LEE Strand has officially launched the 2024 Lee Strand Homework Journals with an Ardfert pupil having the honour of designing the front cover.
Once again over 10,000 hardback homework journals will be distributed to national school pupils in Kerry.
Pupils were invited to design the front and back cover of the Lee Strand Homework Journal. Millie Lyons, Ardfert NS was announced as the Front Cover Winner 2024 and won €750 for her school and a trophy.
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Sara Prieto, Barraduff NS was announced as the Back Cover Winner 2024 and won €250 for her school and a trophy.
Speaking at the launch of the 2024 Lee Strand Homework Journal, Gearoid Linnane, CEO stated; “Lee Strand is delighted to offer complimentary homework journals to national school pupils over the past thirteen years. Once again, this year we invited pupils to get creative and design the front and back cover.”
“We were delighted with the response, with over 1,000 fantastic entries. We would like to congratulate Mille & Sara this year’s winners of our homework journal competition. Lee Strand takes great pride in supporting the local community and what better way to support our community than by supporting our local schools with over 10,000 complimentary homework journals.”
“The homework journals are one less expense for parents to incur when their children return to school. We would like to wish pupils, teachers and parents a safe return to school and wish everyone the very best in the academic year ahead.”
Schools can receive further information on the Lee Strand homework journals by contacting Lee Strand on 066 7121084.
.A Holy Family junior infants pupil with the Brendan Martin Cup on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
IT’S been just over a month since the Kerry Ladies won the All-Ireland final, but the excitement was still fresh in the minds of Tralee schoolchildren today.
Members of the team, Aisling O’Connell, Aoife Dillane and Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh, along with managers Darragh Long and Declan Quill paid a visit to a number of schools and received a raucous welcome wherever they went.
They began at Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn where Declan Quill teaches and the hall was packed with green and gold-clad children greeting the visitors.
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A visit to Listellick NS saw similar exhilaration in the sports hall with one pupil particularly excited. Sixth class pupil Lauren Hayes won a competition to design Kerry LGFA’s 50th anniversary jersey she said it was an amazing feeling seeing people from all over wearing the jersey.
Kerry players Aishling O’Connell, Aoife Dillane and Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh with pupil Lauren Hayes who designed the Kerry LGFA 50th anniversary jersey at Listellick NS on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
The lads and ladies received a guard of honour arriving at CBS Primary School and faced a serious of question from pupils ranging from who their heroes were growing up to the benefits of playing sports.
The Holy Family pupils’ screaming reached Beatlemania levels in the school hall and teacher Ms Breathnach from Galway managed to get her hands on the Brendan Martin Cup even if her fellow countywomen couldn’t.
Galway woman Ms Breathnach gets her hands on the Brendan Martin Cup at Holy Family NS on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
The town’s biggest primary school, Scoil Eoin, equalled all the others with their enthusiasm while Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí welcomed back past pupils Darragh Long, Aisling O’Connell and Aoife Dillane who joined current pupil Amy Ní Curtáin in being feted.
In all the schools, the players and management stressed the importance of perseverance, hard work and the benefits of sport…while also announcing the primary kids had homework off on Monday and Tuesday. TGI Friday indeed! Scroll down for photos…
A captive audience at Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Kerry players Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh, Aishling O’Connell and Aoife Dillane with Niamh O’Sullivan, Donna Forrest and Maeve Kelliher at Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn Montessori school on Friday. Photo by Dermot CreanKerry players Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh, Aishling O’Connell and Aoife Dillane with youngsters at Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn Montessori school on Friday. Photo by Dermot CreanGaelscoil Mhic Easmainn at the school on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Colm Ó hAiniféin, Aoife Dillon and Declan Quill at Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn on Friday. Photo by Dermot CreanDeclan Quill with son Mattie and Adam at Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn on Friday. Photo by Dermot CreanGaelscoil Mhic Easmainn at the school on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn at the school on Friday. Photo by Dermot CreanGaelscoil Mhic Easmainn pupils with members of the Kerry Ladies Football team and management on Friday. Photo by Dermot CreanGaelscoil Mhic Easmainn pupils with the Brendan Martin Cup on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Young Kerry fans at Listellick NS on Friday. Photo by Dermot CreanExcited Listellick NS pupils on Friday. Photo by Dermot CreanDarragh Long signs jerseys at Listellick NS on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Aishling O’Connell looks at the match programme with a Listellick pupil on Friday. Photo by Dermot CreanListellick NS pupils excited to welcome the visitors. Photo by Dermot CreanLouise Ní Mhuircheartaigh signs jerseys for pupils at Listellick NS on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Kerry players Aishling O’Connell, Aoife Dillane and Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh with managers Declan Quill and Darragh Long with Listellick pupils on Friday. Photo by Dermot CreanYoung Kerry fans greet the Kerry ladies at Listellick NS on Friday. Photo by Dermot CreanChildren in the Montessori school at CBS Primary with Kerry ladies team members and management. Photo by Dermot Crean.CBS pupils excited to welcome the visitors. Photo by Dermot CreanCBS Primary School pupils gave a huge welcome to the Kerry ladies team members and management on Friday. Photo by Dermot CreanCBS Primary School pupils gave a huge welcome to the Kerry ladies team members and management on Friday. Photo by Dermot CreanA guard of honour from young pupils at CBS on Friday. Photo by Dermot CreanCBS Primary School pupils gave a huge welcome to the Kerry ladies team members and management on Friday. Photo by Dermot CreanBack to the old school…Declan Quill at Holy Family on Friday. Photo by Dermot CreanDeclan Quill with his nephews on visit to Holy Family NS on Friday. Photo by Dermot CreanHoly Family pupils with members of the Kerry Ladies Football team and management on Friday. Photo by Dermot CreanLadies men at Holy Family on Friday. Photo by Dermot CreanThe junior infants welcome the visitors to Holy Family. Photo by Dermot CreanA Holy Family junior infants pupil with the Brendan Martin Cup. Photo by Dermot CreanA Holy Family junior infants pupil with the Brendan Martin Cup on Friday. Photo by Dermot CreanThe junior infants welcome the visitors to Holy Family. Photo by Dermot CreanHoly Family NS secretary Maureen Murphy welcome past pupil Declan Quill back with the Brendan Martin Cup. Photo by Dermot Crean
Mary Lucey of Career Ahead has some advice for pupils and their parents for the transition from primary to secondary school life…
I deal with many school students who encounter a variety of problems both with the initial transition into secondary school and during their first academic year.
I feel many of these problems can be averted or avoided by introducing some simple steps or following practical advice even at this stage of sixth class.
New Opportunity
Many students (and parents) are terrified at the prospective of transitioning to secondary school. Be positive about the move. Encourage your child to see it as a new opportunity.
An opportunity to study lots of new subjects that they will really like and enjoy. They will have access to specialised dedicated rooms and equipment, ie kitchens, science labs, woodwork rooms, computer labs, music rooms, etc
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They will meet new people and potentially make great friends. They can play a variety of sports in and after school. They can join clubs and lunchtime groups that will cater for their specific interests ie musical, drama, science, film etc.
If there isn’t a club, they can propose to the school that they will set one up. They will undoubtedly have questions and concerns, so discuss these openly and honestly, not over-emphasising the impending change as this will only cause stress.
Practical Preparation
Visit the school, initially when it is not packed with students, after school hours perhaps. Then again, on a busier day. Arrange for your child to go with another friend who is starting secondary school on the day too.
