Digital schools plaque for Kilcoe

AS Skibbereen hosts Ireland’s first National Digital Week a local national school is celebrating its own digital achievement.

Kilcoe National School is at the forefront of promoting a culture of digital learning and awareness and were this week delighted to announce  that they had just been awarded the status of Digital School of Distinction, becoming only one of 150 schools in Ireland to hold this prestigious award.

The Digital Schools of Distinction Award is an award programme launched by the Minister for Education in 2013 which promotes, recognises and encourages best practice in the use of technology in primary schools. 

‘Pupils and staff at Kilcoe underwent a rigorous application process to achieve this coveted award. In October 2015, the school was inspected by a Digital Schools of Distinction validator approved by the Department of Education,’ explained principal Michelle Griffin.

‘The validator then submitted a report to the Digital Schools of Distinction committee for review, after which, the school was awarded the title of Digital School of Distinction,’ she added.          

This initiative is sponsored by HP Ireland and Microsoft Ireland. As a result of achieving the Digitial Schools award, Kilcoe school will receive a new wireless printer and free printing for the year, to the value of €1,000. 

This award recognises the time, effort and money in the development of a digital culture in Kilcoe NS and the development of both pupils’ and teachers’ digital literacy. 

The progressive national school will hold an awards ceremony next month to unveil their new Digital Schools plaque. 

The award has been developed to help schools around the country to further integrate technology into the classrooms by providing a pathway and resources for schools who are seeking to integrate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into their teaching and learning.