This article is from page 34 of the 2007-09-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 34 JPG
A PRE-SCHOOL orientation pro- eramme for children new to the Irish school system has just finished at the Clare Immigration Support Centre (CISC).
The centre, which was formerly the Irish Refugee Council, has run the school for the past seven years.
This year ten children took part in the programme overseen by teachers Sue Doyle and Fummilayo Akinwale at the CISC premises at Carmody Slstsem
The aim is to acquaint children, who are entering primary school for the first time, with the life in the Irish school system.
This involves making children fa-
miliar with Irish words and getting them used to playing with other stu- dents in a school setting. Emphasis is also placed on working together and co-operation in the classroom, un- derstanding instructions from teach- ers, bringing lunch to the school and timekeeping.
According to Orla Ni Ejili of the CISC, the experience of going to a new school in a new country is a daunting one for both children and OreeKsLNe
“The current pre-school pro- gramme was running for two weeks. Many have never been to school so a lot of what is done in the classroom is very hands and practical. It can be upsetting for the children the first time they come, having to get used to
leaving their parents, but by the end they were all having a ball.”
She continued, “The response we got over the two weeks was fantastic and the children were very respon- sive. After a while you see the chil- dren really growing in confidence. They start asking questions and un- derstand things like waiting for your turn before asking”.
The process can also be a difficult one for parents and for that reason, the CISC produce an information booklet for parents.
Published in eight different lan- guages it outlines all aspects and fea- tures of the Irish school system.
So far the orientation programme has catered for children enrolling in junior and senior infants, but those
working at the CISC are acutely aware of the difficulties faced by old- er children going to school in Ireland for the first time.
“We are very conscious that there are kids out there who will be going to school who may have English as a second or third language. There can lolomr LO) mOsm Bus) OCer- LHe) IIe
The CISC is being steered by vari- ous agencies in Clare who have an interest and duty to support services for the immigrant community to fa- cilitate and support integration.
Ms Ni Eili explained “When we were the Irish Refugee Council, our role was focused mainly on working with refugees and asylum seekers, but now it broader and takes in the wider immigrant community”’.