Tionscadail/Projects

The Write-a-Book project gives primary school children the opportunity to write, design and publish their own books in Irish. This project also promotes reading and writing in Irish among young children. 

More information: www.forasnagaeilge.ie/scríobhleabhar

If you have any enquiry, please do not hesitate to get in contact with me at any time This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Tugann Scríobh Leabhar deis do pháistí bunscoile a gcuid leabhar féin a scríobh, a dhearadh, agus a fhoilsiú as Gaeilge. Cuireann an tionscadal léitheoireacht agus scríbhneoireacht na Gaeilge chun cinn i measc páistí óga.

Tuilleadh eolais: www.forasnagaeilge.ie/scríobhleabhar

Má tá ceist ar bith agat, ná bíodh drogall ort teagmháil a dhéanamh liom ag am ar bith This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

The Ficheall Team

Website: www.ficheall.ie

Twitter: @Ficheall_ie

An Fhoireann Ficheall

Suíomh Gréasáin: www.ficheall.ie

Twitter: @Ficheall_ie

Delighted to welcome 20 teachers to Athlone Education Support Centre to start their face to face training in the Incredible Years Programme facilitated by NEPS.

An Overview of the Programme Click HERE

Is cúis áthais dúinn fáilte a chur roimh 20 múinteoir go dtí Ionad Tacaíochta Oideachais Bhaile Átha Luain chun tús a chur lena n-oiliúint aghaidh ar aghaidh sa Chlár ‘Incredible Years’ atá éascaithe ag an tSeirbhís Náisiúnta Síceolaíochta Oideachais (NEPS).

Achoimre ar an gClár - Cliocáil ANSEO

We are delighted to confirm 8 Teacher Artist Partnership Residencies for the coming school year. 

• TAP improves the arts and creativity in education in Primary Schools.
• TAP improves literacy, numeracy & well-being in all schools including DEIS. TAP will be offered across the Education Support Centre Network (21 Centres) in 2022 supported by the Department of Education & Creative Ireland fund. 
• TAP is a highly motivative, innovative, creative and participant responsive programme that promotes professional learning towards partnership. 

We wish the schools involved and the artists the very best of luck. 

Is cúis áthais dúinn ocht gCónaitheacht Comhpháirtíochta Ealaíontóirí Múinteoirí a dhearbhú don bhliain scoile seo chugainn.

• Cuireann TAP feabhas ar na healaíona agus cruthaitheacht san oideachas i mBunscoileanna. 
• Cuireann TAP feabhas ar an litearthacht, uimhearthacht & sláinte i ngach scoil lena n-áirítear DEIS. Cuirfear TAP ar fáil do gach ionad sa Líonra Ionaid Tacaíochta Oideachais (21 Ionad) i 2022, a bhfuil tacaíocht acu ó chiste na Ranna Oideachais & Éire Chruthaitheach.
• Is clár fíorspreagúil, nuálach, cruthaitheach é TAP ina bhfhreagraítear do rannpháirtithe agus a chuirtear chun cinn foghlaim ghairmiúil i gcomhair comhpháirtíochta.

Guímid gach rath ar na scoileanna agus ealaíontóirí i gceist.

Creative Clusters 2022-2023

We are delighted to confirm 3 Creative Clusters for the coming school year. 

We are delighted to be working with three local primary schools and ten local post-primary schools this current academic year. If you have any questions, please contact Deborah Walsh, Administrator.

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

The purpose of this scheme is to demonstrate how the creative practices can support clusters of schools to work together to address common learning challenges over a two year period. It aims to:

• Promote new ways of working and collaboration between schools and the arts and cultural sector
• Improve teaching and learning
• Provide an opportunity for clusters of schools to experiment, innovate and collaborate on the design, implementation and evaluation of a bespoke creative learning project
• Develop the creativity of learners and teachers
• Understand, whether clustering schools at different stages of their journey in using the creativity in the classroom and in developing longer term partnerships is an effective model for developing and embedding practice in schools.
• The Creative Clusters scheme provides schools with access to creative people, skills and resources and supports them to draw on their own skills and experiences and those within their wider communities

We wish the schools and the artists involved the very best of luck. 

Braislí Ildánacha 2022-2023

Is cúis áthais dúinn trí Bhraisle Ildánach a dhearbhú don bhliain scoile seo chugainn.

