Gaelscoil Na Giuise Firhouse

Hi Katie,

My daughter was one of the first classes in Gaelscoil na Giuise which was originally located in the Community center in Firhouse. We are changing schools in September 2019. She's 8 years old, can't read and I've had to hire a private tutor at a cost of €35 per hour to help her. My daughter was diagnosed with dyslexia in August, she is entitled to assisted technology as per her report and it's now mid-November and nothing. She is expected to attend school daily without the correct resources and supports in place.

The parents association don't want to know. If it doesn't affect them directly they will not support you taking any issues to the principle. Save yourself and your child a whole lot of hassle and find a school that actually knows how to educate children, has the capacity, compassion and the supports in place if God forbid you have a child that needs a little help, care and attention. Already a number of children have left the school in my daughters class. I think she might be the 3rd or fourth child to go. That's just in her class in the 5 years it's been open. There were 18 in her class originally, she's in a split class now with two teachers "job sharing". I honestly have nothing positive to say about this school. As for "The Board" there is a conflict of interest in that there is a "husband & wife" team on the board so you'll never get anywhere with them either. My experience is that the parents association will only assist you if they can benefit in some way, they won't go against the board, nor will they challenge the Principle <snipped>

I've had a path worn to the school over the past 5 years and I'm counting the days to next June when we can close that chapter in our lives. School is supposed to be the happiest in our children's lives. This school is full of snobs, wannabe's and people who think they are "all that".

The extracurricular activities only happened last year because the parents fought to get them for the children. nothing was in place before last year and it was constant campaigning showcasing what other local schools had to offer when eventually the children were offered art and sport on Tues and Thurs for one hour after school, paid for by parents of course.

Good luck finding a school for your son, if you don't speak Irish yourself then don't bother, they look down their noses at you for that too.

Assistive technology was not just recommended in her report it was outlined as a necessity for my dd to access course content. DD is in the 1st percentile dyslexia. There is no worst-case scenario. She does qualify, received notification last week. The problem is the length of time it's taken the school to process her application and implement the recommendations set out in her Dyslexia Association of Ireland's report.

According to the Key Actions For Primary Schools and the Special Education Teaching Parent Support Handbook. DD is entitled to access learning support and any other supports available i.e she should have her books in digital format on her IPad and she should receive learning support. This information, these handbooks can be sourced from Dyslexia Assoc. Of Ireland and Dept of Education. The information is there for parents and schools to access.

Parents have no problem paying for Afterschool Activities, that was never the issue. The point is there is limited/no after school activities compared to other primary schools.

I understand the role of the BOM as I do the Parents Assoc. The parents assoc are just there to fundraise for the school IMO.

The OP asked for feedback on Gaelscoil Na Guise and I gave it. My honest experience of the school. Presently my DD is facing her 3rd week out of school because Gaelscoil Na Guise has failed to provide her with the proper supports she is entitled too as outlined in the Key Actions For Primary Schools and the Special Education Teaching Parent Support handbook. We've had to contact the Dept of Ed and the Educational Welfare Officer in our local area. If our dd was in a wheelchair the school would have to provide ramps and other supports to allow my daughter to attend school. Because my dd has an "invisible disability" she is expected to attend school daily without the correct supports in place. We are waiting 5 months now for the correct supports as outlined in the DAI report, this is unacceptable for any school and soul destroying for a child with a learning disability.

This is my experience of the school, the board of management etc etc. I am well versed on what my daughter is entitled to being 1st percentile dyslexic. I am a member of DAI who has been amazing and supported us throughout this harrowing, difficult time. Being Dyslexic is difficult enough, going to school every day not receiving the correct supports ostracises a child, diminishes their self-esteem and damages them irreversibly later on in life. We know our son is 22 and living proof of a school system that is flawed, doesn't work and needs updating.

Back to the OP. If you do not speak Irish {the annual school reports are all in Irish} and you think your child might have any issues e.g if a sibling is dyslexic or has sensory issues - Anything at all, please do not send your child to this school. Words cannot express the heartache, torment and sheer frustration we encounter every single day while our dd attends this school. We are looking for an English speaking school for her, it's very difficult as places are already allocated. However, we are hopeful the Dept of Ed and The Educational Welfare Officer will find something for dd soon. In the meantime, she remains at home until the issue is resolved. This school has its own agenda, it does not cater to children that are unique, different or challenged in any way. It caters for parents who speak Irish and wants their children to excel in the Irish language period. That has been our experience in the last 5 years. The OP asked for feedback - That's ours.

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

that no primary school is obliged to provide after-school classes or activities .

I understand that I'm just making the OP aware that there are little afterschool activities at this particular school. In case she needs to access them.