and culture among the students.
The introduction of the Aonad has been in response to a need identified by a community of parents who wish to have their children educated in an Irish-medium post primary setting. The initial commitment by the school will be to offer the curriculum up to the completion of the Junior Cycle with an ongoing review of provision. The subjects offered in the Aonad Gaeilge will include: Gaeilge, Maths, History, Geography, Science and Religion. Physical Education; Civics, Social and Political Education; and Social, Personal and Health Education, will come under the new Wellbeing subject in the Aonad. Pupils will integrate with the wider school community for optional subjects, for example Metalwork, Woodwork, Technical Graphics, Music and Art. English and Modern Languages will be taught through the language of the subject.
There will also be a strong emphasis on Irish culture and language through a range of new extra curricular activities. Ms Geraldine Diver, Principal Abbey VS when speaking on the initiative said ‘I am pleased to be in a position whereby we have the capacity within our staff to respond to the needs of our local community. I am delighted that the staff of the Abbey Vocational School are excited about the delivery of this new venture and we all look forward to embracing the benefits that the promotion and enhancement of our Irish culture will bring to these students and the wider school population’.
Dr Martin Gormley, Director of Schools in Donegal ETB, paid tribute to the management and staff of the school. He said that ‘ the commitment and expertise of the staff and management of the Abbey Vocational School to this initiative has resulted in a clear plan for provision and an exciting opportunity for students. The community of parents has indicated a clear need and support for the Aonad and we are now looking forward to delivering on the initiative. Ms Rosanna O Donnell, Irish Department Coordinator, with a team of interested teachers have come forward with a range of exciting ideas for the Aonad.’
The Abbey Vocational School will host an information evening on Wednesday 31 January at 7pm in the school for all interested parents in the community. At the information evening further details will be provided and there will be an opportunity for a question and answer session.
Further details are available from Ms Geraldine Diver, Principal, Abbey Vocational School, Telephone: 074 9721105 or email: abbeyvs@donegaletb.ie
