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CHURCH OF IRELAND CENTRE, DCU Issue 4 March 2020
Church of
Ireland
Centre,
DCU
ALL HALLOWS’ CAMPUS, DCU. HOME OF THE CHURCH OF IRELAND CENTRE
[Grab your reader’s attention
Our Year 3 students are back in DCU with a great quote from the
Introduction apart from Charlotte Hall, John
Galbraith and Rachel Kidd who are
document or use this space to
emphasize a key point. To place
Issue Date
this text box anywhere on the
This newsletter comes to you from a all away this semester attending page, just drag it.]
busy second semester in the Church university in Europe on the Erasmus
of Ireland Centre in DCU. Our year 4 programme. We hope to have a
students are nearing the end of their report from them in the next issue of
first block of final year placement. the newsletter.
They are all in schools in Dublin and In this newsletter you will read
the greater Dublin area, and your articles from three schools, who are
welcome and support of them as sharing some of their recent
they reach the end of their college projects. Could your school feature
programme is appreciated. in an upcoming newsletter? Could
Year 2 students will be on placement you share a story of what your
before Easter and are looking teachers or pupils have been doing
forward to their time teaching recently? If so, please contact the
lessons and learning from editor Jacqui Wilkinson with articles
experienced class teachers. Year 1 and pictures.
students are spending Mondays in
their placement schools in all parts We update our website regularly and
of the country. Many of these invite you to keep in touch by
visiting https://www.dcu.ie/church-of-
students are returning to their own ireland-centre/index.shtml
primary schools and the commonly
heard phrase is that ‘ the school is We are also on social media and you
can follow us on Twitter @CIC_DCU
smaller than they remember from
when they were 12’. They are gaining
much insight into life in the
classroom and are beginning to
teach their first lessons.
CHURCH OF IRELAND CENTRE, DCU | Issue 4 MARCH 2020 2
Graduation
November 2019
On 6 November 2019, following
the DCU graduation ceremony in
The Helix, the CIC graduation service
and prize-giving event took place in
the chapel on the DCU All Hallows
campus. The event commenced
with a short service of thanksgiving
followed by the presentation of
elective certificates and the Religious
Education in Follow Me Certificate as
well as a range of prizes and awards.
The CIC was delighted to welcome
Deirdre O’Connor from the INTO who
gave a speech and presented the
Vere Foster medal for excellence in
teaching, planning and performance Prof. Orla Kelly presented the awards
to Jenny Galbraith, and Rita Nic for excellence in the final year
Amhlaoibh from the Department of dissertation to Jenny Galbraith,
Education and Skills, who presented Clodagh Dougherty, Elsa Griffin,
the Carlisle and Blake award to Christine Cox, Kelly Delaney, Sophie
Christine Cox for excellent marks in Campbell, Kate Strong, Sarah
teaching practice and theory. Mulhere, and Emily McMullen.
Carlisle and Blake winner
Christine Cox
Prof. Lorraine Harbison presented
the awards for excellence in Gaeilge
to Jenny Galbraith, Clodagh
Dougherty, Christine Cox, and Alex
Vere Foster Medal winner
Jenny Galbraith Butler.
The following Church of Ireland Rev. Prof. Anne Lodge presented the
Centre prizes were presented to award for special contribution to the
students: Dr Ken Fennelly, Secretary year group to Alex Condell and Chloe
to the General Synod Board of Rankin.
Education, presented three prizes for
excellence in the Religious Education There was a reception afterwards in
Certificate in Follow Me to Clodagh the All Hallows’ dining hall to which
Dougherty, Chloe Rankin, and Hayley all the graduates and their families
Smyth. were invited.
CHURCH OF IRELAND CENTRE, DCU Issue 4 March 2020
broad relevance and
appeal the collection will
Launch of have beyond its initial
target audience of Church
Praying of Ireland primary schools.
