Crann Taca
Comhdháil ar Thacaíocht Sainriachtanais in Earnáil na Gaelscolaíochta
Crann Taca
Conference on Special Needs Support in the Irish-Medium Sector
Preas ráiteas
Press Release
D’éirigh go han-mhaith le Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta, comhlacht ionadaíoch na gaelscolaíochta ó thuaidh, lena chomhdháil bhliantúil Crann Taca, a tionóladh ar an 25ú Meán Fómhair in Óstán Chathair Ard Mhacha. Ba í Lynette Fay bean a’ tí don ócáid.
Bhí béim faoi leith ar thacaíochtaí do Riachtanais Speisialta Oideachais (RSO) i mbliana, agus cuireadh réimse leathan ceardlann phraiticiúil ar fáil a dhírigh ar na dúshláin éagsúla a bhíonn os comhair oideachasóirí sa réimse.
Príomhóráid
I measc bhuaicphointí na comhdhála bhí an phríomhóráid ó Dhr Sinéad Nic Aindriú, Léachtóir Cúnta i dTeagasc na Gaeilge in Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath. Bhí teideal a cainte: "Ag Forbairt Eitice agus Cultúir Dhearfa ar Fud na Scoile: Caidrimh, Foghlaim agus Iompar", agus glacadh go fonnmhar léi ag na toscairí.
Seoladh ag an Dr Nic Aindriú pobal foghlama nua do Chomhordaitheoirí RSO i mbunscoileanna agus i meánscoileanna lán-Ghaeilge ag an gcomhdháil. Beidh seisiúin rialta den phobal foghlama seo ar siúl i rith na bliana scoile, áit a roinnfear dea-chleachtas RSO le chéile.
Focal ón Phríomhfheidhmeannach
Ag labhairt di faoin dúshlán eacnamaíoch atá ag dul i bhfeidhm ar an earnáil oideachais faoi láthair, ghabh Maria Thomasson, Príomhfheidhmeannach Gníomhach Chomhairle na Gaelscolaíochta, buíochas leis na hurraithe:
"Gan tacaíocht leanúnach ó Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta, Iontaobhas na Gaelscolaíochta agus Foras na Gaeilge, ní bheadh an chomhdháil seo indéanta i mbliana."
Ghabh sí buíochas fosta leis na saineolaithe a stiúraigh na ceardlanna RSO:
"Táimid fíorbhuíoch dár gcuid éascaitheoirí – idir mhúinteoirí, lucht ollscoile agus saineolaithe eile – a tháinig ó cheann ceann na tíre, agus a roinn a saineolas go fial linn."
Buaicphointí na Comhdhála
Léirigh an chomhdháil arís a tábhacht mar cheann de na mórócáidí is mó dá leithéid ar oileán na hÉireann. Tharraing sí toscairí ó ghaelscoileanna ó thuaidh agus ó dheas, chomh maith le heagraíochtaí cultúrtha agus oideachasúla a oibríonn trí mheán na Gaeilge.
Bhí seastáin eolais ar fáil ó fhoilsitheoirí agus ó eagraíochtaí oideachais agus cultúir ar an lá, agus cuireadh seirbhís aistriúcháin comhuaineach ar fáil don oscailt oifigiúil agus don phríomhóráid.
Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta, the representative body for Irish-medium education in the north, successfully hosted its annual conference, Crann Taca, on 25th September in the Armagh City Hotel. The event was compered by broadcaster Lynette Fay, who acted as bean a’ tí for the day.
This year’s Conference placed a strong focus on Special Educational Needs (SEN) support, with a wide range of practical workshops delivered throughout the day. These sessions explored various areas of special needs that are frequently addressed by teachers and staff within the Irish-medium sector.
Keynote Address
A highlight of the event was the keynote address by Dr Sinéad Nic Aindriú, Assistant Professor in Irish Language Teaching at the School of Language, Literacy and Early Childhood Education in Dublin City University. Her talk, entitled "Developing a Positive Whole-School Ethos and Culture: Relationships, Learning and Behaviour", was warmly received by attendees.
Dr Nic Aindriú also officially launched a new learning community for Special Needs Coordinators working in both primary and post-primary Irish-medium schools. Further sessions in this professional learning community will be facilitated throughout the school year, providing a space for collaboration and the sharing of effective SEN practices.
A Word from the Chief Executive
Maria Thomasson, Acting Chief Executive of Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta, addressed the current challenges facing the education sector and expressed her gratitude to those who supported the event:
"Without the continued support of An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta, Iontaobhas na Gaelscolaíochta, and Foras na Gaeilge, this year’s conference simply wouldn’t have been possible."
She also extended sincere thanks to the experts who facilitated the various SEN workshops:
"We are very grateful to our facilitators – drawn from schools, universities, and other educational organisations across the island – for their time and their generous sharing of expertise."
Conference Highlights
The conference once again proved to be one of the largest of its kind on the island, attracting delegates from Gaelscoileanna north and south, along with cultural and educational bodies committed to the Irish language.
Information stands from educational and cultural organisations, as well as publishers of learning resources, added further value to the day.