First Minister Robinson Says Shared Education Is Way Forward

FIRST Minister Peter Robinson on a visit to Newcastle has underlined his support for cross-community education when he awarded graduation certificates to hundreds of primary pupils involved in a collaborative learning project.

Pupils from 13 County Down primary schools who “graduated” from the cross-community Sharing Languages, Sharing Cultures programme run by Shimna IC. Certificates were awarded by (l, back row) businessman and supporter Dr Gerard O’Hare and (r,back row) First Minister Peter Robinson at a ceremony at the Slieve Donard Hotel. (Photo by Declan Roughan)

Thirteen schools, from the Maintained, Controlled and Integrated sectors have joined the Sharing Languages-Sharing Cultures programme, run by Shimna Integrated College. Peter Robinson this week launched the Executive’s Programme for Government and described it as the strongest commitment there has ever been in Northern Ireland to moving towards greater sharing and integration in education.

The Sharing Languages, Sharing Cultures project involves 253 children in primary schools in South Down, joining for language lessons and workshops, co-ordinated by teacher Laura O’Hare from Shimna IC.

In the 2006 Shimna Integrated College was designated as one of the first twelve Specialist Schools in Northern Ireland, with a specialism in languages and the international dimension.  For the Sharing Languages Sharing Cultures Primary schools work together on a cross-community basis; through a simple transport plan, the children in the State school are brought to their Maintained partner school for a lesson, and the following week the process is reversed.

Hats off to sharing.... children from controlled, integrated and maintained primary schools who have joined together to learn languages. (Photo by Declan Roughan)

Mr Robinson was joined on the platform by businessman Dr Gerard O’Hare, a key supporter of the project. The First Minister in addressing  the audience said , “I want to see a situation where what you do is not the exception but is replicated all across Northern Ireland. I believe that shared education is the way forward for Northern Ireland and you have taken an important step along that road and one which is supported by schools from right across the community.

“I want to see what you are doing as the start of a process by which all of our children from the earliest age have the opportunity to live and learn together. If we are to make a real impact we must build bridges not for a single crossing but for a permanent link from one side to another. This programme has laid a solid foundation.”

Children from schools in the Kilkeel, Castlewellan and Newcastle areas wore graduation gowns and mortar boards to receive certificates for their achievements in the scheme. The ceremony continued with dance, a multilingual choir and a solo performance from internationally-celebrated singer Tommy Sands.

David Thompson (IEF), Kevin Lambe (Principal, Shimna IC) Ellen McVea, (VP, Shimna IC), First Minister Peter Robinson, Laura O’Hare (Shimna IC Sharing Languages, Sharing Cultures project) Dr Gerard O’Hare (Parker Green International) and Brian Small (IEF). (Photo by Declan Roughan)

Language Teacher Laura O’Hare said, “The real value of our project is in the long-term, sustainable partnerships it promotes.  The children learn languages in weekly classes as part of their normal timetable, enriching the curriculum.  This year the project will grow, providing opportunities for parents of children in the partner schools to meet and learn together, and also for the teachers to have funded time to plan further collaborations across the curriculum.”

The project began as part of the Queen’s University-managed Sharing Education Programme (SEP).  When the original SEP grant came to an end, the Integrated Education Fund was delighted to be able to introduce local businessman Dr Gerard O’Hare CBE to the project.  Dr O’Hare (of Parkergreen International)  was so impressed that he pledged to help the project continue, and Atlantic Philanthropies stepped in to provide matching funding, maintaining the project for a further three years. Shimna IC and the partner schools also raise what funds they can.

Caitlin Trainor from Moneydarragh PS, Jordan Lavery from St Mary’s PS Glasdrumman and Kathy Purdy from Annalong PS prepare for their “graduation” from the Sharing Languages Sharing Cultures project. (Photo by Declan Roughan)

Dr O’Hare said, “I think this project is a fantastic opportunity for these young graduates and I am delighted that our First Minister Peter Robinson recognises that by joining us at the event. As we become a more multicultural society here in Northern Ireland it is vital that our young people understand and respect other cultures.

“From a business perspective it is essential for growth in many industries that a company can operate in other markets. By giving our young people a grasp of other languages and cultural diversity we are creating future adults very able for the world of business.”

At the event, Dr O’Hare accepted a Times Educational Supplement ‘Outstanding Community Partnership Award’ for the project on behalf of the funders and schools.