Gaeilge
A graduation event was held on 26 November for seventeen parents in the Letterkenny and Finn Valley areas who graduated from the ‘My Child My Vision’ programme.
The parents, who achieved a QQI Level 5 Working with Groups award, have children attending Errigal College in Letterkenny, Deele College in Raphoe, Finn Valley College in Stranorlar, Scoil Cholmcille Primary School in Letterkenny, Scoil Mhuire Primary School in Stranorlar and Scoil Náisiunta Muire Gan Smál in Lifford.
‘My Child My Vision’ is a parent facilitation training programme to empower parents to guide their child through the school transfer process and to support their child’s progression from primary to post-primary education. Having previously been rolled out in four other counties in Ireland, this is the second time it was delivered in County Donegal.
Provision of the programme was organised by the Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) Coordinators in the schools who felt that their parents, some with no formal education or returning to education after a long time, were capable of undertaking the programme. They collaborated with the Further Education and Training (FET) Service within Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB), Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) Integrated Services Manager Niall Rabitt and the six school Principals to bring the programme to the county.
Speaking at the event, Ashlean McGeehan, HSCL Coordinator with Finn Valley College, who led the coordination of the programme said, “These inspiring parents here tonight agreed to return to education and commit to completing a QQI Level 5 Working with Groups Minor Award which would give them the skills to facilitate parent transition evenings in our schools and has since given them the confidence to further their education and/or return to the workplace.
“This programme represents the essence of the Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) Scheme, building the partnership between the home, the community, and our schools. All parents here tonight showed commitment and dedication and worked tirelessly in partnership myself, Donegal ETB FET tutor Barry O’Riordan, our Home School Community Liaison Coordinators Noelle Mulrain (Scoil Cholmcille) Sheila Kelly (Scoil Náisiunta Muire Gan Smál), Noelle Moy (Scoil Mhuire), Margaret McAteer (Errigal College) and Patrice Gallagher (Deele College) to ensure they achieved what they set out to do. Tonight is proof that they didn’t give up.”
Congratulating the parents, Aidan McCloskey, Adult Education Officer with Donegal ETB’s FET Service said, “It’s a privilege to join you in celebrating your successful completion of the ‘My Child My Vision’ course. Returning to education is a rewarding experience, and one of the wonderful outcomes of your success is that you are now in a position to share your knowledge with other parents, helping them to take an active part in their child’s transition from primary to post-primary education. The personal achievement of each student here is also worthy of celebration. You have come to realise your own capacity to learn which has led you to new opportunities in Further Education and Training, in higher education and in the workplace. Congratulations.”
Certificates were presented to the parents by Donegal ETB Director of Schools Dr Martin Gormley. In congratulating the recipients, Dr Gormley stated, “I wish to extend my congratulations to all the graduates of the ‘My Child My Vision’ programme. This initiative reflects our shared commitment to empowering parents with the tools and confidence needed to support their children during the critical transition from primary to post-primary education. Your dedication to fostering your children’s growth and success is inspiring, and I commend each of you for taking this meaningful step. Together, we are building a stronger foundation for educational progress throughout Donegal.”
Last year fifteen parents became the first cohort in the county to graduate from this programme. They had children attending Errigal College in Letterkenny, Deele College in Raphoe, Finn Valley College in Stranorlar, Scoile Bhríde Primary School in Convoy and Scoil Mhuire Primary School in Stranorlar.
