The Write-a-Book Project
The Write A Book Project has been run in the Centre for nearly 11 years now and
once again it was run in 1998. Liam Murphy, local storyteller, poet, teacher and
performer gave a very interesting talk, in Garter Lane Theatre, to the students
involved and then presented them with their certificates. Liam had to repeat the
talk and presentation ceremony three times throughout the day in order to accommodate
all the groups who wanted to attend.
Over 900 students submitted books for the 1998 project and John Connolly co-ordinated
the project organising exhibitions of the books in Waterford Library and in
Scholars Bookshop providing school groups, the children, and their parents with
the opportunity to view or read the books. Since he began coordinating the Project
John Connolly has been attempting to expand the activities associated with the
project particularly by liasing with the local library and applying successfully
to Waterford Corporation for an Arts Grant. I would like to thank John on behalf
of all those schools who submitted books for his contribution and commitment
to this project over several years.
Ringo Project
1998 is the third year we have been involved with Ringo which is a recycling
and educational project for 5th class in primary schools. Eanna Ní Lamhna the
National Co-ordinator for the project had visited the Centre in December 1996
to introduce the teachers to the project.
"Hi Cone" in Mallow are the plastics producing company who sponsor
the project and students are involved in learning about plastics uses, production
and recycling, in collecting the plastic rings (from drinks cans) for recycling
and in producing posters promoting recycling which are entered for competition.
Marina Stack a local part-time Science teacher acted as the co-ordinator in
1998 and visited the dozen or so schools involved. This is a very simple project
which is co-ordinated by Eanna Ní Lamhna from Blackrock Education Centre. All
materials are supplied to the schools free of charge to the participating schools.
We are repeating the project again this year. Eanna Ní Lamhna again visited
teachers in this Centre in November 1999. Éanna and local co-ordinator Nicholas
Knox, a recently retired N.T. who took over from Marina Stack for the 1999 Project
also travelled to Lawlor's Hotel, Dungarvan on 23rd November 1999, where they
provided training in the use of the materials for interested teachers.
1798 Commemoration - Banner Competition
The Department of Education initiated a project for the school year 1997/1998
to commemorate the two hundredth anniversary of the 1798 Rebellion and invited
primary school students to submit A4 Size designs of banners relating to the
historic events of 1798. The competition started in late 1997 and concluded
in November 1998.
Tony Dillon and John Connolly, both members of our then Management Committee
judged the entries received by this Centre before they dispatched the top ten
entries for national judging. The national judging which took place in Co. Wexford
Education Centre was carried out by Mr. Pat Higgins, Director of Co. Wexford
Education Centre in conjunction with the INTO and Inspectors from the Department
of Education and Science.
The Centre extends congratulations to the winner, Lorna Kirk, a pupil in Star
of the Sea N.S., Tramore.
