Gaelscoil Ghráinne Mhaol

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School Details: Gaelscoil Ghráinne Mhaol is a multi-denominational Gaelscoil located in Dublin 13. The school opened in 2021 with nine students under the patronage of An Foras Pátúnachta. Currently, the school has 29 students and is projected to nearly double its enrolment to 56 students next year. The school boasts an active and dedicated Parents Committee that tirelessly raises funds to purchase resources and support the school in various capacities. Gaelscoil Ghráinne Mhaol prides itself on fostering an open, friendly, and welcoming culture, ensuring that parents feel supported and comfortable approaching the school with any concerns.

Student Agency, Voice, and Participation: Students at Gaelscoil Ghráinne Mhaol are actively involved in all aspects of school life and are encouraged to voice their opinions. They are empowered to propose fundraising ideas, such as the successful Movie Night held last year. The school has established a Green Schools Committee and plans to initiate a Student Council in the coming year. As the school embarks on the journey of a new building project, students will have the opportunity to consult with the design team, ensuring their voices are heard in the planning process.

Social Justice Issues: The Green Schools Committee at Gaelscoil Ghráinne Mhaol is diligently working on earning their first Green Flag for Litter and Waste. They promote positive practices in waste management, recycle extensively, and even compost food waste to feed the school's chickens. The chickens free-range in the school garden during the day and are secured in their pen at night, with a coop that operates on a timer. Students take an active role in caring for the chickens, including cleaning the coop, feeding them, and collecting eggs, which are sold to parents to fund the chickens' upkeep. Recently, the school hatched five chicks, currently cared for indoors until they are ready to join the other chickens in the garden. The local community also participates, assisting with chicken care on weekends and holidays and supporting the school's gardening efforts.

In the school garden, students are learning to grow various fruits and vegetables, including salad leaves, potatoes, beetroot, carrots, parsnips, peas, and pumpkins. They plan to sell the produce and learn how to prepare and cook some of the vegetables. Despite the chickens eating the sunflowers, the students have adapted by protecting seedlings with netting.

Promising Practices:

Empathy: Gaelscoil Ghráinne Mhaol is recognized as a 'Kind School,' with kindness and empathy embedded in its daily operations. "Be Kind" is a central rule alongside the use of Gaeilge (Irish language). Students demonstrate empathy through caring for chickens, chicks, and the school goldfish, Sushi.

Development of Well-being: The school is committed to enhancing well-being through the School Self-Evaluation (SSE) process.

Creativity: Gaelscoil Ghráinne Mhaol is part of a Creative Cluster group with two other schools, collaborating over the next two years to create healing or sensory spaces in each school. Students will be involved in every aspect of this project. The school maximizes outdoor learning opportunities, planning to create an outdoor classroom.

Leadership and Teamwork: Students at Gaelscoil Ghráinne Mhaol develop leadership and teamwork skills through various activities:

Green Schools initiatives
Animal care
Egg sales
Garden maintenance
Class leadership roles
Participation in Lego Learning and Creative Clusters projects

Gaelscoil Ghráinne Mhaol is a proud DCU Changemaker School

Líonra Scoileanna Athraitheora OCBÁC