Take a walk around, allow your child to establish where their base classroom is, what other rooms do they need to know, where is the principal’s office, where do they go if there is a problem, where they eat their lunch, how to locate the first-year lockers.
Transport can be daunting for a first year if they are getting a bus, so locate where buses are parked.
It is important to remember there might possibly 30 buses waiting outside a secondary school – so put a plan in place that enables them to locate the correct bus and a plan in place in case they ever end up in the wrong location after school!
Bullying
The prospect of bullying is a serious concern for many parents. Research has indicated that students with a high level of confidence/self-esteem are less likely to be bullied in school.
Encourage your child to be comfortable in their own skin and to adhere to their own values. Explain the difference between banter and bullying. Bullying is defined as repetitive, intentional hurting of someone.
For the remainder of 6th class, give them control over their homework and organising themselves for school each day.
Over the summer holidays, ensure they engage in activities they are good at, encourage them to assert themselves, even in small ways, ie ordering food in a restaurant, asking questions themselves in shops about prices/stocks, speaking on the phone rather than just texting, giving them a small budget to manage on a weekly basis etc. All these actions will lead to more confidence/self-esteem.
Making Friends
Lots of parents worry their child will find it difficult to make new friends and if new friends will have a bad influence on their child.
If they are very outgoing this will come easy to them. If they are very shy and it is a genuine concern, establish other students who are starting in first year and discreetly arrange some meet ups before the school year commences.
Also, you can ask students in senior classes that you may be aware of to keep an eye on your son/daughter. Encourage your child to try and be-friend just one or two people initially.
Re-assure your child that expanding their circle of friends is a gradual process. Encourage signing up for some out-of-school activities – these are a great way to make friends with similar interests.
Again, the confidence/self-esteem of a child will determine how much negative influence another child may have on them.
Revision
Many students struggle with the increased workload in secondary school. Students often complete homework but the concept of “study” in addition to homework is completely new to a first-year student.
Encourage them for the remainder of the year to make a study plan and stick to it. Introduce the concept of revision and what it means.
This can be expanded upon with the move to secondary school which will enable them to they stay on top of their new secondary school subjects.
Information
Review school documentation/website/social media together, these will outline rules, regulations, expectations, and ethos of the school.
The child will have a clearer picture of what is expected of them and what actions to take when faced with a new situation in secondary school.
Questions
Remember school is for learning and nobody expects students to know everything. Remind them they can ask as many questions as they like when they start in their new school.
Finally, students will be anxious initially and that is to be expected. Being well prepared will reduce the level of anxiety.
Remind your child that all the other students feel the same, irrespective of how confident they may manage to appear on the outside!
• Contact marylucey@careerahead.ie or www.careerahead.ie 087 9338941 for more information.
MINISTER for Education and Kerry T.D. Norma Foley has announced that initial project approval has been given for four new secondary school extensions in Kerry.
The schools to benefit are Coláiste na Sceilge in Caherciveen, Castleisland Community College, Causeway Comprehensive School and Meanscoil Nua an Leith Triuigh in Castlegregory.
All four schools have received initial project approval for new modular classrooms and facilities which can be delivered quickly and have a lifespan of 60 years.
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• Coláiste na Sceilge in Caherciveen is due to get four new mainstream classrooms and two special educational needs classrooms via modular build.
• Meanscoil Nua an Leith Triuigh is due to get a one new mainstream classroom, one new art room via modular build. It will also get a new special education teaching room and an existing room reconfigured to provide for special needs education.
• Castleisland Community College is due to get two new mainstream classrooms via modular build
• Causeway Comprehensive School is due to get one new mainstream classroom and one new special educational needs classroom via modular build
Minister Foley said: “These exciting new developments will help to meet the needs of the students in Coláiste na Sceilge , Castleisland Community College, Causeway Comprehensive School and Meanscoil Nua an Leith Triuigh. I am particularly pleased to see that the projects include new state –of-the-art special education facilities. I look forward to seeing them progressing in a timely fashion.”
The Department of Education is using modular builds as part of its move to modern methods of construction. The benefits include a faster delivery of construction projects and minimising disruption while pupils are attending the school.
.CBS National School decorated Caball’s, Bridge Street, Tralee – Teacher: Sarah Barry and the students of CBS National School, Kerry County Council: Mary O’Connell and Mayor of Tralee, Terry O’Brien.
KERRY County Council and the Mayor of Tralee invited local national schools and vacant shopfront business owners in this initiative in the lead up to the Easter period.
The initiative involved school students designing and decorating their Easter theme on vacant shopfronts around the town.
Using the Easter theme, children from schools including Moyderwell, CBS and Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn used their artistic talents on shopfronts on Bridge Street, The Square and Abbeycourt. Scroll down for photos…
Moyderwell National School decorated Eurogiant, The Square, Tralee – Teachers: Oonagh O’Rahilly, Brenda Coughlan and students of Moyderwell National School and Mayor of Tralee, Terry O’Brien..Scoil Mhic Easmainn pupils who decorated Brudair’s, Abbey Court, Tralee. Included are teacher Brid De Rath, Principal Liam Ó Conchubhair, Kerry County Council’s Mary O’Connell and Mayor of Tralee, Terry O’Brien.The old Brudairs shopfront decorated by Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn pupils.
MINISTER for Education Norma Foley TD and Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications Ossian Smyth TD today launched the next phase of the school retrofitting pathfinder programme.
Up to 14 schools will be retrofitted and upgraded to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B with renewable heating to reduce their CO2 emissions by 51 per cent.
Castleisland Community College and St. Francis Special School in Beaufort are two of the schools included in the programme.
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Education Minister Foley said the programme was helping to test solutions for reducing emissions in a broad range of different school buildings.
“I look forward to seeing up to 14 more schools around the country benefitting through the next phase of this Programme.
“It is really positive to see the results of good collaboration and teamwork and hear the great feedback from the school principals, teachers, pupils and parents whose schools have benefited from previous investments under the Pathfinder Programme.
“These benefits include improved energy performance, a more comfortable teaching and learning environment, and upgraded spaces beyond the expectations of the schools.
“It is paving the way for, and informing, a much larger schools decarbonisation programme, focusing on schools built prior to 2008, as envisaged in the National Development Plan.”
The Pathfinder Programme has already led to the retrofitting of different types of schools in 19 counties. The new phase of the programme will cover schools in the remaining seven counties in the country that had not previously featured in the pathfinder programme.
.St Brendan’s NS Blennerville is one of the new schools to be added to the Hot School Meals Programme.
MINISTER for Education Norma Foley has welcomed the inclusion of 43 Kerry primary schools in the Hot School Meals Programme from April 2024.
The schools have been included as part of a list of 900 additional primary schools across the country who will receive Hot School Meals from April 2024.
Some of the Tralee area schools included are St Brendans Blennerville, Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn, Flemby NS, Spa NS, O’Brennan NS and St Brendans NS Fenit.
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Minister Foley said: “It is such positive news that more Kerry schools have been included in the Hot School Meals Programme from April 2024. The Hot School Meals Programme is an extremely important initiative that helps with children’s wellbeing and nutrition. It is also known to facilitate better education outcomes and I know that today’s announcement will be welcomed by many parents and families.”
“The Hot School Meals Programme has been a tremendous success and it is hugely important that it is expanded to include every primary school in the country.”
