choices

= ==

CHOICES

A podcast production team from Strabane Primary School and St Anne’s Primary School interviewing each other as part

of the IFI Sharing in Education programme delivered by Headliners.

DISTINCTIVE Voices

Collective Choices is a

unique Headliners

programme that uses

media as a catalyst to bring

together schools in one

location to explore the need

for shared space and a

peaceful future for all.

The aim is to build the confidence

and skills of groups of Catholic

and Protestant young people, to

enable them to work together, to

explore issues of sectarianism, to

overcome segregation and to work

towards the goal of a shared vision

and future.

Together pupils from Strabane and

St Anne’s Primary Schools and

Foyleview and Knockavoe Schools

tackled the contentious issues of

sectarianism and conflict and the

consequences for others, to

produce stories for publication,

creative photography and radio

podcasts demonstrating how the

two communities can work

together by giving young people a

much needed voice.

The project has a legacy of young

leaders and resources and builds

the capacity of teachers to provide

effective activities to make the

changes necessary for a shared

future that will be inclusive of all

for all.

The project succeeds in raising the

voice of young people and

developing them into leaders while

promoting good relations and

fulfilling many areas of the

curriculum. This Project is funded

by International Fund For

Ireland’s Sharing in Education

Programme.

Four schools tune into the Distinctive Voices Collective Choices unique media programme

“Self awareness was

something that

really developed

throughout the

project” Mr Gamble, teacher at

Strabane Primary School.

Podcasting Photography Print journalism

“I was worried about

meeting the other

children but we had so

much fun together and

now I have new

friends.”

Matthew (10),

Strabane Primary School.

CHOICES ISSUE 2 MAG:Layout 1 06/07/2012 14:36

COntEntS

FOUR SCHOOLS - ONE PROJECT - ONE AIM

TO LIVE IN PEACE

CONTENTS:

* PROFILES OF SCHOOLS AND STORIES

* SAMPLE ACTIVITY - BIG BAD BUS

* INTERVIEWING - QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

* PODCASTING

* SAMPLE SESSION PLAN

* TEACHER EVALUATIONS

The broadcast team from Knockavoe School, Strabane - from left, Damian, Ronan,

Stiofan, Reece, Steven and Barry.

2 Choices, Issue 2

CONTACT US:

Headliners Foyle, First Floor, Suite 2,

23 Bishop Street, Derry / Londonderry,

BT48 6PR. Tel: 028 7130 9397.

Mobile: (Audrey) 07759558807.

Email: [email protected]

Mobile: (Malachy) 07809873761.

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.headliners.org


SC

HO

Ol

Pr

OF

IlE

FOylEvIEw SCHOOlFoyleview School

is a controlled

special

school for

children

with severe

learning

difficulties,

aged between

three and 19

years, living in

Derry and surrounding districts.

The school provides a 16 year continuity of

pastoral care and education for pupils with

learning difficulties and associated disabilities.

There are places for up to 110 pupils. High staffing

ratios and excellent teaching facilities mean staff

can promote a high standard of learning.

Through a full and varied curriculum the school

aims to enhance the intellectual, physical, cultural

and moral development of its children and young

people. In doing this, the personal happiness and

fulfillment of each child is the over-riding concern.

Foyleview School has many facilities to offer its

pupils and these facilities continue to improve

annually.

The sensory garden has become part of the Play

Trail, which has gone from strength to strength

and now includes three play parks, a sensory park,

an auditorium and a walking trail.

As part of the IFI Sharing In Education

Programme the children took photographs in the

Playtrail to illustrate the importance of sharing

space with others and being at peace when socially

interacting with others.

The school has improved the outdoor play areas

within the grounds in recent years and each

department has access to these areas.

Indoors, the school has a Soft Play Room, a

P.E./Assembly Hall, a Library, greenhouse and a

Hairdressing/Beauty Room.

Paul

Martin

Foyleview Lower Secondary class

“My children learned how to take

photos, put them on a computer and

enjoyed watching them.”Margo, teacher at Foyleview.

3Choices, Issue 2


“Just ccaallmm

down”

Foyleview Special School children oFFer aFoyleview Special School children oFFer a

reFreShing Take on how To STop SecTarianiSm andreFreShing Take on how To STop SecTarianiSm and

violence in The norTh weSTviolence in The norTh weST

Children at FoyleviewSchool could teach others alot about sharing space andliving in peace.

