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Twenty three teachers (pictured right) new to the Ballymun / Whitehall area this 2009 / 2010 academic year participated in an Introduction to the Community of Ballymun programme. This special programme is organised every year by Ballymun Whitehall Area Partnership to assist teachers working in local schools to get to know a little bit more about the community in which their school is located. This helps them to make their lessons more relevant to their pupils and students as the teachers are introduced to real places, activities or services available in the community.
The Partnership is really pleased with the turn out by teachers to the programme and the commitment that they have shown to their students by giving their time voluntarily to attend the programme, which takes place outside of the normal schools hours. The teachers came along from a number of schools and education centres namely Trinity Comprehensive, Holy Spirit Boys NS, Youthreach, Scoil an tSeachtar Laoch, Margaret Aylward Community College, St. Joseph’s Senior NS and Virgin Mary Boys NS.
The Introduction to the Community of Ballymun programme presents some facts and figures and other information to teaching staff and then facilitates them to get out into the community, along roads and into buildings they may not be familiar with and meeting staff from other fields and professions to learn something about what happens outside the school gates.
When asked what they found useful from the programme one teacher responded "seeing how people are working together to make Ballymun a better place. There is a genuine effort from everyone to make a better life for the children in Ballymun; and to empower them to get involved and have hope for the future.”
Another said “I found the experience very informative. Great to know that there are such strong support structures in place in the area.”
A third said that “just seeing where most of the pupils live and where they come from” was useful.
The Partnership wishes to thank the schools’ management for supporting this programme and encouraging their teaching staff to take part. Many thanks also to the various community based organisations in Ballymun that open their doors and provide a big welcome to the participants and share their knowledge and expertise with them.
For further information on the Introduction to the Community of Ballymun programme for teachers new to the Ballymun / Whitehall area, contact the Education Section of Ballymun Whitehall Area Partnership.
Email colma@ballymun.org.
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