Computer Courses

The committee met to consider a programme of activities up to Christmas today.  We considered our programme in the light of returns on the questionnaire sent to members re their preferences for different activities.  There was a demand for various computer activities, ranging from beginners courses to digital cameras and sevral in between.

It was thought advisable to start with a beginners course, so that we might have a level playing pitch before offering other IT courses.  Please click on the attached file to see suggested activities for a beginners course.  If you are interested in such a course, perhaps you might look at the suggested syllabus and add, subtract or otherwise edit it and come back to me with your views, because we want to tailor the course to your requirements.  The course is not due to start until November, so there is plenty of time to fine tune the content.  However I do want your feedback, either by way of comment to this post or by phone or text or email.  Syllabus for Beginners computer course

Matt

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Explore Historic Dublin

I have attached details of the course  organised by Des O’Dowd for October in the Teachers Club.  I am sure that this course will prove to be of interest to many of our members.

For full details of the course please click on the link.  historic dublin

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Interesting events for September and October

Approximately 70 members were present this morning at the “drop” in Ballyroan and I hope everyone enjoyed the company.
The following may be of interest to some of our members:

A new book will be published in 6 Harcourt Street (Bookshop) at 7.30pm on the 20th September.  The title of the book is “Names” and consists of a collection of lectures given by professors from the Celtic countries under the names of countries – including this country.
You may also be interested in the subject.

Vere Foster Lecture  You are cordially invited to the inaugural public lecture in a series, this one to be given by the world-renowned education policy scholar Prof Bob Lingard of the University of Queenstown.  It will address the issue of inequalities in schools.

This public lecture series is an initiative of the Vere Foster Trust, established to commemorate the legacy of Vere Foster, a nineteenth-century Anglo-Irish philanthropist who supported the development of the national school system and founded the INTO in 1868.

The Trust is hoping to contribute to the public debate about education on the island of Ireland and policy development.

Please see attached a flier about the lecture, which we would be grateful if you could circulate to all of your colleagues you think would have an interest in the lecture.

Vere Foster lecture flyer 200612

The Special Education Department, St. Patrick’s College of Education, Drumcondra. 
There Will Be a Gathering on 22nd October to celebrate 50 years of Special Education. All Special Class Teachers and those who that Worked in Special Education are very welcome. Further details are (will be?) available on the website of the INTO.

Many thanks,
Michael

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Golf Outing to Castlewarden – Results

On Friday 17th August, 15 enthusiastic members of RTA and friends turned up at Castlewarden Golf Course for our second game of golf….only to be met by a big sign saying “sorry course closed”..
While Vincent and Sheila pondered another course and planned a convoy to get there, management reconsidered and opened the course, warning us that if there was heavy rain it would then be closed again, but we would get complimentary passes for another game….despite some of our players wondering if the downpour came on the 17th
or 18th hole would that qualify for a free pass, not a speck of rain was felt…..the sun shone for the day and made for a very enjoyable outing….the course was in splendid condition except for a few puddles….the fairways were wide but some of us still wanted to visit the trees and in some cases the streams and lake….all the more interesting…..
There were some good scores and well deserving winners….
Ladies RTA…………………Cora Quinn
Gents RTA………………….Matt Reville
Ladies 1st visitors…………Geraldine O’Neill
Gents 1st  visitors…………Paul Quinn(back 9)
Congratulations to our winners….
Congratulations also to all our players who didn’t win a prize but enjoyed the day….
We hope to organise another game in September and hope to see all our players back along
with some new faces….
Further information on location and date to follow….

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Reminder – Golf Outing

Our second golf outing has been arranged for Friday 17th August in Castlewarden…..Exit 6 off Naas dual carriageway.
Tee time is from 10 30am to 11 30am and the cost is 30 euros…..that includes
the extra 5 euros toward prizes….
We hope to see as many of you as possible and please bring a friend with you….
we look forward to seeing you on the day…
Please contact us with your name and the names of other members or friends who wish to play so that we can arrange tee times and groupings:
Sheila Kelly……sheilamkelly@eircom.net……0872857384 or

Vincent Borland…..vincentborland@gmail.com……0868243013

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2nd Golf Outing

Our second golf outing has been arranged for Friday 17th August in Castlewarden…..
Tee time is from 10 30am to 11 30am and the cost is 30 euros…..that includes
the extra 5 euros toward prizes….
Winners from our first outing have crowns to defend and we hope there are many challengers in the ranks, desirous of taking away those crowns!  We hope to see as many of you as possible and please bring a friend with you….
so put this date into your diary now and we look forward to seeing you on the day…
please contact either:
Sheila Kelly……sheilamkelly@eircom.net……0872857384 or
Vincent Borland…..vincentborland@gmail.com……0868243013

Sheila.