Archbishop Michael paid
Together tribute to both the editor
and DCU. ‘This book of
Pupils, teachers and people prayers comes directly
connected with Church of Ireland from the Church of Ireland
primary schools contributed to a context with the children’s
prayers. Then, thanks to the voices from their schools. It is the
new book of prayers which can be generosity of DCU, it became
used in school assemblies. ‘Praying first publication by Dublin City
possible to create a book containing
Together: Prayers for Primary many of the prayers
School received from
Assemblies’ was school. The
launched on prayers cover
Thursday many of the
February 6 by the events in the
President of school and
Dublin City church year
University, Prof The collection
Brian MacCraith.. includes prayers
The book University of a volume from one of
which may only be its denominational centres, in this
contains a wide used occasionally, for
variety of prayers case the Church of Ireland Centre’,
example when a teacher he said. In her speech Jacqui
penned by children and adults retires or there is a school inspection.
connected with Church of Ireland Wilkinson thanked all the schools
Others may become regular features that participated in the project and
primary schools all over Ireland. The of assemblies marking the seasonal
book is the result of a project which welcomed some teachers from
events of the school year such as schools to the launch.
began in Spring 2019 when the sports day or 6th class graduations.
editor Jacqui Wilkinson had an idea There are also prayers when an
for a new resource and project in urgent response is required, for The following day the book was
which the network of Church of example, in times of sickness or presented to Templebreedy National
Ireland schools could get involved. sadness, or if there is a national or School in Crosshaven, Cork at their
She contacted all Church of Ireland local tragedy. daily assembly. Pupils from the
primary schools last year inviting school read their school prayers
teachers and pupils to write new which feature in the book. All
prayers for At the launch Prof Brian MacCraith Church of Ireland primary schools
use in and Prof Anne Looney,
school Executive
assemblies Dean of the
and DCU Institute
received a of Education,
great spoke of the
response. importance of
Initially it listening to
was the student
planned to voice. They
produce an acknowledged the work done should now have received a copy. If
online by Jacqui Wilkinson to include not, or if you want a further copy, do
collection the voices of children in the contact jacqueline.wilkinson@dcu.ie
of the collection and commended the
CHURCH OF IRELAND CENTRE, DCU | Issue 4 MARCH 2020 4
focused on how much they learned discussing working with pupils of
from these principals’ expertise and other faiths and none in school.
Small Schools wisdom. Some also noted that it
was the first time they had a real Student Teachers Visiting
Seminar chance to consider the positive
aspects of being a school principal.
Small Schools
Students in BEd2, undertaking a
The Centre was very grateful to Mr. specialism in multiclass teaching
Pauric Clerkin, CEO of the Irish with Prof. Geraldine O’Connor,
Primary Principals’ Network, who visited some primary schools with
also gave up his Saturday morning to multi-grade classrooms in the
chair the seminar. Dublin area. The opportunity to
observe in small schools was of great
The Seminar was the final element benefit to the student teachers, in
of the module ‘Teaching, Leading particular enabling them to notice
and Learning in Small Schools’ and reflect on common strategies
Four principals, one recently retired, taught and co-ordinated by Rev. and routines used by professional
very generously gave up their Prof. Anne Lodge. As part of that teachers, as well as having
Saturday morning in late November module, students also had a full experience of authentic examples of
to present at a Seminar for 4th year morning’s workshop on the effective methods of classroom
B.Eds in the Church of Ireland Centre Incredible Years programme organisation in such settings.
on Leading and Teaching in Small and facilitated by the wonderful Michael
Many thanks to the principals and
Growing Schools. Lesley Denniston Logan of Archways. This is the last
staff in the following schools for
principal of All Saints NS, Mullingar, time we will have the good fortune
facilitating the visits from our
Martha Woolmington principal of to benefit from Michael’s wisdom
student teachers and for the warm
Howth Rd NS, Dublin 3, Janet Twigg because he is retiring. All in the
welcome and encouragement given
recently retired principal of All Saints Centre wish him well. He has been
to them: DrumcondraN.S., Glasnevin
NS, Waterford and Sarah Richards doing greatly appreciated workshops
N.S., Howth Rd NS and Lindsay Rd
principal of Whitechurch NS, Dublin on positive behaviour management
N.S.
held the students spellbound for a with our students since 2010.
few hours with their stories of life in
Ethos in schools Student News
a small school.
