Senior Infants - 2000
Scoil Naomh Brid,
Celbridge,
Co. Kildare
Ireland.
Year 2 - 2000
Our Ladys School,
Amersham,
Buckinghamshire,
England.
Thanks to Caroline for the photo! (:
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Primary School Photos
Senior Infants - 2000
Scoil Naomh Brid,
Celbridge,
Co. Kildare
Ireland.
Year 2 - 2000
Our Ladys School,
Amersham,
Buckinghamshire,
England.
Thanks to Caroline for the photo! (:
Some pictures
Gary Devine
Scoil Mochua Primary School,
Aghards
Yusuf Budwa
Scoil Mochua Primary School,
Aghards
Fr. Tom Norris
Fr. Tom Norris, a theologian at St.Patrick's College Maynooth,Co kildare sent us a contribution for the book. He explains how memories of his Knocktopher Primary School in Co. Kilkenny are tied to joy for him.
He speaks about learning of hero's, heroines, saints and missionaries - and of long lasting frienship with the Master of the school. Very interesting.
He speaks about learning of hero's, heroines, saints and missionaries - and of long lasting frienship with the Master of the school. Very interesting.
Five of the Best - John Noonan
John Noonan sent us in a memory where he got five of the best, he got slapped with the strap five times in one day - ouch! It wouldn't happen today, Thank God.
A lovely piece by Rita O'Donoghue entitled "A Magic Eye"
The writer compares going to school being like a magic eye, it gives you views into the world that you never knew existed and as you grow up and continue to learn you can use all these magic eyes to make our world a better place - Truly magic indeed.
The other side of the story
Aisling Lee speaks of her time in primary school and gives a point of view which is rarely heard.
Bullying was prominent in her life and she speaks of how she went through school life coping with it. She also gives her view on Primary School from a victims point of view. This project she says is 'part of my healing process'.
This insight into bulling is valuable for us all. Many adults and teenagers will recall similar episodes in their own primary school lives. This reflection reminds us how bullying is never acceptable.
Your honesty is refreshing brave and reveals great compassion. Thank you Aisling
Bullying was prominent in her life and she speaks of how she went through school life coping with it. She also gives her view on Primary School from a victims point of view. This project she says is 'part of my healing process'.
This insight into bulling is valuable for us all. Many adults and teenagers will recall similar episodes in their own primary school lives. This reflection reminds us how bullying is never acceptable.
Your honesty is refreshing brave and reveals great compassion. Thank you Aisling
6th years reflect on their memories
The following 6th years have made significant contributions on their time in primary schools located in the developing world.....
Nathalie Lukumu is from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Africa. In Class she shared her story of how there are four National languages in her native homeplace. The language that Nathalie spoke in her home and with her friends was Lingala. French was the official language in Primary schools in the Congo. In school she was not permitted to speak Lingala only French. If You spoke Lingala you were punished with a stick.
This story reminds us of what life was like for Irish children in the 1930's and 1940's when Irish was the prefered language in primary school.
Marta Szulc gave her story on primary education in rural Poland not too far from the german border.
Florina Varga from Romania tells how irrelevant she felt some of the curriculum was in her time there and how she finds the Irish primary school curriculum more engaging for children.
Florina having experienced respect and professionalism from Irish teachers now realises that many teachers in Romania use corporal punishment toaday when teaching. This Florina says 'instils fear in the student'and you learn only because you are scared'. Teachers tend to behave aggressively in the Romanian system of education. Professionals generally tend to discriminate against the poor and especially the Gypsies, even in the schools. There are separate classes for Gypsies. Students in these classes are treated differently to the more middle class child. For Florina she had a positive enough experience in school but she really wants to contribute to changing social policy in her country.
This exercise of reflecting on her early school days, has ignited a real interest in the way children are treated in Romania, 'When I grow up I want to work in Romania and help change society there'.
Inesa Vaskaviciute from Lithuania liked her days in primary school there, She played chess dodgeball and hopscotch. She enjoyed school days.S he studied English, Art,and Lituanian.
Karolina Zdeb from Poland speaks about her classes in diving and swimming twice a day in her primary school. She is an advocate for more P.E. Overall her experience in Polish Primary school was positive though she does rememember being bullied... 'a fact of life' she says.
