1916 DRAMA: An Irish language school in Omagh has made it to final of an all-Ireland drama competition.
Gaelscoil na gCrann is one of six finalists in a competition, organised by the Abbey Theatre and RTÉ, in which schools wrote and performed a drama based on any aspect of the events of 1916.
The school with the most votes will perform at The Abbey while it will be televised on RTÉ.
Grace - Just hold me in your arms, is an original play written in Irish by principal Risteard MacDaibhéid. It is primarily based on the immediate aftermath of the execution of Joseph Mary Plunkett. The main focus of the play is how it directly affected Grace Gifford, the new bride/widow of Joseph.
The play is performed by the P6 and 7 pupils and contains a mixture of song, dance and music.
"The play fits perfectly into the curriculum covering many key areas including the arts, the world around us, thinking skills and personal capabilities, cultural diversity and understanding," Mr MacDaibhéid said.
He added it also helped develop key fundamental skills in pupils "such as self-confidence, self-belief, self-worth, community spirit and respect".
To vote, visit http://trte.rte.ie/swipetv/.
FLEXIBLE TEACHING: Increasing numbers of women teachers are being forced to leave the profession because employers are refusing to consider requests for flexible working, the NASUWT Northern Ireland annual conference heard.
Employers are resisting and actively discouraging requests for flexible working, a motion debated at the conference claimed.
Teachers called on the Department of Education to make flexible working a statutory right for teachers with caring responsibilities.
Chris Keates, NASUWT General Secretary said: "All evidence shows that flexible working benefits the employer and the employee. As it is mainly women who seek to access this provision a refusal could be potentially unlawful discrimination.
"A strong promotion by the Northern Ireland Executive of the benefits of flexible working is required."
Justin McCamphill, NASUWT Northern Ireland National Official added: "Employers who look favourably on requests for flexible working have a much better chance of retaining experienced and specialist staff. Claims that flexible working has a negative impact on pupil progress are nonsense."
