Two Laois schools awarded top-dollar bursaries for inclusive projects

Two Laois primary schools have been awarded thousands of euro in funding for their heritage and inclusion programmes.

The Teaching Council has announced that Ballinakill National School and St. Colman's National School, Stradbally have received funding under the new Féilte Bursary Scheme.  

The Laois schools are among the 27 schools nationwide to be awarded The Féilte Bursary Scheme.

This scheme is designed to support collaboration between schools and enhance teachers’ professional learning. In total, the Teaching Council has awarded funding of €100,000 to schools across Ireland.

Ballinakill National School’s successful application was awarded €2,000. In partnership with Abbeyleix South National School, the school proposes to run a ‘Content and Language Programme’ that will teach music through Irish.

The focus will be on performing and composing music. Students will compose and perform their own rap and sean-nós songs.

The project aims to increase the exposure of learners to Irish by extending the use of Irish as a medium of communication and instruction in a setting beyond Irish lessons. 

St. Colman's National School was awarded €5,000. The school leads a collaboration with three other Laois schools - Rath National School, Fraoch Mór National School, and Scoil Mhuire Fatima – called ‘Our School, Our Community,’ which aims to foster inclusive practices.

All schools involved have experienced a significant increase in student population from international backgrounds, highlighting the need to create environments that celebrate linguistic and cultural diversity and welcome all students.

This project seeks to enhance teachers’ skills in supporting students from diverse backgrounds, cultures and learning abilities, including effective strategies for differentiated instruction and cultural responsiveness.

 “Teachers at these schools, and across Ireland have shown significant creativity, innovation and commitment to professional learning through the Féilte Bursary Scheme," said Director of the Teaching Council, Dr Lynn Ramsey.

"This underscores the high standards and quality of our teaching profession in Ireland. At the Teaching Council we are committed to promoting teaching as a profession and teachers’ ongoing professional development," Dr Ramsey said.

"The Féilte Bursary Scheme allows teachers to connect, share and learn from one another. I wish all the participants well with their projects and I look forward to the outcomes and learnings," the director finished.