Revd. Rob Clements, Ms Grainne
Martha had everyone laughing at the Darlington (Kilternan) and Ms Sarah
tales of child and teacher survival in a Richards (Whitechurch) discussed
school turned building site. Janet
advised on how to keep kindness
(and biscuits) to the fore in every
relationship, even with the
Department inspector. Sarah
Richards explained with how her
school has sought to keep the sense
of family and community to the fore Congratulations from CIC to DCU
as Whitechurch expanded. Lesley Hockey for winning the Mixed
explained the importance, and the Hockey Intervarsity 2020 in
fun, of being part of the school team. February. Alannah Rothwell and
Andrew Arnopp, both BEd 1 students
school ethos and parish–school links
Each of the presenters reminisced were on the winning team. Students
with BEd 4 students as part of their
about their own time as students connected with CIC have also
Religious Education Certificate
and confessed to being surprised, recently represented DCU in tennis
course in November. They answered
but delighted, to take on the role of and rugby.
lots of practical questions about
Principal. The students really
school assembly, parish activities
appreciated the Seminar and
and admission policies as well as
CHURCH OF IRELAND CENTRE, DCU | Issue 4 MARCH 2020 5
CPD in RE for Religious Education
Schools Certificate (Follow
Jacqui Wilkinson Me) 2020
Last term I was in two Church of All Hallows’ College
Ireland schools delivering some
CPD in Religious Education for 26 March, 2 April, 23 April and
staff. 30 April 2020
This term a cluster of schools from 5-8pm
the Tipperary region joined
together for a CPD hour in a central knowledge has
location. This Certificate is offered to existing increased two fold, I have built up a
Do contact me if you would be teachers in Church of Ireland and fantastic bank of resources and I
interested in some CPD as a cluster other Protestant primary schools without doubt know my teaching style
of schools or as an individual who did not undertake their initial of the subject has changed for the
school and I will try to teacher education qualifications in better’.
accommodate you in one of the CICE or through DC004 linked to the
available slots. The topics Church or Ireland Centre, DCU; and If teachers are interested please
currently offered are : (select 1 or who have classroom experience complete the form sent to the
2 for a 1 hour session). Further teaching the Follow Me RE school earlier this month or email
topics available on request. programme. The General Synod Jacqui.
• Assemblies and Follow Me Board of Education sponsors this
• RE in the Infant classroom course as part of their support for Last year a 3 day course (3X4hrs)
• Enquiry based learning schools in the Church of Ireland, was held in Letterkenny towards
with senior classes Methodist, Presbyterian and Society the end of June – I could run the
• Teaching world religions of Friends network. The course is led course in a different geographical
• Website resources to by Jacqui Wilkinson. location if you can gather a cluster
support RE of 6 teachers interested in a course
• The Church of Ireland (an The course is comprised of a series of running from Monday-Wednesday
overview) workshops and accompanying 15-17 June. If there is interest do
• Bible story telling methods coursework leading to the awarding make contact with me and we can
of the RE Certificate in Follow see if this would be possible.
Me. As well as an exploration of the (Jacqueline.wilkinson@dcu.ie).
strands and content of Follow Me
other special topics include ‘Infants Participants will need to indicate the
and Play’, ‘ICT and RE’, ‘Enquiry support of both their school principal
based learning in RE’, ‘Ethos and and Chair of their Board of
parish school links’ and ‘Handling Management for their
the big questions with senior participation.
