Language day opens hearts and minds at Loreto
Riccardo Forte making pizzas with Nicole Power and Chloe Murphy
Chloe Morrissey, Aoife O’Keeffe, Grace O’Brien, Aisling Murphy and Heather O’Leary
Teacher Malden Hauck and students Beau Callery and Sadhbh Bowe try out some German cookies
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It was a day of discovery, a day of engaging with other cultures, and a day of pizza and biscuit making for Transition Year students at Loreto College.
For the first time in its history, the school took part in Think Language Day, a national event which raises awareness of the value of teaching and learning foreign languages.
But rather than simply sit students down for a double class of French, the programme is designed to encourage engagement with languages through a variety of workshops and activities.
Transition Year co-ordinator at the Loreto, Ursula Zimmerman, explained how it came about.
'In addition to being TY co-ordinator I also teach French, German and Japanese so I thought it would be a good opportunity for the students to learn more about languages,' Ursula said.
'This year's event was held virtually, which meant we watched a series of talks and presentations online, but we also arranged an additional 25 workshops for the students to take part in here at the school.'
After sitting down to a continental breakfast together, the students gathered to watch the official opening ceremony which featured an address from Minister for Education Norma Foley.
Also featuring in this hour-long presentation was renowned comedian and former pupil of St Peter's, Des Bishop. He recounted his experiences of learning Irish and Chinese and incorporating both into his stand-up routines.
The students then began the first of 25 workshops which had been arranged for them by the school, staff, and in some cases, parents.
'We had a sign language one, Latin, Arabic with belly dancing, pizza-making, calligraphy, salsa, tai-chi, taekwondo, German biscuit making, they were all designed to help the students better understand the languages of each country,' explained Ursula.
'The highlight of the day was the talk from two members of the Direct Provision Centre in Rosslare, they came out and spoke about their lives, their educational background and the challenges they have faced.
'We also had a parent who had worked with the UN in Moscow so they came in and spoke too.'
Reflecting on what was a very successful event, Ursula said she hoped it had opened the 'hearts and minds' of her students and made them aware of the opportunities available to them through the learning of languages. And she said the Transition Year class of 2020-21 had, thus far, exceeded all expectations placed upon them.
'This group are unbelievable, I've never seen anything like them,' said Ursula. 'When we started out in September there was a certain sense of trepidation about the year ahead but they have been brilliant.
'They have such creativity, initiative, drive and enthusiasm, they're running a variety of committees; fundraising, litter picking, school liaison. They want to take on that responsibility and they know if they come up with an idea we will run with it.'