A magical night of film, music and song took place in Ballybofey last week to celebrate the achievements of children from three local National Schools.
The young filmmakers from Scoil Mhuire B&C, Stranorlar, Sessiaghoneill NS and Glencovitt NS all walked the red carpet with their proud parents before attending a screening of their films. This night marked the culmination of a Creative Clusters project which allowed children from the three schools to work with artist John D. Ruddy over recent months learning the skills of stop motion animation.
Glencovitt NS (main pic) opened the evening with a wonderful performance from their ukulele group. The beautiful film, created by their talented Junior and Senior Infants, depicting life cycles in nature was then screened to the delight of the audience.
Pupils from Scoil Mhuire Stranorlar, who took part in the Creative Cluster Project. Included are Anne Marie Griffin (Principal Sessiaghoneill NS), Teresa Mc Nulty (Project Coordinator) , Eoghan Roarty, principal of Scoil Mhuire Stranorlar, John Ruddy, Sharon McGarrigle, Claire O’Malley, Siobhan Lynch, Linda Gallen, Edel Doherty, Martina Mallon principal Glencovitt NS, and Kieran McTaggart (Donegal Education Centre). Pic: Gerard McHugh Photography.
Scoil Mhuire B&C, Stranorlar (above), followed with a captivating vocal solo performance. Stranorlar school’s production explored the history and heritage of the children, telling stories from Fintown to Drumboe, Vietnam to Ukraine and all the way back to the legend of Balor.
Sessiaghoneill NS then took to the Balor Theatre stage with songs from their ukulele group before screening a hugely entertaining and imaginative film. This perfectly captured the creativity of the young filmmakers as they depicted a wide variety of tales of war, comedy, thriller and much more.
Pupils from Sessiaghoneill NS who took part in the Creative Cluster Project. Included are Anne Marie Griffin (Principal Sessiaghoneill NS), Amanda Kelly, Teresa McNulty (Project Coordinator) , Martina Mallon principal Glencovitt NS. John Ruddy, Eoghan Roarty, principal of Scoil Mhuire Stranorlar, and Kieran Mc Taggart (director of Donegal Education Centre).
Each child was awarded a Certificate of Achievement in Digital Storytelling by Mr Ruddy, together with the school principals, Martina Mallon, principal of Glencovitt NS, Eoghan Roarty, principal of Scoil Mhuire B&C, Stranorlar and Anne Marie Griffin, principal of Sessiaghoneill NS.
The night was brought to a close by the director of Donegal Education Centre, Kieran Mc Taggart, who highlighted the importance of the arts and creativity in education as well as praising all involved in this hugely successful project.
The Creative Clusters programme offers a unique opportunity to build partnerships and collaborate to develop and embed innovative and creative teaching and learning in schools. The coordinators of the project, from each of the three schools in the cluster, Teresa Mc Nulty, Anne Marie Griffin and Martina Mallon wish to thank all of the staff in their schools especially Amanda Kelly and Edel Doherty, Kathleen Gallagher (Creative Clusters facilitator), John D. Ruddy, the Department of Education, Creative Ireland and Donegal Education Centre for making this project possible.