Naíscoil Londain committee founded, next public information night 4th February 2008
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A public meeting to set up an Irish preschool in London, was held on the 26th November 2007. Following talks on the advantages of an Irish preschool for London, the founding committee was elected. The next public meeting is the 4th February 2008, 7.30pm, the Reay Studio, Caldwell street, London SW9 0EN. The Committee are appealing for assistance in finding a suitable location in South London at an affordable, preferably nominal, rate, to be available late 2008. Prospective parents are invited to submit expressions of interest for registering their children. All are welcome.
The speakers included Dr Jane Moseley, a parent living in London, and now chair of the founding committee. She said that, "When looking for a nursery for my own children, I realised that London does not yet have any schools or nurseries where teaching is through Irish. Such a school could offer parents greater choice for their children's education, provide academically excellent teaching, and other advantages." Of one of the most successful Irish Schools (gaelscoileanna) in Ireland, Colaíste Eoin, South Dublin, Seán O Leidhin, principal, said recently that "The percentage of students who get an A or A1 in the leaving cert is extremely high. The majority of them go to universities such as University College Dublin, Trinity College and Dublin City University".
Dr M O Duibh, a senior development officer with Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta [Department of Education sponsored body responsible for the promotion of Irish-medium education in Northern Ireland], gave a lecture on immersion education through the Irish language, with compelling evidence on the benefits of early bilingualism. "Why Irish?" he asked "because there is a new vibrancy in the Irish language world-wide, with a huge increase in the usage of the language in the last 30 years. There are also lots of job opportunities for children who can speak Irish and English. Irish schools are going from strength to strength- parents are choosing these schools for their children because they can see the benefits."
In an Irish medium preschool or naíscoil, it is not necessary for the child or parent to be able to speak Irish beforehand. The children learn, play and socialise through Irish in a structured child-centred environment, following the preschool curriculum. Questions are often asked such as "will learning everything in Irish affect my child's English?" Research has consistently shown that the immersion experience aids English language development, with findings applying to diverse social and ethnic backgrounds. Other advantages of this kind of education include better thinking skills and creativity, high self-esteem and improved ability to learn more languages.
It is the local community who sets up an Irish medium preschool. Holding a public meeting is the first step, with election of the founding committee. This critical committee undertake the many tasks such as identifying premises, fundraising, promotion, and recruitment. From the first public meeting, it takes on average 9-12 months to the official opening of the preschool. The founding committee for the Irish medium preschool in London, to be known as Naíscoil Londain, is now in place. Naíscoil Londain is being advised by Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta, who have amassed extensive experience in similar situations previously.
A suitable location/site would be at least 27square metres (291 sq foot), with or suitable for D1 class planning permission, in South London.
The next public meeting is Monday 4th February 2008, 7.30pm, the Reay Studio, Caldwell street, London SW9 0EN. Nearest tube station: the Oval. To attend the meeting or get in touch with Naíscoil Londain, contact *eolas@naiscoillondain.org.uk '028 9032 1475.
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