Events and Skeet: Mooinjer Veggey - Gaelg Vio!

Taghyrtyn as Skeet - Events and Skeet

Welcome back to a new term. We're really pleased to
welcome a number of new parents and children and
are delighted to see so many familiar faces return.
Congratulations to Sally (Braddan) and
Tracy (Purt Chiarn) on the birth of their new babies.

Braddan

Braddan playgroup is now glowing like a beacon
thanks to Ali Harvey and her group of enthusiastic fellow painters from Barclay's Bank, who armed with paintbrushes have been really brightening the place up. Many thanks to them and to all the other volunteers .

Purt Chiarn

As you can see from the front sheet there will be quite a few staff changes particularly in Port Erin this term. Tracy Staniford will be taking over as Leader at the playgroup after half term, when it will run for 5 mornings once again. In the meantime,another new and welcome member of the southern staff, Geraldine Eagers, will be running a Parents and Tots group for 2 mornings a week. Thanks to the many people who have put themselves out to keep this group going.

Ballasallagh

Caroline is the new Leader at Ballasalla, and temporary Leader at Port Erin. Welcome too, to Julie Lloyd, new helper at Ballasalla.

Jurby

Several of you will be wondering what has happened to our Jurby group. We have a Leader lined up, children wishing to attend, but no suitable premises at the moment. We are pursuing this as far as possible and do intend to re-open the group as soon as we can. Songs and Rhymes I have made a few copies of cassettes of some of this terms' songs and rhymes. Contact me or your Leader if you would like one.

Mooinjer Veggey is delighted to be working closely with the Department of Education, and particularly the Headteachers at Peel Clothworkers and Ballacottier, in furthering the aim to provide education through Manx to all children whose parents wish it. Both new ventures are major steps forward for Mooinjer Veggey and will help develop even better educational and support services for its existing groups as well as increasing the availability of Manx language provision for young children.

Wanted:

Does anyone have a decent sized carpet square/ rug or large bean bag/ cushions for the rather tatty sitting area currently in use at Ballasalla? Contact Caroline.

We are looking out for lengths of bright, plain material (eg curtains) for background displays in the window sills at Braddan. Contact Jackie.

Wider developments involving Mooinjer Veggey

The Gaelic Class at Ballacottier School. This has started up successfully with 9 pupils, most from Mooinjer Veggey playgroups. The class is being taught entirely through Manx. One of the challenges for the staff will be building up a suitable and extensive bank of books/ resources for the children to use.

Volunteer translators are in great demand, as are people who would be prepared to cut and paste over existing books. Please contact Julie on 01624 801586 if you feel you could help, in this or any other way.

Mooinjer Veggey Nursery at Peel Clothworkers School. This is also well underway by now and we're pleased to be working in partnership with the Head Teacher, Mrs Dot Saunders. We welcome Dawn Naylor and Janice Quilliam onto the Mooinjer Veggey staff. Like all our staff, they will be brilliant! The new building looks lovely and is very well-equipped. The Nursery is for the 3-4 age group only, for those living in the Peel catchment area. Some parents have asked us why we have taken on the contract at Peel. We will not have as much control over what goes on there, as we do with our existing playgroups, and it is unlikely that the Manx Gaelic element will be as extensive. However, on balance, we felt we would stand to gain more than we would lose.

Staff and children stand to gain a lot from the Mooinjer Veggey influence. Our Manx songs and rhymes will be used in the Nursery and some simple Manx phrases will be taught to the children. Both new members of staff come from Manx cultural / language backgrounds and are keen to develop the Manx side of things. Both are extremely talented and have extensive experience in early education, and we will benefit from their knowledge , as they will from ours.

On a wider level, Mooinjer Veggey will gain a much needed secure source of funding; a presence in the west of the Island for the first time; the use of excellent premises; a chance to develop positive links within a school; and the funding to pay for the administration. Basically, this means that there should be more money to feed back into our other groups for equipment and to pay the Leaders/ Helpers. By being in a position to pay for some part-time administration , this will relieve the Secretary and Treasurer of some of the excessive administration they do voluntarily at the moment.

The success of this venture will depend largely on our developing really good relationships with the Department of Education and the School.