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Investing in Children award - Third class pupils at Our Lady of Lourdes NS celebrating the 100th Investing in Children award. Picture: Keith Wiseman. Investing in Children award - Third class pupils at Our Lady of Lourdes NS celebrating the 100th Investing in Children award. Picture: Keith Wiseman.

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100th Investing in Children award presented to students of Our Lady of Lourdes National School

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Investing in Children award – Third class pupils at Our Lady of Lourdes NS celebrating the 100th Investing in Children award.  Picture: Keith Wiseman.

100th Investing in Children award presented to students of Our Lady of Lourdes National School

A group of Limerick students were today presented with an ‘Investing in Children’ Award for their participation on ‘Buddy Reading Mentoring Programme’, a virtual programme aimed to support and encourage primary school children with their reading. The award was the 100th Investing in Children award to be awarded in Ireland.

The ‘Buddy Reading Mentoring Programme’ involved six Transition Year students from Laurel Hill Colaiste who teamed up with Tulsa’s Prevention, Partnership and Family Support Department to support and mentor third class pupils from Our Lady of Lourdes National School with their reading. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, all the engagements took place online in a weekly virtual one to one meeting. When restrictions were lifted, both groups met in person and exchanged presents in December. In April 2021, the six Transition Year Students were recognised for their positive contribution to the Limerick Divisional Garda Youth Award.


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Pictured are Damien Landy, Tusla, Tracy Fitzgerald, Home School Liaison Co-ordinator, Sinead Hickey, Tusla, Kirsten Simring, Tusla and third-class pupils at Our Lady of Lourdes NS. Picture: Keith Wiseman.

Pictured are Damien Landy, Tusla, Tracy Fitzgerald, Home School Liaison Co-ordinator, Sinead Hickey, Tusla, Kirsten Simring, Tusla and third-class pupils at Our Lady of Lourdes NS. Picture: Keith Wiseman.

The award presentation, attended by a small number of students and parents, took place at Our Lady of Lourdes National School.

Speaking about the achievement, Kate Duggan, National Director of Services and Integration, Tusla said: “This project is a wonderful example of how young people can participate and make an impact on their own lives and the lives of others. In particular, it shows how they took the challenges posed by Covid and came up with solutions. I am very impressed by what they have achieved and am delighted to meet them today and present them with these awards.”

Aideen Ryan, Teacher, Our Lady of Lourdes National School, said: “The Buddy Reading Programme has been a hugely positive experience for all the pupils involved. It is without a doubt the highlight of their week. As well as a noticeable improvement in their reading, they have forged new relationships with the older pupils over the past few weeks. It has instilled a love of reading among the pupils, hopefully, something that will always stay with them.” 

Sinead Hickey, PPFS Manager, Tusla, said: “At Tusla, we were delighted to partner with Our Lady of Lourdes National School and the students in Laurel Hill Colaiste. The project is a testimony to the wonderful young people in Limerick City and the energy and enthusiasm of the pupils in Our Lady of Lourdes national school. A special thank you to both Tracy Fitzgerald, Home School Liaison Coordinator, Our Lady Of Lourdes national school and my own staff for their work in coordinating and managing this brilliant project.”

 

About Tusla – Child and Family Agency

 Tusla – Child and Family Agency was established on 1st January 2014 and is the dedicated State agency responsible for improving wellbeing and outcomes for children. It represents the most comprehensive reform of child protection, early intervention and family support services ever undertaken in Ireland. It is an ambitious move that brings together the former HSE Children and Family Services, Family Support Agency and National Educational Welfare Board and incorporates some psychological services and a range of services responding to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. There are over 4,000 staff working in the Agency.

 

For more stories on Tulsa go HERE

For more info on Tulsa go HERE 

Richard is a presenter, producer, songwriter and actor. He was named the Limerick Person of the Year (2011) and won an online award at the Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (2011) for promoting multi-culturalism online. Richard says that the ilovelimerick.com concept is very much a community driven project that aims to document life in Limerick. So, that in 20 years time people can look back and remember the events that were making the headlines.