MINISTER for Education Norma Foley TD has announced the delivery of €19,825 in funding for sustainable development projects in County Kerry schools.
The successful projects in Kerry were an outdoor classroom and garden update for Ardfert Central N.S. (€5,000), wildlife pond and outdoor study equipment for Meán Scoil Nua an Leith Triúigh (€5,000), Installation of Water Filters and plastic reduction project for Ballyfinane N.S. (€5,000).Outdoor Learning Programme for Tralee Educate Together (€4,825).
Approx. €550,000 is being provided in funding for the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) projects in 65 primary and 64 post-primary schools across the country.
Funding amounts of between €1,000 and €5,000 are being paid to schools who successfully proposed their 2023 / 2024 sustainability projects for funding under the second National Strategy – ESD to 2030.
.Education Minister Norma Foley and Minister of State Ossian Smyth at the launch of the Solar for Schools programme in St Paul’s CBS in Dublin.
MINISTER for Education Norma Foley has urged schools in Kerry to apply for solar panel grants to reduce their energy costs and their emissions.
The Solar For Schools scheme will provide eligible schools with 6 kilowatts of roof-mounted solar PV, which equates to approximately 16 solar panels.
Kerry is one of the 11 counties in the country in the first phase of the Solar for Schools scheme. The Department of Education is contacting Kerry’s 132 primary schools, 26 secondary schools and 3 special schools to encourage them to apply.
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Minister Foley said: “I hope that as many schools as possible in Kerry apply for this scheme to reduce their energy costs and their carbon emissions.”
Minister Foley said that the installation of solar panels would allow schools to make savings on their energy bills every year.
“It will significantly reduce costs for schools by between €1,200 and €1,600 euro per year if they have 16 solar PV panels installed,” she said.
The solar PV panels in schools will be connected to the electricity grid, so that the schools can generate income by powering other homes and businesses with clean energy when schools are closed at weekends and during school holidays.
Minister Foley said that schools can apply for the scheme quickly and easily online using the new School Hub system, once they get three quotes from solar PV contractors.
“It is our absolute intention that it will be very much a user friendly application process. So for the very first time, we’re using our geographic information system as a means for schools to liase wit hthe department. There will be very little time required for an online application and it should proceed very quickly,” she said.
Schools will be provided with funding from the Department of Education to have the PV panels installed by a registered contractor, with guidance from the Department of Education.
The rollout will begin in 11 counties – Kerry, Clare, Donegal, Galway, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Limerick, Offaly, Waterford, Wicklow and the Dublin City Council area in Dublin.
The intention is to include a further eight counties in phase two in Q2 2024 and the remaining eight counties in Q4 2024. It is intended that all eligible schools across the country will have the opportunity to apply to the scheme by end 2024.
.Minister for Education Norma Foley with Principal of Tarbert Comprehensive Richard Prendiville and Deputy Principal Leila Moloney.
MINISTER for Education and Fianna Fáil TD for Kerry, Norma Foley has announced official project approval for a multi-million euro building project for Tarbert Comprehensive.
The project brief will deliver a suite of mainstream classrooms, as well as a new science lab and preparation area, a design and communication graphics room, a home economics room and a textiles room.
This major development will provide for state of the art investment in inclusive education with a bespoke two classroom base dedicated to the provision of special education supported by three additional dedicated resource rooms.
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The Department also sanctioned funding to convert the existing home economics room into an extra general purpose classroom.
The next step in progressing this project will be to appoint a Design Team to design and tender the project and oversee the construction.
Minister Foley visited Tarbert Comprehensive to deliver the initial project approval.
Minister Foley said: “I am delighted to announce this multi-million-euro building project for the staff and students of Tarbert Comprehensive.
“This significant building project is an endorsement of the excellence in education delivered by the school community in Tarbert Comprehensive on a daily basis. This exciting development will ensure they can continue to meet the needs of their students for years to come while also providing state-of-the-art facilities for the delivery of special education which will serve the Tarbert community and beyond.
“I would like to congratulate everyone involved in advancing this project and I look forward to the work proceeding at pace.”
Billy Ryle says college is very costly so students are advised to apply to SUSI for college grants by the closing date of July 6th…
It’s not easy to integrate into college life if you’re making a daily return commute from Kerry to Limerick or Cork.
But that’s the only option facing many students who can’t afford the cost of accommodation. Rental accommodation, alone, has increased by 60% in the cities during the past five years, putting most of it beyond the reach of students.
While, Technological University Dublin’s “Cost of Living Guide” suggests that accommodation costs have marginally stabilised, many applicants can’t consider study in Dublin due to the shortage and cost of accommodation.
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Further and third level education is very expensive. The financial burden is eased a little for students who qualify for a partial or total grant.
Even so, many college students have to work part-time or depend on their parents to make ends meet. Thousands of students who are ineligible for funding must come up with about €12,000 annually if they are living away from home or about €5,000 if living at home. The student contribution also has to be paid.
Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) is the grant authority for higher and further education. Student grants are divided into maintenance grants and fee grants.
Maintenance grants are paid directly to the student’s bank account. Fee grants pay tuition fees, the student contribution and the cost of essential field trips. SUSI grants are available at PLC, undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
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To be eligible for funding, your total household reckonable income must fall below specific income thresholds.
The SUSI website, www.susi.ie, contains tables outlining the income thresholds and the associated maintenance grant rates for applicants.
Income thresholds increase by €4,950 for each additional family member in college. The amount of non-assessed income that a student can earn per annum is €6,552.
The minimum distance from home to college for the higher or non-adjacent grant is 30km. A student living less than 30km from home is paid the smaller or adjacent grant.
About 75,000 students are eligible for some level of standard maintenance grants ranging from €500 to €3,677.
The standard maximum non-adjacent grant payable in the 2023/2024 academic year is €3,677. The standard maximum adjacent grant is €1,613.
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The gross annual income level for standard grant eligibility is €40,875 (less than four dependent children), €44,810 (between four and seven children) or €48,575 (between eight or more dependent children).
There is also a special maintenance grant for applicants whose annual gross income is less than €25,000 (less than four dependent children), €27,400 (between four and seven children) or €29,702 (eight or more dependent children).
That payment is now €6,971, non-adjacent and €2,936, adjacent, respectively. SUSI is prioritising new grant applications until 6th July.
SUSI will process late applications but its best to be on the priority applications list. Submit your online grant application as soon as possible.
Applicants are assessed on gross income from all sources in the 2022 financial year. Applications are assessed as either a ‘dependent,’ ‘mature dependent’ or ‘independent’ application.
A dependent applicant is assessed on the income of parents or guardians, while an independent applicant is assessed on personal income and that of her/his partner.
As the grant is means-tested, visit the eligibility reckoner on www.susi.ie. This facility provides potential applicants with an approximate indication of whether or not they are likely to qualify for a grant.
However, it’s always advisable to submit a grant application. Even if you don’t currently qualify, your financial circumstances may change going forward.
Begin your SUSI grant application by registering for an online account where you can set up your username, password and security pin.
Then carefully complete the interactive application form. Once you have submitted a grant application you can follow its progress on the SUSI Online Application Tracker.
Further information on state funding can be found on www.studentfinance.ie. Most of the institutions also offer a range of scholarships for excellence in areas such as academic, sport, creative arts and entrepreneurship.
Colleges also operate a Financial Assistance Fund for students experiencing financial difficulty during term. Go to the relevant colleges’ websites for further details.
