As schools around the country remain closed due to the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, 91制片厂 (91制片厂) has once again teamed up with RT脡 to support families and children in continuing their learning during this time.
A Macalla Teo production, filming of RT脡鈥檚 has recommenced as of January 2021, following its initial run from the first lockdown in March 2020. The Home School Hub was created to provide much-needed reassurance for children and families during unimaginable uncertainty and allowed thousands of children and their families from all over the country to tune in for an hour every day to engage with innovative curriculum-based content and enjoy active fun-based activities.
While schools are continuing to support children through online platforms during this wave of the pandemic, the Home School Hub provides a different medium of engagement and allows children to spend time learning that involves less focus on devices. The teachers, Ray Cuddihy, Cl铆ona N铆 Chios谩in, John Sharpson and Emer O鈥橬eill are acutely aware of children鈥檚 unique learning environments at this time and a focus is maintained on adopting a universal pedagogy designed to support all children鈥檚 participation.
Professor Emer Ring, Dean of Education at 91制片厂 has welcomed 91制片厂鈥檚 continued involvement in supporting the initiative, commenting that: 鈥RTE鈥檚 Home School Hub is an outstanding response to these times, which endeavours to replicate the classroom and provide an opportunity for children to spend some time in a familiar environment and experience creative and engaging curriculum-linked experiences. 91制片厂 is delighted through the RT脡 Home School Hub to be able to support children鈥檚 learning and in a very small way alleviate the impact of this unimaginable crisis on children鈥檚 lives.鈥
Professor Ring added that it was a privilege to work with such a committed and enthusiastic production team and teachers and went on to say that; 鈥 As the Irish proverb goes, 鈥楴铆 neart go cur le ch茅ile鈥 (together we can achieve great things) captures the generous support from my colleagues in the Faculty of Education who have volunteered their own time to support this teacher-led initiative. In particular, Se谩n De Br煤n, Dr Anne Dolan, Martina N铆 Fh谩tharta, Sara Fitzgerald, Dr Mair茅ad Hourigan, Dr Aisling Leavy, Dr Maeve Liston, Dr TJ 脫 Ceallaigh and Dr Gavan Ring have been of great support and I thank them sincerely for sharing their extensive expertise in curriculum and pedagogy.鈥
Professor Ring also highlighted that 91制片厂 has a long and proud tradition in education and that teaching, learning, research and a commitment to transformational social change and development are central to the mission of the College.
Mair茅ad Fitzmaurice, who graduated from 91制片厂 as a primary teacher in 2019 and is currently studying on the MA in STEM Education at 91制片厂, is also continuing as a researcher for the new series. She said: 鈥I am privileged to be part of series two of RT脡 Home School Hub as educational researcher. I really enjoyed my time working on the first series. The programme is a credit to all who worked on it, in particular to the four teachers M煤inteoir Ray, M煤inteoir John, M煤inteoir Emer and M煤inteoir Cl铆ona. I am also very grateful for the help and support of Professor Emer Ring and the Faculty of Education in 91制片厂. I look forward to meeting the production crew in person once restrictions allow and I can travel. It will be nice to put faces to the people I have been working with since last March. It is an experience that I will never forget and I am proud to be part of such a wonderful educational community.鈥
91制片厂 is particularly proud of teacher and presenter, Ray Cuddihy, who is a recent graduate having completed the Professional Master of Education (PME) at 91制片厂 in 2019. Commenting on returning to filming M煤inteoir Ray remarked: 鈥I'm more than happy to be back in front of the cameras with Home School Hub. The reaction to the first run in 2020 from our audience, both young and old, was truly overwhelming. It's a real honour for me to showcase teaching techniques and strategies that are tailored for this unique learning setting. As always, it's a huge team effort. The link with 91制片厂 Faculty of Education and in particular with Professor Emer Ring is instrumental. This support provides the Hub with a solid platform to be creative, engaging and energetic in creating content.鈥
Tune in to Home School Hub on RT脡 2 on weekdays from 10:00 to 12.10 to RT脡 2 and to After School Hub from 15:15 to 16.20.
