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Hands up for Irish culture
 Schoolchildren
in the Midlands are getting to grips with Irish culture and history as
part of a new classroom initiative.
This week Sandwell Irish Society has embarked on an innovative nine-week
culture project involving over 120 local children.
Using funding received from Díon and from Sandwell Council the
project aims to focus on Irish history with a view to being part of the
area’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
The project involves three Sandwell primary schools — St. Philip’s
in Smethwick, as well as St. Francis Xavier and St Hubert’s in Oldbury.
St. Paul’s Girl’s Secondary School in Birmingham is also taking
part.
The project will draw on the skills, knowledge and experience of Sandwell’s
current Rose of Tralee textile artist Claire Diamond and Irish Studies
postgraduate student Sarah Hackett.
It will cover subjects including art, geography, history, English and
maths.
Secondary school pupils will study Ann Pilling’s classic book The
Black Harvest.
Head of English at St. Paul’s Maggie Stilliard said: “It’s
an exciting opportunity to have a post-graduate student of Irish Studies
joining me to offer her expertise.
“I am teaching The Black Harvest which is rooted in the potato famine
and Sarah is offering our girls a historical context.”
Primary school children will explore Irish myths and legends and will
base their work on the story of The Children Of Lir.
Teachers have said students are delighted to be able to take part.
Deputy Head of St. Philip’s Primary School Carmel Hinton said: “It
gives the children opportunities to learn about other cultures and especially
about the traditions and celebrations of Ireland.”
And St. Francis Xavier class 2 teacher Andy Dickinson said: “This
project will help to raise the self-esteem and profile of our Irish children.”
All of the work produced will be displayed at Sandwell’s St. Patrick’s
Day Celebration in West Bromwich on Saturday, March 15.
Head of St. Hubert’s Primary School Clare McNally said: “We
are pleased to be involved — it provides our children with the chance
to learn new skills from an expert and about Irish culture.
“The fact that it is funded means that those children who wish to
take part can do so.”
Sandwell Irish Society’s Development Manager Siobhán Gorman
organised the project.
She said: “This is an exciting project which will not only enhance
our St. Patrick’s Day celebration but will also increase community
engagement and promote community cohesion.
For further information contact Sandwell Irish Society on 0121 553 4402
or email sandwellirishsociety@btopenworld.com. |
