Join us at the NALA Family Learning conference in Dublin. 

Innovative ways to develop and run family learning programmes

Our Family Learning conference is back and we are looking forward to seeing you.

You can view the full list of speakers and workshops in our Family learning conference Programme and please select 1 Morning and 1 Afternoon workshop below when you are registering. There will also be networking opportunities.

Cost: There is no fee for attending this conference. Please register below.

Travel: Please note Parking is not available at The Richmond Centre. There is a LUAS stop (Smithfield) nearby and other public transport options.

Programme

9.30 Tea, coffee and registration.

10.00 Chair: Welcome and introductions.

• Dr Lána McCarthy, Assistant Lecturer, Literacy Development Centre, South East Technological University (SETU).

10.15 Updates and discussion on family learning elements of Ireland’s Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy 2024 – 2033 and Adult Literacy for Life (ALL) Strategy.

• Colleen Dube, CEO, NALA;
• Jane Heffernan, Quality Support Coordinator, Quality Unit, Early Learning and Care and School-age Childcare Division, Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth;
• Karen Murtagh, Assistant Principal Officer, Curriculum and Assessment Policy Unit, Department of Education;
• Yvonne McKenna, Director, ALL Strategy National Programme Office, SOLAS.

10:45 Traditional storytelling in the age of distraction: The importance of traditional narrative in a 24/7 plugged in digital world.

• Niall de Burca, Scéalaí / Traditional Storyteller.

11:10 Bridging home and school: The vital role of school libraries in family literacy.

• Kathleen Moran, National Coordinator, Junior Certificate School Programme (JCSP) Demonstration Library Project.

11.45 – 1.00 Morning workshops

Please select one morning workshop.

(a) Storytelling as a tool of education: Unleash your inner storytelling ninja!
Niall De Burca, Scéalaí / Traditional Storyteller.

(b) Capitalising on teenage talent to promote engagement in learning: The Limerick City online Buddy Reading programme
Tracy Fitzgerald, Home School Community Liaison Teacher, Our Lady of Lourdes National School (NS), Limerick.

(c) Cooking-up literacy and developing family literacy together: Cook and Book Club
Gail Townrow, Community Aftercare Worker and Ciara Ní Chionnaith, Project Worker, Teach na Daoine Family Resource Centre, Monaghan.
Note: Funded through Adult Literacy for Life, supported by Ceinwen Fergus, Regional Literacy Coordinator.

(d) Traveller Story Sacks
Pamela Cullotty, Family Links Worker and Maureen Friel, Trainee Family Links Worker, Donegal Travellers Project.
Note: Funded through Adult Literacy for Life, supported by Adele McElhinney, Regional Literacy Coordinator.

(e) Empowering families: How school librarians and teachers can support literacy at home
Kathleen Moran, National Coordinator, JCSP Demonstration Library Project.

1.00 Lunch.

2.00 – 3.15 Afternoon workshops

Please select one afternoon workshop.

(f) Esker Eats: Engaging EAL* parents and building cultural bridges through cooking
Linda Boland-Quigley, Esker Educate Together National School, Lucan, Co Dublin and Cecelia Moran, Tutor, Clondalkin Adult Education Services.

(g) Capitalising on teenage talent to promote engagement in learning: The Limerick City online Buddy Reading programme
Tracy Fitzgerald, Home School Community Liaison Teacher, Our Lady of Lourdes NS, Limerick.

(h) Read to Succeed programme
Sharon Murphy, Adult Literacy Tutor, Louth and Meath Education and Training Board (ETB).

(i) Teaching STEAM** to young learners and their families
James Ryan, STEAM Tutor, Limerick and Clare ETB.

(j) Learning to support children in Primary School Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) Level 3 Special Purpose Award (SPA) – Tutor Pack
Thomas Farrell, Programme Development Officer and Carmel O’Neill, Adult Literacy Tutor, Kilkenny and Carlow ETB.

To attend the conference please register below.

Getting to the conference
While there is no parking at The Richmond Centre, there is a LUAS tram stop (Smithfield) nearby. There are also other public transport options. Also, we are pleased to say there is no registration fee. However, we would be delighted if you would become a NALA member.

Contact Fergus Dolan at fdolan@nala.ie with any questions.