Helina Solomon from Ethiopia had a very positive experience of primary school in Addis Ababa. She explains there was emphasis on science, not the arts subjects in their curriculum. She wore a uniform. School day was from 9am to 4pm. She studied the sciences including Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Maths, Bible studies, Amharic and English. Helina recognises that she had a priviledged education in Addis Ababa.
All students of class Mandela enjoyed hearing the stories of primary education from their 'new Irish' classmates.
Thanks girls for your input.
Nathalie Lukumu is from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Africa. In Class she shared her story of how there are four National languages in her native homeplace. The language that Nathalie spoke in her home and with her friends was Lingala. French was the official language in Primary schools in the Congo. In school she was not permitted to speak Lingala only French. If You spoke Lingala you were punished with a stick.
This story reminds us of what life was like for Irish children in the 1930's and 1940's when Irish was the prefered language in primary school.
Marta Szulc gave her story on primary education in rural Poland not too far from the german border.
Florina Varga from Romania tells how irrelevant she felt some of the curriculum was in her time there and how she finds the Irish primary school curriculum more engaging for children.
Florina having experienced respect and professionalism from Irish teachers now realises that many teachers in Romania use corporal punishment toaday when teaching. This Florina says 'instils fear in the student'and you learn only because you are scared'. Teachers tend to behave aggressively in the Romanian system of education. Professionals generally tend to discriminate against the poor and especially the Gypsies, even in the schools. There are separate classes for Gypsies. Students in these classes are treated differently to the more middle class child. For Florina she had a positive enough experience in school but she really wants to contribute to changing social policy in her country.
This exercise of reflecting on her early school days, has ignited a real interest in the way children are treated in Romania, 'When I grow up I want to work in Romania and help change society there'.
Inesa Vaskaviciute from Lithuania liked her days in primary school there, She played chess dodgeball and hopscotch. She enjoyed school days.S he studied English, Art,and Lituanian.
Karolina Zdeb from Poland speaks about her classes in diving and swimming twice a day in her primary school. She is an advocate for more P.E. Overall her experience in Polish Primary school was positive though she does rememember being bullied... 'a fact of life' she says.
Helina Solomon from Ethiopia had a very positive experience of primary school in Addis Ababa. She explains there was emphasis on science, not the arts subjects in their curriculum. She wore a uniform. School day was from 9am to 4pm. She studied the sciences including Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Maths, Bible studies, Amharic and English. Helina recognises that she had a priviledged education in Addis Ababa.
All students of class Mandela enjoyed hearing the stories of primary education from their 'new Irish' classmates.
Thanks girls for your input.
Poem 'Outsider' Written By Hannah Walsh Aoife O Brien Susan Mc Cormack
These ladies wrote a very interesting poem contrasting children who go to primary school with children who don't. It highlights the view of a child who does not appreciate the priviledge of primary education. The girls stood in the shoes of children marginalised and outside the loop of school at a young age.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Some Quotes from Primary School Children.
'I like school because we learn something new everyday' Saoirse Farrelly
'It is good to get an education because when we grow up we can get a job. Ms Geraghty my teacher is kind and helps us with everything we don't understand' Grace Fannin
'Science is kind of fun, except when things go boom in my face' Amy Mc Govern
'I like PE because after being in a classroom for hours its good to run around like a lunatic' Adam Devlin Mc Morrow
'My favouritre thing of all would be if I had a homework machine' Cian Gowran
'I don't know what I would do without school like the poor children in Africa' Adam Keogh
'School is an opportunity to make friends' Eoin O' Dwyer
'The uniform is so people know I'm from Scoil Mochua and when I go on trips if I ever get lost I'll be able to find my classmates' Ellie Gunn
'The children that don't get an education, they don't get half the things that you get' Keenan Stack
'School is important in many ways so it should be a part of every country. School is also a place where people make memories' Ciara Keogh
5th Class, Scoil Mochua, Aghards, Celbridge.
