Press

Cúla4 ar Scoil returns for a second series to TG4

24.08.20

After a successful first season, the educational and inspiring programme Cúla4 ar Scoil returns to TG4 next week, and will broadcast from Monday to Thursday on TG4, beginning on Monday August 31st at 10am. The series will cater for primary school children who attend Gaelscoileanna and Gaeltacht schools as they return to school. Orla Ní Fhinneadha will present the show with help from teachers Micheál Ó Dubhghaill, Caitríona Ní Chualáin, Joe Ó hEachtairn, Síle Ní Chonghaile and Caitríona McAtee at different times in the new series.
 
The second series will consist of a different theme each fortnight. The theme for the first fortnight of the new series is ‘An Scoil’ which will focus on returning to school and will help with the adjustment to some of the changes in classrooms and daily routines in the school environment. Múinteoir Micheál Ó Dubhghaill will look at the change and continuity of schools in Ireland. He will read an extract from ‘An Múinteoir Nua’ by Áine Ní Ghlinn and will show us how to compose classroom rules. Children will be asked to write five goals for this schoolyear and Micheál will demonstrate how old CDs can be used as a printing tool in an art activity. Múinteoir Orla will teach words and phrases associated with ‘An Scoil’, such as items found in school bags and contents in the classroom. She will read a story entitled ‘Ná Gabh ar Scoil’ (Don’t go to school) and will investigate which school materials are magnetic.
 

The series will be funded by TG4, and advice on the educational content and curriculum will be provided by the Department of Education, Coláiste Mhuire gan Smál, An Comhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG), The Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST), and Gaeloideachas. The advice and experience of Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta will also be included in the production. Meangadh Fíbín will produce the series for TG4. Ethel Burke and Darach Ó Tuairisg are the producers, and recording will take place in Scoil na bhForbacha, in the Connemara Gaeltacht.
 
Welcoming the announcement by TG4 of its plans to continue the Cúla4 ar Scoil in the new school year, the Minster for Education Norma Foley TD said: “I am very pleased to see the continuation of this excellent initiative by TG4. I welcome this provision of high quality language resources to support the learning of our primary school children through the Irish language. I am very pleased that my Department has been able to provide support and advice to the programme team on the programming content. During the period when schools were closed, TG4’s Cúla4 ar Scoil became a firm favourite with children, parents and teachers alike. I have no doubt that many teachers will continue to use the many excellent resources to support teaching and learning in the new academic year. I would like to offer my congratulations and thanks to everyone involved.”

About the Teachers

Orla Ní Fhinneadha

Orla Ní Fhinneadha is a primary school teacher. She taught for a few years in Gaelscoileanna before starting in Scoil Éinne, An Spidéal. She qualified as a primary school teacher from Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. She has also a Masters in Education following her research in how native Irish Speakers needs are catered for in Gaeltacht schools. She has been teaching junior infants for a few years, but will be teaching sixth class this academic year. Orla also presented ‘Campa Cúla4’ this Summer and is a part-time continuity and weather presenter with TG4.
 
 

Mícheál Ó Dubhghaill

Mícheál Ó Dubhghaill has been teaching for sixteen years. He has spent most of his teaching career in Limerick, and is teaching in Tralee for the past three years. He loves teaching music, drama, Irish and maths. When he is not teaching, he enjoys acting and playing music.
 
 

Caitríona Ní Chualáin 

Caitríona Ní Chualáin from Indreabhán, Connemara is a primary school teacher, and teaches in Gaelscoil Uí Fhiaich in Maynooth, Co. Kildare. Gaelscoil Uí Fhiaich has a strong emphasis on music and nurtures a love for Irish Language and culture amongst its students. Caitríona presented the first series of Cúla4 ar Scoil with Fiachra Ó Dubhghaill. She also works for TG4 as a continuity and weather presenter which she really enjoys.
 
 

Síle Ní Chonghaile

Síle Ní Chonghaile is a teacher in Gaelscoil Riada in Athenry, Co. Galway. She has a masters in educationa from St. Patrick’s College Drumcondra, and has been teaching for five years. She loves teaching Irish, PE, and history. In her free time, Síle enjoys playing sports and music.
 
 

Joe Ó hEachteirn

Joe Ó hEachteirn is a teacher in Scoil na nÓg, Glanmire in Cork. He is from Kilworth in North Cork. Joe has been teaching for eleven years. He has a masters degree in Education from Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. He enjoys teaching sport, history, science, poetry and Irish. ta agus dar ndóigh Gaeilge.
 
 

Caitríona McAteer

Caitríona is from Co. Antrim. She has been teaching for the past four years, after getting her degree in primary school teaching from St. Mary’s University College, Belfast. In her free time, she enjoys playing camogie and football with her club, and she also loves singing.