Watch out also for local scholarships such as Credit Union Scholarships available to members. If at all possible, avoid taking out a student loan, but if you must then the best rates are available from your local Credit Union.
CHECKLIST
• Third level education is very expensive
• Many college students have to work part-time to make ends meet
• Many college students depend on their parents to make ends meet
• Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) is the grant authority for further/higher ed.
• Priority closing date for new applications for SUSI grant at www.susi.ie is 6th July
• It’s always advisable to apply for a SUSI grant as your financial status may change
• The gross annual income level for standard grant eligibility is €40,875
• The minimum distance from home to college for the higher grant is 30km
• The higher or non-adjacent standard grant payment is €3,677
• The smaller or adjacent standard grant payment is €1,613
• CAO ‘Change of Mind’ Form closes at 5pm on Saturday, 1st July
• Leaving Cert results will be published on Friday, 25th August
• CAO Round One offers will be available at 2pm on Wed., 30th August
Billy Ryle is a Career Guidance Counsellor and Educational Commentator
THE Kerry Education and Training Board (Kerry ETB) held its annual Student Awards Ceremony at the Rose Hotel Tralee last Thursday to celebrate the exceptional achievements of the post-primary school and Youthreach Centre students during the 2021/22 academic year.
The ceremony, a key event in the ETB’s annual calendar, was held in person, which was a welcome change after two years of pandemic restrictions.
The awards ceremony recognised outstanding students and learners who excelled in academic excellence, leadership, ethos, and sporting excellence, among other areas.
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75 awards were presented to deserving recipients who were commended for their hard work, commitment, and dedication to their studies.
Director of Schools, Youth and Music at Kerry ETB, Ann O’Dwyer said, “I am extremely proud of all of our award recipients. Their achievements are a testament to their hard work, dedication, and the support they have received from their teachers, families, and communities. Kerry ETB is committed to providing high-quality education that supports the personal and academic development of our students. It is an honour to be part of an organisation that places such a strong emphasis on excellence in learning and recognizes the achievements of our students in this way.”
The guest speaker for the evening was Cora Creed, Vice President Strategic Programme Office at Universal Music Group in New York and former Coláiste na Ríochta student. Cora shared her inspirational story and provided words of encouragement to the award recipients.
The Student Awards ceremony celebrated the achievements of outstanding students who are role models to their peers and a source of inspiration.
Colm McEvoy, CEO of Kerry ETB, closed the event by congratulating the students on their achievements also thanking the school principals and deputy principals and staff and Youthreah Coordinators and staff, the Kerry ETB Board, school Boards of Management, their tireless efforts in ensuring that the organisation remains focused on delivering high-quality holistic educational experience that meets the needs of its students and learners. Scroll down for photos…
MINISTER for Education and Kerry T.D Norma Foley today announced payment of €1m in minor works grants for primary and special schools in Kerry.
Schools will have the autonomy to use this funding for maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds.
Minor works funding may also be used for the improvement or replacement of mechanical and electrical services, the purchase of standard furniture and physical education equipment, the purchase of floor coverings and window blinds and the purchase of IT related equipment.
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Minor works grants totalling €29 million is being issued to primary schools and special schools nationally.
Minister Foley said: “Minor works payments are a vital resource in terms of supporting the operation of schools generally and I am pleased to be able to announce that €1 million in funding is now being paid to primary and special schools in Kerry. Given that each school setting is different, individual schools are best placed to decide how best to use this funding to address their particular needs at local level.”
.The Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí team taking part in the Schools Camogie Blitz on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
MERCY Mounthawk Secondary School hosted its second annual Kerry Group’Schools Camogie Blitz on Thursday at Caherslee GAA grounds.
Organised by school staff Olivia Dineen, Stephanie Foley and Martina Lawless, seven secondary schools from around Kerry competed under glorious sunshine in what was a very competitive, yet fun day as local club team mates competed against one another with their respective schools.
Twelve teams competed at junior and four teams at senior level, including Mercy Mounthawk Secondary School, Presentation Secondary School Tralee, Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí, Presentation Secondary School CastleIsland, Castleisland Community College, St. Joseph’s Secondary School Ballybunion and Causeway Comprehensive School.
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Winners of the Senior Cup competition were Mercy Mounthawk Secondary School.
Presentation Secondary School Tralee were winners of the Junior Cup competition, were while Causeway Comprehensive School were victorious in the Junior Shield competition were
The organisers wished to thank local business Kerry Group for sponsoring and supporting the event and Claire Salmon, Group Financial Controller for attending and presenting the prizes to the winning teams.
They also thanked Joe Wallace, the pitch groundsman, the county board for use of the pitch, the referees Michael McCarthy, Brian O’Sullivan, Muiris O’Sullivan and Tommy Guerin as well as our umpires, linesmen and the Transition Year students of Mercy Mounthawk who helped set up and run the blitz. Scroll down for photos…
One of the Mercy Mounthawk teams taking part in the Schools Camogie Blitz on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean.One of the Mercy Mounthawk teams taking part in the Schools Camogie Blitz on Thursday. Photo by Dermot CreanOne of the Mercy Mounthawk teams taking part in the Schools Camogie Blitz on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean.One of the Mercy Mounthawk teams taking part in the Schools Camogie Blitz on Thursday. Photo by Dermot CreanOne of the Presentation Tralee teams taking part in the Schools Camogie Blitz on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean.The St Joseph’s Ballybunion team taking part in the Schools Camogie Blitz on Thursday. Photo by Dermot CreanOne of the Presentation Tralee teams taking part in the Schools Camogie Blitz on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean.The referees, Tom Guerin, Muiris O’Sullivan and Brian O’Sullivan, who officiated at the Schools Camogie Blitz on Thursday. Photo by Dermot CreanOne of the Causeway Comprehensive teams taking part in the Schools Camogie Blitz on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean.One of the Causeway Comprehensive teams taking part in the Schools Camogie Blitz on Thursday. Photo by Dermot CreanOne of the Causeway Comprehensive teams taking part in the Schools Camogie Blitz on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean.One of the Causeway Comprehensive teams taking part in the Schools Camogie Blitz on Thursday. Photo by Dermot CreanOne of the Causeway Comprehensive teams taking part in the Schools Camogie Blitz on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean.The Castleisland Community College team taking part in the Schools Camogie Blitz on Thursday. Photo by Dermot CreanOne of the Presentation Castleisland teams taking part in the Schools Camogie Blitz on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Presentation Tralee were winners of the Junior Cup at the Camogie Blitz on Thursday.The Mercy Mounthawk girls who were winners of the Senior Cup at the Camogie Blitz on Thursday..The Causeway Comprehensive team who were winners of the Junior Shield at the Camogie Blitz on Thursday.
.Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Mikey Sheehy, with St John’s Parochial School Ashe Street and their artwork on a vacant shopfront on Abbey Court. Photo by Dermot Crean
SCHOOLCHILDREN in Tralee have brightened up the experience for shoppers in the town centre by placing seasonal artwork in the windows of vacant shopfronts.
The Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Mikey Sheehy, in conjunction with Tralee Municipal District, had invited pupils from four local primary schools to participate in an initiative to decorate vacant shop windows with artwork.
Using the Easter theme, children from Holy Family, Presentation, St John’s Parochial School Ashe Street and CBS set to work and came up with some lovely work to adorn windows at Abbey Court and Russell Street.