'It is good to get an education because when we grow up we can get a job. Ms Geraghty my teacher is kind and helps us with everything we don't understand' Grace Fannin
'Science is kind of fun, except when things go boom in my face' Amy Mc Govern
'I like PE because after being in a classroom for hours its good to run around like a lunatic' Adam Devlin Mc Morrow
'My favouritre thing of all would be if I had a homework machine' Cian Gowran
'I don't know what I would do without school like the poor children in Africa' Adam Keogh
'School is an opportunity to make friends' Eoin O' Dwyer
'The uniform is so people know I'm from Scoil Mochua and when I go on trips if I ever get lost I'll be able to find my classmates' Ellie Gunn
'The children that don't get an education, they don't get half the things that you get' Keenan Stack
'School is important in many ways so it should be a part of every country. School is also a place where people make memories' Ciara Keogh
5th Class, Scoil Mochua, Aghards, Celbridge.
Aghards 5th Class.
Today, six girls from the book committee went down to the local primary school, Scoil Mohcua, Aghards, to talk to the 5th class students about their experience of primary school.
We gave them all an opportunity to express their feelings, through art, poetry or literature. We received about 50 contributions from the students, who were all very eager to get their pieces published. Some of the pieces produced are very moving, and show great understanding of what some children around the world experience. Many of the pieces show what a happy childhood children in Ireland have had through their primary school experience.
We all thoroughly enjoyed the day and it shone a light on the differences between 1st world and 3rd world children.
Pamela Drumgoole,
TY Desta.
We gave them all an opportunity to express their feelings, through art, poetry or literature. We received about 50 contributions from the students, who were all very eager to get their pieces published. Some of the pieces produced are very moving, and show great understanding of what some children around the world experience. Many of the pieces show what a happy childhood children in Ireland have had through their primary school experience.
We all thoroughly enjoyed the day and it shone a light on the differences between 1st world and 3rd world children.
Pamela Drumgoole,
TY Desta.
Friday, February 19, 2010
To school through the fields.....
Eighty two year old Wexford man and well known traditional fiddle player Patrick Kavanagh remembers his earliest days at primary school in Oylegate, Enniscorthy Co. Wexford. The year was 1933.
''Miss Larkin was my first teacher. The games I played included hurling, rounders, and marbles. On the first day of May every year I kicked off my shoes and walked barefooted to school through the fields. All children did the same. It was the culture at the time. We enjoyed that freedom.”
When Patrick moved house and school to Rosslare Mercy Convent Sr. Francis taught him for three years. “I walked three miles to and from school across fields every day not unlike many children in underdeveloped countries today. I walked alone.”
“My music career began at the age of seven. I had piano lessons from Sr. Margaret Mary in the Mercy Convent. She taught me the basic rudiments and from there I played the Banjo, Mandolin and Fiddle. My musical education was the most significant part of my educational experience in primary school and I am grateful for the musical education that the Mercy nuns finely honed. I play the fiddle every day and at eighty two am still learning... you could say I'm a life long learner.”
Patrick Kavanagh, 'Shalom' Kilkenny Road, Carlow.
''Miss Larkin was my first teacher. The games I played included hurling, rounders, and marbles. On the first day of May every year I kicked off my shoes and walked barefooted to school through the fields. All children did the same. It was the culture at the time. We enjoyed that freedom.”
When Patrick moved house and school to Rosslare Mercy Convent Sr. Francis taught him for three years. “I walked three miles to and from school across fields every day not unlike many children in underdeveloped countries today. I walked alone.”
“My music career began at the age of seven. I had piano lessons from Sr. Margaret Mary in the Mercy Convent. She taught me the basic rudiments and from there I played the Banjo, Mandolin and Fiddle. My musical education was the most significant part of my educational experience in primary school and I am grateful for the musical education that the Mercy nuns finely honed. I play the fiddle every day and at eighty two am still learning... you could say I'm a life long learner.”
Patrick Kavanagh, 'Shalom' Kilkenny Road, Carlow.
Thoughts from Canada
Sinéad Keogh sent us this from her auntie and uncle who are now living in Canada.
Sinéad's auntie Julie started elementary school at the Model School, Inchicore, in 1943, aged 5. Julie wasn't always a big fan of school, saying that “ it didn't come easy to her but it was something we all had to do, in hindsight it was a wonderful opportunity that most of the world at that time did not have.”
Julie’s formal education ended when she was 14 as she did not have the choice to go on further. When Julie moved to Canada she took the education opportunities offered by her company and is now retired on good benefits. Julie says “I also have a good pension and benefits so yes I would say my basic education in grade school was invaluable in helping me achieve my goals."
