When schools across the country shut their doors due to the coronavirus, quite naturally, there was a mixed reaction from pupils. Some were delighted with the unexpected break, while others would miss their school community and the routine that comes with it.
Listen to "Ray Cuddihy, RTÉ Home School Hub" on Spreaker.
Even for those initially rejoicing, after a couple of weeks of isolation, school with friends and teachers can start to look pretty fun. But what could be done to counteract this? We have to stay apart and restrict our movements.
Well, RTÉ came up with a novel idea, Home School Hub, a TV show which began last week. Airing weekdays on RTÉ2 from 11am-12pm, the programme brings school into the sitting room. Three teachers/presenters cover lessons based on the primary school curriculum in a fun and interactive way.
Ray Cuddihy is the múinteoir heading up first and second class, while John Sharpson covers third and fourth class and Clíona Ní Chiosáin teaches fifth and sixth. All three have previously worked on RTÉ Jr and are working, qualified primary school teachers.
There are pupils all over the country that are really missing their school experience
Múinteoir Ray is from Doneraile in north Cork. He explains, given the nature of the situation, the whole thing had to be pulled together quite quickly, but he’s delighted to be involved.
“I consider myself very privileged to do it, because there are teachers all over the country that are really missing their pupils. And there’s no doubt about it, there are pupils all over the country that are really missing their school experience; they’re missing their teachers and they’re missing their friends,” he says. 
Ray Cuddihy, Home School Hub teacher and presenter.
“If we can offset that in anyway, then it’s great. Of course we’re hoping to help out the parents with home schooling as well. It’s a huge demand on parents that are already in a chaotic situation. If we can help in any small way, then we’re absolutely delighted.”
Authentic and engaging
Home School Hub is filmed in a real school, Scoil Lorcáin in Blackrock, Co Dublin. Ray feels this adds to the programme’s authenticity. They want to make the show as close to children’s school experience as possible. There are no mod-cons in the set up, says Ray, which helps, as this way the teachers need to be more creative.
“We’re really trying to make content that’s playful and engaging, but saying that, there are no gimmicks. It’s just a marker, a whiteboard and whatever classroom resources we can find. So it’s very much like classroom teaching. We’re filming here in classrooms. I suppose we’re trying to bring a sense of normality to an abnormal situation.”
Múinteoir Ray in the classroom.
Mary Immaculate College (MIC) in Limerick are supporting the initiative. All of the lessons the teachers design are passed on to Emer Ring, the dean of education there, who gives them tips and advice. While the lessons are very like those presented in the classroom, it’s important they’re adjusted to suit home learning, says Ray.
We’re really trying to utilise the kids’ environments
“The stuff we’re doing, we’re trying to tailor it so kids get maximum benefit from the lesson in their own environment. For example, I recorded a lesson yesterday and it was on historical artefacts. The lesson was pitched in the sense that the kids were sitting in their home places and that there are historical artefacts all around them.
“Getting them to look around their sitting room, is there art on the wall? Are there any antiques? Are there photographs in the attic? Is there anything else in the attic? These are all historical artefacts. We’re really trying to utilise the kids’ environments.
Explaining this lesson, Ray’s teaching voice really comes out, with loads of intonation and emphasis. Ray did his undergrad in media in IT Tralee, going on to work with RTÉ Jr as an actor and puppeteer. Last September, he graduated from MIC with a master’s in education. He was working in schools around north Cork when this opportunity presented itself.
Innovation and interaction
Although each of the múinteoirí are teaching to a different level, the aim is that all their lessons can be followed by both younger and older children. Interaction is also a key element of the show. On www.rte.ie/learn fun content and project work can be accessed for further learning after the show.
A catch-up programme later in the day, RTÉ Home School Extra, is on at 4.15pm. This will showcase the students’ work done at home, which they can upload on the website.
Researchers from the show have indicated they would particularly like to get in farming videos; where kids on the farm, with the help and supervision of their parents, would teach their peers a little bit about farming. 
The lessons are fun and interactive.
Ray’s classroom is going to display the children’s work too. “We’d love to show some of the stuff we get in. I’d love to print it off and hang it up here in the classroom, just like you would in a regular classroom.”
Although it mightn’t be the same as physically going to school, Home School Hub is the next best thing. Some kids will be dying to take part and others, well, might pretend they’re not. But still, it’ll keep the minds ticking over and the spirits lifted until pupils get to see their teachers and friends again.
