News : Minister for Education & Science congratulates St
Raphaela's on Website launch
14 May 2007
Dear Sister Mary
I am delighted to hear that St Raphaela’s Primary School is launching a new website on the 18th May, the feast day of St
Raphaela.
We are all aware that Information and Communications Technology
– or ICT, to give it its more familiar term these days - has
the potential to improve learning opportunities where it merges
successfully into the learning environment in our schools.
Since becoming Minister for Education and Science, I have been
determined to ensure that all students have the opportunity to
achieve computer literacy and to acquire the necessary skills for
participation in the information society.
Last year, I launched the Digital Schools Award Scheme for
primary schools. This Award recognises the hard work that
many schools have put into integrating the use of computers
successfully into their schools and promoting positive attitudes
towards Information and Communications Technology among their
pupils. It affirms the dedication and commitment of
teachers and schools who show innovation in teaching and
learning. Your new website is an excellent example of this.
The two main priorities under the ICT in Schools Programme over
the past few years have been the development of networking
capability in schools and the provision of broadband connectivity
under the Schools Broadband Access Programme. The National
Development Plan contains a provision of €252m for ICT in
schools and my Department will shortly publish a new ICT strategy
covering the period of the National Development Plan to 2013
I know that your new website has truly been a collaborative
effort of the whole school community: teachers, parents and
pupils. Your website will, therefore, contribute
significantly to the imagination of the children in the school by
facilitating the concept of the creative classroom. It will
also strengthen a sense of place as it defines local, regional,
national, international and global citizenship using media
appropriate to the spirit of our times. A telling phrase on
the school’s old website summed this up well: -
“Saint Raphaela’s is not just a primary school, it is a
vital part of a growing community”
I congratulate you on your efforts in setting up your new website
and I wish you every success with it.
Le gach dea ghuí
____________________________
Mary Hanafin,
Minister for Education and Science
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