Julie’s husband Joe remembers learning religious instruction at school along with learning to read and write the Irish and English language, basic Math, History and Geography.
Joe says “I must state here how important it was to learn how to read and write English because Ireland’s greatest export at that time was its people. Most went to Britain, U S A, Canada and Australia. I was one of the people who emigrated to Canada in 1965. I can honestly say from my experience, and I have met many from different countries that the vast majority did very well, myself included, Thank God.”
Julie and Joe White, Toronto, Canada
Sinéad's auntie Julie started elementary school at the Model School, Inchicore, in 1943, aged 5. Julie wasn't always a big fan of school, saying that “ it didn't come easy to her but it was something we all had to do, in hindsight it was a wonderful opportunity that most of the world at that time did not have.”
Julie’s formal education ended when she was 14 as she did not have the choice to go on further. When Julie moved to Canada she took the education opportunities offered by her company and is now retired on good benefits. Julie says “I also have a good pension and benefits so yes I would say my basic education in grade school was invaluable in helping me achieve my goals."
Julie’s husband Joe remembers learning religious instruction at school along with learning to read and write the Irish and English language, basic Math, History and Geography.
Joe says “I must state here how important it was to learn how to read and write English because Ireland’s greatest export at that time was its people. Most went to Britain, U S A, Canada and Australia. I was one of the people who emigrated to Canada in 1965. I can honestly say from my experience, and I have met many from different countries that the vast majority did very well, myself included, Thank God.”
Julie and Joe White, Toronto, Canada
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Grandmothers and their Granddaughters agree on the importance of friends and teachers
Two five year old girls gave us their oral reaction to the Question 'Why is school important to you?
Aoife Moloney and Isabella Chesterfield. together with their respective Grandmothers share their thoughts...
'We note from the reactions of these two grandchildren and their grans just how important school friendships, and teachers are in the lives of students. Isn't this true of all children all over the world and down through the years?
We would like to see all five year olds in our world today having an access to primary education like Aoife and Isabella? Can this happen by 2015?
In 1938 Aoife's gran, Madge Kavanagh, was in her first year in Caroreigh National School, Taghmon, Co.Wexford.
She says "My first teacher was very important to my development. Ms O' Loughlin from Gorey Co.Wexford taught me for five years. I learned well in her classroom as she was kind, and she made learning easy".
Madge's grandaughter Aoife Moloney from Gaelscoil Eoghan ui Tuairisc, Carlow has this to say about her first year in primary school.
'I love going to school because..
I love to play with my friends.
I like learning 'jolly phonics',
I love my teacher Muinteoir Treasa,
I love drawing pictures, singing and doing dramas.
and I really love playing games like hopscotch,snake, What time is it Mr.Fox?, Sly Fox, Sticky gooey girl, and Skipping".
Isabella Chesterfield [AGED 5] responds as positively about her first year in primary school. Isabella lives in Guildford, Surrey, England and attends Merrow Primary School.
Chatting about school,Isabella explained why it is important to her life.
She says
"I Love Megan, my friend,
I love Miss Fry, my teacher,
and I love drawing and dancing".
Isabella's grandmother Mu Curtis went to school in the suburbs of London in Surrey during the 1940s. She agrees with her granddaughter that school friends are important to your life. They were key to a happy school experience too.
Mu is still friends with Jennifer Young[Grover] whom she met when she first went to school. Proving the importance of school friends for life.
Aoife Moloney and Isabella Chesterfield. together with their respective Grandmothers share their thoughts...
'We note from the reactions of these two grandchildren and their grans just how important school friendships, and teachers are in the lives of students. Isn't this true of all children all over the world and down through the years?
We would like to see all five year olds in our world today having an access to primary education like Aoife and Isabella? Can this happen by 2015?
In 1938 Aoife's gran, Madge Kavanagh, was in her first year in Caroreigh National School, Taghmon, Co.Wexford.
She says "My first teacher was very important to my development. Ms O' Loughlin from Gorey Co.Wexford taught me for five years. I learned well in her classroom as she was kind, and she made learning easy".
Madge's grandaughter Aoife Moloney from Gaelscoil Eoghan ui Tuairisc, Carlow has this to say about her first year in primary school.