This was the message from Margo, the

teacher of a class with limited verbal

skills who took part in Headliners

Sharing In Education Programme.

As some of these young people were

non-verbal we engaged them in a

photography project to express the

importance of shared space and a

peaceful future for all. These images

will be showcased in the next issue of

‘Choices’.

Although unable to verbalise their

thoughts and opinions on issues like

peace and conflict or division and unity,

these children are very aware of the

chaos that angry and violent people can

cause in communities. They struggle to

understand why people would choose

to live like this.

Margo gives us an insight into the

unique minds of these children and

young people.

Here are highlights from an interview

which took place during the project

with Margo.

During this interview the young

people operated the recording

equipment and took the photograph

featured here.

Class teacher Margo with one of her pupils, Daniel

4 Choices, Issue 2


A sample of the photographic project completed by Foyleview pupils with Headliners

What is the age range and ability levels of your

class?

In this class it is called the lower secondary school class

ranging from 13 to 17. In special education the age is not as

important as the ability of the child so children are placed

according to the ability rather than the age.

These days we are trying to say that we concentrate on their

ability and not their disability. We have children in this

class who are in wheelchairs and others who

are not.

We have children who are non-verbal

and others who have very limited

words. We have some who can do

some things for themselves and

others that need help with everything.

What benefits do you feel the

children have had from taking part in

the Headliners Sharing in Education

programme?

Our children are very much enclosed in their own

environment. It is very much just the parents and the school

but we would like to grow their experience and this is what this

project did.

It was really nice to introduce you guys as the radio people

and most of the children listen to the radio so they know that

these people are from somewhere special.

To what extent do Catholic and Protestant children

mix well and share space in Foyleview School?

In our school I don’t really think the children

distinguish between the religions. They really

have no idea and no feeling for religion as

such. They operate more on their

emotions side. People are either happy

or not happy.

If people are happy and peaceful, they

are happy and peaceful. If people are

very aggressive and they are showing this

then they can become very aggressive as well

because they don’t understand why they are

aggressive. They don’t understand why they are angry or why

they are fighting. They know they don’t like it and they will

react.

What do you do in the classroom to make sure the

future is shared, peaceful and happy for the

children in your care?

I suppose what we can do is integrate the children more and

we are doing this at the moment. We run a very successful

integration programme with other schools and youth clubs. We

also access the community parks and shops.

How important do you feel it is for children in

Foyleview to understand about sharing space with

other children from different religions and cultures?

I think it is very important because they are part of our society

whether others like it or not, they are here and they will be

here. So the more we try to adapt to this situation and

integrate them the better for everyone.

Do you teach these children to do

what they can to create a happy

and peaceful future for everyone

in their school and

communities?

What we are trying to do with our

children is to explain emotions to them. We

are trying to explain that if someone is angry

probably they have the reason for being angry.

We tell them that maybe somebody has hurt them in some

way. And then we try to teach them what you do when you are

angry. We just tell them you need to calm down. If they are

scared then they have to tell someone that they are scared.

So we are trying to teach them the emotions of other people

and we are trying to teach them to read those emotions and to

react appropriately to these emotions.

Do you feel the education the children receive here

will help them as adults to create a more peaceful

and shared future in Derry?

Absolutely! One of the main purposes in our

school is life skills and independence. So

life skills will enable them to read other

people and to be part of the society.

What is good about Catholics

and Protestants going to

school together?

For me there is no difference maybe

because I am from a different country. I was

born in Poland and then I lived in America and

then Australia. Sometimes for me I can’t understand what the

issue is about.

We come from the same religion. We pray to the same God

so sometimes it’s really hard to understand but now I know

that it’s more culture things rather than religion.

So I suppose we have to educate our children and

try to calm everybody down. Everyone just needs to

calm down!

“They

really don’t

comprehend the idea of

fighting over religion as such.

They can see peaceful people and

angry people and that’s it.”

Margo, teacher at Foyleview

School.

“Being

part of the

community and being

accepted is everybody’s

dream.”

Margo, Foyleview teacher - taken from

the Teacher Evaluation at the

end of the project.

