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Thurles Credit Union Sponsor New Library

Thurles Credit Union Sponsor New St Patrick’s College  Library

Pictured recently at the presentation of sponsorship of the new student library at St Patricks College were Donal Scannell (CEO TCU), Paula Hourigan (Registrar St Patricks College), DJ Darcy (President TCU), Rebecca Foote (Student Council, St Patricks College) and Fr Tom Fogarty (President, St Patricks College).

St Patrick’s College is a college of education, primarily specialising at undergraduate level in preparing students to teach in post-primary schools. The college is located here in the picturesque town of Thurles, Co. Tipperary and has a rich history of religious and humanities education, dating back to 1837.

Accredited by the University of Limerick, the college currently offers four full-time BA in Education degrees, which prepare teachers of Religious Studies, Irish, Business and Accountancy for employment in post-primary schools.

As well as offering full time academic courses, St. Patrick’s College serves as a centre for theological, pastoral and spiritual renewal in the region and continues to provide opportunities for community learning.

St. Patrick’s College is also currently developing postgraduate programmes.

Tree Day 2012 – Lá na gCrann 2012

Trees – (Poetry by Alfred Joyce Kilmer.)

“I think that I shall never see, a poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest, against the sweet earth’s flowing breast.
A tree that looks at God all day and lifts her leafy arms to pray.
A tree that may in summer wear, a nest of robins in her hair.
Upon whose bosom snow has lain, who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me, but only God can make a tree.”

Tree Day, October 11th next, is an annual event, not just in Thurles, but on the whole island of Ireland, and is now enjoying its sixteenth year. It is one day in the primary school curriculum which is exclusively devoted to the study and direct experience of trees. All 3,200 primary schools across Ireland are encouraged to put away their school books for this day and learn about trees and the environment in general in a fun, relaxed yet stimulating setting.

As already stated, Tree Day will be held this year in all primary schools on Thursday, 11th October 2012. The theme for this year’s Tree Day is “Dá mbeadh crainn in ann labhairt” or translated from the Irish “If trees could talk.” Keeping this theme in mind, children, with adults, parents and teachers are invited to explore the fascinating stories, the people and events of local, national and indeed world significance, that a tree growing in their locality may have experienced in its lifetime.

The aim of Tree Day is to create a visual learning experience that will enthuse and enlighten all children, by making them aware of the magic, the beauty and the importance of trees in our local environment.

Note: The event is being organised by the Tree Council of Ireland with the support of the Department of Education and Skills and is sponsored by Tetra Pak, with the support of Avonmore School Milk.

This Tree Day it is hoped that many schools will take the opportunity to participate in guided woodland walks at various locations throughout the country, enabling children to connect directly with nature in an enjoyable and safe way.

Thurles Credit Union Student Bursary Winners 2012

Thurles Credit Union run a Student Bursary Award competition for Leaving Certificate Students who are pursuing Third Level College and all winners for  2012 have just been announced.

Thurles Credit Union Student Bursary Winners 2012.

Gold: The winners of the two Gold Student Bursary Awards are Margaret O’Loughlin, Killinan, Thurles, Co Tipperary and Shannon Molloy, Bluebell Cottage, Lower Ballingarry, Thurles, Co Tipperary. Pictured above (right) are the winners of the two Gold student bursary awards with Mr DJ Darcy (President TCU) and Mr Donal Scannell (CEO).

Silver: The winners of the six Silver Bursary Awards are Ciara Moloney, Kennedy Park, Thurles; Deirdre Ryan, Park House, Rossmore, Thurles; Paul Bowden, The Forde, Graine; Ronan Guilfoyle, The Islands, Urlingford; Chloe Bourke, Monslatt, Killenaule, Thurles and Grainne O’Gorman, Cloncleigh, Two Mile Borris, Thurles. All winning students are pictured above (Left) with TCU President Mr DJ Darcy.

Well done and congratulations and to all concerned.

Reading Association Of Ireland 36th Annual Conference

Uachtarán na hÉireann, Professor Michael Daniel Higgins & Dr. Karen Willoughby, (President of RAI.)

The Reading Association of Ireland (RAI) began their 36th Annual Conference at the Marino Institute of Education in Dublin Last night, with the theme of this year’s gathering, ‘From Literacy Research to Classroom Practice: Insights and Inspiration.’

The conference will continue until September 29th, 2012, with keynote speakers which will include :- Professor Frank Serafini, latter an Author, Illustrator, Musician, Educational Consultant & Photographer & Dr Áine Cregan, former Fullbright Scholar from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Consultant to the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) & a member of the National Economic and Social Forum (NESF) committee.

Dr. Anne O’Gara, President of the Marino Institute of Education warmly welcomed the very large crowd of delegates which attended and which included the President of Ireland, Professor Michael D. Higgins, as their honoured guest.

Amongst those representing Thurles & Co Tipperary at this three day conference are Dr. Karen Willoughby, Thurles (President of the Reading Association of Ireland (RAI) ), Dr. Mary Roche, Thurles (St. Patrick’s College,),  Mr John Hogan, Moyne (North Tipperary Co. Councillor), Teachers Miss Angela Butler, & Mr Frank Tuohy, both from Holycross, Thurles, Student Teachers, Mr Gary Butler, Thurles, (St. Patrick’s College) & Miss Rachel Willoughby, Thurles, (IADT Dun Laoghaire).

Officially opening the conference on behalf of the RAI committee, Thurles born Dr Karen Willoughby stated: “On behalf of Reading Association of Ireland, its committee and members, I would like to thank Dr. O’Gara and the staff and community at the Marino Institute of Education for their help and support in hosting this year’s conference.”

Dr. Willoughby then called on the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, to deliver his opening address.

In his opening address President Higgins praised the significance of the Reading Association of Ireland’s volunteer work, noting that literacy experiences and education, which moves beyond the functional, was vital and played a pivotal role in ensuring the inclusion of all members of our society.

Continue reading Reading Association Of Ireland 36th Annual Conference

Tipperary Down Syndrome Coffee Morning

Down syndrome Ireland (Tipperary Branch,) are hosting a coffee morning in Hayes Hotel, Thurles, next Saturday September 29th, from 9.30am until 11.00am.

All funds will go direct to the Tipperary Branch of Down Syndrome Ireland.

Down syndrome Ireland Tipperary branch is run on a voluntary basis by parents and families of children/adults with Down Syndrome. They offer a wide & varied range of services, including Parentlink, a group of parents who have received training to be the first point of contact to new parents and their families. They also employ a senior Speech and Language therapist, Susanna Stokes, two days a week to work with Tipperary members. Susanna gives a home programme for parents to follow at home.

The group also provide worthwhile Music Therapy & Kindergym for all younger members and a valued Therapeutic Fitness Instructor, who works with those affected,  who are over the age of six year old. In May 2012 they commenced their Adult Literacy (Latch – on) Project, in conjunction with Down syndrome Limerick, which is a two year literacy project for adults with Down syndrome.

Fundraising, like this coffee morning on Saturday 29th September at Hayes Hotel and other fundraising events throughout the year held by members, their families and friends, make it possible for the Tipperary branch to subsidies these very vital services for these Down Syndrome affected children and adults. Please also remember that all funds raised here in Co Tipperary stays totally within the Tipperary branch network.

So please, please, please do make the effort to support this worthy cause and note your calendar; its all happening on Saturday September 29th, next from 9.30am until 11.00am.