classes’.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON
Former participants have reflected: ‘I RE ISSUES PLEASE CONTACT
really believe that I walked away with JACQUI
a greater amount of knowledge
relating to how to facilitate Religious Jacqueline.Wilkinson@dcu.ie
• Creating parish school links Education lessons in a fun and creative
• Ultimate questions and way’. @JWilkinson31
discussion in senior classes
‘I have thoroughly enjoyed attending
this course and would highly
recommend it to anyone teaching in a
Church of Ireland school. My
CHURCH OF IRELAND CENTRE, DCU | Issue 4 MARCH 2020 6
Research PSA CICE Conference
The 4th years had many questions,
mostly focused on the process of The PSA CICE Conference takes
projects –
doing a final year project. They also
place next weekend. We have a high
had a few questions about job
applications and interviews. This number of attendees this year. The
sharing of gave rise to a further special event
that will take place during the school
CPD events this year will take the
form of a practical hands on art
experience Easter break for the Church of
Ireland Centre B.Eds on preparing
workshop with Lucy Hamilton Turley
(Art Lecturer) and an IT workshop
job applications and undertaking
with Ciara Reilly (PDST) where
interviews for teaching posts.
participants will get to grips with
coding, easy IT tools for the
Prayer Stations classroom and many other ways to
embed digital technology into
everyday teaching. There will also be
a Gala dinner at the conference
where a number of reunion groups
from CICE will get to celebrate and
catch up with each other.
The 4th year B.Eds had three
If you would like to keep in touch
presentations from recent graduates
on their dissertation findings and on with the Past Student Association of
the process of undertaking research. CICE, please add 'Paststudents cice'
The Centre is grateful to Dr. Ken on Facebook or
Fennelly for giving up his time to Revd. Abigail Sines came to conduct email psacice@gmail.com. All
chair this seminar. a workshop for BEd 4 students as graduates of CIC, DCU are eligible
Jenny Galbraith introduced 4th years part of their RE Cert module. She set for free membership for their first
to the benefits of the school garden up a number of prayer stations, year after college.
for children and teachers alike. She talked about how she has used
argued that engagement with the prayer activities with children and The PSA is also looking at ways to
school garden benefited children then gave the students space for rebrand the organisation to take
both academically and socially as their own reflection and to account of all the different grouping
well as benefitting the wider school experience some quiet in the midst
who are eligible for membership-
community. of their busy day.
past students of CITC, CICE, CIC
Clodagh Dougherty explained how DCU, teachers working in Protestant
important the relationship between managed schools, retired teachers
co-operating teachers and student who worked in Protestant managed
teachers is, especially in helping schools. As the only association
student teachers to develop specifically for teachers working in or
confidence and efficacy in their
who trained for Protestant managed
inclusive practice.
schools, we would like to hear your
Elsa Griffin focused on the infant suggestions for how we might move
years and the importance of play. forward to maintain our place as a
She explored how both teachers and linking point between our teachers,
pupils benefit from using the
graduates and retirees. Let us know
playground and other outdoor areas
for children’s play and learning. your thoughts or ideas via our email
(psacice@gmail.com).
CHURCH OF IRELAND CENTRE, DCU | Issue 4 MARCH 2020 7
School News
Springdale NS
Springdale NS links with Raheny
Community Nursing Unit
For the last number of years, senior
students from Springdale NS have
entertained the residents of the
Raheny Community Nursing Unit
with Christmas carols and songs
every December. In the summer
term of 2019, we were invited to sing
again at their annual Alzheimer’s Tea
Day. Following this event we invited The children have all thoroughly
some of the residents to join us in enjoyed each session and have all
the yard for our annual Ice Cream been disappointed when their turn
Day. It was over an ice cream cone has come to an end. So far students
that we started a wonderful from 3rd to 6th have had the
relationship with our neighbours and opportunity to be involved. This
a fantastic project of cooperation term we are looking forward to
and inter-generational friendship. bringing some of our younger
Since the beginning of September students in with us. We have Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise have
already made plans for a sports published these two sided prayer cards
2019, we have organised weekly
day and teddy bears’ picnic in which would be very useful for assembly.
community link sessions. Six to eight
students, accompanied by a teacher, early June when all children
visit the residents in the nursing unit. involved through the academic
Our children are very fond of their year will join the residents to
next door neighbours. They spend an celebrate the friendships and
hour each week catching up with relationships that have been
each other while taking part in many built.
different activities. Some of these We have had very positive
activities have so far included feedback from all involved -
discussing their favourite books and children, parents, teachers,
movies over a cup of tea and juice, residents and staff. It has so far
having a sing song and dance along, been a wholly enriching
arts and crafts, board games and experience and a link that we are
using a wonderful interactive table keen to continue to nurture over
that the nursing unit kindly received the coming months and hopefully
funding for. Through these activities years.
the members of the group share
stories, learn about each other and
build friendships.