5Choices, Issue 2


Ronan Barry

Reece Stiofan

School P

rofile

KnOCKavOE SCHOOlThe school opened with 52 pupils on June 6,

2005 and specialises in teaching children

aged three - 19 years who have moderate or

severe learning difficulties.

The school also caters for the

specific needs of children from

mainstream primary school in

its Nurture and Speech and

Language Centres.

Knockavoe is a school:

1. Where pupils are safe and

happy.

2. Which pupils enjoy

attending and are comfortable

with their peers, staff and the

things they do.

3. Which is orderly, secure and confident, both in its

ethos and functioning.

4. That promotes and supports inclusive education

for children with learning difficulties.

5. Where all pupils and staff are valued and are

encouraged and challenged to become their own best

selves as human beings and performers.

6. In which pupils approach their curriculum from

the basis of individual needs, helped by highly

trained staff who are dedicated and focused on the

attainment of success.

7. Where parents are valued as partners and where

they are welcomed as contributors, supporters

and beneficiaries.

8. Participating and involved in its

community, its local schools in all

appropriate activities and on all

appropriate occasions.

9. Which promotes the highest

standards in moral and spiritual

values.

10. Which prepares its pupils to move

into future arenas as independent, self-

supporting adults ready, according to their

abilities, to enjoy and gain from all the

experiences and opportunities they encounter.

Young people from Knockavoe created two radio

podcasts and print articles as part of the IFI Sharing

in Education Programme. They also interviewed

adults on the issue of shared space and creating a

peaceful future.

Steven

Damian

“It

was great to use

media in order to promote

other aspects of the curriculum

like language, literature,

communication and PDMU.”

Nick, Vice Principal of Knockavoe School

- from teacher evaluation at the end

of the project.

6 Choices, Issue 2


Kn

OC

Ka

vO

E S

PE

aK

Ou

t!

STRABANE is a predominantly

Catholic town although many

Protestants live in the surrounding

villages and rural areas.

The town itself suffers from a high level of

economic deprivation and during the Troubles

it experienced high levels of violence.

As part of the IFI Sharing in Education

programme, young people from Knockavoe

School in Strabane discussed the legacy of

that past and talked about how they could

change the future so it is peaceful for all.

Some of the students struggled to imagine

what it would be like for Catholics and

Protestants to fully integrate in Strabane

because it is not how they know the town.

When asked if there should be a mixed

community centre or church in Strabane

which everyone could go to, Reece, 15, said:

“First of all, they don’t get along. It would be

kind of weird Protestants going to the same

place. There would be fighting.”

Stiofan, 15, agreed. He said: “It would be

better if they were separate because there

would be too many fights. But if they did get

along, it would be good.”

Reece added: “If they don’t fight, it’s alright.”

Despite these misgivings, the young people

from Knockavoe are willing to open up to

other young people of different backgrounds

– those they meet within their school and

others further afield.

Barry, 16, said: “People should just get on

with each other and be friends.”

Damian, also 16, agreed. He said: “People

should become friends and get on with it.

There’s no point turning back, you have to go

forward.”

While the past has made an impact on

community relations within Strabane, young

people are able to look to a future where the

old divisions can be cast aside and everyone

can make a new beginning.

Through their involvement in the

International Fund for Ireland’s Sharing in

Education programme, these young people

from Knockavoe School were able to open

their eyes and their minds to experiences of

young people from other religions and how

they can each play their part in creating a

peaceful and shared future.

‘PaSt

SHOuld

Stay In

PaSt’

MOST young people growing up

in Strabane will have had little

opportunity to meet young

people from other religions

because the area has largely

been divided along sectarian

lines with Catholics mainly

living in the town and

Protestants mainly living in

other areas outside the town.

Young people attending Knockavoe

School in Strabane go to school and get

along with children from different

religions from their own but many

would not mix with other religions

outside of school.

As part of the International Fund for

Ireland Sharing in Education

programme, a group of young people

from Knockavoe – Stiofan, Reece,

Damian, Barry, Steven and Ronan –

talked through their thoughts on why

Catholics and Protestants don’t share

space in Strabane.

Stiofan, 15, said: “There’s really no

problem like that in Strabane because

Protestants don’t really live in

Strabane. I’d say there are some

Protestants in Strabane, but I don’t

know any, or if I do, I didn’t know [that

they are Protestant]. There’s more

Protestants in Belfast.”