Tá áthas orainn a bheith ag obair le trí bhunscoil áitiúil agus deich n-iarbhunscoil áitiúil sa bhliain acadúil reatha seo. Má tá ceist agat, déan teagmháil le do thoil le Deborah Walsh, Riarthóir.

Ríomhphost: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Is í aidhm na scéime seo ná léiriú conas is féidir leis na cleachtais chruthaitheacha tacú le cnuasaigh scoileanna obair a dhéanamh le chéile chun aghaidh a thabhairt ar dhúshláin foghlama rialta thar thréimhse dhá bhliain. Tá sé mar aidhm ag an scéim an méid a leanas a dhéanamh:

• Bealaí nua oibre agus comhoibrithe idir scoileanna agus na healaíona agus earnáil an chultúir a chur chun cinn.
• Feabhas a chur ar mhúinteoireacht agus foghlaim.
• Deis a thabhairt do chnuasaigh scoileanna triail a bhaint as an dearadh, é a chruthú agus comhoibriú a dhéanamh air, cur i bhfeidhm agus meastóireacht tionscadail foghlama chruthaithigh shaincheaptha.
• Cruthaitheacht foghlaimeoirí agus múinteoirí a fhorbairt.
• Tuiscint, an eiseamláir éifeachtach í do chleachtas a fhorbairt agus í a chur i bhfeidhm go daingean i scoileanna, má úsáideann cnuasaigh scoileanna, atá ag céimeanna difriúla dá n-aistir, cruthaitheacht sa seomra ranga agus a dhéanann comhpháirtíochtaí fadtéarmacha a fhorbairt.
• Tugtar deiseanna do scoileanna leis an scéim Braislí Ildánacha rochtain a bheith acu ar dhaoine cruthaitheacha, scileanna agus acmhainní agus tugtar tacaíocht dóibh leas a bhaint as a scileanna agus taithí féin agus iad siúd laistigh dá bpobail i gcoitinne.

Guímid gach rath ar na scoileanna agus ealaíontóirí i gceist.

FÍS Competition in collaboration with PDST TiE 2022-2023

Further details to follow

Comórtas FÍS i gcomhar le PDST TiE 2022-2023

Tuilleadh sonraí le teacht.

Code4Fun: Post Primary Schools STEM Initiative

New and exciting opportunities in STEM are also being promoted at post primary level through the Creative Clusters initiative and in collaboration with the Engineering Faculty in TUS. Transition Year Students from five local post primary schools have been experiencing technology, collaboration, innovation, creative thinking and entrepreneurship in an applied and practical manner during their weekly workshops in the university. The skills they are learning are those required in software development, which specifies an Agile approach to coding. Software engineers must produce functionality working code which meets the specific needs of a product owner within a short timeframe. This requires significant creativity, team work and problem solving. Code4Fun implements a scaffold learning strategy which combines elements of the industry standard Agile software design process with the Maastricht Seven Step PBL Model in order to enable students to express their creativity to solve real problems using interesting technology. Students have created innovative product oriented technical solutions which they presented recently in the college.

Their projects, which show an innovative use of arduino, micro:bits, sensors, motors and circuits include the following:

• Wireless Weather Station
• Self-Watering System for Plants
• Electric Module Toy Tank
• Air Hockey Table
• Runaway Alarm Clock
• Wallet bot to help prevent misplacing items such as keys, rings, watches and credit cards.
• Unlocker: The keyless security system for home and office doors.

Well done to the 5 Post Primary Schools involved which include The Marist College, Athlone; Coláiste Chiaráin Athlone; Our Lady's Bower, Athlone; Athlone Community College and Moate Community College. Our sincere thanks to Dr. Enda Fallon and his team in the Engineering Faculty in TUS for making this project possible. We also ackowledge with thanks the funding from the Creative Clusters Programme. 

