FACE TO FACE: DIGITAL INNOVATION WITH LEGOSPIKE AND BEE-BOTS

Waterford Education Support Centre Eircode X91 XD98

Summer Course Booking Policy

Our summer courses are booked on the condition that the course fee is non-refundable.
Unfortunately, if you wish to cancel your place on one of our courses or are unable to attend the course, we are not in a position to refund fees.

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Empower your teaching with hands-on digital tools! This summer course introduces primary teachers to innovative ways of integrating LEGO Spike Essential, BeeBots, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their professional practice. You will explore practical strategies for fostering computational thinking, creativity,
and problem-solving in young learners. Activities for a range of class levels are also explored. Discover how Lego Education resources can scaffold and support coding in the senior classes and enhance STEM learning opportunities.

Demystifying AI: Develop an understanding of AI. Explore key considerations, limitations and effective prompting techniques.

In line with DES Circular 0037/1997, participants attending Summer Courses accrue entitlements as follows:

• Full Attendance (20 Hours): 3 EPV Days
• 4 Days Attendance (16 Hours): 2 EPV Days
• No EPV days will be awarded for less than 4 days attendance

FACE TO FACE: SUMMER COURSE - HOW TO CREATE A SCHOOL GARDEN

GROW HQ Farronshoneen, Dunmore Road, Waterford. Eircode X91 NX30

Summer Course Booking Policy

Our summer courses are booked on the condition that the course fee is non-refundable.
Unfortunately, if you wish to cancel your place on one of our courses or are unable to attend the course, we are not in a position to refund fees.

PRIMARY Teachers who attend the full 20-hour summer course will qualify for 3 extra Personal vacation days. 

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This course is designed for teachers who have not taken a Summer Course with GIY before.

This course is designed to enable teachers to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to organise, develop and implement a school garden. Participants will develop the skills necessary to assess a site for the establishment of a school garden, develop a veg calendar and cultivate a range of vegetables. Emphasis will be put on developing a garden as an educational resource and managing a garden within the constraints of the academic year. The course will enable the participants to plan and implement school gardens to be used as a practical teaching resource for schools. A garden can be used to support a wide range of learning objectives within the primary curriculum. This course was very well received last year for our Summer Course Programme.

Tutor: Mary Bishop has 18 years of education experience teaching in classrooms across the globe. She now works with the team at GIY bringing school gardens to life through the GROW at school programme. Her passion for integrating school curriculum outcomes into the garden for students supports teachers in harnessing effective ways to make the best of their school garden as teaching spaces.

In line with DES Circular 0037/1997, participants attending Summer Courses accrue entitlements as follows:

• Full Attendance (20 Hours): 3 EPV Days
• 4 Days Attendance (16 Hours): 2 EPV Days
• No EPV days will be awarded for less than 4 days attendance

FACE TO FACE: ACTIVE APPROACHES TO TEACHING AND LEARNING OF LITERACY

Waterford Education Support Centre Eircode X91 XD98

Summer Course Booking Policy

Our summer courses are booked on the condition that the course fee is non-refundable.
Unfortunately, if you wish to cancel your place on one of our courses or are unable to attend the course, we are not in a position to refund fees.

PRIMARY Teachers who attend the full 20-hour summer course will qualify for 3 extra Personal vacation days. 

In line with DES Circular 0037/1997, participants attending Summer Courses accrue entitlements as follows:

• Full Attendance (20 Hours): 3 EPV Days
• 4 Days Attendance (16 Hours): 2 EPV Days
• No EPV days will be awarded for less than 4 days attendance

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'This Summer course will take participants on a journey through the Primary Language Curriculum and how we can develop its three strands throughout the Primary School. This summer course promises to be a highly engaging and interactive course with each teacher making a journal of their journey as they delve into the world of Oral Language, Reading and Writing, with an emphasis on children's literature and active approaches to learning in Literacy.

There will be an emphasis on children’s literature, active approaches to learning in Literacy. The five-day course will be broken up into short manageable chunks of learning with opportunities for reflection and discussion. Participants can be assured of a very welcoming and non-threatening approach to language learning together.'

Catherine Gilliland is an experienced Literacy specialist of 35 years and has numerous publications. Her work has taken her across Europe and she was a speaker at The World Literacy Summit in 2020. Her talent for storytelling makes her webinars engaging and very popular with teachers. Her Summer School course has received outstanding reviews from participants and the Irish Inspectorate. 

FACE TO FACE: FOREIGN LANGUAGES UPSKILLING FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS - FRENCH

Waterford Education Support Centre Eircode X91 XD98

Summer Course Booking Policy

Our summer courses are booked on the condition that the course fee is non-refundable.
Unfortunately, if you wish to cancel your place on one of our courses or are unable to attend the course, we are not in a position to refund fees.

 PRIMARY Teachers who attend the full 20-hour summer course will qualify for 3 extra Personal vacation days. 

In line with DES Circular 0037/1997, participants attending Summer Courses accrue entitlements as follows:

• Full Attendance (20 Hours): 3 EPV Days
• 4 Days Attendance (16 Hours): 2 EPV Days
• No EPV days will be awarded for less than 4 days attendance

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In September 2025, Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) were introduced as part of the updated Primary School Curriculum under the new language specification, alongside English and Irish. To support this development,  Waterford Education Support Centre is offering primary teachers the opportunity to enhance their foreign language skills and earn 3 EPV days on completion of a 20-hour MFL Summer Course.

Participants should have a basic knowledge of French. The course will explore themes such as introducing yourself and others, expressing likes and dislikes, discussing hobbies, and describing daily routines. With an emphasis on spoken communication, the programme offers an engaging and practical learning experience, helping teachers build the confidence and competence needed to use their language skills effectively in the primary classroom.

 Bio:

• Ricky Roche is a post-primary teacher of Irish and French currently teaching in CBS Dungarvan, Co. Waterford. He has extensive experience across the post-primary sector, teaching students from First Year to Leaving Certificate level, and has a strong interest in language pedagogy, inclusive teaching practices, and innovative approaches to teaching and learning.
  Alongside his classroom teaching, Ricky has held a range of leadership roles and has been actively involved in initiatives that support teaching, learning and school development. He has particular expertise in the use of active learning methodologies, digital learning tools, and the effective and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence in education. Ricky regularly facilitates professional learning for teachers through Education Support Centres and national networks, sharing practical strategies that support student engagement, differentiation and assessment.
  
  He is the author of ABCD le Gaeilge, an innovative teaching resource designed to support students in developing Irish sentence structure and grammatical accuracy through a structured and accessible approach. The resource is used by teachers and students in schools across Ireland.
  Ricky is currently completing the Professional Diploma in Educational Leadership (PDEL) and has a strong interest in leadership development, digital innovation in education, and supporting teachers to enhance teaching practice and student learning outcomes.
• Ricky also contributes to education at a national level. He is Vice-Chairperson of the Waterford Education Support Centre and a member of the National Executive of Education Support Centres Ireland (ESCI). He works as an associate with Post-Primary Languages Ireland (PPLI), where he supports national initiatives in language education, mentors foreign language assistants, and facilitates professional learning for teachers.