Colaiste na Rinne

(Launch of exciting new relationship between Gorey Community School and colaiste na Rinne.)
This week Mr Liam Suipéal, the bainisteoir at Colaiste na Rinne, in the Waterford Gaeltacht launched a new initiative at Gorey Community School. Under the new initiative, all first year students at the school will be offered a weekend at Colaiste na Rinne next Spring. The aim is to give the students an opportunity to immerse themselves in the language for a few days and live in an environment where only Irish is spoken. During the visit, students will have lessons in spoken Irish, grammar and drama, taught by experienced teachers in a new and exciting way. Other activities over the weekend include sporting activities, quizzes, dance and nature walks - all in Irish.
“The new irish exams at Junior Cert and Leaving Cert have a greater emphasis on conversation and all first year classes in the school are adapting to this requirement. We see a gaeltacht visit as an important part of this”, said the Principal Michael Finn at the launch. “There are few enough opportunities for people to speak the language and this will go a small way to addressing this”, he said. “I also see it as an incentive for students to learn, knowing that they will have this opportunity later in the year”.
Colaiste na Rinne has a long tradition in teaching and promoting Irish among young people. Set in a wonderful setting on a coastal headline outside Dungarvan, it is lovely environment to learn. “We are very proud of our facilities and the improvements we have made to the college in recent years”, stated Mr Suipéal “and we are delighted to forge these links with this forward thinking school in Gorey”. “We take the promotion of the language seriously, and we have engaged with the staff at Gorey CS to tailor courses to suit their needs.”
The school has booked a number of weekends at Coláiste na Rinne and will bring first year students who wish to attend to improve their Irish. The students will be grouped with students of similar ability so each course is suited to them. The students will be encouraged to speak Irish at all times. Any parents of first year students who wish to find out more about the initiative may contact the school at (053)9421000.