What is Aistear?

Aistear is thecurriculum framework for children frombirth to six years in Ireland. It provides information for adults to help them plan for and provide enjoyable and challenging learning experiences, so that all children can grow and develop as competent and confident learners within loving relationships with others. Aistear describes the types of learning (dispositions, values and attitudes, skills, knowledge, and understanding) that are important for childrenin their early years, and offers ideas and suggestions as to how this learning might be nurtured. Aistear is one of the highlights of our school day in the Junior InfantClassroom. Working on a new theme each month they learn new vocabulary,develop their problem solving skills, work as part of a team as well as developingcommunication and play skills. It is a fabulous resource to have in the school andboth teachers and children are really enjoying and gaining from the experience.Aistear is based on 12 principles of early learning and development.

These are presented in three groups:

1. The first group concerns children and their lives in early childhood:

• The child’s uniqueness
• Equality and diversity
• Children as citizens.

2. The second group concerns children’s connections with others:

• Relationships
• Parents, family and community
• The adult’s role.

3. The third group concerns how children learn and develop:

• Holistic learning and development
• Active learning
• Play and hands-on experiences
• Relevant and meaningful experiences
• Communication and language
• The learning environment.

Aistear: the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework presents children’s learningand development using four themes.

These are:

• Well-being
• Identity and Belonging
• Communicating
• Exploring and Thinking.

Science

Discover Primary Science and Maths (DPSM) is the national programme, run by Science Foundation Ireland, to foster interest in science, technology engineering and maths amongst children in primary schools. The schools investigates the signs of Spring with theGreenwave project. The schools has visited and invited speakers from Discover Science centres. We have been awarded 7 Science Foundation Ireland Discover Science & Maths Awards. All classes are involved in scientific investigations, using ICT and maths, trips, speaker visits, presenting at or attending the science open day in the school and science week.

School Excellence Fund - Digital: (Digital Learning Clusters): The purpose of the project is to demonstrate the innovative use of digital technologies in teaching, learning and assessment, through clusters of schools collaborating on specific projects Our project is “STEM for girls at all levels” – To encourage a positive experiential outcome in STEM subjects using Digital Technology amongst female subjects. The project will run from 2018 for the next 3 years and has a fund of €20.,000 euro. We’re in a cluster with Presentation Secondary School and two other primary schools.

School Achievements and Activities

We encourage our pupils to participate in many local and national initiatives, including -

• Discover Primary Science
• Active School Flag
• Aistear Programme – child-centred approach to Infant education
• Seachtain na Gaeilge
• Green School Programme (7 flags achieved)
• Mata sa Rang Maths Eyes
• Maths Week
• School Excellence Fund –STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths)
• Drama- annual Christmas concert
• School Choir
• Athletics
• Swimming
• Badminton
• Basketball Cumann na mBunscol-
• Gaelic football competitions
• Quiz Teams
• Primary Debating
• Credit Union Saving Scheme