Code4Fun: Tionscnamh STEM Iarbhunscoileanna

Táthar ag cur chun cinn deiseanna nua agus iontacha i STEM freisin ag leibhéal iarbhunscoile tríd an tionscnamh Braislí Cruthaitheacha agus i gcomhar le Dámh na hInnealtóireachta i TUS. Tá taithí faighte ag Daltaí Idirbhliana ó chúig iarbhunscoil áitiúil maidir le teicneolaíocht, comhoibriú, nuálaíocht, smaointeoireacht chriticiúil agus fiontraíocht ar bhealach feidhmeach agus praiticiúil le linn a gceardlann seachtainiúil san ollscoil. Tá na scileanna atá siad ag foghlaim na scileanna céanna atá ag teastáil i bhforbairt bogearraí, a luann go sonrach cur chuige Agile i dtaca le códú. Ní mór d’innealtóirí bogearraí cód a oibríonn go feidhmiúil a chur ar fáil a fhreastalaíonn ar na riachtanais ar leith atá ag úinéir táirgí laistigh de ghearrthréimhse. Tá cruthaitheacht shuntasach, obair foirne agus réiteach fadhbanna ag teastáil le haghaidh seo. Cuireann Code4Fun creat straitéise foghlama i bhfeidhm a thugann gnéithe den phróiseas deartha bogearraí Agile caighdeánach tionsclaíoch agus gnéithe den Mhúnla Maastricht Seven Step PBL le chéile ionas gur féidir le daltaí a gcruthaitheacht a chur in iúl chun fadhbanna ón bhfíorshaol a réiteach trí leas a bhaint as teicneolaíocht shuimiúil. Chruthaigh daltaí réitigh nuálacha, theicniúla atá dírithe ar tháirgí, a thaispeáin siad le déanaí san ollscoil.

Áirítear an méid a leanas ina dtionscadail, a thaispeánann úsáid nuálach as arduino, micrighiotáin, braiteoirí, mótair agus ciorcaid:

• Stáisiún Aimsire gan Sreang
• Córas Féin-Uiscithe do Phlandaí
• Tanc Bréige a bhfuil Modúl Leictreach ann
• Bord Hacaí Aeir
• Clog Aláraim Éalaitheach
• Róbat sparáin chun súil a choinneáil ar rudaí cosúil le heochracha, fáinní, uaireadóirí agus cártaí creidmheasa ionas nach gcaillfeá iad.
• 'Unlocker': An córas slándála gan eochair do dhoirse baile agus oifigí.

Maith sibh don chúig Iarbhunscoil i gceist, lena n-áirítear, The Marist College, Baile Átha Luain; Coláiste Chiaráin, Baile Átha Luain; Our Lady's Bower, Baile Átha Luain; Coláiste Pobail Bhaile Átha Luain, agus Coláiste Pobail an Mhóta. Gabhaimid ár míle buíochas leis an Dr. Enda Fallon agus a fhoireann in Earnáil na hInnealtóireachta i TUS as an tionscadal seo a chur i gcrích. Admhaímid freisin, le buíochas, an maoiniú ón gClár Braislí Cruthaitheacha.

Athlone Education Support Centre is collaborating with Ericsson Athlone  Athlone Campus to promote STEM education in the local primary  schools. This collaboration is providing invaluable learning opportunities in STEM in line with the Department Of Education’s STEM Education Policy Statement 2017-2026.

EPIC: Primary Schools STEM Initiative

Ericsson Primary Introduction to Code (EPIC) is an exciting initiative created specifically for primary schools to introduce young children to the fundamentals of computers and coding. It aims to promote STEM at an early age and encourages students to study STEM subjects as they progress to secondary school level. Athlone ESC is collaborating with Ericsson Athlone to provide a series of sessions for local primary school teachers. This programme runs on a “Teach the Teacher Approach” with software engineers from the INFUSE team in Ericsson upskilling teachers in STEM and enabling them to educate their pupils in the basics of coding. The series of four interactive sessions covers the following:

• An Overview of the EPIC Programme
• Learn basic coding and programming skills through Micro:bits
• Create interactive stories, games and animations through Scratch
• Build a simple webpage using HTML and add styling to webpage elements using CSS

Our sincere thanks to Barbara Quinn, Project Manager Ericsson and the Infuse Team Ericsson for making this project possible!

Tá Ionad Tacaíochta Oideachais Bhaile Átha Luain ag comhoibriú le Campas Ericsson Bhaile Átha Luain chun oideachas STEM a chur chun cinn i mbunscoileanna áitiúla. Táthar ag cur deiseanna foghlama thar a bheith luachmhar ar fáil i STEM leis an gcomhoibriú seo de réir Ráiteas Beartais Oideachais STEM 2017-2026 na Ranna Oideachais.