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Blackrock Education Centre Drop-In

The retired teachers coffee morning drop in takes place in the Blackrock EC on the last Friday of the month from 11 – 1.  The room is informally set up and coffee is available throughout the morning.  Parking is also available on site.

The meetings are very enjoyable, with some interesting discussions taking place, as those attending share their holiday and travel experiences.  We have also heard from those who have volunteered in third world countries.  Group play reading was planned for the May meeting but due to poor attendance, it had to be abandoned!  It is hoped to try again in September.

Although attendances could be better, it is intended to continue the meetings in Blackrock, re-commencing in September and the hope is that when the word spreads numbers will pick up.

Mary Frewen

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Trips to Cardiff and to the Titanic Exhibition in Belfast

The success of this trip was very much due to Marjorie’s exceptional skill at organisation and as usual, she is owed a huge debt of gratitude by the association for arranging everything.

We had a very comfortable coach and our driver and courier, Martin and Siobhan, were most attentive and helpful in every way.

As planned, we stayed in Cardiff and visited the city of Bath, Cardiff Castle, Wells Cathedral and also had time off for shopping.  At Marjorie’s suggestion, we went to Aberfan.  This proved to be quite emotional.  The villagers were very touched that Irish teachers remembered their tragedy.  As a memorial to the teaches and children who were lost when the slag heap buried their school, a children’s playground has now been erected on the site.

Siobhan, our courier, took lots of pictures and put them on disk.  After coming home, Marjorie, at no extra charge, furnished each of us with a copy of the disk.

Titanic Exhibition

Marjorie Murphy also organised this trip to Belfast.  This exhibition was one with a difference, particularly because so much modern technology is used and were I to give a detailed account now, I would spoil the experience for anyone intending to visit at a later date.

The duration of the exhibition is about two and a half hours.  This is no problem as there are seats scattered throughout the exhibition and the restaurant and gift shop are in the same building.  Steps and stairs are no problem as lifts operate between all floors.

I heartily recommend a visit.

I am indebted to Eileen McManus for compiling the reports on these trips and to Tom Ó Briain for the video.  Ár míle buíochas dóibh.

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Golf Outing and RTA Golf Society

Monday 25th June was one of our rare warm sunny days and was also the first day of our newly formed RTA golf society……

Although some of us got a little confused about which turn to take off the roundabout at Blanchardstown, we all eventually turned up at Elm Green Golf course and groups of three were detatched without delay…

Thanks to Donal we managed to rustle up a few prizes which were presented to the deserving winners at our little get together following our game….

Our winners were….Gents….Peter O’Loughlin
Ladies…Susan Maher
visitors Gents….Michael McMullen
Ladies…Ann Reville

Congratulations to all our winners…….

All agreed that we had had a very enjoyable day and that our first golf outing was a success…..

We hope to have our next one early August and details of the date and venue will be mailed to you in the next few days….
Any suggestions for a course will be welcomed by Vincent or myself…..

We are endeavouring to get a reasonable rate and will ask for an extra 5 euros to cover prizes…..to make it more interesting and competitive….
We hope to see all our original members and may more new members and friends….this will continue to be a fun day….

further details in the next few days….

Sheila

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Free Lunchtime Concert

Tanya, a soloist with The Guinness Choir will be doing a FREELunchtime Recital on Thursday July 19th at 1.15pm in St. Ann’s Church Dawson Street  and we would love to see some of you there if you are around.

Admission free, Donations received.

Details of the Programme are below – Many thanks

Summer Lunchtime Recital

St. Ann’s Church, Dawson Street

1.15pm

 Frauenliebe und Leben            Schumann

Les gars qui vont a la fete          Poulenc

Les Chemins de L’amour           Poulenc

It was a Lover and his Lass       Finzi

Dream Valley                            Quilter

Love’s Philosophy                     Quilter

Che faro senza Euridice            Gluck

Una voce poco fa                       Rossini

 


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