CHURCH OF IRELAND CENTRE, DCU | Issue 4 MARCH 2020 8
School News
We held a curricular areas and it
workshop in our provides a living
Abbeyleix South NS: polytunnel with context in which our
author Fiona pupils can study.
Two major projects recently took Dillon. Fiona
place in the school. The first was the planted more Laois County Council
erection of a polytunnel in 2015 and herbs and very kindly gave us an
the second the creation of an vegetables with Environmental
Outdoor Classroom in 2017. our pupils, who Education Workshop
also had the on Biodiversity as part
opportunity of filming some of our preparations for our Fifth
“Youtube Videos” based on Green Flag. We prepared and
vegetable gardening. planted a butterfly bed. We
undersowed with a mixture of
THE OUTDOOR CLASSROOM: The wildflowers. We also sowed lupin,
town of Abbeyleix was chosen to sedum(ice plant), giant poppy,
represent Ireland in the Entente purple top (verbena), buddleia and
Florale Europe 2017 dahlia. Wild
Competition in June. In our flower seeds
THE POLYTUNNEL: school we decided to were placed in
transform an area of waste little pots in
Thanks to our ever hardworking, land into a beautiful our tunnel to
fundraising Parents’ Association our amenity for all our avail of the
dream of a polytunnel was realised community to enjoy. heat and
in 2015. We could not believe the shelter and
space inside! Our parent body was Developing this area involved a later on they were transplanted into
called upon to get the tunnel ready community-wide effort with parents our wildflower garden.Our hard work
for classes to begin. This happened helping to clear the space and the paid off and on 22nd June 2018 we
quickly and before we local community and were proud to raise our fifth Green
knew it we were planting school families donating Flag for Biodiversity!
vegetables, herbs and the materials. Where
flowers, everything from possible all the items Our Polytunnel and Outdoor
leeks, beans, carrots, used were recycled. We Classroom both provide an outdoor
potatoes, strawberries, created three Bug Hotels, learning environment and a means
scallions, spinach, and planted lots of to create a sense of space for all of
lettuce to flowers like flowers and plants that our pupils. They put the natural
sunflowers and would draw in bees and world at our pupils’ fingertips and
marigolds .The assist with the school’s offer a rich context for exploring
vegetables are tended to during Pollinator Plan. Science, Nutrition, Maths, Art and
break times and classtimes, such was much more.
the enthusiasm for time in the We left part of our outdoor
polytunnel. Some of the produce classroom as a “meadow”. Here we Both spaces are maintained by our
grown is brought home to be planted a variety of apple trees and pupils who were actively involved in
enjoyed while more is used in our buddleia which attract different their creation. They were involved in
school server where our pupils enjoy butterfly species to our wildflower the planning and building of the
cookery classes. garden. Outdoor Classroom which gives
them a greater sense of ownership.
Our polytunnel is a place which helps Our Outdoor Classroom is very much They love the change from the
our pupils to learn more about where enjoyed by our pupils. We bring regular classroom to the great
their food comes from, about them outdoors for classes when outdoors and love to get their hands
making food choices for a healthy possible and also use it when we dirty!
diet and about eating and cooking have workshops. It provides endless
seasonal foods that they grow. opportunities for integrating
CHURCH OF IRELAND CENTRE, DCU Issue 4 March 2020
School News
Lego-We-Do and Chromebooks,
which the schools will have going
Billis NS, Co. Cavan forward. The pupils were trained in
choir singing with the support of a
Experiences of the music facilitator.