Steven, 15, said: “They come into

Strabane, but they don’t live in it.

Nobody will know what they are. If the

town was more mixed, it’d be different,

especially on the likes of St Patrick’s

Day.”

Reece said: “I like it the way it is

because there are less fights.”

Stiofan doesn’t think Protestants will

ever come to live in Strabane – and if

they did, he imagines ‘more rows’.

He said: “What happened in the past

should stay in the past, but I don’t think

Protestants living in Strabane would

work.”

Other classmates, however, are more

hopeful for the future of the town.

Damian, 16, foresees: “Peace, no riots,

nothing starting up at the Twelfth of

July. Catholics and Protestants become

friends, we don’t go back to the bad old

days.”

Barry, 16, said: “In the future I hope

Catholics and Protestants try to get

along, it doesn’t really matter who you

are.”

Steven, 15, added: “Everyone can get

along with each other and be friends.”

Coming together in the classroom to

discuss sensitive issues such as

sectarianism and inclusion allows

young people to express opinions that

they would otherwise not be able to. It

gives them the opportunity to clearly

form and deliver their views and to

calmly consider the views of others,

whether similar to or different to their

own. Sharing in Education opens up a

peaceful future to young people from

all religions.

>>>>>‘Go ffoorrwwaarrdd to

the future’>>>>>

7Choices, Issue 2


8 Choices, Issue 2

Matthew

KarmelaBeth Aoife Ellen

Adam Jessica Emer

Bronagh JackLukeJordan

St annE’S & StrabanESchool

pro

file

St Anne’s Primary

School is an all girls’

voluntary primary

school and Strabane

Primary School is a co-

educational controlled

primary school, both

situated close to the

town centre.

Headliners delivered the

International Fund for

Ireland Sharing in

Education Programme to a

total of 24 pupils from both

schools, all from Primary 6.

The facilitators met each

group of 12 separately for

the first three weeks of the

programme, before holding

four joint sessions with

both schools in attendance.

While the town of Strabane

is predominantly Catholic,

pupils from Protestant

backgrounds came from

the surrounding areas of

Sion Mills, Artigarvan,

Donemana and Lifford.

Pupil and staff feedback at

the end of the programme

was extremely positive,

both in terms of pupils’

personal development and

enhancement of ICT and

communication skills, as

well as in growing their

mutual understanding and

finding their own voice to

fulfil their role in their own

communities now and in

the future.

“The Headliners project

has been extremely

worthwhile and we would

like to do a similar

project in the future.”Principal of St Anne’s Primary

School, Maura Shannon.


Choices, Issue 2 9

Adam

Shannon

Ellie Sarah

Sarah-Jane Adam FaithSarah-Louise

Amy

ZoeKirstyElle

IFI ClaSS OF 2012

School

pro

file


SHARING is something that

children are taught from the

earliest age – to share their toys,

to share their sweets.

But how do they feel about

sharing their opinions and

sharing their spaces?

That’s something that groups of

Primary 6 pupils from Strabane

and St Anne’s Primary Schools

looked into as part of an

International Fund for Ireland

Sharing in Education programme

delivered by Headliners.

The children were enthusiastic

and inventive on ways they could

address these issues and enjoyed

exploring the topics with one

another while developing their

self awareness.

Together, they came up with

questions to ask one another which were

then recorded to form podcasts. Here’s

an example of one group’s answers.

What do you think of doing the Sharing in

Education Programme with different

schools?

ZOE – “I think it’s a good idea because

you make new friends, which is a good

thing, and you get to find out things

about your new friends. If I hadn’t done

this programme, I would’ve been shy of

ones from Strabane Primary but now I

know them and don’t feel shy at all.”

KIRSTY – “I think it’s a good idea to

join with different people from different

schools because you do different things

than you would if you were just in your

own school with your own class. I didn’t

know anyone from St Anne’s before we

started the Sharing in Education

programme but I now I know lots of

them.”

Why is it important for schools to come

together and share learning in the same

classroom?

ZOE – “I think it’s a good idea because

you can share your answers.

Some people might think of

things that I didn’t or I might

think of something they didn’t.

The more we come together, the

more we can learn and the more

friends we can have.”

KIRSTY – “It’s important

because in the past Catholic

children and Protestant children

just went to their own schools

and didn’t mix so they didn’t get

to know each other and grew up

fighting. Now we all get to meet

so when we grow up we will

know each other and be friends

and not fight.”