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Ms Collins of St John’s Parochial School said the children from all classes really enjoyed getting involved in the initiative.
CBS Primary teacher, Muireann McCoy, said; “We were delighted to get involved, we were involved last year as well and it definitely make the town look more inviting.”
Presentation Primary first class teachers Maria Foley and Elaine Foley — aided by SNAs Lorraine, Deirdre and Anne — co-ordinated their pupils’ contribution. “The kids did all the colouring and sticking the artwork themselves,” she said.
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Holy Family teacher, Ciara Culloty, said; “First, fourth, fifth and sixth classes were involved, they were really excited to get involved. When they came back to school after last weekend, some of them has spotted their work and got excited.”
Congratulating the children on their efforts, Mayor Sheehy said; “This greatly contributes to the enhancement of the aesthetics and character of vacant buildings for the overall betterment of Tralee through a collective and collaborative approach. We are delighted that the schools and landlords were able to participate in this worthwhile initiative.”
He also thanked Chris Lynch from Kerry County Council for his work on the project. Scroll down for photos…
Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Mikey Sheehy, with St John’s Parochial School Ashe Street and their artwork on a vacant shopfront on Abbey Court. Photo by Dermot Crean.Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Mikey Sheehy, with Presentation Primary pupils and their artwork on a vacant shopfront on Abbey Court. Photo by Dermot CreanMayor of Tralee, Cllr Mikey Sheehy, with Holy Family School pupils and their artwork on a vacant shopfront on Russell Street. Photo by Dermot Crean.Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Mikey Sheehy, with CBS Primary pupils and their artwork on a vacant shopfront on Abbey Court. Photo by Dermot Crean
THERE are currently 1,373 Ukrainian children enrolled in Kerry schools.
The Department of Education has confirmed that, as of December 22, there are 13,753 Ukrainian pupils currently enrolled in the 26 counties.
Out of that figure, 8,823 of these pupils have been accommodated in primary schools while 4,930 pupils have enrolled in post-primary schools. In Kerry, there are 879 pupils in primary schools and 494 in post-primary.
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To assist with the transition of Ukrainian students and their families into Irish schools Regional Education and Language Teams (REALT) continue to operate, hosted by the 16 regional education and training boards around Ireland and staffed by regionally-based education support personnel.
These teams are ensuring that clear, accessible information flows are in place between schools, local education support services and national support structures in relation to people arriving from Ukraine.
Information for parents in Ukrainian and Russian on accessing school places is available on www.gov.ie/Ukraine. The Department will continue to publish figures on the enrolment of Ukrainian children each month.
.Former CBS The Green student Denis Brosnan from Ballymac who achieved 725 points in his Leaving Cert, outside the school on Friday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
IT’S been a long wait, but students who sat their exams in Tralee schools back in June finally received their Leaving Certificate results on Friday morning.
While the results can be accessed online and mailed out to students, some schools in town invited them in to meet with former classmates and discuss the results.
At CBS The Green, one student was celebrating top marks, achieving 725 points. Denis Brosnan from Ballymac received seven H1s and was understandably delighted with his results.
“I was nervous this morning as you never know really, but I had put in the work so I thought I did well. Seven H1s was more than I expected though!” said Denis, who plans on studying Finance at UCC.
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“He deserved it,” said his proud mother, Doris Blackwell. “He worked extremely hard and it paid off. He’s very grateful to all his teachers and the staff at CBS The Green who helped him along the way,” said Doris.
Principal of CBS The Green, Anne O’Callaghan, congratulated Denis and all the students on their results.
“He’s an outstanding young man, it’s the first time we’ve had a student receiving 725 points at the school. We had a number of students with over 600 points and they deserve it,” said Ms O’Callaghan who wished all the students well in their quest for third-level places.
It was the final time students gathered at the Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí in Moyderwell to receive their results (their new school near UHK will be ready well before next year’s Leaving Cert).
Óisín Palmer and Óisín Ó Muirí discuss their results at Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí on Friday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
Students met up and were greeted by some teaching staff and Príomhoide Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí, Ruairí Ó Cinnéide.
“We are delighted with the results achieved by this year’s Leaving Certificate students at and we congratulate them on their success,” said Mr Ó Cinnéide.
“Following a challenging final two years to their second level education, it is great to see their hard work rewarded with such exceptional results. Overall the students and their families are extremely happy with their achievements and we are extremely proud of all our students.
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“Notably over 70% of the students in Gaelcholaiste Chiarraí achieved over 400 points, while three students achieved the maximum 625 points,” he added.
Over at Presentation Secondary School, Principal, Chrissie Kelly, congratulated the students and wished the well for the future.
Presentation Secondary School Principal Chrissie Kerry with former students Ciara Landers, Cáit Rice and Freya O’Connor at the school on Friday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
“Considering the two years the girls have put down, they showed tremendous resilience and received excellent results,” she said.
“Many achieved better results than they thought they would. Everyone who has come in to us is exceptionally happy today, which is testament to the hard work they put in. We’re extremely proud of all the students,” added the Principal.
Over in Mercy Mounthawk, a large crowd of students came to the school to meet up and discuss their results. Principal John O’Roarke was effusive in his praise for the students and the work they put in over the years.
.Mercy Mounthawk students who received 625 points in their Leaving Cert, at the school on Friday morning. From left; Eimear Litchfield, Tim Pollmann-Daamen, Conor Bradshaw, Zakariya Al-Janabi, Cathy Dwyer, Ellen Cooke and Jack Dakissia. Photo by Dermot Crean
“We’re very pleased with this year’s results. The students acquitted themselves very well under conditions that were difficult for them over the past few years. We had a number of students who achieved 625 points,” he said.
“I hope that when the offers of places come out on September 8 that all students get their chosen course. However, I want to remind students that there are numerous pathways to their destination and that is something they need to remember as they await offers of college places,” added Mr O’Roarke. Scroll down for photos…
Leaving Cert results recipients Tadhg Reen, Nathan Moriarty O’Shea, TJ Heaphy and Adam Sheehy at CBS The Green on Friday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean.Leaving Cert results recipients Jack Dakissia and Michael Casey at Mercy Mounthawk on Friday morning. Photo by Dermot CreanPriomhoide Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí Ruairí Ó Cinnéide with former students Saoirse Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh, Ciara Ní Chroidheáin and Aoibhín Ní Chorradháin at Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí on Friday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean.Leaving Cert results recipients Swithin Pais, Jack Clapham and Tommy Burns at CBS The Green on Friday morning. Photo by Dermot CreanLeaving Cert results recipients Samuel Aladesanusa, Katelyn Leen and Kirby Anne Ryan at Mercy Mounthawk on Friday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean.Leaving Cert results recipients Seán and Tim Pollmann-Daamen at Mercy Mounthawk on Friday morning. Photo by Dermot CreanLeaving Cert results recipients Jude Carthy, Kealan Downey and Niall Heaton at CBS The Green on Friday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean.Reviewing their Leaving Cert results at Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí on Friday morning were Emma Nic Gearailt, Máire Sabhaois and Róisín Ní Mhaolaoidh. Photo by Dermot CreanLeaving Cert results recipients Alex Sheridan, Daragh Moriarty and Gavin Flaherty at Mercy Mounthawk on Friday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean.Leaving Cert results recipients Brian McElligott and Ellen Cooke at Mercy Mounthawk on Friday morning. Photo by Dermot CreanLeaving Cert results recipients Matas Balsys and Daire Yeates at Mercy Mounthawk on Friday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean.Leaving Cert results recipient Amy Samy with her mom Rasha Amin at Mercy Mounthawk on Friday morning. Photo by Dermot CreanLeaving Cert results recipients Alayna Gannon, Aoife O’Connor, Ali Lane and Eabha Murphy, at Mercy Mounthawk on Friday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean.Leaving Cert results recipient Jack Dakissia with his mom Mary Brosnan at Mercy Mounthawk on Friday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean..
