IPPN

Published: 30 October 2008

Killybegs has certainly got talent, that's for sure! Pupils and their teachers at the Niall Mor National School in Killybegs really pulled out all of the stops as Ian Dempsey and his breakfast show rolled into the school to present it with its brand new, hi-tech Promethean Interactive Whiteboard.

The school won the €5,000 complete classroom fit-out in an inter-schools competition run by Today FM on behalf of Promethean Ireland and Prim-Ed, Ireland's leading Interactive Whiteboard supplier.

The 13-strong teaching staff, 160-plus pupils and their parents really made Ian Dempsey and his entire breakfast show team feel right at home as they broadcast their show today, October 21, live from Ms Sharon McVey's fifth class classroom.

It was an earlier than usual start for all as the school bell rang at 7am for the first time ever. Ms McVey's multi-talented class entered the competition and beat off entries from hundreds of schools to win the complete Promethean classroom fit-out.

"This is fantastic, it is great to have the breakfast show team here," a delighted Ms McVey said as she accepted the Promethean Interactive Whiteboard for her class. "There has been a great buzz about the school and everyone has been working hard. The children love their Promethean Interactive Whiteboard. They find it fantastic.

"It is height-adjustable so we can move it up and down to meet pupil needs. They are competing with each other to get on it all of the time. It gets them more involved and it becomes more of an adventure. If we are doing something on Egypt for example, we just go on the Internet and get material about the pyramids," she said.

Principal, Michael McGuinness, said they are delighted with the win. "We have 19 staff, including teachers and special needs assistants, and we're all delighted with the win. There has been fantastic buzz around the place all week, not just in the school but in the whole community.

"The board is a huge boost. It brings the classroom very much into the 21st Century. Pupils are used to having technology in their homes so it is so important to have it in the classroom. They are not afraid of it ; it's almost second nature to them," he added.

Promethean's Marketing Manager, Jessica Murphy, said more and more schools are investing in their Interactive Whiteboards, technology which independent research shows boosts concentration levels and makes learning more fun.

"We are thrilled to see the pupils at Niall Mor get such value from their Whiteboard. It opens them up to a whole new learning experience. Pupils take to the technology so incredibly well and it really enhances and broadens their whole learning experience. Teachers revel in it ; particularly as it provides them with a virtual library in cyberspace where they can exchange notes, lesson plans and ideas. It's a win-win for everyone," she said.