As the children here proved, they

are more than able to understand and

respond to sensitive issues which

enhances their ability to understand

themselves and the others in the world

around them. This can only be of benefit

to them and their communities as they

mature and grow into the global citizens

of tomorrow.

CHILDREN from two Strabane

primary schools made friends

for life with one another through

taking part in a Headliners IFI

Sharing in Education

programme.

While initially wary of one another, the

groups from Strabane Primary School

and St Anne’s Primary School soon

found out that it was fun to meet others

from different religions – and that their

common interests outweighed any

differences they feared may exist.

The 10-year-olds were not short of ideas

on how they could share their space with

one another.

Emer said: “We can all share the same

park and play big team games together

with Catholics and Protestants all mixed

up, things like rounders where everyone

can join in. When people are doing

something fun together, no-one wants to

spoil it with fights so playing games

would make sure that we all share spaces

peacefully.”

Adam C. added: “There are loads of

things we can do together. We could have

more shared spaces between schools,

share birthdays, have a fair with both

communities invited, form a band with

both Catholics and Protestants in it.

Another good idea would be to knock

down all peace walls so that communities

can come together and share areas

peacefully.”

In their minds, the solutions were simple

and straightforward and they were all

willing to offer up answers in joint

discussions among the two groups.

When asked if she thought fighting

between Catholics and Protestants would

ever completely stop, Emer said: “I hope

so because fighting is so silly, especially

just because someone is a different

religion to you. I think it’s good doing

projects like this so we can meet and be

friends.”

Adam C. said: “I think they will stop

fighting completely because they will see

it is pointless. Children like us don’t see

any reason to fight so if we see others

doing it, we’ll just tell them to stop and

when we grow up we’ll tell our children

to be friends with everyone. In this

project no-one was fighting and we all

think it’s cool to come to a different

school to share our education.”

The future for these children looks

positive and peaceful thanks to their

involvement in the Sharing in Education

programme and their teachers will be

able to share the experience with others

in the schools with the help of resources

from Headliners.

St

an

nE

’S a

nd

St

ra

ba

nE

SP

Ea

K O

ut

! MaKIng FrIEndS IS Fun

SHOwIng HOw tO SHarE

10 Choices, Issue 2


tHE bIg bad buS - A community relations exercise.

‘Big Bad Bus’ is an enduringly popular

learning exercise which can be adapted easily

to suit any circumstances. Chairs are arranged

in pairs like a bus and on one seat a sheet of

paper gives a brief description of the ‘person’

sitting there. Participants have to decide who

to sit beside and then describe what they think

that person is like. At the end, they are shown

a picture of the person and can see how it

compares to the description. It’s a good way to

deal with prejudices as often the reality

challenges our preconceptions about religion,

race and disability.

Have a go yourself with some of the examples

below!

1. A black man qualified as an

accountant8. Polish migrant

worker

Chelsea striker Didier

Drogba

Artur Boruc who

played for Celtic

Cristiano Ronaldo,

Manchester United

player

Active, youthful

woman

Medical professionalBlack man born in Ireland

who travels for work

Hollywood actor,

Orlando Bloom who is

dyslexic

A Chinese man

Hannah Shields, first woman from

NI to reach summit of Everest

2. Portuguese

migrant worker

3. Granny from the West of

Ireland

9. Irish

traveller

4. A man with a

disability6. A 45-year-old dentist

5. Local

businessman

7. A recently arrived

migrant

1

dESCrIPtIOnS On tHE buS SEatS...

42 3 5

6 7 8 9

all IS rEvEalEd...

Choices, Issue 2 11

aCtIvItIES


INTERVIEWING

Questions and Answers

“Do you think

there should be

a mixed church

for everyone to

go to? Why?”

“How do you feel

about mixing with

children from other

religions?”

“Describe a

peaceful and

shared future

to me?”

“Do you think Catholics and

Protestants can live together

and be friends?

“How can Catholic and

Protestant communities come

together and share areas

peacefully?”

“How do you feel about

Catholics and Protestants

fighting in the past?”

tHE yOung PEOPlE wErE EnCOuragEd tO COME uP wItH tHEIr Own

quEStIOnS tO aSK OnE anOtHEr In IntErvIEwS.

bElOw arE SOME SaMPlES.