While starting secondary is an exciting new adventure, many students (and parents!) are terrified at the prospective. Mary Lucey of Career Ahead has some tips which she believes will ease the transition…
1. Normalise the transition setting over the summer — Discuss concerns openly and honestly, but do not overemphasise the impending change as this will only cause stress. Encourage the students to be involved andresponsible for as much as possible in relation to the changeand the preparations.
2. Parents, be discreet on the first day – avoid emotional public displays – take any pics at home prior to leaving the house!
3. Sort out practicalities – the location of classrooms, the canteen, the gym, the toilets – the lockers, the location of the bus home, if getting a lift home, the location of the car outside, etc. These facts can play on a student’s mind, but can all be well-established in advance of the first day/week. Parents can link in with the school directly if need be.
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4. Be organised – have the correct uniform, sports gear, books, etc
5. Meeting new classmates – aim to befriend just one or two people initially. Reassure students that expanding their circle of friends is a gradual process.
6. Establish what out-of-school activities are organised and sign up for these – a great way to expand a circle of friends with similar interests.
7. Develop a regular routine around homework, eating and sleeping.
8. Adopt efficient and effective study routines. Students often complete homework but the concept of “study” in addition to homework is completely new.
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9. Be informed – go over the school documentation/website/social media together, these will outline rules, regulations, expectations, and ethos of the school.
10. Ask questions – remember school is for learning and nobody expects students to know everything.
Finally, remind students that every one of them will feel nervous initially and are all in the same position irrespective of how confident they may manage to appear on the outside!
• For more about Career Ahead go to www.careerahead.ie or contact marylucey@careerahead.ie 087 9338941
.Presentation Primary pupils enjoying the Bill and Fred show.
PRIMARY schools in Tralee and Listowel received a visit from some fun guests before they broke up for the summer holidays at the end of June.
Elysia McMullen and Luisa Schmitz perform as Bill and Fred – a clown duo who merge dance, clowning, circus and theatre and they were in Kerry recently, bringing their show Bill and Fred’s Adventures to a number of schools.
The performances were facilitated by Kerry County Council’s dancer in residence, Catherine Young. The residency is funded by Kerry County Council and the Arts Council and supported by Creative Ireland Kerry.
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“It’s really important that children have an opportunity to experience live performance by dance artists, as well as also getting a chance to dance and move themselves,” says Catherine Young. “I had seen Bill and Fred perform for a young audience in Limerick and I knew they would bring a show full of fun and energy to Kerry school children.”
The schools visited were Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn and Presentation Primary School in Tralee and Gaelscoil Lios Tuathail in Listowel. Each school was treated to a performance and a dance workshop afterwards.
The Bill and Fred show came to Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn.
“It was engaging, interactive, funny, entertaining and had a little message too which was lovely and meaningful for the children,” says Helena Hennessy, Assistant Principal and Arts Co-ordinator at Presentation Primary, Tralee.
“They loved it. They were talking about it for the rest of the day. They were asking me afterwards when would Bill and Fred be coming back!”
“We were delighted to have Elysia and Luisa with us under the dancer in residence programme – this was a great opportunity for children to access free dance performance and learn about movement in a relaxed and fun-filled way,” says Kate Kennelly, Arts Officer with Kerry County Council. Scroll down for photos…
Presentation Primary pupils enjoying the Bill and Fred show..The Bill and Fred show came to Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn.The Bill and Fred show came to Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn..Children at Gaelscoil Lios Tuathail in Listowel enjoying the Bill and Fred show.Children at Gaelscoil Lios Tuathail in Listowel enjoying the Bill and Fred show..Children at Gaelscoil Lios Tuathail in Listowel enjoying the Bill and Fred show.Children at Gaelscoil Lios Tuathail in Listowel enjoying the Bill and Fred show..Presentation Primary pupils enjoying the Bill and Fred show.
.National Broadband Ireland (NBI) ‘Imagine the Future’ competition overall winner DJ Poff (aged 12) from Boheshill National School, Kerry. Photo: Conor McCabe
A STUDENT from a Kerry school won the top prize at the National Broadband Ireland ‘Imagine the Future’ national final.
DJ Poff from Boheshill National School in Glencar was named the overall winner of the competition while a schoolmate, Colin O’Shea, was also among the prizes getting third in the 2nd to 4th class category.
National Broadband Ireland (NBI), the company delivering the National Broadband Plan (NBP), hosted 100 primary school students, from Junior Infants to Sixth Class, at an event at the Barretstown fun camp in Kildare for the presentation of prizes to the winners of the national final of the competition.
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The competition invited students in the 679 schools in the NBP intervention area to create a piece of art to represent the world of possibilities that will be opened up by high-speed broadband.
Project entries ranged from robot surgeons to interactive classrooms where VR headsets transport you to Ancient Egypt to wander around the pyramids. A key theme across the shortlisted entries was the focus on solar powered systems to reduce the impact of fossil fuels.
NBI Chairman David McCourt presented the top prize to DJ Poff from Boheshill National School, whose project imagined a world of hydro-powered cars, solar-powered shoes, and homes built on raised platforms to allow plants and animals to live freely in their natural habitat.
The project also highlighted the use of artificial intelligence [AI] to monitor our homes and reduce theft.
MINISTER for Education Norma Foley TD announced a major expansion of the DEIS – Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools programme that will see the programme extended to an additional 15 schools across Kerry, including some in Tralee.
The DEIS programme is being significantly expanded and eligible schools will now gain access to targeted supports to address educational disadvantage.
Schools in the DEIS programme avail of a range of targeted supports aimed at tackling educational disadvantage, including additional classroom teaching posts, home-school community liaison coordinator posts, DEIS grant funding and access to the School Completion Programme.
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The announcement sees an additional investment of €32million per annum being allocated to the 310 schools being added to the programme nationally.
The schools being added to the programme in Kerry are:
DEIS Rural Schools
SN Mhuire De Lourdes, Lixnaw
SN An Leana Mhoir, Ballylongford
Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal, Lixnaw
Tarbert National School
Scoil Naomh Iosef, Tralee
Scoil Náisiúnta Cillín Liath, Killarney
Sn Oilibhear Naofa, Ballylongford
Ballyduff National School
DEIS Urban Band 1
Muire Gan Smal, Chapelisland
St Johns Parochial School, Tralee
S N Mhuire na mBraithre, Tralee
Holy Family Tralee
DEIS Urban Band 2
Listowel Presentation Primary
Naomh Chartaigh, Castleisland
Realt Na Maidne, Listowel
Minister Foley said: “I am delighted to announce today the largest-ever single investment in the DEIS programme and in particular the addition of 15 new schools in Kerry. I have no doubt that today’s announcement will be of enormous benefit to the staff, students, parents and guardians in these schools.