'I love going to school because..
I love to play with my friends.
I like learning 'jolly phonics',
I love my teacher Muinteoir Treasa,
I love drawing pictures, singing and doing dramas.
and I really love playing games like hopscotch,snake, What time is it Mr.Fox?, Sly Fox, Sticky gooey girl, and Skipping".
Isabella Chesterfield [AGED 5] responds as positively about her first year in primary school. Isabella lives in Guildford, Surrey, England and attends Merrow Primary School.
Chatting about school,Isabella explained why it is important to her life.
She says
"I Love Megan, my friend,
I love Miss Fry, my teacher,
and I love drawing and dancing".
Isabella's grandmother Mu Curtis went to school in the suburbs of London in Surrey during the 1940s. She agrees with her granddaughter that school friends are important to your life. They were key to a happy school experience too.
Mu is still friends with Jennifer Young[Grover] whom she met when she first went to school. Proving the importance of school friends for life.
A story from Tom Mc Caughren
We have just received a contribution from Tom Mc Caughren, author, journalist and broadcaster, who lives in Dublin. http://www.tommccaughren.net/
Most children don’t like going to school but Tom tells a story about two primary schools whose pupils actually did like school. There may have been days, of course, when they didn’t like the thought of it – we’ve all had days like that – but their inspirational headmasters, Master Russell and Master Gardner, tried to make education meaningful for them.
Tom credits Master Gardner with having extracted some little talent from his undeveloped mind, and with the fact that he went on to become a writer.
Thanks to Janet for contacting Mr Mc Caughren for us.
Most children don’t like going to school but Tom tells a story about two primary schools whose pupils actually did like school. There may have been days, of course, when they didn’t like the thought of it – we’ve all had days like that – but their inspirational headmasters, Master Russell and Master Gardner, tried to make education meaningful for them.
Tom credits Master Gardner with having extracted some little talent from his undeveloped mind, and with the fact that he went on to become a writer.
Thanks to Janet for contacting Mr Mc Caughren for us.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
School during the war years
Sarah Vance sent us a reflection from her granny, Barbara Vance, who went to school in Norwich, England during WW2. In it she tells us that one day during World War two as she reached the school gates the siren went off to say the planes were coming. So after two and a half miles to reach school Barbara had to turn around and go home, half way there another siren went off which meant that the planes where over head so she started to run home. After being home about ten minutes the 'all clear' came and she began another two and a half miles walk to school.
It never occured to her to stay at home rather than walking back in as she enjoyed school so much. Even after Barbara left school she would go back to the school twice a month just to see her teachers.
Isn't it great that Primary School can hold such happy memories for some people? Oh that all children could experience this.
Mrs L
It never occured to her to stay at home rather than walking back in as she enjoyed school so much. Even after Barbara left school she would go back to the school twice a month just to see her teachers.
Isn't it great that Primary School can hold such happy memories for some people? Oh that all children could experience this.
Mrs L
A prayer from Adi Roche
We have just been sent an Old Irish Prayer that Adi Roche, CEO & Founder of Chernobyl Children’s Project International, likes very much. She feels it spells up a general attitude to life in terms of respect, education, what it is to work, to love, to dream and to laugh. She hopes it will be seen as a universal prayer for children and also adults everywhere.
Adi also sent a beautiful and colourful drawing done by Kristina in Vesnova Children’s Mental Asylum in Belarus. Kristina is an amazing little girl and lived in Ireland last year to undergo very serious medical surgery. She is now 10 years old and lives with a new foster family in Chernobyl Children’s Project International ‘Homes of Hope’ Programme.
Adi also sent a beautiful and colourful drawing done by Kristina in Vesnova Children’s Mental Asylum in Belarus. Kristina is an amazing little girl and lived in Ireland last year to undergo very serious medical surgery. She is now 10 years old and lives with a new foster family in Chernobyl Children’s Project International ‘Homes of Hope’ Programme.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Irish-Canadian remembers primary education in Ireland during the 1940's
We have a very interesting reflection from Brendan Munnelly,an Irish Canadian living in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
His story is a reflection of Primary school education in the 1940s at a truly national level because it takes us through his experiences in three Counties Galway, Donegal and Wexford.
