The publication of notification of intention to apply for recognition of new co-educational primary schools to commence in September 2006 is a clear indication of the diversification of Irish society and the strengthening popular demand for multi-denominational education. These notifications were published in the National Press this week by the New Schools Advisory Committee (an independent body established to assess applications for new schools).

A total of 16 new primary school notifications were made; 10 of these are multi-denominational schools, 5 are interdenominational schools and one is a Catholic school.

Six of the 10 multi-denominational schools have been submitted by Educate Together. Another two multi-denominational school notifications have been submitted by Limerick School Project, which is member of Educate Together but is a local, independent patron body. The final two will be Irish speaking, multi-denominational schools with the patronage of Foras Pátrúnachta na Scoillaenna Lánghaeilge Teo.

Currently the State has no functioning mechanism to open new schools and is dependant on such movements as Educate Together to open schools nationwide.

Today, the National Office for Educate Together has three essential roles. These include the management of 39 schools, Patron body for 21 schools and Promoter of an average of four schools per year.

This effort costs a minimum of €500,000 per annum. The State has provided €81,133 towards this in 2005. Unless the State dramatically increases its support, Educate Together will not be able to respond to the increasing demands from parents for its services. Such parents have a legitimate right to such services and the State has a responsibility to address their needs.
 
As a promoter of new schools, Educate Together believes that it is working extremely constructively with all relevant bodies to ensure that educational facilities are provided to communities with a proven demand, in the most cost effective manner possible.

Educate Together calls on the Minister for Education and Science to illustrate this government’s commitment to the future of our society, take the courageous step and provide appropriate support for Educate Together.

Updated List of Areas Seeking new Educate Together National Schools

Educate Together has updated the list of areas in which significant numbers of parents are seeking to access Educate Together National Schools. The list is separated into two. These two lists correspond to the division of responsibility within the Planning and Building Section of the Department of Education and Science. The list is in alphabetical order.

This updated list brings the total of such areas to 37. This is an increase of 7 areas in the past year.

School Planning 1:
Adamstown, Co. Dublin; Allenwood, Co. Kildare; Baldoyle, Dublin 13; Ballinteer, Co. Dublin; Blessington, Co. Wicklow; Carlow, Co. Carlow; Drimnagh, Dublin 12; Drogheda, Co. Louth; Dundalk, Co. Louth; Dungarvan, Co. Waterford; Edenderry, Co. Offaly; Goatstown, Co. Dublin; Greystones, Co. Wicklow; Leixlip, Co. Kildare; Leopardstown, Dublin 18; Naas, Co. Kildare; Portlaoise, Co. Laois; Sandyford, Dublin 18; Skerries, Co. Dublin; Tallaght, Dublin; Tramore, Co. Waterford;  Wexford, Co. Wexford

School Planning 2:
Ballina, Co. Mayo;  Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim;  Carrigaline, Co. Cork;  Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork;  Castlebar, Co. Mayo;  Clonmel, Co. Tipperary;  Donegal town, Co. Donegal;  Drogheda, Co. Louth;  Dundalk, Co. Louth;  Doughishka, Co. Galway; Kilrush, Co. Clare;  Letterkenny, Co. Donegal; Midleton, Co. Cork;  Passage West, Co. Cork;  Skibbereen, Co. Cork.

If you wish to access an Educate Together school and your area is not listed above, please contact our Development Officer <mailto:jane.mccarthy@educatetogether.ie> as soon as possible. This list is regularly updated and is subject to change. The presence of an area on this list does not constitute an undertaking by Educate Together that schools will be opened in that area. The list includes the six Educate Together notifications published this week.

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Events/ News

Winter fairs are one of the highlights of the year in many Educate Together schools. They combine a fun family day out, community building and vital fundraising. Why not drop into to one to help the school and sample the atmosphere? The dates we have to hand are listed below. Many other schools may be having similar events, check in with them to find out. (List on http://www.educatetogether.ie/5_schools/listofschools.html)

• Bray School Project NS – Sunday, December 4th.  11.00 -15.00pm

• Monkstown Educate Together NS- Sunday, December 4th. Knox Hall, Monkstown

• Griffith Barracks Multi Denominational School  – Sunday, December 4th. 12 to 15.00pm at South Circular Road, Dublin 8

• Kilkenny School Project NS– Saturday, 3rd. December, 10.30a.m. to 12.30.

• Cork School Project NS - Winter Fair - 9th December

• Gorey ETNS, Ballytegan Rd, Gorey - Farmers' Food Market - Sunday December 18th - 11am-4pm

• Dalkey School Project N.S - Saturday, 10th. December 11.30 till 2.30 approx

• Ranelagh Multi-denominational School - December 16th. Winter fair for parents

• Limerick School Project NS:  Sunday, December 11th. From 1.00p.m.

• Galway Educate Together National School: Sunday, December 11th. From 1 – 4pm.

The next National Forum will take place on Saturday, March 4th, 2006 in Waterford Educate Together National School. Full Details and Agenda will issue in January.

View Messages of Support for Educate Together that have been sent to the Minister for Education and Science

A web page has been created to reflect the mass support the national organisation has received in the run up to this years budget and our campaign for core funding. To view please click the following link: http://www.educatetogether.ie/reference_articles/Messages_of_Support_for_Educate_Together.html

If you know a friend or colleague who would like to receive news of Educate Together, they can subscribe to this news service by entering their email on the green pane of all pages of our website

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