EPIC: Tionscnamh STEM Bunscoileanna

Is tionscnamh iontach é ‘Ericsson Primary Introduction to Code’ (EPIC), a cruthaíodh go sainiúil do bhunscoileanna chun páistí óga a chur ar an eolas maidir leis na bunphrionsabail a bhaineann le ríomhairí agus códú. Tá sé mar aidhm ag an tionscnamh STEM a chur chun cinn do pháistí óga. Tugtar spreagadh do dhaltaí freisin staidéar a dhéanamh ar ábhair STEM agus iad ag dul ar aghaidh go dtí an mheánscoil. Tá Ionad Tacaíochta Oideachais Bhaile Átha Luain ag comhoibriú le Ericsson Baile Átha Luain chun sraith seisiún a chur ar fáil do mhúinteoirí bunscoile áitiúla. Ritheann an clár seo ar “Teach the Teacher Approach” agus innealtóirí bogearraí ón bhfoireann INFUSE i Ericsson ag déanamh uasoiliúna ar mhúinteoirí i STEM agus iad a chur ar a gcumas oideachas a chur ar a gcuid daltaí maidir leis na bunrudaí a bhaineann le códú. Clúdaíonn sraith na gceithre seisiún idirghníomhach an méid a leanas:

• Achoimre ar an gClár EPIC
• Foghlaim conas códú a dhéanamh, chomh maith le scileanna ríomhchlárúcháin bunúsacha trí Mhicrighiotáin
• Cruthaigh scéalta, cluichí agus beochaintí idirghníomhacha trí Scratch
• Déan leathanach gréasáin simplí a chruthú trí leas a bhaint as HTML agus cuir stíl le gnéithe an leathanaigh ghréasáin trí CSS a úsáid 

Gabhaimid buíochas ó chroí le Barbara Quinn, Bainisteoir Tionscadail Ericsson agus an Fhoireann Infuse Ericsson as an tionscadal seo a chur i gcrích!

Athlone Education Support Centre in collaboration with Munster Technological University & Offaly County Council is delighted to announce the launch of Vex IQ Robotics Programme in Edmonton N.S., Killucan, the first primary school in Co. Westmeath to participate in this programme. 3rd and 4th Class students are looking forward to building their robots and participating in this year's competition. Check out this year's Vex IQ challenge "Pitching In" HERE 

Tá lúchair ar Ionad Tacaíochta Oideachais Bhaile Átha Luain, i gcomhar le hOllscoil Teicneolaíochta na Mumhan agus Comhairle Contae Uibh Fháilí, a fhógairt seoladh an Chláir Vex IQ Robotics i mBunscoil Edmonton, Cill Lúchainne, an chéad bhunscoil i gCo. na hIarmhí chun páirt a ghlacadh sa chlár seo. Tá daltaí i Rang a Trí agus Rang a Ceathair ag súil go mór lena róbait a chruthú agus agus a bheith rannpháirteach sa chomórtas seo i mbliana. Caith súil ANSEO ar dhúshlán Vex IQ na bliana seo, “Pitching In”.

Something Fishy is a programme targeted at fifth and sixth classes in Primary school. The aim is to inform and educate students on water quality, fish, the environment and angling. Now supported by Inland Fisheries Ireland (hyperlinked),  the project was originally developed in collaboration between the Central Fisheries Board (CFB) and Blackrock Education Centre (BEC).  The lesson plans and activity sheets are based on the theme of the ‘Life cycle of salmon’ - Bradán. To visit the website please click on the link below: somethingfishy.ie

Click HERE for further information. 

Is clár é Something Fishy atá dírithe ar rang a Cúig agus a Sé sa Bhunscoil. Tá sé mar aidhm mic léinn a chur ar an eolas agus oideachas a chur orthu maidir le cáilíocht uisce, iasc, an comhshaol agus slatiascaireacht. Anois le tacaíocht ó Iascach Intíre Éireann, forbraíodh an tionscadal ar dtús i gcomhar le Príomh-Bhord Iascaigh (CFB) agus Ionad Oideachais na Carraige Duibhe (BEC). Tá na pleananna ceachta agus na bileoga gníomhaíochta bunaithe ar an téama ‘Saolré an Bhradáin’ - Bradán. Chun cuairt a thabhairt ar an suíomh Gréasáin cliceáil ar an nasc thíos: somethingfishy.ie

Cliocáil ANSEO le haghaidh tuilleadh eolais. 

