Is í an ghaeilge ár dteanga náisiúnta, labhraímís í!
Tá meas mór ar thábhacht na Gaeilge agus an chultúir i Scoil Náisiúnta an Spá. Cé nach Gaeilscoil í ár scoil, cuirtear gach comhalta de phobal na scoile ar an gcumas labhairt an oiread Gaeilge agus is féidir a dhéanamh i ngleic leis an gcumann laethúil sa scoil.
(The importance of Irish and Irish culture in the Spa National School is greatly appreciated. Although Spa N.S. is not a Gaeilscoil, every member of the school community is encouraged to speak as much Irish as possible in their daily engagements in the school.)
Tá an Ghaeilge á chur chun cinn ar bhealach cairdiúil, spraoi a spreagann gach duine ‘úsáid a bhaint as a gcuid cúpla focail’, gan a bheith buartha faoi botúin a dhéanamh agus a ndícheall a dhéanamh! Múintear an Ghaeilge gach lá sna ranganna go léir. Sa chéad chúpla bliain den scoil, cuirtear béim ar fhorbairt scileanna béil agus éisteachta. Bíonn páistí ag imirt cluichí, ag canadh amhráin agus ag foghlaim cnuasach. Léireoidh siad stór focal do gach ábhar agus téamaí cosúil le teaghlaigh, bia, éadaí, siopadóireacht agus ócáidí speisialta.)
(The Irish language is promoted in a friendly, fun way that encourages everyone to ‘use their cúpla focail’, without worrying about making mistakes and doing their best! Irish is taught every day in all classes. In the first few years of school, there is an emphasis on the development of oral and listening skills. Children play games, sing songs and learn rime. They will show vocabulary for all topics and themes such as family, food, clothing, shopping and special occasions.)
Níos mó ná an scoil, múintear páistí freisin le léamh agus scríobh i nGaeilge. Leanfaidh siad ag forbairt a gcuid scileanna cainte agus éisteachta. Is é an tosaíocht ar fud na scoile ná forbairt na Gaeilge comhrá agus deiseanna a chur ar fáil do dhaltaí a gcuid focal a úsáid. Déan comhrá le cairde agus labhairt go muiníneach agus ceisteanna a fhreagairt ar ábhar ar leith.
(Higher up the school, children are taught to read and write in Irish. Their speaking and listening skills are further developed. The overall priority throughout the school is to develop conversational Irish and to provide students with opportunities to use their ‘cúpla focail’ , to chat with their friends confidently and answer questions on different topics.)
Tugtar duais do dhaltaí a dhéanann iarracht bhreise ag labhairt na Gaeilge mar ‘Gaeilgóirí na Seachtaine’. Eagraíonn Bean Uí Beacháin gach Márta, Seachtain na Gaeilge iontach, le éagsúlacht de ghníomhaíochtaí éagsúla do na daltaí chun páirt a ghlacadh agus taitneamh a bhaint as. Tá tráth na gceist ranga, seó faisin, seó tallainne, comórtais ealaíne chomh maith le spóirt agus cluichí. Críochnaíonn an tseachtain le paráid agus ceolchoirm Lá Fhéile Pádraig féin. Is breá leis na daltaí é. Mar sin, teacht ar! Labhair an Ghaeilge an oiread agus is féidir!
(Students who make an extra effort to speak Irish are rewarded as ‘Gaeilgóirí na Seachtaine’. Every March, Mrs. Behan, organises a fantastic ‘Seachtain na Gaeilge’ with a variety of different activities for the students to participate and enjoy. There is a class quiz, fashion show, talent show, art competitions as well as sports and games. The week finishes with our very own St. Patrick’s Day parade and concert.) The students love it!) So come on! Speak Irish as much as possible!
