Holidays – with the kids, or without? [schooldays.ie]
- Published: 21 June 2011
It seems to be a case of love it or hate it when it comes to holidays and kids clubs. I’m not exactly sure which side of the fence I sit on, and this summer may decide things for me.
For many parents, the main thing they look for when booking their family summer holiday is a full schedule of kids’ clubs activities. With the children entertained, this means that the parents are pretty much guaranteed to get some much needed down time on the sun lounger. The more time the children are in the kids club, the better, in-so-far as an enjoyable holiday goes.
Then there are the traditionalists who feel that the family holiday is for, well, family time and want to go to places where the kids are fully included, along with the evening dinner and soft drinks. I think I’m in this school of thought – for the time being at least. I actually get a great kick out of sharing holiday experiences with the kids and I think I’d just spend a week or two feeling terribly guilty if I packed them off for endless activities with ‘Paulo.’
Full Story: www.schooldays.ie
Minister commends the work of green schools [schooldays.ie]
- Published: 21 June 2011
Sean Sherlock, Minister for Research and Innovation, yesterday (June 20th) commended teaching facilities in Cork for embracing the Green Schools Programme.
The politician was in the area opening Kilmagner National School - recently refurbished using funds from the Department of Education and Skills - and raised the institution's first green flag, awarded to facilities that have improved their eco-friendliness, during his visit.
The flag system is part of the Green School Programme, an international scheme that has been running for 14 years and aims to improve awareness of environmental issues in the 43 countries in which it is being implemented.
Full Story: www.schooldays.ie
"Ambitious process" announced to provide ICT skills through education [schooldays.ie]
- Published: 21 June 2011
Richard Bruton, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, has said he and Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn are to embark on an "ambitious process" to prepare to meet the needs of the growing ICT sector.
Following a visit to Silicon Valley in the US, Mr Bruton claimed Ireland is in a good position to capitalise on the global technology boom.
Mr Quinn has already pledged to provide one-year training courses in ICT skills as part of the government's Springboard initiative and he will now join up with Mr Bruton to see how the country can continue to produce skilled labour for the sector.
Full Story: www.schooldays.ie
Archbishop of Dublin criticises government patronage plans [schooldays.ie]
- Published: 20 June 2011
Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Dr Diarmuid Martin has criticised government plans to take away some of the schools currently patronised by the church.
The clergyman spoke out yesterday (June 19th) against proposals to allow faith schools to be controlled by other interests.
"For the Church the discussion about schools today is not about the number of schools that may change patronage, but about the quality of the faith life of the Catholic school," he commented.
Full Story: www.schooldays.ie
Pupils asked to give gift to charity instead of teachers [IrishTimes]
- Published: 20 June 2011
AS THE primary school year draws to a close, Crosscare, the Dublin Catholic archdiocese’s social care agency, has appealed to parents to make a donation to it rather than pay for more soap,scented candles, and/or chocolates for their children’s favourite teacher.
It has said “schoolchildren who will bid a tearful farewell to their favourite teacher at the end of the month are being asked to say thanks with a very special present for their teacher this summer, a helping hand to those most in need”.
It has asked parents and children “not to buy the annual scented candle or toiletry set” but to make a donation to them instead.
In return, children can download a specially designed “Thank You Teacher” card from the Crosscare website and add their own personal message. It is available at www.crosscare.ie.
The agency helps more than 70,000 people every year, including the homeless, children in care, and people who need help just to put food on the table.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