Each School and teacher was significant and made a difference to his life.He has many positive memories. He says doing mental maths in 6th class was a life long skill that has served him well.
He says he hasn't considered the significance of his primary education until now when asked to do so for our Book Project.
Mrs. K.B
I thought that this extract from Brendans reflection was very interesting..........
"I will never forget the solid grounding in all the subjects given me at that little school in Donegal. And not just the schooling, I had good friends and we had a lot of fun and even a few fights. We lived in the country and there was never a shortage of things to do, building play houses, flying down hills on homemade carts. I am sure some of it was dangerous but none of us cared. We would get cuts and bruises and take them home to mum who would bandage us up and then give a scolding for being so reckless."
Oh that all children could go to school and then go home and play houses, or fly down hills on homemade carts.
Mrs L
His story is a reflection of Primary school education in the 1940s at a truly national level because it takes us through his experiences in three Counties Galway, Donegal and Wexford.
Each School and teacher was significant and made a difference to his life.He has many positive memories. He says doing mental maths in 6th class was a life long skill that has served him well.
He says he hasn't considered the significance of his primary education until now when asked to do so for our Book Project.
Mrs. K.B
I thought that this extract from Brendans reflection was very interesting..........
"I will never forget the solid grounding in all the subjects given me at that little school in Donegal. And not just the schooling, I had good friends and we had a lot of fun and even a few fights. We lived in the country and there was never a shortage of things to do, building play houses, flying down hills on homemade carts. I am sure some of it was dangerous but none of us cared. We would get cuts and bruises and take them home to mum who would bandage us up and then give a scolding for being so reckless."
Oh that all children could go to school and then go home and play houses, or fly down hills on homemade carts.
Mrs L
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Pretty Poems
Mairead A Burke is a twelve year old girl who attends Presentation Girls Primary School in Maynooth, she is in 6th class and her favourite subject is English.
Mairead began writing poetry a year ago.
She sent us in some beautiful poems one of which is titled "Education". In this poem she ponders the question "What is school to me?".
Another young girl who have submitted us poetry is 10 3/4 year old Chloe Walsh. In her poem titled "School" she tells us that school is fun and how much she loves it.
Thank you so much Mairead and Chloe for your contributions. It is great to have primary students involved in this inspiring project.
Mairead began writing poetry a year ago.
She sent us in some beautiful poems one of which is titled "Education". In this poem she ponders the question "What is school to me?".
Another young girl who have submitted us poetry is 10 3/4 year old Chloe Walsh. In her poem titled "School" she tells us that school is fun and how much she loves it.
Thank you so much Mairead and Chloe for your contributions. It is great to have primary students involved in this inspiring project.
Short skirts and curls!
This is Anna and her sisters Gracie and Tessie. Anna remembers that Mother Brendan would pin brown paper around the hem of your skirt to bring your hem level below your knee.
One day Gracie used pipe cleaners to curl her hair and went to school with a head of beautiful curls. Mother Brendan took her out to the water pump in the school yard, put her head under it and pumped the water to straighten her hair!!
The nuns believed in those days that short skirts and curls were not modest.
Mrs L
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Class Selam
Selams thoughts on Millenium Development Goal No. 2 'Primary Education for all'
No play.
No Socialisation.
No Reading.
No Writing.
No Opportunities.
No Growth.
No Change.
No Dreams.
= No Childhood.
No play.
No Socialisation.
No Reading.
No Writing.
No Opportunities.
No Growth.
No Change.
No Dreams.
= No Childhood.
Monday, February 8, 2010
A poem by Emer Martin
We have just received a lovely poem from Emer Martin the Irish novelist, painter and film-maker.
Her poem is dedicated to the millions of children who are not allowed to go to school because they were born female and is entitled AN INVISIBLE PRIVILEGE.
Her poem is dedicated to the millions of children who are not allowed to go to school because they were born female and is entitled AN INVISIBLE PRIVILEGE.
Ali's Gran says...
Ali recently interviewed her Gran about her school days and she ended the interview saying
"Primary education is very important in life. It’s needed to make a good start at life. You meet people there who will stick with you and be friends for life too."
"Primary education is very important in life. It’s needed to make a good start at life. You meet people there who will stick with you and be friends for life too."