JBBL, a joint podcast / broadcast team from Strabane and St Anne’s Primaries - Jack,

Beth, Bronagh and Luke - enjoy interviewing one another.

Dean from Knockavoe interviewed his mum, Tina,

on community relations in Strabane, now and in the

past.

“What do you think

about doing the Sharing

in Education programme

with different schools?”

12 Choices, Issue 2


13Choices, Issue 2

The children and young

people taking part in the

IFI Sharing in Education

programme are always

encouraged to speak freely

and openly on any

discussion - there are no

right or wrong answers!

As well as the interview

questions, part of one of the

weekly sessions is spent looking at

pictures relating to community

relations and events such as the

Twelfth of July and St Patrick’s

Day as well as the themes of

inclusion / exclusion and peace /

hostility.

These are some of the

responses given by the

participants:

“Ithink it’s a great

idea for a mixed churchbecause there are too many

different churches and no-onegets the chance to meet. Ifeveryone went to the sameone, we’d all get to know

each other.”

“I know that

in the Troubles

of the past there

were bomb scares

and lots of buildings

were destroyed; it

sounds like a very

frightening

time.”

“I

felt

it was

stupid

that

Catholic

s and

Prote

stants

fought.

It

was ter

rible

because

lots

of peo

ple wer

e

killed

and I

hope it

never

happen

s

again.”

“I

feel happy

about mixing with

children from

different religions

because we’re all

human and you can

find new friends who

are into the same

things as

you.”

“There are loads

of different ways to

share space - have a fair

with both religions invited,

share birthdays, form a band

with both Catholics and

Protestants, play big team

games together in the

park.”

“Ithink it’s agood idea tojoin with differentpeople from differentschools because youcan see all the thingsyou do the same butalso learn aboutdifferent ways oflearning and you getto meet people whoyou wouldn’tusually

meet.”

“A peacefulfuture would be onewhere Catholics andProtestants live inharmony, getting along andbeing friends. There couldbe mixed schools, clubs,

churches and communitiesso everyone would besharing their spacetogether.”

An

sw

er

s


PODCASTINGPODCASTING

SILENCE IN THE STUDIO.....ACTION!SILENCE IN THE STUDIO.....ACTION!

14 Choices, Issue 2

This is a sample podcast script used in theThis is a sample podcast script used in the

St Anne’s and Strabane PS project.St Anne’s and Strabane PS project.

Presenter: Welcome to the ... show, a Headliners podcast, news

and stories produced by young people, concerning issues that

affect other young people in the North West.

Today’s show features children from ... and ... Schools.

Interviewer: Our schools have come together to find out what

children think about shared space and communities in the past

and future. We asked one pupil from each school two questions.

Today we are talking to:

Interviewee 1: My name is ... and I am ... years old. I go to ...

school

Interviewee 2: My name is ... and I am ... years old. I go to ...

school

Interviewer: Question number one.

Interviewee 1: Answer


Interviewer: Question number two.



Presenter: All of the children in this podcast would like to share

their space with people from different cultures and religions.

They hope all the listeners do too so that the future will be

peaceful and happy for all. Thank you for listening to this

Headliners podcast.

Interviewee 1: For more news and information from Headliners,

please go to our website on: www.headliners.org

Interviewee 2: This podcast was funded by International Fund

for Ireland’s Sharing in Education programme.

This is a sample podcast script used in theThis is a sample podcast script used in the

Knockavoe School project.Knockavoe School project.

Reporter 1: Hello and welcome to the Knockavoe YouthReporter 1: Hello and welcome to the Knockavoe Youth

Show on 106 fmShow on 106 fm

Reporter 2: We are your presenters ......................... andReporter 2: We are your presenters ......................... and

..............................................................................

Reporter 1: This is a radio podcast that values theReporter 1: This is a radio podcast that values the

opinions of young people and gives them a voice on issuesopinions of young people and gives them a voice on issues

that affect them.that affect them.

Reporter 2: Today we hear from Catholic and ProtestantReporter 2: Today we hear from Catholic and Protestant

young people who attend Knockavoe School in Strabane.young people who attend Knockavoe School in Strabane.

Reporter 1: They share their thoughts on sharing spacesReporter 1: They share their thoughts on sharing spaces

and communities in Strabane.and communities in Strabane.