“The DEIS programme is an internationally recognised, proven programme that provides targeted resources to schools with the highest levels of concentrated educational disadvantage to supports their students to have an equal opportunity to achieve their potential in education.
“This announcement follows an intensive undertaking of work by the DEIS technical group, which involved valuable input from stakeholders. The refined DEIS identification model builds on the objectivity and fairness of the 2017 version, but now captures a greater breadth of disadvantage and accounts for severity of disadvantage through the application of a weighted process. It also takes into consideration the significant educational disadvantage experienced by Traveller and Roma learners and of students residing in direct provision or emergency homeless accommodation. Using this approach we can extend the additional targeted supports of the DEIS programme to those schools serving high concentrations of students at risk of educational disadvantage and be confident that the largest investment to date in the DEIS programme is being provided to those schools most in need.”
From September 2022, these schools will access all supports under the programme to match their respective band. Schools are assigned to the DEIS bands based on the location of the school and their level of concentrated educational disadvantage.
SCHOOLS in Kerry will close tomorrow as a result of the Status Red Storm Warning on Friday morning.
The National Emergency Coordination Committee met this morning to consider the response to Storm Eunice.
It has been decided schools in Kerry and Cork under a Red Warning and schools in counties under an Orange alert — Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo and Roscommon — where there is a snow/ice warning, will close.
BREAKING: Schools in 7 counties are to close tomorrow due to Storm Eunice. The affected counties: Cork and Kerry which are under a red warning and Donegal, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon which are under an orange snow and wind warning which is a multi hazard event @rtenews
.Jimmy Culhane and Mary Kate Crowley of St Ita’s and St Joseph’s with Mayor Johnnie Wall. Photo by Dermot Crean
THE Mayor of Tralee presented prizes to students from Tralee schools on Friday morning after they got creative for Christmas.
Tralee Municipal District in collaboration with Kerry County Museum invited students from local primary schools to participate in an initiative in the lead up to the Christmas period.
This Christmas-themed initiative encouraged the schools to design and create arts and crafts which would then be displayed at Kerry County Museum for the month of December.
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Four schools participated in the initiative — St John’s Parochial National School, Scoil Eoin National School, Tralee Educate Together National School and St Ita’s & St Joseph’s School.
They constructed some imaginative cribs and festive scenes with Mayor Johnnie Wall very impressed with their efforts as he handed out the prizes. Scroll down for photos…
Mayor Johnnie Wall makes a presentation to Evie Giles and Grace Kirby of St John’s Parochial School, Ashe Street. Photo by Dermot Crean.Teacher Gail Kelly with Tralee Educate Together pupils and Mayor Johnnie Wall at the presentation. Photo by Dermot CreanThe Christmas-themed creations from pupils which will be on display for the month at Kerry County Museum.
MINISTER for Education and Kerry TD Norma Foley has today €1.5m ICT funding for schools across Kerry to support the use of digital technologies within the classroom.
This funding will issue to primary and secondary schools around the county in the form of grant payments, allowing schools flexibility in the use of the funding.
The funding is paid depending on a school’s enrolment. For example, a primary school with 100 pupils will receive €8,000 under this scheme and a secondary school with 500 students will receive €22,311.
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This funding was secured as part of an investment programme for the Department of Education in the Government’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) approved by the European Council.
Minister Foley said: “All of our children and young people must be prepared to learn, work and live in a digital world. This is particularly true in a county such as Kerry where remote working and online connectivity offer huge opportunity.
“School communities made incredible strides in digital teaching and learning during the pandemic. An enormous effort was made by teachers and students, and a huge amount has been learned. This funding will support schools to maximise their capacity to engage fully with digital technology and development of digital skills.”
A LOCAL councillor said something has to be done about the traffic bottlenecks outside some Tralee schools during drop-off and collection times.
Sinn Féin Cllr. Cathal Foley had a motion before the meeting of Tralee Municipal District of Kerry County Council on Monday, that the Council carry out a traffic survey at all schools in Tralee town to see what measures are needed to alleviate bottlenecks.
Cllr Foley gave the example of the situation on the Caherslee and Bracker O’Regan roads outside Mercy Mounthawk Secondary School.
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He said the traffic bottleneck at the school in the morning is “absolutely ridiculous”, with cars parked on cycle lanes. Cllr Foley said students are being encouraged to cycle to school, but the lanes were blocked by vehicles and not clearly visible.
Labour Cllr Terry O’Brien agreed that there should be clearly defined drop-off and collection points but he said at the moment, motorists have nowhere else to go.
Cllr O’Brien said people need to drop off the kids and then leave immediately and not stay to “talk about the weather” with other parents.
In reply, Council Management said while schools in themselves generate significant volumes of traffic, their typical start and finish times largely coincide with daily peak traffic times which can result in congestion locally.
Kerry County Council’s Active Travel Co-Ordinator in conjunction with An Taisce Greens Schools Infrastructural Officer are currently engaging with Mounthawk, CBS Primary, Presentation Primary, Presentation Secondary and Moyderwell Primary and as part of this engagement, appropriate means of reducing car dependence and the suitability of programmes such as “Park and Stride” are being considered.
These initiatives have the potential to reduce traffic congestion in the immediate vicinity of participating schools.
THREE young entrepreneurs from the Corca Dhuibhne Gaeltacht are aiming to put Europe under their spell next week using Irish mythology to create a winning magic formula at the JA Europe Company of the Year Competition.
‘Cártaí Feasa’ was established by Sibéal Ní Ógáin, Aoife Feirtéar and Caoimhe Ní Bheaglaoich from Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne and the young west Kerry entrepreneurs will represent Ireland at the JA Europe Company of the Year Competition which is being hosted virtually by JA Lithuania and which runs until July 15th.
This is the third time that the winners of Údarás na Gaeltachta’s Clár na gComhlachtaí entrepreneurship competition will have the opportunity to participate at the European level of the competition.
The voting will remain open until 6pm on July 13th where the public can vote early and often for the West Kerry entrepreneurs!
Cártaí Feasa is an innovative greeting card mini company telling the story of Irish folklore tales but the QR code on the back of each card whisks the user to another world online where the stories can be accessed in Irish and English.
The Corca Dhuibhne entrepreneurs fought off stiff opposition from more than 600 transition year students from Gaeltacht schools in Donegal, Mayo, Galway, Kerry Cork, Waterford and Meath to scoop the national Údarás na Gaeltachta Clár na gComhlachtaí competition in April.
The national final, also held online due to COVID-19 restrictions, gave Cártaí Feasa valuable experience in competing in a virtual environment and they managed to come out on top based on the quality of their innovative business idea and overall performance on the day.
The successful company from Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne were mentored by their business studies teacher Trish Uí Éanacháin who helped them to develop their business idea along with support from Údarás na Gaeltachta and Junior Achievement Ireland executives.
During the course of the virtual European Final Sibéal, Aoife and Caoimhe will present their product, company, progress and plans to the judges and to other competing junior entrepreneurs from other EU member states.
A NUMBER of Tralee schools are among the 170 nationally which have been notified that they have been selected for inclusion in the first round of the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme to support walking and cycling infrastructure for primary and post-primary schools.
Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk, Moyderwell Mercy Primary School, Presentation Secondary School, Presentation Primary School and CBS Primary School have been selected.
The announcement has been welcomed by Minister for Education Norma Foley and Kerry Green Party Chairperson, Anluan Dunne.
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“Walking and cycling to school is healthier for children but safety has been of major concern to parents,” said Anluan Dunne.