Shared Education Celebration Days are to be held for
Programme 2017-2020 the various class groupings at the
end of the programme together
The Peace IV Shared Education with a joint school trip to Explorium
Programme is a cross-border Dublin, Ireland’s National Science &
initiative which is completely Sports Centre.
funded through the European Regional Development
Fund of the EU. It is scheduled to run until March 2020. It There are many positives from participation in the Shared
was designed to enable schools from different religious Education Programme. It does however involve careful
and socioeconomic backgrounds, to work in partnership planning, co-operation and dedication on the part of the
providing opportunities for pupils, teachers and teachers involved in both schools. Shared Education
community to engage in collaborative and meaningful officers provide advice and guidance to schools from the
learning experiences. initial application stage right through to delivery.
Planning Days, with paid substitute cover, is provided to
The Collaboration and Shared Education (CASE) project release teachers to draw up plans, work out the logistics,
has resulted from a partnership with the Education reflect and write up reports at the end of the year. It is
Authority (EA) in Northern Ireland and Léargas in the very much a team effort involving our school Principals,
Republic of Ireland since September 2017. It provides B.O.M. and our wonderful school secretaries who arrange
bus transport (pupils travel to their partner school in
blocks of 5 weeks), paying the bills and ensuring the
necessary returns are made monthly.
Betty Lundie Principal, Billis N.S.
direct, sustained curriculum-based contact between the
partner schools.
Billis (C.O.I.) National School in Co. Cavan in partnership
with Knocktemple (R.C.) National School have been
involved in the CASE project for the past 3 years. During
this time, we have been involved in collaborative projects
including history, process drama, literacy and learning to
play Ukulele. Pupils have thoroughly enjoyed the
opportunities which the programme has offered and have
benefited from the social and educational experiences
involved.
This year, pupils from 1st to 6th class in both schools have
Interested schools can gain further information by visiting
been involved in the programme with a focus on choir
the following website –
singing and STEM. Teachers in both schools were trained
https://www.sharededucation.org.uk
in the use of Beebots and Lego-We-Do which enabled
them to instruct the pupils themselves. By not having to
bring in experts in this area, it meant that extra funding
was available to fund the purchase of sets of Beebots,
CHURCH OF IRELAND CENTRE, DCU | Issue 4 MARCH 2020 10
Other News New book
Church of Ireland: Disestablishment and DCU has funded the publication of a sumptuous heritage
publication celebrating the four institutions that came
Beyond Conference, Royal Irish Academy,
together in October 2016 in the incorporation project.
Dublin. The book, entitled DCU: A New Beginning, tells stories of
CICE, St. Patrick’s College, Mater Dei and DCU itself in
On 27th Feb 2020, Rev. Prof. Anne Lodge took part in
words and pictures. It will be launched in the early
Panel 3 of the Disestablishment Conference talking about
summer and we look forward to sharing the CICE chapter!
the Church of Ireland’s role in education in the Republic of
Ireland since 1969. She described the changes to both **************************************
primary and post-primary sectors in the last 50 years and
outlined how Church of Ireland schools, along with other Assembly visit
minority faith schools,
had long been Jacqui Wilkinson attended assembly in St Luke’s NS
places where Douglas on 25 February and thanked the pupils and
those of other teachers for contributing to the Praying Together book.
beliefs were Here are some of the pupils and teachers who wrote
included and prayers for the book.
made welcome.
She explained
how the schools’
Anglican ethos
helped the
acceptance of
diversity. The fact
that faith formation is left to families and parishes means
that the schools are Christian places of learning but are
not seen as places of indoctrination.
At their best, Church of Ireland schools are child-centred,
democratic places where all voices are heard and where
different opinions are valued. During the panel discussion
at the end of the session, she argued that their flexibility is
a real strength for Church of Ireland schools as Ireland
becomes a more secular place.
The panel was chaired by
broadcaster Aine Lawlor and also The next newsletter will come out in
included Dr Martin Mansergh, June. If you have any suggestions as to
Senator Ivana Bacik and Dr Andrew what we might feature or have any
Pierce. school news do let us know.You can also read
