This article is from page 27 of the 2008-04-22 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 27 JPG
AN event at Holy Family National School to celebrate diversity has re- ceived a ringing endorsement from the new president of the Irish Na- tional Teachers Organisation.
Declan Kelleher was speaking at an event to mark Intercultural Week at the Ennis school.
There are 37 different nationalities attending the Holy Family including children from Argentina, the Phil- ippines, Moldova, Brazil, Nigeria, Poland, Latvia and the Czech Re- public.
Each country was represented at events during the week, with children showcasing aspects of their culture such as traditional songs, costumes and dance routines.
Mr Kelleher said the Holy Family had played an important role in help-
ing newcomer children integrate into the local community.
He said, “As one of the foremost Clare schools in welcoming and em- bracing so many newcomer children to the county, I wish to publicly ac- knowledge the immense contribu- tion of the Holy Family senior and junior school.
“In years to come this school and many other primary schools throughout Clare will rejoice in their achievements as they see our new Irish citizens make extraordinary contributions to every facet of Irish life including sports, the arts, in- dustry, education and innovation at every level. Primary education can take a bow.”
Mr Kelleher said that despite little initial Government support, primary schools had responded with vision to the changes in Irish society.
He said, “If 15 years ago anybody were to be told that by the year 2008 the pupil population of an Irish pro- vincial town primary school would include children from 37 different nationalities they would undoubtedly have been scoffed at.
“Yet this is exactly what became the reality for Holy Family National School, Ennis and indeed for many more primary schools throughout the island.”
Mr Kelleher continued, ““The man- ner in which schools adapted to the change and welcomed newcomer children into their pupil communi- ties has been one of the greatest un- sung and uncelebrated successes of Irish primary education.
“The fact that the change was ac- complished in a largely unsupported manner makes the achievement all the more laudable. Government reac-
tion to the tidal wave of change which Swept over our primary schools was tardy and recognition of the huge lin- guistic and cultural challenges which our schools faced was by and large ignored.”
Mr Kelleher singled out the role played by Catholic managed schools in embracing change. “In particular the reaction of Catholic managed primary schools was both exempla- ry and exceptional to new pupils of every religion and none were made unwelcome.
‘This was exactly as it should have been and today I want to acknowl- edge the extraordinary contribution that primary schools have made to- wards the creation of a new, diverse, multicultural Ireland where all new- comers can aspire to having their culture and contribution recognised, affirmed and valued.”