The Concern Primary Debates is an educational debate programme that is aimed at senior primary classes. The Concern Debates aims to present advanced topics to both students and teachers. Through the motions, students will be able to speak publicly and use higher-order thinking skills to discuss topics such as Climate Change, Poverty and Sustainable Development. Concern are available to provide support to teachers and students. Further information about the Concern Primary Debates can be found here: https://www.concern.net/schools-and-youth/debates/primary-school. Every student that partakes in the debates will receive a certificate.

Is clár díospóireachta oideachais é Díospóireachtaí Bunscoile Concern atá dírithe ar ranganna bunscoile sinsearacha. Tá sé mar aidhm ag Díospóireachtaí Concern topaicí forbartha a chur i láthair mac léinn agus múinteoirí araon, trí na rúin, cuirfear mic léinn ag caint go poiblí agus bainfidh siad úsáid as scileanna smaointeoireachta ardoird le topaicí mar Athrú Aeráide, Bochtaineacht agus Forbairt Inbhuanaithe a phlé. Tá Concern ar fáil chun tacaíocht a sholáthar do mhúinteoirí agus do mhic léinn. Faigh tuilleadh eolais faoi na Díospóireachtaí Bunscoile Concern anseo: https://www.concern.net/schools-and-youth/debates/primary-school Gheobhaidh gach mac léinn a ghlacfaidh páirt teastais.

Climate Action: Wildflower Garden April 2022

We were delighted to welcome 4th Class Pupils from Baylin National School to the Centre on April 29th to help us plant our new wildflower garden. We planted four apple trees and a wonderful variety of wildflower seeds which should help attract lots of birds, bees and butterflies. Our sincere thanks to our gardener and award winning landscaper David Costello for his expert advice and support.

Gníomhú ar son na hAeráide: Gairdín Bláthanna Fiáine Aibreán 2022

Bhí ríméad orainn fáilte a chur roimh dhaltaí ó Rang a Ceathair ó Bhunscoil Bhéal Linne go dtí an tIonad ar an 29 Aibreán chun cúnamh a thabhairt dúinn bláthanna fiáine a chur inár ngairdín nua. Rinne muid ceithre chrann úll agus réimse éagsúil síolta bláthanna fiáine a chur, rud ar cheart go leor éan, beach agus féileachán a mhealladh. Gabhaimid buíochas ó chroí lenár ngarraíodóir agus le David Costello, tírdheachóir a bhfuil duaiseanna buaite aige dá chuid sainchomhairle agus tacaíochta.

Ficheall 2023/2024

Ficheall.ie is the national network of primary teachers promoting chess in their schools for the social and cognitive benefits it has for primary school students. Ficheall teachers use chess as a tool to teach through and an opportunity for their students to develop new skills and values, as well as representing their school at Ficheall tournaments called Féile Fichille (chess festival).

The Ficheall.ie website contains many excellent resources created by fellow primary school teachers such as:

• A series of 10 beginner chess lessons (with optional integration to the SPHE curriculum)
• List of CPD chess courses for teachers (summer, evening and online courses)
• Chess numeracy puzzles
• Ficheall newsletters with chess updates
• Online Teacher Chess Club

Ficheall Summer Course

Athlone Education Support Centre has hosted the Chess for Social Skills summer course previously with great success. Upon completion of this course teachers can play chess (most attend the course having never played chess before) and can teach the basics of chess to students in their class while also teaching key SPHE curriculum objectives from 1st to 6th class (all of this without worksheets).