Reporter 2: They talk about the future and how it can beReporter 2: They talk about the future and how it can be

peaceful and shared for all.peaceful and shared for all.

Reporter 1: Here’s what they had to say......Reporter 1: Here’s what they had to say......

AudioAudio

Reporter 2: The young people in this podcast hope all theReporter 2: The young people in this podcast hope all the

listeners have enjoyed hearing what they have to say andlisteners have enjoyed hearing what they have to say and

will do what they can to make the future peaceful andwill do what they can to make the future peaceful and

happy for all.happy for all.

Reporter 1: Thank you for listening to the HeadlinersReporter 1: Thank you for listening to the Headliners

podcast.podcast.

Reporter 2: For more news and information fromReporter 2: For more news and information from

Headliners please go to our website on:Headliners please go to our website on:

www.headliners.orgwww.headliners.org

Reporter 1: This podcast was funded by InternationalReporter 1: This podcast was funded by International

Fund for Ireland’s Sharing in Education programme.Fund for Ireland’s Sharing in Education programme.

Podcasts are short broadcasts available to listen to on-line, a very straightforward and current form

of media for the young participants to gain experience in. Groups were divided into smaller

numbers and each young person had a chance to participate, either as presenter or interviewer or

interviewee.


Se

ssio

n P

lan

s

Session plans ensure all areas of the programme - media and community relations - are

being covered. Content can vary according to the ages and ability of the young people

involved. Here is a sample session plan used for the International Fund for Ireland’s

Sharing in Education programme.

HELPFUL TIP

ICEBREAKERS - These are perfect for easing groups into activities and engaging their interest.

The ‘Paper on Head’ game requires that each young person walks around the room with a piece of paper balanced on

their head.

If their paper falls off they are not allowed to pick it up themselves. Someone else has to carefully bend down and

replace it for them.

This game helps develop teamwork, concentration and physical awareness.

SESSION PLANS

TIME CONTENT RESOURCES

10 MINUTES ICEBREAKER X 2SHEET OF PAPER EACH

FOR ‘PAPER ON HEAD’

20 MINUTESHOPES AND FEARS

FLIP-CHART PAPER

20 MINUTESDRAW UP BASIC

CONTRACTFLIP-CHART PAPER

30 MINUTESSOUND EFFECTS EXERCISE

- LISTENING SKILLS

LAPTOP AND SPEAKERS,

SHEETS FOR ANSWERS

30 MINUTESDISCUSS RADIO; PASS

EQUIPMENT AROUND

RECORDERS EARPHONES

AND CAMERAS

20 MINUTESEVALUATION - RECORD

FEEDBACK ON SESSION

RECORDERS AND

EARPHONES

Sample Session PlanWEEK 1

SESSION 1

EVERY project starts with a

‘getting to know you’ fun session

and discussion to find out hopes

and expectations about the

project.

In the first session the young people

get to see the equipment and this

excites them about using it at a later

stage.

The subjects of peace/conflict and a

shared future and sharing space are

introduced at this stage while

explaining that over the next

number of weeks they will be

exploring these issues in depth and

also joining together with students

from a different school and culture

to hear and record their experiences.

The remainder of the sessions

involve skill-building - writing,

communication, listening, recording,

discussion, photography and

personal development.

By the final session each young

person will have been interviewed by

and have interviewed other young

people unfamiliar to them.

By the end of the project their

interviews will feature in radio

podcasts which will be on the

Headliners website,

www.headlinersradio.org

Pr

og

re

ss

re

po

rt

Choices, Issue 2 15


16 Choices, Issue 2

abOvE: barry (lEFt), daMIEn (CEntrE) and rEECE (rIgHt).

brEaKIng nEwS FrOM KnOCKavOE!

rIgHt: StEvEn SHOwS tHat IntErvIEwIng Can bE Fun

rEECE IntErvIEwS ClaSS tEaCHEr graInnE,

dEMOnStratIng HIS COnFIdEnCE In uSIng

nEw tECHnOlOgy.

StEvEn IntErvIEwS KnOCKavOE StaFF MEMbEr, CIara.

KnOCKavOE vICE-PrInCIPal nICK COnSIdErS tHE quEStIOn POSEd by IntErvIEwEr rEECE.


