THE CAMPUS PROJECT ON CLARE ISLAND
by Olof Gill
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As an unsure first-time temporary teacher, my initial reaction to the European campus' involvement with St. Patrick's National School on Clare Island was one of relief. My personal workload was lightened thanks to their timely intervention. However,
the obvious benefits which both the students and I reaped from the
experience cannot be underestimated. The interactive teaching methods of
the campus students made for a very enjoyable and highly productive 2
weeks for everyone involved. The children learned countless historical
facts about the island, and more specifically the Cistercian abbey. I
learned how to present a multitude of issues surrounding a local
heritage project in an interdisciplinary and creative way. Perhaps the most important activity they participated in were the engaging discussions the group and I had with the campus students regarding the future of the abbey. Some of the children gave surprisingly precocious and astute opinions when asked what they felt should be done with this important historical site. Buzz words such as "conservation", "renovation" and "restoration" became essential parts of these 11-year-olds' vocabulary!! The young students of Clare Island are now in a unique position to actively partake in the future of their island's heritage. The skills they developed during the campus' stay will be hugely beneficial to their future education. I feel sure it will also be of immeasurable value to their development as Clare Island people. As for myself I can merely say that the time spent working with the campus was hugely enjoyable. It was of both educational and personal value to me to learn in such detail about my homeplace, how to present this information to the schoolchildren, as well as to interact with such a culturally diverse and talented group of people. __________________ Olof GILL Clare Island temporary teacher |