by Simon McGeady, Inishowen Independent
A BALLYLIFFIN parent who sent her youngest son to
the new Buncrana Irish language secondary school
despite the fact he attended an English-speaking
national school has called the decision the best she
ever made. When Mildred Gill’s 12 year old son
Fearghál MacGiolla left Rashenney National School
last June, his parents decided to send him to
Gaelcholáiste Chineal Eoghan, which opened its doors
for the first time at Tullyarvan Mill at the end of
August.
Of the ten students starting, he was the only one
not to come from a Gaelscoil background.
“It was a big decision to make, but I think it’s the
best decision we ever made, said Ms. Gill, urging
other parents to consider doing the same.
In the beginning Fearghál didn’t want to go to the
school, preferring instead to go to Carndonagh
Community School with his friends, but after a few
weeks at the school he began to fit in and is now
fully settled.
“It’s only natural for parents to have misgivings
about sending their children to a new school. I even
feared that he might not do well enough in his first
year to be allowed to continue at the school, but he
was given help with his Irish and lots of extra
support to ensure that didn’t happen,” said Mildred
who added that the advantages to coming to the
school include a greater amount of one on one
teaching than at a more established secondary
school.
The VEC funded Irish language secondary school
completed its first school year a couple of weeks
ago. They are currently taking enrolment for next
term. The principal of the school is Éabha Ní
Mhonacháin.
“In more urban areas it’s more common for pupils to
come from an English Language background to a
Gaelcholáiste. I met with Fearghál’s parents in the
summer and at explained to them what we were trying
to achieve at the school.”
Ní Mhonacháin added “Research has shown that you
might recognise a pupil that has come from an
English Language National School in the first two
years, but after that, they have [caught up].
Fearghál wouldn’t have as much Irish as some of the
other children, but that will come. It hasn’t
affected his ability to study the subjects.”
The second school year at Gaelcholáiste Chineal
Eoghan starts at the end of August.
The principal anticipates that there will be around
25 pupils attending the school next year, with at
least one coming from Gaelscoil Cois Feabhail in
Moville.
The school teaches 19 subjects to Junior Cert level.
There will have two new teachers this year taking
the number of staff to 4.
“It’s been a really tough year, what with setting up
the school from scratch now that’s been done we can
look forward to the new year,” said Ní Mhonacháin. |