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Responses so far
We are continuing to receive contributions for our book and look forward to receiving more.
So far we have received contributions from, among others, the Irish artist Don Conroy,singer songwriter and priest Fr. Liam Lawton, Governor of Mountjoy Prison Mr. John Lonergan,Garda Commissioner Fachta Murphy, Irish poet Denis O Driscoll, Irish Ambassador to US, HE Mr Michael Collins, Ex Taoiseach John Bruton, and Minister for Social and Family Affairs Mary Hanafin.
We have photographs from Suas Educational Development, Camara, and Friends of Londiani.
We have promises of contributions from footballer Packie Bonner,
journalists Joanne Cantwell and Kevin Myres, and from Jim Clarken, Chief Executive of Oxfam Ireland. Darran Irvine from 'Schools Across Borders' will send us some contributions from the Middle East soon.
The team are continuing to work on their 'contacts'!
So far we have received contributions from, among others, the Irish artist Don Conroy,singer songwriter and priest Fr. Liam Lawton, Governor of Mountjoy Prison Mr. John Lonergan,Garda Commissioner Fachta Murphy, Irish poet Denis O Driscoll, Irish Ambassador to US, HE Mr Michael Collins, Ex Taoiseach John Bruton, and Minister for Social and Family Affairs Mary Hanafin.
We have photographs from Suas Educational Development, Camara, and Friends of Londiani.
We have promises of contributions from footballer Packie Bonner,
journalists Joanne Cantwell and Kevin Myres, and from Jim Clarken, Chief Executive of Oxfam Ireland. Darran Irvine from 'Schools Across Borders' will send us some contributions from the Middle East soon.
The team are continuing to work on their 'contacts'!
Sarah's thoughts so far
I was quite excited to get involved in this project after looking at the book that was produced last year. We have been involved in many different things such as asking grandparents or older people in the community about their experience of primary school and how it benifited them. We have also been contacting people in sport, journalism and music for differnt outlooks on primary education.
So far I have really enjoyed this experience and look forward to seeing the end product and hope that it raises awareness of how important it is to have a primary education.
Sarah Vance:)
So far I have really enjoyed this experience and look forward to seeing the end product and hope that it raises awareness of how important it is to have a primary education.
Sarah Vance:)
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Anna's memories
I really enjoyed talking with my mother-in-law, Anna, at Christmas about her Primary school days. As we talked her son and daughters listened as well and I can safely say they learnt things about their mothers school days that they hadn't known before. It was a great opportunity for the family to find out more about their mum's childhood.
Anna went to the Faithful Companions of Jesus National School in Bruff, Co Limerick, with her sisters and brothers. She is the youngest child and can remember being so keen to go to school that one day, aged almost 4 years, she followed her sisters, Gracie and Tessie, to school and the nuns allowed her to stay until lunchtime!
When she did eventually get to school, Anna remembered going to Herr's Bakery each lunch time hoping to be first in line to buy a penny bun with a sugar crust for her lunch. The corner crusty ones were the best, they had lots of sugary crust and might even have some currents if you were lucky:) She also remembered that before lunch each day a box of jam sandwiches would be sent down from the convent kitchen and the sandwiches were handed out to the poorer children who had no lunch. After school these children would sweep up the school yard and get more sandwiches before going home for the day. These girls often went "into service" because they could not afford to pay for secondary school.
I'll keep some more of Anna's stories for another time.
Mrs L
Sr Cáit remembers....
Sr Cáit remembers her Primary school days in Room One in a two-teacher school. There was an open fire where bottles of milk, brought from home each day, were warmed. She remembers poorer girls bringing ‘purple sandwiches’ for their lunch, butterless bread, filled with blackberry jam.
Her earliest school teacher was a Kerry woman, who would drape her shawl around Sr Cáits shoulders each day after lunch so she could have a post-prandial nap.
Sr Cáit had a drawing book, interleaved with tissue paper, and she delighted in sketching swans, boats, apple trees and princesses, places and people, real and imaginary.
Miss O’Connor taught knitting but Sr Cáit had to abandon the scarf she was knitting for her dad because it simply grew too wide to fit on the needles. She was also taught to sew, to do wonders in mending and to ‘turn a heel’ in a sock. She loved sewing.