Féile Fichille Chess Tournaments

Féile Fichille tournaments are non-competitive chess tournaments organised annually in Term 2. No medals, prizes or trophies are presented. Instead, the day is a celebration of the students learning chess and social skills as well as their teachers’ leadership skills to introduce the initiative in their school. For many students it is their first opportunity to wear their school jersey and represent their school. More details about Féile Fichille Tournaments can be found here (including a checklist to ensure students are ready for the Féile Fichille)

Féile Fichille Timeline

• September: Registrations Open
• October: Registrations Close
• November: Schools informed of tournament date and venue
• January/ February/ March: Féile Fichille tournament will be scheduled in term 2. Registered schools will be allocated one Féile Fichille tournament to attend. Schools are required to be at the venue at 9.30am with the event concluded by 2pm

Contact Us

If you have any queries regarding the Féile Fichille Tournaments please contact Ficheall using the Contact Us link here.

The Ficheall Team

Web: www.ficheall.ie

Twitter: @Ficheall_ie

Ficheall 2023/2024

Is é Ficheall.ie an líonra náisiúnta múinteoirí bunscoile a chuireann ficheall chun cinn ina scoileanna do na tairbhí sóisialta agus cognaíochta a bhaineann leis do dhaltaí bunscoile. Baineann múinteoirí Ficheall leas as an bhficheall mar uirlis chun múineadh tríd agus mar dheis dá gcuid daltaí chun forbairt a dhéanamh ar scileanna agus luachanna nua, chomh maith le hionadaíocht a dhéanamh dá scoil ag comórtais Ficheall darbh ainm Féile Fichille.  

Cuimsítear ar an suíomh gréasáin Ficheall.ie neart acmhainní iontacha a chruthaigh comh-mhúinteoirí bunscoile cosúil le:

• Sraith 10 mbuncheacht fichille (le himeascadh roghnach don churaclam OSPS)
• List of CPD chess courses for teachers (summer, evening and online courses)
• Puzail uimhearthachta fichille
• Nuachtlitreacha Ficheall leis an eolas is déanaí faoin bhficheall
• Club Fichille Múinteoirí Ar Líne

Cúrsa Samhraidh Ficheall

D'óstáil Ionad Tacaíochta Oideachais Bhaile Átha Luain an cúrsa samhraidh 'Ficheall do Scileanna Sóisialta' roimhe seo inar éiríodh go hiontach leis. I ndiaidh dóibh críoch a chur leis an gcúrsa seo, is féidir le múinteoirí ficheall a imirt (níor imir an chuid ba mhó díobh ficheall riamh) agus is féidir leo na bunrudaí a bhaineann leis an bhficheall a mhúineadh ina rang agus príomhchuspóirí curaclaim OSPS a mhúineadh freisin ó Rang a hAon go Sé (an méid seo ar fad gan bileoga oibre). 

Féile Fichille Chess Tournaments

Is comórtais fichille neamhiomaíocha iad comórtais Féile Fichille a eagraítear gach bliain i dTéarma 2. Ní bhronntar boinn, duaiseanna nó coirn. Ina ionad sin, is ceiliúradh é an lá seo ar na daltaí atá ag foghlaim scileanna fichille agus sóisialta chomh maith le scileanna ceannaireachta a múinteoirí an tionscnamh a thosú ina scoil. Is é seo an chéad dheis do go leor daltaí chun a ngeansaithe scoile a chaitheamh agus ionadaíocht a dhéanamh dá scoil. 

Is féidir leat tuilleadh eolais faoi na Comórtais Féile Fichille a fháil anseo (lena n-áirítear seicliosta lena chinntiú go mbeidh daltaí réidh d'Fhéile Fichille)

Amchlár Féile Fichille

• Meán Fómhair: Clárúcháin Oscailte
• Deireadh Fómhair: Clárúcháin Dúnta
• Samhain: Cuirtear scoileanna ar an eolas faoi dháta agus agus ionad an chomórtais
• Eanáir/ Feabhra/ Márta: Déanfar an comórtas Féile Fichille a sceidealú i dtéarma 2. Ligfear do scoileanna cláraithe freastal ar chomórtas Féile Fichille amháin. Beidh ar scoileanna a bheith ag an ionad roimh 9.30am agus críoch á chur leis an imeacht ag 2pm.

Déan Teagmháil Linn

Má tá aon cheisteanna agat maidir leis na Comórtais Féile Fichille, déan teagmháil le Ficheall le do thoil trí úsáid a bhaint as an nasc 'Déan Teagmháil Linn' anseo.

An Fhoireann Ficheall

Suíomh Gréasáin: www.ficheall.ie

Twitter: @Ficheall_ie