Derry Irish-medium Education has it all: Naíscoil, bunscoil agus meánscoil

Never has there been a time in our city and district when Irish-medium Education has been so accessible - from naíscoil (nursery) to bunscoil (primary school) to meánscoil (post primary).

Bunscoil Cholmcille (Steelstown), Gaelscoil Na Daróige (Ballymagroarty) and Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir (Brandywell) all offer on-site nursery provision. We then have a meánscoil at Gaelcholáiste Dhoire (Dungiven) and an Irish-Medium Unit is St Brigid's College / Coláiste Bhríde in the city, for post-primary students.

We also have Naíscoil Cholmcille, which has been serving the community for the past 40 years. Based in the Skeoge area of Derry, Naíscoil Cholmcille is an Irish-medium pre-school for children aged three to four years old, where children are introduced to Irish through stories, songs, rhymes and play.

Speaking to Derry Now, Naíscoil Cholmcille founder, Paula McCartney said since March 1983, hundreds of children had passed through the naíscoil.

“In September 2013, Naíscoil Cholmcille moved into our new, purpose-built setting in the Northwest Business Complex in Skeoge Industrial Park,” added Paula.

“I would say to families thinking about Irish-medium Education, there are many advantages to choosing bilingual education for children. Research has shown that bilingual children have advanced thinking skills and achieve higher levels in literacy and numeracy than their mono-lingual peers - including English.

“Bilingual children are also better able to learn additional languages and are more open to other cultures. Choosing a bilingual education is a very positive step for children, their families and for the community,” said Paula.

Naíscoil Cholmcille provides 24 funded places for pre-school children.

Paula said: “We pride ourselves on our planned, organised and evaluated activities. We also monitor and assess each child’s development, in fact, our focus is on all round child development and providing parents with regular feedback.

Having fun at Gaelscoil Éadain Mhoir

“Naíscoil Cholmcille’s qualified and dedicated staff use structured play to enhance every child’s personal and language development.

“Importantly, we also have links with Irish-medium primary schools, ensuring a smooth transition into Rang 1 (Primary 1) for all children going on to attend bunscoil,” said Paula. 

For families in the city wishing to avail of Irish-medium primary education, it is readily available.

Bunscoil Cholmcille agus Naíscoil Dhoire at Steelstown is celebrating “40 years on the road” this year.

Speaking to Derry Now, príomhoide (principal) Máire Mhic Lochlainn said: “It is with fond memories, the challenges, the hard work of all the staff, the faith parents have entrusted in us in teaching their children and the good will of a lot of people that has enabled the school to flourish, develop and grow stronger over the years.

“We look forward to the years ahead and with the support of our school community, we know that we will continue to instil a love of our language and culture in our younger generation while continuing to develop them academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually so that many opportunities will be available to them as they embark on their journey in the years ahead.”

Gaelscoil agus Naíscoil na Daróige is situated at the very heart of the Ballymagroarty and Creevagh area.

Enjoying sand and water play at Naíscoil Cholmcille

According to its príomhoide Fiachra Ó Donghaile, the school, which is celebrating its 20th birthday, has had “another incredibly successful year”.

Fiachra said: “Gaelscoil agus Naíscoil na Daróige has gained the Sustrans Active Travel Gold Award and was one of only a select few schools chosen for the Every Child a Reader Scheme. We have also witnessed further growth in enrolment and there are plans afoot for further expansion and development at the school.

“At Gaelscoil na Daróige, we employ a thematic approach and engage children in active and contextual learning.

“As a green Flag school, we harness our pollinator friendly school garden to maximise outdoor learning. The recent addition of our bike shelter and tool shed with a living green roof has allowed us to further develop Active Travel to school and resulted in the Gold Award.

“We also work closely with outside agencies to provide children with the best experiences. We have provided workshops with RSPB, Red Cross, Seagate, RNLNI, Sustrans, the GAA, the community Library and Comhairle Cathrach Dhoire agus an tSratha Báin,” said Fiachra.

Gaelscoil agus Naíscoil na Daróige operates an extensive Extended Schools programme offering a wide range of clubs.

“We have hurling and football, gymnastics and yoga, reading, maths and cookery. We have something for all interests and abilities, said Fiachra.

Future All Stars at Gaelscoil Na Daróige

“Our award winning choir club is extremely popular and successful and the STEM club offers lots of opportunities. Homework and revision clubs are also an important element of the Extended Schools programme. We also have a welcome club and a breakfast club,” he added.

Naíscoil and Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir located in the Gasyard site in Brandywell is committed to providing “high quality bilingual education”.

Príomhoide Mary Nic Ailin said the school helped parents and guardians ensure bilingualism is promoted at all times. 

“We work together to ensure that the children are happy and secure at school,” said Mary.

“We encourage the children to become independent, active learners by providing them with a wide based education in a safe and caring environment.

“We promote success at all levels and encourage the children to continually develop new educational and social skills, inside and outside of school.

“We also promote a sense of belonging and emphasise the importance of celebrating our culture through language, music and literature through school, and through our work with Derry's thriving Irish language youth sector.

“In addition, we encourage high standards of respect at Naíscoil and Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir.”