The Parish Priest would visit on the last day of each school year. Every girl who hadn’t missed a single day from school was given a small envelope containing a shilling. Sr Cáit remembers winning this prize, riches beyond compare, at least once.
Sr Cáit says “My memories of Primary School, from those hazy earliest ones of my three year old self, are treasured for what they hold of promise and fulfillment, of gift and privilege. Would that every child, everywhere, were equally blessed! “
Sr Cáit Mulligan CHF
Her earliest school teacher was a Kerry woman, who would drape her shawl around Sr Cáits shoulders each day after lunch so she could have a post-prandial nap.
Sr Cáit had a drawing book, interleaved with tissue paper, and she delighted in sketching swans, boats, apple trees and princesses, places and people, real and imaginary.
Miss O’Connor taught knitting but Sr Cáit had to abandon the scarf she was knitting for her dad because it simply grew too wide to fit on the needles. She was also taught to sew, to do wonders in mending and to ‘turn a heel’ in a sock. She loved sewing.
The Parish Priest would visit on the last day of each school year. Every girl who hadn’t missed a single day from school was given a small envelope containing a shilling. Sr Cáit remembers winning this prize, riches beyond compare, at least once.
Sr Cáit says “My memories of Primary School, from those hazy earliest ones of my three year old self, are treasured for what they hold of promise and fulfillment, of gift and privilege. Would that every child, everywhere, were equally blessed! “
Sr Cáit Mulligan CHF
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Emma's work, and her reaction
When I first heard that we were doing the book on the Millennium Development Goal 2 (Primary Education for all). I was very excited and thought it would be a fun project. So far I have got addresses for people to write to and I also interviewed my grandmother on what primary school was like in her time and what she thought of it.
It was fun to learn new things and see how it was different from my primary school days.
I know that there's lots more to come so I'll be very busy,
Talk to you soon!
Emma M
It was fun to learn new things and see how it was different from my primary school days.
I know that there's lots more to come so I'll be very busy,
Talk to you soon!
Emma M
Monday, February 1, 2010
Eileen's work, and her reaction
So far the book is going down well with the TY's and 5th Years, everyone is getting down to work and trying their best to have the book done by the deadline. Last Tuesday the 26th of January we all got together to discuss what contacts everyone had and the work they had done. Everyone seemed to have a good bit done. Ms Kavanagh Bracken assigned myself and Ellie to get in contact with a Primary school in Melbourne. We all, also have to ask our grandparents about Primary school in their time and I really see a difference between my primary school days and my grandmothers.
Eileen Maher
Eileen Maher
Ellie's work, and her reaction
The start of this year was the start to my Transition Year experience, and I told myself from the beginning I was going to get involved in lots of ways and in lots of different projects.
When I first heard about the Book project, I was immediately interested and knew that I wanted to be a part of it.
A group of enthusiastic TY's got involved and the work got off to a great start. The group had regular meetings and we were joined by some Fifth years also interested in helping out. So far our book is coming along great and we are still contacting people to ask for their contributions.
Eileen, Niamh and I were given the task of contacting a school in Melbourne which we will be doing before our next meeting and are really looking forward to hearing what their input will be.
This project is something I am really proud to put my name to, something I am glad I am involved with. The Millennium Goal to achieve worldwide primary education is amazing and something that is so important, being able to do anything to help even in a small way is something good.
Being involved so far has been really enjoyable and a great experience and I am really looking forward to what the next few weeks will bring and of course to the finished book.
Ellie :)
When I first heard about the Book project, I was immediately interested and knew that I wanted to be a part of it.
A group of enthusiastic TY's got involved and the work got off to a great start. The group had regular meetings and we were joined by some Fifth years also interested in helping out. So far our book is coming along great and we are still contacting people to ask for their contributions.
Eileen, Niamh and I were given the task of contacting a school in Melbourne which we will be doing before our next meeting and are really looking forward to hearing what their input will be.
This project is something I am really proud to put my name to, something I am glad I am involved with. The Millennium Goal to achieve worldwide primary education is amazing and something that is so important, being able to do anything to help even in a small way is something good.
Being involved so far has been really enjoyable and a great experience and I am really looking forward to what the next few weeks will bring and of course to the finished book.
Ellie :)
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