Tag Archives: Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg

PLANS for an extension to an Ennis primary school, to include the first Early Intervention Unit at a mainstream primary school in the town, have been put on hold as an appeal has been lodged with An Bord Pleanala. The appeal to the two-storey extension of Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg has been submitted by a Glenina resident who had previously lodged an objection to the plans with Clare County Council on behalf of a number of residents living in the Gort Road estate. The An Bord Pleanala appeal argues “traffic problems and anti-social behaviour are problems that already exist” in the area and the proposed development will add to this. “Trucks and diggers and building traffic will be in and out of the estate for a period of 18 months. This is a residential area were people work from home and work shift work and are entitled to live in a peaceful atmosphere,” the appeal states. The original objection documentation to …

THE extension of an Ennis primary school, which is expected to result in an “enhanced” school experience for students and staff, has been given the green light by Clare County Council. Planning permission has been granted for a two storey extension to Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg which will include the first Early Intervention Unit at a mainstream primary school in the town. The school on the Gort Road will develop six classrooms, a general purpose hall, two SEN classrooms and two ball courts as well as additional carparking and other associated works. The planning authority has granted planning permission to the Board of Management of Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg subject to seven conditions, including that a planned parking area at Glenina pitch be dedicated to Clare County Council once finished. A proposal for a bus turning area along the side of Glenina pitch has not been permitted by the local authority. “The purpose of the new classroom and associated facilities is to …

PLANS to extend an Ennis primary school will lead to an “enhanced” school experience with “better facilities” for the existing staff and students. That’s according to a report lodged with Clare County Council as part of a planning application by the Board of Management of Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg for a two storey extension at the school. If given the go-ahead the school on the Gort Road will see the development of six classrooms, a general purpose hall, two SEN classrooms and two ball courts as well as additional staff car parking and other associated works. A mobility and management report into the proposal has been compiled by P Coleman & Associates on behalf of the applicant and lodged with the planning application. It outlines that the proposed extended school will not create any additional students or trips with no planned increase in students or staff. The existing school has 471 students and 31 staff. “The purpose of the new classroom …

IT was back to school for Environment Minister Eamon Ryan when he visited Ennis last week. The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and Minister for Transport paid a visit to Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg where he joined in with their walking bus. The walking bus has proven to be a massive success with pupils at the Gort Road primary school since its introduction two years ago. And on Friday the Green Party Minister got to see first hand how the children have been doing their bit to help the environment by walking to school. During the visit the minister also spoke with principal Dónal Ó hAiniféin on the importance of cycle lanes for the town, as well plans for the school’s new extension. Mr Ó hAiniféin told us,“Like other schools we have been dealing with traffic issues for many years, the dropping off and pick up in those 15 or 20 minute period when things are quite busy. “Instead …

FIVE Clare schools have been chosen to take part in a new programme aimed at supporting walking and cycling infrastructure for primary and post-primary schools. St Flannan’s NS, Inagh, Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg, Inis, Holy Family Junior School, Ennis, Holy Family Senior NS, Ennis, and Clonmoney National School, Newmarket-on-Fergus, were among 170 schools nationwide selected in the first round of the Safe Routes to School Programme. The scheme was announced in March of this year, with 932 schools, representing almost one in four schools in the state, expressing interest. The schools selected were assessed against a range of criteria including school type, location and the school’s commitment to sustainable travel. Clare’s Green Party Senator Róisín Garvey has said that the scheme will offer a variety of benefits. “Safer routes to school are needed outside every school in Ireland. This is something I’ve worked passionately on for years inside and outside of politics. “We know that children in schools across Clare want …

AN ENNIS principal has appealed to the education minister for a speedy conclusion to talks on the system of allocation of secondary school places in Ennis. In recent years, there has been an unprecedented demand, with some schools receiving more than twice as many applications as available places. As Minister Norma Foley visited Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg this week, Príomhoide Dónal Ó hAiniféin availed of the opportunity to highlight the issue. He said the stress of trying to secure a place gave the “wrong impression” of secondary school as students were making a key transition out of primary education. Referring to an ongoing consultation process, which was developed in response to the controversy, Mr Ó hAiniféin expressed the hope that it might soon be brought to a successful conclusion by the autumn. “For children in sixth class, it gives the totally wrong impression,” he said. “I’m certain the secondary schools will benefit from the positivity that will come from this, and …

A RICH display of music and song greeted the education minister as she visited Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg in Ennis this week to announce a new multi-purpose hall and two Early Intervention rooms. In a socially-distanced ceremony, some of the school’s 481 pupils showcased their talents to a small but appreciative audience including the Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Mary Howard, board of management representatives and parents. Addressing the gathering bilingually, the minister said she was very proud of the work being done. “It’s a very positive day for the school and an endorsement of the very positive work that goes on an ongoing basis,” she said. “There has been very strong commitment from the entire school team. The ongoing engagement with the Department of Education has been very positive. This school has grown and developed spectacularly in the last number of years. That’s a tribute to the excellent work that goes on here on a daily basis.” Príomhoide Dónal Ó …

All-Ireland hurling medal winner,  Podge Collins, visited Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg in Ennis  to raise the school’s new Yellow Flag. The Yellow Flag programme recognises a school’s work in promoting interculturalism, equality, diversity and inclusion in both the school and wider community. The programme works through an eight-step model, which allows schools to apply those steps to the day-to-day running of the school in order to promote and support an environment for interculturalism. According to teacher Aoife Ní Conchúir, the whole school was involved in achieving the flag, and all classes were involved in the sports day held to mark raising the Yellow Flag. “It was a great day. We have about 11 different countries represented in the school community, between children and parents. To achieve the Yellow Flag, we held a series of events in the school celebrating diversity and involving the wider community. We made contact with different groups from different countries and held events. We had African drummers, …