Louth school welcomes Welsh teachers delegation to learn about Irish education system

Encouraging and supporting external links is an important element that enriches teaching and learning in St. Louis Secondary School in Dundalk.

Last Wednesday the school community welcomed a delegation of Welsh teachers and head-teachers to the school to learn more about the Irish education system and the DEIS programme.

Mrs Michelle Dolan, Principal, spoke to the group about the area’s social and political context and the school’s heritage since 1950.

She spoke of the positive culture and commitment to  delivering equity within the school and the strong ‘wrap around’ nature of care for all students from staff.

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Mrs Dolan also gave the delegation insights into the school’s mission and the positive impacts of the DEIS programme on the lives and academic progress of students.

The group also heard from Mrs Marie Meehan HSCL on her role in the school assisting students and parents and working towards changing perceptions of education.

The school completion officer, Aoife Gonnelly and Niall Weldon who works as Dun Dealgan School Completion Programme Co-ordinator, both spoke about the extra support available to students of the school and county. 

One highlight of the visit was the opportunity for Welsh teachers to engage in focus group discussions with students from first to fifth year.

Conversations included discussions about the highly successful Transition Year and Leaving Certificate Applied programmes in the St. Louis Secondary School.

The urban and rural backgrounds of students was also explored and alongside the strong multicultural community in the school.

This visit builds on a four year link between St. Louis Secondary School and the project organisers, the British Council.

The school wishes to thank Dr Kerry McCall Magan (British Council Ireland) and Tanya Ramone (British Council Wales) for the opportunity to host the Welsh Delegation.

Principal, Mrs Michelle Dolan said: “The Irish and Welsh, as one of our closest neighbours, have a long and proud tradition of shared history and values.

“It was wonderful to have an opportunity to share our experiences of promoting equity with colleagues from Welsh schools and collaborate on how best to meet the challenges our young people face in the 21st C.

“We are grateful for the opportunities we enjoy & funding we receive as a result of our on-going  partnership with the British Council in Ireland.”

Director of the British Council in Ireland, Dr Kerry McCall Magan, said she was delighted to host the education delegation from Wales this week.

Dr McCall Magan along with Head teachers and government officials from Wales were so impressed with the approaches shared by Principal Michelle Dolan, Home School Liaison officer Marie Meehan and staff and students at St Louis Secondary School and all were inspired by their visit.

Dr McCall Magan highlighted how important it is for educators across these islands to connect with each other in this way and share teaching experiences and approaches so that students can be supported to have a happy and rich education and reach their full potential.