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When schools across the country shut their doors due to the coronavirus, quite naturally, there was a mixed reaction from pupils. Some were delighted with the unexpected break, while others would miss their school community and the routine that comes with it.
Listen to "Ray Cuddihy, RTÉ Home School Hub" on Spreaker.
Even for those initially rejoicing, after a couple of weeks of isolation, school with friends and teachers can start to look pretty fun. But what could be done to counteract this? We have to stay apart and restrict our movements.
Well, RTÉ came up with a novel idea, Home School Hub, a TV show which began last week. Airing weekdays on RTÉ2 from 11am-12pm, the programme brings school into the sitting room. Three teachers/presenters cover lessons based on the primary school curriculum in a fun and interactive way.
Ray Cuddihy is the múinteoir heading up first and second class, while John Sharpson covers third and fourth class and Clíona Ní Chiosáin teaches fifth and sixth. All three have previously worked on RTÉ Jr and are working, qualified primary school teachers.
There are pupils all over the country that are really missing their school experience
Múinteoir Ray is from Doneraile in north Cork. He explains, given the nature of the situation, the whole thing had to be pulled together quite quickly, but he’s delighted to be involved.
“I consider myself very privileged to do it, because there are teachers all over the country that are really missing their pupils. And there’s no doubt about it, there are pupils all over the country that are really missing their school experience; they’re missing their teachers and they’re missing their friends,” he says.
Ray Cuddihy, Home School Hub teacher and presenter.
“If we can offset that in anyway, then it’s great. Of course we’re hoping to help out the parents with home schooling as well. It’s a huge demand on parents that are already in a chaotic situation. If we can help in any small way, then we’re absolutely delighted.”
Authentic and engaging
Home School Hub is filmed in a real school, Scoil Lorcáin in Blackrock, Co Dublin. Ray feels this adds to the programme’s authenticity. They want to make the show as close to children’s school experience as possible. There are no mod-cons in the set up, says Ray, which helps, as this way the teachers need to be more creative.
“We’re really trying to make content that’s playful and engaging, but saying that, there are no gimmicks. It’s just a marker, a whiteboard and whatever classroom resources we can find. So it’s very much like classroom teaching. We’re filming here in classrooms. I suppose we’re trying to bring a sense of normality to an abnormal situation.”
Múinteoir Ray in the classroom.
Mary Immaculate College (MIC) in Limerick are supporting the initiative. All of the lessons the teachers design are passed on to Emer Ring, the dean of education there, who gives them tips and advice. While the lessons are very like those presented in the classroom, it’s important they’re adjusted to suit home learning, says Ray.
We’re really trying to utilise the kids’ environments
“The stuff we’re doing, we’re trying to tailor it so kids get maximum benefit from the lesson in their own environment. For example, I recorded a lesson yesterday and it was on historical artefacts. The lesson was pitched in the sense that the kids were sitting in their home places and that there are historical artefacts all around them.
“Getting them to look around their sitting room, is there art on the wall? Are there any antiques? Are there photographs in the attic? Is there anything else in the attic? These are all historical artefacts. We’re really trying to utilise the kids’ environments.
Explaining this lesson, Ray’s teaching voice really comes out, with loads of intonation and emphasis. Ray did his undergrad in media in IT Tralee, going on to work with RTÉ Jr as an actor and puppeteer. Last September, he graduated from MIC with a master’s in education. He was working in schools around north Cork when this opportunity presented itself.
Innovation and interaction
Although each of the múinteoirí are teaching to a different level, the aim is that all their lessons can be followed by both younger and older children. Interaction is also a key element of the show. On www.rte.ie/learn fun content and project work can be accessed for further learning after the show.
A catch-up programme later in the day, RTÉ Home School Extra, is on at 4.15pm. This will showcase the students’ work done at home, which they can upload on the website.
Researchers from the show have indicated they would particularly like to get in farming videos; where kids on the farm, with the help and supervision of their parents, would teach their peers a little bit about farming.
The lessons are fun and interactive.
Ray’s classroom is going to display the children’s work too. “We’d love to show some of the stuff we get in. I’d love to print it off and hang it up here in the classroom, just like you would in a regular classroom.”
Although it mightn’t be the same as physically going to school, Home School Hub is the next best thing. Some kids will be dying to take part and others, well, might pretend they’re not. But still, it’ll keep the minds ticking over and the spirits lifted until pupils get to see their teachers and friends again.
Read more
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Living Life: walk this (green)way
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