aSeachtain na Gaeilge
There is a saying ‘Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam’ (A country without a language is a country without a soul) and it is a statement that we in, Scoil Naomh Chomcille, strongly support.
While we strive to create a positive approach to Irish every single day in school, we are particularly proud to celebrate ‘Seachtain na Gaeilge’ every year. ‘Seachtain na Gaeilge’ takes place the week before St Patrick’s Day (which was interrupted this year due to Covid-19) and its purpose is to celebrate the Irish language and culture. Various activities are organised in school and include the following;
- A ‘Pop-Up Gaeltacht’ for 1st class onwards. This activity encourages the children to ask questions and answer each other as Gaeilge. The children work in pairs to do this, and rotate partners, so it is a fun and fast-moving activity!
- Cluiche Bingo as Gaeilge on various topics for the younger classes i.e. éadaí (clothes), bia (food) etc.
- A ‘Tráth na gCeist’ for 1st class onwards. This is a quiz where the questions are asked in Irish and the children work in mixed teams with pupils from each class. The children really enjoy working with pupils from other classes and it tests both pupils and teachers’ general knowledge!
- Daily worksheet challenges for all classes where magic pencils and homework passes can be won.
- A whole school ‘Lá Glas’. This is a day where pupils (and teachers!) are encouraged to wear as much green as possible! Green is the colour which has always been associated with Ireland, so this is a day we most look forward to in the week. The classrooms are a sea of funky green headbands, face paint and Irish jerseys! Each class also prepares two performance pieces i.e. Irish dancing, Irish music, Irish songs etc and parents are invited into school to enjoy an afternoon of craic, spraoi agus ceol!
- Finally, we continue our ‘Frásaí na seachtaine’ (Phrases of the week) which are displayed in all classrooms and on the corridor. There is a phrase for both the junior and senior classes. Teachers also pick a ‘Gaeilgeoir na Seachtaine’ (Irish speaker of the week) from each class and that pupil is awarded a certificate at the closing assembly on Friday.
Unfortunately, ‘Seachtain na Gaeilge’ partly coincided with the extended school closure this year due to Covid-19. We therefore look forward to finishing any outstanding activities (The ‘Tráth na gCeist’ and the show for parents) when schools re-open.
‘Seachtain na Gaeilge’ provides us all with an opportunity to enjoy and improve our Irish speaking skills, and as we always remind our boys and girls- ‘cleachtadh a dhéanann máistreacht!’ (Practice makes perfect!)
Slán go fóill agus go raibh maith agaibh!