“The Safe Routes to School initiative aims to tackle that problem and reclaim the area around schools for the safety of our children. It should also alleviate the traffic congestion caused around schools at drop-off and pick-up times I’m delighted to see five Tralee schools included in this first round and I hope to see many more schools in Kerry applying for the scheme in the future.”
Minister Foley said; “It is clear from the level of interest in the Safe Routes to School programme that school communities are committed to finding new and creative means of walking, scooting and cycling safely to school. I look forward to seeing the imaginative and fun ways our communities reinvent these active pathways to schools.”
The Safe Routes to School programme aims to create safer walking and cycling routes within communities, alleviate congestion at the school gates and increase the number of students who walk or cycle to school by providing walking and cycling facilities.
The improvements to the school commute range from an upgraded footpath or new cycle lane to a complete reworking of the road outside a school’s entrance. Cycle and scooter parking will be provided to most schools that are part of the programme.
Precise details of the works to be undertaken in and around the individual schools will be determined after a detailed assessment has been carried out by the relevant local authority. The process of engagement between the schools, NTA and the local authorities is already under way.
The programme is funded by the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority (NTA) and is supported by the Department of Education.
An Taisce’s Green-Schools is co-ordinating the programme, while funding will be made available to local authorities which will play a key part in delivering the infrastructure along access routes and at the school gate.
.Mercy Mounthawk pupils with Mayor of Tralee Terry O’Brien at the decorated shopfront at Abbeycourt (near Peter Mark). Photo by Dermot Crean
FOUR local Secondary Schools have participated in an initiative developed by the Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Terry O’Brien to design and decorate Christmas themed vacant shopfronts in the town centre.
The Mayor said the initiative has greatly contributed to the enhancement of the aesthetics and character of vacant buildings for the overall betterment of Tralee through a collective and collaborative approach with the schools.
Presentation Secondary School, Mercy Mounthawk, Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí and Coláiste Gleann Lí were delighted to get involved in the worthwhile initiative.
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The students showed great imagination too in their offerings. Coláiste Gleann Lí students had a contemporary take on the Christmas Nativity scene as teacher Mary J Leen explained.
“Jesus, Mary and Joseph are painted in Japanese Anime style. They are wearing masks and social distancing with the three wise men while Jesus doesn’t have to being exempt!” said Mary.
The Mayor expressed his appreciation of the all the schools involvement and acknowledged the support of the property owners and estate agents in the initiative.
“Tralee is looking with the Christmas lights, the addition of the new Christmas tree in Denny Street and this initiative complements that. I acknowledge the effort that the businesses have made with decorating their own shopfronts also,” he added. Scroll down for photos…
Teacher Mr O’Sullivan with Presentation Tralee pupils and Mayor of Tralee Terry O’Brien at the decorated shopfront at Castle Street. Photo by Dermot Crean.Teacher Deirdre Ní Shíocháin with Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí pupils and Mayor of Tralee Terry O’Brien at the decorated shopfront at Ashe Street (old Stuarts shop). Photo by Dermot CreanArt teacher Mary J Leen with Coláiste Gleann Lí pupils, Mayor of Tralee Terry O’Brien and Deputy Principal Liam McGill at the decorated shopfront at Castle Street (old Utensils shop). Photo by Dermot Crean.Gaelcholaiste Ciarraí pupils decorated shopfront on Ashe Street.Art teacher Mary J Leen with Coláiste Gleann Lí pupils at their decorated shopfront at Castle Street (old Utensils shop). Photo by Dermot Crean
MINISTER for Education, Norma Foley TD, has today announced €1.6 million in funding for Kerry schools under the 2021 Summer Works Scheme.
This funding will facilitate a number of important projects to proceed in the county, including roof works in Holy Family NS in Tralee and Caherleaheen NS.
Minister Foley commented “I am very pleased to announce this significant tranche of funding for Kerry schools today.
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This funding will facilitate works under Category 2, roof works, to proceed at primary level and all works under Category 6, toilet and other sanitary facilities, to proceed. The upgrade of toilet and other sanitary facilities has been brought forward due to Covid-19.
“These schools will be notified today to allow them to plan ahead for these works to be carried out during Summer 2021. School staff and leadership have shown such dedication and determination this year through challenging circumstances, and I hope that this funding is of assistance to them.
“This funding is in addition to the €160 million Minor Works scheme which the Department of Education has provided this year to schools.”
The Summer Works Scheme (SWS) is designed to allow schools to carry out small and medium scale building works that will improve and upgrade existing school buildings.
This package will allow Category 2 projects (Roof works) to be completed at primary level and Category 6 projects (toilet facilities) to be completed at primary and post-primary levels.
.At the launch of the VR teaching programme at local schools at IT Tralee on Friday were, Conor Kearney, Abbeydorney NS, Betty Stack, Ardfert NS, Mary Brosnan, Tralee Educate Together, Marie O’Connell, Ardfert NS, Cliodhna Fitzmaurice, Lixnaw Boys School and Dr Joe Walsh, Head Of School of STEM, IT Tralee. Photo by Dermot Crean
A NUMBER of primary schools in Tralee and north Kerry, in collaboration with IT Tralee, have secured funding under the Department of Education and Skills’ School Excellence Fund, to implement an innovative virtual reality teaching programme.
The four participating schools are Ardfert National School, Abbeydorney National School, Tralee Educate Together National School and Scoil Mhuire de Lourdes, Lixnaw.
The funding, designed to support innovative projects in teaching and learning using digital technologies, will see the purchase 60 virtual reality headsets for use in the development and implementation of a teaching tool for the Primary Language Curriculum – English and Irish – through an enhanced learning environment utilising virtual reality and augmented reality (VR/AR) tools. Other subject areas such as History, Geography, Science and the Arts, will also be investigated over the course of the study.
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The project uses VR enabled low-cost digital devices for the creation of a virtual, highly engaging collective learning environment for each student in a class that can be controlled by the teacher. The teacher leads the progress of the students through the environment and can control the pace and level of advancement through the environment to suit the learning requirements of the syllabus and student ability.
The system is based around the Google Expeditions software, which is available for use by schools, free of charge. This software is run on low cost, tablet style devices, housed in a low-cost headset ‘holder’ with all units being tied together through a wifi gateway. All content within the system can be fully vetted and controlled by the teacher at all times from a ‘master’ tablet.
Commenting on the Project, Dr. Joseph Walsh, Head of School of STEM at IT Tralee said, “Children have enquiring minds that are naturally curious and adaptable. Digital technology can create an environment that nurtures these values and harnesses these attributes. It also encourages the competencies that children will need to develop and thrive in future global economies.”
The IMaR Technology Gateway and Lero at IT Tralee, have committed to providing technical support to the primary school teaching staff on this initiative, and will be responsible for installation and maintenance of the school kits throughout the three years of the project, providing technical support to the primary school teaching staff.
Marie O’Connell project lead at Ardfert National School said; “Through the use of a VR/AR tool the pupils benefit from rich opportunities in experiential learning which will be inclusive of all learning styles, needs and abilities. This project and the virtual reality experience it provides will engage and motivate all learners and provide them with the opportunity to engage with the wonders of our world without leaving the classroom.”
IT Tralee will support the schools and teachers at the start of each school year to provide training and outline supports available throughout the year, the first of which took place on Friday last at IT Tralee’s North Campus.
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