Digital School of Distinction 2014

​Scoil Bhride, Clara awarded "Digital School" in 2008 and “Digital School of Distinction" in 2014.

Junior Minister for Education and Training, Ciarán Cannon T.D., visited Scoil Bhríde, Clara, Co. Offaly on Thursday 26th June 2014 to present the school with the Digital Schools of Distinction Award.  He visited the Senior Infant classroom and met with pupils who demonstrated learning through digital technology, using Ipads as part of their theme for Aistear this month. The Minister even posed for a “selfie” with the Senior Infants.

This was followed by speeches and entertainment in the hall where Minister Cannon stated “that because there are schools like Scoil Bhride in Clara, the school is held up as an example all over the world of what can be done in ICT.” He stressed that the school was taking a “leap of faith” and that Scoil Bhride was part of that group willing to embrace the power of technology.

Mr. Gerard Mc Keon, the Director of Dublin West Education Centre and also the Chairperson of the Digital Schools of Distinction Award also spoke at the ceremony

The Digital Schools of Distinction Award is a flagship programme to promote and acknowledge best practice use of ICT to deliver the best educational experience for pupils at primary level.

Following on from the school’s success in “The Digital Schools Award”, which Scoil Bhride achieved in 2008,  this initiative supported by Dublin West Education Centre, PDST Technology in Education, IPPN, INTO, CESI and HP and Microsoft, drives the integration of ICT in teaching and learning in Irish primary school to new levels. Schools who currently hold Digital Schools Awards were encouraged to apply for the Digital Schools of Distinction Award to celebrate their progress since they achieved that award.This award aims to build on the excellent progress already made by schools in ICT integration and to encourage them to strive for further progression and improvement.

This scheme rewards the achievement of Scoil Bhríde and provides a notable mark of ICT success in the school.  It provides inspiration and encouragement for other schools. There are many benefits to becoming a Digital Schools of Distinction.

​It creates:

• An opportunity to increase students’ engagement, interest and motivation to learn
• An opportunity to create an up-to-date and authentic learning environment for students
• An opportunity to foster and develop attitudes and skills necessary for pupils’ to take their place in the workplace of the future
• An opportunity to better prepare students’ to embrace the challenges and possibilities of being a productive member of our society in future years

The Digital School of Distinction award acknowledges the hard work and commitment of the entire school community, teachers, students and parents, and has led to the full integration of ICT across all school activity from curriculum to culture.
Staff, teachers and pupils are very proud of their achievements in integrating ICT into the classroom. Pupils and teachers use ICT consistently to create digital links between the classroom and home. This is testimony to the ICT culture of this school.

The school acknowledges the support and dedication of parents and local businesses in their fundraising endeavours.