Choices, Issue 2 17

bEHInd tHE lEnSbEHInd tHE lEnS

at FOylEvIEw !at FOylEvIEw !

Paul FOCuSES On taKIng tHE PErFECt PICturEMargO gIvES rOnan, danIEl and Paul a PuSH.

aarOn gEtS tO grIPS wItH tHE PHOtOgraPHy

EquIPMEntFIOnntan gEtS tHE CaMEra IntO POSItIOn

SEan EnjOyS SnaPPIng HIS ClaSSMatESMarK FEElS SaFE tO Play

rOnan SPOtS tHE

CaMEra!


18 Choices, Issue 2

HEADLINERS carries out comprehensive

evaluations with each group of pupils and staff

who participate in the International

Fund for Ireland Sharing in

Education programme.

Here are some extracts

included in the teacher

feedback provided by Ms

McGowan of St Anne’s

Primary School, Strabane.

“Children enjoyed taking the lead, taking on

roles and especially interviewing. These are all techniques

that can be employed in most areas of the curriculum.”

“Media and technology skills were developed throughout the

project, these skills tie in directly with the ICT curriculum.”

“I also think the recording equipment could be an extremely

important resource to have and could be used in so many

different ways in school.

“I have learnt how to present hard issues and explore

these issues within the classroom. Media and

technology engages children and is a very

effective method to ensure all children are

motivated to express their ideas.”

“The children participated fully and expressed

their hopes in a very articulate way.”

“Children realise that they have a role to play in

working towards a peaceful future where

communities should come together to celebrate, to

play, to work, to have a future together.”

“Children definitely gained a better understanding of each

other’s communities and the project highlighted how much

children have in common and how communities can share

common interests.”

Teacher evaluationTEACHER involvement is a vital part of the Sharing in Education

programme. They are encouraged to participate fully so that their

experiences correlate with their pupils and that they are then able to

introduce the themes and techniques used to other pupils in their schools.

Ms McGowan from St Anne’s Primary School interviews

Mr Gamble of Strabane Primary School.

“Usingmedia definitely

helped to facilitateand enthuse children.”

Ms McGowan, St Anne’s teacher - a

quote taken from The Teacher

Evaluation at the end of the

project.


Choices, Issue 2 19

TThhaannkk yyoouu!!HEADLINERS FOYLE would like to

thank all the pupils who participated in

the second round of the International

Fund for Ireland’s Sharing in Education

Programme for making their time there

so productive and enjoyable. They were:

Ronan, Sean, Martin, Paul, Tony, Fionntan,

Curtis, Sean, Mark, Daniel and Ronan from

Foyleview School, Derry.

Reece, Barry, Damian, Dean, Stiofan and

Steven from Knockavoe School, Strabane.

Jordan, Ellie, Adam, Elle, Adam, Sarah,

Matthew, Kirsty, Adam, Jack, Luke and

Jessica from Strabane Primary School.

Karmela, Emer, Sarah-Louise, Ellen, Faith,

Aoife, Shannon, Amy, Zoe, Sarah-Jane, Beth

and Bronagh from St Anne’s Primary

School, Strabane.

Headliners staff would also like to thank the

Principals and staff from these schools for

their support throughout the project.

Headliners Foyle hopes that this resource

book will exist as a reminder of all this hard

work and will provide the inspiration and

resources for teachers to continue delivering

similar projects to other pupils in the schools

in the future.

All the stories and photography from these

projects can be viewed on

www.headliners.org and the radio podcasts

can be listened to on

www.headlinersradio.org

Pupils and staff from Foyleview School who participated in a photography project as part of the

IFI Sharing in Education programme delivered by Headliners.


DO YOU WANT TO BE A VOLUNTEER?

Contact us: Headliners Foyle, First Floor, Suite 2,

23 Bishop Street, Derry / Londonderry, BT48 6PR. Tel: 028 7130 9397.

Mobile: (Audrey) 07759558807. Email: [email protected]

Mobile: (Malachy) 07809873761. Email: [email protected]

Web: www.headliners.org

This project has been funded by International Fund For Ireland’s

Sharing in Education Programme.


choices

Documents

choices issue

profiles of schools

bringtogether schools

contentsfour schools

thevoice of young people

shared visionand future

knockavoe schoolstackled

creative photography